Your hobbies.

[paulchandler6]

Apart from my passion for Wildlife, I am into music in a big way. Mainly Classic Rock and Heavy Metal, but have a wide range of what I like including some classical stuff. I also play Bass guitar.
I also collect semi-precious stones & crystals- i.e. Tiger Eye, Citrine, Lapis etc.

Paul

[Jay77]

Originally Posted by svenrufus

I sort of reckon that fossils, walking, and others along those lines are pretty much WAB stuff, all natural world pursuits. I like all of those things, but not necessarily active in them.

Thinking about definitely non natural world things...

Yes, reading is good - but I just don't seem to get the time these days apart from hefty agendas and reports.

However, I have a burgeoning interest in Baking. Been making my own bread for about 7 years now, and if asked a few weeks ago, I would have said I was a 'good' baker, not great, but I know my way round a bag of flour, and routinely churn out bread that is soooo much better than anything I have ever bought. There is nothing quite so satisfying, or so good for releiving tension than to beat up a lump of dough, and create something with your own hands, muscles and a bit of sweat. The feeling that everything is right with the world when you take the first slice of a still warm loaf that I have made, and spread it thick with butter, metling into the crumb. Does life get better than that?

Then, while idly tapping away at this keyboard a couple of weeks back I stumbled across a Bread Site, similar to WAB but just for bakers, and Oh! My! God! I now realise that I was a mere numbskull, with little clue even about how much I didn't know. The things people are doing with their bread is extraordinary! I felt a rush of blood to the head and started planning a fresh start to my baking career, so far I have made a Challah, a German Sourdough Rye, Ciabatta, Pain Bouille, and other Miche style loaves. I've experimented with different levels of salt, learned new kneading techniques, and still barely scratched the surface. The holy grail of baking as far as I can make out is to have your own Starter, which you is a mix of flour, wild yeast and bacteria, to give the bread a much more full on and unique flavour. The starter has to be fed regularly and becomes almost like a pet - people give them names, some have even become heirlooms being passed down through 4 generations of a family! Trouble is I'm just too scared to do it, but it's a whole new world out there. Apparently the wild yeasts in the South East are prety good, so I will have a go at some point.

Thing is, when I found that site, I realised what some people must feel when they arrive on WAB - a passing interest suddenly blossoms into a rich and meaningful relationship. Fantastic to have stuff like this to inspire us.

Don't be scared to have a go at the sourdough Svenrufus - honestly it isn't difficult. There's a great recipe in Linda Collister's Bread Book. I had a go at it a few years ago and it worked exactly as she said it would - the first couple of loaves were OK but not brilliant, then suddenly the starter took off and produced huge, superb tasting loaves which stayed fresh for ages. I kept it going for quite a long time but sadly it "died" eventually. There's a lot more about sourdough in Linda Collister's follow-up book as well, I think it's called Country Bread.

Also in the Bread Book is a recipe for Ethiopian Spice Bread which has a long list of ingredients but is really quite easy and makes a lovely mildly-spiced loaf which is great with soup.

By the way, what's the bread site you found? Sounds great.

Jane

[svenrufus]

Originally Posted by Jay77

By the way, what's the bread site you found? Sounds great.

Welcome to the Fresh Loaf | The Fresh Loaf is the link to the bread site.
It's a bit 'American' if you know what I mean - you will if you look at it - but the level of knowledge and enthusiasm is superb.
Thanks for the words of encouragement on Sourdough starters - I will do it, just need a bit of time to plan things out.

[Cazzie]

Well other than being a wildlife nutter and being passionate about all things related I really enjoy cooking and will try a new dish at least once a week from my vast collection of recipies. - savoury ones mind, I'm not a pudding sorta gal! With winter drawing in I turn all crafty and do cross stitching, painting by numbers (stop laughing!) and knit loads of scarves out of funky wools for my friends and family.

If I get the chance then I like nothing more than having a good rummage through charity shops, bric-a-brac and antiques shops - there's always a bargain that leaps into my arms lol!

[jdurbo]

I too like doing cross stitch although never seem to have much time at the moment.
I have a great one to do next..Its an eye

jen xxx

[Jez]

I have just been to the doc's as i want to quit smoking whilst waiting i saw a panflet on nitting hats for the tops of smoothies. Anyway i thought that knitting would be a great crossover as i roll my own it would be something that i could use my fingers also. I so need to quit so any tips for knitting/ cross stitching would be great.

I'm a keen organic/wildlife gardener and i'm creating two mini meadows (butterfly & woodland) but i everybody on WAB probably knows of this by now? I'm also a volunteer for Sustrans. A Nation Cycle Network Ranger it's a great way to see wildlife the countryside, towns and people. I do enjoy cooking for my girlfriend she's a veggie but reckons she could burn salads? Music tastes i'm a newbie to Jethro Tull and Love there diversity!All of which may seem quite odd as when i was young and growing up i used to body pop for a couple of Breakin Crews and go raving in my psychadelic phase.

[Meles meles]

Originally Posted by Meles meles

Most of all my hobbies can be linked with the site.
Survival, hiking, camping and yes wildlife.

ERMMMM cant think off really any other hobby I may do.
Used to draw lots. Computers??
Gonna have to come back to you

Still cant think off anything unrelated to WAB.
How sad am I??

[stripee]

I've being learning Spanish for years, but still can't hold a proper conversation with anyone Spanish. Have been trying yoga but is bit of a shock to system otherwise like most on WAB spend much time wandering about looking at wildness

[Meles meles]

Originally Posted by stripee

I've being learning Spanish for years, but still can't hold a proper conversation with anyone Spanish. Have been trying yoga but is bit of a shock to system otherwise like most on WAB spend much time wandering about looking at wildness

I suppose i could put down learning/speaking spanish. But it has been a few years now. Dont know if i can still call it a hobby. Having lived there and having friends etc. It can be at times more than a hobby. Still its got nothing to do with WAB

[Cazzie]

Originally Posted by Jez

I have just been to the doc's as i want to quit smoking whilst waiting i saw a panflet on nitting hats for the tops of smoothies. Anyway i thought that knitting would be a great crossover as i roll my own it would be something that i could use my fingers also. I so need to quit so any tips for knitting/ cross stitching would be great.

Was going to PM ya Jez, but it won't let me for some reason - are your messages full

Anyway, good for you trying to give up the weed - good luck! I'd suggest you just get a small x-stitch and have a go, it really is easy once you get the hang of it and if my 10yr old son can do it I'm sure you can. It'll certainly keep your hands busy from trying to make up rollies!

[Jay77]

Originally Posted by svenrufus

Welcome to the Fresh Loaf | The Fresh Loaf is the link to the bread site.
It's a bit 'American' if you know what I mean - you will if you look at it - but the level of knowledge and enthusiasm is superb.
Thanks for the words of encouragement on Sourdough starters - I will do it, just need a bit of time to plan things out.

Thanks, that's some website! I can see many happy hours collecting recipes.

[juliejam]

My hobbies .. over the years i have acquired quite a few..with time premitted some i have continued with. I rode horses for many year started off when i was small child ..drawing and sketching starting with the family pets and then moving on to other things...Collecting bugs in my dads garden shed was another..Ive always loved having animals of sorts around me and still have quite a few now.

Ive done a little cross stitch for a number of years , making wallhangings from different fabrics.. I took "A" level Art at school so that has helped..Water colours painting which i have a few hanging around the house..I still get the stetch book out every now and then..Keeping fit road running walking and basically taking in as much wildlife as i can and trying to get some good pics in the process..

Julie

[Dan Salter]

God i cant stand those cross stitch things i think they are ghastly and hideously bad taste but it seems your all at it here?...im going to get my nan to join WAB she will love you lot

Oh and Stipee who is learning spanish?...I get the impression from your post / typing your not english anyway? am i right?

Love the sound of that "pet" starter yeast monster thing though...im going to have to google that !... Might have a go at baking a loaf today.

[svenrufus]

Originally Posted by Dan Salter

Love the sound of that "pet" starter yeast monster thing though...im going to have to google that !... Might have a go at baking a loaf today.

Cool - glad you're inspired, give it a go, if you have time to do some baking today, go for it. But word of warning - the best loaves can't be done in a day. I did one a while back that took 8 days! I looked at another recipe for a certain type of loaf on that website I mentioned and gave up as soon as I read the first line ... "Week One".

Happy baking!

(PS I'm willing to help with tips and suggestions if you want them.)

[Dan Salter]

Originally Posted by svenrufus

Cool - glad you're inspired, give it a go, if you have time to do some baking today, go for it. But word of warning - the best loaves can't be done in a day. I did one a while back that took 8 days! I looked at another recipe for a certain type of loaf on that website I mentioned and gave up as soon as I read the first line ... "Week One".

Happy baking!

(PS I'm willing to help with tips and suggestions if you want them.)

Just going to have a go at a bog standard white loaf today...Mums off to get the yeast and flower...Told her about the "starter" thing ...she said she always had it ( well my nan did) in her cupboard but mum says the problem is these days you cant get the real, natural yeast anywhere?///obviously she is wrong so where do you get it from?

[Cazzie]

Originally Posted by Dan Salter

God i cant stand those cross stitch things i think they are ghastly and hideously bad taste but it seems your all at it here?...im going to get my nan to join WAB she will love you lot

Just say what you think then eh!

You're just jealous coz you can't do it so and yes, I'm sure your nan would love to meet us all and talk about x-stitching, she sounds a lovely person unlike her grandson

Oh just go make some rowan jelly or sommit....

[Dan Salter]

Originally Posted by Cazzie

Just say what you think then eh!

You're just jealous coz you can't do it so and yes, I'm sure your nan would love to meet us all and talk about x-stitching, she sounds a lovely person unlike her grandson

Oh just go make some rowan jelly or sommit....

I never beat about the bush !

And i have done lots of them as a kid when i had no taste or style...I can also knit too...so NERRR

[svenrufus]

Originally Posted by Dan Salter

Just going to have a go at a bog standard white loaf today...Mums off to get the yeast and flower...Told her about the "starter" thing ...she said she always had it ( well my nan did) in her cupboard but mum says the problem is these days you cant get the real, natural yeast anywhere?///obviously she is wrong so where do you get it from?

At the risk of hijacking this thread...
Mix up some water and flour, leave it out covered with a damp cloth for a while and the local yeasts and bacteria will find their own way there. You can do it with shop yeast, but apparently, 'local sourcing' gives each batch a distinctive and unique flavour. There's a bit more to it than I just told you, and lots of pitfalls, but basically there are yeasts floating about in the air, and other yeasts still on the flour that you use. A rye flour is a good one to start your starter.
I'll stop there, as I'm straying into the remit of the Bread Forum, but if you want more info, have a look at the Fresh Loaf site or PM me and I'll copy a recipe or two for you to be getting on with.

[Cazzie]

Originally Posted by Dan Salter

I never beat about the bush !

That's true!

And i have done lots of them as a kid when i had no taste or style...I can also knit too...so NERRR

Says he who wears checked shirts.... NERRR back

You going to share out this bread then when it's done Dan?

[Dan Salter]

Originally Posted by Cazzie

That's true!



Says he who wears checked shirts.... NERRR back

You going to share out this bread then when it's done Dan?

Ha ha..well i have been known to cut down trees.

Lets see if the bread even works first before i share it out may end up going for the birds.

[jdurbo]

How can anyone say these are bad taste





Cheeky monkey

jen xxx

[Cazzie]

Superb work there Jen - that should shut him up lol!

[Jez]

Originally Posted by Dan Salter

I never beat about the bush !

And i have done lots of them as a kid when i had no taste or style...I can also knit too...so NERRR

We sell yeast Dan! Like the sound of baking fresh bread there isn't a better smell when it's baking away or the taste for that matter of a proper loaf. I might just give it a whurl too while i knit a cosy for my invertibrate castle.