Blackberry Picking

Mmm.. is there anything better than ripe sweet blackberries? ( ok.. ripe sweet mulberries are on par)

Its our first day in Stoke on Trent and the air is crisp with the promise of winter on its way. We took a walk in the nearby park -(Literally across the road from our house) and were delighted to find acres of blackberries growing bursting with ripe fruit. 

Its obvious that everyone in the district has come at some point and harvested what they could, but the blackberries had no chance with an experienced picker from Aus..

I came across some dumped chairs on the path, so picked these up and used these to crush our way into the middle of one of the big patches. So many ripe juicy fruit.  Alot of it found its way into our mouths, but we did end up with a few kilos to bring home.

Both kids were so excited picking the blackberries. Its these little moments which bring a real smile to my heart.

I'm in the process of making Blackberry Jam and have just made some blackberry icecream.. mmm

Garden And Housekeeping Help X job at Stoke on Trent

We are in Stoke on Trent now for a week undertaking a role through Help X ( the work you do in exchange for food and lodgings) Our client is a lovely lady called Carol, who is in a wheelchair. 

She and her husband have created a gorgeous garden of winding pathways, stuffed full of flowers, herbs, fruits and vegetables and quite rightly have called it a sensory garden. 

There are nooks and crannies  filled with delightful statues, chairs to rest and contemplate and wonders in every corner.

The treelined street is very quiet and off the beaten track. We are very close - one street - away from a  huge reserve, where we can walk the dog and pick mountains of blackberries. 

Our role will be delightful here. I can get my housewife groove on and cook up a storm every day. We have light gardening duties of maintaining what is out there and keeping it tidy, house work, cleaning, washing and cooking. We have the afternoons to ourselves, which is ideal. We have our homeschooling to get back into the groove of, and National Trust places to visit. 

We are very lucky too, to be back here in November for three weeks. Its a calm and lovely atmosphere, which is something we are enjoying.

Divine Paris

It gets under your skin, comfortably; this beautiful city of Paris. Its the fifth time I've been to Paris, each time I've stayed a week or more, and each time more to discover and love about the place.

I don't think I'd get sick of seeing the Eiffel Tower lit up at night. Its a magical moment, seeing it glitter and sparkle. Incredible to be under, inside and viewed from afar.

I've included some happy snaps of our time ( nearly 2 weeks!)  in Paris this time. We shared it with Michael to start with and then with dear friends De and Graham.

We were forced ( ha ha) to visit a patisserie - oh MY. I know macaroons are the 'flavour' of the moment, but there is a reason they are. Super fragile, light and crisp, gooey inside and luscious. 

Its not our last visit Paris.. I will return!