We've just returned from a week back 'home' in Yorkshire. The weather wasn't remotely conducive to walking on the moor tops, but it felt very mild and each promising patch of sunshine would tempt us out of doors. Then a sudden downpour had us scurrying back inside. Wellington boots were always at the ready!
The village on the opposite side of the dale was often hidden in mist and rain. When the rain lifted would we have enough time in the dry for our daily stroll to the end of the no through road?
We looked to the west to see what sort of weather was rolling in. Yes, we should be able to get there and back before the next downpour.
At the end of the lane we always ritualistically touch the farmer's gate before turning back the way we have come. I've been doing this for very many years.
Bad timing - by the time we got home we were soaked!
Although we missed our moorland walks we did have a good catch-up with friends. When they came round for supper I made a tart from the figs that hung over my garden from the neighbours' tree. (It was planted many years ago by my father.)
Bought puff pastry with a scattering of fig slices, pecan nuts, flaked almonds and a good drizzle of honey. It's good with cream, but we ate it with toffee apple ice-cream.
I've made some fig jam with a recipe from a Yorkshire farmhouse cookery book. I don't always follow recipes very diligently and on this occasion didn't leave the fig slices to soak and, presumably soften, instead I cut them into smaller slices and they remain intact in the finished product. Neither did I use as much sugar and water as stated. It set well and didn't need skimming.
