More Lockdown - More Baking . . .

Back in Lockdown - a least this 'firebreak' is only for a couple of weeks (and I did get to fit in a visit to see family last weekend).  

So taking inspiration from this year's series of the Great British Bake Off, got my apron back on and the oven fired up.  Here we have Smoked Salmon and Chive Soda Bread - very nice too!

Pimped My Cauldron

Winter is Coming (couldn't resist it) and thought I'd better do something to protect our very rusty DIY fire pit, in the hope that it might survive for at least another year.

So after some research, found something called Owatrol Oil online, which is supposed to 'consolidate' the rust, and acquired a small tin from a local hardware supplier.  Eh voila . . .

Applied the oil to both the outside of the 'cauldron' and the makeshift lid (neatly plugged with an old cork to prevent the rain getting inside).  It does darken the colour, but looks good, and appears to have had a waterproofing effect.

We'll see how it lasts, but it certainly looks a lot smarter!

Home Working #3

Somewhat belated update on the home working situation . . .  six months on from establishing my home 'office'.  Still working from home - no change there - but now with the desired monitor (how did I ever manage without two screens?), and an ergonomic chair (retrieved from the office proper):

Sorted!

Sourdough Success

Yet Further Adventures in Sourdough have seen the production of a very nice batch of soft tearing rolls

And - finally - our first successful loaf:

When it came to baking, the dough was still far too 'splodgy' (technical term!) to hold its shape.  But it went into a hot cast iron pot (often referred to as a Dutch Oven) and, very much to my surprise, emerged as a beautiful domed loaf.

Very tasty too - and as you can see the 'crumb' (an actual technical term) is pretty good.  

Pleased with that - just hope I can replicate it!