Busy weekend. Selina was home to see Graham, and the KC&RC were hosting a League Shoot leg.
Saturday afternoon, (sun shining) was used to set up the shoot. Five stands with automatic traps were placed in the field and loaded with clays for a Sporting layout.
Sunday was a wet and miserable day. We did not expect many to turn out for the shoot, but they did and I was told that was more than the average for a league shoot attended. By the time we had cleared up it was 1 o’clock.
Went to the open day at Pennywise Racing to say hello to Cressex Katie. She may be running again in a couple of weeks at Wolverhampton.
Just got back from a holiday on the island of Guernsey. Flew out on Saturday morning the day before the storm struck the UK. Sunday was fun standing on the cliffs leaning into the hard wind, and driving the car along the North coast road being covered with sea spray. A few fences blew down around the hotel.
The rest of the week was peaceful, and warm. Did several walks and generally ended up walking in tee shirts.
Visited Herm where Rosemary picked up lots of shells. This was one day when the sun never shone, it was very misty, but warm. Even the top of Herm was out of sight, and there was no way you could see Guernsey from Herm. This was a short visit to Herm, out on the 8.30 boat and back on the 12.35. Wanted lunch and did not really fancy fried Scampi, so we rushed back and over to the Auberge restaurant which is South of St. Peters Port. Lovely views if the weather was clear.
Most days we ate out at least once. This was usually lunch. Food seems much better then it was ten years ago. Maybe it is because we go to better restaurants. The Grande Mare Hotel, where we stay though was a lot better then it was ten years ago food wise. We used to be disappointed when we ate there, but now they seem to do some really decent meals. The last lunch we had had at the hotel was excellent value, and very good for a three course meal in the Islands Tennerfest initiative. This Tennerfest initiative runs during October and the first part of November. Participating restaurants produce lunchtime meals for ten pounds. Generally they are pretty good quality and value.
Friday was the one bad day when it drizzled all day. We really did not do much other than have a swim in the pool and lunch at the hotel. You need these wet lazy days.
Friday night, Saturday morning there was a hard frost. So with ladder and bags we crossed the field and collected Sloes for the Sloe Gin. Last years Sloe Gin was a bit bitter, so this years mix was changed slightly.
o Fill 1 litre bottle with Sloes
o Fill with Gin (will be about 500 ml)
o Add 4 ounces of sugar.
o Keep for a year and decant.
The difference this year is we are using a little more sugar, and the Sloes were collected after a frost.
We collected far too many Sloes. There was a very good crop. We did not have to venture on to any and, other than our own to collect the Sloes. The extra Sloes we gave to next door, and John Curd.
Yesterday and today I have spent several hours working in the graveyard cutting down many dead Elm trees which have succumbed to Dutch Elm dieses. I thing we will have to replace some of these trees with other English woodland trees.