I'm in the midst of making soup for dinner. It's another recipe from the "Olio" cookbook. I'm thinking of adapting it a bit. The beef, carrots, onions, herbs & spices are all simmering away now. The recipe suggests I cook it for 9 hours, then strain it. I'm thinking of doing it for just 3 hours & not straining it. Nine hours cooking to my mind is only feasible if you're using an Aga or a live fire. I hate to think what the fuel bill would be using gas or electricity for so long. I can also see that if you've cooked the meat & veg for nine hours it would be pretty tasteless. All the flavour & texture would be in the liquor & so you might as well strain the meat & veg out. To me, that's a waste of good meat & veg. Three hours is about the time I would simmer shin of beef if I was making a stew. And to my mind, this soup ought to be a more liquid form of stew. Anyhow I'm going to see how it tastes after three hours & decide then.
Meanwhile I'm pondering the meanings of the sayings at the bottom of the page. On the soup page is "Observation is the best teacher". I'm left wondering what I should be observing, let alone learning.
On the facing page it says "Sloth is the key to poverty". I can't help thinking poverty can be the result of so many causes - old age, poor health, poor education, bad luck, all of which of have little to do with sloth. To me it sounds like a very puritanical, rather Victorian view of the world, a world in which there is little sympathy for the problems of others. The poor are often not the lazy. Indeed often they are the people who work the hardest, for long hours & little pay.
Wednesday 31 March 2010
Tuesday 30 March 2010
Home again
It's good to be back. You can read all about our trip, especially our feelings about Les Miserables in the Fox's blog.
Apart from the show, we had a quick pop into in the National Portrait Gallery & the National Gallery on different days, & a pleasant stroll along the Embankment to the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, Horseguards Parade, St. James Park, Clarence House & St James Palace. We saw Fortnum & Mason's but didn't venture in. The weather was variable, though on the whole the showers were light. The assistance for the train journey & at the theatre was impeccable.
I haven't come back feeling really wowed by anything in the way I did when we went to Liverpool earlier in the year, but I have come back feeling relaxed & refreshed which is maybe more important. On the whole London doesn't seem much changed, or at least not that part of it. Yes, the London Eye is new, the shop & eateries revamped, but the most notable changes were the sheer increase in volume of crowds & traffic, & the generally cleaner air.
Above all I've come home, once more excited by being home. As the taxi brought us back from Lancaster I couldn't help noticing the appearance of blossom on some trees. Here, at home, looking at the garden, I'm aware of the buds of the blossom on the pear tree just starting to open, a green haze on some of the deciduous trees as new leaf appears. Up the far end I can just catch sight of the flowering currant starting to come into flower. The crocuses & snowdrops have gone, being replaced with daffs & emerging tulips. It's been too wet to venture for a full explore of the garden yet, but spring has definitely burgeoned in our absence.
Today I'm really looking forward to eating at home. After all the eating out we've been doing - French in the hotel on Friday, Italian on Saturday, fish & chips at our local village pub on Sunday & finally our last-Monday-of-the-month meal at the Canal Turn in Carnforth last night - the idea of home cooking appeals immensely.
It is with a very willing heart I peeled the potatoes & sprouts this morning. The Fox is going to do the actual cooking. We're having what was for many years our Christmas Day special meal, Quick Turkey Gratin with Mustard & Cheese Cream. It should be a real treat to celebrate being home once again.
It's good to be back!
Apart from the show, we had a quick pop into in the National Portrait Gallery & the National Gallery on different days, & a pleasant stroll along the Embankment to the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, Horseguards Parade, St. James Park, Clarence House & St James Palace. We saw Fortnum & Mason's but didn't venture in. The weather was variable, though on the whole the showers were light. The assistance for the train journey & at the theatre was impeccable.
I haven't come back feeling really wowed by anything in the way I did when we went to Liverpool earlier in the year, but I have come back feeling relaxed & refreshed which is maybe more important. On the whole London doesn't seem much changed, or at least not that part of it. Yes, the London Eye is new, the shop & eateries revamped, but the most notable changes were the sheer increase in volume of crowds & traffic, & the generally cleaner air.
Above all I've come home, once more excited by being home. As the taxi brought us back from Lancaster I couldn't help noticing the appearance of blossom on some trees. Here, at home, looking at the garden, I'm aware of the buds of the blossom on the pear tree just starting to open, a green haze on some of the deciduous trees as new leaf appears. Up the far end I can just catch sight of the flowering currant starting to come into flower. The crocuses & snowdrops have gone, being replaced with daffs & emerging tulips. It's been too wet to venture for a full explore of the garden yet, but spring has definitely burgeoned in our absence.
Today I'm really looking forward to eating at home. After all the eating out we've been doing - French in the hotel on Friday, Italian on Saturday, fish & chips at our local village pub on Sunday & finally our last-Monday-of-the-month meal at the Canal Turn in Carnforth last night - the idea of home cooking appeals immensely.
It is with a very willing heart I peeled the potatoes & sprouts this morning. The Fox is going to do the actual cooking. We're having what was for many years our Christmas Day special meal, Quick Turkey Gratin with Mustard & Cheese Cream. It should be a real treat to celebrate being home once again.
It's good to be back!
Thursday 25 March 2010
Geoff
Just the other day, the Fox commented that we were doing better this year - no deaths yet. Needless to say, that was tempting fate. Last night the phone went. It was the daughter of a friend to let us know that her father had died last week & how much he'd appreciated our letters in his last years.
Geoff moved over to Yorkshire to join his family not long before we moved here. Even then he was in his late 80s & had accepted the time had come when he needed help in his daily life. By now he must have been nearer 100, a good age. For some time his health had been deteriorating so his death did not come as a surprise. For the last few years he has not been able to write, though he did say in his last letter that he would appreciate continuing to receive letters which his family could read to him even though he couldn't reply. I have continued to write.
Geoff was in many ways a remarkable man. He was a christian spiritualist, which often brought him problems with priests in the church. It also frightened most people if he talked about his experiences. He found us some of the few people whom he could talk to, confident of not being dismissed as totally mad, nor people who would go away with nightmares. He accepted our scepticism & we, for our part, accepted the genuineness of his belief, even though we could not bring ourselves to believe in the spiritual world he believed in.
During the World War II he refused to take up arms, much as he detested Nazism & all it stood for. Instead he ended up spending the years as a Bevin boy down the mines, as a stretcher-bearer on the battleground & as a bomb disposal officer. In all those roles he felt he was helping to save life rather than to take it.
Later on he ran a large family engineering firm for many years. He also did much to promote the work of Age Concern in the north of England, both in his native Yorkshire, and later in the South Lakes/North Lancashire area.
He had wide interests - theology, psychology, wildlife & plant life, economics, art, music (his second wife was a semi-professional pianist), food, wine, to name but a few. He read & wrote books & articles of criticism on theology & psychology. Indeed he worked on these until he was well in his 90s.
All in all, he was a remarkable man.
Once he spoke about the part of Yorkshire his family now lives in. "It's near a small village called Burton Agnes. You won't know it", he said.
He was amazed when I said that I did. Burton Agnes was the place the Fox & I went on our first real date, all those years ago. We went to see the "Screaming Skull" but when we got there we found the hall was closed for winter & wouldn't be open again until the summer. Instead we stopped a while at the village pub before getting the train back to Hull & university. That evening the Fox told me he was going to marry me some time. I poo pooed the idea. After all it was only our first date. The rest is history, as they say.
Geoff moved over to Yorkshire to join his family not long before we moved here. Even then he was in his late 80s & had accepted the time had come when he needed help in his daily life. By now he must have been nearer 100, a good age. For some time his health had been deteriorating so his death did not come as a surprise. For the last few years he has not been able to write, though he did say in his last letter that he would appreciate continuing to receive letters which his family could read to him even though he couldn't reply. I have continued to write.
Geoff was in many ways a remarkable man. He was a christian spiritualist, which often brought him problems with priests in the church. It also frightened most people if he talked about his experiences. He found us some of the few people whom he could talk to, confident of not being dismissed as totally mad, nor people who would go away with nightmares. He accepted our scepticism & we, for our part, accepted the genuineness of his belief, even though we could not bring ourselves to believe in the spiritual world he believed in.
During the World War II he refused to take up arms, much as he detested Nazism & all it stood for. Instead he ended up spending the years as a Bevin boy down the mines, as a stretcher-bearer on the battleground & as a bomb disposal officer. In all those roles he felt he was helping to save life rather than to take it.
Later on he ran a large family engineering firm for many years. He also did much to promote the work of Age Concern in the north of England, both in his native Yorkshire, and later in the South Lakes/North Lancashire area.
He had wide interests - theology, psychology, wildlife & plant life, economics, art, music (his second wife was a semi-professional pianist), food, wine, to name but a few. He read & wrote books & articles of criticism on theology & psychology. Indeed he worked on these until he was well in his 90s.
All in all, he was a remarkable man.
Once he spoke about the part of Yorkshire his family now lives in. "It's near a small village called Burton Agnes. You won't know it", he said.
He was amazed when I said that I did. Burton Agnes was the place the Fox & I went on our first real date, all those years ago. We went to see the "Screaming Skull" but when we got there we found the hall was closed for winter & wouldn't be open again until the summer. Instead we stopped a while at the village pub before getting the train back to Hull & university. That evening the Fox told me he was going to marry me some time. I poo pooed the idea. After all it was only our first date. The rest is history, as they say.
Tuesday 23 March 2010
Turkey quiche day
It's turkey quiche for dinner today. In the quiche I usually put some chives. The new season chives have really sprouted after a bit of rain over the weekend. They're looking tall & erect, fresh green, squeaky juicy to touch, all of which I suspect means they will be full of mildly onion flavour. It makes the idea of the quiche even more appetising.
Monday 22 March 2010
Psychogeography
Yesterday I listened to "Broadcasting House" on BBC Radio 4. One item was on the new fashion of Psychogeography. What is this, might you ask, apart from a rather long, rather pompous sounding, word? Essentially it seems to be getting out & walking around, particularly in your home area.
People, it seems, are re-discovering the joys of walking, not just the physical aspect, the psychological benefits of it too. A regular rambler, normally a walker in the countryside, set off from his own home, & found the pleasure of just discovering the environment in which he lived. He discovered neighbours & wildlife he'd never been aware of despite having lived in the area for many years.
Later I went along to church on the Mean Machine, half-thinking about this. I'm more bemused by the need to give it a title than anything else. I've always been aware of the joy of walking. Before I became disabled I would always walk anywhere within a couple of mile radius, unless I was carrying heavy, bulky things with me, making it impractical. Not walking has been a source of great upset for me. Nowadays I'm unable to walk more than a few yards, and that more of a hobble. This is part of the reason I take so much pleasure in my trips in my Mean Machine, electric scooter.
As I went along to church, I was thinking about what made the journey so special. The actual act of walking I don't think is essential - just as well in my case. But it is important to be out in the fresh air, so you can receive all the sensory input of the trip.
As you go along at pedestrian pace, you can discover the world around you. You see the gardens & how they have progressed from when you were last there, see the wildlife around be they avian or mammal, even see the eyesores of litter. Meet neighbours & fellow walkers. Hear the birds, dogs & traffic. Smell the flowers, the freshly mown lawns, the saltiness of the sea, the stench of blocked drains. You can feel the breeze in your hair & the sun (or rain) on your skin. You become a part of the environment in a way you never can be cocooned in a car or other vehicle.
I'm not suggesting giving up motorised traffic entirely. Walking several days to get to the nearest airport is ridiculous. And we're certainly not intending to walk from here to London to see a show! Life is far to busy for most people to walk everywhere, but for shorter distances it doesn't take that much longer & does help you appreciate the world in which you live.
I just never thought I pursued such a grand hobby as psychogeography before. I just simply enjoy a stroll!
People, it seems, are re-discovering the joys of walking, not just the physical aspect, the psychological benefits of it too. A regular rambler, normally a walker in the countryside, set off from his own home, & found the pleasure of just discovering the environment in which he lived. He discovered neighbours & wildlife he'd never been aware of despite having lived in the area for many years.
Later I went along to church on the Mean Machine, half-thinking about this. I'm more bemused by the need to give it a title than anything else. I've always been aware of the joy of walking. Before I became disabled I would always walk anywhere within a couple of mile radius, unless I was carrying heavy, bulky things with me, making it impractical. Not walking has been a source of great upset for me. Nowadays I'm unable to walk more than a few yards, and that more of a hobble. This is part of the reason I take so much pleasure in my trips in my Mean Machine, electric scooter.
As I went along to church, I was thinking about what made the journey so special. The actual act of walking I don't think is essential - just as well in my case. But it is important to be out in the fresh air, so you can receive all the sensory input of the trip.
As you go along at pedestrian pace, you can discover the world around you. You see the gardens & how they have progressed from when you were last there, see the wildlife around be they avian or mammal, even see the eyesores of litter. Meet neighbours & fellow walkers. Hear the birds, dogs & traffic. Smell the flowers, the freshly mown lawns, the saltiness of the sea, the stench of blocked drains. You can feel the breeze in your hair & the sun (or rain) on your skin. You become a part of the environment in a way you never can be cocooned in a car or other vehicle.
I'm not suggesting giving up motorised traffic entirely. Walking several days to get to the nearest airport is ridiculous. And we're certainly not intending to walk from here to London to see a show! Life is far to busy for most people to walk everywhere, but for shorter distances it doesn't take that much longer & does help you appreciate the world in which you live.
I just never thought I pursued such a grand hobby as psychogeography before. I just simply enjoy a stroll!
Friday 19 March 2010
Preserving
It's not often I feel the urge to do some preserving. On the whole I feel you can buy some perfectly adequate ones, even if they're not so distinctive ones, ready made for considerably less price. However, today the urge has overcome me. The kitchen is full of the smell of vinegar. I'm having a go at making my own version of tomato ketchup. At present it looks very thin, but in another hour's time, it hopefully should be looking much thicker & more interesting. It certainly should be quite spicy with the amount of cayenne & other spices I've put into it.
The Fox thinks I'm nuts. After all we don't use that much tomato ketchup, & when we do, it's usually mixed in with other ingredients so you won't taste the difference. I'm hoping he'll change his opinion when he tastes the end result. I'm sure what's put in the bottle/jar will last. It's got plenty of sugar & vinegar to preserve it. And it may just be the sort of extra special sauce that we would like to use more often.
The recipe is from "The Olio Cookery Book" which the Fox has referred to a few times in his blog. This ancient cookbook, dating from the early fifties & the time of post war rationing in this country, has sayings on the bottom of the page. Often I'm left bemused by what they mean. Today's saying is "Depend not on fortune, but conduct". Now what does that mean?
I'm also bemused by a recipe on the facing page for Top Hole Sauce. What an earth is that? It gives no quantities. It seems to be a mixture of vinegar, salt, spices, sugar, anchovies, onions & mashed potatoes. Odd. It sounds a bit like mashed potatoes flavoured with Worcestershire sauce. It just says to make a nice consistency, so maybe there's supposed to be less potato so the potato is just used as a thickening agent. Your guess is as good as mine. The thought on that page continues the fortune theme with "Seek fortune, do not wait for a stroke of luck".
The Fox thinks I'm nuts. After all we don't use that much tomato ketchup, & when we do, it's usually mixed in with other ingredients so you won't taste the difference. I'm hoping he'll change his opinion when he tastes the end result. I'm sure what's put in the bottle/jar will last. It's got plenty of sugar & vinegar to preserve it. And it may just be the sort of extra special sauce that we would like to use more often.
The recipe is from "The Olio Cookery Book" which the Fox has referred to a few times in his blog. This ancient cookbook, dating from the early fifties & the time of post war rationing in this country, has sayings on the bottom of the page. Often I'm left bemused by what they mean. Today's saying is "Depend not on fortune, but conduct". Now what does that mean?
I'm also bemused by a recipe on the facing page for Top Hole Sauce. What an earth is that? It gives no quantities. It seems to be a mixture of vinegar, salt, spices, sugar, anchovies, onions & mashed potatoes. Odd. It sounds a bit like mashed potatoes flavoured with Worcestershire sauce. It just says to make a nice consistency, so maybe there's supposed to be less potato so the potato is just used as a thickening agent. Your guess is as good as mine. The thought on that page continues the fortune theme with "Seek fortune, do not wait for a stroke of luck".
Thursday 18 March 2010
Down to the fish shop
I'm just back from a trip down to the fish shop on the Mean Machine, my electric scooter. It was quite a balmy trip there. The sun shone. The tide was on its way in. By the time I came back, the weather had changed. The sky had clouded over. The water was much further in. The wind was getting up, the sea roughening with white horses. I was glad I'd wrapped up well with boots & gloves.
On the journey I was struck by yet another sign of the coming spring. The black-headed gulls were whirling around. Most were in their summer plumage, a few still in transition.
I've never understood why they're called black-headed gulls when their summer heads are a dark chocolate brown, not black. I suppose from a distance it is may be easy to think of them as black-headed as then you are only aware of the heads as being very dark. Or maybe it relates more to their winter plumage when their head are white, with a dark mark behind their eyes, too small to distinguish the real colour. Whatever the reason that's their name.
On the journey I was struck by yet another sign of the coming spring. The black-headed gulls were whirling around. Most were in their summer plumage, a few still in transition.
I've never understood why they're called black-headed gulls when their summer heads are a dark chocolate brown, not black. I suppose from a distance it is may be easy to think of them as black-headed as then you are only aware of the heads as being very dark. Or maybe it relates more to their winter plumage when their head are white, with a dark mark behind their eyes, too small to distinguish the real colour. Whatever the reason that's their name.
Wednesday 17 March 2010
Eager eaters
I've just finished making a chicken curry for dinner tonight.
As usual I cut off any visible fat & put it out for the birds. It didn't take long for Mr & Mrs Blackbird to find it. They took it in turns to feed. Yes, I think they're paired off again. The table is rapidly cleared.
I sometimes think our birds keep their beady eyes open to see if I come out of the door & wait to see if I go towards the feeders & tables. If I do, they're always quickly there to check what goodies I've brought them that day.
Still it's a small price to pay. I love to watch them in the garden. They repay my attentions with endless entertainment.
As usual I cut off any visible fat & put it out for the birds. It didn't take long for Mr & Mrs Blackbird to find it. They took it in turns to feed. Yes, I think they're paired off again. The table is rapidly cleared.
I sometimes think our birds keep their beady eyes open to see if I come out of the door & wait to see if I go towards the feeders & tables. If I do, they're always quickly there to check what goodies I've brought them that day.
Still it's a small price to pay. I love to watch them in the garden. They repay my attentions with endless entertainment.
Tuesday 16 March 2010
Late spring
It's official. Spring is late this year. I rather guessed that just looking out of the window, but now it's official with a lack of daffodils in the Lake Distract & a lack of blossoms in southern woodlands. I can't say I'm surprised. We do seem to have had a long, severe winter this year.
At church, the lady who bought the daffodils for the Mothering Sunday posies muttered about the price of the daffodils. Most years she spends £18, but this year it was £42, and slightly fewer flowers too.
I couldn't help thinking that was not surprising. Just look around you. By this time, even in the north of England I expect the daffs to be in bud, with the first few opening out. Last week, when I was out in the garden, I became aware of the first long green blades of the daffodil leaves but no buds. That being so these daffs must have been grown in warmer climes or under glass. There's no way they would be grown locally.
Now, today, the news is reporting the lack of blossom & buds in woodland & hedgerow. Again I'm not surprised. I am aware you can just see the odd leaf bud but they are very tightly closed. No actual sign of greenness.
The only real signs of spring so far have been the snowdrops (usually out in January, this year February) & the crocuses. The days have got longer, & on sunny days, warmer during the daytime, although still freezing at night. The birds seem to have got the idea of spring, being in the process of mating & nest-building. By the time eggs are hatched I daresay the plants will be bursting into life, catching up on the year, providing food for the new life.
At church, the lady who bought the daffodils for the Mothering Sunday posies muttered about the price of the daffodils. Most years she spends £18, but this year it was £42, and slightly fewer flowers too.
I couldn't help thinking that was not surprising. Just look around you. By this time, even in the north of England I expect the daffs to be in bud, with the first few opening out. Last week, when I was out in the garden, I became aware of the first long green blades of the daffodil leaves but no buds. That being so these daffs must have been grown in warmer climes or under glass. There's no way they would be grown locally.
Now, today, the news is reporting the lack of blossom & buds in woodland & hedgerow. Again I'm not surprised. I am aware you can just see the odd leaf bud but they are very tightly closed. No actual sign of greenness.
The only real signs of spring so far have been the snowdrops (usually out in January, this year February) & the crocuses. The days have got longer, & on sunny days, warmer during the daytime, although still freezing at night. The birds seem to have got the idea of spring, being in the process of mating & nest-building. By the time eggs are hatched I daresay the plants will be bursting into life, catching up on the year, providing food for the new life.
Monday 15 March 2010
This & that
It's another quiet morning. Just some eggs to boil. We're having a variation on a kipper kedgeree for dinner. Nice & easy.
We're contemplating a trip over to a garden centre this week. The Fox is beginning to itch to have a go at some more veg this year. He's a bit anxious that they will be unattended in May when we are in France.
I can't see that causing too many problems. As far as I can see the main time when plants need a lot of watering & some feeding is through the summer months when we're intending to be away a weekend perhaps, but that will be the most. Al, our gardener, will no doubt be around in May so he can make sure they have a drink then. If he doesn't get round it will be because it's been so wet, in which case the plants will have plenty to drink anyhow.
We rarely go away in the summer months. Too many screaming children, plus inflated prices, deter us. It's also a pity to miss summer here. It's in the winter we really want to get away, for a bit of sunshine & warmth. This often tends to be more of an autumnal break to boost our batteries for the winter ahead, and/or a spring break to look forward to through the long, dark, cold days of winter. Looking forward to our Riviera trip has certainly kept us going this winter.
But first it's London. That trip will soon be upon us. It's dawned upon me the time has come to have my hair cut & smartened up. Hopefully the new hair look will keep for our France trip too. You can tell I'm not very keen on going to the hairdressers, but the old English sheep dog look is beginning to get to to me.
We're contemplating a trip over to a garden centre this week. The Fox is beginning to itch to have a go at some more veg this year. He's a bit anxious that they will be unattended in May when we are in France.
I can't see that causing too many problems. As far as I can see the main time when plants need a lot of watering & some feeding is through the summer months when we're intending to be away a weekend perhaps, but that will be the most. Al, our gardener, will no doubt be around in May so he can make sure they have a drink then. If he doesn't get round it will be because it's been so wet, in which case the plants will have plenty to drink anyhow.
We rarely go away in the summer months. Too many screaming children, plus inflated prices, deter us. It's also a pity to miss summer here. It's in the winter we really want to get away, for a bit of sunshine & warmth. This often tends to be more of an autumnal break to boost our batteries for the winter ahead, and/or a spring break to look forward to through the long, dark, cold days of winter. Looking forward to our Riviera trip has certainly kept us going this winter.
But first it's London. That trip will soon be upon us. It's dawned upon me the time has come to have my hair cut & smartened up. Hopefully the new hair look will keep for our France trip too. You can tell I'm not very keen on going to the hairdressers, but the old English sheep dog look is beginning to get to to me.
Friday 12 March 2010
New visitor & good(?) food
I was surprised to discover I new visitor to our garden this morning - a wood-pigeon. At first I assumed it was yet another feral pigeon, but somehow it looked different. It looked fat, grey backed, pinky purple breast. Then I noticed on its neck the distinctive white flash with a hint of green above & pinky purple below. Definitely a wood-pigeon.
Otherwise this morning is back to normal. I've already prepared the dinner. Potatoes peeled, sprouts peeled, pork in its sagey breadcrumb coat. All ready for a quick diner tonight.
Last night we watched "Michelin Stars - the Madness of Perfection" on BBC2. I have to confess it confirmed some of my doubts on the starring system.
What is perfection in food? Some food comes beautifully presented but is often not satisfactory as a meal. Equally, so often a dining experience can be spoilt by bad service - either because of too long a wait, or too officious service with the result the flow of conversation is constantly interrupted. Sometimes it's just downright pretentious. For that matter Michelin-starred food is usually too rich to be wanted on a daily basis. But does this make it good or bad? I'm not sure.
My thoughts have been on this matter partially because of our forthcoming trip to London. There are so many Michelin-starred restaurants there. I had wondered as a 60th birthday treat for the Fox we shouldn't try one, the more so when I saw a special price offer in a magazine.
Ultimately I've dismissed the idea. I don't want to book a table. I want us to be able to go where we fancy to eat what we fancy when we fancy it. And that may well be fish & chips or an Indian. Above all I want it to be a meal that is a pleasure where we can enjoy good food & each other's company. It may or may not have stars, but enjoyment is the mark of a good restaurant for me.
Otherwise this morning is back to normal. I've already prepared the dinner. Potatoes peeled, sprouts peeled, pork in its sagey breadcrumb coat. All ready for a quick diner tonight.
Last night we watched "Michelin Stars - the Madness of Perfection" on BBC2. I have to confess it confirmed some of my doubts on the starring system.
What is perfection in food? Some food comes beautifully presented but is often not satisfactory as a meal. Equally, so often a dining experience can be spoilt by bad service - either because of too long a wait, or too officious service with the result the flow of conversation is constantly interrupted. Sometimes it's just downright pretentious. For that matter Michelin-starred food is usually too rich to be wanted on a daily basis. But does this make it good or bad? I'm not sure.
My thoughts have been on this matter partially because of our forthcoming trip to London. There are so many Michelin-starred restaurants there. I had wondered as a 60th birthday treat for the Fox we shouldn't try one, the more so when I saw a special price offer in a magazine.
Ultimately I've dismissed the idea. I don't want to book a table. I want us to be able to go where we fancy to eat what we fancy when we fancy it. And that may well be fish & chips or an Indian. Above all I want it to be a meal that is a pleasure where we can enjoy good food & each other's company. It may or may not have stars, but enjoyment is the mark of a good restaurant for me.
Thursday 11 March 2010
A carpet of flowers
Yet again the ground is frozen solid & white. I venture down to the far end of the garden this morning. The lawn is so hard there's no chance of sinking into its soft bogginess.
Once there, what a sight! In the shade of the great trees is a mass of snowdrops. Last time I made it so far there were only a few, but now there is a whole carpet of these tiny white flowers.
I'm thinking I might transfer a few into the front garden where they are easier to see. I don't often get here to appreciate them. It's too long a walk & the ground is so often waterlogged in between. However, this sight, combined with the brilliant blue sky & sunshine of the day, has lifted my spirits.
I have another quiet morning today. This time I am intending to cook but it is going to be a simple spaghetti carbonara. For that I only need to get some bacon out of the freezer to thaw in time. Everything else has to be done last minute.
So maybe I'll get a bit more tidying done in the garden today as well. I enjoyed getting a little done yesterday.
Once there, what a sight! In the shade of the great trees is a mass of snowdrops. Last time I made it so far there were only a few, but now there is a whole carpet of these tiny white flowers.
I'm thinking I might transfer a few into the front garden where they are easier to see. I don't often get here to appreciate them. It's too long a walk & the ground is so often waterlogged in between. However, this sight, combined with the brilliant blue sky & sunshine of the day, has lifted my spirits.
I have another quiet morning today. This time I am intending to cook but it is going to be a simple spaghetti carbonara. For that I only need to get some bacon out of the freezer to thaw in time. Everything else has to be done last minute.
So maybe I'll get a bit more tidying done in the garden today as well. I enjoyed getting a little done yesterday.
Wednesday 10 March 2010
A quiet morning
It's a quiet morning for me today. The Fox is in charge of dinner. He's making a main course soup - all veg & cannellini beans - followed by a ready made pizza. So there's absolutely nothing for me to do, not even to get the spuds to peel.
It's just as well. Yesterday we got home from the Pub. I got the veg on while I looked at a nice piece of salmon. I got some cream cheese out of the fridge to mix with some cranberries, lemon & garlic to discover the lady I'd asked to reach it down from the high shelf in the supermarket had given me cream cheese with pineapple. I didn't fancy the pineapple with the cranberries & lemon. The Fox hastily popped to the nearest shops while I got on with the rest of the meal. After all the effort I'm relieved to say we both thoroughly enjoyed our baked crusted salmon - beautifully moist & tender.
So what to do this morning? I'm thinking I might finish the Dick Francis novel I'm reading. I've only the last 20 pages to complete. Then, having read a friend's blog on his gardening activities, I'm thinking I may try & get a bit of tidying down in our garden. At the moment the ground is still white from the overnight frost, impossible to pull weeds out of. It is sunny today with a hint of warmth so hopefully in a little while it will have softened a bit. I just hope then it won't be too sodden to walk on.
The last couple of nights, as the twilight has come to an end, we've been serenaded with birdsong. They're definitely on the job of establishing their territories & finding mates for the summer ahead. It's gorgeous to hear.
It's just as well. Yesterday we got home from the Pub. I got the veg on while I looked at a nice piece of salmon. I got some cream cheese out of the fridge to mix with some cranberries, lemon & garlic to discover the lady I'd asked to reach it down from the high shelf in the supermarket had given me cream cheese with pineapple. I didn't fancy the pineapple with the cranberries & lemon. The Fox hastily popped to the nearest shops while I got on with the rest of the meal. After all the effort I'm relieved to say we both thoroughly enjoyed our baked crusted salmon - beautifully moist & tender.
So what to do this morning? I'm thinking I might finish the Dick Francis novel I'm reading. I've only the last 20 pages to complete. Then, having read a friend's blog on his gardening activities, I'm thinking I may try & get a bit of tidying down in our garden. At the moment the ground is still white from the overnight frost, impossible to pull weeds out of. It is sunny today with a hint of warmth so hopefully in a little while it will have softened a bit. I just hope then it won't be too sodden to walk on.
The last couple of nights, as the twilight has come to an end, we've been serenaded with birdsong. They're definitely on the job of establishing their territories & finding mates for the summer ahead. It's gorgeous to hear.
Tuesday 9 March 2010
They're back
They're backing. Over the winter months, our greenfinches had disappeared - to warmer climes if they had any sense. But this morning they were back. Great flashes of yellowy green as they flew to & from the bird feeders. It's great to see them again.
As I was going down to the fish shop this morning, I thought I'd best go on to the pet shop for some more bird food. The last of the sunflower seeds were already in the feeders. And the flock of greenfinches look set to devour them rapidly.
As I went along the prom in the Mean Machine, my electric scooter, I couldn't help remembering everybody's comments at the Pub yesterday. I think everyone had come in and exclaimed over the sheer beauty of the bay. The water was so still & so blue, the fells crisply defined across the other side, looking almost alpine in their snowy white coats.
This morning the light was different. As I went along, to the left, the water side, a heavy black cloud glowered. Below this was a brilliant icy-looking blue/green strip glowed, followed by the white of the fells. To my left, inland, the sky was totally different. Here it was bright, deep blue with the occasional puffs of white cloud. I wondered which sky would win. By the time I was homeward bound I knew the answer - the sunny side. The heavy black cloud had disappeared & been replaced with an inch-thick layer of white cloud.
It's good to be alive on such a day.
As I was going down to the fish shop this morning, I thought I'd best go on to the pet shop for some more bird food. The last of the sunflower seeds were already in the feeders. And the flock of greenfinches look set to devour them rapidly.
As I went along the prom in the Mean Machine, my electric scooter, I couldn't help remembering everybody's comments at the Pub yesterday. I think everyone had come in and exclaimed over the sheer beauty of the bay. The water was so still & so blue, the fells crisply defined across the other side, looking almost alpine in their snowy white coats.
This morning the light was different. As I went along, to the left, the water side, a heavy black cloud glowered. Below this was a brilliant icy-looking blue/green strip glowed, followed by the white of the fells. To my left, inland, the sky was totally different. Here it was bright, deep blue with the occasional puffs of white cloud. I wondered which sky would win. By the time I was homeward bound I knew the answer - the sunny side. The heavy black cloud had disappeared & been replaced with an inch-thick layer of white cloud.
It's good to be alive on such a day.
Monday 8 March 2010
A plea for fairness
I have to admit the news has really been getting to me. If I hear one more thing about Jon Venables I think I'll scream.
As far as I can understand this young man is once more in prison. From the press & the fuss you would think he has been found guilty of another terrible crime. But at this stage we don't even know for certain if he's accused of anything serious. He could just have dropped some litter.
Even if he has been arrested for a serious crime, he hasn't been tried. We have no idea if he is innocent or not. He may be innocent but with all this press coverage he's not going to get a fair impartial trial. And meanwhile his fellow prisoners may realise who he is and beat him up or some such behaviour.
The killing of baby Bulger was 17 years ago. Surely this man has grown up & may have developed into quite a different person. Would you want to be judged for what you were as a 10 year old? I'm not sure I would.
One thing is certain is that he won't have had a normal childhood. It must have taken a lot of readjustment to the real world outside prison. And if this is the sort of reaction of a fair society, he won't have had much help in making the readjustment. I just hope the second child involved in the Bulger murder, isn't to be hounded, not because of his actions now, but because of the actions of Venables.
Please don't get me wrong. Anyone who has committed a crime should be punished. If there is to be a trial, the past behaviour of Venables may have relevance. But it is then, and only then, that his identity should be revealed. And if he is found guilty, it is then, and only then, that he should be condemned.
Part of the point of prison is to rehabilitate, & afterwards to give a second chance. This is particularly pertinent for 10 year olds as Venables & his partner in crime were at the time of the horrific Bulger murder. Any children change as they mature, hopefully for the better, even those in prison. At 10 they are young enough to change.
As far as I can understand this young man is once more in prison. From the press & the fuss you would think he has been found guilty of another terrible crime. But at this stage we don't even know for certain if he's accused of anything serious. He could just have dropped some litter.
Even if he has been arrested for a serious crime, he hasn't been tried. We have no idea if he is innocent or not. He may be innocent but with all this press coverage he's not going to get a fair impartial trial. And meanwhile his fellow prisoners may realise who he is and beat him up or some such behaviour.
The killing of baby Bulger was 17 years ago. Surely this man has grown up & may have developed into quite a different person. Would you want to be judged for what you were as a 10 year old? I'm not sure I would.
One thing is certain is that he won't have had a normal childhood. It must have taken a lot of readjustment to the real world outside prison. And if this is the sort of reaction of a fair society, he won't have had much help in making the readjustment. I just hope the second child involved in the Bulger murder, isn't to be hounded, not because of his actions now, but because of the actions of Venables.
Please don't get me wrong. Anyone who has committed a crime should be punished. If there is to be a trial, the past behaviour of Venables may have relevance. But it is then, and only then, that his identity should be revealed. And if he is found guilty, it is then, and only then, that he should be condemned.
Part of the point of prison is to rehabilitate, & afterwards to give a second chance. This is particularly pertinent for 10 year olds as Venables & his partner in crime were at the time of the horrific Bulger murder. Any children change as they mature, hopefully for the better, even those in prison. At 10 they are young enough to change.
Saturday 6 March 2010
Fresh shoots of spring
I've just been having a look at our bog garden. I'm anxious whether any of the plants we put in last year have survived.
The dogwood has looked healthy all winter. Their brightly coloured stems bringing some cheer to the mud patch. I've even been wondering if we shouldn't just fill the whole garden with a range of dogwoods of different size & colour. Even bare colourful stems help to hide the fence behind. And some varieties grow tall enough to hide some of the houses behind.
This morning, though, I was rewarded by the sight of a few, very fresh, reddish leaves emerging from the mud. The ligularia is coming out of its winter sleep. The at present red leaves will turn more chocolaty as the season progresses. So that's some more plants that have survived.
There's still no sign of life in the hydrangea. I'm particularly anxious about this. It seemed to droop very quickly when the bog became a lake rather than a mud patch. It would be a pity, partially because this was the big central plant, & also because the flowers were a gorgeous shade of blue. It was also the most expensive single plant.
There's no sign of the globe plants either.
I'm telling myself it is still early in the growing year. I'm just being impatient. We're not really out of winter yet. We've certainly not got beyond the season of ice & frost. That will be another month or so.
Meanwhile I'm starting to see signs of new life elsewhere in the garden. The new shoots of chives are pushing up through the soil. The fennel is looking so fluffy, at least near the ground. The crocuses & snowdrops are in flower. The birds are madly partnering off & flying around with twiggery in their beaks.
Spring is definitely on its way, if a bit hesitant at the moment.
The dogwood has looked healthy all winter. Their brightly coloured stems bringing some cheer to the mud patch. I've even been wondering if we shouldn't just fill the whole garden with a range of dogwoods of different size & colour. Even bare colourful stems help to hide the fence behind. And some varieties grow tall enough to hide some of the houses behind.
This morning, though, I was rewarded by the sight of a few, very fresh, reddish leaves emerging from the mud. The ligularia is coming out of its winter sleep. The at present red leaves will turn more chocolaty as the season progresses. So that's some more plants that have survived.
There's still no sign of life in the hydrangea. I'm particularly anxious about this. It seemed to droop very quickly when the bog became a lake rather than a mud patch. It would be a pity, partially because this was the big central plant, & also because the flowers were a gorgeous shade of blue. It was also the most expensive single plant.
There's no sign of the globe plants either.
I'm telling myself it is still early in the growing year. I'm just being impatient. We're not really out of winter yet. We've certainly not got beyond the season of ice & frost. That will be another month or so.
Meanwhile I'm starting to see signs of new life elsewhere in the garden. The new shoots of chives are pushing up through the soil. The fennel is looking so fluffy, at least near the ground. The crocuses & snowdrops are in flower. The birds are madly partnering off & flying around with twiggery in their beaks.
Spring is definitely on its way, if a bit hesitant at the moment.
Friday 5 March 2010
All arranged
The thing about having a bright & sunny day at this time of year is that it tends to be followed by an absolutely freezing night. Last night was no exception. Once more I got up to a frosty white morning. I had a look at the thermometer outside. Again it read -11C. Brr... But the morning is staying bright which is some compensation.
As the Fox's readers will know, we've finally got our train tickets sorted. Now I just have to let Virgin Trains know I will need assistance at the stations. I just hope the journey goes as well as everyone tells us. The pessimistic part of me suspects the worst, but there's no harm in hoping. We've done as much as we can to make it easy.
I have to confess it still amazes me that it's taken nearly a month to organise a weekend away. I just hope it will be worth it. The hotel sounds as though it should be a bit of luxury, unlike the noisy place we stayed at in Liverpool. The show should be inspiring. And London will still be an exciting city to visit.
I'm telling myself if it is a success, & we fancy going again some time, it should be easier. Now I have my railcard. We've located helpful websites. We know where to find the info we need.
But oh, the simplicity of my last trip to London. Turn up at the station, buy a return ticket, straight down to London, fabulous day out (job interview, Monet's "Water Lily Pond", Westminster Abbey) then back on an early evening train. All I needed before I set out was the train time. Easy. And I never realised just how easy at the time!
As the Fox's readers will know, we've finally got our train tickets sorted. Now I just have to let Virgin Trains know I will need assistance at the stations. I just hope the journey goes as well as everyone tells us. The pessimistic part of me suspects the worst, but there's no harm in hoping. We've done as much as we can to make it easy.
I have to confess it still amazes me that it's taken nearly a month to organise a weekend away. I just hope it will be worth it. The hotel sounds as though it should be a bit of luxury, unlike the noisy place we stayed at in Liverpool. The show should be inspiring. And London will still be an exciting city to visit.
I'm telling myself if it is a success, & we fancy going again some time, it should be easier. Now I have my railcard. We've located helpful websites. We know where to find the info we need.
But oh, the simplicity of my last trip to London. Turn up at the station, buy a return ticket, straight down to London, fabulous day out (job interview, Monet's "Water Lily Pond", Westminster Abbey) then back on an early evening train. All I needed before I set out was the train time. Easy. And I never realised just how easy at the time!
Thursday 4 March 2010
The washing seems to have dried quickly this week. I'm taking it as a sign of increasing warmth. I've even been getting the ironing done today, earlier in the week than our winter norm.
The sun has returned again today. Yesterday's sun was purely the metaphorical sun brought about by a highly successful culinary experiment - crispy monkfish & scallop kebabs. That put us both into a good mood.
Today the Fox is in charge of the cooking. He's making a simple bacon & tomato sauce to accompany some pasta bows. It's an old favourite which he has rarely done so still seems adventurous to him. At times, though, old favourites are very welcome.
Meanwhile I'll continue working down the freezer contents list. The next item is smoked duck breast. Now, I wonder what I can do with that. Adapt a smoked chicken flan recipe, perhaps? Or how about warming it up in some green ginger gravy? I'll have to put my thinking cap on.
The sun has returned again today. Yesterday's sun was purely the metaphorical sun brought about by a highly successful culinary experiment - crispy monkfish & scallop kebabs. That put us both into a good mood.
Today the Fox is in charge of the cooking. He's making a simple bacon & tomato sauce to accompany some pasta bows. It's an old favourite which he has rarely done so still seems adventurous to him. At times, though, old favourites are very welcome.
Meanwhile I'll continue working down the freezer contents list. The next item is smoked duck breast. Now, I wonder what I can do with that. Adapt a smoked chicken flan recipe, perhaps? Or how about warming it up in some green ginger gravy? I'll have to put my thinking cap on.
Wednesday 3 March 2010
A bit of sunshine
It's amazing what a bit of sunshine can do. It raises the morale of all.
Even before we left the house, my spirits rose just from the sight of the golden crocuses in full bloom in the front garden. So cheery as they seemed to reflect back the sun.
We toodled along the prom to the Pub. The water was an intense bright blue. Across the bay, the snow-capped fells seemed to be standing more erect, more to attention. The odd brightly painted boat bobbed on the gently moving waters.
We had a quiet drink or two, doing the Times puzzles with PD. They seemed so much easier than they had been on Monday.
On the way back we stopped at Morrisons. I found the monkfish & scallops I'd been looking for for weeks - I'd concluded we'd have to make a special trip into Lancaster Market, where there's a good fish stall. We hastily got some. We're having them for dinner tonight.
As we went round the store we bumped into our church's lay preacher & her husband. They stopped to pass a few cheery words.
Eventually we got to the till. Even here, the lady was filled with good cheer, enthusing about the sunshine even though she was stuck inside working. It's nice when staff can relax sufficiently to be humans rather than automatons.
Today once more the world is looking grey, the light flat, but it has been great to have a couple of days of blue skies with a hint of warmth on the skin if you've been able to be in the sun. A real tonic for the spirits. Roll on spring.
Even before we left the house, my spirits rose just from the sight of the golden crocuses in full bloom in the front garden. So cheery as they seemed to reflect back the sun.
We toodled along the prom to the Pub. The water was an intense bright blue. Across the bay, the snow-capped fells seemed to be standing more erect, more to attention. The odd brightly painted boat bobbed on the gently moving waters.
We had a quiet drink or two, doing the Times puzzles with PD. They seemed so much easier than they had been on Monday.
On the way back we stopped at Morrisons. I found the monkfish & scallops I'd been looking for for weeks - I'd concluded we'd have to make a special trip into Lancaster Market, where there's a good fish stall. We hastily got some. We're having them for dinner tonight.
As we went round the store we bumped into our church's lay preacher & her husband. They stopped to pass a few cheery words.
Eventually we got to the till. Even here, the lady was filled with good cheer, enthusing about the sunshine even though she was stuck inside working. It's nice when staff can relax sufficiently to be humans rather than automatons.
Today once more the world is looking grey, the light flat, but it has been great to have a couple of days of blue skies with a hint of warmth on the skin if you've been able to be in the sun. A real tonic for the spirits. Roll on spring.
Tuesday 2 March 2010
Paeon to a simpler life
Once upon a time it was possible just to pop down to the railway station, buy a ticket & be away. Life seems so much simpler in those pre-privatisation times. Now I feel bombarded by a whole array of options.
I accept part of the difficulty arises from me using a wheelchair. This means I will have to notify the train company that we will need assistance at the stations. The Fox seems to think we will only need a small overnight bag so he'll be able to push, but I can't help thinking we may need something more than that. Usually when we go away for a couple of nights we do only take a small overnight bag. And a carrier bag with sandals & books, & a bed cradle, &.... Everything will have to go in this one bag to London. What is more, we're staying in a rather posh hotel where we may feel a bit more comfortable looking a bit smarter in the evening rather than being in our scruff all day long, especially if we were to decide to go the whole hog & eat in the restaurant one evening.
Then comes the question of ticket. There seems to be only one direct provider of trains on the route we want, Virgin Rail. At least that much is easy.
But, do we turn up on the day & get 50% off the full price as I am a wheelchair user? Or do I buy a disabled railcard at £18, which would get us a third off even the cheapest tickets? Would I be saving the £18? Admittedly the railcard would be valid for all trips within 12 months, but would we want to travel by train again? This is the first time I will have got on a train for at least 20 years. The reality of train travel with a wheelchair may turn out to be more difficult than we're told. It may be as bad as we have feared all these years, despite the introduction of anti-discrimination laws.
Certainly I can see the advantage of getting advance tickets. That way the Fox can ensure getting a seat. A friend recently came back from holiday & ended up standing all the way from Gatwick to Manchester, not an appealing proposition for the Fox.
On top of which, if I do get a railcard, advance tickets are cheaper.
Oh why do things have to be so complicated? I tell myself it's known as progress. In theory it should mean we can travel cheaper. After all we're not limited to times as to when we go, but it does add complexity.
I accept part of the difficulty arises from me using a wheelchair. This means I will have to notify the train company that we will need assistance at the stations. The Fox seems to think we will only need a small overnight bag so he'll be able to push, but I can't help thinking we may need something more than that. Usually when we go away for a couple of nights we do only take a small overnight bag. And a carrier bag with sandals & books, & a bed cradle, &.... Everything will have to go in this one bag to London. What is more, we're staying in a rather posh hotel where we may feel a bit more comfortable looking a bit smarter in the evening rather than being in our scruff all day long, especially if we were to decide to go the whole hog & eat in the restaurant one evening.
Then comes the question of ticket. There seems to be only one direct provider of trains on the route we want, Virgin Rail. At least that much is easy.
But, do we turn up on the day & get 50% off the full price as I am a wheelchair user? Or do I buy a disabled railcard at £18, which would get us a third off even the cheapest tickets? Would I be saving the £18? Admittedly the railcard would be valid for all trips within 12 months, but would we want to travel by train again? This is the first time I will have got on a train for at least 20 years. The reality of train travel with a wheelchair may turn out to be more difficult than we're told. It may be as bad as we have feared all these years, despite the introduction of anti-discrimination laws.
Certainly I can see the advantage of getting advance tickets. That way the Fox can ensure getting a seat. A friend recently came back from holiday & ended up standing all the way from Gatwick to Manchester, not an appealing proposition for the Fox.
On top of which, if I do get a railcard, advance tickets are cheaper.
Oh why do things have to be so complicated? I tell myself it's known as progress. In theory it should mean we can travel cheaper. After all we're not limited to times as to when we go, but it does add complexity.
Monday 1 March 2010
Blind belief & faith
I actually managed to get to church yesterday. Second time this year!
The sermon discussed the difference between "blind belief" & "faith".
The former he reckoned is unquestioning belief where everything is accepted hook, line & sinker. The problem with this sort of belief is that, in times of trouble (& they come to us all), they can be easily shaken because there is no basis for the belief. Indeed the whole object of belief is often completely thrown out as it failed to solve the problem instantly.
Faith, however, the priest reckoned, is more akin to doubt. Questions are asked, answers sought. Only then is there belief, faith. This form of belief is strong because so many questions have already been asked & yet the belief has remained. Sometimes the faith has continued despite no answers having been found & yet a certainty in the veracity of the object of faith remains. In times of trouble it survives because, although it may give no instant answers, there is trust that ultimately there will be.
I found this sermon quite reassuring. I sometimes question the strength of my faith, even its reality, yet I never question the reality of God. It's reassuring to know this priest, too, has his doubts, his questions, &, too, his faith.
We're having an interregnum at our church at present. The quality of priest is variable. Most are retired &, one suspects, should remain retired. But this priest I like. He reminds me of Roger Livesey in the film "A Matter of Life and Death". He seems a very amiable man, with little affectation, & yet he also strikes me as a very intelligent man with a deep insight into his fellow mankind. I always come away with some grain to mull over for a while.
The sermon discussed the difference between "blind belief" & "faith".
The former he reckoned is unquestioning belief where everything is accepted hook, line & sinker. The problem with this sort of belief is that, in times of trouble (& they come to us all), they can be easily shaken because there is no basis for the belief. Indeed the whole object of belief is often completely thrown out as it failed to solve the problem instantly.
Faith, however, the priest reckoned, is more akin to doubt. Questions are asked, answers sought. Only then is there belief, faith. This form of belief is strong because so many questions have already been asked & yet the belief has remained. Sometimes the faith has continued despite no answers having been found & yet a certainty in the veracity of the object of faith remains. In times of trouble it survives because, although it may give no instant answers, there is trust that ultimately there will be.
I found this sermon quite reassuring. I sometimes question the strength of my faith, even its reality, yet I never question the reality of God. It's reassuring to know this priest, too, has his doubts, his questions, &, too, his faith.
We're having an interregnum at our church at present. The quality of priest is variable. Most are retired &, one suspects, should remain retired. But this priest I like. He reminds me of Roger Livesey in the film "A Matter of Life and Death". He seems a very amiable man, with little affectation, & yet he also strikes me as a very intelligent man with a deep insight into his fellow mankind. I always come away with some grain to mull over for a while.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)