Sunday, 22 August 2010

2 plus 2 go away


This week I went away with my daughter Emma, and two granddaughters. We stayed in a farmhouse B&B in Suffolk, and Summer & Ivy loved the garden with it's climbing frame and trampoline. We had two great days out, to Easton Farm and to Framlingham Castle. I highly recommend the farm visit. There was lots to see and do, with pony rides, rides in a horse and carriage, and various trailers. The girls loved feeding all the animals and holding baby rabbits, guinea pigs and chicks. It got a thumbs up from us all. Being school holidays the Castle had an event day with two actors playing the part of Highway men. Lots of interaction and participation. There was lots of belly laughing, followed by trembling of knees as Emma walked round the tower walls. Her fear of high narrow walkways seems to have increased over the years, and Emma looked very relieved when she was back on the ground!
While in the area we found a wonderful camp complete with a gypsey caravan, tipi, yurt and other interesting 'accomodation' to stay in. It is eco friendly and I support and love places like this. It is high on my list of places to stay next year.
I already have a plans to stay in a 'gypsy camp' in 6 weeks time. It is set in an orchard with 2 bow top caravans and a bow top tent. Four friends & I are planning a creative retreat and we are each organising an activity. I might do felt making. I have yet to try this but have a day planned with friends to experiment. I will let you know how I get on!
I am still looking for ways of using the huge pile of squash and vegetables from the allotment. Today I started to prepare some for pickles and freezing. I learned that you can grate squash and freeze it to use in cakes and breads, as well as add to soups and casseroles etc. I thought the water content might be too high but there was lots of websites recommending freezing as a way of storing squash, so I thought it worth a try. I'd love to hear any recipes or ideas that you like..!

4 comments:

  1. You have a beautiful blog, and your photography is amazing!
    About the squash...I freeze mine all the time. Once I thaw it, if it seems too watery, I put it in a strainer with some weight on it for a couple of hours, and...perfect for making bread, cakes, etc.

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  2. Loved reading about your break with Emma and your grandaughters.The picture of the girls is lovely. Sounds like you had a great time. Oh and the retreat! When is it and where are you going? It sounds BLISSFUL!!!!! Moira

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  3. There is a farm nearby that has 2 traditional gypsy caravans and a bow top tent in an orchard.
    We will be cooking on an open fire and the setting should be quite inspirational. I have wonderful photos of my previous stays on the farm so I am pretty excited and will come home full of ideas for mini albums and scrapbook pages! Here's the website for details: http://www.canopyandstars.co.uk/our-places/bouncers-farm/the-gypsy-camp

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  4. I do adore this shot of the girls, can nearly hear the giggles.

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