Blog Post
Don’t be tempted to sow your seeds too early!

What a week of sunshine we have had – I hope everyone reading has seen some good weather.  It is lovely for families to have some outdoor weather when schools are on holiday.  It makes us smile !

However, don’t be fooled.  So many times in previous years I have got carried away and sown my peas but trust me it isn’t warm enough yet and I doubt you will get good germination if you sow before the end of April – this is true for the north of England anyway.

This week in the small town where I live (Barton on Humber) there was a flurry of activity from the local radio and television crews as it had been announced in a national survey that Barton had seen a 75% increase in house sales over the past year and a corresponding 15% increase in house prices.  As a result I was contacted by BBC Look North and BBC Radio Humberside and was asked for my thoughts on the survey.  Hilarious – suddenly I am selling houses !!!!

Springtime is starting to burst into colour – predominantly yellow which inspires my bake this week.  Daffodils, primulas, primroses and tulips but as yet no seasonal fruit but we do have lovely lemons which now are quite large and juicy.  My chickens are now busy laying eggs which I have used when I created this delicious Limencello layer cake which I urge you to try – it’s a real favourite with my family. 

https://www.nancybirtwhistle.co.uk/recipes/limoncello-layer-cake

This weekend was the 2nd BBC Good Food show in Harrogate and I think I mentioned last week I was invited as Brian Turner’s guest on the main stage at 1.30pm !

I arrived at the venue at 11.30am, was met by a very efficient team and taken to the behind the scenes organisation which was very impressive indeed.

I met Dave and Si – the famous Hairy Bikers and they are absolutely exactly as they come across on the television.  They were very helpful and friendly and true gents.

I then got to meet Brian (maestro) Turner who immediately put me at ease and directed me through the whole plan for the 30 minute demonstration.  Brian was showcasing two savoury plates of food and I was to prepare the dessert.

Brian was so professional and relaxed on stage and I actually drew confidence from that.  I had a great time.

Following the demonstration I was then involved in interviews with an audience and a question and answer session with the VIPs at the show.  A full on day but what an experience.

My guinea fowl are amazing.  I still don’t quite understand how they know to stay in the garden – they are birds after all and they fly into the trees to roost at night.  However, they stay within the garden boundary which is a 5 foot privet hedge and they could clear it quite easily but they choose the garden.  I am sure they are choosing a nesting spot because I have found the odd guinea fowl egg laying in the long grass but nothing seems very organised yet.

Talk next week x    Have a go at the cake and don’t sow your peas !!