Welcome

Reaching the final of Masterchef 2007 was a rollercoaster of emotion, with huge highs and lows, but I loved every minute and learnt a huge amount. I owe a great deal to John and Gregg who had faith in my ability when I did not believe in myself. Since competing on the programme my life has changed considerably. I now write cookery columns for two magazines, give cookery demonstrations and am just working on my 13th cook book - unlucky number for some but not for me!!! I love all forms of country cooking, using seasonal and locally sourced produce. This blog is to enable me to share with you a few of my recipes and baking ideas. Enjoy Hannah xxxx

Wednesday 30 July 2008

Over a year ago we bought some woodland next to our house so that we could create a woodland garden. We have finally made a start on clearing it (I say we in the loosest possible sense - I was responsible for making drinks and cakes and I sawed a few logs!) and after a few days it is transformed. Where we couldn't walk before because of piles of dead wood and nettles, there is now clear soil. After a bit of rotivating and compost over the next few months, it will be ready to plant bulbs (snowdrops, bluebells, crocus and daffodils) and woodland grass seed. Hopefully by the spring it will be a lovely spot to sit and unwind. The bonfire was at times a little wild/ferocious - it burnt for over 24 hours as we carried on stoking it the following day. Luckily no damage was done!

4 comments:

Joanna said...

How lovely - wonderful to have a woodland garden. And that's the sort of contribution I make to our wood: feeding the workers, deciding what to plant - but when we replanted a section after one of those huge storms, I took time off from feeding 30+ friends and relations who came to help, and went out to dig a hole in the pouring rain

It will give you joy for a liftime
Joanna

Anonymous said...

We borrowed a heavy duty 'chipper' from a friend down the road. It was such a useful thing that we bought one for ourselves. Anything too large to go through it we save and season for firewood.
The chippings make a fantastic mulch for the garden beds.
I live in Cape Town but am originally from England.
The peacocks love pecking in the garden beds.

Marie Rayner said...

It will be lovely when it is done Hannah! I can't wait to see it all finished. My dad once decided to burn our lawn as he heard that the grass grew in much stronger and greener after. Unfortunately the wind picked up and we had to call in the fire department! Scary stuff . . . and most embarassing too!

Robbiegirl said...

Hope you've kept some of the dead wood... make a log pile for insects1 The birds will thank you for it.