Hello World!
30 December 2010
It's only me. After many months (possibly even years now) I have decided to give blogging a go again. I plan to write about things that interest me, ...
Zöe Lynch's Blog
A collection of posts about life, gardening, cooking, and more
Zoe passed away on 30th November 2021, a back up of this website previously hosted on zoelynch.co.uk was found by her son Tom on 22nd December 2025, and republished as a memorial to her passions and interests.
If you found this content useful or interesting, you can donate to her selected charities on her Much Loved page.
117 posts
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This Bird and the Bees
29 January 2011Bees have always fascinated me, regardless of which species, their selfless industry is an example to us all. Without the bees, we will be in dire str... -
Great Expectations.
31 January 2011Taken this afternoon in my garden, one of several daffodils flowering surrounded by Herb Robert The sun shone today, and encouraged me from my gloom t... -
The Wishing Tree
03 February 2011'Gung Hei Fat Choi!' she uttered in her best pinyin approximation to wishing you a Happy New Year! Today marks the beginning of The Year of the Rabbit... -
Friday Photo
04 February 2011Galanthus nivalis 'Sam Arnott' -
Souper Sundays: Allotment Minestrone
06 February 2011Prepped and ready to cook If the weather is foul on Sundays and I cant get out, like today, its blowing a gale, and the rain is falling sideways, then... -
Wordy Wednesday:The Snowdrop
09 February 2011Another attempt by me at a macro shot: Galanthus elwesii The Snowdrop Fear no more, thou timid Flower! Fear thou no more the winter's might, The whelm... -
More from this Bird and the Bees
10 February 2011Rosa rugosa 'Fru Dagmar Hastrup' at Mottisfont Abbey, May 2008. As seen above, my fascination with bees has been long standing, I can sit and watch... -
Friday Photo: It's raining
11 February 2011Cyclamen coum -
Valentine's Day Massacre
14 February 2011These aren't ordinary roses, these are Marks and Spencer's roses - dreadful aren't they? The dear iGit made the mistake of entrusting his token of l... -
Will I Chicken Out?
15 February 2011Handsome beast isn't he? He belongs to Elizabeth at Welsh Hills Again I have longed for a small flock of chickens for a long time, I love to watch th... -
What the well dressed Hen is wearing this season
18 February 2011Six tabards, hand knitted by a fellow ex battery hen keeper to help keep hens warm During my investigations into keeping hens, it became apparent to m... -
Des Res?
20 February 2011Thankfully, the company we bought the flat pack coop from were as good as their word, and delivered 4 large boxes late on Friday. We spent this aftern... -
Call to Alms!
22 February 2011There are some really sad stories out there, and this is one of them. A Free-range Farm near Silverstone, Northants is going out of business, because ... -
Wildflower Wednesday: Green Alkanet
23 February 2011Pentaglottis sempervirens commonly known as Green Alkanet or Evergreen Bugloss Green Alkanet, sometimes called Evergreen Bugloss, appears in ... -
Friday Photo: Hellebores
04 March 2011Helleborus x hybridus syn. Helleborus orientalis Sorry for the silence, I have had a difficult few days. The iGit's Mum fell and broke her hip last F... -
Here come the Girls!
05 March 2011Me and my new friends, the ex battery hens Well, so far so good. We installed them in their coop, and left the pop hole open this afternoon. It didn't... -
Eggsiting times!
07 March 2011Didn't they do well?! Ok sorry about the awful egg puns, I love a bad y(j)oke! *groans* The girls are settled in nicely and loving their new found fre... -
Wordless Wednesday: Violets
09 March 2011 -
Gardeners' World
11 March 2011A favourite garden of mine that has great bones too - West Green House in early spring Welcome Back Monty Don! Loved it, loved it, loved it and don... -
Let them eat Cake
17 March 2011Cake anyone? I have been baking today, I made a Victoria Sandwich. What is remarkable about this you ask? Well, doing so has made me feel remarkably p... -
Full English?
21 March 2011First attempt at back bacon So, anyone for breakfast? Can I tempt you? I can offer you fresh laid free range eggs from my garden, and back bacon and C... -
Just Desserts?
25 March 2011Apricot Frangipane Tart Somedays, I think I am totally barking. Let me explain. Last weekend, we drove down to Midhurst and got to meet the iGit's Aun... -
Of Hens and Hellebores
28 March 2011Matilda and Edna on slug patrol As you can see the girls are doing well. Their combs and wattles have reduced in size markedly, and turned a much heal... -
Wordless Wednesday: Camellias in the Rain
30 March 2011 -
Favourite Herbs: Melissa officinalis (Lemon Balm)
04 April 2011Lemon Balm living happily in my garden under the stems of Rosa Mundi I love herbs, not only for their culinary use, where they bring a special extra d... -
Everything's coming up Roses!
17 May 2011 -
Things to do with Eggs: Lemon Curd
18 May 2011Two 12oz Jars of Lemon Curd I made this morning Since I got my hens back in early March, this year, we have been the grateful recipients of literally... -
Even in death they are beautiful
24 May 2011Today is one of those days that I struggle to keep my mood buoyant. From time to time I get overwhelmed by melancholy, a sadness so deep, I just sit a... -
Wordless Wednesday: Papaver orientale 'Turkenlouis'
25 May 2011 -
Wordless Wednesday: Hear me roar!
29 June 2011 -
Nice things come to those who wait ...
30 June 2011one of my hives, ready and waiting to find a home and be filled with bees I have babbled endlessly about this to friends, and anyone willing to liste... -
Flower Shows: Hampton Court
02 July 2011Well it's almost here - my favourite Flower Show of the year. Have to admit that the Spring Malvern Show runs a close second, and I am sorely tempted ... -
To Bee or not to bee ....
03 July 2011Me and some of my fellow students taking part in apiary training classes Tonight, another dream came true - I phoned a bee-keeper that the nice gentle... -
Life is just a bowl of cherries
04 July 2011Morello Cherries picked in my garden this morning I have been keeping my eyes on these; not quite sure when to pick them, as they vary so much in colo... -
Hampton Court: Sleb spotting
05 July 2011The Lord of Cord, his eminence, Monty Don, in earnest conversation with .... I will have to watch the TV to find out. Joe Swift plus suit carrier lac... -
Hampton Court: A day to be forgotten
06 July 2011The Tudor Rose Award for Best Show Garden 'I am, because of who we are' The day didn't start well; someone had thrown themselves on the tracks betw... -
Naming of the Rose: 'Wollerton Old Hall'
07 July 2011A new David Austin introduction this year; 'Wollerton Old Hall' as shown on their stand at Hampton Court this year. I visited the garden, whose name s... -
Proud Mother Moments: Robyn Graduates
19 July 2011 -
Not Beefore Time!
14 August 2011Me, my bees, and the orchard At long last I have now successfully set up a colony of bees in a local orchard, and I can't tell you how much pleasure t... -
Harvest Time: A fine Pear
16 August 2011For several years now, I have had a Williams Bon Chretien double-u cordon growing in a pot along with a Conference pear and a couple of Reine de Reine... -
Harvest Time: Damsons
20 August 2011I went to visit my bees in the orchard yesterday to see how they were adjusting to their new home. I drove up the tiny track and into the field, to b... -
In the Kitchen: Spiced Damson Chutney
24 August 2011I am a keen cook, and love experimenting with new recipes or ingredients, and being an advocate of the waste not want not brigade and keen on the conc... -
In the Kitchen: Pear Brandy Liqueur
28 August 2011This one is simplicity itself and can be used in cocktails, to make sauces to go with meat - works especially well with pork in much the same way as ... -
Just pictures
01 September 2011 -
Me, myself and I
15 September 2011Often I am described as a difficult person. I suspect there is a lot of truth in that perception of me. I am not difficult intentionally, but I am aw... -
Harvest Time: Forest Fungi Foray
17 September 2011John Wright - Forager in Chief Extraordinare Yesterday, was an uncharacteristically early start for me. I had to be in the New Forest for 10.30am at ... -
Work in Progress: A thing of beauty is a joy forever
21 September 2011For time to time, I have mentioned that this year we have embarked on a complete redesign and overhaul of the garden, which was essentially a large pa... -
Friday Photo: Autumn colour in my garden
23 September 2011From top to bottom: Malus 'Evereste' Euonymus alata Cercidphyllym japonicum 'Nana' Viburnum carlesii -
Things I like to do: Sewing
27 September 2011I thought I would share one of those sides of me I tend not to talk about very much, I know when I tell people about it, they seem surprised that I am... -
Words and Pictures: Passiflora
04 October 2011I. The Sacred “She heard no sound before her gate, Though very quiet was her bower. All was as her hand had left it late: The needle slept on the ... -
A letter to my MP
12 October 2011Today I am a deeply unhappy person - this letter of complaint to my MP will explain why. I am supposed to be resting having had a surgical procedure c... -
Things I like to do: More Sewing....
19 October 2011I don't very often go into town to the shops. I have to declare an aversion to shopping and crowds of people. Occasionally I will meet up with a girl... -
In the Kitchen: Pickled Onions
20 October 2011Believe it or not today is National Pickled Onion Day! So I thought I would help with the celebrations of this auspicious occasion and share my love o... -
Friday Photo: If you go down to the woods today .....
21 October 2011 -
A letter to my MP: The reply .....
24 October 2011On Friday, I received a reply to the missive I sent my MP, The Rt. Hon. James Arbuthnot Esq.. I have to say I was pleasantly surprised by his response... -
Wordless Wednesday: After the rain
26 October 2011 -
Things I like to do: New Obsession? Probably
27 October 2011I am known for getting obsessive about some things, I am definitely like it with food, and will get sudden urges much like pregnant ladies do for a pa... -
Changes
31 October 2011Me - wondering which way to go next at Wollerton Old Hall gardens I thought the unthinkable today. I even surprised myself with how little resistance ... -
An eggstreme eggsample
01 November 2011Spot the difference? Since Agnes died, I don't think I have mentioned the hens on the blog. I can see them now from my study window scratching around ... -
Looking backwards and letting go
07 November 2011It has been a difficult weekend for me. I have felt a huge void in my world open up. I know it has to happen, and my children need to fly, but when it... -
Things I like to do: Papercraft
12 November 2011Lately, I have been exploring a whole raft of new hobbies, from carriage driving to paper crafting, and several more esoteric pastimes such as dowsing... -
Wordless Wednesday: Playing with Alan Titchmarsh
16 November 2011n.b. photos taken today hence the gloom - it is foggy here! -
Thoughtful Thursday: Bees and healing
17 November 2011My bees - can you see the honey comb and propolis they have made on the frames? An extract from Last Night As I was Sleeping "Last night as I was sl... -
For Joanie and Sarah: Stroke Awareness
29 November 2011Yesterday evening I logged on to Facebook after dinner for a quick spin around the block and to play 'Words' with Maggie, Marcia and Sally, to be stop... -
Things I like to do: Decorate a candle
03 December 2011Finished candles, with a bit of bling added to tart things up a bit. I showed a couple of candles on Facebook yesterday, and so at the request of Ryan... -
On being unemployable ......
06 December 2011I made this last night, its made from 925 Sterling silver chain, beads, findings and wire. Lapis Lazuli beads, small freshwater pearl beads and tiny w... -
Merry Christmas!
23 December 2011 -
Happy 2012!
07 January 2012Cyclamen coum and Pansies that I potted up flowering in the garden today, its bright and cold and feels like Spring Yes, yes, I know - week late with... -
In the Kitchen: Seville Orange Marmalade
16 January 2012The strangest things make me nostalgic and return to my childhood, so strong is the imprint of an object, sound or fragrance. In this case it is not j... -
Things I like to make: Jewellery experimentation
07 March 2012Yes, yes, I know I have been quiet, too quiet? Probably not quiet enough for some. Anyway I am here now. I won't bore you with an windy explanation f... -
Friday Photo: In the pink
09 March 2012Thought I would share a few images with you of things that are looking good in my garden at the moment. The Daphne smells amazing. The Cherry is my w... -
In the Garden: The Birds and the Bees
11 March 2012A Buff Tail Bumble Bee Bombus terrestris (probably a Queen) in my flowering Cherry Like most of you probably, I have spent a huge amount of time outs... -
Wordless Wednesday: Garlic Chives seedhead
14 March 2012 -
More Bees .....
15 March 2012I went to visit my bees today - the weather was perfect, still, warm, and sunny. This colony was a nucleus colony I had acquired late in August las... -
In the Kitchen: Making a Sourdough starter.
16 March 2012Every now and then I come across a book - invariably a cookery book, that I just HAVE to own. The illustrations and photographs make me salivate, and ... -
In the Garden: Vernal Equinox
20 March 2012Camellia × williamsii 'Jury's Yellow' Its beginning to feel a lot like Spring has sprung here. Today is the Vernal Equinox, and the Cherry is still ... -
In the Garden: Dog's Tooth Violets (Erythronium dens-canis 'Pagoda')
22 March 2012I wasn't sure whether to bother with any words today, should I just let the images speak for themselves? Also the footfall on the blog has been piteou... -
Birdwatching: Common Buzzards (Buteo buteo)
26 March 2012When I had my old blog, Garden Hopping; now long dead and buried; I would frequently post photographs of the various birds that visited my garden, fro... -
Wordless Wednesday: Nectarine blossom in the garden
28 March 2012 -
In the Garden: Weather
03 April 2012 -
In the Garden: Weather
03 April 2012Yes, I know it is a cliché; we Brits are obsessed by the weather - but the weather does seem to be very bizarre lately. We have had no rain in months,... -
In the Garden: A bees eye view
10 April 2012Easter's been and gone; the seasonal reminder of new life and new beginnings whichever faith you practise. Spring seems to be racing ahead - catching ... -
In the Garden: Work in progress
22 April 2012I promised some months ago to keep you updated about the modifications we are making to the garden - it's a long process, because with the exception o... -
Things I like to do: Learning to Knit
24 April 2012I have been learning to knit all my life. Each attempt has ended in abject failure. So much so in fact, that my attempts at knitting have become one o... -
Bee-keeping: Collecting a Swarm
26 April 2012Today I lost my collecting a Swarm Cherry. Up until now, I had never seen a swarm of bees up close and personal. I had gone to the orchard just to do... -
Bee-keeping: Swarm Update
03 May 2012My joy wasn't long-lived. I went to see how the swarm had settled into their new abode and top up their feed should they need it. It was grey, but it ... -
In the Garden: Almost there!
05 May 2012Looking from just outside the sitting room French doors I have been sat gazing at this for the past half hour. We have been working on it like navvies... -
In the Garden: Chicken World
22 May 2012I often rabbit on about Chicken World, but thus far I haven't really shown you it. It isn't what you would call an attractive feature in the garden; t... -
Now where was I before we were so rudely interupted....
27 June 2012It has been a while, it wasn't until Elaine asked me earlier today if there was 'any sign of a post on my blog' that I realised how long I had neglec... -
In the Garden: The bit she didn't want to tell you about .....
02 July 2012Standing on the north side looking back towards the cottage I have blathered on about the 3 areas I split the garden into for the past year now. Its ... -
Wordless Wednesday: Oriental Lilies
04 July 2012 -
A single rose can be my garden...
06 July 2012Rain, rain go away, come again another day! I wonder how many of us have been chanting this mantra lately? The Jet Stream has a lot to answer for. Hu... -
In the Kitchen: Blackcurrant Cheesecake
08 July 2012I get a huge amount of satisfaction growing my own produce, and every now and then it allows me to produce a really decadent treat for my family to en... -
Things I like to do: Lepidoptery
11 July 2012I know - its a bit blurry and fuzzy and its hard to make out what it is. I used a macro lens to take the photograph, and then edited it in such away ... -
In the Kitchen: Lemon Meringue Pie
14 July 2012On Thursday, I discovered a clutch of 9 eggs that the hens had been hiding from me. None of the hens are broody, they just seem to like laying in plac... -
Pen-Pals: a new takes on an old way of connecting with people
25 July 2012When I was at school, from Juniors School onward, we were encouraged to have pen-pals from around the World. I had several, mostly Europe or U.S. base... -
The very hungry caterpillar .....
26 July 2012A couple of weeks ago I got a batch of tiny, newly hatched Swallowtail caterpillars sent to me by a specialist breeder. I blogged about them here - th... -
The Growing Year: Successes and failures
30 July 2012Lotty the Scarecrow stands guard over my currants and vainly attempts to keep the robbing pigeons away. Pigeons haven't been the only thieves I had to... -
Wordless Wednesday: Munstead Wood
01 August 2012 -
Miracle of Metamorphosis: The Butterfly emerges
02 August 2012 -
La dolce vita: A taste of Italy
10 August 2012A very short while back I joined in with the Seedy Pen Pal scheme organised by Carl Legge over at his blog. This appealed to me immediately as I love ... -
Lazy Sunday Afternoons .....
12 August 2012It's been one of those weekends you wish wouldn't end. The weather has been glorious, lots of sunshine, and a breeze just to keep things tolerable. We... -
In the Kitchen: Damson Gin
18 August 2012I I received a comment on my blog this morning from a lady who resides in Richmond, British Colombia. I have family out that way - now on Vancouver ... -
In the Kitchen: Damson Gin
18 August 2012I received a comment on my blog this morning from a lady who resides in Richmond, British Colombia. I have family out that way - now on Vancouver Isl... -
I don't like Mondays .....
20 August 2012We all hate Mondays right? The Boomtown Rats iconic tune, " frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard... -
In the Kitchen: In a pickle with cauliflowers
26 August 2012I often shop at Newlyns Farm Shop - they have a fabulous range of fresh local produce, their own butchery and many other delights to tempt your pale... -
Garden Hopping: Victoria's Backyard
27 August 2012Ha! Those of you who have known me via blogging for several years will be surprised to see me use Garden Hopping as a title for a blog - It used to be... -
Family Matters: Britain now and then
28 August 2012A bit earlier this year, my husband Kevin, had a bizarre phone call from a researcher working for LOVE productions, a TV production company making a ... -
Foodie Penpals: A bit of this and a bit of that!
02 September 2012My Foodie Penpal demonstrated how very small the World is. Turns out the lovely Alice (who cant cook) was celebrating a significant birthday as she ... -
Maze or Labyrinth?
04 September 2012When is a maze a labyrinth or a labyrinth a maze? All too often the two terms are interchanged and misused. I went to visit what is described as Saff... -
Tell them about the honey, Mummy ....
16 September 2012I wonder how many of you are old enough to recall the tag line I used in the title. As a child I used to love Sugar Puffs - you can find an original c... -
Making Dreams Come True: Falconery
20 September 2012Do you ever wish to be able to have a go at something, but be completely put off by the price of doing so - my Bucket List is littered with such activ... -
In the Garden: Woodland World
30 September 2012Remember this back in July? Desperately trying to kill the grass by organic methods to make way for work to begin on Woodland World? Woodland World is... -
Time for some honesty ...
02 October 2012Seen on a derelict building by the Pier in Swanage, Dorset This blog isn't going to be easy reading, so look away now if you don't feel up to me doin... -
In the Garden: Fruits of my Labour
03 October 2012Is that a sigh of relief I hear? Fear not normal service has resumed today - The sad old bag has reverted to her former guise as mad old bag. Above is... -
Zoe has left the building
10 October 2012Bye :-)