Eggs at the gate -OT

[Feltwell]

We've had a breadmaker for about 10 years now. It is very easy - just chuck the ingredients into the pan in the right order, set it going or set the timer and forget about it. It does make very nice bread - we don't use it for all our bread by any means, but we make about a loaf a week on average, usually on a timer setting so we get a nice fresh loaf when we get up in the morning.

Probably the only downside is the size of the bread pan - for larger loaves you just end up with a very tall loaf! You could prepare the dough in it then transfer to the oven as others say above, but that's extra hassle for a lazy bunch like us - we've only done that the once for bread rolls (which were admittedly very nice).

And (if not on the timer) we always put a couple of eggs into the mix!

 

[worms]

What's this make 4 loaves, freeze three sorted for a couple of weeks........

You should see what we do with the fishes!

 

[JoceAndChris]

I haven't got to grips with my Rayburn. As far as I'm concerned it's a large, shiny, warm red ornament, that looks great with a Cath Kidston tea towel over the rail.

Big smile for Graham's bread maker, a lovely lady.

 

[Penners]

I haven't got to grips with my Rayburn. As far as I'm concerned it's a large, shiny, warm red ornament, that looks great with a Cath Kidston tea towel over the rail.

You and a substantial proportion of Country Life readers, I suspect. :wink:

 

[JoceAndChris]

Sale of ramsoms began today.
Sales - 0p.
Costs -0p
Profits- 0p
Room for improvement I think! hopefully it will pick up when I've had time to print out the recipe cards.

I'm wondering about selling kindling - what do you think? I have about 50 - 100 sacks' worth, except it isn't bagged. I have to get rid of it as it's felled branches and trees from where the fence will go in the field. Getting rid of it is a major pain, it's about 10 trees. I either spend hours trying to burn it - and I haven't mastered the art of seriously massive bonfires, though I can do brazier fires easily - or bag it up and keep it, or bag it up and sell it. It's mainly hawthorn and elder, and mainly twiggy.

I am sorry we had to be a bit drastic here and there, unfortunately the lovely old hedgerow is precisely where our fence should be. Out of kindness to the wildlife we are keeping as many trees intact as possible although this will mean actually giving them to the landowner of the next field, as who owns the trees on the dividing line? A confused issue...but basically we'll be running a stockproof fence right up against this copse like hedgerow. I think.

We already have enough kindling stored for the next two winters, enough wood for the next ten winters at least, and perhaps around another 20 trees to fell in our garden. Last count there were 240 so still plenty left, plus we will be planting another hedgerow across 2 acres which I hope can be predominantly fruit, hawthorn, blackthorn, elder and rosa.

Kindling can be gathered plentifully and at no cost on this hill but I wonder if hessian sacks, stuffed with beautifully cut sticks, tied with rustic string, and decorated with a pheasant feather, could command £2 each?

 

[Penners]

hopefully it will pick up when I've had time to print out the recipe cards.

I think you've hit the nail on the head. I doubt that one person in 50 would know what to do with it, without culinary guidance.

I'm wondering about selling kindling - what do you think? I have about 50 - 100 sacks' worth, except it isn't bagged. I have to get rid of it as it's felled branches and trees from where the fence will go in the field.

I think people will always pay a reasonable price for convenience. Are you sure the stuff is really dry enough to be good kindling? If so, you've nothing to lose by giving it a go (although I wouldn't bother with the pheasant's feather).

 

[skier-hughes]

surely there must have been some costs?
Couldn't you have fenced tight up to the hedge?

 

[JoceAndChris]

:lol:
Wild garlic involved a bit of time in picking and tying and a new message on the board, that's all. Mr P, I expect you're right as usual. I ought to print out recipe cards with a little pic on to prove it's food.

I'll test the kindling before selling.

The fence and that hedgerow, hmmm. I wish I knew what was best. I'll take some piccies and ask your good opinion as I know that the collective experience on this forum is just so impressive - it may be that it's more sensible to pay more for hedgelaying that incorporates trees in this spot than give land away.

 

[skier-hughes]

:lol:
Wild garlic involved a bit of time in picking and tying and a new message on the board, that's all. Mr P, I expect you're right as usual. I ought to print out recipe cards with a little pic on to prove it's food.



The fence and that hedgerow, hmmm. I wish I knew what was best. I'll take some piccies and ask your good opinion as I know that the collective experience on this forum is just so impressive - it may be that it's more sensible to pay more for hedgelaying that incorporates trees in this spot than give land away.

Now you are an employed Lady, you can take that wage as your hourly rate to give you an idea how much return you need to make when out picking, you don't want to be in the same situation as the eggs, working 8 hours a day picking, packing recipe writing, researching new recipes for the grand total of £10

Wea re just about to start hedge planting, funnily enough we appear to be planting where their used to be some!!

 

[Flyfisher]

Sale of ramsoms began today.
Sales - 0p.
Costs -0p
Profits- 0p
Room for improvement I think!

Breaking even is not too bad a result for the early stages of such a new venture - at least you're not making a loss. Although, like Graham, I suspect that your accountant has been rather creative with the 'costs' figure - but then, that's what a good accountant is paid for. :wink:


Meanwhile, all this talk of eggs reminds me that we need to buy some more hens following last year's Christmas shopping spree by Mr Fox. Our two remaining girls are doing their best but their best laying days seem to be drawing to a close and I think they are ready for retirement (and I don't mean that in some euphemistic way).

I'd quite like a change of colour so the new hens are easily recognised (our are Black Rock Hybrids), but would prefer something a little different to the ubiquitous Rhode Island Red type, though I don't really want to get into the exotic, pedigree types. Just a sturdy, robust breed that are good layers and enjoy a free-range existence. In fact, rather like our Black Rock Hybrids but just a different colour.

 

[CatherineB]

Kindling can be gathered plentifully and at no cost on this hill but I wonder if hessian sacks, stuffed with beautifully cut sticks, tied with rustic string, and decorated with a pheasant feather, could command £2 each?

Ahem, how much does a hessian sack cost? And rustic string? And how long does it take to cut sticks beautifully? £2 sounds a pittance for all that effort and trimmings. Either you need to charge more, or if the going rate for kindling (I have no open fire - yet) is less, then you need to lose the trimmings... Don't do yourself down, either way, Joce!

 

[Feltwell]

In fact, rather like our Black Rock Hybrids but just a different colour.

Easy. Take one Black Rock Hybrid and..... :wink:

 

[JoceAndChris]

:lol: Tell that to the people in the rare breeds world who spend their whole lives working on new strains!

Meanwhile, all this talk of eggs reminds me that we need to buy some more hens following last year's Christmas shopping spree by Mr Fox. Our two remaining girls are doing their best but their best laying days seem to be drawing to a close and I think they are ready for retirement (and I don't mean that in some euphemistic way).

I'd quite like a change of colour so the new hens are easily recognised (our are Black Rock Hybrids), but would prefer something a little different to the ubiquitous Rhode Island Red type, though I don't really want to get into the exotic, pedigree types. Just a sturdy, robust breed that are good layers and enjoy a free-range existence. In fact, rather like our Black Rock Hybrids but just a different colour.

Hmmm. I've read that hybrids don't lay all that well after 3 years. The Black Rocks are pretty though.
Some breeds you might like - Copper Maran, (similar looking though) Cream Legbar (pheasanty), light Sussex, Bluebell.

My understanding is that ex bats are the best in winter and lay the most massive eggs but it's also said that their eggs aren't as tasty as smaller varieties. I couldn't say if that's truth or sour grapes.

You have brown eggs so I'd go for blue egg layers- legbars or Heritage Skyline. The Cream Legbar (which I have) is the pure breed variety, reputation for flightiness, having said that they were pretty reliable from Christmas onwards with egg laying and give me no trouble at all. Not as cuddly as some. The Cotswold legbar is the one Waitrose use, clearly a good and reliable hybrid. The light Sussex would give a great contrast in terms of colour in your flock. Difficult.

I want these, but they don't really exist yet - just one hardworking's breeder amazing work with Cochins to get that extraordinary lacing

 

[Gareth Hughes]

I know it was Charlie Chaplin's birthday yesterday, but why go back to black and white when one can have technicolor? :twisted:

 

[TomW]

I'm wondering about selling kindling - what do you think? I have about 50 - 100 sacks' worth, except it isn't bagged.

Hire a shredder, chuck the lot through and use it or sell it as a garden mulch, you will probably get more takers. :wink:

 

[Penners]

Ahem, how much does a hessian sack cost? And rustic string? And how long does it take to cut sticks beautifully? £2 sounds a pittance for all that effort and trimmings.

I hadn't spotted the word "hessian". I entirely agree with Catherine.

Sale of ramsoms began today.
Sales - 0p.
Costs -0p
Profits- 0p
Room for improvement I think!

Breaking even is not too bad a result for the early stages of such a new venture

:lol: :lol: :lol:

 

[Penners]

I know it was Charlie Chaplin's birthday yesterday

I take it you posted this message tomorrow, Gareth?

 

[Flyfisher]

Hmmm. I've read that hybrids don't lay all that well after 3 years. The Black Rocks are pretty though.
Some breeds you might like - Copper Maran, (similar looking though) Cream Legbar (pheasanty), light Sussex, Bluebell.

I didn't know that about hybrids. I just assumed they would be better than 'delicate' thoroughbreds - hybrid-vigour and all that stuff. I'll have a look at those suggestions though - thanks. I must confess that, although I like to have the hens around, I'm not really an 'enthusiast'. I'm quite happy just to be pointed in the right direction.

My understanding is that ex bats are the best in winter and lay the most massive eggs but it's also said that their eggs aren't as tasty as smaller varieties. I couldn't say if that's truth or sour grapes.

I had assumed (there I go again) that ex-bats were way beyond their best, having led a pretty awful life of forced production and were really only being rescued, rather than being kept for their eggs.

Not as cuddly as some.

Oh dear, what a heathen you must think I am, but that's not a particularly important consideration I'm afraid.

 

[Gareth Hughes]

I know it was Charlie Chaplin's birthday yesterday

I take it you posted this message tomorrow, Gareth?

No, I just get very confused when Google redecorate their home page for a one-day anniversary which lasts, worldwide, 48 hours (or is it 36 hours?) :?

 

[LadyArowana]

I know it was Charlie Chaplin's birthday yesterday

I take it you posted this message tomorrow, Gareth?

No, I just get very confused when Google redecorate their home page for a one-day anniversary which lasts, worldwide, 48 hours (or is it 36 hours?) :?

Welcome to my world Gareth, it's usually tomorrow here :lol: