AUTUMN WALKS AND KASUNDI MAKING

The autumn weather has been glorious!  I even put my shorts on this week, as I got so hot cleaning the house.

I've have been feeling a bit low in the last couple of days and knew a good walk would help. We decided on a walk along the ramparts of our local iron age hill fort, which as luck would have it, brought us to the pub.

It is a bit unnerving that this sign is literally ten feet from the pub itself. Probably not wise to have one too many drinks on a dark night.

On the walk, there are little gaps between the trees and hedges that give little vistas of the surrounding countryside.

Ancient trees, still holding on to their remaining leaves.

There are plenty of big, old trees with lovely, gnarly roots. You definitely have to watch your step here.

I can image quite a few little critters living in this tree!

One of my favourite books as child, was Wind in the Willows. I particularly loved the chapter where Mole gets lost in the Wild Wood  and this tree could be straight out of the story, the hollowed out beech where mole found refuge.

Of course, Mr couldn't resist popping around the other side and peering through...he really is a big kid and I love him for it!

I had to climb up and get the reverse view, as you do!

We worked up quite a thirst by the time we reached the pub and really enjoyed a chilled drink.

Looked like quite a few people had the same idea.

The Prince of Wales is very dog friendly as you would imagine given it's location. They provide dog treats at the bar, so Mr bought both of ours a biscuit each, which was very much appreciated, and then we headed back to the car. This time we went through the hill fort.

And there he is again, daft as a box of frogs!

After putting my feet up for a good hour or so after the walk, I decided to make kasundi from some of our larger allotment courgettes. 

Mr adores this stuff and I have to say this is the best batch I've ever made.

If you have a love of the hot and spicy, give it a try.  This is the recipe I use, but I don't include the aubergine/eggplant,  just substitute with more courgette instead.  The recipe is called Kasouni, but it's based on Kasundi, an Indian chutney.  A spoonful mixed into cooked plain rice, served with a curry and raita is how I enjoy it, but Mr eats it with just about anything, good sausages, cheese, chips you name it.

Just noticed that I mispelled the labels, they should read Kasundi. I think I had a bit of a brain fart there. Am I going to fish the jars off the top shelf in the larder to correct the lables? I think not.

Take care till next time x