From The Shooting Gazette, April 2001
The Rites of Spring

Written by: Amy Willcock

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The billing and cooing is so loud that one cannot fail to notice the courting - spring is definitely here. For the lucky ones, the season is just one big Ricky Martin dance move, but for the rest of us, it’s more a case of putting our French polishing apron on and getting down and dirty with our dusters. 

Who ordained women patron saints of cleaning? I think that might be a good thing to give up for Lent - I will sacrifice all the pleasure of cleaning and really try not to pick up a duster, although on second thoughts perhaps the temptation of Pledge will be too much and I will break down and get out the loo brush - much to the relief of my family!

 Instead, perhaps it might be a good idea to think about giving up chemical cleaners for Lent and try ‘natural’ cleaners. What better way to clean windows than a solution of plain old white vinegar and water rubbed off with newspaper, and have we forgotten the fantastic job bog standard bicarbonate of soda does when cleaning fridges and kitchen sinks? 

I think we have to start being more ecologically friendly. If we can achieve this, even on a small scale, then we will have done our bit. 

As you all know I am an Aga fan. The team at Telford have been working very hard to launch a new website called www.agalinks.com - it is a great site that is easy to use with lots of features. 

For the foodies there are recipes from Nigella Lawson, Mary Berry and other celebs, plus lots of other good recipe and menu ideas to get you in the mood to cook. The site also has a lifestyle section with articles by people like Jilly Cooper. I

f you are planning your hols, log on, as there is advice and destination ideas to look at. All in all it is a mine of information proving that Agas are as relevant now as they were back in the 1920s. One of the most often asked questions in my cookery demonstrations is for new ideas for kitchen suppers.

I think we all get a little bored with the same old thing and yet we don’t really want to do the long ingredients list which involves a huge shop, ending up with one exhausted person and beans on toast! So this month’s recipe is for a really easy crab and pasta dish.