Glanbrydan’s Weblog

Life has been very hectic recently.

This morning T.W.O. woke me up a lovely hot cup of tea, I rolled over and kept my eyes firmly shut. I’m not sure if the excess of red wine last night or the busy weekend have caught up with me but what ever it is I wanted desperately to just go back to sleep! But with the carpenter coming to seal the living room floor I had no option – just another ten minutes.

Now sleep is such a pleasure as we have moved back into our own bedroom. The 6ft bed we purchased before we spent every last penny on the house renovations has pride of place in our new bedroom.

The light airy room with the wooden floor and French windows that overlook the garden make the room feel comfortable. We moved the rest of the bedroom furniture in last night and I’m currently deciding what I should put away in the chest of drawers.

This little haven is currently the most finished part of the house except for the bathrooms. The bathrooms have all the facilities and we have risked wooden floors throughout the upstairs so I invested in the biggest bath mat I could find.

Little by little our new home is coming along although we still have no stairs cannot use the living room until the floor has been sealed and are camping in the kitchen it feels like a long road to the finishing line.

<!– <!–

Introducing Jess Cat

I mentioned some months ago that a little black stranger had come visiting us one dark winter evening.

We were performing our evening inspection of the builders work in the extension. There were no windows and no electricity just breeze block walls, joists and a roof.

I cannot describe the noise that came out of a dark, damp corner but I think you can imagine a scared, hungry jet black kitten might just have wanted us to go away. Sadly my girly response was to scream.

A day or so later we were walking from the caravan to the wood cabin in the dark and the same thing happened but this time we caught a glimpse of the little thing. Fur all on end terrified by us disturbing his new hiding place. He had chosen the BBQ which has a shelf to keep him off the floor and a waterproof cover to keep the rain out.

Over the next couple of weeks we placed bowls of food and drink just under the caravan and slowly the little cat came to trust us but just a bit. I would sit on the caravan step and wait for him to peep out until one day he let me touch his head.

Just a few months later our farm kitten has moved in. Jess cat sleeps on either my rocking chair or TWO’s recliner as both are covered with blankets and cushions. He loves a morning fuss from TWO who gets up early and I enjoy him sleeping on my lap at some point in the evenings.

He has brought us so much pleasure. He is friends with the more outgoing of our 2 semi feral cats, Smudger, and they enjoy chase me games. He also enjoys trying to stop us typing and jumping at things that move on the television. His favourite programs include wildlife shows and football games.

Currently the garden is unloved, covered in builders junk and the veg patch in particular looks more like an unloved allotment infested with weeds. From the middle of June last year the lawn has not experienced the blades of the mower while the flower beds have not seen a trowel and to add that touch of something special we have a container filled with our possessions in the middle of it all. The picture is grim!

I am overwhelmed by the tasks that 6 months of neglect have piled up. It’s like all those things in life that just seem to big to tackle. The task is just too big.

When I studied for my degree I studied the basics of manufacturing processes and the principles of Taylorism (Frederick Taylor, 1856-1915) which is the process of breaking every task down into individual actions. This process was adopted by business & lifestyle gurus through the 1980’s to help us focus on those illusive goals in life. I think we all know the principles these days.

So with a heavy heart I need a plan for getting my garden back to life. Just to add to this we are now ankle deep in mud as the snow has all melted and the rain is now (as I type) continually tapping it little fingers on the roof of the cabin above my head.

I have made a start though. I have been shopping! And yes I do know that is not the way to get stuck in but rather the way to avoid what needs doing.

However I did buy my first ever heated propagator (and I haven’t confessed the unplanned spend to T.W.O yet) as well as 3 packets of seeds

So my ‘big task’ list begins like this:

v    Tidy up builders mess (or get them to)

v    Move the big pile of stones from under the washing line

v    Weed the veg beds

v    Weed the flower beds

Then I think we can start to plan a new garden.

And yet I really want to plant those seeds now………..

Hi

I thought I would take the chance while Sam was doing other things to slip in this post about the last few weeks and the weather as it has been quite eventful.

Firstly to get away from the caravan and cabin we spent Christmas up at Carrbridge which is around four miles outside of Aviemore in Scotland. The weather was perfect for a ski-ing resort, only a shame we didn’t go there for the ski-ing but we did have great fun on the Rodel Bahn (sledge run) which brought back memories of the German Alps at the millenium. My little mishap wasn’t a reminder although I shan’t forget it in a hurry. The head has just about recovered!

We then spent New Year seeing daughters, son in laws, partners and grandchildren having a great time at each.

When we returned home however it was to a very different scene with the hills and mountains carrying their coat of snow which transferred them to a new world.

That was the good side for the bad side was that we became effectively cut off as the council viewed gritting the lanes around us as very low to no priority so they were quite lethal. With care however we found we could get down into the valley and back again so could get into town for the essentials uch as wine. We weren’t prepared to risk going any distance as we couldn’t be sure of getting back again so the cars have had something of a rest.

We also had problems getting supplies for the farmers markets as two suppliers declined to chance the minor roads so we were left wanting. happily that worked out ok though as the farmers market was cancelled due to the weather. Hopefully those booked for later this month will be ok as we don’t want to lose the momentum built up before Christmas.

Talking of farmers markets our reputation must be growing as we have been invited to become part of the Aberystwyth farmers market which is one of the more successful.

Going back to the weather a real problem hit us when the water supply froze up and stayed in that way for over a week. For a couple of days we had no water at all and then we had to cart it up from the house. Most things have no unfrozen but that wasn’t without incident as yesterday we heard strange banging noises outside which was followed by a bang and water shooting everywhere as one of the pipes had been frozen off by ice and when the ice thawed the water flowed. happily one of the builders sorted it our for us and we are now dry!

Talking of builders, the reak advantage of this weather is that they have been working non-stop on the house as they can’t work outside so lots of progress has been made. Currently they are building wardrobes and plastering following the first fixes for plumbing and electrics.

Plumbing raises a problem for us as due to the weather all plumbers round here are working flat out, including ours and whilst the builders need him to do jobs so they can progress we are finding it almost impossible to coax him around here.

Going back to electrics for a minute, have you ever had to have your power supply to the house moved? I ask as we are having to pay somewhere between £530 and £800 for them to move our power supply and meter from inside the lounge to the outer wall imediately adjacent! Money for old rope or what?

That just about brings us up to date except to mention (and I don’t know if Sam has already mentioned it) that we have been adopted by a young cat who has wormed their way into our home and affections. As we don’t know the gender we have called it Jessie although it seems totally reluctant to answer to the name. Also Vickie now spends most of her day whining as she would like to catch it and despatch it. Little does she know that she would get little change out of Jessie and she would probably come off worse.

I shall leave you in peace now and just leave you in the hope that you are not being troubled too much by this inclement weather.

T-W-O

 Carrbridge, nearest village to where we stayed

We went to Scotland for the Christmas holidays to get away from the building work and generally have a get away from it all.

We weren’t disappointed as we stayed a few miles from Aviemore and it snowed, snowed, snowed! Once we were settled in and the fridge was stocked we could relax. We stayed at a small complex with wood cabins (because we just cannot get too much of them). The cabins were compact but had everything we needed, kitchen, bathroom & somewhere to sleep. My mother joined us and together we sledged, built snowmen and walked (a little)

Waking up to the snow and not having to drive or get about meant we could enjoy it. I really feel for people who have trouble getting about in the good weather, the freezing pavements and roads can be a real hazard to everyone.

We have come home to find our world has frozen up. After a small amount of snow the temperate dropped and even our cold water supply has frozen solid!  The pavements are so icy it’s shocking. I know the TV has been reporting it but local councils need to wake up to the fact that it just isn’t safe to walk around. Somehow we need to solve the problem of icy pavements rather than have people and pushchairs wandering in the roads.

I really appreciate the freeze is a shock in these times of global warming but how do other countries manage?

On a happier note we have been adopted by a wild kitten. We think it must be a baby from a farm cat somewhere local to us. Being unsure of the sex we have called it Jessie cat. We currently feed her and she comes into the cabin for a play, a fuss and a warm up.

I have to let any customers know that we are very sorry but we have been unable to get to Brecon Market & Llangynidr market today.

We left in convoy in the dark and cold this morning at an early hour and drove down to the main road believing that if we reached that we would on a gritted main road. However there was no sign of the gritter lorries usual spray of sand and stones. We drove on for a couple of miles over the frozen slush. I have to say I was terrified and we stopped at the local petrol station and decided to turn around.

Many apologies -

Have a good Christmas and a wonderful new year.

See you in January

I have been thinking about ways in which our little business operates and I think we are doing a few environmentally sound things.

We could always do better but we are trying to get it right.

So far:

v    The pasties and pies are labelled with pastry letters so we don’t need to label the packaging.

v    We use paper bags and try to remember to ask our customers if they need a bag. So many people now carry shopping bags with them.

v    Our vegetable peelings either go to compost or chicken mash.

v    Any open bottles of left over wine go in the chef that evening not down the drain.

v    We recycle our card, tin, plastic boxes and glass waste.

v    Our local butcher supplies most of our meat, which he gets delivered from the nearest slaughter house.

v    We re-use the empty paper flour sacks to put any food waste in which then goes into our ‘food waste’ bin that the council empty each week

Things to work on:

v    Sourcing flour (that we can afford to buy) from within Europe.

v    Using more of our own veg.

v    Trying to do more local events

and lots more I’m sure…………

You will need time for your pastry to cool in the fridge and your sausage meat to develop so I suggest you make the pastry and the meat mix the day before you need it.

 Pastry

250g plain flour

125g of fat made up of equal parts stalk cake margarine & Trex. Or your preferred choice of pastry fat (lard, butter or whatever you like)

A pinch of salt.

Enough water to bring the mix together

 For the filling

We use

350g of unseasoned sausage meat

1.5 teaspoon of sage

A really good pinch of salt & pepper (it really needs this as it’s only seasoning so don’t skimp)

A good handful of diced onion – this helps moisten it.

Cheats filling

Your favourite sausages with the skin removed – no prep required but only do it if you’re short of time.

You also need extra flour for rolling out and a beaten egg for glaze.

 Make the pastry by putting the ingredients in a food processor whizzing it up for 20 or so seconds and then put in the water, I use about 4 & a half table spoons. Whiz again until it all comes together.

You can rub the fat in by hand until it resembled breadcrumbs then add the water. Mix it all together with your hands until it binds together.

Put the pastry in cling film or a plastic bag in the fridge until you need it.

Put the sausage meat, sage and seasoning in a bowl. Add the onions.

Now squidge the lot through your hands and fingers until it is all mixed together.

Pop this in the fridge overnight or for a few hours.

 To make the rolls up you will need extra plain flour.

Cover your rolling service with flour and get a handful of sausage meat. Form it into a thick sausage and roll it into a tube shape with your hands. It can be a bit naughty at this stage but try rolling from the centre outwards. If the end drops off just chuck it back into the bowl and add it to the next lot. I like my sausage meat tube to be end up about two fingers deep.

 Grab some pastry  -  a handful will do. Pat it into a rectangle shape to make it easier to roll out and then use the rolling pin to roll into a nice oblong long enough for your sausage tube and wide enough to wrap round your sausage tube with a bit of overlap.

 Straighten up the edges with a knife and then use beaten egg to coat the pasty as it faces you. Place your sausage tube on one edge of the pastry and roll it up. If the ends look messy then trim them neatly.

Cut the rolls to your desired size. We make them about 3 inches long, place them fold side down on a baking tray. I suggest you grease the tray or cover it in a sheet of silicon paper so they don’t stick. Make a few slashed cuts on top of your sausage rolls and coat them in beaten egg.

Repeat this until all the meat is gone. If you have any pastry left roll it out and cut into strips. Twist the strips and sprinkle with sesame seeds or a tiny bit of mustard powder and some strong grated cheese and cook them at the same time to make cheese straws. They can be cooked at the same time but won’t take as long so remebr to check on them after 20 minutes.

Cook them at 180 degrees C or gas mark 4 for about 40 minutes in the middle of the oven but keep an eye on that pastry as all ovens vary!

 Enjoy!

You may be wondering why at 03.40 I am sitting in the cabin and finally getting around to writing a blog. The reason for this apparent insanity is that there is an awful storm blowing outside which keeps shaking the caravan, blowing the bins over and wheeling the bin lid somewhere up the lane, so not surprisingly perhaps I cannot sleep. But at least it does give me an opportunity to let you know what is happening to Sam and I.

We are getting on OK in the caravan and cabin but have to be very careful with our electrical appliances as we only have a limited supply and if we put too many items on at once, it cuts them all off, not too good for the freezer! The washing machine and tumble dryer are now up and working in the new shed we bought (when we move back into the house it will become our garden implement shed) although the plumbing and drainage for it all was quite challenging.

On the downside the fridge in the caravan is not working on any of its three power options so I fear it may be terminal. I need to get it out and down the caravan refrigerator hospital to see if they can put life back into it.

They are getting on with the house to the point where we now have an upstairs again (but no stairs!) and we can see the various elements of our bedroom area taking shape. The cheeky builders have reconnected both of the wood burners and have been burning lots of the scrap wood to keep warm which is a shame as we had our eyes on it all-seeing it as a brief respite from the search for good fire fodder. But at least it does mean that the fires haven’t suffered from being moved about. We are still waiting for the doors and windows for the back of the house to arrive and be fitted which is when they can really get on with the inside. The specialist who is making the front door, windows and stairs is refusing to fit them until the builders have finished their work for fear of them damaging them. The rebuilding of the chimney seems to have been successful as since then we have seen no water coming down it at all.

On the down side the cost of doing the extension has rocketed way over budget but given our desire to retain the character of the cottage, improve the structure and quality of our home overall, it isn’t really too surprising. We have had to increase our mortgage now to pay for it and may need to go back for yet more.

Vicky seems to be over Bert but she has become awfully whiny especially as she can see us for most of the day, and we can hear her! We got Bert’s ashes back a week or so ago so now his passing doesn’t seem so bad. He has joined Puds our first dog and no doubt one day when we feel our wanderings are over we will bury them both together. The cats are becoming more friendly towards us, it’s only taken a year and a half. Tats doesn’t swat as much and even can take a light fuss whilst Smudger just loves a fuss, but only in their home. She still hunts for Britain and a week or so ago we had a thick cock pheasant come into the garden which gave Smudger much fun in stalking him. The pheasant was too big to be taken but I think Smudger thought it would be good practice.

The pies and pasties part of our lives is manic at the moment due to the number of events we are attending between now and Christmas. We have brought in a number of new lines to make our offering more interesting, these include a chicken leek and Stilton pie, a steak and Brecon ale pie (you ought to try the Brecon ales, they are fabulous), a steak and kidney pie (in addition to the traditional steamed suet steak and kidney pudding we already do), a sausage roll with proper sausage meat and seasoning and a Christmas pudding. All very traditional, very simple and very tasty. We still can’t do the dog treats as the smell would be unacceptable (we feel) to the place we are currently cooking in. The result is that lots of people keep asking us when we are going to do them again. We do like the dog treats as they are easy to sell on the stall and by post.

The new grandchildren are doing very well and growing by the day. Sam and Leah are now home with mum and dad, hopefully they will have a larger home soon as it is all a squeeze in the flat. The Chard end of the family are also doing well with Amy and Abi both having their birthdays in recent weeks. Lisa and Iain have both so far escaped the job cuts that were being made at both of the places were they work whilst Gail just meanders through life as she has always done.

I would post some photos of the house etc but our camera is in the caravan whilst the charger for camera is somewhere in one of the containers so we are unable to use it at all at present.

How nice, it has just started raining again. What with the rain and wind we have had more than our fair share of nasty weather so it can stop now if it wants to.

I hope you enjoyed this long-winded (appropriate description in view of the weather outside) narrative and if this weather keeps up I just might be writing another one tonight.

T W O