We ran this pic from Galloway House Estate in our stargazing piece in November issue but forgot to say you can stay there! Off-grid, wood-fired hot tubs, starry skies. There are four cottages on the organically farmed estate, which is near Wigtown, Scotland's book town. And did we mention it's in an International Dark Sky Park, recognised for its spectacular night sky.
Dark sky thinking: stargazing events
Astronomical societies across the country regularly hold talks, events and ‘Star Parties’. Go stargazing with some of these dark sky events.
Wordsworth’s Winter Stars at Allan Bank and Grasmere, 15 November 18.30-20.00, £5
This National Trust event allows you to learn about the universe with local astronomer Stuart Atkinson, as you gaze at the night sky from the grounds of Allan Bank, as Wordsworth once did. In his words, ‘ the loveliest spot that man hath ever found’.
Practical Observing for Beginners at The Royal Observatory Greenwich. 4 November 19.00- 21.00, £78
An expert introduction to practical astronomy, but perhaps one you might not consider investing in until you’ve made sure it’s the hobby for you.
Swansea Astronomical Society Star Party at The National Botanic Garden for Wales, 28 November 18.30-21.00, £3
Given clear skies, the Andromeda Galaxy, the Moon and many other fascinating stellar objects will be visible. Includes a talk on comets.
Pop-up astronomy club is an informal astronomy club set up by East London science collective Super Collider. They have binoculars and a telescope for guests to use, and meet whenever the sky is clear and there’s something to see - follow them on twitter for updates.
Turn to page 68 of November's The Simple Things for more stargazing. Buy or download your copy now.
156th Mendip Ploughing Match
The 156th Mendip Ploughing Match was held on Yeo Valley’s Priddy Hill Farm earlier this month. A celebration of the local community, the soil, and of the heritage of the countryside, the Match also forms a stage in the progress of the Mendip champion to the National Ploughing Championships.
Featuring ploughing by hand, by horse, by tractor and even by steam engine, the art of ploughing through the ages is represented. Many of these forms of ploughing are unsustainable in modern agriculture so matches such as this enable people to come together and keep the skills alive. The love for these old machines - the tiny horticultural ploughs, a vintage Massey Ferguson that is over 50 years old - and the skill of those who maintain them is apparent all around. Vintage tractor entries made up the majority of competitors.
Yeo Valley Farm Manager, Jon Wilson, judged the grain and fodder classes, in which the best bale of hay, or 20lb bushel of oats is awarded a prize. There is even a class for the best piece of turf, and the heaviest pumpkin!
The atmosphere is that of a village fete. Mary Mead, founder of Yeo Valley, is one of the vice presidents of the society and a number of staff participated. Some ploughed, some judged, and some just turned up for the fun.
Want more? Watch the film of the 2012 Mendip Ploughing Match.
Go meteor-spotting this month
Head outside and enjoy the show! Find out how to spot meteors with our guide.
The annual Draconids and Orionids meteor showers come to town this month. Here's what to expect...
Draconids
Around ten meteors an hour, but some years feature meteor storms with hundreds an hour.
When: peaking in the early evening on 7 and 8 October - no need to stay up late to spot them!
Orinids
Around 15 meteors an hour, produced by the debris stream from Halley's Comet, with occasional bright fireballs.
When: 20 and 21 October.
Astronomical glossary
Asteroid: rocky, smaller than a planet and very old; often left over from the formation of the Solar System.
Meteor: an asteroid that burns and vaporises as it enters the earth's atmosphere; AKA a shooting star.
Meteorite: any meteor that survives the plunge through the atmosphere and lands on the surface of the Earth.
Comet: a relatively small odd that orbits the Sun, displaying a fuzzy outline and sometimes a tail.
The Simple Things guide to meteor-spotting is part of October's Miscellany: a curious combination of the practical and the playful. Turn to page 123 of The Simple Things for more. Buy or download your copy now.
And look out for November's The Simple Things - stargazing and a trip to the moon and stars!
Image: The radiant meteor storm of 9 October 1933, Larousse Encyclopedia of Astronomy, found on Pinterest.
Wool Week: Join The Wool Ride
Join fellow yarn-fans this weekend for the capital's Wool Ride in celebration of Wool Week.
The Simple Things team is a woolly bunch - we love natural materials. This Sunday, get on your bike and join fellow wool-clad cyclists for The Wool Ride.
Help launch Wool Week in a frenzy of fibre as over 300 wool loving cyclists from across the country gather in London for a one of a kind experience. Starting and finishing at Potters Fields on Sunday 5th October, the bicycle ride will journey through some of the streets made famous by London’s most prominent wool supporters, including the archetypal Jermyn Street.
Take in some of London’s key sights and hotspots, passing through iconic scenery such as London Bridge, Buckingham Palace, Westminster, Knightsbridge, Park Lane and Regent Street. The ride starts at 9am (running until 2pm - the 13.4 mile ride should take around 1 hour 38 minutes), taking riders along a meandering route with time to soak up the atmosphere and enjoy the sights of the capital at a leisurely pace. On arrival at Potters Fields, give your bike a temporary makeover with the ‘Woolen Cycle Workshop.’ Here, teams of cycle creatives will be on hand to give bikes the ultimate makeover for a chance to win the award for best bicycle. And don't forget to wear your best woollen knits as there is an award for best dressed up for grabs.
Find out more about The Wool Ride.
Want more wool? Celebrate cosy and cool Fair Isle knits with us - turn to page 22 of October's The Simple Things. And join the queen of sheepskin, Kath Whitworth, as she shares her day in cups of tea (page 56).
Wicca quiz: Which witch are you?
The witches we tend to think of are the stuff of cliche. As followers of wicca continue to grow, we ask 'which witch are you?' in this fun quiz.
For a fun way to discover your true witchy nature and to help identify magical areas of interest, try this simple quiz. Just count the letter you ticked the most and read on to see what kind of witch you are. 1) YOU OFTEN MAKE WISHES: a) At night under a full moon b) When you’re cooking up a storm in the kitchen c) By lighting a candle d) When you’re out in the garden
2) WHICH THREE WORDS BEST DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONALITY? a) Sensitive, creative, and intuitive b) Warm, generous, and caring c) Spontaneous, passionate, and enthusiastic d) Practical, mystical, and earthy
3) TO DE-STRESS, YOU: a) Take a stroll by the sea with the one you love b) Get together with friends and family for a feast c) Don your party dress and tear up the dance floor d) Go for a picnic in the woods
4) WHICH OF THESE WORKSHOPS WOULD YOU BE DRAWN TO? a) Astrology b) Everyday spellcraft c) Fire-walking d) Holistic remedies
5) TO GIVE YOURSELF A CONFIDENCE BOOST BEFORE A BIG EVENT, YOU: a) Focus on your breathing b) Remind yourself how amazing you are c) Do some exercise d) Make a soothing herbal brew
6) WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE TYPE OF RESTAURANT? a) A seafood restaurant b) A traditional all-American diner c) A tapas restaurant d) A French bistro
7) YOUR FAVOURITE MYTHOLOGICAL CREATURE IS: a) A werewolf b) A griffin c) A dragon d) A unicorn
8) WHICH QUALITY IS MOST IMPORTANT TO YOU IN A RELATIONSHIP? a) Romance b) Honesty c) Passion d) Friendship
9) YOU’RE AT YOUR HAPPIEST WHEN YOU ARE: a) Sitting out under the stars at night b) Decorating your boudoir c) Gazing into an open fire d) Learning something new
Mostly As MOON WITCH
A sensitive soul who finds it easy to empathise with others, you’re a Moon Witch at heart. Most at home under the stars, you have a vivid imagination. You’re drawn to rituals that involve the phases of the moon and the planets, and you have a natural aptitude for astrology. Bodies of water also fascinate you, and you find it easy to relax by the sea. You’re at your most powerful during the moon’s waxing phase (when it gets bigger), so use this time to manifest the things you want, and to inspire others.
Mostly Bs KITCHEN WITCH
Warm and kind-hearted, you love to put a smile on people’s faces. Most at home when you’re rustling up a sumptuous meal,you’re a true KitchenWitch. You know the power that you have at your fingertips, and how to use everyday items and ingredients to achieve your magical aims. Wise and knowledgeable, you easily draw people to you, which means you’re constantly on call for advice.You have a natural flair for flavours and putting things together to create a masterpiece. Because of this, you’ll be an adept spell–creator and–caster.
Mostly Cs ELEMENTAL WITCH
Fiery and passionate, you’re a changeable soul ruled by your emotions, so you’ll make an excellent Elemental Witch. You embrace new things, and have an adventurous streak.You’ll probably find that the weather affects your moods. You’re vibrant, confident, and in tune with your body, and have an immense amount of energy, which you put to good use. Fast action suits you, so you’ll naturally be drawn to fire and candle magic. You’re at your most powerful when you’re taking the lead, and, like the flames of a fire, you easily light up a room.
MOSTLY DS HEDGE WITCH
A true earth mother,you feel a deep connection to nature, which makes you the perfect Hedge Witch. With a broad knowledge of plants and herbs, you’ll love getting your hands dirty. An excellent communicator with strong creative skills, you have a natural way with words. You’re adept at most types of healing; spells, charms, brews, and potions fascinate you, and you’re constantly gathering information. A keen interest in folklore means that you enjoy mixing old traditions with new ideas. You feel most at home outdoors, and at your most powerful when surrounded by wildlife and cocooned by trees.
Read more about wicca on page 80 of October 2014's The Simple Things. Buy or download now.
Quiz extracted from The Beginner's Guide to Wicca by Kirsten Riddle, CICO Books.
Food from afar: Bento box
The art of Japanese nibbles beautifully packed into a box – it’s Bento!
A packed lunch so elegant that only the Japanese could have invented it, the bento took shape during the prosperous Edo period (1600–1868), as theatregoers and day trippers impressed one another with aesthetically pleasing picnics.
Now, no cherry-blossom-watching party or Japanese school sports day is complete without a spread of umami-rich nibbles in compartmentalised boxes, which are unwrapped from decorative furoshiki (wrapping cloths) to a chorus of admiring oohs and aahs. The classic shokado bento in its lidded red-and-black lacquerware box is a staple of Japanese restaurants, typically filled with steamed rice, pickled plums, sashimi (raw fish), battered prawns and cooked meats.
Other variations include the makunouchi (‘between-acts’) bento served at theatres, and kawaii (‘cute’) bentos tucked into school bags of little ones (whose mothers may pay good money to learn how to make Hello Kitty out of rice balls). True enthusiasts know that the best boxed lunches are eaten at 170 miles an hour while speeding between cities on the bullet train. Thousands of varieties of takeaway ekiben (station bento) showcase local specialities (sea urchin and salmon roe on Hokkaido; grilled beef tongue in Sendai), turning platform kiosks into foodie hotspots.
The art of bento has spread far beyond Japan – something to think about next time you plough grimly through a foil- wrapped cheese sandwich or heat up last night’s leftovers in the office microwave.
Bento Babies
Try making your own Bento kids packed lunch box with tips from Capture by Lucy.
Buy Bento boxes and supplies from Japan Centre.
Buy the Just Bento Cookbook for Everyday Lunches to Go.
Turn to page 62 of September’s The Simple Things for more Food from Afar. Buy or download now.
Competition: win £500 of Inntravel holiday vouchers (archived)
In our competition you could win £500 worth of vouchers towards a Slow Holiday courtesy of Inntravel, the Slow Holiday people. Just click here to ‘like’ their Facebook page, enter your details, and then imagine where Inntravel could take you. Walk the wild undiscovered coastline of Portugal; cycle the back lanes of France; discover the “End of the World” in the Canary Islands; explore the impressive fjords of Norway… there are countless memories to be made. Inntravel’s carefully crafted holidays ease you into the rhythm of everyday life as you journey through wonderful landscapes, discover hidden gems and encounter friendly local people along the way. Slow holidays allow you to travel at your own pace, giving you time to enjoy delicious regional cuisine and relax in family-run hotels and inns. Remember the moment with Inntravel. Enter here.
Please note: £500 holiday voucher is to be used against the purchase of any Inntravel holiday for departure before 24th October 2015, subject to availability.
September sea swimming
Dive in, the water's lovely! Try sea swimming this September.
Take that, Mediterranean... Sea temperatures are at their annual peak this month - with 2014 being an especially good year to take swim off British shores.
If you've got a free weekend this month, head to the coast. All this year's hot weather has raised sea temperatures to their highest since records began and with September always providing the warmest waters, this month promises to be balmier than ever.
Swimming, particularly outside in a natural environment, has been proven to rejuvenate mind and body. In his new book, Blue Mind, Wallace J Nichols looks at the scientific evidence behind the life-enhancing effects of being in or near water.
"Water meditates you," he asserts, "unleashing the uninhibited child in all of use and unlocking creativity and curiosity, the antidote to the blue screens that keep us awake, nervy and twitchy."
Nichols explores how being close to water makes us happier, calmer and also more successful in life and relationships. If you don't fancy immersing yourself, you can experience the benefits simply from watching water, where we enter a state of 'drift', almost hypnotised by the seemingly static but gently changing scene.
Give it a go and share your favourite swimming spots with us please - leave a comment, tell us on Facebook or Twitter.
Want to know more? Visit the Outdoor Swimming Society
Want a good read? Try Haunts of the Black Masseur - The Swimmer as Hero.
The Minack open-air theatre and its inspirational female builder, Rowena Cade
This month, The Simple Things recommends a visit to the Minack open-air theatre, Cornwall. As well as a programmed of acclaimed performances, the clifftop creation has an intriguing history, too.
If you’re holidaying in Cornwall this month, take a trip to the Minack open-air theatre at Porthcurno. Performances for August include Oh What A Lovely War, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Monty Python and more. Or, just gasp and admire this astonishing creation, built on the cliffs at Porthcurno by Rowena Cade (1893-1983). What started as a one-off performance in the rocky gully at the end of her garden eventually spiralled into a lifelong labour of love, and left us with one of the most breathtakingly beautiful theatres in England.
In 1932, Rowena Cade and two builders carved out a stage and some basic seats in the cliffside for a production of Shakespeare's 'The Tempest'. Lit only by battery powered car headlights and the moon over the sea, the magic of Minack touched its first audience. Performances continued each summer until the outbreak of WW2.
Once the war was over, the theatre was in ruins, but Rowena and her builder spent 4 years restoring it before opening again in 1949. As the years went by, returning audiences grew and so did the theatre, with the addition of seats, steps, walls, arches, pillars and dressing rooms. Since she could not afford granite, the ever resourceful Rowena would carry bags of sand up from Porthcurno beach to mix into cement, drawing celtic patterns into every flat surface before it hardened. Even well into her 80s, Rowena 'The Master Builder' was still doing much of the manual labour herself, all year round, come rain or shine.
Today, the Minack Theatre seats over 700 people and plays host to a mixture of amateur and professional theatre companies, with the main season running from May to September. The tireless work and vision of one woman (and a handful of faithful assistants) has left a legacy which attracts thousands of tourists every year to settle down with a picnic and some blankets, and watch a play set against the backdrop of some of the most stunning Cornish coastline.
Turn to page 18 of August's The Simple Things for more summer ideas. Not got the August issue yet? Buy or download your copy now.
Slowing down for the summer
Photographer and stylist, Emily Quinton, and her tips on slowing down this summer. "If I could have one wish for this Summer it would be for life to slow down a little. This week I am working in Portland, Oregon and if there is one thing that stands out as soon as you arrive here, it’s that it’s ok to go a little slower. That’s not to say that people here don’t work hard, they certainly do but there is a beautiful, calmer vibe that goes with it, which I am breathing in and soaking up in the hope that I can slow down a little for the Summer when I return home.
"When I’m away from home I always plan how to do something differently when I go back home. I’ve always been like this and can remember redesigning my bedroom in my holiday notebooks as a child. As an adult I’ve made plans to be more organized, to take up a new hobby, to exercise more, and the list goes on. But this time, it’s definitely about slowing down for the Summer - while working out how to write my book and look after four children during the school holidays - so this isn’t a ‘take a long break’ kind of slowing down but a more of a realistic goal of slowing down a little bit each day. It’s about allowing myself time to go slowly each day, whether that is for five minutes or for a couple of hours.
"Making time to sit down with a favourite magazine, to potter in the garden in the early evening, to go for a walk when I don’t have anywhere to rush to, to share a meal with friends, to play a game with my children, to make things, to bake a cake, to watch a film, to write a letter, and sometimes to just simply potter, are all things I plan to do this Summer. And, most importantly, I want to do these things at a slow pace, embracing being in the moment and not while simultaneously trying to tweet, Instagram and answer five emails. I want to create moments of slowness every day. To make time to be in the moment and to slow down time. To breathe, to stop and look around, to stretch, to feel free, alive and calm.
"The Summer feels like the perfect time to build moments of slowness into my every day in the hope I can carry it on into the Autumn and beyond. I hope this inspires you to slow down a little too."
Emily Quinton is a photographer, maker, blogger and mother of four. Find out about all her activities on her blog, Makelight. For The Simple Things this month, she shot the jug of hybrid tea roses on page 83 of the July issue.
Take your life outside
Go barefoot, try rockpooling, and catch an al fresco film - no better season to take your life outside.
"What? This is England!" we hear you cry. That's right and, as we like to say at The Simple Things, rain will never stop play...
This month, join us in celebrating all that's wonderful about summer and the great outdoors. Whether you're in the garden, park or on the beach, remove your shoes and embrace the pleasures of going barefoot.
When you walk without shoes you awaken and massage the many nerve endings in your feet. Godolphin House in Cornwall has a dedicated barefoot trail where you can reintroduce your toes to exciting different textures you probably haven't felt underfoot since you were a child.
While your shoes are off, why not go rockpooling? The Wildlife Trusts have a list of the UK's best spots from the Isle of Mull to the Isle of Wight.
When it's time to eat, try to enjoy as much fresh-air food as possible. As well as barbecueing, try cooking a one-pot wonder like a fish stew or some breakfast pancakes over a campfire. If you're going out in the evening, do something you can only do in summer, such as catch an al fresco film or theatre production. The Picnic Cinema is screening classic and cult films in locations across the country from castles to forests where you have the chance to camp overnight after the film.
Leeds Castle is hosting the largest open-air classical concert this month and theatre company, The Pantaloons, will be putting their unique twist on The Tempest. If you'd rather escape the crowds, try wild camping on beautiful Dartmoor or Brecon Beacons. The National Trust have details of where wild camping is permitted. Just you, your tent, your choice of company and the great outdoors. Heaven.
Not got July’s The Simple Things yet? Buy or download your copy now.
Remembering the moment: Download and send a Lazygram
This month, in our campaign to savour holiday memories, we consider the postcard – the perfect snapshot.
Can't quite drag yourself away from that beach lounger? Send a Lazygram instead.
Take a twilight walk
As the sun lingers longer on the horizon, dusk in high summer is an opportunity to take a twilight walk and revel in the nocturnal nature on all our doorsteps.
The liminal magic of twilight, whether in the ‘tulgey wood’ of Lear’s poetry, Hardy’s ‘gloam’ or TS Eliot’s ‘violet hour’, affords it an ethereal place in our collective subconscious, but for a number of species, it is a time of industry, wakefulness and movement. A huge variety of creatures are starting their day as the human one winds down. For us, the pleasure of free-range family time adds to the thrill of those in-between hours, ensuring our eyes and ears are alert and attuned to our surroundings in a new way.
Try these twilight activities:
For guaranteed sightings of birds of prey, hares, or even seals and puffins, take an expert-led tour.
The National Trust and the RSPB offer a number of guided evening walks, whether bird, bat, or moth based, and many reserves have rarer residents too. Check out www.rspb.org.uk/events and www.nationaltrust.org.uk.
Spend an evening badger watching in a dedicated hide.
Badger cubs should be fully weaned by early July, but can be seen gathering food and bedding around hides. By summer’s end, they begin feeding themselves up for winter when they spend much of their time in a state of torpor, sleeping for days at a time. Find a local group at www.badger.org.uk.
Pack a twilight picnic, and a torch or camping lantern (to attract the moths) and watch as they flit around as the sunlight fades.
Or put up a white sheet in your garden, hang a torch or glowstick in front of it, and enjoy your own nature show.
Head to a pond or lake.
As the sun goes down, life on the water hots up. Newts and a variety of aquatic invertebrates are attracted to light, so as it gets dark, move a beam of light across the water to see what you find. On warm evenings you might spy frogs or toads swimming, while insects such as great diving beetles, water boatmen and pond-skaters can still be seen.
For more twilight tips, turn to page 76 of July’s The Simple Things.
Not got July’s The Simple Things yet? Buy or download your copy now.
And they're off... Tour de France
With Le Tour making its Grand Depart for the 101st time over here in Yorkshire, The Simple Things looks at the biggest annual sporting event in the world - the Tour de France.
Unlike golf, rugby or rowing, where we may have no experience of actually doing it to appreciate just how damn hard it is, we've all pushed our personal pain barrier on two wheels. We know about straining up a steep hill and the joy of freewheeling down the other side. Magnify that effort, the distance, the time in the saddle and we begin to understand the superhuman feats performed by men so lithe they shiver the moment the sun goes in.
We all know about the drugs, the cheats, the problems. But the history of the Tour de France reveals touching, courageous stories of human endeavour. Turn to page 72 of July's The Simple Things for editor Lisa Sykes' look at tales of derring-do from the biggest annual sporting event in the world.
Inspired to get cycling? It's the perfect excuse to go shopping - have a look at our top cycling accessories, or read tips on buying a vintage bike from Mollie Makes.
And don't forget to enter our competition to win Dawes bicycles for you and your family!
Not got July’s The Simple Things yet? Buy or download your copy now.
Pack the perfect picnic
No basket? No problem. Part of the picnic’s appeal is its ad hoc nature, so go with the flow and improvise with our top tips for perfect picnic accoutrements.
High summer. School’s out and the pavements are packed with hot office workers and gaggles of confused tourists. What you need to do is pack up the car, ditch the city and head for the hills: an afternoon spent amid fields and streams and under tree canopies and bright blue skies will restore your equilibrium. Lying on a picnic blanket with a glass of something cold in one hand, and a plateful of something delicious in the other, is a picture-perfect way to idle away the heady days of summer.
Take inspiration from Brideshead Revisited and feast on strawberries and champagne, or enjoy a boating picnic a la Rat and Mole in 'The Wind in the Willows': The Mole begged to be allowed to unpack it all by himself. He took out all the mysterious packets one by one and arranged their contents, gasping 'Oh my! Oh my!' at each fresh surprise.'
It may be a little optimistic to believe we’ll be picnicking all summer long, but if rain does stop play, you can always eat your picnic on your knees in the car. There are certain British traditions that will never die.
No British summer would be complete without a picnic. Pack the perfect picnic with our top tips.
1. A wine crate makes a great container for packaging and transporting your picnic. Sturdy sides keep it upright in the car and, upturned, it’s the perfect little table.
2. Use mason jars to transport salads, chutneys, and desserts. As well as looking the part, they are easy to fill, pack and can even be used as crockery in times of need. Plus, you can re-seal and take home any leftovers – from fridge to field and back again.
3. A robust bread board or tray at the centre of your picnic rug makes for a mini table, meaning no more spilled drinks or squashed sandwiches.
4. Want to keep mess and waste to a minimum? Pack each picnicker their own meal in a cardboard food box, then hand them round when you reach your destination.
5. Ice packs are a picnic essential for keeping cool. Not got any? They are easy to make using just two simple supplies. Squeeze washing up liquid into a ziplock bag, place it flat and push out any bubbles, before sealing and placing into the freezer. Once frozen, use to keep your chilled picnic items nice and cool.
Summer sounds from Josie da Bank
Hit play on our soundtrack to summer with sounds chosen by Josie da Bank, creative director and producer of Bestival and Camp Bestival.
Take the time to create a playlist of favourite summer songs and you won’t regret it. Long car journeys, garden parties, evenings sitting outdoors – can all be more fun with the right tunes to hand.
No time to make your own? No worries. Hit play, sit back and listen to the sounds of summer with our Spotify playlist, compiled by none less than Bestival founder Josie Da Bank.
Win a personalised OS map and binoculars with Inntravel! (archived)
We’ve teamed up with Inntravel to give one lucky reader the great prize of a pair of Nikon Travelite bins and a customised OS map focused around your area of choice with a personal front cover! The Nikon Travelite VI 8x25 binoculars are just the thing to take on holiday, for a bit of bird-spotting or to stash in a day-sack for long walks. Retailing at £80, these great little bins are waterproof, fog-proof and foldable and a handy addition to any trip. The personalised OS map can be centred around the location of your choice in the UK – a favourite walk perhaps or simply centred on your home – just choose the location for the map; pick a scale and format; and select your own photo for the cover!
Remember the moment – and the place, with Inntravel. Just ‘like’ the Inntravel Facebook page to enter!
Recipe: Elderflower champagne
Read our feature on ‘posh squash’ on page 35 of June’s The Simple Things? Get picking elderflowers before the season’s out, and use them to make this simple elderflower ‘champagne’ from blogger, Emma Bradshaw. With elderflowers in full bloom, it seems a waste not to use them in the kitchen. Have a go at this recipe from blogger Emma Bradshaw, who says: 'I've tried lots of different ways to make elderflower champagne, but this is my favourite most tried and tested method.'
You will need:
About 30 elderflower heads, in full bloom (pick on a sunny day away from the roadside, making sure you don't strip a tree of all its flowers!) 2kg natural sugar 4 litres hot water + 2 litres cold Juice and zest of four lemons 1-2 tablespoons white wine vinegar A pinch of dried yeast (although you may not need this)
Method:
1. Put the hot water and sugar into a large container (a preserving pan or spotlessly clean bucket is good) and stir until the sugar dissolves, then top up with cold water to 6 litres. 2. Add the lemon juice and zest, the vinegar and the flower heads and stir gently. 3. Cover with a clean muslin and leave to ferment in a cool, airy place for a couple of days. Take a look at the brew at this point, and if it’s not becoming a little foamy and obviously beginning to ferment, add a pinch of yeast. 4. Leave the mixture to ferment, again covered with muslin, for a further four to five days. Strain the liquid through a sieve lined with muslin and decant into sterilised glass bottles. 5. Seal and leave to ferment in the bottles for a further eight days before serving, chilled.
Makes around 20 bottles.
Recipe and images by Emma Bradshaw. Visit Emma's blog for more wild food recipes and outdoor adventures.
Not got June's The Simple Things yet? Buy or download your copy now.
WIN a week in a VW camper! (closed 10 June 2014)
Enter our competition to win a holiday in a classic VW campervan. Thanks to O'Connors campers we have a week's stay up for grabs. Choose between a 1960s splitscreen Volkswagen, a 1970s bay window or a California campervan and you could be roaming Cornwall, Devon and Somerset with your family. Kitted out with everything you'll need, these stylish vintage campers will make for a memorable holiday.
Find out more about campervan holidays at O'Connors Campers
Click here to enter. Closing date is 10 June 2014.
The prize includes fully comprehensive insurance for the first driver, a sink, cooker, fridge, camping gas, mains hook up, cooking equipment, crockery, cutlery and an extra outdoor table and chairs.
Terms and conditions apply. Visit www.futuretcs.com for more details.