BH Seven | May 2021

Welcome to BH7EVEN!

May! Such abeautiful time of year and with twobankholidayslooming,warmerweather and lockdown gradually easing, things are definitely on theup!

Apartfrommissingfamily and friends, holidaysseemtobeupper most in peoples mindsoncerestrictions have finally lifted.If youare consideringtravelling furtherafield youmay beinterestedinthe travel articleon pageS18that outlines luxury cruises around GreatBritain andthe GreekIsles. It appears thattravel is thetheme this month: ‘SpeakingtheLanguage’ on page S26explainsthe benefitsoflearninga foreignlanguage to enhance yourtime abroad andthe localhistory articlefeatures Thomas Brassey whowas responsiblefor building much of theworld’s railway network including theone between Christchurch and Ringwood.

Happy spring bankholiday,whereveryou maybe!

Best Wishes, Julie

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Editor: JulieSmith

Tel:01425270100 or 07762701271

Email:julie@themudefordmag.co.uk

www.themudefordmag.co.uk

Cover PhotoCourtesyof John Clarke

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Disclaimer: Whilst everycarehas been taken to ensure that data in this publicationisaccurate,thepublisher cannotacceptanyliability to any partyfor loss or damagecaused by errorsoromissionsresultingfrom negligence ,accidentoranyother cause.

BH7EVEN doesnot officiallyendorse anyadvertising material included within this publication. No partof this publicationmay be produced,stored in anyretrieval systems or transmittedinany form,withoutprior permissionof thepublisher.

With therecentpassing of PrincePhilip, DukeofEdinburgh,itisfor many ofusa desiretolivetoa grandold agebeing as fitand as healthyaspossible. Buthow do we positively influencethis? Here are5 ways that canhelpwhilstcelebrating almosta centuryofservice.

1. Zinc (andChocolate)

Amineral thathas been identified for having anti-agingqualities is zinc.When takenwithsomething containing polyphenols,suchasasquareofdark chocolate,its properties areboosted. Otherfoods containingpolyphenols include wine,cocoa powder, berries,nuts, vegetablesandbeans.Inaddition to combatingsigns of aging suchas lines and wrinkles, anycombinationthat you choose willalsodecreaseinflammation and providesomeprotectionagainst neurodegrenerativediseasessuchas Alzheimer’s anddementia.

2. Pomegranate Power

When it comestonaming ‘kingofthe superfoods’,pomegranatesare definitely in therunning.Pomegranatescontaina moleculethat kick-startsour cells powerhouses;the mitochondria.This gives ourmusclesand tissuesnew energy whichcan declineoverthe years.A pomegranate-derived precursormolecule istransformedbymicrobesinthe gut to urolithin Awhich isan anti-agingagent protecting musclehealth.

3. Don’tbeAfraidofthe Dark Onethingthathelpsustoregulateand maintain good healthisour natural circadian light-darkcycle.However,itis estimatedthat75% of theglobal populationisexposedtoartificial lightat

Fora special offer quoteBH7EVEN. (ChiropractorCare is not mandated to closeduring lockdowns)

night.Consequencesof notexperiencing totaldarknesscaninducesigns of aging that we wouldnormallyput downto advancingyears.Researchershavefound that unsteadiness,muscleloss, and osteoporosis canallbe caused byan interrupted circadian cycle.

4. StaySocial

Maintaining asocialgroup, whether that be as aregular atanexerciseclass ora local cookeryschool, hasbeenshown to play abig part in longevity.Ina studywith more than 300,000participants, those whoengaged inanysortofsocial activity more likelytolivea long life.Community provides asense of belonging whichisa keystoneto helpmaintaining good health and wellbeing.

5. Positive

Positioning

Living alonglifeis not justdown tothe food we eat andstaying active. Researchershavefoundthata positive outlookon life and theability to stay optimistic,means you’ll be nearlytwiceas likelytoreach theage of 85 than those whoare more pessimistic andworldweary.

Address Achesand Pains

Many don’trealise it,but aches andpains canbethe reason youhavestopped doing somethingthatoncewas astressreliever foryou. We specialiseinhelping:

Back pain

Neckpain

Jointpain/stiffness

Sciatica

Headachesand migraines

Muscle spasms

Osteoarthritis

Tensionandinabilitytorelax

Poor posture

Virgo

Sky WatchingwithRufusHenderson-Smith

AsMayprogressesandifwearelucky enough,tobeblessedwithclearnight timeskies,theconstellationof Virgo, iseasilyspotted.Lookingouttosea, almostdueSouthbeforemidnight, aroundhalfwaybetweenthehorizon andtheZenith,whichisdirectlyabove yourhead, Virgocanbeseen.Lookfor thesecondbrighteststaryoucansee inthisdirection,thisisSpica.

Inmanyinterpretationsof Virgo, Spicadepictstheearofwheatshe isholdingas asignoffertility.The brighteststarhigherintheskyabove Spica,isArcturusandbelongstothe constellationBootes,theHerdsman.

Unlikemanyconstellations,thetwelve orsomainstarsthatmakeup Virgo dotakeup arecognisablehuman form,apparently reclining.Butyouwill havetolookcarefully.Try atechnique knownasavertedvision. To dothisjust moveyourcentreofattentionslightly totheleftorright,whilstmaintaining

concentrationonthemainobject.More faintdetailswillbecomeapparentas youwillbeusingthefarmoresensitive rodcellsinthe retinaofyoureye,not theconesatthecentre.

Although atelescopeisneededtoview theminanydetail,itisinterestingto notethat Virgocontains aclusterof over13,000galaxies,justoffherright shoulder.Onaperfectnighttheymay appearas alighthazewiththenaked eye.Theyaremainlyelipticalgalaxies, muchlikeourown,mostofthem includingtheaptlynamedSombrero galaxy,are 65millionlightyearsaway fromEarth. Wow!

SpiralGalaxybyBryanGoff~UnSplash

VIrgoConstellation

CREATIVE PAVING

Tel: 01425278408

Mob: 07785798760

Email: scott@creativepaving.co.uk

Web: creativepaving.co.uk

BookReview

ShuggieBainbyDouglasStuart£8.99

WinneroftheBookerPrize2020,DouglasStuart’sShuggieBaindescribesa GlasgowbesetbypovertyseenthroughtheeyesofAgnesBainandherson, Shuggie.Agneshasalwaysexpectedmorefromlife.She dreamsofgreater things: ahousewithitsownfrontdoorand alifeboughtandpaidforoutright (likeherperfect,butfalse,teeth).ButAgnesisabandonedbyherphilandering husband,andsoonsheandherthreechildrenfindthemselvestrappedin adecimatedminingtown.Asshedescendsdeeperintodrink,herchildren trytheirbesttosaveher,yetonebyonetheymustabandonhertosave themselves.ItisShuggiewhoholdsouthopethelongest.Shuggieisdifferent -theminers’childrenpickonhimandadultscondemnhimasno’right.But Shuggiebelievesthatifhetrieshishardest,hecanbenormalliketheother boysandhelphismotherescapethishopelessplace. AworthyBooker Prizewinner.

Greenery:JourneyingwiththeSpringfromSouthernAfricatothe ArcticbyTimDee£9.99

Greenery recountshow TimDeetriestofollowtheseasonanditsmigratory birds,making remarkablejourneysintheSahara,theStraitsofGibraltar,Sicily, BritainandbytheshoresoftheArcticOceaninnorthernScandinavia.Oneach adventure,heisinstepwiththeverybestdaysoftheyear -thetimeofsong andnestsandeggs,ofbudsandblossomsandleafing. Ahorizon-expanding, life-enhancing read.

The Weather Weaverby TamsinMori£6.99

Perfectfor8-12yearolds

Whatifyoucouldbefriend acloud?Whatweatherwouldyouchoose?What iftheweathermatcheditselftoyourmood,whetheryouwanteditto,ornot? ElevenyearoldStellahas returnedhometoShetlandtospendthesummer withherGrandpa,butit’snothinglikeshe remembers.Grandpaislostinhis griefforGran,theislandisbleakandStellafeelstrapped,untilsheencounters anoldwomanwhocanspinrainbowsandcallhurricanes. Withthehelpof Nimbus, afeistyyoungstormcloud,Stellabeginstolearnthecraftofweather weaving. Afantasticcomingofagestory,intertwinedwithislandmythsand hiddenmagic.

Hello!I’mKirstyfrom BH6BooksandHome,anindependent bookshop andlifestylestorein SouthbourneGrove. We sellnewbooks,cards,jigsaws,giftsandhome-waresfromourshopand althoughwe’resmall,weprideourselveson aconstantlychangingstockthat reflectsthebestin publishing,carddesign,homeandgiftware. We alsotakeordersforbooks,CDs,DVDsandvinyl, withmostordersarrivingwithin24-48hours.

Whynotgetintouchon 01202418403,email sales@bh6booksandhome.co.uk orfinduson socialmedia @bh6booksandhome

ThomasBrassey(1805-70), Railway Builder

Iloverailways. Givemeatrain over acarany day(theproblemwiththelatterbeingthe knuckleheadswhodrivethem ratherthan the vehicles).Havinggotthatoffmychest, I’mhaving ashout outthistime foroneof my engineeringheroes,ThomasBrassey,who was borninCheshire, buttweakedthelandscapein ourpartofthe world.

Thereare somefairlystartlingstatsabout Brasseywhichmakesone wonderwhyhe’s notbetter known,although,havingsaidthat, thereis‘Brassey Road’inBournemouth.He was responsible forbuildingmuchofthe world’s railway network up to hisuntimelydeathaged 65(one-twentiethinfact)as wellas contributing aroundone-thirdoftheUK’s railwaysby1847, when he wouldhave beeninhisearly-40s.His overseasstakeincluded ¾ofFrance’srailways, linesinother Europeannations,plussomein Canada, Australia, Indiaand South America.I hope you’re impressed.

Butwhataboutthelocalstory? Well, Christchurchmissedoutonthenew-fangled railway to beginwith. Whenthe SouthamptonDorchesterlinesnakedthroughtheNew Forest,openingin1847,it bypassedthe Priory

town by some distance, thenearest railhead beingtheoptimisticallynamed ‘Christchurch Road’, which wasseven to eightmilesdistant. Christchurchneeded atowncentrestation, andthisdulyarrived15yearslater, in 1862,a lightlyengineeredlineburrowingdownfrom Ringwood,throughHurnandinto Christchurch, arriving at astation t’othersideofBargatesfrom today’slate-Victorianstation. Theengineerwas ourmanBrassey.

Perhaps,mostimpressively,Brassey wasnot averse to building arailway in awar zone.During the Crimean War(1853-56),theBritish forces were havingendlessproblemstransporting suppliesfromtheirharbour at Balaclava to the frontatSevastopolwheretheRussians’Black Sea portwasbeingbesieged.Brassey wasinvolved inbuildingtheGrand Crimean CentralRailway in justseven weeksduring1854,whichhelpedthe Allied forces to take Sevastopolandwinthe war.

Thomasmarried MariaHarrisonin1831, fatheringthreesurvivingsons,allofwhom servedasMembersof Parliament, although loyalties were dividedwiththe twoolder boys servingasLiberals,whilstthe youngest defectedtothe Conservatives.There’salways one.Apparently,Brassey waswortharound£600 millionin today’swongawhenhedied.

Sadly,the railway Brasseybuilt forusisnomore. It wasthe onlylineservingChristchurch,and Bournemouth, to whichit wasextendedin1870, until anewline openedthrough Sway andNew Miltonin1888. Theoriginallinefrom Ringwood became abitof aslow, secondaryrouteand closedinthe1930s.Brasseybuiltthefull panoplyofstructuresaccompanying railways, sobridges,viaducts,stations,tunnels,drainage anddocks.Lotsofhis work remainsaroundthe countryandindeedthe world. TheRingwoodChristchurchlineis aghostlyone todaythough, thehauntofcyclistsand walkers,withBrassey possiblylookingdown wonderingwhere his railway went.

By StephenRoberts www.steveroberts.org.uk Twitter:@SRChristchurch

ThomasBrassey, takenfrom‘ThomasBrassey, Railway Builder’, C. Walker,1969

ChildLabourinChristchurch

IntroductionandPoemby MarkLaming

Duetomyinterestinhorology, Ihavealwaysfeltsympathyfor theyoungchildrenwho,inthe 1800s,workedintheChristchurch workhousesproducingthechainfor fuseedrivenclocks.History reveals thattheseunfortunate,homeless youngstersled atough life resulting indamagetotheireyesight, malnutritionand,insomecases, evendeath.Thechildwasonlyof usetotheorganisationifthequality oftheirworkwassustained.The daythattheyoungworker’sfingers grewtoolargetoproducethe tinylinksortheirsightfailed,their employmentendedand,forsome,it wasbacktolivingonthedangerous streetsoftheseasidetownthat wenowseeaspicturesqueand inviting.

Asfarbackasthe15thcentury, clockmakingindustriesdevelopeda methodforimprovingtimekeeping byequalizingtheunevenpullofthe mainspringbarrelof aspringdriven clockmovement.Thisbecame knownasthefuseewhichisa cone-shapedpulleywith acoiling groovethatfeeds afinechainto themainspringbarrel.Inessence,it actsas aregulatortoenhancethe accuracyoftheclock.

Attheheightofproductionofthe fuseechainintheearly1800s,the DOWNSIDEwasthattherewereno

machinesthatcouldcraft achain withlinkssofinethattheycould passthroughtheeyeof aneedle. Fuseechainmakingwas ajob forsmallfingersandsharpeyes. Workhousessawchildlabourasan opportunitytoswelltheircoffers.A destitutesmallchild(predominantly girls)wasgivenmodestfoodand boardinreturnforsixand ahalf daysofgruellingwork.

Christchurchwasthemain centrefor productionofthefusee chaininEngland.Thethreemain workhouseswereownedbyRobert HarveyCox1784-1870s,Henry Jenkins &Sons1823-1914and WilliamHart1845-1899.TheRed HouseMuseumfeaturedstrongly intheproductionofthechainand isanexcellentsourceforlearning moreabout theplightofthe youngsterswhowereputto workthere.

On apersonalnote, Ihavebeen fortunatetoobservefuseechains infineclocksandmyheartgoes outtothoseyoungpeopleforthe hardshipstheymusthaveendured. Havingneverwritten apoembefore, thispromptedmetoexpressmy feelingsonthesubject,sohere itis…

FingersthatGrow

WorkhousemakingFuseeclockchain, Finelyformedlinksingreatdemand, Clearlychangedthefaceoftime. Children’swork,sounkind, Onlytiniestfingersqualify. Boysandgirlsneverouttoplay, Cuts,tearsandtiredeyes, Longingtojustwalkintherain. Christchurchworkhousedishingoutpain.

RedHousegang,youngandafraid, Usedanvils,punchesanddies. Tinychainstheymade, Smallestlinkthroughneedle’seye. Damagedfingers,diminishedsight, Smallhandsneeded,biggerdenied. Sevendaystoil,healthnotthebest. Onepoorboydied, Inabox,laidto rest.

Importantworktheforemansays: Breadandbed,shouldbegrateful. Painstakingwaytogoonliving, Gottokeepworkingtobefed. CouldGodbemoreforgiving? Anothertenchainsbeforebed, Pinchingthosefingers, Wearyhandsinthedust, Carryontheymust.

Younggirl,seatnothighenough, Benchlengthwaystocapturelight, Needstogetfaster,herlifetough. Sightfailing,fingerstoobigandsore, Foremanshouts‘nastycut, Fourfingerscan’tmakechainnomore, Yourtimeisup,youcan’ttakethepace. Havetotrainanother,onyourway! Plentymoretotakeyourplace.’

Photo:JesseG-C~UnSplash

Thefarmingco-operative,LaGuardiense,wasfoundedover 60yearsagoby33farsighted,collaborativefarmers. Today membershiphasgrowntonearly1,000ofverysmallfamily ownedvineyards.

ThewineryissituatedintheSantaLuciaareaofGuardia SanframondiintheveryheartofthesouthernItalian provinceofBenevento.

TastingNote:Richstonefruitcharacterwithcitrusorange notesonthenose. Verysmoothanddrinkable,thiswinehas nooaktreatmentandisverytautandmineralsois agreat winetoenjoynowthesunisbeginningtoshine.

FoodMatching:Ideallightappetizers,gnocchiorhomemadepastawithtomatosauce.

Thepriceofthewineis£11.99

01202470847

TuesdaytoSunday12pmto8pm Monday3pmto8pm

THECUCKOO –A NATURALCHEAT

ByRon Toft

Ifthereisonebirdthatmostpeople haveheardbutrarelyseen,itmust surelybetheCommonCuckoo (scientificnameCuculuscanorus) –a longdistance,spring/summervisitor fromsub-SaharanAfrica.

AdultbirdsarriveintheUKinlateMarch orAprilandgenerallydepartasearly asJulyorAugust,youngstersleavinga monthorsolater.

Strictlyspeaking,therefore,the CommonCuckoois reallyanAfrican birdthathaschosentovisitourshores justtobreedanddoesn’thangaround forlongafterithasdoneso,heading southonceithasensuredthecontinuity ofitsgenes.

Thecuckoocaptivatesmanyofus, Isuppose,becauseitspresence somehowconfirmsthatspring really hasarrived.

Itisonlymalebirdsthatproducethe familiar‘cuck-oo’song,femalesuttering alessoftenheardbubblingsound.

Thedove-sizedCommonCuckoo–oneof147cuckoospecies –iswhat isknownas abroodparasite,laying itseggsinthenestsofotherbirdsand leavingthe‘fosterparents’toraise itsyoung.

ExplainstheBritish TrustforOrnithology (BTO):“Amongtheparasiticcuckoos, thenestinwhich afemalewilllayis geneticallydetermined(thatofthesame speciesinwhichshewasraised)and thereisacontinual‘armsrace’between cuckoosandthehost –bythecuckoo tomimicthepatternandcolourationof thehost’seggs,andbythehosttospot theimposter.”

Parasiticcuckooshavebeen recorded usingmorethan100differenthost speciesglobally.IntheUK,hostbirds includeMeadowPipit,Dunnockand Reed Warbler.

Thefemalecuckoolays asingleeggin ahost’snestveryquicklyonceithas beenleftunguarded.The resultingchick growsquicklyandpushesallothereggs

Photo: Edmund Fellowes /BTO

Photo:Neil Calbrade /BTO

andchicksoutofthenestsothatitgets allthefoodbroughtbyitsfosterparents.

Interestingly,lessthanhalfoftheworld’s cuckoosarebroodparasitic,mostof themincubatingtheirowneggsand rearingtheirownyoung.

Tragically,cuckoonumbershave declineddrasticallyintheUK,morethan halfofallbreedingbirdshavingbeen ‘lost’duringthepast25years.Precisely whyisunclear.

Until relatively recently,littlewasknown aboutwhereUK-visitingcuckoos wentincentralAfricaorthe routes theyfollowedto reachtheirwintering quarters.

Now,thankstotechnology,thepicture isbecomingmuchclearer.Since2011, dozensofcuckooshavebeenfittedwith a5gsatellitetag.Solar-powered,these tagstransmitfor10hours,then‘sleep’ forthenext48hoursinorderforthe batterytobe recharged.

“Informationgleanedfromtheproject willhelptoformconservationstrategies andinitiateaction,”saystheBTO.

OneofthediscoveriesoftheBTOCuckoo ProjectisthatmanyBritishcuckoosleave asearlyasJune.Blinkandyoumight missthem!OneindividualnamedChris wasfoundtohavespentaround47per centofitstimeinAfrica,38percenton migrationandjust15percentintheUK!

“TheyaretrulyAfricanbirdswhichmake ashortanddangerousexcursionto northernclimespurelyforthepurposes ofbreeding.”

TheCommonCuckoois astriking,hawklikebird(themoreoftenseenmalehas blue-greyupperpartsandstronglybarred underparts)with afascinatinglifecycle. Seeifyoucanspotaswellashearone thisspring.

Ifyoulikebirds,supportyourlocal conservation-orientedbirdwatching organisation,CHOG(Christchurch HarbourOrnithologicalGroup).

chog.org.uk

Information:

BTO: www.BTO.org g

Photo: Edmund Fellowes /BTO

Cuckootagging by Mike Toms /BTO

LuxuryStaycations at Seawith CelebrityCruises

CelebrityCruisesarebringing their revolutionisedshipCelebrity Silhouette®totheUKthissummerfor aprogrammeofthreetoeightnight cruisesdepartingfromSouthampton. Withcompletelymodernised stateroomsandsuites,stunningly reimagined restaurants,barsand lounges; aredesignedspaandcasino, andtheadditionofanexclusive hideawayjustforsuiteguests,thisisa chanceforyouto rediscoverluxury atsea.

CelebrityCruises’iconic“X”isthe markof afleetof14award-winning ships redefiningluxurycruisetravel withcool,contemporarydesign andaccommodation;dining,spa andentertainmentexperiencesfor moderntastes;andculturallyrichand diversedestinationexperiences,all complementedbywarm,personalised service.

CelebrityCruisesbelievesthatyour holidayshouldbeeffortlessfromstart tofinishwhichiswhyWi-Fi,drinks andtipsare‘AlwaysIncluded’SMin

everypurchase,bringingthatwonderful feelingof‘everythingistakencareof’ to lifeonboard.

Atotalof10sailings,rangingfromthree toeightnights,havebeenannounced forthisyearwithdeparturesfrom JulyuntiltheendofOctober.Eachof theitinerarieswillbesettingsailfrom Southamptonwithscheduledports ofcallacrossEngland,Scotlandand NorthernIreland.

CelebrityCruises’firstpriorityisthe healthandsafetyofguests,crew,and thepeopleintheplacesthatCelebrity Silhouette®willvisit.Theshipwillsail withcomprehensive,multi-layered healthandsafetymeasuresleveraging expertguidancefromitsHealthy SailPanel;RoyalCaribbeanGroup’s GlobalHeadofPublicHealthandChief MedicalOfficer;andlocalUKhealth andgovernmentauthorities.These measuresincludethe requirementfor allguestsaged18andovertobefully vaccinatedagainstCOVID-19,andfor thoseundertheageof18topresent negativePCRtest results.

UltraLuxuryAllInclusiveSeabourn announceSummer21Greek Programme

Seabournhaveannouncedplansto restartcruisesinGreecewith aseriesof 16sailingsoperating aroundtripoutof Athens,GreecebeginningJuly3,2021.

SeabournOvationwilloperate7-day combinablesailingsexploringbeautiful andhistoricportsthroughouttheGreek Isles.Seabournwilltakegueststo thebeautifulandcharmingportsof AgiosNikólaos,Rhodes,Mykonosand NáfplionaswellasLimassol,Cyprus ononeitinerary.Ontheotheritinerary, guestswillhavetheopportunityto experiencePátmos,Rhodes,Thira (Santoríni)andSpétsaialongwith acall atPaphos,Cyprus.

Thecruisesareopentoanygueststhat arefullyvaccinatedagainstCOVID-19. “Fullyvaccinated”means aminimum of14daysfollowingthefinaldose ofthecurrentlyapprovedCOVID-19 vaccinesbeingadministered.Proofof vaccinationandthedatesgivenwill be required.

BookwithConfidence

To easemindswhenbooking,it’s importanttoknowyouwill receive 100%FutureCruiseCreditsforcancel feesifcancelled,forany reason, outsideof30dayspriortosailing.Plus, youalsowill receiveSeabournBest FareGuaranteeon2021voyageswhen bookedthrough31May2021.Forfull detailsandtermsandconditionsplease contactme.

StepaboardanyoneofSeabourn’s shipsandyou’llenjoy asophisticated andluxuriousjourneylikenoother.You willfeelasthoughyou’vebeeninvited tosailon aprivateyacht.

Ihavepersonalexperienceofsailing withCelebrityandSeabourn,please contactmeforfurtherdetailsorto make abooking. T:

AuthenticMediterraneanCuisinewithChefJose thentic Mediterranean C isine with Chef Jose

VanillaCheesecake

Ingredients

1kgCream Cheese

1/2litreCream

1tablespoonFlour

1VanilllaPod

7Eggs

400gSugar

Mediterraneancuisinewithsoul,madewithlove, toteachandtransmittheGastronomicCulture ofSpain.

Withsimple,fresh,aromatic,variedingredients, fullofflavourandsunshine. We make100% Spanishfoodtoenjoyandshare.

Enjoyour recipesandshareyourexperiences. IfyoulikeSpanishfoodandwhatwedo,please supportusby SUBSCRIBING.

Preparation:

Preheattheovento200°C.Preparea mould23cmindiameterwithnon-stick paperandsealtheinteriorwith alittle creamcheese.

Openthevanillapod,removetheseeds andputeverythinginthecream.

Bringtotheboil,coverwithcling filmandleavetostandforatleast30 minutes.

Inthemeantime,beatthecheeseuntil smooth,addthesugaruntilblended.

Continueaddingtheeggs,beaten,one at atime.Nowaddtheflourandmix. Finally,addthecreamtothemixtureand stirwelltoobtain asmoothcream.

Bakeforabout45minutesfor acreamier texture,orabout55minutesfor afirmer texture.

Turntheovenoff,leavethedoorslightly ajar,andkeepthecakeintheovenfor4 to 5hours.

Thenputitinthefridgeuntilthenext day.

NOTE: TheoriginalRECIPEforthiscakeis from“La VinaRestaurant”(SanSebastian), mycontributiontothis recipehasbeento includevanilla.

Watch me prepare this and other meals on my youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheSpanishKitchen

eMail me: thespanishkitchen@outlook.com

s Nibbles

ApricotChicken

Ingredients:

• 600 grams chicken thighs (boneless and skinned),

• 160ml chicken stock,

• 4 tablespoons of apricot jam,

• 2 tablespoons of Dijon mustard,

• 150 grams of diced swede,

• 150 grams of diced carrots,

• 150 grams of diced potato,

• 150 grams of chopped leek,

• 3 garlic cloves (peeled and grated),

• 20 grams of fresh thyme (chopped),

• 20 grams fresh sage (chopped),

• 20 grams fresh rosemary (chopped).

Directions:

1. Heat the olive oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat. Season the chicken thighs with salt and pepper then add them to the hot frying pan. Cook approximately 3-4 minutes per side or until golden brown. The chicken won’t be fully cooked at this point. Remove the chicken from the pan and onto a plate.

2. Whisk together the chicken stock, apricot jam and Dijon in a small bowl and set aside.

3. Add the carrots, leeks, swede and potato to the frying pan, season with salt and pepper and sauté 4-5 minutes. Add in the herbs and garlic and sauté another minute

4 Add the chicken back into the frying pan pour in the apricot mixture. Reduce the heat to medium, cover with a lid or piece of foil and cook for another 10-15 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through.

5. Once the chicken is cooked, taste for seasoning and spoon some of the sauce over the chicken thighs. Garnish with more fresh herbs then serve

If you would like more info on the above recipe please email:

What’s in aName?

Oftenpeoplesaythatyouarenotdefinedbyyourname, butIbelieve differently. Ithinkthat,quiteoften,youaredefinedbycircumstances beyondyourcontrolandifyoufeelyouneedtomake achange, make achangeyoumust.

In2018,over aglassofwine,my dearmumtoldmethatshewantedto callmeElizabeth(Beth)forshort.

So,likethewonderfulTabithainBewitched, Ihavewaved mywand, andin2021ithashappened.Afterthestrangestyearofourlives,itfelt quiteliberatingtodosomethingthathasbeenonmymindsincethen. Mynameismoremeaningful,and,inturn, Ifeellike anewimproved versionofme.Maybethereissomethingin anameafterall, Ifeel acelebrationcomingon!

Photo:JasonLeung~UnSplash

Whatever yourdenture needsor yourbudget

DorsetDentureClinic isheretohelp.

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We offercuttingedgetechnology and acomprehensive strategyto ensurethateachpatientachieves theoptimumresults,improving functionandfacialaesthetics.

Awarmandfriendly welcome awaits youwith modernfacilitiesand professionalstaffonhand.

Gardening Jobs for May

Plant out sweet pea plants

Regularly hoe off weeds

Earth up potatoes and promptly plant any still remaining

Trim and feed hedges

Other Jobs to Consider

Clear out and compost spring bedding

By the middle of May, it’s safe to put out summer bedding

Support tall perennials to prevent damage

Protect young plants from slugs

Increase water given to plants

Flower beds and borders can be fed with plant feeds

All equipment and essentials needed for the above jobs can be found in store, ask any member of staff for assistance

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@mudefordquaycc

@mudefordquaycc

www.mudefordquaycleanup.org.uk

hello@mudefordquaycleanup.org.uk

Thenewlystartedcrewwill be runningregular cleanups andhelping outatevents tohelp keep Mudeford Quaylooking beautiful.

Manypeople pick up litter when theyarewalking,if we join forces we cankeepMudefordQuaylitter free andmaybe makesomenew friendsalongthe way!

As we grow, we will introducenew events andactivities,so please followusonlineandcomeand join the fun.

• Saturday 8thMay,10am- 12pm (booking required)

• Saturday 12th June,10am -12pm

• July 24th -25th- CleanupatMudefordArts Festival

• Sunday August 1st- CleanupatRNLIBlue LightDay

• Saturday 9thOctober,10am- 12pm

• Saturday13thNovember, 10am -12pm

• Saturday11thDecember, 10am -12pm

Please checkthe websiteorsocial mediabeforeattendingaseventsare subjecttochange.

LA PLUMEDE MA TANTE

ShortStory by Mark Laming

Theonly FrenchIcanstill remember from my schooldays arethe words‘La plumedematante’(thepenof myAunt). Notexactlythemosthelpfulphrase forholidayingin France. Iwasnever interestedinstudying,especiallywhenit came to foreignlanguages.

Toomuchhardworkfor alazy individuallikememeantmyeducation took abattering.Whilstthe term ‘academic’neverapplied to me,Idid howeverlikeour Frenchteacher,Miss Taylor.Inmymid-teenssomethinginside mestartedtowhizzaroundeverytime sheenteredtheclassroom. Aschoolboy crushthat, if I’mtotallyhonest,never went away.Ihavecarried fondmemories ofherthroughout my life.Miss Taylor you quickened my heartbeatandstilldo.

Insteadoftrying to pleaseher by being theperfect schoolboy, Idideverything in my powertobetold to staybehindafter classand attendoneofherdetentions. My theorywasbasedonhavingmore time to observe thebeautiful woman withthelongbrownhairandsky-blue eyes.Ononeoccasion Imusthave smiled at her fortoolonghoping forsome indicationthatshealsolikedme.Instead sheaskedwhyI waspullingsuchstupid facesand togrow up.Onthatday my confidencewasshatteredand Iwas well andtrulyputin my place.

Possibly,becauseof my lastingmemory of Miss Taylor,anything to do with France automaticallymakesmethinkofher. Whenever my wife and Iholidaythere, back comes‘Laplumedematante’. I’ve never attempted to graspanyother wordswhichis abitsilly consideringthe numberoftimes we visitthis wonderful country. Istruggle to buythingsin shopsand relyonpointing to theitem. More thannot,often my purchasesare thewrongones –much to my wife’s amusement.

Many yearslater, my wife and Iare back in France taking ashortbreak.Our grand planincludesseeing achateauor two andbuyingwineandsmellycheese to takehome.

There’sonlyonethingthat’sspoiling ourholidayandthat’smywifewho boughtmeawretchedbookonthe ferry, ‘LearnFrenchinOneDay’.

She’s determined to improvemyFrench.

She’s gettingon my wickwithher parrotfashionsingsong:

Jesuis,Tues, Il est,Elleest,Nous sommes…

It’s alongdrivetoAmboiseand we breakthejourney to buywater.Inside thesupermarket,Iwentofflooking for somewine fortheevening.Itwasan incrediblestorethatsoldeverything from acustardcolouredbikini to car tyres. Dodgingthetrolleys, Iturnedupan aisleandstoppeddeadin my tracksasI spotted afamiliarface.

‘Whatinheaven’snameareyoudoing here?’Iaskedinuttersurprise.

Thewomanlooked reallygood forher ageinherlongskirtandwhiteshirt, just as attractiveasall those yearsagoin school.

Before shehad achancetoreply,I ditched my shoppingbasketandcrossed overandplanteda kissonbothher cheeks.

Allthetime wewere speaking,Istood theretrying to tuck my tummyin pretendingthattimehadbeen kind to me.

Sheasked,‘Isit really youColin,what areyoudoingin France?’

Asmilecame overherfaceandshe burstinto laughter. Ihad to askherwhat wassofunny.

‘Ijusthave thispictureofyoutrying to payforallthatshoppingandgettingall hotandbotheredwhenthecashierlooks confusedas youmutter -Laplumedema tante.Youneverlearnt anythingelse,did you?’

Imanaged to say, ‘Nowyouare embarrassingme.Youarereferring to when Iwasfifteen. It wasalongtime ago.’

We chatted forafewminutesandI glanced at thewomanwho toldmeshe hadbeenmarried,butithadn’tworked out.Now,herlifecentredaroundall things Frenchasshesettledinto hernew lifeabroad.Enquiringwhether Iwould like to keepin touch, Ifeltuneasyand switchedthesubjecttotheincredible pricesofthewinesonoffer.Iwasjust about to saygoodbye whensheasked formymobilenumber to stayintouch. In afeeble voiceIlied,‘Idon’t havea mobile.’

Then Iheard my wife’s voice. She was justtheothersideofthebreadgondola.I told my friendfromthepastthatshe was about to meet my otherhalf.

My wife, instantly recognisedthe woman Iwastalking to andsaid,‘Well, fancyseeing youagain,andin France ofallplaces.It’syoung PennyWorthing, youwereoneof my pupils.Oneofthe regularsin my detentionclass fornot concentratingonher Frenchlessons,just like my husband,andhestillcan’t speak thelanguage.’

My oldschoolfriend,Penny, nodded to my wife andthenturned to me andmuttered,‘Miss Taylor,our French teacher,isyourwife?’

Igrinnedbutkeptsilent.

Pennywhispered,‘Perhapsallthose Frenchlessonsdidpayoffafterall.’