Training a Working Cocker Spaniel Puppy, the first 6 months

  So, you’ve finally got that beautiful, angelic little bundle of fun home safely from the breeder at 8 weeks old. Before you do anything, I strongly advise you to read the wonderful book by Janet Menzies ” Training the Working Spaniel”. Ideally you would have read it several times BEFORE your puppy arrives. If…

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Warm Salad of Partridge

It is getting to the time of year when we really need to finish up all the Game left over from last Season. Partridges can often be very disappointing after 6 months in the freezer. This mid-week supper shows that you can still serve a tasty partridge in a way that suits the lengthening days…

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Never a Dull Moment in the Vegetable Garden at this time of year

Much of the morning was spent clearing up, and burning, a mass of old Bamboo canes and prunings from our several rather large clumps. It was disconcerting to suddenly have the Fire-Brigade wandering round the garden looking for the inferno that a well-meaning passer-by had reported some 15 minutes earlier.  Admittedly I was taken by surprise when the large heap went up like…

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War on waste in my Vegetable Garden

Growing your own vegetables is great, but don’t fall into a Garden Centre fuelled spiral of buying endless bamboo canes/ plastic netting/ posts etc with which to pursue your hobby. Use every natural resource that you can lay your hands on like the cottage gardeners of old. Do not be responsible for adding to landfill…

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A Proper Easter Feast

Easter Sunday Lunch would not be the same without the inclusion of Easter Eggs, Chickens and Narcissi. This has got to be the best pudding I have eaten in ages , and I am told by today’s most amazing hostess, as perfectly photographed by her niece, that it is an old recipe from the Daily Mail 2009, called Retro…

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