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Today’s walk: Chelwood Vachery
Sussex has been beautiful this week and we wanted to make the most of the sunshine by taking the dog out for a nice walk somewhere open. Richard suggested heading over to Ashdown Forest. I had a bit of a look around online and found a set of walks, including a few that seemed to be around a previously unvisited part of the Ashdown Forest.
So we headed off and followed this route through the landscape of Chelwood Vachery. It started off feeling like Ashdown Forest but we soon ended up in a woodland with ponds and streams, and a folly bridge. A lovely walk and one that we’ll certainly be returning to when summer rolls around and we’re in need of walks featuring water to help keep Breezy cool.
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A sea glass ring
I’ve had a small pot of sea glass sitting on my shelf for years, occasionally admiring the pieces but mostly just letting them be. Though I’ve purchased sea glass jewellery before, I always wanted something made from my own personal collection.
While browsing a Christmas craft fair at the Open Market in Brighton before Christmas, I discovered Tasha’s stall and noticed she offered commissions. So I got in touch, sending some photos of the pieces I had in mind. We arranged to meet, with me bringing a couple of pieces from my sea glass collection and Tasha arriving with examples and sizing information.
Just three weeks later, I’m wearing a beautiful ring crafted from sea glass I collected myself. I’m really happy.
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Today’s bake: Date and Walnut Loaf
I’m still trying to use up open packets of things in the kitchen before having to put everything away into boxes for three weeks. I had in mind that I wanted to make a loaf cake but couldn’t find a recipe that would use up what I had on hand. So I asked Claude to make me a Zoe-friendly loaf cake featuring dates and walnuts. The only changes I made to its original offering were converting from cups to metric and adjusting for a fan oven. It worked well. It’s a more robust loaf than some, more dense, nicely flavoured, and elicited an “ooh, that’s the best tasting loaf cake I’ve had in a while.” I’ll take that.
And so that I can find it again, here’s what the recipe looks like:
Ingredients:
- 200g almond flour
- 100g chopped walnuts (80g for the batter, 20g for topping)
- 150g soft Medjool dates, pitted and chopped into 1cm pieces
- 3 eggs
- 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup (I used honey)
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions:- Preheat fan oven to 155°C and line a loaf pan with parchment paper
- If dates are firm, soak them in warm water for 10 minutes, then drain well
- Mix almond flour, baking powder, spices, and salt in one bowl
- Whisk eggs, olive oil, honey, and vanilla in another bowl
- Combine wet and dry ingredients
- Gently fold in the chopped dates and 80g of walnuts (medium-sized pieces, 0.5-1cm)
- Pour into the prepared pan and sprinkle remaining walnuts on top
- Bake for 35-40 minutes, checking with a toothpick for doneness
- If the top browns too quickly, cover loosely with foil
- Allow to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack
This loaf is best enjoyed after it’s completely cooled, as the flavors will have time to develop. It keeps well for several days in an airtight container at room temperature, or you can refrigerate it for up to a week.
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