What rainy afternoons are made for…

…although it's sunny as I finish this. Not complaining. Call it planning ahead.

Apple fritters: warm, crisp and dusted with spiced sugar

Before I begin, an apology (big, humble, sincere) for this newsletter being late. Life has been chaotic over the past three weeks (six, actually) with the ongoing Sort Out New House Initiative coupled with a stream of visitors (all wonderful but you’ve never seen such a tottering, constantly replenished pile of sheets to wash), plus I’m working on a new online project that’s in its busy period. Exciting but intense. And a few magazine commissions (always welcome but, having had the security of a full-time job for 25 years, I now understand, viscerally, the freelancer’s mantra of ‘Say yes to all requests because you may never be asked again’). To summarise: it’s been a case of Everything All At Once. And, if I’m honest, the mojo has been slightly lacking because of the greyness. …