Latest News from Kirkstead Old Mill Cottage B&B Woodhall Spa

News I really needed

Quite simply, I am delighted to say that my Drivers' Licence was returned to me today.  Hurray!

I am so glad I was able to persist with the sleep apneoa machine, and I now feel I have made friends with it, which is just as well for I fear that I will have to sleep with it for the rest of my nights.

Now I will again be able to do the shopping for the B & B, get to the hairdressers' and occasionally take a trip to a restaurant.  I have been so fortunate to have folks willing to drive me around for such a long time, and I want to thank them all.

 

A snake (or two) in the grass

A days ago Reg reported seeing a grass snake, of about a metre in length, hurry across the lawn in front of him.  He thought that it had possibly been to the kitchen water feature for a drink, before hurrying away to the strubbery down the side of the garden.

Later I mentioned the viewing to John who said he had had a similar experience a few days earlier, but this time it was at the bottom of the garden.

An even earlier sighting surprised a guest, soon after she had arrived, when she spotted a grass snake, through the open front doorway, come down the steps and disappear along the front of the house.

I am delighted that this creature shares our environment, but I do hope he or she likes eating slugs and won't chase the large toad that John saw when he was weeding.

A couple of years ago I was surprised to spot a couple of grass snakes on the compost heap up in the Wild Garden.  At first I thought someone had thrown two belts away, so I shrieked in surprise when they moved, which of course got the creatures disappearing in a rush.

However, on 25th July last year, two of our guests thought that the highlight of their weekend was the opportunity to actually photograph a grass snake swimming in the land drain that runs along beside the cottage, and Rob Mabbett would like to share this memorable experience with you.

 

The Power of Perfume

Even more menus

Clair, our current breakfast chef, has been encouraging me this evening to publish Sue Kind's Dessert Menu, so here it is.

   EVENING MEAL MENU at KIRKSTEAD OLD MILL COTTAGE

                DESSERTS

Apple Pie with custard, cream or vanilla ice cream.

Banoffee pie: bananas in a toffee sauce, topped with double cream.

Bread and butter pudding.

Cheesecakes: blackcurrant, cherry, lemon or your suggestion.

Chocolate roulade, chocolate torte and rich chocolate pots.

Crumble topping over apples, plums or rhubarb.

Eton Mess: a mixture of crushed meringue, fresh fruit and cream.

Fresh fruit salad.

Lemon meringue pie.

Lemon zabaglione: an Italian dessert made with sugar, cream and sweet white wine. 

                             On French menus it contains egg yolks and is called : sabayon.

Pavlova: meringue and cream decorated with fresh fruit.

Summer pudding.

Trifle.

Followed by coffee or tea of your choice and mint chocolates.

 

Please remember to make us aware of any special dietary requirements or allergies.

Some of the wild life checks up on me.

That's a bit how it felt today when I was visited in turn whilst relaxing in the Sunroom by a fledgling great tit, a very slim lizard, and a very curious cock pheasant, whilst outside a baby rabbit dashed in and out of the Courtyard Garden, stopping to nibble at the heather.