Woodland Mandala

This afternoon we went to an open day in Sladebank woods, at the end of Stroud, in the Slad valley, adjacent to a council estate. Our acquaintances Kesty and Martin bought the woodlands some years ago, and have created a community asset in the shape of an orchard; increased tree planting; community play facilities; a forest school and a permissive pathway(!) This weekend they wanted to invite the public at large to have a look around.

I chatted about the forest school, saw charcoal being made and popcorn being air-popped over an open fire; joined in various conversations and saw some old friends, one of whom had brought his pole-driven lathe all the way from Swansea for the event! He was busy making something destined to be a chair leg. The light wasn't great for taking photos, so I've ended up with this apple-and-pine-cone-mandala. It seems appropriate.

Over the past two weeks, since being given a bag of Bramley apples, I've made:

Bramley almond pudding (twice);
curried apple and carrot soup;
apple and sausage risotto;
trout with apples;
ham, apple and potato bake;
braised red cabbage with apple;
carrot, apple and onion soup;
apple and white chocolate cookies

all gluten-free and all containing apples.

Would you believe it, there are still quite a few left?
Next up will be apple and saus risotto (again) and Phil Vickery's crunchy cider pudding cake.

Next weekend I'll be going to Gloucester to see a horse-drawn cider press in action. I've seen such a thing at Samares Manor in Jersey, and working on TV (Coutryfile or Antiques Roadshow) but never 'live'. I think perhaps I ought to learn to make cider. Or maybe Burčák: Czech young apple wine; delicious although lethal if consumed in any quantity.

CleanSteve's doing the supper tonight. It does not contain apples. Tomorrow I'm off on a work trip, and I hope to see real live wolves.