​Hello, darlings!

I excitedly present Whimsical Winnie – round of applause, please!

Known by Winnie or Wynette, but you may address her by Your Majesty – curtsey please – is immensely charismatic, and bursting with buoyancy!

Blessed with magical “green fingers” – just one teeny-weeny touch of a seed, and hey presto it’s blossomed into an abundance of fruit or vegetables! Of course, I’m always chuffed to receive a hamper of Winnie’s harvest from her bountiful allotment at Fulham Palace Meadows where she’s been a plot holder since 1996.

​In fact, 2016 marked the 100th year anniversary of Fulham Palace Meadows; Winnie’s 75th birthday; and 20 glorious years tending her allotment. I say, this extra special triple celebration took place in the main hut, where allotmenteers joined the gaiety and chumbled away on cake and raised a teacup to Winnie – The Queen of Fulham Palace Meadows!

Before you ask – nosey! In 1962 Winnie toddled over to the chilly isle of England from the sun-kissed island of Jamaica (How spiffing!). Where eventually she was given the cheeky title of Whimsical Winnie because of her saucy sense of humour, lively nature, and well, I must add she is a bit of a “hoot” – He, he, he! 

Darlings, now Miss Windsor requires your undivided attention, as she proceeds to fortify your mind with some exceedingly interesting titbits about Fulham Palace Meadows – I say, what a beautiful name for a congregation of allotments.

This splendorous snippet of London is located next to the River Thames, which is comfortably nestled within the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham (abbreviated as LBHF). You’ll be flabbergasted to discover that the meadows boast, drum roll please….406 allotments, “Cor blimey!” I hear you shriek – plus it’s the largest allotment site in the whole of London. 

Now let’s roll back to ancient times: apparently those notorious Romans actually settled on the meadows from AD43 to AD410. Thereafter, the land was used by Anglo Saxon farmers, and in a way, with the exception of cattle, is still being farmed today by the residents of Fulham.

You see, back in the olden days, well, 1916 to be exact! there was a generous old chap known as Bishop Winnington-Ingram who granted the land to the good folks of Fulham for food production and as part of an early WWI “Dig for Victory” campaign. I say, this news excited me greatly, as I’ve just been gifted a delightful cookery book – Eating for Victory – by the lovely lady of Fortune PR (www.fortunepr.co.uk).

PHOTO CREDIT – CLICK HERE

Now, I feel utterly compelled to mention that during the retro years of the 1970s, and according to The Fulham Palace Meadows Allotment Association “The first female plot holder arrived in 1970, hitherto permitted tenants were male, although from 20th February 1955 only married men or widowers could take a plot”.

​Well, I beg to differ darlings – the male species may have had their name on a plot, but remember who worked the land whilst the boys went to war……….

Now your history lesson is over, you may join Miss Windsor for fun and frolics along the rather green, yet earthy, meandering pathway to Winnie’s most precious allotment, where you lucky devils will witness the “fruits of her labour”.

You see, as I approached Winnie’s thriving plot, I was completely mesmerised by the rippled green cascades of unripe cherry tomatoes, followed by the odd plum or beef type – in fact, just one whiff of that unique herbal-like aroma and I was instantly catapulted back to my childhood, where I spent many sultry days in Grandpa Larry’s greenhouse. My goodness, how I adore the smell of those furry, yet pointy tomato leaves, especially when it lingers on one’s fingers!

As my mind returned to the present day, I recall scanning over the rest of Winnie’s allotment whilst I absorbed her green-fingered greatness. I say it was bursting at the seams with all sorts – kohlrabi, cabbage, turnip, carrots, cucumber, broccoli, sweet potato, spinach, gooseberries, runner beans, French beans, bolita beans, beetroot, onions, garlic, and sweetcorn.  

Oh, dear “No sweetcorn this year,” Winnie piped up from across her empire “They were eaten by naughty squirrels,” she then instantly filled the air with her soprano-esque cackle! 

Darlings and one mustn’t forget to mention Winnie’s ravishing raspberries and sexy strawberries. You see, Winnie chummed up with one of her allotment neighbours and together they developed a type of “liqueur” which they created in their respective abodes.

​Apparently, it’s an easy recipe, just combine the fruit with vodka or white rum, add sugar, then with the aid of the hot sizzling sun (for about three months on a windowsill) – voila – you’ve created a terribly nice tipple! 

But to Winnie’s dismay the original recipe included mint, and so proclaimed, “I didn’t like it at all, it tasted like toothpaste!” Nevertheless, Winnie enjoys her luscious liqueur on special occasions such as Christmas and birthdays and invites friends and neighbours over to enjoy a quaff or two.   

​You’ll be pleased to hear that Whimsical Winnie is an extremely keen cook, who merely “watched and learned” from her parents in Jamaica, and so enthused to Miss Windsor “I believe in cooking every day from fresh. NO TAKEAWAYS!”

​Winnie is very fond of Caribbean cuisine, and so using her allotment grown goodies whips up: chunky vegetable and chicken soups with dumplings, rice and peas, salads, carrot and beetroot juice – you name it, Winnie can make it! Oh, and when asked what her favourite meal is, Winnie expressed with joy, “Rice and peas and chicken!” followed by her captivating chortle! 

​Moving swiftly on, Miss Windsor was eager to explore every nook and cranny of Winnie’s delightful “glebe”, and so proceeded to amble around this, well one would say, a gardener’s paradise.

It was bustling with vegetation, with the honorary flower here and there, such as a striking yellow daisy which stood proudly next to Winnie’s bolita beans, and a rather cute row of marigolds which I found snuggled up next to Winnie’s greenhouse (How cosy!). Apparently, these little cuties assist Winnie with her snail patrol duties, because of their natural ability to repel any unwanted critters.

In fact, I was utterly thrilled when I stumbled upon Winnie’s, let’s say, “home from home”, which was almost camouflaged by a giant beanstalk; that appeared slightly obscured whilst playing hide and seek behind her greenhouse.

​Nevertheless, as I sauntered towards this rather charming russet brown coloured erection (Oh, I say!) I spied a cottage-like window sporting a dainty net curtain. I must admit, although the door was somewhat ajar, I felt compelled to pop in and have a good ol’ nose around Winnie’s estate.

And what a frightfully fabulous experience it was, I felt I’d walked straight into a fully equipped kitchen-diner – albeit the stove was a portable type perched on a foldaway table, huddled next to a deck chair where one presumes Winnie rests her green fingers and toes.

​Oh, and this tiddly abode has many functions, as it’s occasionally used as Winnie’s dressing room, hence her powder-pink smock hanging from the rafter.

Not only does Winnie enjoy a tea break within the comfort of her luxurious surroundings, but she also prepares slap-up meals on her portable stove of beef steak accompanied by her allotment grown veggies; and on occasion, a hearty breakfast of bacon and eggs.

Before I scurry off with my hamper of Winnie’s allotment harvest, which one shall use to recreate a recipe or two from my Eating for Victory cookery book. I must divulge that darling Winnie is an extremely snappy dresser and so is also known by the title of Waistcoat Winnie! Simply because of her love for tailored waistcoats – especially the leather sort (Oh, I say!). 

Miss Windsor must pop off now, as the war effort is calling for her culinary assistance. But before we part ways, please do CLICK on the LINK below for Miss Windsor’s Beetroot & Green Bean Fritters – ration book friendly, exceptionally healthy, and a delicious product of Winnie’s allotment harvest.

Here’s the LINK:
MISS WINDSOR’S BEETROOT & GREEN BEAN FRITTERS! 

​Cheerio for now, 

ALL PHOTOGRAPHY BY MISS WINDSOR – EXCEPT FOR WINNIE, GRANDPA LARRY & BISHOP WINNINGTON-INGRAM.

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Hello, darlings!

Mrs Simkins and I have joined together in “matrimony” – Ha, ha, got you there! Of course, I meant to say the beauteous Meghan (real name: Rachel!) and dashing Harry (real name: Henry!) exchanged vows on Saturday 19th May 2018 and became the Duke and Duchess of Sussex – curtesy, please! Indeed, I wish them every happiness in their covenant of LOVE.

Moving onto my spiffing collaboration with Mrs Simkins. You see, to complement her scrumptious Lemon and Elderflower Butterfly Cakes, which tastefully mirror the married couple’s glorious wedding cake of lemon and elderflower sponge decorated with Swiss meringue. I sourced an extra special tea created by Fortnum and Mason of London – The Wedding Bouquet Blend – which commemorates the marriage of Miss Windsor’s royal counterparts.

At first glance, this rather appealing blend of tea that looks awfully like “potpourri”; not at all like a wedding “bouquet” as it states on the tin, quite astoundingly smells like a packet of Rowntree’s Polos! And although it comprises of an abundance of ingredients: green jasmine tea, rose petals, blue cornflower petals, that darn peppermint sadly overrides the lot!

Of course, and it goes without saying, I prepared this creative concoction using my prized Brown Betty teapot. I dare say, Brown Betty really enjoyed being part of the gaiety and revelled in the experience of brewing a royal blend in her magnificent trunk! 

Now, I know you’re dying to find out about the taste, and, if Miss Windsor deems it an appropriate choice of tea for “tying the knot”, so to speak! Well, once brewed for approximately 2-3 minutes one poured oneself a generous cup. It looked slightly yellowy/beige in colour, which I thought would work perfectly well with Mrs Simkins’s fluttery Lemon and Elderflower Butterfly Cakes – visually a great match.  

As I gently took a sip I noted how extremely smooth it was delivered, and settled upon one’s refined palate with such ease and grace – one wouldn’t expect anything less from London’s finest, Fortnum and Mason. I was then greeted by an explosion of flavours – it was quite a thrill!

First off, I was mesmerised by the mellow yet tangy taste of the green jasmine tea, which I presumed would be accompanied by a touch of English rose – unfortunately, that didn’t quite occur! Therefore, I do wonder if the addition of rose petals, just like the blue cornflower type were merely for decorative purposes? If so they certainly added charm to an English country garden version of potpourri, or according to Fortnum and Mason – a wedding bouquet.

I must say, for a scanty while my taste buds swarmed with sheer delight, until smack, bang, wallop, I was hit by an intensely refreshing dose of peppermint! Although it was pleasingly vibrant; this particular ingredient was somewhat overwhelming, and with great annoyance lingered in one’s throat – rather like the sensation of “toothpaste”!  

​Darlings, I believe this tea is of an acquired taste, and to be frank, it struggled to get me in the mood for wedding bells. However, saying that, I believe it’s the ultimate tonic to be quaffed before you walk down the aisle in preparation for your wedding kiss, as it will freshen one’s breath and clear one’s nose – the incredible power of dual-action.

I do hope you royally enjoyed my “tea-tastic” review of The Wedding Bouquet Blend Tea!

Miss Windsor x

Mrs Simkins delightful response to my review:

“My dear, I have finally found a moment to try the wedding tea you so kindly sent me. It’s odd, but possibly the other way round from you, although I thought it looked so pretty, I was expecting not to actually like it very much! But I did! In fact I loved it!

As you know, I’m not a great one for herbal and flower teas, but I do quite like mint tea, and one of my favourite teas of all time is Lady Grey blend from Northern Teas, a gorgeous Earl Grey with blue cornflowers. 

Anyway, I brewed the wedding tea in my 2 cup Cornishware blue betty – just the right size, I thought – using 3 heaped teaspoons and boiling water to the top. I waited 3 minutes and poured. I debated using a tea strainer but decided against it, the leaves fall to the bottom anyway leaving the tea clear. I took some fresh dry rose petals and cornflower florets from the jar and floated them on top. I love the way the cornflowers open out in the hot liquid: it’s the same with the Lady Grey blend.

I let it cool for a while and took a sip. My dear, I know exactly what you mean: but I found it mellow and refreshing, I liked the mint tempered with the Green Jasmine and I loved the floating petals. My pot ran to 2½ dainty tea cups and I drank it all!

It’s fascinating isn’t it? How different all our palates are? And how our preconceived expectations as to whether we will like something or not are constantly being challenged!

Really, my dear, if you aren’t keen, send it over to me, I’ll have it! Bless you and thank you again”.

Mrs Simkins X

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