Wish us God Speed

As you are reading this we are in the car travelling up North to our destination, Kirkby Stephen, a beautiful little village right on the edge of the Mallerstang Dale. Hopefully by now we will have fought our way past all the chocker block traffic on the M25 and are now speeding along a much quieter motor way. I like to think as the journey as being a part of the holiday and so I tend to enjoy every mile and every bit of scenery along the way.

We are staying at a holiday place that we stayed at several years ago and they have been kind enough to give us the exact same cottage that we stayed in before. I know the bed is extra comfy and I am looking forward to getting away and just relaxing. Somehow when you live where you work, you never really feel like you are on holiday unless you are away . . . funny how that goes.



While we are there we are going to do a few things that we didn't have time for the last time we were there . . . like visit the home of Beatrix Potter and also Wordsworth's home . . . explore a bit more of the lakes and take a few trips across the Dales . . . but mostly we intend to relax. We are prepared for whatever the weather. I am bringing my paints and brushes. Todd is bringing a few good books to read and we shall enjoy the time together in any case. If I am lucky this time I will see a red squirrel or two! We'll go on a few lovely hikes and just enjoy being away and relaxing together.



I shall miss you while I am away. Coming on here each morning is such an integral part of my day and something that I really enjoy, but I shall come back armed with more tales to tell and stories to share, some lovely photographs to post and I will be refreshed and ready to face the rest of the year . . .

In the meantime here's the winner of last weeks Make Me Bake Poll, Jaffa Drizzle Loaf. I shan't be putting up another poll now, until we get back. In the meantime, enjoy this . . .



*Jaffa Drizzle Loaf*
Cuts into 8 - 1 slices

Chocolate and orange are an unbeatable combination. This light and zesty cake makes the best of those two lovely flavours.

FOR THE CAKE:
5 ounces of butter, softened
8 ounces self raising flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
8 ounces sugar
3 large eggs
6 TBS milk
the finely grated zest of 1 large orange

TO FINISH:
3 TBS fresh orange juice
2 ounces sugar
2 ounces dark chocolate, chopped

Pre-heat the oven to 180*C/375*F. Butter a 2 pint loaf tin and line the bottom with some baking parchment. Butter the parchment.

Put all the cake ingredients into a large bowl and beat with your electric mixer until light and fluffy. Spoon the batter into the prepared loaf tin and level the top. Bake for 40 to 50 minutes until golden brown and firm to the touch when lightly touched with a fingertip. Alternately you can stick a toothpick into the centre. If it comes out clean . . . the cake is done!

In the meantime, heat the orange juice and sugar gently in small pan. Stir until the sugar is dissolved. Set aside.

Remove the finished cake from the oven and set aside on a rack. Do not remove from the pan. Take a toothpick or a fork and punch holes into it all over the top. Spoon the orange/sugar mixture all over the top, waiting for it to soak in before adding more. Leave to cool completely in the pan. Once cool, remove from the tin and place on the rack again.

Melt the chocolate bits in a bowl over a pan of simmering water, or in the microwave on medium for 1 to 2 minutes, depending on the strength of your microwave. (I microwave it at 30 second intervals until it is meltingly soft) Drizzle the melted chocolate over the cake with a fork and then leave to set before slicing.