"Third and Fourth" attempts and "Not Too Good at Maths"
I realise (sheepish grin) that I haven't been feeding my starter properly. I said somewhere else on this sight that I've been mixing a lot of information together (not good) and totally confusing myself. Can't wait for my "Bread Baker's Apprentice" to arrive! Anyway I realised that I haven't been feeding my starter very well. I was only feeding it one-half-half. So I did some experiments and made two loaves using the 1,2,3 (fool-proof recipe - ha!). I fed one starter as I've been feeding it and used it at it's peak, then fed one correctly by weight (1.1.1) and used it at it's peak in the other loaf. Both loaves failed to hold their shape. I shape into nice tight boules, but they just sag and flatten out to a not too attractive shape. I'm also being impatient, or my dough is just not rising to double for the second proofing. I'm using an Austalian unbleached breadmaking flour (it's not specifically for sourdough though, maybe that's my problem. I think my second attempt was actually better than these.... My next thought is that maybe my starter is just not mature enough even though it's doubling nicely in 2 - 4 hours. It's about three weeks old now I think; only a baby huh.