Giving Geocaching Another Go

Over February half term we decided to give Geocaching another go.  Previously we have attempted to find 2 Geocaches and failed to find either.  However, we weren't put off and decided to give it anther go but this type we had a Geocache App to help us.

This time we decided to try and find some Geocaches along the Staffordshire Canal starting from Wolverly.  Off down the tow path we went taking in the countryside views:

Standing on the bridge over the River Stour which runs along side the canal trying to get a better view of the ducks on the River. Having a 10 minute conversation with The Girl that although I don't have my glasses on, they are not ducklings she can see as it is too early! 

Trying to avoid all the mud after all the recent rain.

Reaching the lock and trying to find the Geocache.

Giving up as we can see where the Geocache is but the ground is water logged and we can't get to it.  Playing fair, I can't show you where it was hidden.  We could see it but there was too much mud and was close to the side of the canal.  The last thing I wanted was them slipping in the mud and ending up in the canal so we didn't actually leave a message.

Posing for photos:

Getting tired now and falling behind.

And then we were back to where we started.

Tired and a little chilly we go inside for a warm and a rest.

And order a little refreshments.

Sunday lunch finished and someone else does the washing up!

A fun family day out with a semi successful ending.

Linking up with #CountryKids over at  Coombe Mill, Magic Moments, 
Welcome To The weekend Blog Hop and #PoCoLo.

      

Down By The River

During our 'adventure' half term the week before last we spent a pleasant hour one afternoon walking along the River Severn in Bewdley.  Bewdley is just a short 30 minutes away from our home in The Midlands but such a lovely little town full of old fashioned house along the banks of the picturesque River Severn.

Bewdley is one of the very few towns that has modern flood defences.  In years gone by every time there was heavy rains the river would break its banks and the town flooded.  On the end house of this street is marked the river levels in years gone by.  Some of these floods would have been above my head.

A few years back flood barriers were installed and ever since the town has been saved from such damage.  It proves that if the right investments are made, peoples homes can be saved.  Yes, it cost millions but over time the cost to the insurance industry will be gained back.  

After the recent floods in the UK this year it makes sense for other areas to get the protection they need to save people home and livelihoods.

It was quite late when we arrived and it was not long before sunset but we thoroughly enjoyed our walk along the banks of the river.

H

About 18 months ago The Boy started to avoid having his photo taken and it would be a real battle to get him to stand still.  I made t quite clear to him that his Mother is a Scrapbooker and I MUST document everything.  Lately he has taken to 'posing'.  There are a large number of photos cropping up that look like this:

It is not his 12th birthday for another 2 months but we are already starting to see teen tendencies.  I can honestly say I am not looking forward to when the hormones really kick in!

Linking up with #CountryKids over at  Coombe Mill and #PoCoLo.

     

Homemade Quiche

Last week we went and brought some more chickens after our remaining ones had passed away.  This time we have had 6 rescue chicken; Ex Commercial barn hens that have spent their whole life in a crowded barn.  Our 6 girls were from a huge 2,118 hens rescued from a farm outside Sheffield.

The long journey hadn't really affected them laying and we have been having 5 or 6 eggs every day.  We even had one egg laid in the box on the way home.  The girls are loving their freedom and have taken to outdoor life so well.  The actual health of the birds surprised me as I was expected lots of missing feather which they're weren't.

With this huge influx of eggs into the house I decided to make a quiche.  For now, until I have sold my hose in the Midlands they are staying their with my Father looking after them as it is not possible for them to come where we are currently living.

Being away from home my utensils were limited and the usual tin I would use for a quiche is in Wales and all I had was a spring sided 10" tin but it was 3" deep.  I therefore doubled the quantities that I would usually use.  I also didn't have a rolling pin so used shop brought ready rolled pastry.  Usually I would have made the short crust pastry myself but this time I saved time and brought it in.

Firstly I sauteed 2 large french onions, one at a time.

Whilst cooking on a low heat I lined the tin, having greased and floured it first.

Once the onions were cooked I added salt and ground black pepper and placed the first onion in the pastry and then placed grated cheese on top.

I cooked the second french onion, seasoned, placed in the pastry and then topped this with grated cheddar, crumbled goats cheese and a small amount of grated Mexican (chili) cheese.  Don't compact the ingredients down and use a fork to separate.

Now came our home laid eggs.  I used 8 eggs as this is a large tin to fill.  Mixed with 500ml of double cream and about 3/4 of the cream tub of milk.  Season this mixture and add chopped parsley.  Fresh or dried work fine.  

Pour the mixture in to the pastry case about 3/4 of the way up.  I always place my tin on a smaller pizza pan as it's easier to move.  I placed it in the oven and then filled the pastry case to the top with the egg mixture.

I cooked on 160 degrees for around an hour and a half.

Let it cool completely before going around the edge with a knife then take out of the tin.

We served ours with a green salad, pomegranate and balsamic dressing.

 “This post is an entry for the #ShortcutEggsperts Linky Challenge sponsored by British Lion Eggs. Learn more and find recipes at www.eggrecipes.co.uk”, and link to the Main Meals in Minutes page www.eggrecipes.co.uk.

It's a Toasty Sort Of Evening...

       

What Does The Look On His Face Say To You?

Linking up with Mammasaurus for Caption Day.