3 Good Things (again)

1. Joined my local u3a (University of the Third Age https://www.u3a.org.uk/ ) as I discovered their interest groups tend to be monthly (which better suits me as opposed to weekly classes - which I can find a bit too oppressive).

2. Lots of homegrown blackcurrants are now stored as 15 jars of jam in the preserves cupboard.  The remaining berry harvest is in portions in the freezer.

3. Been enjoying re-connecting with Girlguiding in our county (after ...mumble; decades) and.within the wider region by joining the Trefoil Guild (age 18+) who locally meet monthly, plus, supporting some events (www.trefoilguild.co.uk/ ).  This week we helped over 80 Guides in our county to learn how to make paracord bracelets (you start with a 3 m / 10 foot length of paracord and a two-part clip buckle, then use a cobra knot weave pattern).

The jam sounds lovely. I used to make jam and chutney with my Mum when I lived at home. There is something special with homemade.

I learnt a lot of interesting skills and crafts when I was in the Guiding Movement. I still find those like knotting and gadget making come in handy in the garden.

The jam sounds lovely. I used to make jam and chutney with my Mum when I lived at home. There is something special with homemade.

I learnt a lot of interesting skills and crafts when I was in the Guiding Movement. I still find those like knotting and gadget making come in handy in the garden.

Jam: these days; I tend to make smaller batches (5 jars per batch) by using a heavy-based, stainless steel, deep pasta / stock pot with twin handles - as I find that more manageable on modern cooker hob designs (compared with the more traditional, broad, vast, preserving pan).  If the weather around berry harvest time is just too hot to face making jam; I put 2lb / 900g freezer bags-full into the freezer ...until the motivation of a cooler month!

Camp Gadgets: someone recently told me that because Guides these days may only have the opportunity to camp for shorter durations (weekend as opposed to a week) they do not always have the chance to have a go at making gadgets (washing up bowl stands etc.).

In case people wonder what we mean by "camp gadgets" - here is an overview aimed at groups of Brownies (age group: 7 to 10, with adult supervision):

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://www.girlguiding.org.uk/globalassets/docs-and-resources/programme-and-activities/adventuresathome/brownies_invent-a-gadget.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwil0pWR6KWOAxUvRkEAHezbJKUQFnoECCEQAQ&usg=AOvVaw30gD5MB_OaySHjalRPHMjH

(Maybe a candidate activity to help keep young people occupied, for a while, over the school holidays?).