Bees, Bake-Off and getting lost in Highclere

An eventful few days. 

The boys were challenged to a bake-off by Richard and Helen which was taken extremely seriously. Cakes were planned, ingredients procured, recipes pored over. James decided on a Hugh Fairly-Longname Victoria Sponge, and William for a HF-L coffee cake. The first, a relatively simple and traditional bake with no room for error, the second a more complicated undertaking, not without risk. 

Eddie and I as Judges, deposited the boys off at 2pm and returned several hours later to review and enjoy the fruits of their afternoon's labours. In the three categories; technical, creative and flavour, the winners were as follows: 

In third place for flavour - Richard and Helen's gorgeous fig and honey cheesecake. 

Tied first - for technical; William's coffee cake and for creative; James' Victoria Sponge. 

There was much angst that first place was tied, but as we pointed out to the joint winners, you cannot judge two different cakes with the same criteria. If they'd been the same we could have picked a single winner, but as things stood, it was apples and pears. 

On the bee front all is not well as the hive rejected my Buckfast, or she fell out, or died...I'll never know, but suffice to say she isn't there and the bees continue to rage in their broodless hive. Today's queen is a Carnolian and I'm hoping that maybe a different breed may have better luck? One can but try.We'll untape the candy on Saturday and then keep everything crossed. I looked very carefully as I suspended her cage inside the brood box and didn't see any signs of aggression so here's hoping. 

Last but not least, Dolly and I decided to try and walk to Heaven's Gate, a beautiful old brick archway that overlooks the valley down towards Highclere Castle. After several circuits and no luck, we called Elisabeth from Dog Training (who'd been there the day before with Archie her Lab and inspired us to undertake our own quest). Thank goodness we did - talk about finding a needle in a haystack. If we'd carried on I reckon we'd still be there. Fortunately the call turned out to be the best thing we could have done, and - 1 1/2 hours later - we made it! And yes, it was worth it. 😊




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