Taking a ‘day off’ does not come easily to me – case in point, here I am tapping away at my laptop on said ‘day off’ – and it probably never will. Aside from the obvious of being my own boss and the fact that my work never really feels like work because I enjoy it, there is a sense of unavoidable guilt from not working.
I used to be worse than I am today; back in the early days of establishing my business when funds were a little scarce, I found it almost impossible to take any time off other than at a weekend, which I still see as sanctioned time off when not working. Even though I have been operating outside of the traditional 9-5 world for the best part of 7 years, its legacy looms large. I work weekends so why shouldn’t I take a Monday off?
Oh, my darlings, how easy that is to type!
I’ve had an amazing weekend at Foodies Festival in Tatton Park. This was one of my favourite shows of the year as I don’t think I have ever laughed so much… I promise to share all of the photos and videos when I am back in the office (read, back upstairs in the room designated as office space rather than sat tapping away on the sofa!) so I very much need today to recover. I believe that it is very important to have a ‘fallow’ day once in a while. I like to give my skin a day off from make-up and my hair a day off from styling and hairspray. My feet are taking a day off from heels and my stomach is taking a day off from cinching.
The hardest thing to give a day off is my restless and wandering mind. She is always thinking, constantly writing, telling me her ideas for recipes, revealing new perspectives on historical characters, dreaming, twisting, turning, talking. The only thing that really shuts her up for a while is something good on the telly.
And herein we find the subject of today’s fantasy bake. I would love to bake a cake for Ross Poldark, but then, I have a feeling that I am probably far from alone in this sentiment. I have two episodes backed up and ready to enjoy today. I will allow myself to get lost in the world of the Poldarks and ride my horse beside the Captain along the rugged Cornish coast.
I cannot ride a horse. To tell the truth, they terrify me. How do you know they are not going to decide to buck you over the cliff’s edge to plummit to your death? I wish I could ride a horse without thinking that I’m about to die (I have genuinely considered my own mortality every time I have been on a horse).
There is something so warm and comforting about a glossy BBC Sunday night production even if it does touch upon death and despair. Watching Poldark, I can think of little else but the lives of the characters on screen. I enjoy the lump in my throat that feels as if it may choke me as much as the gratuitous shots of the brooding Captain frolicking in the sea.
I wonder if I will get time to see the sea next weekend. I am very excited to be heading down to the coast for Taste of the South. I will be demonstrating at this wonderful event at Chapel Gate, Christchurch on Saturday 21st and Sunday 22nd July.
For my generation of viewers, Aidan Turner will forever embody Ross Poldark and his frequently tortured soul. I take great pleasure in reminding my Mum that I loved him first – all those years as the brooding vampire in Being Human, yes, Aidan Turner can play the brooding anti-hero to perfection! A combination of every boy I went out with and every boy I wanted to go out with in my teens. I went out with this full-length leather jacket for 4 years.
As I settle down to enjoy my episodes of Poldark, I would love to bake a cake… but not today. I’m not baking today. It’s my day off.
Now I’m off to make myself a vegan fish finger sandwich. Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it!
Stay gorgeous!
Cxx
