August 2008
We've been packing our panniers and panicking slightly as we head off out into the world again on yet another cycle tour. But we couldn't forget you dear reader, so here's a little bundle of newsletter joy.
Turn On Turn Off
Stores Wars Something Fishy
Cycle tour tastic
We've been deep south and now we're heading way out west. The Wild West Tour, the second ever Otesha UK cycle tour, kick off their precarious bicycle stands this weekend with a full cast of 20 bikes and brilliant bicyclers. This cunning group of cycle-paths will be climbing the hills of the Midlands and Wales over the next 6 weeks. They'll be stopping at the usual schools, youth groups and festivals to deliver the renowned and recycled Otesha UK play. They'll also be stopping at the odd unusual hotel, proposed coal mine and probably a hard shoulder somewhere to give the play an airing to new audiences.
Flour Power
The Campaign for Real Bread , so good it's even got it's own MySpace, wants to know what happened to real bread. If you don't know what they're banging their bread tins on about, then you've clearly never eaten a decent loaf- sort it out and get baking. The Campaign for Real Bread wants to get us all away from industrially produced bread full of emulsifiers, preservatives and other 'improving agents' and back to loaves of flour, water, and yeast and not a lot else, left to (im)prove by themselves.
Thanks to Chorleywood Bread Process which revolutionised bread production in 1961 to such a point as to make it indigestible to a sizeable but not stale chunk of the population, wheat intolerances are on the rise and fermentation time is at zero. We've the benefit of the knowledge now that it's takes several hours of rising time for the dough to become nutritious, delicious and truly digestible. We've also the benefit of bread machines (which are less energy intensive than your average super market loaf). To aid you on your way to bread heaven, here's a recipe to get you going.
A little something special
In true Otesha sprit, just before we sign off we'd like to leave you something warm and fuzzy to chew on until the next time. And so here's a quote from our Gilly, who before she volunteered on an Otesha tour had never slept in a tent, hadn't ridden a bike in a decade and didn't quite know what she was letting herself in for.
"It truly has been life changing for me, both in lifestyle and spirit. In 9 weeks I’ve gone from a girl that shopped at primark, ate at KFC and drove to the corner shop, to someone who now cycles everywhere (even in torrential rain), gave up her car and is saving up her party dress money to invest in some decent water proof pants (anyone know an ethical company by the way?). I will proudly remain the only deep south member who hates the outdoors, but loves the world, and is determined to carry on trying to make it a better place (from the comfort of a dry indoor, but ethically maintained house)."
If that dosen't make us worth the funding, I don't know what does.
Do you want more?
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And finally
This month at Otesha, we have mostly been collecting favourite seasonal recipes.
Jo, Liz & Hanna
The Otesha Project UK
www.otesha.org.uk