London Hiking

 I've always been a walker. Any time there is some free time, we often say 'Let's go for a walk'. 

The problem is in lockdown, we've completely exhausted all of our local walks. So along with a friend, we decided to start exploring further afield. 

Walk 1 was to Richmond. Not so unusual, but we'd usually cycle there or get the Overground. This time we went across Barnes Bridge, up through the Sheen Gate into Richmond Park, across the park, and back home via the river. TOTAL 16 miles, with a lovely lunch stop at the Duck Pond Market. 

Walk 2: Osterley Park, River Brent, Hanwell Park, Pitshanger & Ealing

This walk started off round Gunnersbury Park, up the A4, and then in to Osterley Park. How have I never been here before?!? It's a beautiful National Trust property, and I'll have to try and visit once it reopens. Then across the M4, along the canal for a bit (past the Three Bridges), up the River Brent through Hanwell Park, and round into Pitshanger. Then back streets of Ealing and home. TOTAL 17 miles

Walk 3: Brent Reservoir & Fryent Country Park

This walk started off past Wormwood Scrubs, and up towards my first London home in Willesden Green. It turns out I never went any further north than Gladstone Park, so it was nice to explore what was nearby. Around Brent Reservoir, and across into Fryent Country Park. VERY BOGGY, but beautiful. Then back through Neasden, Willesden, Harlesden & back home. TOTAL 17 Miles

Walk 4: Brompton Cemetery, Hyde Park, Regents Park

This one was meant to be shorter, as we left later as it was raining. It ended up being 18 miles as per usual!! River path, Lillie Road, Brompton Cemetery, back streets of Chelsea, with some lovely Mews roads, Hyde Park, Serpentine, back streets above Oxford Street, Regents Park, back streets of Bayswater, Uxbridge Road & home. TOTAL 18 miles

Walk 5: Putney Heath, Wimbledon Common, Wandsworth

We started with a usual, along the river and across Barnes Bridge. Then up Roehampten Lane and into Putney Heath. Under the A3 (who knew there was an underpass there) and onto Wimbledon Common. Back through Wandsworth towards the River Wandle, across Putney Bridge, back though Fulham and home. TOTAL 18 miles

Leon Cookbook

 Dave often buys very unexpected, but awesome presents. After declaring that we weren't doing presents this Christmas, he changed his mind and went out shopping, thankfully hours before the pre Christmas Tier 4 lockdown!!

One of the presents he came back with, was a Leon cookbook. I've only eaten at Leon a few times - mainly as I never eat fast food - and am not usually a fan of cook books. I tend to find a recipe I like, only to discover that it contains 7 million ingredients, I've never heard of most of them and only have 3 in the cupboard. 

So I was swayed with this one, when the first recipe I opened the book on was Sweet Potato Falafel. It sounded so good and I had every ingredient (of which there weren't too many) already in the cupboard, aside from gram flour. Thankfully, after the great flour shortage of March/April 2020, I knew that the shop across the road sells gram flour, so that was incredibly easy to locate, and I was set to go!

I also then decided to make Leon Gobi to go with it, as I already had everything for that too (aside from turmeric, which I've since bought!)

These were both incredible! They tasted expensive, so many flavours, and also conveniently Vegan. Perfect timing for making an effort towards Veganuary. 

The next recipe, which Dave was drawn to immediately, was the ketchup. As we're not allowed  out, what better way to spend a Saturday afternoon, than make ketchup. We get through a lot of it, and as I insist on buying it in glass, not plastic, it doesn't come in big enough bottles for him!!

It was well worth the effort!! It's less sweet and more spiced than regular ketchup and so good!!

We next tried the Rogan Josh and I decided to attempt naan bread with it too. The curry was quite long winded to cook, but more in a 'do this then leave for 30 mins' way, so not too time consuming!

Naan bread, it turns out, is way easier to make then I expected. Why have I never made it before!!

It looks beautiful as well as containing lush recipes!!

Cardamom rice pudding. Our milkman has started selling cream in glass jars so perfect timing!! 

I've also tried the falafel with butternut squash instead of sweet potato, and although it was a bit softer (I added more flour) it was equally as tasty!!

There are still so many more recipes to try! I'm also a big fan of the Brazilian beans, Pilaff Rice, and the Cauliflower, Almond & Turmeric Soup. The problem is to choose what to try next!!

Happy New year 2021

 Wow - 2021! That crept up on us!! It's strange how quickly the time goes when you are just staying home!!

So far lockdown January has been a great opportunity to restock after a very busy December. Despite all the lockdown time last year, I still didn't seem to have enough stock for December!

Plans for 2021 - keep sewing! I've got a few new mobile ideas in my head, so watch this space for more!

Staying in is not so hard when we have this lovely view!

My trips out are usually to go to the post office - conveniently across the road!

Lots more names to come I imagine!

Still one of my most popular mobiles!

And most popular of 2020! Lets see if that continues into 2021!