Wednesday, May 30, 2012

dauntless biscuits swifts













Service cover in street.

From a book called Etymologicon  - A Circular stroll Through the Hidden Connections of the English Language  by  Mark Forsyth which a friend sends me through the post I learn among other entertaining facts that the origin of the word biscuit comes from the French bis cuit,  twice cooked.

At this time of year the same post comes to mind. Swifts: I hear them before I see them. The expanse of sky bordered by roof top, chimneys and finials and the burgeoning leaves of the lime tree is not large enough to capture them at first. But then what a pleasure to spot them  as they swoop and  wheel against the blue!

3 comments:

marja-leena said...

I remember the name 'Dauntless'! Do you remember all the photos and prints I made of many London street covers? They are so facinating in their variety.

Lucy said...

I remember Dauntless Ductile from that series of ML's, it sounded like a comic hero!

'bis cuit' - I know that one! Have you made cantucci? They are true bis-cuits; you bake them once as logs, to a soft cakey consistency, then slice them and spread them out on a baking tray and bake them at a lower temperature until they're crisp. Very easy and they keep for ages, you eat them dipped in sweet wine.

Unknown said...

M-l I remember your series of photos. Dauntless is also the name of a famous warship.

L Rather a good name for a street cover.
Cantucci, I haven't made them. But I have dipped them in the sweet wine called Vino Santo.