Mince Pies 2

SUCCESS! Time to make some more!

Elvie

Bike Project Update

We're progressing fairly slowly with the bike project. There's no point in over exerting ourselves! However we're doing some serious stuff with it. Here's Viv and I putting the freshly cleaned carbs back together. As you see doing up screws takes a lot of concentration! Also we're fortunate to have the disembodied hand of Thing to help us (remember the Adams Family?) When we had fully reassembled the carbs Thing kindly pointed out the jets were still in the box! It didn't take long to correct that. We're now having a rest over Christmas but will start on the front end - brakes forks etc in the New Year

Elvie

Mince Pies

I've done no baking for twenty years. I've always been short of time so it has been easier to buy cakes and pastries than to make them myself. Now I have time! Isn't retirement wonderful? I've made a few cakes of late, particularly Bara Brith a Welsh tea loaf, which have been well received so decided to make my own mince pies this Christmas.

I had to get the recipe book out as I couldn't remember how to make pastry! Anyway I got the equipment and ingredients and followed instructions. Midway, I remembered I could have used the food processor but I'm glad I did it by hand, it's truly my own work. First batch came out of the oven and did not look pretty!

I'd put too much mincemeat in them and it had all bubbled out and got slightly burnt! Only slightly though they are still edible! At least the pastry is nice and light and thin! Second batch are better, only half of them boiled over! Now I have a dilemma, do I give these to visitors or do I eat them ALL myself and do another even better batch? I have a dozen friends coming around for a Christmas get together next Monday so do they get these mince pies with burnt bits or do they get version 3?

Elvie

Wedding Celebrations

At the weekend we went, with M-i-L, to Cambridge for the wedding celebration of LB's cousin. It wasn't exactly a wedding as the happy couple married earlier this year, but a blessing and reception. I thought it was quite a good way to organise things. The cousin had no worries about whether the bride would turn up as they were already married! The ceremony was held by candlelight in the beautiful setting of the chapel of Gonville and Caius College.

It was very moving and romantic, in particular the personal vows the couple made to each other, in addition to those prescribed by the church, reduced most of us women to tears! This was followed by drinks and nibbles, a Christmas dinner, port & cheese and various entertainments. It was a wonderful evening.

The only downside was the excruciating discomfort from my smart but too high heels. I don't usually indulge in such frivolity but it was a posh do so I thought I'd make an effort!


Elvie

More frost

One more snap from yesterday's walk. This is the top of a gatepost. Who'd have thought frost could be so pretty?

Elvie

Welsh Wildlife??

It's strange what you see on a Sunday walk in Wales. We went for a 2 1/2 mile stroll in the Tawe valley from the Craig y Nos Country Park following a route in a book of walks. First we came across the emus in a field of fake neolithic stones and later on passed a llama!



It was, however, a very pleasant stroll although a little on the cold side. Starting on a north facing slope, we were in deep frost. ( A bit different to Egypt!) Crossing the Tawe on this icy bridge and walking over the riverside fields brought us to the other side of the valley and into the sun.








There is some beautiful scenery and lovely walks in this area. We are rather prone to whizz through on the bikes so we have today made an early New Years resolution to get out walking more regularly, weather permitting.

Elvie

Wales Rally GB

Home a week and no posts! I blame post holiday lethargy. I've had no inspirational thoughts to impart and a humdrum week so no interesting snippets to pass on. I've been busy but not with anything particularly exciting. Done the washing, gone shopping, visited the parents a few times, my car & LB's bike were service serviced etc, etc...... anyway here I am feeling inspired again!

Tonight we had tickets for a special stage of the Wales Rally, held in Cardiff's Millenium Stadium. Arrived in town at about 5.oopm. It was rather nice in the dark, with the Christmas lights, with the streets still full of Christmas shoppers as well as rally enthusiasts. Popped into Jessops to start with as I'm having a digital SLR camera for Christmas. I enjoy photography but have reached the limits of my point and shoot camera as you'll see with todays pics ( notwithstanding it's brilliant underwater shots!). Have decided on a Cannon EOS 450 so would appreciate any comments anyone may have on it! The reviews are good and its one of the few in the price range that are small enough to fit my hand. After a pint in a pub we went to the stadium. The rugby pitch had gone and there was a short circuit for time trials. I had great difficulty photographing th cars. Would you believe this white & red splodge is a car!


Below is the circuit& stadium and a very blurry view of the great Valentino Rossi who was taking part this year, in his car at the finish. He's lying about 25th, rather better than a few years ago when he last took part. Then he smashed his car into a tree about half hour into the first day! I hope he sticks to bikes for a few years yet but if he then switches to rallying we may well follow him!


Elvie