Speug Spa!

I've been aware for a while that the field mice (I hope they're field mice) have been very happy living under our apple tree and enjoying the bird feeders hanging above them. I have photographic evidence! I spotted this bargain in Aldi the other day. £14.99 for the stand, all the feeders and bowls. It actually way exceeded (not ex-seeded) my expectations. It's over 6 feet tall plus another 18" hammered into the ground and is made of heavy weight bronze finished metal. I followed the easily understandable instructions to assemble it, no tools required. I've put it outside the bedroom window so it is now well away from the apple tree and the mice. All I have to do now is persuade the birds that it's the place to be!! So far all I've seen are some very disappointed dunnocks checking out the apple tree where the feeders used to be. I also realise that I didn't have nuts in a feeder before so I'll get some of those.

Other than that, it was my first full day of self isolation. I cleared out the coat cupboard this morning. I am never going to wear many of those again. I did remember to take all my brooches off the lapels before putting them in the charity shop bag.

Next I boiled up the strained bramble and apple juice to make jelly and got it into jars. I then turned my attention to the Elderberry rob. Thanks to blipper Flumgummery who responded to my plea for guidance on quantities. All the recipes I could find on line were very vague with comments such as, Add spices.... What spices?... How much?... What proportions? It wasn't even clear whether I should add them in the initial boiling before straining, or in the second. I went for the former and I'll taste it tomorrow. If it's not flavoured enough I'll add them again and re strain it before bottling.

Still not content with my kitchen activity I cleared out three cupboards and two drawers. I sorted out the herb and spice jars, getting rid of anything that was use by 2018 or earlier lol! In the process of clearing out, I discovered two unopened jars of caraway seed so I decided to make a caraway seed cake - which is probably why I bought them in the first place as its one of my favourites.

We had an easy dinner and a tv evening. We watched the final of Britain's got Talent, (why) not having seen any of the previous shows. Five out of the ten acts were magicians - none of them won. There was a special interlude, whilst other people (not me) voted, of a Cameron Macintosh compilation with a stage full of cast members from the West End productions of Mary Poppins, Les Mis and Phantom. I'm not quite sure how they were all able to perform on stage together, I presume it was allowed but it certainly wouldn't have been permitted here in Scotland.

So that's day 1 of my self isolation over, I wonder what I'll find to do tomorrow.....watch this space!

Oh I forgot, we cut down our triffid in the back garden, it had got to about 10 feet tall over the last 3 years since we cut out down. Son of triffid is already well on its way though at over 3 feet. There's so much more light now.

Keep safe everybody, it's hard to have things pulled back again, but hopefully this 16 days will mean we can move forward again soon.

Steps today, all in the house and garden, 5071, most of that pacing around the kitchen I imagine!!!