Footprints in the Sand.

I visited the beach. Ok not so big a deal but when you live where we do this involves a bit of travel. Admittedly I probably didn't have to go quite as far as  Tahuna in the North East of Scotland but I was up in the area anyway and was given an offer I couldn't refuse:-  to go and watch / help out with a pleasure beach ride. While the horses and riders did their thing in the rain (What else? We are talking NORTH here) I diddled about on the beach taking photos to show to you folks.....

Footprints in the Sand

Bits and Bobs on the Beach

And the real reason for being there, in the rain, in the first place.... can you spot them in the distance?

Mmm could take a bit of time before we can make them out properly. This beach is long, and I mean long, about 8km or so with no break..

Patience, patience.....

Possibly picture of the day at least for the people with horses.

BUT

To top them all .......

Maybe tomorrow the rain will stop. remember what they say... Red Sky at Night.........

The Key Tree and Other Wonders

I was going to post about the wedding cake but I don't have the pictures yet and so you'll have to wait a little longer.
Needless to say, I survived!  I managed to bake 250 or so cupcakes of varying sizes. (Exact count unknown due to a few of the lemon ones popping out of their cases overnight).
The Friday was a bit hectic with all of the pot constructing and icing that had to be done but I got there in the end. (Isn't it amazing just how sticky a kitchen can get?)
I thought that you might like to see a few more of the pictures that I gathered whilst away in Plymouth...
They have amazing things down in the far south you know....

They grow keys on trees.....

And weathered bones on the moors....

Friendships are made on the open grasslands..
What else? Yesterday I was asked to help out the Guides with their confectioner's badge.  They were to show that they could colour and use several types of icing. Apparently they had had a few disasters the week before and so now was the time to show what they could do. They did brilliantly.......

Cupcakes with meringue icing and fondant shapes...

Iced biscuits.. (I didn't have time to make those as well, hence the Rich Tea jobs)...
Now have you any idea what 250 cupcakes look like? No! Neither did I, here goes.....

Can you spot the other box off to the right? Hope it stops raining for you all soon...

Pre Wedding Nerves

Please don't panic! It's not me that is getting married. Once will do me fine, apart from anything else, who would want to be that stressed again?
No I only have to do the cake. When I say only... Well... It's my own fault! It was ages away and it seemed to be so easy at the time. Actually, when I calm down and take a deep breath or six I know it will be fine but still...
It seemed so long ago that I made up this....

There have been a few tweeks along the way. Quantities doubled or trebled recipes adjusted....
The pots are sitting here at my feet awaiting their brand new raffia and ribbon. The pristine oasis is ready to unwrap and be potted up tomorrow. The big Bake-in is about to happen...

Keep your fingers (and everything else) crossed. x

Down South

As some of you will know, I have been away for the weekend. Thought you might like to know what I was up to. Well, Y and I went  down to The Scott 100 Conference in Plymouth. He was "Down" for 18months before I met him and so we were very keen to go along. It was brilliant! I met Robert Falcon Scott's grandson! Fame or what? There were lots of presentations and stands as you might expect but we also came across this pair...

They stayed dressed like this for the entire two days and must have been roasting as it was quite hot in the centre. I thought that they had been "Down" and were just showing off some of the old gear BUT.... No they had never been just very interested. And, here's the bit, they made everything themselves. Not one bit of what you see is real.

I escaped for one of the afternoons to explore Plymouth a little and came across this lady...

The best views were to be had from here. Go on take a look...

BUT please be careful as there are still pirates about...

Altogether the weekend was quite a whirl....

Finished off by going to collect my new computer and set it up, hence the delay in posting. Sorry folks but here is a last picture to keep you sweet.. A nectar leaking plant...

Life is a Merry-go-Round

As I said the other day I haven't been at home much over the last few days. Monday was spent at the Northumberland Count Show with this person..(Not mine I hasten to add, I was helping out a friend)...

However when I have been "in residence" it has been at full tilt in terms of things to do and cakes to be made.
Firstly I was priveledged to be asked to make a cake for a young man who was 21 last week but who is celebrating this weekend before heading off on a trip with his dad. Can you guess where they are going?

Then I was asked to make a cake for a 12 year old but was told to do what Iwanted. What an opportunity! I have been hankering after the chance to make a carousel cake for quite a while.... it took some tinkering with. Some adjusting and lots of finger crossing but.... ........ in the end...

The same person also asked for some floral mini cakes......

Now after all that activity, where did I put my glasses?....

Please don't ask why the garlic is in the fruit bowl along with the bananas. I simply have no idea...