Readers’ letters
Memories of beachcombing
Of all the enjoyments, besides seeing friends and family, that I have missed the most in lockdown, it has been our beautiful coast and the interesting items found on the beach. I have created a collage of my favourite photos until I can visit again. I am looking forward to enjoying freedom in the months to come.
Heather Croft, Selkirk
Escaping into the natural world
I did some artwork over lockdown, which kept me sane. This Little owl was from a feature in the August 2020 issue of LandScape magazine.
Melanie Downes, West Yorkshire
Elevating my plant collection
A few months ago, a friend gave me an old pair of wooden stepladders, which I cut down, painted, and used to display my collection of sempervivums and echeverias.
Mike Jones, Lancashire
Proof that practice makes perfect
I never thought I would be able to crochet like this, but here is my achievement so far. It was so cheering on a dull February day to see this lily pond coming into being. Lockdown has given me so much time to crochet and push the boundaries. It proves that you never know what you can do unless you try.
Anne Halse, Devon
Relaxing must wait until later
I thought I would send in this picture of my Border collie, Jack. I think he was trying to stop me settling down to read the latest edition of LandScape, as he was wanting me to take him for a walk instead.
Catherine Dopson, Nottinghamshire
Wading in a sea of golden flowers
We went in search of fields of gold on a recent visit to Dentdale, North Yorkshire, and we were not disappointed. It was delightful watching our daughters play in the fields of buttercups, with an abundance of wildlife, and, yes, it would seem we all like butter.
Jo White, Lancashire
Beautiful coast to call home
I read with interest the Battlefield Restored to Harmony article about Culloden, in the July issue, and thought my painting of this beach on the island of Eriskay, on Scotland’s west coast, would be of interest. It was on this beach, on 23 July, 1745, that Prince Charles, disguised in the robes of an abbé, landed on Scottish soil. The Western Isles clan chiefs did not want to support him, and it is reported that when he was told he should return home, that is, to Rome, he replied: “I have come home.” However, he was determined to continue with his quest to regain the throne for the Stuarts, and on 19 August, his standard was raised at Glenfinnan. So was set in motion the campaign that would end in defeat at Culloden. The aftermath was the brutal repression of Highland life and culture. Eriskay is also famous for the popular song, the Eriskay Love Lilt.
Alistair MacNeill, East Lothian
Dishes from a different era
I love LandScape magazine, and I saw this recipe in a 1930s recipe book: sometimes the old ideas are lost. This is a recipe for banana bulbs: fitting, I thought, given the magazine has recipes and garden features.
Ann Roberts, Lancashire
A taste of things to come
We are subscribers to this fabulous magazine since our holiday in the UK two years ago. It reminds us of those wonderful days, making us look forward to our return. This letter is to say thanks for our favourite cake recipe, which my partner is actually baking while I am writing this letter. It is the Jewelled Meringue Cake, with raspberries, from the July 2020 issue. It is so delicious, we could eat it every day. We have developed a special non-gluten version of the cake, which is a treat to anyone intolerant to gluten, like myself. The main changes are: Instead of 150g of plain flour, we use 60g of cornflour and 75g of vanilla custard powder, omit the vanilla paste and reduce the amount of milk to approximately 50ml. Thanks again for this wonderful magazine and the inspiration.
Algeth Lietz, Germany