Baking and closed mere!

I was up early and at the butchers by 7 am to collect our meat order. I was first to be served but they hadn't actually got it ready and waiting they went through the list, when they found it, and packed it as I waited. Met Darren as I walked back and we went and settled the bill at the greengrocer as well as their card machine wasn't working yesterday. Got a stew pack while we were there and when we got home I prepared the veg and browned some casserole beef and used the new 'retro style' slow cooker for the first time.

With Tina in and out at services today it seemed a good way for us all to eat when it suited us later in the day. Then I got on with baking, quite a lot of it, more shortbread, which cooked better this time, sausage rolls, mince pies and some jam tarts as Tina doesn't like anything with mixed fruit in.

That should keep everyone going for a bit!
My ankle has been really sore again today, so had a bit of a rest this afternoon. It had been an amazing sky this morning but it had clouded over during the day. But I thought I would walk up to the mere in case there was a bit of colour over the water. When I got to the gate, still a way from the actual mere, there was a man closing it for Christmas! I imagine there are entrances where you can get to this public space, but the entrance near up is owned by the cafe I think. I didn't have the camera with the long zoom so the pics of the bit of nice sky are a little iffy, but worth putting on I think.

We all had some of the stew tonight and it was very tasty. I will probably go with Darren to the midnight service tonight, providing I stay awake!