Le Viaer Marchi

Every summer at the beginning of July The National Trust of Guernsey hold Le Viaer Marchi

(an old market) at Saumarez Park . nationaltrust-gsy.org.gg It is a lovely family event, I remember going with my Mum as a little girl and working behind the sweety stall, I even had a proper Guernsey bonnet,

 think I need to look in to making one of those again.

Its a great opurtunity to see lots of crafts people in action, spinners, wood carvers, lace makers

and the Gaudion Family (Dad, son and daughter) all working with willow.

There crab and lobster pots really are a work of art, it is such a classic design. I know most fishermen these days use the plastic versions, but it is interesting that the actual shape really hasnt changed abit, which just goes to show if it aint broke dont fix it!

But my favourites were Claire Gaudion's ormer baskets (pannier a cou)www.clairegaudion.co.uk that she had cleverly adapted to use as bicycle baskets, but I think they would look just as great with a couple hanging on the wall in the kitchen for veg or personally in the studio stuffed with off cuts of fabric! 

Definately on my wish list!

 Guernsey Coppercraft were also there explaining all about the local milk cans, I hadnt realised that each size had a specific use, Chris was definately taken with the copper pint measures, though I think he was thinking of drinking something a bit stronger than milk out of them!

They really are a very elegant shape arnt they. 

Over here the small silver versions are very popular for christening gifts

 A bit of Maypole dancing

and a choir singing local folk songs in Victorian dress

Lots of food on offer, but the most popular was with out doubt Bean Jar, its definitely a love it or hate it dish, I love it, Chris doesn't and Master George (below) is definitely enjoying it.  Its very similar to French Cassoulet or Peas Pottage, slow cooked butter and haricot beans with water and a cheap cut of meat.  I use shin of beef, but you could also use ham hock or even trotter (ugh).  Then it starts getting very political about wither you add a carrot or not!  The smell when it is cooking for 6 hours in a beautiful dark brown Bean Jar is mouth watering.

The crowds building, we were so lucky with the weather, last year it had to be cancelled because the ground was so water logged.

Most of the crowds seemed to be heading to my sister-in-law on the Rocquettes Cider stand!

rocquettecider.com

The other ladies were all wearing Guernsey bonnets

so I have promised to make Emma one, in fabric of her choice!  Will keep you posted!

And finally our Golden Guernsey Goats goldenguernseygoat.org.uk , not as famous as our cows, but I think more beautiful and their cheese is delicious, especially with red onion marmalade!

Couldn't stay as long as we wanted, people to see, things to do, but you know how it is.

But very glad I did.

Magnificent Mackerel

Sorry meant to post this earlier in the week.

I mentioned that I had made rhubarb chutney and so needed grilled mackerel to go with it,

 as it is a perfect partner as the acidity of the rhubarb cuts through the oiliness of the fish.

Well success, local mackerel (its been a bit sparse recently because of the sea temperature).

And aren't they beautiful, we are so used to them, that some times I don't think we really look at them.

The iridescent colours and markings are a perfect camouflage against their enemies,

because when you look down into the sea its very dark, yet when you are under water and look up its almost silver.

Over the years I have often used them for inspiration, I did a massive mackerel when I was at art college in Falmouth, and in a typical student way used every medium possible, paint, chalk, collage, stitch.... will have to try and dig out a photo one day to show you.

These days I have got more selective.

This is an applique and embroidery one I did a couple of years ago, it now has pride of place over our bed, but I have also made it in to a card.

And last year I had some fun making felt fish, both as decorations and as a broach.

So next time you are about to pop one under the grill, consider serving him with rhubarb chutney (or gooseberry sauce) but first take a moment to admire his elegance and beauty

summers here!!!!!

Well at last a gorgeous summers day and an afternoon off! Wow that doesn't happen often.

I do love just pottering in the garden

This week I read that we actually have 10 different species of bumble bee, I had no idea,

to me a bumble bee was a bumble bee.

So today I looked more carefully.

There were all different sizes, some with white bottoms, some yellow and stripy, some were a more honey colour, some were fat and some were definitely more slim line.

I wanted to show you,

 but have to admit taking photos of busy bees on swaying foxgloves was not easy at all!

in he goes

delving deep

and deeper

Lets have another go

Pleased with that one

Ooh get me, an action shot!

and he's gone again

Bottoms up!

I mean why, why, why do we use artificial colours??????

Have just had my first rainbow chard harvest,

I just love the colours, yellow, orange, ruby red and cream,

 stunning.

So we had them for lunch, in a salad with quiona, apple, cold sausage and a mustard vinaigrette.

Sitting at the top of the garden in the sun, it was a very tasty and impressive food miles ;-)

A chilled glass of wine would have made it perfect. Next time maybe.

Ruby chard and strawberries

Its that coloured vein going up through the green leaf that I find so beautiful.



And harvested the last of the forced rhubarb, the colour is amazing!

Have made it into a chutney to have with grilled mackerel tomorrow night, ummm yummm

And here is some colour to come, red currants, I love them at this stage, translucent almost like stained glass, with that blush of pink.

Oooh and one is ready, but will need a few more before I get a jar of jelly.

But luckily I am patient.

Arnt our natural colours amazing, and I do think that food at this time of year is just so tempting.

Gulls, Gulls, Gulls

I wanted to show you the character of my Blog Title.

Herring Gulls!

They are so common that I think we sometimes forget to stop and actually properly look at them.

And I think we should.

Last night I was down on Cobo and while Bailey and Chris were out exploring in Hippocampus,

 I went exploring with my camera.

There were lots of gulls around,

probably because of the Fish and Chip Shop (yummy, super sorted for Bailey!)

And they were all being very sensible in a gull like way.

Then I spotted this chap, if he were human I would say he had ants in his pants,

but I don't no what the gull equivalent is......

Sand hoppers in his wings.....

Any way he could not sit still.

He made me smile!

''Oh I wish that woman would stop taking photos of me its embarrassing.

Thats it, I am off!!!!''