FRESH EGGS AND FORCED RHUBARB
Valentine's Day on February 14th was once known in country areas as 'the birds' wedding day'. It was thought to be the day birds began singing sweetly again after the worst of the winter and started searching for their mates.
It's also the time when hens begin laying: another seasonal country saying is hens are 'in lay from Valentine's Day to Guy Fawkes night'. Others, say hens begin laying at the start of the month, roughly halfway between the winter solstice and the spring equinox.
Rhubarb, forced under large plant pots, the tops stuffed with straw, upturned dustbins or dedicated forcing pots (Covered since the beginning of January) should be coming into its own now with some lovely tender pink stems.
Celebrate the first early signs of spring on your smallholding with an old-fashioned seed cake to showcase your home laid eggs, and an equally old-fashioned beautifully pink rhubarb compote. The compote is terrific for breakfast over cereal or with yoghurt or as the basis for a rhubarb fool. A spoonful served with the seed cake works nicely too.
RHUBARB COMPOTE
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How to Buy a Smallholding in France- Long-time smallholder Lorraine Turnbull looks at the practicalities of moving to rural France
Aspiring smallholders are continually thwarted by the prices of smallholdings and property with land located within the UK. Even the humblest croft in Scotland comes with a substantial price tag and conditions which would make even an adventurous wannabee consider carefully. But all is not lost. For those willing to take the adventure of a lifetime, there is always Europe, and one of the most popular places is France.
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