birthday tea

Spent the morning baking with wee Sarah. We made shortbread for her dad's birthday. Made some apricot chutney as well with the harvest we'd got from the field down the road. Mum, dad and Sarah went down to the garden to pick beans whilst I stirred the vinegary mixture! Turned out gorgeous!

Decorated the shortbread with "Happy Birthday Daddy" and got Sarah's stuff together to take her back over home.

Arrived at Carrie's and Elulah was there playing with Biz. Paddy was knackered after the market in the morning. We presented him with all his gifts and shortbread and cake. Carrie had made a Victoria sponge with buttercream and raspberry jam in the middle and fondant icing all over. It was bloody gorgeous.

Had a really good dinner with the smelliest cheese ever - Banon - a goat cheese wrapped in chestnut leaves that's soaked in eau de vie to bring out the flavour and strength. Had to have a mouthful of wine to help get it down :)

After dinner, Elizabeth found a praying mantis in the garden. Amazing creature. Really beautiful.