The staff of life!

My first attempt - in very many years - to make a loaf of bread. I'm rather pleased with the result, especially as it was made the "old-fashioned" way, by hand and using fresh yeast. It's turned out very well indeed ... and the texture and flavour are excellent!

I followed Paul Hollywood's recipe (found in The Great British Bake Off book) for the "perfect white loaf", but substituted the plain white bread flour for the same amount of white flour with grains and seeds. Very simple recipe, the only thing that might stop you having a go is the amount of time it needs (up to 4 or 5 hours in total, although you don't need to be around the whole time) and your own lack of confidence ... but really, it is easy and the end result is well worth having a go for!