Madeleine (Madi), one of my grand-daughters has been working in a hospital in Madagascar. She had to help operate many times without anaesthetic as it is in short supply. People often had to wait to sell their crops before they could afford treatment, and by then it was often too late to save them. This is only the “tip of the iceberg”. How lucky we are to have such a brilliant National Health Service.

I already miss Frenchay Hospital but feel grateful for the growth of the new one at Southmead. It’s the largest hospital building in Europe and is centralised. This means that all care is “under one roof”. I have been talking to a young lady who has just transferred there from Frenchay so that I can share with you some of the things that are happening.

After a maths degree and working as a computer analyst, medicine beckoned, so she trained in Sheffield to become a nurse. Then she worked part time in Warrington General Hospital and at the same time gained her Master’s degree in American Studies. Then came eight years of teaching English in France. Returning to Bristol, she became a staff nurse on Ward 204 at Frenchay. Very interested in plastic surgery, she took a degree course in that subject at Birmingham Uni. Now she is a CNS, clinical nurse specialist in skin cancer. She’s also a Macmillan Nurse and in May was photographed talking to a young cancer patient. This publicity material has already raised enough money to fund an information centre for a year.

At Southmead, she continues what they started at Frenchay. She’s very involved in a Survivorship Project. This is to encourage people who have cancer to live well. There are events four times a year when people who have the same type of cancer meet together to talk, to share a coffee morning and to hear talks from professionals. They are then offered a six week follow up course. The idea is to empower people to feel more confident about looking after themselves. This not only helps the patient, but takes the emphasis off out-patient appointments and hospital follow-ups, the patient feed-back is very positive!

My young friend didn’t want to tell me about the negative aspects of the new hospital, because many are “teething problems” that will, hopefully, get ironed out! She said that many patients find the huge building very daunting, preferring the familiarity of the old. However, many volunteers, called "move leads", greet new arrivals and take them to their destination. This may stop after six months. I also like the idea that staff wear different coloured scrubs to denote which post they hold. For instance, the junior staff wear grey. Even better, all staff wear a bright yellow badge stating their name and role. Apparently it is the best colour a person can see when losing their sight.

The staff have a really good restaurant, but I regret there is no restaurant for visitors. There are three coffee shops. Two are “Costa” and the third is run by “The League of Friends”. The latter is the only non-profit making concession in the Hospital!

Well the young person I have been telling you about is Jaye Kissane, I’m very proud of her! In case you haven’t guessed, she’s my daughter!!

I wish you all a healthy future. Stay optimistic.

Esmé

PS: Regarding my comments in the previous post on fawn carpets. My apologies to those readers who love that colour. Things are brightening up at Marshfield Park. We are having silver handrails!

Do you like the colour red? (le rouge in French). Most men prefer blue, but my husband, unfortunately favoured red. I say unfortunately, because after 6 years of being a Red Maid, I had hoped to avoid wearing it when I left school! Even our first bedroom had a burgundy coloured carpet and bedspread!

“Burgundy” is “Bordeaux”  in France, both good red wines! In the Biarritz region all the woodwork of the houses must be painted dark red. It’s said to depict the “blood of the bulls”. The house-holders buy the paint from their local Mairie (Town Hall) at a discount price. That was the only corner of France that we were glad to leave! Some of you may remember using rouge on your cheeks (the ladies I mean!) In France it’s called “Le fard”. When some one is very angry they are said to be seeing red. In French “se fâcher tout rouge”. Why am I chatting about red?

Well, I lunch regularly with various groups of friends. I’ve just met up with four ladies, three of whom I hadn’t met for fifty years! We all lived in the same road as children, houses 40, 42, 44, and 46. It is so interesting to learn how our lives have all taken different paths.

One lively lady, Margo Cevik, is the leading lady of “Cotswold Gems”, a branch of the Red Hat Society, which started in California. Their ethos is to have no rules! It’s a social club with members from all walks of life, who support each other. Their inspiration for no constraints comes from the poem “Warning” by Jenny Joseph. They believe in living life to the full. On Margo’s birthday some of her group arranged a surprise trip in a fire-engine. On their birthday they wear a purple hat…. and yes, she wore a purple crash-helmet! One of her group, a young 60 year old, has wing walked, abseiled down a building and hiked in the Himalayas amongst other things. Am I joining? I’m not brave enough to do daring acts, but I agree that we should make the most of every day. I wish Margo and her Red-hatted members continuation of their fun filled adventures.

I’ve just returned from celebrating my birthday in France as always. As I write, I am looking at the muguet (lily of the valley) that some of my friends gave me for good luck. On April 30th we had lunch at my favourite restaurant in one of my “top towns”. Have you ever visited ”Le Touquet”?

With my husband Ron, it was the first place in France that we saw in 1956. We caught a plane from Kent, it only had ourselves and two others on it. Le Touquet airport is like a car park with hundreds of tiny planes, row upon row.

Anyway Peter and I had a fabulous lunch! Ask me if you want any addresses or information. My meal ended under a sea of raspberry coulis. So it’s back to the red again!

I wish you all a red-rose June and may all your days be “red-lettered” ones. Have fun. Enjoy every day!

Esmé

Flowers are my favourite sign of Spring! Have you seen the beautiful snowdrops in Painswick? Have you noticed the tiny violets in our Churchyard? We called Ashton Court our Country estate because in ten minutes we could lock our Post office and be there, walking through the carpets of blue bells. My son and daughter-in-law have given me white hyacinths. I long for the bulbs to bloom and fill my flat with their “heady” scent. I have several very expensive perfumes, and not one of these can match that natural aroma!

I love all white, blue and purple flowers, but not all of you share my preference. My father loved wallflowers, my granddad liked pansies (penseés in French, which means “thoughts”) and Madi, my granddaughter adores daffodils. Hils, my fellow alto in the Choir chooses poinsettias because their brilliant red lightens the gloom of winter! Jean who heads our talented team of flower arrangers, loves sweet peas and pink roses. I wonder which is your favourite? This morning someone told me that he really likes red roses. Many of you know this gentleman as he writes the gardening column in our magazine!

Ray Cripps born in Cheltenham, came to live in Frenchay because Hilda, his Bristolian wife, wanted to return. On December 18th 1974, whilst moving into their house in Park Crescent they were serenaded by some carol singers from our Church! Their large garden descends to the River Frome. Growing mainly flowers, Ray also produces enough vegetables for his own consumption.

By 1975 Ray was already involved in village activities, principally the Frenchay and Hambrook Horticultural society of which he is now President and Life Honorary Member. This Society ran the Frenchay Flower Show for many decades and still acts as a Support Group. Ray shows geraniums and fuchsias, usually getting 1sts or 2nds.

Ray enjoys coach holidays especially to Portugal and Italy. I was glad to hear that he shares my admiration for Monet’s garden in France! Weather permitting, he often sits in his own beautiful garden. It’s only right that hard work should bring pleasure, so I wish him many years of just that!

Have a superb Springtime!

Esmé

Friends, I really hope that, like myself, you have many loyal friends. I could write a book about the fascinating lives that many of my friends have led and are still living. However, as my article is limited to one page, I must condense what I wanted to tell you about Victoria.

Born in Brittany, she moved to Paris when very young. Coincidentally, another of my friends who also lived in Dranc, a suburb of Paris, told me of the shocking day when the Nazis marched into their school and dragged out all the Jews. Victoria was one of them. The family left Paris on foot pushing the baby in its pram which contained their few possessions. Auschwitz came next where only the three children escaped the gas chambers. I thought that this would have been the worst time of my friend’s life. I was wrong!. Victoria told me that the most frightening time came after their release. She was all alone in a 5-star Parisian Hotel and felt totally abandoned until weeks later when an uncle came to claim her. She keeps her Auschwitz tattoo covered and never talked about these ordeals except to me.

Her sister Reneé gave many lectures and was honoured for her work in retrieving many valuable paintings which the Germans had stolen. We were invited to the Elyseé Palace for the ceremony.

Victoria was our tenant on the Port of Bormes but returned to Paris. She didn’t want to leave the south but if she lived in Paris, her pension would be doubled. In France, ex-concentration camp victims get many ‘perks’. One of them is a card stating that they never have to queue anywhere!

After my husband died I lived with Victoria for a while. Do you know Paris? I find it colourfully exciting. We had many adventures together.That’s another story, perhaps for another post!?
                 

                                Value them  —  your friends are precious

                                                      Esmé                      

You can learn something every day! I didn’t know that Frenchay is linked to a famous Apothecary. Alan Freke, who is extremely knowledgeable, told me that Luke Howard’s grandson married Charlotte Tuckett. Luke was the Quaker who named the clouds “Nimbus” etc. His fame stretched far beyond our country. Some of you may belong to the Tuckett Society.

Charlotte and her husband continued in Luke’s footsteps—they were the biggest supplier of quinine in the British Isles!

Why this interest in an Apothecary? Well, that is the ancient name for a pharmacist. In this area we are lucky enough to have several pharmacies. I always stay loyal to the Cleevewood Road one. Why? I find it very friendly and appreciate its’ efficient delivery service. Yesterday I had the pleasure of interviewing the new owners.

PETER AND MICHELLE CIPOLLA  are a local couple who live in Downend. Peter’s family are from Sicily, the largest island in the Mediterranean. Peter took a degree in Pharmacy at a London University and has worked in various branches. He did have a break when he did voluntary work in Tanzania helping to build a school. I asked where they met—you know how I’m interested in romance! I should have guessed—doctors meet nurses—Peter the pharmacist met Michelle his dispenser! Married in 2001, they spent their honeymoon in Thailand riding on elephants  and white water rafting among other things.

One of Peter’s hobbies now is trampolining and he’s gained his first medal. With such active parents it’s not surprising that their two children excel at sport. Michael (11years) won a bronze medal for gymnastics in the National Club Competition.He’s joined Cleeve Rugby Club and like his father, is very keen on trampolining. I can imagine the scene in their garden with them both competing to use the trampoline first! Mia (9 years) goes to the gym 5 times a week plus Thursday afternoons. I wish I was that fit! Michelle, unlike me, is an IT enthusiast and uses her skills in the Cleevewood Pharmacy as the Accountant etc. She is studying at the Open University towards eventually getting an IT degree.

If, as I suggest, you visit this “shop” you will receive a warm welcome from Mary (always smiling), Marlies the Australian dispenser, Liz who deals with much of the paperwork, perhaps Amy if it is a Saturday. Their delivery service is excellent and lovely Lisa brings my medicine directly to my flat.

I interviewed Peter in his consulting room and thought it might help readers of these pages to know just what you could consult Peter about! He mainly discusses medication—giving advice on how you should be taking it and the reasons for doing so. This is an official Government policy. “The Medication Usage Review”. Peter is a Type 1 diabetic, so has a special interest in this subject. He plans to develop a Diabetic Service. When I walked into the pharmacy, I admired the new  layout—it is bright and spacious. The counters are an excellent choice. I’ve had exactly the same installed in my new kitchen! They plan to sell more clinical items such as disability aids, diabetic and blood pressure monitors. You will still be able to buy your cosmetic items, but perfumes and cards will be phased out.

A photographic shop will soon be  opening next door and they will stock cards, That’s typically kind of Peter to want to help his neighbour. In fact the whole ethos of Cleevewood Pharmacy is to be of service to the community. I wish them great success and many years amongst us! 

FASHION
Last month I said we would “talk” a bit about royal fashion. One reason that I am so interested in clothes is that in France I taught English not only in schools but also for the Chamber of Commerce. “Chambre de commerce”. Each of my classes had a different reason for wanting to learn our language. One group consisted of hoteliers, another doctors and dentists and another group had fashion workshops, I taught them the language they needed for their specific fields. One of my students in the fashion group made garments for Kenzo, another for Erdem and another for Lindka Cierach. Samantha Cameron and Michelle Obama wear clothes by Erdem. Lindka designed Sarah Ferguson’s wedding dress for her marriage to Prince Andrew. Do you remember it? There was an “A” and an anchor embroidered on the train as well as a bumble bee from the Ferguson coat of arms. Lindka Cierach was born in Lesotho to Polish parents.

Ron and I were lucky enough to be invited to my students' ateliers. I was fascinated! They weren’t at all like the knicker factory in “Coronation Street”!! The machinists, pattern makers and the hand-stitchers were working in complete silence. My students explained that the expensive fabrics being used demanded utter concentration with no distractions! I loved the headdress of fresh flowers that Sarah wore when she walked into Westminster Abbey. She left wearing a jewelled tiara. Nature can beat valuable man-made objects every time!

My Thoughts for November

Recalling Luke Howard and his work on clouds—I’m just looking at the sky. It’s dark and menacing. However, if I was in a plane above them—I would see an endless white blanket, When days feel especially “dark”...things will brighten, and you will be “floating on cotton wool clouds”!!

Be Happy ……… Esmé      

This doesn’t sound like my usual subject matter does it? I’ve chosen it because it links to the person I’m featuring this month.

My father loved motor bikes and before I was born my parents would visit the Isle of Man for the T.T. Races. My grandfather had an engineering factory in Kingswood. He invented many things, one of which was a drain that enabled rain water to flow away more easily. As a young child, I loved to see our name GREGORY on every drain cover. My mother said that it slowed their progress as we walked along the pavements! His inventions were not as lucrative as the ones of the Douglas family who also had an engineering works in Kingswood.

In 1907 the first Douglas motor bike went on sale. My Dad was one of the first men to buy one. He had a wickerwork “side seat" on it. Taking my uncle for a ride to Weston they went over a humped-back bridge at which point his brother flew over a hedge  and ended up in a field. He was bruised but not broken. Obviously there were no seat belts in those days!  Douglas supplied around 70,000 motorcycles for military use. In the 1920’s came the first disc brakes. The firm were then awarded a Royal Warrant for supplying their product to the princes Albert and Henry.

My husband, Ron, enjoyed his motor bikes and I liked riding pillion. Ron said that I often urged him to go faster, but I don’t remember that! The week before our engagement party he was in Newport Hospital after being knocked off his bike by a car. I teased him that it only happened so that we couldn’t dance at our party - dancing not being his favourite thing!

Both my daughter and grandson have had motor bikes which worried me in today’s traffic conditions. My son never has - perhaps because he was knocked down by one whilst walking across a zebra crossing. C’est la vie!

To find out more about this subject, I’ve bought the book “The World of Motorcycling” which I will happily lend to you if you are interested. Apparently Daimler developed the first motor bike in1885 - a far cry from today's super bikes. In the south of France we lived in the place where they held Harley Davidson Conventions. Police motor cyclists use a variety of bikes including Harley Davidsons. Actually one of them gave me his key ring and told me to show it if I ever got stopped in France by the police!

Now from Harley to Les and from Davidson to Davison or to give him his full title Dr. Leslie Davison.

I first met Les about ten years ago when with Kate, his wife, they hosted a Choir party in their lovely garden. As you will have guessed one of his great interests is MOTORCYCLING! At the age of 16 he had a “two-stroke”. I quote “I think that my lawn mower has more power!” A Yamaha followed and then a 1100cc BMW. One day Les left Zürich at 9am  and was in Boulogne sur Mer at 9pm - 857 miles in one day! A few months ago he rode through France, Italy and Greece to their holiday home in Turkey. His return journey was through Austria and Germany. His comment, “A great ride!” Their son Nick follows in his father’s footsteps, or should I say tyre tracks. The two of them have had some exciting rides together. Les’s next trip? It will be to Turkey via Hungary, Serbia and Bulgaria. Les asks, 'Would anyone like to join me?'  What a challenge!

He uses his riding skills in working for the Community as he is involved with the Freewheelers Emergency Voluntary Charity - this being a courier medical service. Last year they made 3,648 deliveries riding more than 20,000 miles - the cost of £33,500 yearly is met by fund raising not by the NHS. Dolores Dale, known to many of you told me that her husband Brian was the first volunteer to do this in Bournemouth. 

Les enjoys tennis and rambling and has grown to admire the countryside around Bristol even more than his native Yorkshire! He was an enthusiastic Scout leader here in Frenchay, was on the Church Council and finally became Church Warden. Then his construction background  and expertise came in very useful. He was there during the making of our present Church Room, and also dealt with problems with the Spire. Les even involved some of his students from Bristol Polytechnic in re-analysing stresses as part of their course work. Well done, Les and thank you. I wish you and Kate future years equally full of exciting projects.

Food

Now that summer salads are taking a back seat and winter warmers not yet needed - let’s talk “Autumn Dishes”. I will suggest a meal that is good for vegetarians and excellent as a side dish with meat or poultry.

In England we call this vegetable CHICORY - in France it is ENDIVE - in America it is called BELGIAN ENDIVE! There are many ways of cooking it but I only have room for one here.

Gently heat some butter and olive oil and brown the halved chicory on each side. Now sprinkle with your favourite herbs (the French use thyme) and add your choice of white wine. Choose one you will enjoy drinking with the dish, as you’ll have half a bottle left! Turn the heat down. Now add stock - I use a vegetable stock cube, but you could use chicken flavoured. Add sugar, salt and pepper checking the taste. Cover with a lid and leave for 15 minutes. Now remove the lid and leave for another 10 minutes. Add double cream.

I don’t give exact amounts because it depends on how many chicory bulbs you are cooking. You need to cover them with their sauce but not drown them! Now tip them into a serving dish and decorate with herbs. You could top with sliced hard boiled eggs. As a main dish allow 2 chicories each - as a side dish probably one each. Enjoy…

My thoughts for September. We are all either DRAINS or FOUNTAINS. Let’s aim to be the latter - I love fountains!!

Take care,
Esmé

Some people ask me how I think of something to write about each month. That’s easy—my problem is about what shall I leave out. Actually I share with you some of the things that are dearest to my heart. My surname is Feltham and most of them begin with the letter F! I adore my Family, Friends, France, Food (especially les Fruits de la mer—lobsters, crab and langoustines) Flowers, Fun and of course my Faith!

This July magazine features a double F—a Favourite Friend! I expect that most of you have heard the saying “Behind every good man is a great woman” and this is the case with Bob and JUDY WOODWARD.

Many of us admire Bob’s huge achievements, but how much do we know about Judy? Let’s try to rectify this. Judy sits opposite to me in the St. John the Baptist Church choir. Like me she is very enthusiastic about music. She has a strong soprano voice. Born four years after me—Judy married Bob four years after our wedding! Their first date was at the Odeon Cinema in Union Street—ours was at the Odeon Cinema in Kingswood! Another coincidence—Judy trained with the N.N.E.B. at Stoke Lodge in Shirehampton to become a Nursery Nurse. When I was Deputy Head of a Nursery School—part of my job was training Nursery Nurses. Judy worked in Nursery Schools for 11 years , only staying home when their daughter Rachel was born. Rachel has since provided them with Laura—their little grand daughter. For ten years Judy cared for their two sick sons—who very sadly died in childhood. Luckily they have another son called James. She also, not surprisingly if you know Judy, did many years of voluntary work at Frenchay Hospital.

Judy and Bob are fortunate to have celebrated their silver and gold wedding anniversaries together. To celebrate the latter, they had a wonderful stay at “The Manor” Castle Coombe” where their family joined them for a splendid dinner! Their silver anniversary was spent further afield, as they drove from coast to coast in the USA. Where did Ron and I spend our silver anniversary? Yes—France! Unfortunately we didn’t make our 50th together. C’est la vie! (That’s life!)

Judy and Bob are very widely travelled—they seem to have been almost everywhere except France! If you fancy a very special meal, Judy recommends Calcut Manor at Tetbury.

Judy’s hobbies are playing the piano, hand bell ringing, flower arranging and gardening. They have a lovely home—their house reminds me of a Swiss Chalet.

I could fill this magazine if I told you about the exciting social life that Judy and Bob enjoy. The occasions that Judy enjoyed most  were the  Queen’s State Banquet at Buckingham Palace where they celebrated her 40 years on the throne, and the Sultan of Brunei’s 25 years a s ruler. The other memorable event was when Mr and Mrs Gorbachev came to Bristol to mark Mr. Gorbachev’s becoming International President of CLIC (which, of course Bob founded)

I asked Judy what she thinks about the new proposals for the Frenchay Hospital site. She finds it difficult not to be apprehensive, but hopes there will be a retirement village there. Then the two of them could live there in a lovely parkland setting (You would also still be near our Church Judy!)

Finally, I asked her to give me their formula for a happy marriage. I quote “55 years is a long journey of joys and sorrows, but our faith has sustained us. A sense of humour also helps!” You certainly both fulfil that criteria, and I wish you many more wonderful years together.

FASHION IS MY PASSION  …..  LA MODE EST MA PASSION!!

I was making clothes for my dolls when I was 6, for myself at 10, and for my mother when I was in my early teens. The sewing machine that I am still using was made up in 1926. Ron and I bought it together when I was 16 and he was 18—so it was already well used! We went into the shop to buy the pretty table not realising that it contained a sewing machine! Do you know where these old sewing machines go when they are no longer wanted by their owners? Afghanistan—soldiers use them to repair their uniforms and tents.

When people ask me now where I buy my clothes—they get one of three replies! They are either designer bought in Paris or St Tropez, made by me or ordered from Q.V.C on the television (Quality, Value and Convenience) You get a brochure for the month ahead so you know when to switch on for your favourite designers. I’ve just been sent a Yong Kim dress! Yesterday I wore a black jacket covered with white embroidery. Someone in the choir said “Pearly Queen”. She couldn’t have been more wrong—it was bought in the Bridget Bardot boutique in St Tropez. I would rather have one good piece than a dozen cheap ones.

FOOD IDEAS…..In French “Pudding de Pain”. I don’t like bread and butter pudding, but my husband loved it! In France, I substituted croissants for the bread. I added flaked almonds and used half milk, half cream and 3 eggs. Another interesting way would be to use slices of malt bread—spread with marmalade and cut into triangles. Between each layer you could sprinkle some sultanas. With all these puddings—leave the prepared dish for 30 minutes before putting it into your oven to allow the liquid to be absorbed.!   Bon appetit!

MY THOUGHT FOR JULY…. Start each day with a song. It’s a new day. It’s a new dawn. Enjoy life!

I expect that most of us have a favourite season. Summer is my choice.

When Ron and I lived near St. Tropez our friends and neighbours headed inland to escape the heat, but it was never too hot for us. In fact the breeze from the sea made the temperature idyllic.

I’m writing this in April because I’ll hopefully be in France in early May. We write one month in advance. Until now I’ve always mourned the lack of foliage on the trees, but today I changed my mind. Lying in bed I saw through my window the tree that grows between Marshfield Park and Cleeve Wood House. Suddenly I appreciated the pattern of bare branches—really black against the leaden sky. It was a thing of beauty and so symbolic.

The first oil painting that I did has a similar theme, but I used primary colours. It hangs in my Guest bedroom. Do you know the name for the latter in French? It’s “Chambre d’amis” (Friend’s bedroom) - a much warmer phrase! Talking of lovely words—a mother in law is “Belle maman” (Beautiful mother) and “Belle fillle” (Beautiful girl) is daughter in law!

In my painting, the roots are the most important part of the tree. I think of them as God from whom all goodness flows. The trunk of the tree is like Jesus—reliable and there for us to lean on when we need support. The branches? To me they are the angels forming a link between us and heaven. In our Church Bible Study group  we heard that the Holy Spirit is like the wind. It’s invisible in itself, but we can see the results it brings. Even bare branches move on windy days!

Perhaps we could think of the roots as our Family history and the trunk as our present family. We want our children to be strong branches and hopefully produce some twigs and twiglets (grandchildren and great-grandchildren)I won’t give you any other analogies—I’m sure that you have your own ideas. I’ll never look at a bare tree in the same way again. As I was getting up a little white cloud drifted behind the tree. It had an oval break in the middle through which I could see a patch of blue sky. It looked just like an eye—Big Brother was watching me!

Cookery Ideas

In the April magazine I mentioned the trend for “Surf and Turf”. Well there’s another idea that’s growing in popularity. Remember you read it here first! It’s not a new thing , Peter and I ate it in France , as a starter about three years ago. It was a savoury crumble with a tomato and mushroom filling.

I usually watch ”Saturday Kitchen” on television. I always hope that one of the films of Keith Floyd will be shown. He is often called “the Chef’s Chef “as most of them, like me, really admire his style of cooking. I’ve got his autobiography if you would like to borrow it! He often said “a splash and a dash”. He didn’t use a measuring jug or scales and I don’t either. Of course you have to be precise if you are baking cakes or bread which I don’t!

When Keith bought our flat on Clifton Downs (the day after we put it on the market) - we thought he must have admired our kitchen. No!! It was really lovely—well, we thought so! The counter tops were like dark green leather with curved edges and there were 6 hobs—3 gas and 4 electric etc. He had it all ripped out and replaced with black marble imported from Italy! The headlines in the Evening Post (which our friends posted to us in France) read Keith Floyd buys luxury flat in Clifton with NO KITCHEN. Never believe everything that you read!

Last week Saturday Kitchen was followed by 30 minutes of Nigel Slater. Guess what he suggested—why not make a Savoury Crumble! To accompany his roast lamb he added grated cheese to finely chopped apples. He topped this with crumble made in the usual way plus breadcrumbs and ground almonds. Left in the oven on a medium heat for 15—20 minutes, he then dotted it with butter and more cheese and browned it with a blow torch. If your lamb is resting under foil, you could use the already hot oven to make the crumble. Don’t just think apple and cheese!

What about a pineapple crumble with roast duck or a mandarin one with chicken? To the latter I would add mandarin marmalade to the softened fruit. “Bonne Maman” make a good one—I eat it on toast for breakfast most mornings.

Now my thought for June! “Be passionate about the things you believe in. Never creep when you could soar” We’re back to clouds again!

Please tell me if you would like to be featured in these pages. Everyone has an interesting story to tell!

Be Happy!

Esmé