The pickling of young Walnuts.

Unlike last year, this year there is no shortage of Walnuts for pickling. For this process they need to be immature, with no wood having formed inside. A simple test with a pointed knife will reveal if this is so.

The green nuts must be 'topped and tailed', and pierced with a stainless knife blade a couple of times. Any slight imperfections should also be removed.

They are then put into brine for 10 days, with the brine being changed at least twice. Then they are washed and dried, and put out into the sun for a couple of days until they turn black.

At this stage they are packed into large jars and a sweetened vinegar added. You now have to wait at least until Christmas; preferably Christmas 2019 or 2020.  

                                        

Pickled Walnuts are not to everyone's taste, but I have yet to find a more delicious accompaniment to really good strong English Cheddar cheese.

Heroes of the Aussie beaches.

Anyone who watched the recent Commonwealth Games will recognise this spot.

Lots of sporting interviews took place on this beach, looking back towards the eerie city-scape that is Gold Coast.

Australia is so vast that coastal towns are separated by miles of deserted sandy beaches. Perfect for long walks, 4X guzzling, and Prawn BBQ-ing.

Our intrepid heroes of the beach are (L to R) Fearless Finn, Ollie the Gark, Gorgeous George, and Heroic Harv'. A more dashing set of beach bums, I have never seen.

BBQ Days.

At this time of year I like to cook outside as much as possible. A lump of meat on the barbie, plus a simple salad is all I require.

Knowing that we were in for a long period of 'Light Rain', I lit up on Sunday evening expecting that it would be the last time for over a week.

One of my favourite meats is Breast of Lamb; a cheap cut that is filled with flavour. I almost prefer it to expensive Lamb chops, or a big entrecote steak.

The first few tiny Courgettes and some Broad Beans assisted with my 'five-a-day'.

p.s. Top photo courtesy of Kimbo Magnon. 

Flaming June.

Monday: Light rain

Tuesday: Light rain

Wednesday: Light rain

Thursday: Light rain

Friday: Light rain

Saturday: Light rain

Sunday: Light rain

Monday: Light rain

Tuesday: Light rain

One can but wonder what is in store for Wednesday 13th June, and beyond..... Don't tell me; more light rain!

Up in the clouds.

There was I, enjoying an early evening glass of plonk, with a few anchovy-stuffed olives, when from behind the Privet bush came George 111.

There he is. It is him; isn't it!

Little things.

June 1st, and all is (was) well.

The new month is treating me pretty well so far. I found some lovely mushrooms, I found my lost penknife, and I found the Mélange épices poulet that I've been unable to buy for several months.

I lost my gardening Opinel some months ago, and have been searching for it ever since. Frankly I'd given up all hope of finding it. Yesterday morning I was putting something in the back of the Compact Royce; and there is was, under the driver's seat. Lady M had moved the seat forward and it was looking up at me; very pleased to be reunited.

My favourite supermarket (Leclerc) has been in turmoil for the past couple of months. They have been re-organising everything, and it's been a mess. Shelves haven't been stacked correctly, one had to step over builders who have been installing new cooler cabinets (why don't they do that at night?), and the whole place left a lot to be desired. However, just as I was planning a trip to Bergerac (to the 'Festifruits' spice factory) I found the spices that I've been missing. A simple mix of herbs and spices that make even the blandest of Pork chops taste delicious are back on the shelves; I bought two packs which should last me a good while.

All that, along with remembering to say "White Rabbit, White Rabbit" just after midnight, means that I am very happy chappie. We were even swimming again yesterday. At the moment things couldn't be better.

Inclement weather; the good side!

Rain means mushrooms, and mushrooms mean pleasure. Every cloud etc.

Girolles are Kimbo's favourite, so I was especially pleased to find enough to accompany our Confit last night. Actually the above was just the start, I went out again after lunch and gathered a whole lot more.

The Cepes we ate as an omelet for lunch. One of life's little freebie treats.