Biscuits

 As we came home from school early for us we had time to make biscuits. We used the recipe from this book:

 

Grandbunny’s Special Spiced Biscuits

Ingredients
170g golden syrup
67g brown sugar
60g butter
288g plain flour
2 teaspoons mixed spice
beaten egg, to glaze (optional)

1. Preheat oven to 180 degrees and lightly grease oven trays. Combine golden syrup, brown sugar and butter in a pan. Stir over low heat until melted and smooth. Cool to room temperature.
2. Add flour and spice to a large bowl. Add cooled syrup mixture to bowl and stir well to combine.
3. Roll out half the dough to a 2mm thickness. Cut into shapes and place on prepared trays. Bake for 7 minutes or until golden.

Simple enough for P to do most of it on her own and they taste yummy!

Box Hill Walk

We went for a family walk around Box Hill which was quite a long way from Cambridge (almost a 2 hour drive!), but was worth it for some steapish climbs and wonderful views! It takes it’s name form the ancient Box Woodland that can be found on the steepest West-facing chalk face slope. Local historians says that witches once used to congregate in their Covens on Box Hill, because they believed the Box Trees enabled them to better interact with the spirit world.
The land is owned by the National Trust - so free car parking if you are members, although the car parks were busy and there is a cafe, shop and toilet facilities. The walk was muddy in places with steep steps up and down.

 The view from the Salomons memorial viewpoint on Box Hill:

 The final stage includes the famous stepping stones over the River Mole, although we decided to cross via the bridge so we didn't get wet feet!

There are a number of other routes you can walk and one has some natural play equipment for the kids which I am sure P might have liked!

January to do list

On the January to do list we had:

• Take part in the RSPB big bird survey
  We saw 2 robins, 3 blackbirds, a blue tit, a long tailed tit, 2 magpies, a woodpecker and a squirrel.  
• Get the girls to cook a meal 
  This didn't happen - although E has done some baking
• Get out running 
   I have been out running - getting out 2-3 times a week!
• Celebrate 12th night 
  We had haggis and neeps and tatties 
• Blog more! 
  umm - we haven't done too much so I am don't have much to blog about!
• Try to encourage some reading and writing
  We haven't been good at this either other than normal homework - should try harder!!!