Kittens Expected.

It's all been a little bit chaotic the last few weeks and it's been difficult to find time to post. So, there's lots to catch up on, including a pigs update, more uses for courgettes, a trip to the lake district, preparations for winter and so on.

However, something very exciting has happened so I will skip all these posts and jump to the present for now.

More than 2 years after we purchased our first Bengal female, Anitra, with a view to breeding from her, we have finally had a successful mating.

Asia, our 2nd girl who we purchased and exported with us as we left England had a season during our weekend at Niksters and Frans wedding (August 20th). This was only her second season this year. The first being early in the year, which did not lead to a successful mating. It would appear that this time, pretty much left to his own devices, Vegas, our stud boy, has done his job and has truly become a man.....

Before we left for our Lake district trip weekend before last, we noticed some subtle changes in Asia, enlarged teats and slight rounding of belly. Unlike most folk that believe their cat is pregnant until proven otherwise, we have become used to disappointment, so we thought not to much of it. On our return, Asia, was even more rounded and definitely had an increased appetite.

A quick feel suggested that there was something in there, outside the norm. Again, experience said that it couldn't possibly be, so Mrs Longship racked her veterinarian brain for other possibilities. "False pregnancy" and "Pyomertra" were among the many words mentioned. But there was definitely something and Asia was in no way under the weather.

Yesterday, our minds were finally put at rest. Mrs Longship took Asia to the clinic and a quick scan showed the presence of probably 3-4 happily wriggling kittens, expected due date 23rd October.

So, this means 2 things.

1st, we will hopefully have Bengal kittens for sale, ready around Febuary next year, any one interested (bearing in mind we are in Norway, although we will be happy to arrange export) can get in touch through Starsprung.com
.

2nd, Vegas has proved that he is fertile and can do his job, so we can now seriously consider him for use for limited outside stud. Again Starsprung.com if you are interested in using Vegas.

AS you have gathered, I have finally managed to get the cats website up and running. See all three of our cats there, including the new "gallery". The link is also in the side bar.

On the road again.

So, it's taken me nearly as long as it took me to grow my spuds, but finally the Landy is back on the road after a spate of problems with oil pressure. It's great to be able to use the old Girl again.

For all the oily details read my report on More Power, the blog.

The picture enclosed is from the winter during my time living at Mrs Longships Uncles farm outside Bergen. Lovely place, but it rains all the time (Hence the mud....).

Culinary Uses for Marrows and courgettes #4

Pasta Tomato Sauce.

Chop up in chunks and use in any bolognase type tomato sauce.

In this case a very tasty home made variety by Mrs Longship.

The Harvest

Despite the late start, the vegetable garden has been and still is a remarkable success.

We have been eating salad leaves, coriander, marrows, courgettes, radish and sweedes amongst others.

The first bulk harvest to be taken was the potatoes. A Main Crop variety called Laila. Now, these were not in the ground before mid June, but all the same, due to the long days (and perhaps copious amounts of cow manure) grew at an incredible rate. In fact, they grew at such a rate that I was sure that there was going to be all stem and no tuber. They flowered in early August, not more than 7-8 weeks after planting. They were duly dug up about 3 weeks ago and as you can see, despite the late planting and the relatively small area of ground, the harvest was very satisfactory. To use, Laila is a very tasty Potato, holds it shape well when boiled without going floury. The smaller tubers were excellent in Jamie Olivers Potato and Avacado Salad. (From The Return of the Naked Chef).

The other achievement of note is the sweetcorn, the first to cobs of which were devoured last night. Unknown variety, but looks like we will get a good harvest assuming the earwigs, which seem to have taken an interest, don't manage to find their way down into the main part of the cobs. Straight of the plant and into boiling water for a few mins. Serve with a knob of butter. Lovely....

Culinary Uses for Marrows/Courgettes #3

Spicy Mexican BBQ'd Marrow and Onion Kebabs.

This recipe (well the marinade at least) came from the highly recommended "Classic Barbeque and Grill Cookbook" by Marlena Spieler

The occassion was a Cowboy party, which liking to be different, we attended as Mexican Bandits. So you can see that even our food was in keeping with our role for the evening.

The combination of garlic, chilli powder, paprika, cumin, oregano, tequila, lime, olive oil and coriander worked excellently on the duck we took with us, and certainly helped the kebabs, but I guess it going to take a lot to make marrows and onions exciting.

So, good marinade, but the vegetables kebabs were lacking some what in variety.