At last most things have found a home in the kitchen. It took us all day. By 5.30pm we decided it was time to see about some food. It had been impossible to prepare anything earlier, so we decided to go down to our local village pub. Part of our thinking was just to get away from the remaining chaos.
The Fox was about to sit down, having got us a round of drinks & the menus, when, lo & behold, our friends Fran & Den arrived. They'd been to the Pub hoping to catch us. When they saw no car there, they decided to try elsewhere. They were pleased to have found us & joined us for a meal.
It was a real pleasure to see them. Now we feel we're properly home. Over the meal there was much laughter as we described our reluctance to throw away. I hoard empty jam jars, cream & marg tubs; the Fox is a terror with cardboard boxes. Nonetheless, we have managed to do some throwing out.
I've finally decided to throw out a cheeseboard - the Fox always regarded it more as a cricket bat - & a chunk of wood with a hollow gauged out for paper clips etc. They were given to us as wedding presents by a couple of children then aged 7 & 10 who I had looked after for the summer months previously. I was so touched that they had gone to all that effort to make these presents that, even though they were pretty ugly & useless I've kept hold of them. Now, nearly 34 years later, I'm left wondering why.
Tuesday 31 March 2009
Monday 30 March 2009
Time for a tea break
Time for a break. I've been emptying boxes this morning. Slowly things are returning to the kitchen. It's beginning to be more possible to get around the house.
Needless to say, when I've decided this is the best place for the oils, for example, I can't find the box with the oils in. And yes, we do have a selections of oils & vinegars. The oils include not only the inevitable olive & veg, but also truffle, sesame, groundnut, chilli.... As for vinegars apart from the basic distilled & malt varieties, there's raspberry, rice wine, red wine, white wine, cider, sherry, tarragon, balsamic.... All to give that subtle difference of flavour, especially in salad dressings.
I'm telling myself the sooner we're all unpacked, the sooner the kitchen will seem like ours. The sooner, too, I can get to grips with the new equipment. I'm really looking forward to the place being straight & I can get back to cooking as normal.
In the meantime, it's time for a tea break before tackling yet more boxes.
Needless to say, when I've decided this is the best place for the oils, for example, I can't find the box with the oils in. And yes, we do have a selections of oils & vinegars. The oils include not only the inevitable olive & veg, but also truffle, sesame, groundnut, chilli.... As for vinegars apart from the basic distilled & malt varieties, there's raspberry, rice wine, red wine, white wine, cider, sherry, tarragon, balsamic.... All to give that subtle difference of flavour, especially in salad dressings.
I'm telling myself the sooner we're all unpacked, the sooner the kitchen will seem like ours. The sooner, too, I can get to grips with the new equipment. I'm really looking forward to the place being straight & I can get back to cooking as normal.
In the meantime, it's time for a tea break before tackling yet more boxes.
Sunday 29 March 2009
Written while away
While we were away I did indeed have a go at writing some blog entries. However, we couldn't get internet access to publish them. The following are what I wrote when away.
We’ve got away & are safely settled into our cottage haven. I hadn’t realised before how near it is to not only the canal but also the M6 motorway. I’m aware of a constant buzz of traffic in the background, but at least it is just in the background.
This marina development has only recently been built. Some of it is still being built – again not unduly noisy.
For a cottage for disabled people it is poorly equipped. The wooden floors are great but the rugs are an unnecessary obstacle. The main concession seems to be the fact there is a ground floor bedroom, but I certainly wouldn’t fancy trying to cook in a kitchen where there’s barely room to turn your wheelchair to face the cooker or the fridge/freezer on the opposite wall.
More concerning is the lack of grab bars in the bathroom. It is a strain getting up from a rather low toilet. I’m having to pull myself up with either the sink – not wise as it is possible to pull the sink away from the wall – or the door handle. I’m telling myself if I cause any damage it will make them realise the inadequacy of provision they’ve made for a wheelchair user. The shower is a flat walk-in one. However, there is a glass screen around most of it, making it impossible to get a wheelchair into the shower area. Also there are no grab bars & no seat. It looks very tight to put a plastic chair in. So, no shower for me for the duration. Still we’re only here for 4 nights so I should be able to manage with just a wash for that long. If not, I’ll just have to pop home. It’s only half an hour away.
We’re coming to the conclusion that this place is a triumph of design over practicality. In the kitchen, the toaster is placed almost directly under the fire alarm. You’ve guessed it. Long before the toast is brown, the fire alarm is bleeping madly!
Despite all the disadvantages of the place, it is reasonably peaceful & stress-free. We spent a couple of pleasant hours yesterday with our friends MK & Helen. They live just a few minutes away. We’re hoping to pop in for at least a few minutes each day while we’re here. If the weather holds us, we may even try to get MK out to the pub here for a change of scene & maybe even for a meal with us.
Today is bright & sunny at the moment so we’re hoping to go to Kendal for a change & have a look at a lighting shop – we can’t entirely forget the kitchen at home! We also fancied having a look at the bookshop to see if we can find something on microwave cooking. We’ll be getting a microwave for the first time in our new kitchen, so feel we ought to give it a trial for proper cooking & not just for re-warming ready cooked meals or quick thawing of food from the freezer.
Having carefully tiptoed out of the bedroom in my bare feet so as not to disturb the Fox, I decide to have some toast for breakfast. I carefully move the toaster to the far end of the tiny kitchen so it wouldn’t be under the fire alarm. I think I’m doing well. The toast is turning golden brown. Then the bleeps begin. Piercingly they reverberate around the cottage. So much for not disturbing the Fox.I hastily try to silence the thing. All quiet, I settle to eating the toast & having some tea, when the alarm starts bleeping again!
Today I shall get something to have for breakfast that can be had cold – some cereals for a change maybe, after all we are on holiday of a sort.
In the end we decide to pop over to Kirkby Lonsdale. When we were first married & lived next to the Leighton Moss bird sanctuary, we used to visit often. But now it has been several years since our last trip. We seem to remember it was in 2000 when we took a French visitor over. Time to see how it had changed we thought.
The first thing that struck us is the beauty of the scenery around. From our first home, we passed along this same route to Kirkby Lonsdale. It takes you along a country road, passed fields at present filled with baby lambs & their mothers. From the road you can get fabulous views of Ingleborough & Penn-y-Ghent, Pennine hills both. Our second home was at Arnside just a little further north, over the border into Cumbria. The route from there to Kirkby took you along the busy A65 into Yorkshire, in between the hills which blocked much of the views.
Kirkby is built in the local golden sandstone. It’s a pretty village built near the River Lune. Indeed it’s famous for Ruskin’s view, supposedly the most beautiful view in England. We didn’t bother going to the view. It’s not the easiest placed to go to in a wheelchair, with a steep slope & a flight of steps to it.
It’s an old village. Since we were last there, many of the ancient ginnels & back yards have been opened up. Shops & cafés hide down them. In many ways it is a pretty village, but I’m also struck by the fact that most of the shops are geared towards the tourist. The practical shops seem to have largely gone. There still remains a butcher, a chemist & a small Spar. A cheese shop & fancy baker have arrived, but the greengrocer, the Coop, the ironmonger, all have disappeared. Instead there seems to be an infinite variety of gift shops & eateries. It sadly seems so typical of so many picturesque villages in this country.
In the past Kirkby was full of pubs but these days many seem to have closed, be for sale or changed purpose. All this makes it a place of interest to look around if you like looking round antique shops, expensive clothes shops or are seeking some novelty for a present but not very practical for residents beyond the fact they provide employment.
The one new addition is a Booth’s supermarket on the outskirts of the village. Booth’s, a Preston based chain, tends to be a bit pricey but they do carry a wondrous range of foods. This is the supermarket for your delicacies. The shop in Kirkby is no exception. The fresh fish stall is gleaming with fish. The fresh meat is stocked mainly with local fare. Bread too is mainly from a local bakery. If you fancy trying the local damson beer Booth’s is the place to go. I’ve always thought, if ever I became rich, & there was a local largish Booth’s nearby, then that would be where I would shop. They’re always such friendly shops, stocked with some exciting products as well as the more everyday items you require. Unfortunately our nearest reasonable sized Booth’s is several miles away from our present home. So I continue going to Morrison’s most of the time.
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Written on Tuesday
Written on Tuesday
We’ve got away & are safely settled into our cottage haven. I hadn’t realised before how near it is to not only the canal but also the M6 motorway. I’m aware of a constant buzz of traffic in the background, but at least it is just in the background.
This marina development has only recently been built. Some of it is still being built – again not unduly noisy.
For a cottage for disabled people it is poorly equipped. The wooden floors are great but the rugs are an unnecessary obstacle. The main concession seems to be the fact there is a ground floor bedroom, but I certainly wouldn’t fancy trying to cook in a kitchen where there’s barely room to turn your wheelchair to face the cooker or the fridge/freezer on the opposite wall.
More concerning is the lack of grab bars in the bathroom. It is a strain getting up from a rather low toilet. I’m having to pull myself up with either the sink – not wise as it is possible to pull the sink away from the wall – or the door handle. I’m telling myself if I cause any damage it will make them realise the inadequacy of provision they’ve made for a wheelchair user. The shower is a flat walk-in one. However, there is a glass screen around most of it, making it impossible to get a wheelchair into the shower area. Also there are no grab bars & no seat. It looks very tight to put a plastic chair in. So, no shower for me for the duration. Still we’re only here for 4 nights so I should be able to manage with just a wash for that long. If not, I’ll just have to pop home. It’s only half an hour away.
We’re coming to the conclusion that this place is a triumph of design over practicality. In the kitchen, the toaster is placed almost directly under the fire alarm. You’ve guessed it. Long before the toast is brown, the fire alarm is bleeping madly!
Despite all the disadvantages of the place, it is reasonably peaceful & stress-free. We spent a couple of pleasant hours yesterday with our friends MK & Helen. They live just a few minutes away. We’re hoping to pop in for at least a few minutes each day while we’re here. If the weather holds us, we may even try to get MK out to the pub here for a change of scene & maybe even for a meal with us.
Today is bright & sunny at the moment so we’re hoping to go to Kendal for a change & have a look at a lighting shop – we can’t entirely forget the kitchen at home! We also fancied having a look at the bookshop to see if we can find something on microwave cooking. We’ll be getting a microwave for the first time in our new kitchen, so feel we ought to give it a trial for proper cooking & not just for re-warming ready cooked meals or quick thawing of food from the freezer.
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Written on Wednesday
Having carefully tiptoed out of the bedroom in my bare feet so as not to disturb the Fox, I decide to have some toast for breakfast. I carefully move the toaster to the far end of the tiny kitchen so it wouldn’t be under the fire alarm. I think I’m doing well. The toast is turning golden brown. Then the bleeps begin. Piercingly they reverberate around the cottage. So much for not disturbing the Fox.I hastily try to silence the thing. All quiet, I settle to eating the toast & having some tea, when the alarm starts bleeping again!
Today I shall get something to have for breakfast that can be had cold – some cereals for a change maybe, after all we are on holiday of a sort.
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Written on Thursday
In the end we decide to pop over to Kirkby Lonsdale. When we were first married & lived next to the Leighton Moss bird sanctuary, we used to visit often. But now it has been several years since our last trip. We seem to remember it was in 2000 when we took a French visitor over. Time to see how it had changed we thought.
The first thing that struck us is the beauty of the scenery around. From our first home, we passed along this same route to Kirkby Lonsdale. It takes you along a country road, passed fields at present filled with baby lambs & their mothers. From the road you can get fabulous views of Ingleborough & Penn-y-Ghent, Pennine hills both. Our second home was at Arnside just a little further north, over the border into Cumbria. The route from there to Kirkby took you along the busy A65 into Yorkshire, in between the hills which blocked much of the views.
Kirkby is built in the local golden sandstone. It’s a pretty village built near the River Lune. Indeed it’s famous for Ruskin’s view, supposedly the most beautiful view in England. We didn’t bother going to the view. It’s not the easiest placed to go to in a wheelchair, with a steep slope & a flight of steps to it.
It’s an old village. Since we were last there, many of the ancient ginnels & back yards have been opened up. Shops & cafés hide down them. In many ways it is a pretty village, but I’m also struck by the fact that most of the shops are geared towards the tourist. The practical shops seem to have largely gone. There still remains a butcher, a chemist & a small Spar. A cheese shop & fancy baker have arrived, but the greengrocer, the Coop, the ironmonger, all have disappeared. Instead there seems to be an infinite variety of gift shops & eateries. It sadly seems so typical of so many picturesque villages in this country.
In the past Kirkby was full of pubs but these days many seem to have closed, be for sale or changed purpose. All this makes it a place of interest to look around if you like looking round antique shops, expensive clothes shops or are seeking some novelty for a present but not very practical for residents beyond the fact they provide employment.
The one new addition is a Booth’s supermarket on the outskirts of the village. Booth’s, a Preston based chain, tends to be a bit pricey but they do carry a wondrous range of foods. This is the supermarket for your delicacies. The shop in Kirkby is no exception. The fresh fish stall is gleaming with fish. The fresh meat is stocked mainly with local fare. Bread too is mainly from a local bakery. If you fancy trying the local damson beer Booth’s is the place to go. I’ve always thought, if ever I became rich, & there was a local largish Booth’s nearby, then that would be where I would shop. They’re always such friendly shops, stocked with some exciting products as well as the more everyday items you require. Unfortunately our nearest reasonable sized Booth’s is several miles away from our present home. So I continue going to Morrison’s most of the time.
Home again - with a new kitchen
They finally finish the kitchen mid-afternoon. We then start the melancholy job of emptying all the banana boxes & deciding where to put what. I'm surprised by how depressing I find this. It's partially that by mid-afternoon I'm tired, too tired really to get down to such a demanding job. There's quite a bit of thinking involved, deciding the best place for pans as opposed to food, the most convenient for a well functioning kitchen. I suppose, too, it is partly that I had hoped to cook once more, to christen the new kitchen. There's no hope of that. We end up at our local pub. My morale is much restored by a tasty coq au vin, with loads of mushrooms in the red wine sauce.
The clutter is the first thing to greet me in the morning. I had thought I'd get to church this morning, it being sunny, but I'm up late. I just had to take some sleeping pills last night - I just couldn't stop thinking about what to put where - with the result I was late up today.
During the night I discover the Fox has managed to empty a few more boxes. Nearly all the glassware is out. I note the odd breakage but that's inevitable.
I had told myself today I wouldn't do much in the kitchen. We'd found the essentials of cutlery, crockery & spuds yesterday. Nonetheless I find I keep having the urge to re-arrange this or that.
But it is with some satisfaction that I manage to sit down & get some potatoes peeled. I shall do my usual Sunday chores of bed-changing & sorting out the washing. The Fox will, no doubt, be doing a bit more unpacking. The one thing we are determined on is eating at home. It will only be something simple, if for no other reason than the fact we haven't got as far as unpacking the boxes of food, all the tins, bottles & jars. Still, I remember we have a pie in the freezer. Carrots went with us to the cottage & returned uneaten, so we'll have them. Above all, it will be cooked & eaten in the peace of our own home once more. And since we've found the glasses we can even have a bottle of wine too.
Oh, by the way, we are pleased with the new kitchen. It looks great - all the more so after the dark impractical one we had at the cottage. Unfortunately they do make the rest of the room look a mess. Luckily while we were away, we think we've come to a decision about the lighting so that can be sorted promptly. The next decision will be the decorating &, in the meanwhile, we're having to walk around on bare floorboards, partially covered with loose carpet tiles. It had never occurred to me that the tiles couldn't just go back where they were until we had got around to deciding on the new floor-covering. It gives the room a vaguely camped in feeling. But at least the units are in, & look great. That should be the worst phase of the job done. The rest we can take our time over.
And it's certainly to great to be home again!
The clutter is the first thing to greet me in the morning. I had thought I'd get to church this morning, it being sunny, but I'm up late. I just had to take some sleeping pills last night - I just couldn't stop thinking about what to put where - with the result I was late up today.
During the night I discover the Fox has managed to empty a few more boxes. Nearly all the glassware is out. I note the odd breakage but that's inevitable.
I had told myself today I wouldn't do much in the kitchen. We'd found the essentials of cutlery, crockery & spuds yesterday. Nonetheless I find I keep having the urge to re-arrange this or that.
But it is with some satisfaction that I manage to sit down & get some potatoes peeled. I shall do my usual Sunday chores of bed-changing & sorting out the washing. The Fox will, no doubt, be doing a bit more unpacking. The one thing we are determined on is eating at home. It will only be something simple, if for no other reason than the fact we haven't got as far as unpacking the boxes of food, all the tins, bottles & jars. Still, I remember we have a pie in the freezer. Carrots went with us to the cottage & returned uneaten, so we'll have them. Above all, it will be cooked & eaten in the peace of our own home once more. And since we've found the glasses we can even have a bottle of wine too.
Oh, by the way, we are pleased with the new kitchen. It looks great - all the more so after the dark impractical one we had at the cottage. Unfortunately they do make the rest of the room look a mess. Luckily while we were away, we think we've come to a decision about the lighting so that can be sorted promptly. The next decision will be the decorating &, in the meanwhile, we're having to walk around on bare floorboards, partially covered with loose carpet tiles. It had never occurred to me that the tiles couldn't just go back where they were until we had got around to deciding on the new floor-covering. It gives the room a vaguely camped in feeling. But at least the units are in, & look great. That should be the worst phase of the job done. The rest we can take our time over.
And it's certainly to great to be home again!
Sunday 22 March 2009
Nearly ready
We're nearly all packed up. I contemplated going to church today but decided it was probably wiser to stay at home. It will be a tiring afternoon packing the last few things away. Tomorrow will be an early start. The kitchen people are due between 8 & 10am, so we'll have had to be up, breakfasted & tidied by 8. Then I'll have to pack a few clothes for our trip away. We'll be taking our laptop so I should have chance to write my blog, but whether it will get published immediately is a different question. I'm not sure if we'll be able to get Internet connection where we're staying, so this might be my last few words for a while. It's finally happening. Our new kitchen is on its way. Now we just hope it all goes smoothly. After our debacles over the bedroom & the driveway, we're anxious some problem will arise. Here's hoping that won't be the case this time.
Saturday 21 March 2009
All golden
In the end, I've made some chicken croquettes for this evening. They're breadcrumbed ready to fry up this evening. Nice & easy. And we'll have some of those carrots to accompany them. Tomorrow will be stir fry day with loads of peppers & a carrot perhaps.
The sun of late has really brought out the daffodils. They seem to be everywhere, even growing in the trees - some prankster, no doubt. The small ones seem very popular in gardens around here. Mainly, we gather, because the strong gales off the sea usually flattens the taller ones. This year seems to have been surprisingly quiet, windwise. And that explains the banks of tall ones in every hedgerow & along the streets.
I gather the weather is due to change to wet on Monday, just in time for our few days away. Isn't that the way?
The sun of late has really brought out the daffodils. They seem to be everywhere, even growing in the trees - some prankster, no doubt. The small ones seem very popular in gardens around here. Mainly, we gather, because the strong gales off the sea usually flattens the taller ones. This year seems to have been surprisingly quiet, windwise. And that explains the banks of tall ones in every hedgerow & along the streets.
I gather the weather is due to change to wet on Monday, just in time for our few days away. Isn't that the way?
Friday 20 March 2009
Distracted
I'm supposed to be deciding what to cook tomorrow, but somehow I just can't get my mind around the matter. I'm too full of thoughts about what yet has to be done before we go away, & a certain excitement about being away. I can't help feeling that it's more important to get things in boxes rather than worrying about what we eat. We can always just get a ready meal out of the freezer. We've still got plenty of peppers & carrots to use up. I can see they'll be going off to Borwick with us.
Today, at least, I know what I'm doing. I'm half way through making a chicken & vegetable pie, just waiting for the filling to cool & the pastry to thaw.
The only food left in the cupboards is very basic - some chicken stock cubes (for today's gravy), seasoning, veg & olive oil, a few tiny bottles of colouring, some odd spices like apple pie spice & that's about it. I suppose I could do another chicken meal. There's plenty of cooked chicken in the freezer. Or maybe it's time for something like a Spanish omelette with some peppers thrown in the egg mix. I'm just too distracted to give the matter serious thought.
Today, at least, I know what I'm doing. I'm half way through making a chicken & vegetable pie, just waiting for the filling to cool & the pastry to thaw.
The only food left in the cupboards is very basic - some chicken stock cubes (for today's gravy), seasoning, veg & olive oil, a few tiny bottles of colouring, some odd spices like apple pie spice & that's about it. I suppose I could do another chicken meal. There's plenty of cooked chicken in the freezer. Or maybe it's time for something like a Spanish omelette with some peppers thrown in the egg mix. I'm just too distracted to give the matter serious thought.
Thursday 19 March 2009
Enjoying the sun
The sun brings them all out. Yesterday we decide to go once more to see our friends at the Pub.
The first things that catches my eye are the crocuses in the front garden. Fully open, richly coloured purple & gold. We set off.
The next thing that catches my eye are the lambs in the fields - their first outing this year. They stick close to mum. At present they're too spindly & wobbly on their legs to see them as walking roast lamb, but it's amazing how quickly they can put on weight. Soon they will look a bit like Tigger, with springs on their feet, as they gambol away. We continue on our journey.
As we pass through the village on the way, I'm struck by the small playground. I think it's the first time I've ever seen it full of happy excited children, their mothers, too, keeping careful eye on their offspring. On the other side of the road I'm struck by a tree covered in white blossom, soft & fluffy looking. On we go.
As we near the end of the village the next startling sight is a fabulous flowering currant, covered in pink flowers. I'd checked our own flowering currant that morning & sure enough, it, too, is a mass of pink.
As we continue on the countryside part of the journey, we're struck by how many walkers are on the lanes. We cross the bridge over the canal. I look down. Sure enough there's people sat on the bench by the waterside, just watching the water go slowly by. Others are strolling along the towpath.
Every living thing, be they animal or plant, seem to be enjoying the sun. Long may it last.
The first things that catches my eye are the crocuses in the front garden. Fully open, richly coloured purple & gold. We set off.
The next thing that catches my eye are the lambs in the fields - their first outing this year. They stick close to mum. At present they're too spindly & wobbly on their legs to see them as walking roast lamb, but it's amazing how quickly they can put on weight. Soon they will look a bit like Tigger, with springs on their feet, as they gambol away. We continue on our journey.
As we pass through the village on the way, I'm struck by the small playground. I think it's the first time I've ever seen it full of happy excited children, their mothers, too, keeping careful eye on their offspring. On the other side of the road I'm struck by a tree covered in white blossom, soft & fluffy looking. On we go.
As we near the end of the village the next startling sight is a fabulous flowering currant, covered in pink flowers. I'd checked our own flowering currant that morning & sure enough, it, too, is a mass of pink.
As we continue on the countryside part of the journey, we're struck by how many walkers are on the lanes. We cross the bridge over the canal. I look down. Sure enough there's people sat on the bench by the waterside, just watching the water go slowly by. Others are strolling along the towpath.
Every living thing, be they animal or plant, seem to be enjoying the sun. Long may it last.
Wednesday 18 March 2009
Friends
There are times when you can't help being struck by how lucky you are. After a rather frustrating look at lighting we adjourned to the Pub to regain our sanity. We're pleased to see Den & Fran's car parked outside. Fran is soon coming out. They've brought us a present, a kitchen warming present - some tea towels, a roasting tin & a couple of baking trays. We were bowled over. It had never dawned upon us when Fran had been asking us what flooring we'd decided on, it was in order for her to match the colour of tea towels to. The price of the present wasn't huge but, as a reflection of the generosity of spirit & kindness of our friends, it is great. It really touched us & left us feeling how lucky we were to have such people as friends,
Tuesday 17 March 2009
Food for thought
I was going to have a go at the packing up some of the things in the kitchen yesterday, then I suddenly realised it's difficult to do so when I haven't decided exactly what we're going to eat & therefore what we're going to need between now & Monday. So it is I've spent some of this morning trying to decide on exactly what to have. I usually work on the basis of buying a range of foods & then deciding a day or two in advance precisely which meal to have when. If I'm running down stores, as now, I might just make a list of the ingredients that need to be used up eg fresh veg, half opened tins, then decide on a few things to use them up.
Today I'm going to make a quick pasta sauce using up the half tin of tomatoes & a pepper. Tomorrow will be a venison sausage casserole. Thursday we're off to see MK & Helen so we'll probably end up eating out. Sunday will be our traditional prawn stir fry. We always have this just before we go on holiday as it's such a great way of using up all variety of veg. That just leaves Friday & Saturday. A chicken & vegetable pie I think one day. As for the other I've no idea. An omelette perhaps to use up a few eggs.
The fridge really needs emptying. Although we're not getting a new fridge, it will have to be moved around when they put in the new kitchen & will obviously be easier for them if it is empty. We'll leave some milk, of course, for their tea & coffee. Anything else that's left will just have to be bagged up & taken with us. That's one advantage of going self-catering. At least, there will be a fridge there, so we can take all our containers of goose fat (excellent for roast potatoes) with us.
It will be a relief when the new units are in. No other work on the kitchen will be quite as disruptive. The decorating will be other bad phase but at least the contents will be able to stay in the cupboards & fridge. At the moment that sounds like a definite boon.
Today I'm going to make a quick pasta sauce using up the half tin of tomatoes & a pepper. Tomorrow will be a venison sausage casserole. Thursday we're off to see MK & Helen so we'll probably end up eating out. Sunday will be our traditional prawn stir fry. We always have this just before we go on holiday as it's such a great way of using up all variety of veg. That just leaves Friday & Saturday. A chicken & vegetable pie I think one day. As for the other I've no idea. An omelette perhaps to use up a few eggs.
The fridge really needs emptying. Although we're not getting a new fridge, it will have to be moved around when they put in the new kitchen & will obviously be easier for them if it is empty. We'll leave some milk, of course, for their tea & coffee. Anything else that's left will just have to be bagged up & taken with us. That's one advantage of going self-catering. At least, there will be a fridge there, so we can take all our containers of goose fat (excellent for roast potatoes) with us.
It will be a relief when the new units are in. No other work on the kitchen will be quite as disruptive. The decorating will be other bad phase but at least the contents will be able to stay in the cupboards & fridge. At the moment that sounds like a definite boon.
Monday 16 March 2009
Spring morning
It's a lovely spring morning. Mild & sunny. I'm half contemplating a venture into the garden. The lawn is finally just about dry enough to venture across. I find tackling some of the perennial weeds - the dandelions, brambles, nettles, celandine - easier at this time of year. They seem to come out of the soil more readily. It's also easier to get at them when most of the other plants are not burgeoning out yet. However, we're expecting a delivery today. If I'm up the back garden, I'll not hear the doorbell & they don't tend to think of trying the side gate to the back. I've already had a tidy of the front garden so there's nothing to do there.
I'm pleased to say the front is doing well. We've a fine display of crocuses. The herbs are coming back to life, looking stronger on the whole than last year. The fennel is full of fluffy greenery. The lemon balm is vibrantly yellow veined. The coriander & parsley is re-emerging. The mint is looking as though it may be spreading a bit this year. Everyone keeps telling us mint should be kept well contained as it spreads so. We have the solution. We just eat is faster than it grows! The marjoram has filled out over the winter months. At the moment I fear one of the rosemary bushes has been killed off by the frost & wind, but the others are okay. I'm still hoping it will come back to life as the weather improves. The sage seems to have done a good job of protecting the bay. Although some of the bay leaves are a bit brown, lower down there are plenty of fresh new shoots.
I do love spring & all the signs of new life. It seems such a positive time of year. The colours look so fresh & vibrant after the greyness of winter. Not that I'm entirely convinced we've seen the last of winter yet. I'm sure Jack Frost will make a few more return trips, but hopefully we're past the worse now.
I'm pleased to say the front is doing well. We've a fine display of crocuses. The herbs are coming back to life, looking stronger on the whole than last year. The fennel is full of fluffy greenery. The lemon balm is vibrantly yellow veined. The coriander & parsley is re-emerging. The mint is looking as though it may be spreading a bit this year. Everyone keeps telling us mint should be kept well contained as it spreads so. We have the solution. We just eat is faster than it grows! The marjoram has filled out over the winter months. At the moment I fear one of the rosemary bushes has been killed off by the frost & wind, but the others are okay. I'm still hoping it will come back to life as the weather improves. The sage seems to have done a good job of protecting the bay. Although some of the bay leaves are a bit brown, lower down there are plenty of fresh new shoots.
I do love spring & all the signs of new life. It seems such a positive time of year. The colours look so fresh & vibrant after the greyness of winter. Not that I'm entirely convinced we've seen the last of winter yet. I'm sure Jack Frost will make a few more return trips, but hopefully we're past the worse now.
Sunday 15 March 2009
And so it goes on
The new kitchen is due a week on Monday. So do we relax? No. We'll soon be on to the job of packing up the contents of our present kitchen - all the pots & pans, glassware & crockery, cutlery, tins & jars, all the general clutter of a working kitchen - so they'll have a clean space to tackle. Instead of relaxing this week, we've spent our time worrying about lighting for the new kitchen. We thought while the electrician was here moving sockets & switches, he could also put up the new lights. And we do need new lights. The present ones are too small for the new all invasive economy light bulbs & the plastic bulb holders are cracking up.
So off we go to the shops. We're faced with a vast range of spots, crystal chandeliers (rather fancy for a kitchen!) etc. We can't even decide what sort of lights we need. Our present lighting gives us 300 watts of good bright flat light, excellent for seeing clearly, plus, on a separate circuit, 100 watts over our dining table. The only thing we're certain of is that we want to retain the idea of a 100 watt light over the dining table area. It's the rest that causes the trouble.
Do we keep the three sources of light? Do we go to spots? Many of the spots give 150 watts per fixture, so do we want just two fixtures & if so where to place them, or do we put up three fixtures in the present positions, maybe with less than the maximum bulb strength? That way we may be able to avoid shadowy spots. The new units come with lighting under the upper units, will these be sufficient to give us good lighting to avoid cutting our fingers off? All we seem to do is raise yet more questions & few answers.
It's not helped by the fact that the sink is in the corner, so we would have to put one fixture over that to ensure good light for washing up in winter. We may be getting a new dishwasher, but that doesn't alter the fact there will inevitably still be some hand washing especially when we have equipment with wood or bone handles, seasoned cast iron pans, fine china & crystal. By the time we've got that light in & one over the dining area, we'd obviously have to have some lighting over the island feature & near the oven, but that would leave the rest of the room looking shadowy.
Oh questions, questions, when will it end?
So off we go to the shops. We're faced with a vast range of spots, crystal chandeliers (rather fancy for a kitchen!) etc. We can't even decide what sort of lights we need. Our present lighting gives us 300 watts of good bright flat light, excellent for seeing clearly, plus, on a separate circuit, 100 watts over our dining table. The only thing we're certain of is that we want to retain the idea of a 100 watt light over the dining table area. It's the rest that causes the trouble.
Do we keep the three sources of light? Do we go to spots? Many of the spots give 150 watts per fixture, so do we want just two fixtures & if so where to place them, or do we put up three fixtures in the present positions, maybe with less than the maximum bulb strength? That way we may be able to avoid shadowy spots. The new units come with lighting under the upper units, will these be sufficient to give us good lighting to avoid cutting our fingers off? All we seem to do is raise yet more questions & few answers.
It's not helped by the fact that the sink is in the corner, so we would have to put one fixture over that to ensure good light for washing up in winter. We may be getting a new dishwasher, but that doesn't alter the fact there will inevitably still be some hand washing especially when we have equipment with wood or bone handles, seasoned cast iron pans, fine china & crystal. By the time we've got that light in & one over the dining area, we'd obviously have to have some lighting over the island feature & near the oven, but that would leave the rest of the room looking shadowy.
Oh questions, questions, when will it end?
Friday 13 March 2009
Bird fight
As I glance out of the window of the kitchen door, my eye is caught by a couple of male blackbirds. Throughout the winter months, a pair have been going around together. I'd even been beginning to wonder if you have homosexual birds as they seemed so together. From today's activities I suspect not. The fight began on the ground. Soon they'd taken to the air, whirling around, pecking & clawing each other. I looked around to see if there was some female around that they were fighting over. No. I suspect that, as spring arrives, these men have decided it's time to sort out their territories once more for the summer breeding months. Whatever the reason they certainly seemed to be having a dingdong fight.
As for the Foxes we're off out later to have a look at a new farmers' market. It's not that we need to buy anything, but we're curious to see what stalls are there for future reference. At the moment I'm trying to run down some of our kitchen stores so there will be less to pack up when we have the kitchen done in just over a week's time. I'm trying to almost empty the fridge as, although we're keeping it, they'll probably have to move it around & switch off the power from time to time during the process of fitting the new kitchen. Some things we'll possibly take with us as we're booked into a self-catering cottage. So it is that today we're back to that old favourite - breakfast for dinner ie bacon & eggs & baked beans. Though you never know. Something might catch my eye at the market, then who knows.
As for the Foxes we're off out later to have a look at a new farmers' market. It's not that we need to buy anything, but we're curious to see what stalls are there for future reference. At the moment I'm trying to run down some of our kitchen stores so there will be less to pack up when we have the kitchen done in just over a week's time. I'm trying to almost empty the fridge as, although we're keeping it, they'll probably have to move it around & switch off the power from time to time during the process of fitting the new kitchen. Some things we'll possibly take with us as we're booked into a self-catering cottage. So it is that today we're back to that old favourite - breakfast for dinner ie bacon & eggs & baked beans. Though you never know. Something might catch my eye at the market, then who knows.
Thursday 12 March 2009
Waiting for Godot
I've just been listening to the "Today" programme on Radio 4. Among other things they were talking about the forthcoming touring production of Beckett's "Waiting for Godot". It sounds as though it's going to be quite something with the likes of Sir Ian McKellen, Patrick Stewart, Ronald Pickup & Simon Callow starring in it. The programme talked to the actors & the challenges of the play & their roles in it. Their insights were very perceptive. It's easy to realise how these actors have become the big names they've become. I just wish the tour was coming somewhere near here - to Manchester for example - but no, we'd have to go off to Edinburgh or Newcastle for our nearest venues. But I am tempted...
Wednesday 11 March 2009
Itchy feet
It's dawning upon me that we're both getting very tired. This year seems to have been very hectic for us, with sorting out this kitchen. Most days we've either been going out to look at things or people have been coming here to see us. We're hoping to go away while the actual work is being done, but I suspect we won't really relax as we'll be anxious about what is going on at home. I think it's time we had a break, a little holiday. We've not had so much as a weekend away since we got back from France last October. We've not even got anything booked to look forward to. Once the new kitchen is installed (the end of the month hopefully), we'll review our finances & sort out some sort of a break. I know there's still lots to choose & organise - lighting, flooring, blinds, decorating, furniture - but before we do that, we're having a break.
Maybe I'm just getting a bit of travel lust. Many of our friends have been away already this year - Gaz the Pub owner/manager to Gambia, Al our gardener to Tenerife, Fran Den & Mrs B to Torquay. Others have booked - Al to New Zealand, Fran & Den to Weston-super-Mare, Little B to Spain, PD to Crete, Mr P the music teacher to Iona. Then there's us, just sitting there, going nowhere. The Brunei holiday is on hold due to the mixture of kitchen & recession.
Time we had a break, even if it's just a few days in this country. Time for a relax, to forget about kitchens, to catch up on lost sleep & enjoy ourselves a bit.
Maybe I'm just getting a bit of travel lust. Many of our friends have been away already this year - Gaz the Pub owner/manager to Gambia, Al our gardener to Tenerife, Fran Den & Mrs B to Torquay. Others have booked - Al to New Zealand, Fran & Den to Weston-super-Mare, Little B to Spain, PD to Crete, Mr P the music teacher to Iona. Then there's us, just sitting there, going nowhere. The Brunei holiday is on hold due to the mixture of kitchen & recession.
Time we had a break, even if it's just a few days in this country. Time for a relax, to forget about kitchens, to catch up on lost sleep & enjoy ourselves a bit.
Tuesday 10 March 2009
Memories
The venison casserole is plopping even as I write. I observe at the bottom of the recipe that the recipe was devised by the chef at the Boars Head Hotel in Ripley. I'm instantly transported to Ripley where we stopped on the way home after a day out with friends. Our friends were newly married then. The Fox had been best man. We were staying a few days with our friends in Harrogate. This particular day we had a trip over to Fountains Abbey. We'd been there once before, many years before, when our friend was still single.
Fountains Abbey is a beautiful spot, in an idyllic valley. The valley bottom is lushly green whilst the slopes around are increasingly tree covered. Fortunately the National Trust, who own the property, lend electric buggies so disabled people can go down to explore the peaceful abbey.
On the way back, as I say, this time we stopped at Ripley for a drink & were tempted to stop for a meal. The bar was convivial & the menu looked interesting. However our friends were on cat-minding duties so we reluctantly left to get back to feed the cat. Not for the first time, we struck by the disadvantage of pets, especially when they're someone else's!
Nonetheless it was a good day, with fond memories.
Fountains Abbey is a beautiful spot, in an idyllic valley. The valley bottom is lushly green whilst the slopes around are increasingly tree covered. Fortunately the National Trust, who own the property, lend electric buggies so disabled people can go down to explore the peaceful abbey.
On the way back, as I say, this time we stopped at Ripley for a drink & were tempted to stop for a meal. The bar was convivial & the menu looked interesting. However our friends were on cat-minding duties so we reluctantly left to get back to feed the cat. Not for the first time, we struck by the disadvantage of pets, especially when they're someone else's!
Nonetheless it was a good day, with fond memories.
Sunday 8 March 2009
Imagination
The banshees are back. The wind has been howling round the house all night. It's bright &, on the whole, dry today. I would have ventured to church but the wind is so great I fear my buggy, even with me on it, is likely to be blown over. I'm certainly likely to be frozen. So it is, I go to church by radio this morning.
The theme is imagination. I couldn't quite follow any religious significance to imagination but I was struck by what a wonderful thing it is. Without it, I'm not sure we'd have much appreciation of the wonders of the world around us. It gives us a sense of curiosity that stimulates us into new discoveries. Imagination is essential for creativity, not just in the arts world, but even in more prosaic, every day, invention. In science too. Without imagination, could we ever understand the concept of gravity or energy, for example? It's important in our understanding of one another too. With imagination comes wit that can bring such joy in our lives. Imagination enables us to envisage a better world & strive towards it, gives us hope in times of trouble. Above all it lifts our lives out of the mundane, giving them a richness that wouldn't otherwise be there.
The theme is imagination. I couldn't quite follow any religious significance to imagination but I was struck by what a wonderful thing it is. Without it, I'm not sure we'd have much appreciation of the wonders of the world around us. It gives us a sense of curiosity that stimulates us into new discoveries. Imagination is essential for creativity, not just in the arts world, but even in more prosaic, every day, invention. In science too. Without imagination, could we ever understand the concept of gravity or energy, for example? It's important in our understanding of one another too. With imagination comes wit that can bring such joy in our lives. Imagination enables us to envisage a better world & strive towards it, gives us hope in times of trouble. Above all it lifts our lives out of the mundane, giving them a richness that wouldn't otherwise be there.
Saturday 7 March 2009
Sheer stupidity
On Thursday evening, over a bottle of wine, we discussed holiday possibilities. I confessed that the idea of a cruise on the Rhone, maybe with a week's stay, one end or the other appealed to me. I'd even read they were supposed to be wheelchair accessible. I'd seen a way of doing it that meant going by train, so avoiding the usual coach journey (a nightmare for me!) to & from departure & arrival points. We decided to look into it.
So yesterday I had a look on the net. I found the trip. I looked into the details of the ship, just to check out the access. I couldn't believe what I found. Yes the ship had a cabin adapted for wheelchair use. It went on to add that, as you could not move around in a wheelchair on the boat to even get to that room, let alone the restaurant etc, they would not advise a wheelchair user to book it. Talk about stupid. What's the point of making a cabin wheelchair accessible if you can't even get to it?? I was flabbergasted. I'll not be going on that trip!!
So yesterday I had a look on the net. I found the trip. I looked into the details of the ship, just to check out the access. I couldn't believe what I found. Yes the ship had a cabin adapted for wheelchair use. It went on to add that, as you could not move around in a wheelchair on the boat to even get to that room, let alone the restaurant etc, they would not advise a wheelchair user to book it. Talk about stupid. What's the point of making a cabin wheelchair accessible if you can't even get to it?? I was flabbergasted. I'll not be going on that trip!!
Friday 6 March 2009
Spring is on its way
Spring is definitely on its way, despite the return of the frost & snow. What makes me say this? As I peeled the potatoes this morning, my eyes were drawn to activity out of the window. The blue tit has returned to examine the nesting box. His mind is clearly turning to love. I had begun to wonder if we weren't getting to this time of year when I noticed the increased volume of birdsong early in the morning, but there's no mistaking this tit's motivation. By now our front garden is erupting all over in brightly coloured crocuses. Unfortunately the weeds are also starting to emerge. I've already had to have one weeding session. I confess I'm really looking forward to a bit of warm sunshine. We seemed to have so little last year & the winter seems to have been particularly cold this year.
Thursday 5 March 2009
White world
It's a white world once again. Yesterday lunchtime we had about 15 mins of snow. It didn't last. But in the night the temperature really fell. As I staggered out of the bedroom this morning, my glance turned to the front door & through the glass I could see the car had a very white coat. I thought at first it must of snowed again during the night. But no. It was just frost, a thick coating of. By the time I'd reached the kitchen & looked out of the window there, it had dawned upon me just how cold last night must have been. The lawn, the shrubs, all had a sparkling white coat. I vaguely remember when the Fox ventured out to get us a bottle of wine last night, at about 9ish, he'd mentioned it was -8C. I suspect it must have got yet colder. Still, at least, it's meant the sun has paid us a visit today. Personally I'd much prefer frost & sunshine, to mild grey & wet. Days like this encourage the spirits to soar, even if I do have to be even more careful where I put my feet.
Wednesday 4 March 2009
Excitement & trepidation
It seems strange to think that in less than a month we should have the new kitchen installed. There will still be plenty to do. New lights, flooring, decorating, blinds etc, but at least the most horrific bit will be done. The rest can be done in phases as we feel up to it. We're going to do the big food shop today & it's suddenly struck me that this is probably the last big shop before we start emptying cupboards, ready to move out while the work is done.
It's exciting & yet at the same time a bit scary. Last time we moved out while some work was done, we came back to find the work had barely begun. The designer had mismeasured the bedroom so the wardrobes etc didn't fit. We hadn't left a contact phone number & we were in St Lucia, too far away to pop back to check how things were going. This time we're going to stay local. The cottages we're favouring are only half an hour or so away, in rural Lancashire, by the canalside near our friends MK & Helen. Far enough to feel we're on holiday, away from Morecambe/Lancaster, but near enough to pop back every day to check there's no problems. The adjoining pub does good food too!
It's exciting & yet at the same time a bit scary. Last time we moved out while some work was done, we came back to find the work had barely begun. The designer had mismeasured the bedroom so the wardrobes etc didn't fit. We hadn't left a contact phone number & we were in St Lucia, too far away to pop back to check how things were going. This time we're going to stay local. The cottages we're favouring are only half an hour or so away, in rural Lancashire, by the canalside near our friends MK & Helen. Far enough to feel we're on holiday, away from Morecambe/Lancaster, but near enough to pop back every day to check there's no problems. The adjoining pub does good food too!
Tuesday 3 March 2009
The legless duck
We're finally having the legless duck. This duck has been in our freezer for a year now. It's rather big to do as a quick meal after going out, so there it's stayed. Today the car has gone of its service so I'm anticipating a leisurely day spent at home, so I should be able to cope with a longer time spent cooking this evening..
Why,might you ask, is this duck legless? Last year I fancied having a go at a recipe that called for some duck legs. I looked everywhere but couldn't find duck legs. In the end a bought a whole duck & removed the legs. They were cooked then. The rest of the bird went into the freezer where it's stayed, haunting my memory.
So finally it's in the oven. It's roasting at the moment, then I'm going to make some ginger gravy to warm it up in. The gravy is flavoured with green ginger wine. The gravy poured over the cooked duck, coating it, & gently reheated for up to an hour. It is essential to cook it for so long so the gingery taste permeates the duck flesh. Delicious. I'm really looking forward to it.
Why,might you ask, is this duck legless? Last year I fancied having a go at a recipe that called for some duck legs. I looked everywhere but couldn't find duck legs. In the end a bought a whole duck & removed the legs. They were cooked then. The rest of the bird went into the freezer where it's stayed, haunting my memory.
So finally it's in the oven. It's roasting at the moment, then I'm going to make some ginger gravy to warm it up in. The gravy is flavoured with green ginger wine. The gravy poured over the cooked duck, coating it, & gently reheated for up to an hour. It is essential to cook it for so long so the gingery taste permeates the duck flesh. Delicious. I'm really looking forward to it.
Monday 2 March 2009
Restless
I'm feeling restless this morning. I suspect it's something to do with the sunshine & not having been out for a few days. Maybe it's just I'm a bit anxious about today's dinner - roasted halibut with wilted lettuce & fenugreek broth. I've already concentrated the fenugreek broth, ready to add to some wilted lettuce later on. I've also par-boiled some new potatoes ready to saute this evening. What I'm anxious about is poaching the halibut in olive oil. Poaching, not frying.
Or maybe my restlessness is due to the fact that I think a trip to the local TIC is called for in order to sort out where we'll stay when the kitchen is done. I'm feeling particularly frustrated in this in that I thought I would be able to google Morecambe or Lancaster TIC & instantly find an accommodation list with their facilities. This seems to be an impossibility, & yet it seems stupid to have to have a brochure posted to us when we live so nearby. The odd bit of accommodation in the area I have located doesn't bother to tell you if there is disabled facilities. Level access is essential for me.
I'm telling myself relax. We're going out this afternoon & so can pop into the TIC as we pass. There is quite a cold wind blowing &, in all honesty, the sun does look as though it could easily depart any minute. But the itch remains. Maybe when I have a go at my Monet's "Water Lily Pond" jigsaw, I'll become so absorbed that I'll finally settle. Here's hoping.
Or maybe my restlessness is due to the fact that I think a trip to the local TIC is called for in order to sort out where we'll stay when the kitchen is done. I'm feeling particularly frustrated in this in that I thought I would be able to google Morecambe or Lancaster TIC & instantly find an accommodation list with their facilities. This seems to be an impossibility, & yet it seems stupid to have to have a brochure posted to us when we live so nearby. The odd bit of accommodation in the area I have located doesn't bother to tell you if there is disabled facilities. Level access is essential for me.
I'm telling myself relax. We're going out this afternoon & so can pop into the TIC as we pass. There is quite a cold wind blowing &, in all honesty, the sun does look as though it could easily depart any minute. But the itch remains. Maybe when I have a go at my Monet's "Water Lily Pond" jigsaw, I'll become so absorbed that I'll finally settle. Here's hoping.
Sunday 1 March 2009
A good breakfast for all
It's been a busy morning already & it's not even 9 o'clock. I was up early. At about half seven I put out the left over fat from yesterday's roast pork. Not long afterwards a couple of huge black-backed gulls swooped down. Mr Blackbird continued his nonchalant pottering around the lawn, no doubt finding plenty of worms etc. The seed feeders were beset with house sparrows. Great tits turned up to feed on the fat ball. The gulls returned to check I hadn't put yet more goodies out for them. The Fox & I ignored their insistent pleas, too busy with our own breakfast of baked beans on toast, though we kept an eye on all the activity going on outside. As the rain started to arrive the birds started to disappear into shelter, but not before Mr Blackbird had scurried across the yard to discover the gulls had left a few tasty scraps which he hastily finished off. A busy start to the day indeed.
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