Food metres, great taste, dog identification
1. We’re supposed to have leftover risotto for lunch but what should have been a side dish for that becomes our main dish instead: John’s Grandma’s marrow flower fritters, made with flowers, courgettes and eggs from our garden. The risotto can wait for another day. 2. The holy basil cuts through the spice. It’s ages [...]
Stroke, good dogs, crunch-crunch-crunch, stroke
1. They’re slowly getting used to us. At first, they quietly protest about being held but I’m barely holding the last one, just a supporting hand on her chest then nothing at all, and she stays there on my knee. She peers at us both without blinking for a few moments then slowly hops off [...]
Not a working lunch, play time, farm life
1. The table is full of food and we all graze and chat in the sun. 2. One of Lily’s best friends (a white Staffy called Tia) breaks loose from her owner and comes running up our garden to play. Lily hears her approach and gives a plaintive groan – she’s not allowed down to [...]
3BT – soft & even, play time, the new recipe
1. Her freshly clipped coat feels like velvet. 2. We worry – as we always do – that the play is bordering on fighting but the woman assures us that it is definitely play. The dogs bounce around together amongst the oak trees as we talk about them behind their backs. 3. The slow-rise bread [...]
3BT – sunseeking, the boundary, mental melodies
1. The mint shoots tilt south. 2. Lily and the dog stare at each other across the beck, like forbidden lovers kept apart. Then suddenly the spell is broken: they run to each other and bounce around in the water. 3. The songs whirling in my head, I dance along the tarmac line while waiting [...]
3BT – getting closer, pancakes, park, gazing
1. It’s too early and I’m drowsy but still awake enough to notice that the dog and cats are sleeping six inches apart. 2. The dusting of sugar instantly melts on the hot flat surface. The third pancake though is best: not only is it dripping with honey but it can be eaten sitting down. [...]
3BT – dogs, I think I … like it, zaaang
1. The journey through Calverley is always great for dog spotting. 2. Following G’s lead, I have saltfish and callaloo for lunch. I go from being not sure I like the cabbage-like vegetable to loving it within a few mouthfuls. 3. As stray comment earlier in the day inspires us to watch ‘Wayne’s World’ in [...]
3BT – doggies!!!, growing, yum onion = yumion
1. The tree surgeon brings his dogs with him: the little girl watches her human and pines when he dips out of sight while the sleek but strong black lab pads about the garden carefree. Throughout the day, I nip out to check on them and to talk to them, and Katherine comes over earlier [...]
