Wednesday 27 March 2019

First Weekend in Spring





Along with a change in circumstances (and a good dose of sea air!) I am in no doubt my feelings of positivity have greatly increased with the much needed arrival of spring. The false start at the end of February had been a wonderful surprise and, although it was really far too early for such balmy temperatures, it only served to intensify my longing for warmer days and outdoor adventures.

It is the time of year when the garden appears in a hurry to wake from it's winter sleep. Things are growing at an alarming rate,  although,  if the weeds would care to take their time, then that would be more than fine with me.  The grass has now had it's first cut of the season and we are thinking about what to plant out there this year. Definitely sweet peas (me) and definitely a pumpkin (Lily) and always sunflowers. As yet, I'm undecided about anything else but I do know I would much prefer a low maintenance approach this year. I love spending time in the garden but I am, by no means, naturally green fingered.

On Saturday we took a walk around Grasmere. We were up bright and early, which is no longer a chore seeing as the mornings are getting lighter and we are treated to a regular dawn chorus. This meant we were able to enjoy a quiet walk along the lake shore from Grasmere village to the lower end of Loughrigg Fell. It is a favourite walk of ours and is an ideal place for a spot of paddling or a picnic. Not on this day, however, it was much too chilly. Although I did lose track of the amount of times I had to remind Lily to keep out of the water. Even though there is a perfectly good path, she insisted on walking right next to the water's edge and, more often than not, right in it! Thank goodness for decent walking boots, as her feet remained warm and dry the whole time we were out.







On Sunday we went for a walk in the nearby woods. Again, it was lovely and quiet and it was clear to see the woodland floor coming back to life, with Wood Anemones and Wild Garlic in abundance and it is obvious it won't be long before the Bluebells will be making an appearance. We stopped by the pond and had a good long look at the frog spawn, which we will enjoy watching change and grow over the next few weeks, but the main reason for our visit was to gather some of the Wild Garlic. It wasn't difficult as the fresh young shoots were plentiful and, with my little helper, we soon had enough to fill our small bag.  Once home, it was quickly turned into the most delicious, fresh tasting pesto, which we enjoyed simply, stirred through fresh pasta and topped with a sprinkling of cheese. If you have never tried it before I would definitely recommend it. The recipe I use is here.
J. X

44 comments:

  1. Wild garlic pesto! Now that's something I've never tried. Note made of the recipe!

    We (Mum, Dad, my uncle my brother and I) used to walk up the Greenburn Valley from Grasmere and walk the half ring coming down Helm Crag. More often that not we were, as we termed it, Lesser or Greater Wetted Hikers: a common species in The Lake District. Mum and Dad were still doing that when they were well in their 70s.

    You are making me a tiny bit wistful. My main Lake District days were over 50 years ago before there was as much traffic (cars and hikers) as there are now and my parents were walking there in the late 1920s and 30s when there were very few places even to stay. My Mum and her brother turned up at Mrs Ullock's at Wastdale Head and were refused (separate) bedrooms because she thought they were boyfriend and girlfriend and was deeply affronted. She was eventually convinced and it was a place my mother (eventually with my father) stayed for may years. How times have changed.

    Oops. Sorry. Didn't mean to write an essay.

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    1. I enjoyed reading that- some lovely insights into the lakes back when. Thank you.

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    2. I hope you enjoy it, Graham. It's so simple to make too.
      I feel very fortunate that I am able to spend much of my time in this beautiful part of the world, even though the weather can be a little damp at times. Thank you for your comment. As CT rightly said, it is a lovely insight, but how times have changed. There are now villages where it seems almost every other cottage is a holiday let. X

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  2. Wow, you're well ahead of me, far too wet to think about cutting the grass.
    Lovely to make fresh wild pesto. Does it freeze? Could you make a bigger batch?

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    1. It was only just manageable, Jayne but I was wary of leaving it any longer. With the arrival of the warmer weather it has started growing at an alarming rate.
      I'm not sure if the pesto is suitable for freezing, although it does last a good few weeks in the fridge if you remember to cover it with oil. I quite like the fact that it is seasonal and I only eat it at this time of year. You can make a larger batch - It's just that I only have a small blender! X

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    2. Jules, it has taken me a while to remember where I read it, but the thing about freezing extra pesto has been nagging at me 🙂

      Tracked down a post at Sue Hall's blog:
      https://ournewlifeinthecountry.blogspot.com/2014/11/getting-on-with-life-and-basil-pesto.html

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  3. Our grass cutters arrived this morning, but had to turn them away as my partner has a hedge to plant. Lovely place you live, my partner came from Workington. Love pesto, there is some wild garlic near us will get him to go pick some.

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    1. Thank you, Jill. The first cut has left the grass looking rather worse for wear but it will soon bounce back. It will be lovely for you to get the hedge planted and it will soon establish itself. X

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  4. What lovely scenery! I'm glad you were able to go out for a walk and to pick some wild garlic for your pesto. I'm sure you are looking forward to the warmer days to come.

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    1. Thank you, Bless. It was good to be back in familiar territory, and while it is still quiet. X

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  5. I love Grasmere - especially before all the summer crowds come. I also love the wild garlic before the leaves get old - that pesto looks delicious.

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    1. Grasmere is definitely best experienced before the crowds arrive. It can get very busy there. X

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  6. You took us on a beautiful stroll. Glad you are feeling so much better. It is still too wet to cut our grass yet, although in truth they could do with a cut. What a great find, the wild garlic, yummy!

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    1. I was initially undecided about the grass, as it was still quite wet but I didn't like to leave it to grow any longer. I'm sure it will be much easier the next time I cut it. X

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  7. lovely catch up on your blog~ I agree Spring has really lifted my spirits...so much blossom around now and signs of bluebells already...my friend makes pesto from wild garlic. i love pasta with pesto and sprinkled cheese on top!oh yum!.
    Such beautiful landscape around you...so looking forward to the days warming up too and get out of this winter coat! ;)x

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    1. Oh yes! To be able to leave the house without a jacket will be wonderful. Warmer days are on the way. X

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  8. Your wild garlic pesto looks so delicious. I've never tasted wild garlic.

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    1. Thank you, Nil. It's really delicious. X

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  9. I would have sent you plenty of wild garlic if I had known!! We are over run with it in the flower borders now. It is not the broad leaf one though ours is the Three Cornered Garlic, looks more like a bluebell flower but white and is very invasive - it is the one plant the bunnies sem to leave alone! It can be eaten just the same but I have an intolerance to garlic so not a good idea for me!
    Lovely Spring pictures though.

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    1. There is no shortage of it here and we often smell it before we see it. What a shame you are intolerant. X

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  10. Your photos are so beautiful.
    Spring looks lovely in your part of the world. : )

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    1. Thank you, Billie Jo. It's a beautiful time of year. X

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  11. Bluebells are out here already. I was looking at the wild garlic in the woods yesterday and thinking about collecting some. Love your photos as always- such a beautiful, beautiful place. Thank you for sharing them. Had a giggle at Lily in the water! X

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    1. I've spotted one or two Bluebells but I think it will be a few weeks until they are in full flower here.
      Lily finds it impossible to keep away from water and will manage to find even the smallest puddle to jump in!

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  12. Beautiful photos and a wonderful stroll through the woods and beside the lake. We have finally ventured out into the garden and managed to cut the grass ( we can't really call our grass lawn as it's field grass; very fast growing and very tough to mow ) The sun is shining and hopefully it'll begin to lift our spirits. Best, Jane x

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    1. Thank you, Jane. That first cut of the grass can leave it looking a little bare but it soon bounces back.
      I really hope you find your spirits are lifted by the brighter days. X

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  13. Well done on the Pesto, a lovely springtime thing to make. I remember walking around Grasmere lake many years ago when my boys were small. I even have a picture of the lake I bought in the village, in my loo. Lovely to see your photos. B x

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    1. Thank you, Barbara. It's a lovely area isn't it. X

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  14. I have done the walk around Loughrigg!! It is lovely! I am ITCHING to make Wild garlic pesto again but can't seem to find any round here! I hope it is still around in April when we go to Northumberland!x

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    1. It's a beautiful area and very popular, as it is so easily accessible.
      Fingers crossed you find some wild garlic. X

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  15. I'd never heard of wild garlic, but after a bit of research, I found it does grow in New York State. I'll have to keep an eye out for it! The pictures of your walk are beautiful. Hopefully next month things will start to get a little green here as well.

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    1. I hope you manage to find some, Sue. It usually grows in woodland here. X

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  16. Those are beautiful pictures! Nice place for a lovely walk

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    1. Thank you, Akasha. It's a favourite of ours. X

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  17. I'm always glad when Spring arrives although this winter hasn't been too bad really. You have some lovely walks nearby and it's so good to enjoy them in the Spring sunshine.

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    1. It feels so good to know the longer and brighter days are upon us. I'm looking forward to spending more time outdoors. X

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  18. Such a lovely part of the country in which to live. Love the vivid green of your pesto

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    1. Thank you, Eloise. The pesto is incredibly bright. It's a lovely colour. X

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  19. gorgeous Jules, and that garlic pesto looks absolutely amazing. xx

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    1. Thank you, Sadie. It was a little stronger than I expected, so there's little chance of vampires here! X

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  20. I can almost smell the wild garlic pesto through the screen ....

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  21. I so enjoyed seeing your beautiful stroll - lovely photographs.
    Pleased that you are feeling so much better.
    … and wild garlic! Couldn't be better!

    All the best Jan

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    1. Thank you, Jan. I think I'll be having some more of the pesto this evening. X

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