Going swimmingly

food and reno stories and planting ideas for the new season

A photo of my kitchen counter this morning, no placement or faff just a simple record of what I’m reaching for atm: an oaty breakfast with honey, ingredients for salad dressing and sliced ginger for hot drinks to keep up stamina for reading and spring cleaning.

I’m nearly at the end of my book club read éducation européenne (1956) by Romain Gary, about the Polish resistance fighters in the world war. The author weaves a beautiful cloth about the shift from liberal ideas to the greed that pushed Europe to rack and ruin a democracy manages to show us love and beauty too. The writer’s own life was full of heroism and drama; this short article in the New Yorker is worth a read and according to the sales of his novels in English translation I reckon Monsieur Gary is making a comeback.

My swimming practice is now 6 months in, hips have slimmed down, shoulders are wider and I’m generally stronger. Most of all I love mermaiding for the best part of an hour four times a week. Observing the etiquette at the College pool is a little side interest too; I hide from spectacular splashers whose front crawl kicks sound like a war drum, keeping to quieter sessions when it’s mostly elders recharging and doing themselves good.

We are still painting walls in housette and are stuck into a deep clean downstairs. I’m enjoying putting back fewer things and changing up shelves and cupboards; sales on Vinted are going well. Dedication in daylight hours is followed by feet up with a comfort pudding and Detectorists on TV, a series we missed years ago. The lemon pudding recipe is here, don’t skip the syrup it’s glorious.

Here is the electric stove, I’ve resisted pretending it’s doing any kind of combustion and just embraced the easy living vibe. We’re very pleased with it and it’s inspiring a slightly more rustic feel to the room.

Persephone is returning to us bringing flowers and sweet air; I’m keen to potter a little in the garden now. There are quite a few grasses and herbs from last season that could fill an old zinc planter to add to the tulip tub in the front and the holey watering can might look good filled with wild flowers. I foraged some hazel wands a few days ago and have poked them in with the tulips to cheer each other on. It’s working, pretty catkins, fat buds and strong shoots from below the soil. There’s a great article by a gardener in New England about the medicinal herbs seen in Hamnet and the link to Jekka’s Herb Farm is here; you can collect your order or buy tickets for one of the open days. My back garden is only 20 paces deep but I’ll make space for armfuls of fennel and artemisia this year.

A few days away are planned to celebrate spring and Mr D’s birthday. I yearn to visit the Roman palace near Chichester again. The garden has been restored and we’re excited to see it. There’s an antiques barn to visit on the way home too. It’s described as the most beautiful shop in England and whilst I’m not much of a buyer these days I always have room for a French mirror or plate. We’re just waiting for sunnier days in March.

Kindest wishes,

Francey

It’s always good to have a connection to anyone who reads my letter so please leave me a heart or a comment and maybe subscribe below. ⬇️