Cornish pasties.

I mentioned the Cornish pasty in my Harvest post.

I know that many of you are familiar with this national 'dish' of Cornwall, but for those that don't know it, I thought I'd write a few words.

There is only one 'proper' way to make a pasty, and that is with Beef skirt, potatoes, onion and swede. Anything else is not 'proper'.

Pasties have been around for hundreds of years, but in Cornwall they were the food of choice for the Miners, working in hot, dirty conditions underground in the tin mines. It's said that one end of the pasty contained meat and in the other end there was jam or something sweet.

Hayle College in Cornwall have just made history by launching an intrepid Pasty into space. Working with Rowes the bakers, they organised this scientific experiment.

Attached to a weather balloon the pasty ascended over 35 000 metres and was suspended in the stratosphere for around 93 minutes, coming back onto Bodmin Moor. It arrived back completely frozen, but was apparently still edible!

Here's the Head Teacher trying it out.

You can read more here

http://www.rowesbakers.co.uk/about-us/first-pasty-into-space

The things we do in Cornwall!!

Harvest

On Sunday our Church celebrates our Harvest service.

It's a time when the churches are beautifully decorated with produce. Though in fact, sadly, we are now encouraged to take practical tins of goods. They all go to our local Food Bank......but I still miss the old ways.

As a child it was so lovely to walk into the church scented with Michaelmas daisies, apples and even a big loaf of bread made in the shape of a sheaf of corn.

We carried our offerings, usually a pretty tissue lined basket full of apples or vegetables, and put them in front of the Altar.

Flower vases were full of Autumn leaves and colourful Dahlias.

Strings of Autumn berries twined themselves around the pillars.

Tins aren't quite the same.

Often there was a Harvest supper, with of course, Cornish pasties!

We had a Harvest lunch in the Village hall today, and finished a very nice meal by singing 

'We plough the fields and scatter...'

a real Harvest hymn.

I think how fortunate we are to have such a variety of food at a time when so many countries have nothing and are torn apart through storms, landslides or war.

A cup and mug exchange

It's time for the lovely Cup and Mug Exchange,

organised by Stephanie of The Enchanting Rose.

I have taken part in this for the last three years, always sending and receiving a mug. Some very attractive mugs have given me much joy, and there is one from Sweden that remains my favourite coffee mug.

It's difficult to choose.

Do you like this blue and white one?

 Or a pretty Kath Kidston one?

 Or maybe a tall Cornish-ware mug?

 Initials?

Well, until I have received the information about my partner, I won't buy anything. But it's fun looking!

I shall find some good coffee or tea depending on her preferences, to include, as well as some typically English items.

It's such a fun exchange and goes all over the world.

The last of Summer

Little of colour is left in the garden now. A few days of strong winds and torrential rain have wiped out the last Summer blooms.

Just a few heads of my Gertrude Jekyll rose. The scent is unbelievable.

A Clematis has surprised me with late flowers.

There's a Gladiolus in front about to flower.

One last Dahlia. Her name is Roxy and she has been in a large pot all Summer, flowering so well. 

The Monarda, bee balm, has been covered with bees. Even though it is nearly over there are still furry bodies buzzing around it.

In the Greenhouse my Dianthus cuttings seem to be rooting. It was time to dig up the old plants as they had become very woody.

Last but not at all least, the tiny stems of Sweet peas still giving out a glorious perfume.

Soon it will be time for Autumn cutting back and maybe a bit of Bulb planting. Summer is over.

Many thanks for all your kind and encouraging comments and messages. After three weeks on strong antibiotics I am much better and working carefully on my energy levels!