Saturday, November 27, 2010

North Yorkshire in freezing temperatures brrrrrrr






Our latest trip took us not far away, to Low Bentham, just inside North Yorkshire. We were told that there were lots of ponds, a canal, and river for fishing in. We arrived and the area was quite desolate, and it was at Bentham Pottery in the middle of nowhere. We were the only ones there and we got stuck as soon we tried to put the caravan onto the space on a very bumpy site! We eventually found a hard standing pitch which seemed quite nice perched on the top of the hill.

It was the first very cold night of this spell we are experiencing, but the caravan was snug and warm and we gorged ourselves on bacon butties and cups of tea. We had brought plenty of food with us just in case, and it was most welcome i can tell you! A couple of sheep and a cow came to visit us, i think they were checking us out! wish i had learned how to milk a cow, it would have saved us a journey to the shop the following morning!

There was an electric hook up, hot and cold water, shower, and toilet, and we felt at home. It was cold, oh yes it was very cold outside, but our laptop, mobile phones and the telly worked really well so all was good.

We awake to see jack frost had been to visit, i think he had taken up residence actually, as he was still there at 11 am.

We had a visit from our friend Joe Wilson, who has a bungalow not too far away from this site. Unfortunately later in the day we learned that on his way home he had been in an accident and was badly shaken up. Luckily the people in the other vehicle and Joe himself were not injured just strains and pains, but it looked as though Joe's car was going to be a write-off. Obviously this put a damper on our visit, together with a very unhelpful farmer who when we asked where the nearest fishing pond was kept sending us in a different direction with the message *you cant miss it*. We did! ! Anyway some fishing did take place at a local river, but it got so cold, the jollies were called off an hour early, and we trudged back to our lovely warm place. We didn't have fish for tea that day!!!! maybe just as well.

The Wednesday saw us up root and make our way back home without any further incidents. Paul had been in his usual humorous mood all through the break which made us laugh a lot. Andrew came with us this time, and he seemed to enjoy it apart from no pond!

Friday, November 05, 2010

Winter Warmer

Courgette Soup: with thanks to Katie from the BBC !

2tbsp olive oil
15g butter
1 medium onion roughly chopped
900g courgettes
1tsp dried oregano
1 pint vegetable stock
115g cheese (it says dolcelatte but I used crumbly Lancashire)
300ml single cream (I used milk)
salt and pepper

1. Heat the oil and butter until foaming. Add onion and cook gently for about 5mins, stirring frequently until softened but not brown
2. Add courgettes and oregano with salt and pepper. Cook over medium heat for 10 mins, stirring frequently. Pour in stock and bring to the boil stirring.
3. Lower the heat, half cover the pan and simmer gently, stirring occasionally for about 30 mins. Stir in cheese until melted.
4. Process soup in a blender until smooth.
5. Add cream and stir over low heat until hot but not boiling. Add more stock, water if the soup is too thick.

Enjoy