Mourning summer but celebrating autumn...

Such a long time since I last post, but my new (school) year resolution is to write more. Apples are falling, the only six plums that grew have been devoured by squirrels, Strictly contestants have been chosen, school socks bought and Bake off has begun. This can only mean one thing: it is Autumn. I love the summer, and I mean really love the summer, but I also adore the changes of the Seasons - the expectation, anticipation, new challenges - even the first time I put tights on again, but I also feel a sense of loss, almost mourning for the carefree attitude that we, as Brits, are able to adopt in the Summer months - it is when, for obvious reasons we feel most like our European cousins, and when, I feel we are most alive. Clambering around in Kensington Gardens foraging for blackberries in the days before school starts has become a yearly tradition for me and my countryside loving children - we return from forays in Norfolk and Northumberland and crave to continue the countryside life… in London, Kensington Gardens is the best we can do locally, and its pretty darn good. 2 hours with very little human interaction, a few scratches and some full tubs of berries we are content and wander home arguing about how they will be cooked or baked - the 4 year old certain that she will simply eat hers as soon as we get home. They are immediately stewed with a little sugar, cooled and put in the fridge until the discussion finds its amicable conclusion. In the mean time we finish our proud version of this week’s Technical challenge; Viennese Swirls. They were always a favourite of mine as a child (made from an ancient Be-Ro recipe book) and gosh, I now remember why! We cheat on the jam, as I’m not superhuman, but the eldest insists on piping the butter cream. As we say: Not too shabby!