Dry stone wall

Our local farm shop has a very nicely maintained limestone wall along its boundary. This is an example of the Cotswold style of walling, with even courses and large coping stones on the top. Many years ago I helped to rebuild a section of Pennine wall - a much rougher affair using millstone grit. There is a definite art to building a stable wall without any mortar, but it is immensely satisfying, albeit very hard work.

I'd dropped in to get some rump steak for Chris's birthday meal, which we were holding a few days early. The steak from the farm shop is certainly not cheap, but is tender and well-flavoured - a once a year treat and all the better for that. We had it with chimmichurri sauce, roasted plantains, black bean salsa and a quinoa, avocado and broccoli salad. Certainly not our everyday midweek meal!