The Risen Loaf

I became interested in baking my own bread about six months ago. It arose out of a conversation during a retreat at Charney Manor, with a lady called Joy. Joy is a member of the Iona Community and a writer and poet. She's written a book called 'The One Loaf', celebrating 'all the stages from sacred seed to beautiful bread, the sowing to the sharing: growing, making, breaking, sharing.'

To boost my confidence, I went on a couple of courses at a bakery and cafe in Rickmansworth. I hadn't realised how much fun it was - and how deeply satisfying and therapeutic it is to work with the living, breathing, pliable, plastic substance of the dough. This loaf was made using a French brand of multi-cereal flour of which I'm particularly fond at the moment.