The weather rapidly changed welcoming in Autumn, now we are in October it is very fitting.

As I walked back from the local shop I passed a tree which was shedding horse chestnuts all over the roads. Which took me back to my school days and looking for them so we could find the best ones to play "conkers" with.

What is conkers?

Credit Wikepedia

Commonly known as horse chestnuts but in Britain they call them conkers. Conkers is also a childhood game which a hole is driven through the conker and then the string is knotted at both ends to secure the conker.

One player dangles the conker infront of their opponent, whilst the other has to try and hit it with theirs and break it, without breaking their own. If the person who hits hit does not break it the turn is passed then to the other player until the conker is smashed.

Being that they are quite strong when first fell from the trees the game can go on for some considerable time, until the conker begins to weaken which then eventually will give way. So you always know when this game is being played that the autumn season is here.

Credit Wikepedia_

Its great to see people continue to play the game especially children, to see something played for such a long time continuing, and see them do something physical and not just play on computer games all day indoors.

One of my other favourites to see.

Pumpkins are here!!!! Actually they are sold all year round here but this time of the year is where you see them the most, they are one of the last things to be seen in the garden.

Unfortunately this year I did not grow any squash or pumpkins, but never the less its great to see them knowing all of the different recipes that can be used, not to mention the use of them come halloween.

Credit Pixabay

Here pumpkins do not traditionally tend to be the orange ones that grow here, they are more of a green or white variety, which it would appear that they are more flavoursome than that of the orange counterpart, which we traditionally know more for halloween than anything else.

The one thing I do miss which we cannot get here are turnips (swede) which are not common here at all in this part of the world. And trying to get seeds in which to grow them is proving a little problematic. I am about to look on ebay to see if I can order them from there, to go to friends who are coming over in a few weeks, that they might be able to bring them over also.

But squash is an excellent substitute I find in the absence of not being able to use this amazing flavoursome vegetable, which I love to have mashed with lots of butter and black pepper inside.

Dish of today.

I am going to do a popular Autumn/Winter dish today that is typically northern called Mince and Dumplings. It is extremely filling and served with mashed potatoes and cabbage. Soon I am off to set up the camera and charge the battery so that I can share about this wonderful dish and show you how to make it.

Credit BBC Food

It is a relatively cheap dish to make, you normally need either beef or vegetable suet to make it however I have heard that you can use frozen butter. i guess this is something that I need to try out sometime to see if they are the same as with the suet.

So soon I will share that video it might be tomorrow I am not sure, it just depends on how full and sleepy i become after dinner.

And in closing.

I do hope you have a wonderful October where ever you are stay warm and stay happy and make it fun and amazing what ever you do. I will enjoy reading what you get up to.