That time of year...

The elderflowers are late this year, but the warm weather has brought them all out and this morning we had no problems collecting a huge bowlful to make the 2006 vintage Elderflower Cordial. Making the base for our favourite drink holds many sad memories for me, but it's therapeutic to remember the good times as well.

Our favourite Elderflower cordial recipe came from The Times a few years back.

1 lemon, grate the rind and slice the fruit

35g citric acid

900g sugar

10 elderflower heads

750ml boiling water

Put sugar in a large bowl and pour on boiling water. Stir to dissolve. Add the grated lemon rind and the rest of the lemon, the citric acid and the flowerheads. Leave for 24 hours, stirring occasionally. Sieve through muslin, pour into clean bottles and seal with screwtop caps. Keeps for six months or you can freeze it, leaving room for expansion, of course.

We freeze it in plastic tubs, then defrost and decant into those French lemonade bottles which go in the fridge door. This is the last bottle of the 2005 vintage.

I find the hardest part of this is buying the citric acid powder, which, I am told, has many uses, not all of which are acceptable in polite society. Of course, if you are a fine upstanding member of the community and pillar of the WI as I am, you will have no problems! Otherwise, I can say that a bottle of the delicious liquid taken into the pharmacy as evidence works wonders for next year's citric acid request, especially if taken in on the hottest, stickiest day of the year.

House hunting

Each morning, as we walked out of the hotel, this house on the ridge opposite caught my eye. Wouldn't it be great to live in such a place, with that open sided room at the top of the tower offering glorious (cool) views of the lake and the mountains?

But then, think of getting right up there every day - it's on such a steep hill, and I think this one on the lakeside might suit me better? We could moor our little speedboat in the boathouse and entertain friends in the garden on balmy evenings.

Hmmmm....that tower might attract bats though, and could be a bit creepy. Perhaps there's somewhere else further along the lake?

This looks just the place! We could walk in the grounds, cruise off across the lake to Bellagio whenever we cared, and the extra income from the film could come in very useful. I suppose I could get used to drinking Martinis shaken, not stirred?

But oh, those tourists passing by, taking photographs - it would feel as though we were living in a goldfish bowl! I need somewhere more private.

How about this place? Set on the sunny side of the lake, in large grounds, set back from the road and with a beautfully private entrance.

What a pity George Clooney bought it first. I suppose we'll just have to stay put for a while.

Inspiration

The shoe shop in Menaggio had this curious pair of shoes on display, which the assistant referred to as "contraband shoes".

Not sure if she meant they were a bad copy of some designer trainers, or if they were made to conceal illicit goods, because of course, no-one would notice if you walked through customs wearing a pair like this, would they?

But aren't they great?

The streets of the small towns and villages around the lake are steep, many with steps (which wasn't great for my dear Mummy, who walks with a stick!) But wonderful inspiration with light and shade, glimpses of promised lands awaiting at the top of a long climb and such an evocative palette of colours.

I think I see a quilt here. Possibly a free-form log cabin?

Walking along the lakeside in Varenna, these little ferns grabbed my attention. No larger than two or three inches in size, they clung to the stones and spread beautifully across the surface. I felt they'd make a wonderful series of small embroideries, but have a feeling I've seen something similar before. Isn't it hard when that happens? Would hate to think anyone thought I'd been anything less than original!

Almost every time we hopped on a steamer, the first stop was Varenna, just across the lake. These little houses, clinging to the hillside shouted Paul Klee to me.

Back home again

Back from a week in Menaggio, on Lake Como, where my Mum and I had a relaxing break.

Didn't do a great deal - sat on steamers as they went up and down the lake, ate gelati, drank wine and bought shoes.

Isn't Italy great?

(picture shows Varenna, just across the lake from Menaggio)

Just in case you thought I sat and twiddled my thumbs, here's the evidence that the sock progressed. Actually both socks progressed.

To keep body and soul together, a small plate of yummy salamis etc was enough for lunch.


Isn't Italy great?!