Anyway here are the replies to a few points raised in comments recently.
We do have a donor for Colin's stem cell transplant, but given that 3 other treatments haven't worked we are concerned about this next step which will involve a long stay in Addenbrookes hospital near Cambridge.
I wish we had an aerial photo from later years at the smallholding as we expanded the campsite and planted hedges and trees all around it. We took down the old asbestos concrete sheds and replaced with new buildings, put up a third poly-tunnel, altered the path to the campsite and built a huge new fruit cage. Some of the fences on the 2nd photo were just made of pallets and when they rotted we took them down and used electric flexi-netting for the chickens which opened up the field to make it easier for hay-making. I don't know if there are still companies that take aerial photos and then knock on your door offering to sell them to you?
We've heard nothing about the new owners of the smallholding except they put up campsite pitch fees, installed CCTV and started selling things at the gate not grown on the holding..........which is something you are not supposed to do! But hey ho that's up to them. Nearest neighbours to the smallholding still haven't met the new owners - 2 years on!
And the cake recipe
Looking for something that would make a pack-up to take to the beach, I found this recipe which I'd not made for ages.
Fruit Slices
Into a bowl 5oz plain flour, work in 3oz butter and 1oz castor sugar, when mix binds together press into the base of the tin.
Scatter 1oz currants and 12 glace cherries that have been cut into tiny pieces over the base and press down gently.
Cream together 3oz butter and 3 oz castor sugar. Add 1oz ground almonds, 3oz flour, 1 beaten egg and a couple of drops of almond essence and mix all together.
Spread the sponge mixture over the fruit and then bake at Mk 5 (190℃) for about 40 minutes. Turn the heat down or move the tin lower if it starts to look a little too brown.
Leave to cool and cut into slices.
I'll add this to the recipe page at the top of the blog
Thanks once again for all the lovely comments.
Back Soon
Sue
That cake looks delicious. I will be making some myself now this weekend.
ReplyDeleteI do like something sturdy enough to take with me for a picnic.
How delicious does that look!!! Thanks very much, I shall be saving that one. Perfect for a picnic lunch down the allotment.
ReplyDeleteJ x
I make comments on blogs but do not have a blog myself and I don't remember giving information about myself.
ReplyDeleteHave a good weekend the recipe sounds good.
Hazel c uk
I will be adding to my recipe folder now, it looks delicious.
ReplyDeleteAs Hazel above I have not had a problem but I am commenting under the Open ID Wordpress profile - the different profile types to select on the drop down menu where it says Comment as: on your blog might produce different requirements and that is why each of us have a different experience.
ReplyDeleteIn respect of Collins awaited treatment - one of my colleagues at work (not the one who died I might add if you have been following my blog) had the same condition and eventually after failed treatments her only resort was the stem cell transplant. It is no picnic as I believe they have to isolate due to high risk of infection - hence the long recovery stay in hospital. She had her own stem cells collected - but all I can say is that it worked and she is back at work and looks exceptionally well - so worth doing for her. I can understand your worries when previous treatments fail as I had Thyroid cancer a few years ago which had spread to my lymph and first two treatments only reduced not obliterated the cancer cells but I did persevere and I have lived to tell the tale and my tests are OK at present. You can only do what you feel is right for you after discussing it with the consultants.
It sounds a bit sad that the new campsite owners are making it much more of a business than a way of life and only interested in the profits - this happened to the little campsite next to our cottage in Scotland and the old caravaners have now started leaving - new rules - new prices and not much in return from the owners.
Great cake - will definitely make this one. Viv
Colin has already had the treatment with own stem cells collected, that was one of the failures. The donor stem cell is the last thing to try
DeleteEveryone is so different in how they react to the treatment and come out of all this aren't they. My thoughts and prayers will be with you both for the days and weeks ahead and that the treatment will work this time.
Deletethe cake looks really delicious and a very traditional tea time treat.
ReplyDeleteBlogging ~and social media in general~ is a law unto itself. I had to register with Wordpress to be able to comment there, WP users can't easily leave comments on Blogger and vice versa, and I think some of us barrelled headlong, embracing all this new media, without giving a thought to how our information was being used, much of which has only really started to be realised in recent years rather than when we signed up for stuff. Sorry, maybe I'm stupid, but who really does take the time to read the never ending small print. If you want to use it, you have to agree and I think a lot of us just blindly agreed. Remember when we all lost half our followers because of the Google/WP differences?
I don't know if you've seen the ad by Barclays showing just how easy it was for someone to use facebook photos to get address, DOB and even card numbers to apply for a new identity! Scary stuff.
DeleteI use Wordpress and have no problem in commenting on blogs supported by Blogger.
DeleteThat looks a toothsome recipe Sue. I shall copy it down and add it to my (bulging) recipe folder. I've just put several recipes up over on my blog, which I hope folk will enjoy.
ReplyDeleteI am praying that the stem cell transplant and his experimental medication now will be what it takes to bring him back to full health. How long would he have to be at Addenbrookes for?
You certainly made a wonderful job of making your old smallholding a very special place to live and grow things. I feel the new owners have done themselves no favours by bringing in stuff grown elsewhere but I suppose if they feel that's what works for them . . .
We used to get the Aerial photography people knocking regularly on the door but they've not been near for at least 10 years now. They only ever appeared when we had NO MONEY at all to spare for aerial photos! Plus the ones they were offering were very old stock as they showed the farmhouse as it was when Next Door still owned it, and with a BIG BLACK Nissen-hut type shed where our driveway is now.
He'll probably be in Addenbrooks for several weeks depending on how things go. It's going to be a long way for visiting.
DeleteWe used to knock the price down for the photos as they were no use for anyone else. So they would start off saying £25 and we would end up buying for £5!
Sue and Colin - it's admirable how you two keep everything going, and keep so upbeat. Your life story is very interesting. I'm a few years older than you, and yes, I can remember the tight money days, and the struggle to make ends meet with a family. Good luck for Colin's treatment. He sounds like he is a real fighter.
ReplyDeleteI think (but I'm not positive) that in order to comment on a blogger blog now you need to have some form of a google account - blog, gmail, Google+, etc. Things constantly change, so who knows!
ReplyDeleteMy lot would love that cake so I had best give it a try.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the recipe-x-
It looks great.
ReplyDeleteI do not have a blog but I do have a blogger account that I use to follow my favorite blogs. As far as I understand people can only see what you have listed on the account as available to the public to see and that can be changed at any time. I have often thought about starting a blog but I am afraid I would not be able to keep up with it on a regular basis. I do enjoy following and reading wonderful blogs like yours Sue!
ReplyDeleteI love aerial photos and I have copied and saved Google aerial and street view photos of our house and other family homes. It is fun to go back and see them at various stages of development!
That cake looks delicious and it does look like one that would travel well to the beach!
Anything other than the 'normal' blog post leaves me completely in the dark Sue.
ReplyDeleteInteresting information you give about a donor for Col - I really don't understand the procedure at all - but do hope it goes well next time.
Hi, in answer to your question, google has not got any of my info. I can use just my name or be anon if I like.
ReplyDeleteI hope Col gets on better this time, a friends daughter is going through the same treatment at the moment and I have my fingers crossed for both of them.
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ReplyDeleteGoogle maps online will have an aerial for free of your old place. https://www.google.com/maps/@34.2946618,-118.7023067,15z just type in the address of the small holding and click the satellite view option.
ReplyDeleteThen click on the plus sign at lower right to get a close up.
DeleteOoh, the second cake recipe I've seen in the last few minutes, I think someone's trying to tell me something xx
ReplyDeleteI wonder if you can use google earth to look at satellite pictures going back in time.
ReplyDeleteMy husband has shown me some areas he was interested going back in time. I've never done it myself.
I am definitely going to have to try your recipe!
Helen
The cake looks delicious. I suppose if you know anyone with a drone they could take photos for you now. Far less expensive too I would imagine.
ReplyDeleteThe cake looks delicious. It's a shame when people take over something and then change it and not always for the better. Is it still a C&C site?
ReplyDeleteDo you have any idea of timescale regarding Col's treatment and is it something that will happen sooner rather than later if you decide to go ahead with it. xx
Yes it's still a C&C Club 5 van site. I just hope they are enjoying living there.
Deleteand meant to say we will find out soon when they want him in for the donor stem cell treatment it depends on bone marrow and blood results in the next few weeks. We HAVE to go ahead with it as it's the only option left. Without it he may not reach 61.
DeleteThat looks soooo good! I'm hungry and guess I better go eat breakfast. visiting all the blogs this morning. Have a good week ahead.
ReplyDeleteGood to see you back blogging
ReplyDelete