Food in Devon: the first day

A mainly wet day, so a warming saucisson stew for lunch. Not quite the same as the one made with real tomatoes, as noticed at the end of the post at reference 1, but very serviceable.

Pleased to be reminded that this cottage had very serviceable saucepans, much better than the average for holiday cottages, at least the ones that we use. On the other hand, the kitchen knives were average and I had forgotten to pack ours. Along with a proper corkscrew, gloves, some paper and pencils. The things one needs when one is off-net.

Wet walk to follow, coming once again across the interesting stream which ran along the edge of a field, rather above the road we were walking along. Plus a very young courting couple, braving the rain to get away from the grown-ups. Plus a fierce wind coming down from the moor above, so just as well we were walking below.

The centrepiece of the tea to follow was Dundee Cake, on this occasion made by BH, who continues to fret about not decorating the top with halved almonds, as would have been proper. Nonetheless, an excellent cake, one of those which improves with age. So better a few days old than fresh out of the oven. Brown bread of my own baking right. Brick dates, from the supplier in Collompton, via Grape Tree, at the back. See reference 2, partially hidden by incorrect spelling of Cullompton. One day we will get to visit. Maybe also the heritage mill at reference 3, which plays both to my interest in ancient machinery and to that in weaving. Collompton is also the place which, fifty years ago now, sold the finest dough cakes in Devon. Or were they lardy cakes?

Conversation was provided by the configuration of the light switches, with this cottage, along with most other holiday cottages, being impossibly complicated. Probably not helped in this regard by it being a barn conversion, with thick stone walls. Just about get the hang of it by the end of a week, but forgotten by the time of the next visit.

By close, I found that I had packed some gloves after all. And that the Scrabble box contained an adequate supply of paper and pencils. We would survive.

Reference 1: https://psmv4.blogspot.com/2020/09/afternoon-tea-at-hatch.html.

Reference 2: https://psmv4.blogspot.com/2019/05/date-supplies.html.

Reference 3: https://www.coldharbourmill.org.uk/.