West Compton Manor

Lovely Lurcher Collars

2012-01-16T03:58:00.000-08:00

I just adore these handmade collars with their extra wide fitting and really soft leather. They come in a great range of colours and patterns and are really good value.

Tig and Tai love them too!

Purchase them from Jane at Exmoor Lurcher: www.exmoorlurcher.co.uk

Pruning

2012-01-12T04:39:00.000-08:00

With the wonderful mild weather we've been having I thought I had better bite the bullet and get out into the garden and start pruning. I am a bit partial to old roses and David Austin has a fantastic selection to choose from, the problem is I can never choose just one or two and have ended up planting groups of over 80 different varieties and now they all need pruning.

Mixed steep border with roses

So, yesterday I donned my boots, gathered some secateurs and my pink wheelbarrow (bought with a view to preventing the boys from using it!) and tackled the Rosa Sombreuil hedge. I find pruning difficult as my garden is so new I'm reluctant to chop back the plants which I am impatient to grow.

Rose hedge on left of white garden

Pruning Tips from David Austin:

Pruning is very easy. In the UK and other climates with relatively mild winters, January and February is the best time. In regions with cold winters pruning should be delayed until spring growth is just starting.
On all plants remove very weak, old and woody, dead and diseased stems.

Pruning shrub roses

English Roses and other repeat flowering shrub roses should be cut down by between 1/3 and 2/3 but only thinned a little (dotted line 1)

Bush Roses (hybrid teas and floribundas) should be cut down by between 3/4 and 1/2 thinning out some of the older main stems.

Non repeating shrubs should be left alone or lightly pruned by no more than 1/3 (dotted line 2) and thinned very lightly.

Pruning climbers and ramblers
When pruning climbers, the previous year’s flowering shoots should be reduced to 3 or 4 buds or about 6” (15cms). Tie in the strong, new stems, cutting out older ones as necessary.
Ramblers should be left to ramble at will. Remove older growth if this becomes too dense. Some varieties of ramblers are extremely vigorous. If your rose grows too large and needs to be constrained, it may be pruned in the same way as a climber. Very heavy pruning can reduce the next season's flowering, so when selecting a rambler, always make sure that the rose will not grow too large for the desired position.

Happy New Year!

2012-01-06T04:08:00.000-08:00

We wish you all a very happy new year and hope that 2012 will bring you peace and fulfilment.

Clematis Cottage Available to Rent

2011-09-26T09:53:00.000-07:00

Front of house.

Our lovely Clematis Cottage will be becoming available to rent in the next one to two months. This pretty stone built cottage has a secluded private garden and drive on which to park. There are three bedrooms, one bathroom, eat in kitchen, cloakroom and sitting room with wooden floors and open fire.

Garden.

The propery has modern loft and cavity wall insulation installed 18 months ago and is heated by an oil fired boiler.

The property is situated in West Compton on a small private estate, in an area of designated outstanding natural beauty. The surrounding countryside offers some of the best walking, horse riding, photographic opportunities and painting matter. There are also coarse fishing lakes which local residents are welcome to enjoy. West Compton is a small friendly village with it's own private church and only 21 houses. There is a thriving social scene with several communal events organised each year. The village is only five minutes from the A35 making Bridport, Dorchester, Weymouth and the towns beyond easily accessible. The A37 is ten minutes away, giving access to the extensive shopping facilities of Yeovil and the pretty villages of Sydling St Nicholas and Cerne Abbas.

Drive and garden.

Pets welcome. Available in one to two months.
Rent: £750 per month
Unfurnished or Part Furnished

More information can be found on: www.westcomptonmanor.co.uk.

To arrange a viewing, please contact Mrs Oonagh Stewart on: 01300 320 400 or info@westcomptonmanor.co.uk

Autumn Blackberries

2011-09-21T05:06:00.000-07:00

I love this time of year, with the abundance of berries and fruit I'm usually kept very busy making jams, chutneys, jellies and curds.

I took the dogs for a walk and picked a trug full of juicy blackberries and with some windfall apples given to me by a neighbour I made Blackberry and Apple jam for our B & B guests to enjoy with their breakfast.

To keep my husband happy, I've also made Blackberry Curd which is his favourite. It has such a lovely creamy taste and there's nothing better than returning from a long dog walk and warming yourself with a cup of tea and Blackberry Curd on hot toast or crumpets dripping with butter. It's very easy to make and although it doesn't keep anything like as long as jam it's well worth the effort.

Here's the recipe:

Ingredients:

4 lb (1.8 kg) blackberries
1½ lb (675 g) apples
½ pint (300 ml) water
8 oz (225 g) butter
6 fresh eggs
4 lb (1.8 kg) sugar
Juice of 3 lemons

Method:
Pick over the blackberries, peel, core and dice the apples and place both in a large saucepan with the water.

Bring to the boil over a high heat. Reduce the heat, cover and simmer for about 20 minutes until the fruit is is soft.

Remove from the heat and push the fruit through a strainer into a medium-sized mixing bowl, pressing down on the fruit with a wooden spoon.

Put another heatproof bowl over a pan of simmering water and melt the butter.

Beat the eggs lightly and stir into the bowl with the lemon juice, sugar and blackberry and apple puree.

Cook the mixture, stirring frequently, for 25 to 30 minutes or until it thickens.

Remove the bowl from the heat and pour the curd into clean dry, warm, sterilized jars. Seal and cover.

Makes about 5 lbs (2.3 kg) of Blackberry Curd.

The other advantage of homemade jams and chutneys is that dressed in a pretty little gingham cap they make really nice presents.

Boxing Skinnies!

2011-09-05T20:22:00.000-07:00

You've heard of boxing hare's, well here's our version......

Tig and Tai playing in the garden.

......boxing skinnies!

It's hard to play when you've got a cone on your head, but Tai's not letting it hold him back. We're off to Girling and Bowditch tomorrow to have the staples taken out.

And after all that exertion Tai had to lie down for a quick nap!

August Angustifolia

2011-08-08T11:08:00.000-07:00

I love Lavandula Angustifolia and am really pleased with the sixteeen plants (bought from Groves Nursery in Bridport), that I have just finished putting in between the new box topiary balls that now line the stone steps. The topiary came from one of my favourite and local suppliers Bellamont Topiary, who have a huge selection of shapes and sizes to choose from....it's like going to a sweetie shop for those that like that sort of thing!

Steps leading up on to the croquet lawn.

New topiary balls.

The rain that we have been having over the last couple of weeks interspersed with some glorious sunshine has bought on another spurt of growth and the garden is starting to take shape and fill out.

View from the top seating area.

Tai by the top seating area.

Steep border.

The Potage garden has gone mad and unfortunately due to my lack of experties some of the vege has gone over before being picked. The spring onions are about 4" in diameter and the cabbages both white and red are larger that footballs! Ashley is just in the process of finishing off the fruit cage by putting up the netting and I'm hoping to get the chicken wire (hopefully rabbit proof) fence up before too long.

The potage.

Montana Cottage is Available to Rent

2011-06-12T05:20:00.000-07:00

It's a bit like buses nothing available to rent and then they all come onto the market at the same time! The Folly is firmly under offer, with a second hopeful waiting in the wings should it not proceed, but Montana Cottage is now becoming available some time around the mid to end of July.

Front of Montana Cottage taken from the Courtyard.

The cottage has flexible accommodation and can be used either as a one bedroom cottage with two reception rooms, or as a two bedroom property. All of our cottages were recently insulated both in the loft spaces and the cavity walls. The heating and hot water is oil fired and there is an open fire in the sitting room.

Back of Montana Cottage

Accommodation:

One Double Bedroom * En-Suite Loo * Separate Bathroom

Sitting Room * Kitchen * Dining Room or 2nd Double Bedroom

Garden * Off Street Parking

View from Sitting Room in Montana Cottage

The sitting room has glazed double doors leading onto the large patio area from which the photo above was taken. The views are simply magnificent and warrant being designated an area of outstanding natural beauty. Deer can often be seen grazing in the fields and fox, pheasant, buzzard, partridge, sparrow hawks and heron are all frequent visitors.

Available Mid July onwards £730 / Month

View of West Compton from the Roman Road.

The Folly!

2011-05-26T10:23:00.000-07:00

Sadly our lovely tenant is moving out of the Folly, which means it will be available to rent from mid June/ July.
The story goes that the Folly was built as a dare and it's certainly an ecclectic and charming building.

For more information go to http://www.westcomptonmanor.co.uk/.

More Steps!

2011-05-23T09:04:00.000-07:00

It's not just boys that can build steps, us girls can as well, as I proved this weekend...

Half way there!

Taff likes helping!

Almost there!

And finished at last!

Tig and Tai inspecting my handiwork!

Wow they are a long flight! Nest job is to try and hide that oil tank, any ideas anyone?

Granite Steps

2011-05-23T08:40:00.000-07:00

With all of this lovely weather, the boys have been cracking on with lots of external jobs and have built a fabulous set of granite steps leading from the potage to the white garden.

The only problem with granite is how to move it!

The whole family came out to help!

Half way there!

And finished!

Looking great, well done boys!

Lakes

2011-05-05T23:20:00.000-07:00

The lakes look wonderful at this time of year with the vibrant bluebells skirting the near side and the long avenue of poplar on thr far side provide dappled shade, under which to walk.

Plenty from the Potage!

2011-05-05T21:59:00.000-07:00

I'm really pleased that our potage garden has produced it's first yield. Yesterday evening I picked a wonderful mix of radishes, mustard leaves, thyme, mint and a pretty deeply cut salad leaf who's name I can't remember.

I made a scrummy supper of hot smoked Salmon on a bed of mixed salad leaves with new potatoes, mint and homemade mayonnaise...from our girls freshly laid eggs of course.

I can't believe that back in February this year the potage looked like this...

We're both feeling a great sense of achievement!

The First Chicks of the Year

2011-04-18T03:32:00.000-07:00

Haffy our pure white Orpington hen has produced her first ever chicks. When I let her out on Saturday morning, there was a tiny bundle of dark brown fluff hiding underneath her white skirts. I gently lifted her off the nest to take a closer look and was told in no uncertain terms that she didn't appreciate being moved. To my surprise there was a very newly hatched, lanky, bald looking and still wet chick, doing a good impression of a drunk stumbling around the box.

This morning when went to see how the new family were doing, there was another chick, already dry, so it must have hatched some time in the night.

Hardy, photographed last year with me holding him, is the proud father, so the fact that the chicks are a very dark brown is rather surprising.

Haffy still has about 10 eggs unhatched and is determinedly sitting on them, so perhaps there will be more?

April Auriculas

2011-04-15T22:05:00.000-07:00

We have been enjoying some glorious weather here and I've been making the most of it by being out in the garden.

After a bit of weeding...well rather a lot really, I decided to treat myself to a quick trip to our local garden centre Groves. After admiring a pretty Prunus with lovely dark leaves and delicate white flowers, the auricula's caught my eye. There they were standing in line, their heads held high and their pretty faces winking at me....I just couldn't resits!

Potted in little terracotta pots and being shown to great effect in the traditional way, in rows on shelves. I have also seen them charmingly arranged on the steps of a traditional wooden ladder, which you could easily replicate at home...try scouring the dump, I often see them being thrown away and with a coat of paint they could be made as good as new.

They're such a quirky flower, you either love them or hate them and with me it's definitely not the latter.

Auricula's date back to the mid sixteenth century and are descended from Primula's. There was a passion for them in the seventeen and eighteen hundreds and they can often be seen in paintings.

They come in many colours including wonderful green and grey edged varieties. The more specialised types require a little more work and don't enjoy strong sunshine or rain, but most are frost hardy and easily flower.

I would encourage anyone to have a go at growing these charming little plants, they just look so pretty, who could resist?

Hens...you can never have enough!

2011-03-31T12:26:00.000-07:00

Hania our new hen has arrived. She's a very pretty Light Sussex and has been in the chicken orchard all afternoon and fitted in with our other girls without any fuss. Although Hardy our Buff Orpington cockerel seems to have taken a fancy to her!

Garden

2011-03-17T02:49:00.000-07:00

As spring approaches work on the garden starts again. The first job is to get the main stone steps built which will lead from what we laughingly call the croquet lawn up to the top seating area. This is a big job and the steps seem to get bigger as they are being built.

Mike, Adam and Martin starting to dig out the steps, with Taff supervising!

Adam finishing off the first bit of pointing

Almost a full flight!

They are looking great and almost done, just the side retaining walls to go up next.

Tonight is Burns Night!

2011-01-25T08:34:00.000-08:00

There'll be tales of Nessie, Bonnie Prince Charlie and the Honours of Scotland. Haggis and whisky will be consumed in copious amounts and afterwards poetry and singing of old Scottish favourites such as the Flower of Scotland ....Yes, in case you hadn't all ready guessed it's Burns Night tonight!

We're off to a Burns supper this evening, where the neeps and tatties are allowed an annual airing, discreetly hidden by swathes of tartan! There'll be talk of Robert the Brave and the Stone of Destiny and 'the water of life' will be consumed as if our lives depend upon it!

I've been asked to put together a topical quiz to entertain the guests and I thought you might enjoy testing your own knowledge. The answers are at the bottom of the page ...good luck!

1. Why were the first Burns supper’s held on the 21st of July ?

2. What is the name given to the following thanksgiving said at the start of a formal Burns supper?

Some hae meat and canna eat,

And some wad eat that want it;

But we hae meat, and we can eat,

And sae let the Lord be thankit.

3. What are you meant to do as a haggis is bought in at a Burns supper, while bagpipes are played and before the recital?

4. What Burns poem first published in 1791, tells the story of a man who stayed too long at the pub and witnessed a disturbing vision on his way home?

5. What is recited called which is read before the haggis is served at a Burns Supper?

6. In which well know Scottish soup often served as a starter at a Burns supper is barley one of the main ingredients?

7. What animal was Burn’s writing to in his poem which starts:

Wee, sleekit, cow'rin, tim'rous beastie,
O, what a panic's in thy breastie!
Thou need na start awa sae hasty

Wi bickering brattle!

I wad be laith to rin an' chase thee,

Wi' murdering pattle.

8. What are “hurdies”, mentioned in recital before serving the haggis?

9. What happens during the recital before the serving of the haggis at a Burn’s supper when the line “An' cut you up wi' ready slicht” is read.

10. What is the relevance of the 25th of January in relation to Robert Burns?

11. Apart from Robert Burns to whom are three other toasts proposed at a traditional Burn’s supper?

12. What does the word ‘ae’ mean in the poem “Ae Fond Kiss” written by Burns about Nancy McLehose as she sailed from Greenock to the West Indies?

Ae fond kiss, and then we sever!
Ae farewell, and then forever!
Deep in heart-wrung tears I'll pledge thee,
Warring sighs and groans I'll wage thee.

13. What was the first Burns club know as?

14. What song written by Burns is traditionally sung at the end of a Burns supper?

15. What three things are traditionally included in Burns Night celebration?

16. In 1803, why did the date change on which to hold a Burns Supper?

17. When did Robert Burns die?

18. Give me another name by which Robert Burns was known?

19. Which movement is Robert Burns regarded as a pioneer of?

20. Can you give me the word to the chorus for Auld Lang Syne?

21. Where was Robert Burns Born?

22. Other than a Poet and lyricist, what where Robert Burns other jobs?

23. Which country was the first in the world to honour Burns with a commemorative stamp, in 1956?

24. Who was Burn’s lover?

25. Which memorials and statues to Burns in the following list actually exist?

A replica of the cottage where he was born in Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
A statue outside the State Library of South Australia in Adelaide, Austrialia.
A bust on a plinth at Inverness College, in Inverness, Scotland.
A monument a short distance from his birthplace in Alloway, Scotland.
A bust in Hermann Park, Houston, Texas, USA.

Answers:

1. It was the anniversary of his death.

2. The Selkirk Grace, because Burns delivered it at a dinner given by the Earl of Selkirk.

3. Stand up.

4. Tam o’Shanter.

5. Address to a Haggis.

6. Scotch Broth.

7. A mouse.

8. Buttocks.

9. The reader plunges a knife into the haggis and cuts it open.

10. It was his birthday.

11. The monarch, the lassies and the ladies.

12. One. “One Fond Kiss”.

13. The Mother Club.

14. Auld Lang Syne.

15. Haggis, Scotch Whisky and a recitation of Burns' poetry.

16. Because they discovered by looking at the parish records that the 29th (the date of the first supper in 1802), was not in fact his birthday, it was the 25th.

17. 21st July 1796.

18. Rabbie Burns, Scotland's favourite son, the Ploughman Poet, the Bard of Ayrshire, or in Scotland simply as The Bard.

19. The Romantic movement.

20. For auld lang syne, my jo, for auld lang syne, we’ll tak a cup o’ kindness yet, for auld lang syne.

21. Ayrshire.

22. Farmer and excise man.

23. Russia

24. Nancy McLehose

25. A replica of the cottage where he was born in Atlanta, Georgia, USA

A statue outside the State Library of South Australia in Adelaide, Australia.

A monument a short distance from his birthplace in Alloway, Scotland.

A bust in Hermann Park, Houston, Texas, USA.

Red Gooseberry Cream Almond Torte

2011-01-23T10:02:00.000-08:00

We've been blessed with some lovely sunny days this month which has allowed us to get out and start doing some work in the garden. We've planted four large egg shaped box on the croquet lawn, finished putting up the wire around the goose coup and weeded the four beds in the potage garden. We've planted some old favourites such as raspberry canes, rhubarb and currants, but have included some new varieties such as 'Champagne' rhubarb and red gooseberries. I've found a wonderful recipe called 'Red Gooseberry Cream Almond Torte' so here it is:

Ingredients:

3 cups red gooseberries

3 cups sugar

3 tbsp cornstarch

3/4 cups butter

5 eggs - seperated

1/2 tsp baking powder

1 1/2 cups almonds - sliced thinly

2 cups whipping cream

2 tbsp vanilla sugar

3 tbsp whipped cream stabilizer

Method:

Put the gooseberries and 3/4 of a cup of sugar in a saucepan over a medium heat.

Stir occasionally to break up the gooseberries.

When the mixture looks like a sauce, whisk in the cornstartch one table spoon at a time until the sauce is thickened.

Turn the heat down low and simmer for about 15 minutes.

Remove from the heat and leave to cool.

Preheat the oven to 360 degrees.

Line the bottom of two springgorm cake tins with baking paper.

Mix together the flour and baking powder and set aside.

Cream the butter and 3/4 of a cup of sugar together.

Add the 5 egg yolks one at a time to the butter and sugar mixture.

Slowly add the flour.

Seperate the mixture between the two cake tins and set aside.

Beat the egg whites and 3/4 of a cup of sugar until stiff.

Spread over the cake mixture in both tins and sprinkle with almonds.

Bake both tins for 30 minutes or until the almonds are nice and brown.

Leave to cool.

Whip the cream, adding the vanilla sugar and whipped cream stabilizer.

Fold in the cooled gooseberry sauce.

Remore the cakes from their tins and peel off the baking paper.

Put one on a plate.

Carefully spread the whipped cream and gooseberry mixture on top.

Place the second cake on top and put in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before serving.

Happy New Year

2010-12-30T02:22:00.000-08:00

We wish you all a very happy and peaceful new year.

Snow!

2010-11-30T05:59:00.000-08:00

It's snowing again and large fluffy flakes are gently falling outside my window.

Taff and Tai

The dogs thought the snow was great fun, Tai who hadn't encountered this white fluffy stuff before, wasn't quite sure what to do and after realising that there wasn't much to be gained from eating it, he thought running arround and then throwing himsef down in it was much more satisfying.

Hardy and an ex-bat

The chicken however thought that staying in the coup which offered a certain amount of cover and warmth was the way forward and only ventured out for a quick snack.

Christmas Orange Slices

2010-11-11T02:35:00.000-08:00

It's that time of year again when preparations for the village carol service are underway. The Melbury Team parish choir which includes several West Comptoners have already started rehearsing and I'm starting to prepare the decorations.

Last year Leanne daughter of a West Compton resident and professional florist, kindly gave her time to decorate the church.

She made wreaths out of entwined Ivy and Yew sprinckled with pine cones and orange slices, all of which were later sold to raise money for the church fund.

So in hopefull preparation I've sliced my oranges and hung them above the woodburner to slowly dry. They not only smell wonderful, but Tai enjoys drying off in front of it as well.

Making Christmas Orange Slices

Carefully slice the fruit.

Lay the slices out on kitchen paper and pat dry being careful not to damage the segments.

Now you need to dry them, either;

1. Lay them on a radiator or in an airing cupboard for a couple of weeks, or

2. Put them in the oven for a couple of hours on a very low heat, or

3. Hang them above a woodburner or aga, I've made 's' shaped hooks out of wire to hang them up.

When they're done they look like stained glass and are just fnatastic for hanging on a Christmas tree or to make garlands and wreaths. You can also use other fruit in the same way, although I've yet to try apples and pears are appealing, but beware people are tempted to eat them!

Tai

2010-11-08T11:25:00.000-08:00

Yesterday we went to meet a Lurcher puppy who was in the care of Southern Lurcher Rescue, a voluntary organisation dedicated to re homing Lurchers. We have been looking for another dog for some time, but as he would be living with Tig, Taff and two cats, he had to be easy going and not prone to chasing. An impossibility you may think if considering a Collie or Lurcher, but you would be surprised, lots are very laid back and dogs are frequently thrown out because they don't want to work.

Anyway we were introduced to this handsome young Greyhound x Saluki x Fox Hound who nonchalantly looked up from his bed and allowed a tickle under the chin. Even when we introduced our boisterous boys he didn't bat an eye lid, so the deal was done and after completing bits of paperwork we bundled him into the car and set off for home. As we got back late we briefly introduced him to a neighbour and their Cocker Spaniel, but left the main introductions until today.

Tai inspecting the lakes

This morning Tai as he is now know accompanied me to let out the chickens and geese whilst keeping a safe distance and then we all went for a stroll around the lakes. Tai enjoyed the view from the jetty before climbing the spoil heap in the paddock.

I'm the king of the castle

After that things got a little confusing with Berty, Japper, Archie and Monty all turning up. But they all got on well and enjoyed running around the paddock.

Japper, Tig, Archie, Tai, Buster, Berty, Monty and Taff

We then wandered back to the house, where Taff and Tai joined me in the study to knuckle down to the paper work, well at least I did!

Taff and Tai having a quick snooze

After which we headed back to the paddock collecting Honey on the way and Tig and Tai burnt off some energy playing chase.

Pete throwing the tennis ball for Tig, Tai and Honey

Tai and Tig playing chase

A happy chappy!

All in all, a lovely day was had by all, so thank you all those at Southern Lurcher Rescue for providing us with a lovable boy.

Pumpkins, pumpkins and more pumpkins

2010-10-30T10:12:00.000-07:00

Taff was convinced that he should be allowed to play with all the orange balls on the table!

Gerry wasn't quite sure what to do with this one, but decided to take it home for closer inspection, which meant finding a mode of transport!

Page's Pumpkins

And this lot have been carved by Page, grandaughter of Lyn and Pete who live in West Compton and are ready and waiting for tomorrow evenings Halloween party.

Frosty Morning

2010-10-21T02:31:00.000-07:00

Crikey it was cold this morning. Out came the silly bobble hat, along with the thick socks, scarf and gloves and was greeted with "happy Christmas" by one of our neighbours as she passed.

Everything was looking very white and beautiful, the nettles and grass in the paddock had been gently dusted with frost and the sun was glinting through the trees.

The chickens and geese weren't too keen to come out of their coupes this morning and needed a bit of enticing with some food .....never fails!

I'm off to cut more logs and to stoke up the wood burner.

Keep warm!

Bonfires and Pumpkins...

2010-10-21T02:19:00.000-07:00

...Halloween must almost be upon us!

Gerry and myself are busy preparing our village Halloween party, with venison filled buns and wicked witches mulled brew it should be a good evening. Gerry who works for Jubilee Fireworks: http://www.jubileefireworks.co.uk/ is planning his usual display of exploding pumpkins and is very pleased with his find in Dorchester market.

Ashley has been clearing trees from around the lakes with the help of Jay, Ian and Gerry and the wood they have pulled out has been used to make a huge bonfire ...I can almost taste those roasted marshmallows!

Quince Jelly

2010-10-19T09:30:00.000-07:00

It's that time of year again, where we're snowed under with fruit and friends had given me a huge basket of home grown quince, so there was no choice but to get stuck in and make some jelly.

It turned out rather well and I have 12 jars of jelly, as well as 18 jars of Apple and Blackberry Jam (blackberries picked from local hedgerows and apples grown in the courtyard) and 21 jars of home grown Victoria Plum jam....my favourite.

Quince is a strange fruit, similarr in appearance to a pear, but practically inedible raw, as it has the consistency of a bullet with a very bitter taste. Quince Jelly has been made since Elizabethan times and has a wonderful deep pink colour. It's really versatile; I love it with a strong mature cheddar or with game, but it's equally as nice on toast or used as a filling in a Victoria Sponge....mmm, now I'm feeling hungry!

Here's the recipe for quince jelly from Jams, Preserves and Edible Gifts one of my most loved books;

Old -fashioned Quince Jelly

3lbs of quince

3 pints of water

1 large lemon, rind and juice

1lb of sugar for each pint of juice

Wash the quinces and rub off the soft down on their skins.

Cut up roughly and place in a large pan with the water, lemon rind and juice.

Simmer for 1 1/2 to 2 hours or until the fruit is very soft and pulpy.

Strain through a jelly bag overnight.

Measure the juice and pour into a clean pan.

Add warmed sugar, allowing 450g / 2 1/4 cups / 1lb to each 600ml / 2 1/2 cups / 1 pint of juice, then heat gently, stirring until the sugar is dissolved.

Boil rapidly until setting point is reached *.

Begin testing after 3-4 minutes.

Skim, then pot and cover.

* Testing for a Set

1 Saucer Test: Remove the jam from the heat and put about 2 teaspoons of jam onto a cold saucer. Allow it to cool, then push your fingertip across the centre of the jam. If the surface wrinkles well and the two halves remain separate, setting point has been reached. If not, return the pan to the heat and boil again for 5 minutes, then test again.

2 Temperature Test: If you have a sugar thermometer, hold it in the boiling jam, with out resting it on the bottom of the pan. Bend until your eyes are level with the 104 C / 22 F mark on the thermometer: this is the temperature the jam should reach when it is at setting point.

3 Flake Test: To double check setting point, do a quick flake test. Fill the bowl of a cold wooden spoon in the jam. Take out a and cool slightly, then let the jam drop from the edge of the bowl. At setting point, the mam runs together, forming flakes which break off cleanly with a shake of the spoon.

Most jams reach setting point between 5 - 20 minutes, but always start testing for a set after 5 minutes as over-boiling spoils the colour and flavour.

Have fun!

Visitors

2010-10-15T09:09:00.000-07:00

The beautiful sunny days we've been having of late, although a little bracing, have just been far too nice to stay inside and we've been inundated by visitors arriving on all modes of transport....

David popped by to pick up Ashley in his wonderful Daimler Dart before they headed off for the last sail of the year....

...and Sarah arrived on 'CC' her American Quarter Horse...

...who patiently waited tethered to the door handle of our old Saab, while Sarah had a quick cup of tea and a natter....

....before riding home.

Dickens!

2010-10-10T03:23:00.000-07:00

Unable to decide whether they are doves or chickens the new box topiary are now refered to as dickens a cross between the two!

All of the topiary at West Compton Manor has been provided by Dorset based Bellamont Topiary, for more info contact Eyre on: 01308 482 220 or visit their websit: www.bellamont-topiary.co.uk

The mixture of sun and rain throught September has given our newly seeded round lawn a great start. It's amazing that despite levelling it with a Kubota mini tractor, then painstackingly removing the stones by hand, followed by hand raking, another round of stone picking and raking again, it's still not perfectly level! .....oh well, hopefully when the grass is fully grown and mown it won't be too noticable.

The hot border surrounding the circular lawn it is coming on really well. The planting first started in May with the likes of Benjamin Britten, Darcey Bussell, Lady of Megginch and LD Braithwait from David Austin Roses (www.davidaustinroses.com) going in first.

Followed by small dark leaved and brightly coloured shrubs such as Pittosporum Tom Thumb, Potentilla Red Ace, Weigela Wine and Roses and Loropetalum Fire Dance.

Most of the plants came from the excellent garden centre at Ottery St Mary in Devon (www.otternurseries.co.uk) and some from our smaller but equally as good nursery in Bridport, Groves (www.grovesnurseries.co.uk).

The other day whilst browsing around a nursery I found a stunning (and cheap!) Acer Palmatum Dissectum which will grow into a small tree no more than 4' which has the most beautiful red autumnal leaves and looks as if it's on fire. Lets hope we don't have too harsh a winter this year.

Anyone for croquet?

2010-08-26T01:50:00.000-07:00

Can you believe that this was only last week...

At the end of a long days work Ashley and Jay challenged Jerry and Vera to a game of croquet.

There was lots of cheating and Jay had to retrieve his ball from the undergrowth on several occasions.

...but at last it was all over with Ashley beating Jerry to the post.

Lets hope this rain is only a temporary blip and the sunshine will be back soon for that Indian summer!

Something Fishy!

2010-07-19T02:27:00.000-07:00

It's taken a quite a few days of backbreaking labour but with Gerry's help the cruciform pond on the front lawn has been emptied, fish, tadpoles and newts temporariily rehoused, the gravel sived and washed, the filter system overhalled, the lilies repotted and then all reassembled and it's looking great.

We now have happy fish and we know this because we can actually see them through the crystal clear water, a slight change from the sludge that was in there before!

Next it was the turn of the koi ponds in the courtyard. The top and middle ponds of the trio were emptied, cleaned and refilled.

...but the bottom one requires some remedial work and so has been drained, plants removed, fish rehoused on the other two ponds, gravel cleaned and will have to stay like that for a couple of weeks while the render sets before it can be refilled and restocked.

Mud, mud, glorious mud...

New Arrival...

2010-07-04T04:25:00.000-07:00

We have a new arrival....well, in fact several new arrivals.... tufted duck and moorhen ducklings on the lakes and they are so sweet. Dark, balls of fluff bobbing around and proud parents keeping a very close eye on them.

2010-05-16T03:15:00.000-07:00

I can't believe we are already coming towards the end of May and heading for June. The weathers been lovely and the Bluebells around the lake are just glorious.

The plumber, electrician and carpet fitters have now left us and the the back diggers are back this week. It seems to be a constant stream of work men at the moment, all of whom have been great but I'll be glad to see the back of them.

*****

The main part of phase 2 of the garden landscaping has been completed. The borders are being laid out and four large egg shaped box have been planted around the seating area.

The mini tractor with rotovator has arrived with which I'll be levelling the lawn areas in preparation for seeding and yesterday morning was spent mowing with the help of neighbours Jerry and Pete following which we all sat down to a much needed lunch.

Ashley then took over in the afternoon and the results are just fantastic; we've mown a large avenue along the far side of the lake, over both dambs and cleared the bottom end of the paddock, we manaaged to do in a day what would have taken a week on the ride on mower.

Wonderful warm April

2010-04-20T02:31:00.001-07:00

The weather has been lovely here for the last week and is even warmer today. The countryside is looking stunning and the daffs are glowing in the sunshine.

We’re making good headway with the garden, the potage beds are now ready and waiting to be filled with soil and the fountain which will be the centre piece is being plumed in. The yew hedge which was planted a month ago has taken well and now we need to put up the wire deer proof and rabbit fence which will be concealed by it. We even has some raspberry canes and herbs waiting to be planted, given to us by generous friends.

Part of the steep bank by the oil tanks has been weeded and 60 David Austin roses (www.davidaustinroses.com) have been temporarily heeled in. I purchased shrubs from Groves Garden Centre in Bridport (www.grovesnurseries.co.uk) who have an offer on at the moment and they are sitting in their pots waiting until the rest of the bank can be cleared, when planting can really start in earnest.

Perennials are at last being planted in the long border and old pieces of carpet and lino have been employed to slow down the weed infestation, (or if your Tig to sit on)...

... it doesn’t look very pretty I know, but neither does anything else at the moment and just you wait!

2010-04-20T01:56:00.001-07:00

What fantastic weather, let's hope it's here to stay!

2010-03-17T02:45:00.000-07:00

Well, this is my first venture into the world of blogging, so here I am posting my first blog and wondering what news to share!