CAKE.

Lady Magnon loves making cakes.

Her recipe for Strawberry-n-Cream Sponge Cake is as follows.

2 small lighter-than-air sponge cakes (Mary Berry recipe)

4 kilos thick Cream (at least)

4 kilos Strawberries (at least).... Then assemble as required.

That's it. It was my birthday yesterday, and this was the cake.

Garden Design à la Cro.

I'm basically a vegetable gardener; not a flower gardener. But I do like my non-vegetable garden to be reasonably attractive.

To me foliage is more important than flowers. Simplicity is more important than 'busy'. A garden should hold surprises.

One single well-positioned pot says far more than a dozen in the wrong place. My garden has no place for anything 'white'.

Contrast is essential. A perfectly clipped shrub sits comfortably besides a chaotic mix of cottage flowers.

There must be areas of shade, areas of sun, and areas for play. There must be grass, but not so much that it becomes overly time-consuming. There should be trees of all sizes, from huge to tiny. There must be fruit trees, foliage trees, and shade trees. There must also be a vegetable garden; however large, small, or productive.

In a perfect world there would be naturally moving water (sadly I have to make-do with the pool), and there would be an abundance of wild life.

There also has to be a washing line. No garden is complete without a bloody washing line, however ugly it may seem.

And under the category of 'Ain't Nature Wonderful', I like to leave certain wild plants in peace, such as the one below.

That's it; Cro's essential garden.

Abba Sill.

When anyone arrives from Sweden, or even if they are going to Ikea, there is always one thing I ask people to buy for me; Abba Sill. Abba is the best maker of Sill. (Kellogg's mother brought these over from Sweden with her)

In case you are a stranger to Sill, it is marinated herring; usually in a sweet and sour Dill-flavoured sauce. Sweden's greatest delicacy.

Anyway, I want to tell you my funny Sill related story.

I was in Waitrose (a UK supermarket) in Brighton when I spotted what looked to me like Sill on the Deli counter. I asked the man behind the counter if it was in fact Sill.

"No Sir" replied the man "We don't sell Seal here".

"Not SEAL" I said.... "SILL".

"No Seal is sold in this shop Sir" he replied again "It's a banned product".

"I don't want to buy any wretched Seal" I said, becoming somewhat frustrated with the man "I just wanted to know if this is SILL.... ESS EYE ELL ELL".

"No Sir, I've already told you; we don't sell Seal here".

"Oh forget it" I muttered as I walked away. Behind me I could hear him telling his fellow workers that he'd just had some nutcase wanting to buy Seal meat.

Just look at that face!

Kant rightly said that 'you can tell the heart of a man by his treatment of animals'.

Cro says 'you can tell the spirit of a man by his attitude towards swimming'.

I love to see children swimming; even at Bunny's age. Children have such a wonderful relationship with water; they throw themselves into it with such gusto, splashing around with unbridled joy. They dive-bomb, and try to drown each other; they forget all their worries (if indeed they have any), and they become totally liberated.

I am so pleased to see that Bunny loves water. I've recently encountered one or two children who wouldn't go near a pool, and it worries me; rather like when I see a child who's afraid of dogs. It just ain't right.

Anyway, here's Bunny and Kellogg enjoying their yesterday afternoon's swim.

Seriously good photo.  © Cro Magnon!!!

Salon de Thé; Bonaguil 47.

                            

Decent restaurants, out here, are becoming as rare as hen's teeth; but I've recently found a little treasure.

Not a restaurant in the wider sense, but an eaterie car même.

The little Salon de Thé in Bonaguil is a gem. It sits within the garden of a tiny cottage at the bottom of the long climb up to the famous chateau. The cottage itself is used as an exhibition gallery for Madame's pottery, whilst the garden is used by Monsieur for his charming Café/Restaurant.

We went on a very hot day, and the Wisteria, which roofs the entire garden, afforded perfect shade; flowers from its tumbling tresses fell onto our plates as we chatted. It was totally charming.

A Tabby sat on my lap, there were huge ancient flower-filled pots all around, and the condiments tray included truffle oil and black volcanic salt.

These people are aesthetes. Perfect décor, perfect ambience, and a perfect meal for the occasion.

My friend Wheeze and I both chose the same simple but delicious salad. Thinly sliced smoked duck magret, a selection of local cheeses, figs, melon, and a mixed green salad; followed by a coffee served in one of Madame's hand-made cups, with a delicious small chocolate cake.

I forgot my camera, so my description will have to do. The perfect meal for two cost just €25; merçi cherie.

The picture above has nothing to do with the restaurant, but gives some idea of the rustic garden ambiance.

I recommend.

National Amy sings 'Teach Me Tonight' with Jools in 2005.

Amy looking good and singing beautifully, accompanied by Jools and Co; what a star she was! This is from 2005, before her 'problems' became more serious. A rare singer who totally understood the word 'phrasing' (as in music).

Gone but not forgotten.

There are certain cars that should NEVER have gone out of production, and would be as popular today as they were at the time.

Here are just a few.

                              

                              

                              

                              

                              

All these cars have one thing in common; they are very simple, and can usually be repaired with a piece of string and some chewing gum.

I've owned 3 of the above, and LOVED each of them.