Cosy evenings and tomato chutney

Oh yes, it’s proper autumn now.

It’s perceptibly chillier and blustery autumnal winds have started, blowing the dark clouds quickly across the skies. There are rumours of the first snow on the high peaks.

I love it in early evening when the skies turn ink-blue, then gradually darken to black. We don’t get dark evenings in the summer at all really, so it’s good to feel a return to proper night.

We cosy-in with the woodburner on, and I light candles. Hugh wouldn’t bother with candles at all left to his own devices, but I love their warm glow on a dark, cold evening. I guess I’m just an old romantic at heart but I much prefer them to the glare of modern lights.

I also made the first batch of our favourite spiced tomato chutney, tomato kasundi, this afternoon. It feels as if we’re on the approach to winter when the chutney making for Christmas starts!

It’s best matured for around six weeks, so an early batch is always a good idea.

I pace myself these days when it comes to pickle making. I’ll make Piccalilli next weekend, using my lovely friend Jan’s tried and tested recipe, and perhaps some rosehip syrup if the weather allows some foraging. I know where a big bush of rosehips are so I just need to make the time to go gathering.

Blackberries too.