Deorike Diary Logs

Summer’s Strange Blessings

All summer long, the sky has held its breath—weeks of heat, dust, and that stubborn golden crust where grass once lived. Shy of the three‑minute shower we had last month, not a single drop has graced us. In the dryness, the golden grounds crackled underfoot, and the flies… oh, the flies. An army of them, thriving like tiny tyrants in the heat, multiplying with the confidence of creatures who know the weather is on their side.Then this morning, I saw it. A slow, deliberate glide. A slug!
Never thought I’d welcome these slimy wanderers, but there it was—relief in a shell-less body, because honestly, between flies and slugs?
I know what most of us would choose. The sight of them spells positivity in another way: a sign that moisture is returning, that the earth is remembering how to breathe again.

Funny how summer teaches us to appreciate the unexpected.

Leaf. Fire. Friendship.

Red oolong — the fiery, amber‑toned treasure from Taiwan — came to me as a gift from my dear friend Pei‑Ling.

Its origins lie in high mountain gardens, where leaves are picked by hand and roasted to perfection.

This tea is rich, smooth, and deeply aromatic.

It boosts metabolism, supports digestion, calms the mind, and warms the body.

Beyond its benefits, it carries friendship, culture, and care.

Every sip feels like a conversation with Pei‑Ling — gentle, warm, and full of shared history.

DAY 3 — Cactus Oil (Marrakesh)

Seed. Sun. Strength.

Cactus oil — the liquid gold of Morocco — is one of the most precious oils in the world. Extracted from thousands of tiny seeds, it carries centuries of Berber tradition and
Of desert resilience.
I use just a few drops, and my skin drinks it like water. Rich in vitamin E, antioxidants, and essential fatty acids, it brightens, firms, and softens. People often ask why my skin looks so nourished — it’s because I trust ingredients born from harsh landscapes. They know how to protect, heal, and strengthen.

This oil is my desert secret, my glow‑giver, my reminder that beauty thrives even in the driest places.

Corn silk — those delicate golden threads — has been used in traditional medicine from China to the Americas for centuries.

A humble treasure with powerful benefits: detoxifying, anti‑inflammatory, soothing to the kidneys and urinary system.

I dry the silk, steep it gently, and drink the infusion when my body needs cleansing or calm. Its flavour is soft, earthy, almost shy — but its effects are profound.

Corn silk teaches me that the parts we often discard may hold the greatest healing.

It shimmers like sunlight caught in a breeze—those silky strands we often ignore, yet they’ve been trusted for centuries.

Uses & Benefits:

Golden Threads —

Dried and brewed into gentle teas that help the body maintain natural fluid balance.

Field Silks —

Traditionally used to support kidney comfort and urinary wellness.

Sun Tassels —

Packed with antioxidants that soothe inflammation and assist natural detox pathways.

Garden. Harvest. Heritage.

I’ve just dried the Vietnamese coriander I bought from Urban Herbs, and the transformation has been incredible. This herb—known as rau răm—brings a peppery, citrus brightness to meals and has been used for generations across Southeast Asia for digestion and balance.

Drying it slowly preserved its aroma beautifully, and I can’t wait to share how I’ll use it next.




Urban Herbs

Steam rising. Senses waking.
That’s what hit me first — that little moment when the cup reached my lips and I saw the bright flecks of lemongrass and ginger swirling like tiny golden confetti in the bag. It felt less like tea and more like an invitation.
Lemongrass has this clean, citrus‑kissed sharpness — a brightness that tastes like morning light. Ginger brings the warmth, the quiet fire, the grounding note that settles the stomach and steadies the mind. Together, they create a dance: cool and warm, crisp and comforting, refreshing yet soothing.

I ordered a cup the other day, expecting something simple. Instead, I got a whole experience. The joy wasn’t just in the taste — it was in seeing the bits floating in the water, proof that this wasn’t a powdered blend or a rushed brew. It was real. It was alive. It was crafted. Every sip felt like a small reset. A gentle cleanse. A reminder that wellness doesn’t always come in grand rituals — sometimes it’s just ginger heat, lemongrass brightness, and a quiet moment with a cup.

I brewed a mug of fig‑leaf tea from the dried leaves I gathered in the garden.

The flavour is gentle and comforting, and the tradition behind it runs deep.
Benefits: digestive ease, calming properties, and natural anti‑inflammatory compounds.

Do you ever use fig leaves?

I spent a few days in Thurrock with my niece Nicole and her son Christian, and let me tell you — the comedy wrote itself.

Our evening walks were meant to be peaceful… until I rediscovered hopscotch. One minute from her house, beside the River Thames, I turned into a competitive child again, hopping across squares while Christian judged my technique like an Olympic referee.

I also began her Vietnamese coriander, adding it to her windowsill garden — a tiny botanical empire she plans to showcase Giving TIME, TIME.

Then came the Anchorfields Allotment adventure. We watered her mum’s plants, planted vegetables, and met Lee and Carole — two passionate and knowledgeable gardeners.

When Nicole wasn’t sure she was recording, I had to restart my “thank you” speech. Pure chaos. Carole folded over laughing at my reaction.

There’s something magical about sharing knowledge, swapping stories, and receiving a handful of fresh produce from people who love what they grow.

Thank you again, Carole, Lee, and the entire Anchorfields community. You made our visit unforgettable.