And I’m still trying to make my own crumpets: practice is needed – but it may provide the next of my accidental recipes (which have built up to 11) – as sometimes I cook, forget what I’ve done and try and fix it with an unusual ingredient; or problem solving means something edible comes out of the oven. Though it generally takes a few more goes at it to make sure I’ve written the method down right. The last invention was cranmarmlade tart – an attempt to make bakewell tart, remembering there was no jam anywhere in the house, and sticking the cranberry sauce and marmalade (both leftover from Christmas) in it instead. And it worked suprisingly well!

The jumping pumpkin – named, of course, as Mum can’t restrain herself from giving absolutely everything names…(he’s Patrick the Pumpkin)

And the beginings of nettle soup ….