Changing scene

Today I am joining in with Pairs. This is Helena's new meme replacing ZIZO for 2015. You can read about it here.
These are two photos taken of the same view at the back of the house. This one on a frosty day at the end of December.

Then one today.

Sorry Helena, I see it is a similar theme to yours!

Where is she?

Kate's calves are not too worried she is away as long as their food is in front of them!

 Her dog is a different matter.

I have relented and let her in the garden for a while!

One Last Look at Christmas

So when do you take your decorations down? I noticed on Facebook that some folks were taking them down as early as the 27th December but perhaps they had  put them up early in December? I know a lot of people packed them away at the weekend before returning to work today.

Traditionally decorations come down on Twelfth Night which is today. It is considered bad luck to leave them up longer (if you happen to be superstitious). Ours came down today but let's just have one last peep.....

There we are till next year although there are still some needles to clear up.  Never fear everyone! The Easter Eggs and hot cross buns are in the shops.......and did I see an advert for pancake day in one store today?

The Finished Result

Once the icing was set I finished the Tunis cake.

 I was quite pleased with the result although I am sure that Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood would find plenty to criticise! A liiltle rough around the edge!

We used it as a dessert. It seemed to go down well.

There is plenty left so pop in for a slice if you are passing!

This evening Emma and I spent some time plotting Kate's route of travel on a map that we have put up in the kitchen. Thanks for the loan of the map Lauren!

A Little Late for Christmas.

I was interested to see on my sister's blog a Tunis Cake for sale in Tescos. I can't give you a link to her blog as it is not public but I have taken the liberty of showing her photo (sorry Julie!)

She reminded me that we sometimes had this when we were children although we can't recall where.

So not being able to resist the challenge I decided to have a go at making one. So after lunch (when I should have been doing omething far more useful like cleaning the house) I set to finding a recipe. The main one I found on the internet was Mary Berry one from The Great British Bake Off website. Click the link to obtain the recipe. I am not sure if it was used as a challenge on the programme but I would most certainly have run out of time. I am still waiting for the top to set before I can decorate it.

It is still rather squidgey and I shall get it out of the tin and decorate it tomorrow so watch this space for a finished product.  I think we will be using it for pud tomorrow! Yes I know it's a bit late for Christmas!

A Touch of Sunshine

Despite the very wet and windy night it has been a beautiful sunny day today. Margot enjoys a bit of sunshine on her.

There is not a great deal of grass at this time of year so she usually has some hay out in her field.

New Years Walk/ No. 5 Something Over a Hundred Years Old : Winter Photography Scavenger Hunt

It was lovely to get out for the first walk of the year with some friends. We walked around East Harptree which is a village on the very edge of the Mendips and looks out over the Chew Valley. The weather today although not raining was dull and not suitable for taking photos of the views. It did however seem a good opportunity in such an old village to look for something over 100 years old. The village itself is mentioned in the 1086 Domesday Book and Richmont Castle of which only a few remains are left dates back to the 12th Century.

One of the stiles that we crossed looked like it had been in position for a long time.

There is no doubt that the Church of St Laurence is well over 100 years dating back to the late 12th Century.

Further on in the walk we went past the Smithan Chimney which dating from 1867 is the only remaining lead smelting chimney on the Mendips.

The area around this village is both interesting and very pretty. The combe looked rather muddy today but has some interesting ferns and is supposed to be pretty in the spring.

We had great company with my friends little spaniel.

And of course my friends as well!