It’s World Curlew Day today! And why do you need to know this? Well, apart from the fact that they are my favourite birds, they are struggling to survive. The UK has seen a 65% decline in curlews since 1970, and half of this has occurred in the last 20 years. They were once a … More Chocolate orange cake – and World Curlew Day
Being unable to swim at the pool with my club because of current local coronavirus rules has encouraged me to do more open water swimming. Luckily, some outdoor sports are still allowed (with appropriate social distancing) and there is plenty of room in the North Sea! I’ve swum in Northumberland at dawn – I have … More Pistachio and white chocolate cake – and swimming in November
We are now in the 13th week of lockdown (or thereabouts) and although there has been some loosening of restrictions in Scotland, we still have a long way to go to get back to whatever the new normal will be. I’ve been particularly drawn to reading about nature and the outside world, maybe because we … More Jaffa cake cake – and some reading
I’m not sure what the difference is between muffins and cupcakes to be honest (size? shape? contents?). These little cakes could be either but who cares, when they taste this good? I found a bar of white cooking chocolate in the cupboard that I must have bought for another purpose so I used it here. … More Banana, white chocolate and cranberry muffins
I haven’t posted for ages. I’d like to pretend it was because I was doing too much other interesting stuff, but I just got out of the habit….. of writing, not baking, obviously. So here’s a garden update and a new recipe. The weather has been decidedly odd this year, but I guess this unpredictability … More Chocolate, pistachio and courgette cake (gluten and dairy free) – and a funny summer for the garden
Last weekend I was at a conference in Würzburg, a city in northern Bavaria, Germany. The author, poet and artist Herman Hesse apparently said ‘If I could choose my place of birth, I would consider Würzburg’ and I think it is a lovely city. It is well known for its lavish baroque and rococo architecture, including the 18th-century … More Chocolate and beetroot cake
We live near a lovely park, where every year I’m involved in organising and helping with a fun afternoon. I thought I could bake four cakes to be sold on the home baking stall this year – baking the evening before and the morning of the event. This turned out to be more difficult than I … More Chocolate and lime cake – gluten free
Mr McGregor and I went to a birthday party last weekend in the beautiful countryside in Fife. This area of Scotland, between the River Forth and the River Tay, is known as the Kingdom of Fife as it was one of the major Pictish Kingdoms (known as Fib). The historic and pretty town of St Andrews is on the East … More Banana and chocolate cake – and the Highland Midge
I can’t believe quite how quickly this year is passing – it’s already 11th June. The weather seems to think it is April with lots of heavy showers although it’s a bit warmer I guess. At least the rain is good for the garden, this weekend we’ve managed to get some of the plants I’ve … More Chocolate brownies – and why reduce the sugar?
What’s not to like? … More Chocolate cake – and gin
sweet enough bakes 