Do excuse me if I seem a little distracted today. It's one of those days when you wait & worry.
At the moment I'm waiting for the man to come to take the car away for its service & MOT. Hopefully it will be back in time for this evening. My wheelchair is in the boot &, without that, going out for a meal will be difficult. It will certainly painful, probably impossible. And with a service & MOT, there is always anxiety over the cost. With some cars we've had, it always seems to have been expensive, in the hundreds of pounds. This car has done better - maybe due to the good one-man garage we've found to do it - but you never know. The Fox suspects we need some new tyres. If he's right that will instantly up the cost.
The other cause of anxiety is the Fox himself. Yesterday he sank under the weight of cold. He's even having difficulty breathing as it's all gone on his chest. I'm fearing we will be pulling out of the meal tonight. If he's in the state today that he was in yesterday, we will not be going. It's not worth it if he is too distressed to taste the food or enjoy the company. A pity. We had been looking forward to a trip to Ricky's (somehow that very name gives me shades of Casablanca! I half expect to meet Bogey there!).
We'll see, but at the moment I write with one eye out of the window looking out for the car mechanic's arrival. Then I will tackle the question of whether to prepare some dinner for tonight, &, if so, what. I'm just not sure. I'm just hoping the Fox is more himself today.
Monday 31 January 2011
Sunday 30 January 2011
Counting birds
So yesterday I spent a while trying to watch & count the birds. It wasn't the most successful effort.
Part of the problem was that it was a really bright day. I sat at the window in the kitchen door, trying to look out. In the glass I could see clearly reflected the marg tub & shiny glasses drying on the draining board. Then there was the reflection of the socket on the wall, not to mention myself, & the light green cardigan I was wearing. I had to sit at an odd angle as otherwise I was blinded by the brilliant yellow ball in the sky, known as the sun.
As for the garden, it was either brilliantly lit or blackest shade. The contrast was difficult to adjust to. So often I saw a bird fly into the shade. By the time my eyes had adjusted to the extreme black the bird had flown away again. Or else I just caught sight of some movement, but again by the time my eyes had adjusted to the contrasting light, the source of the movement had disappeared. Frustrating to say the least.
The last straw came when a smoky grey cat appeared. Instantly all the birds flew off.They were just returning when a black & white cat appeared. The birds flew off again. By this time I just gave up.
So this morning, I sat & listened to "The Archers" omnibus, a glass of pineapple juice at hand, bird book & binoculars at the ready. It's a much less contrasty day today. I enjoyed my sit and did my counting. It would have helped if the starlings sat still instead of constantly moving. I did eventually manage to count 24 of them, all of whom I'm confident of being separate individuals. Our bird tally has gone up on the goldfinches this year, but down on house sparrows. Most days the latter appear regular as clockwork but not this weekend. C'est la vie!
Meanwhile, on another front, we've organised our overnight stay & parking at Manchester airport. £54.90 for the two of us as opposed to over £100 return taxi fare. A bargain.
But bad news has also come. All day yesterday the Fox felt under the weather. His voice sounded rough. He suspected flu on the way. By the time he came to bed last night, he'd worsened & concluded he had a bad cold. We're supposed to be going out for the end-of-the-month meal at Ricky's Cantonese restaurant tomorrow. It's beginning to look as though we might be crying off, even though I've booked the table in my name. Still I'm sure the others will enjoy the meal.
Part of the problem was that it was a really bright day. I sat at the window in the kitchen door, trying to look out. In the glass I could see clearly reflected the marg tub & shiny glasses drying on the draining board. Then there was the reflection of the socket on the wall, not to mention myself, & the light green cardigan I was wearing. I had to sit at an odd angle as otherwise I was blinded by the brilliant yellow ball in the sky, known as the sun.
As for the garden, it was either brilliantly lit or blackest shade. The contrast was difficult to adjust to. So often I saw a bird fly into the shade. By the time my eyes had adjusted to the extreme black the bird had flown away again. Or else I just caught sight of some movement, but again by the time my eyes had adjusted to the contrasting light, the source of the movement had disappeared. Frustrating to say the least.
The last straw came when a smoky grey cat appeared. Instantly all the birds flew off.They were just returning when a black & white cat appeared. The birds flew off again. By this time I just gave up.
So this morning, I sat & listened to "The Archers" omnibus, a glass of pineapple juice at hand, bird book & binoculars at the ready. It's a much less contrasty day today. I enjoyed my sit and did my counting. It would have helped if the starlings sat still instead of constantly moving. I did eventually manage to count 24 of them, all of whom I'm confident of being separate individuals. Our bird tally has gone up on the goldfinches this year, but down on house sparrows. Most days the latter appear regular as clockwork but not this weekend. C'est la vie!
Meanwhile, on another front, we've organised our overnight stay & parking at Manchester airport. £54.90 for the two of us as opposed to over £100 return taxi fare. A bargain.
But bad news has also come. All day yesterday the Fox felt under the weather. His voice sounded rough. He suspected flu on the way. By the time he came to bed last night, he'd worsened & concluded he had a bad cold. We're supposed to be going out for the end-of-the-month meal at Ricky's Cantonese restaurant tomorrow. It's beginning to look as though we might be crying off, even though I've booked the table in my name. Still I'm sure the others will enjoy the meal.
Thursday 27 January 2011
Big Garden Birdwatch
I've just realised it's the Big Garden Birdwatch this weekend. They don't seem to have done as good a job of advertising the event as usual. Most years I get a letter from the RSPB (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds) reminding me of the date (& also an encouragement for me to make a donation to their charity). I also usually see full page adverts in magazines I read, but this year I've seen none. I will admit I did have a look at their website as I had an itch telling me it was that time of the year. Then this morning, on the "Today" programme on BBC Radio4, there was a little item on it. Anyhow, this weekend, at some point I have an excuse to sit for an hour at the kitchen door, looking through the window, binoculars, bird book & a mug of tea on the counter beside me.
I can already guess some of the visitors. The starlings have been very regular since we had the turkey last weekend. The stalwarts always are around. They include the collared doves, the blackbirds, tits of various kinds, the sparrows & usually a magpie puts in an appearance. Other visitors are a bit more variable. It would be great if that woodpecker returned but there's not be any sign since I last wrote.
But first, today, we're off to the Farmers' Market. We defrosted the freezer at the weekend. Now it's looking remarkably empty. Time for a stock up of good quality meats, even though I am going through of fish phase. Tuesday was smoked haddock, yesterday salmon & today is going to be either mackerel or cod. We do enjoy our fish.
I can already guess some of the visitors. The starlings have been very regular since we had the turkey last weekend. The stalwarts always are around. They include the collared doves, the blackbirds, tits of various kinds, the sparrows & usually a magpie puts in an appearance. Other visitors are a bit more variable. It would be great if that woodpecker returned but there's not be any sign since I last wrote.
But first, today, we're off to the Farmers' Market. We defrosted the freezer at the weekend. Now it's looking remarkably empty. Time for a stock up of good quality meats, even though I am going through of fish phase. Tuesday was smoked haddock, yesterday salmon & today is going to be either mackerel or cod. We do enjoy our fish.
Wednesday 26 January 2011
A good fish day
It's a good fish day. That's my conclusion. I'm just back from a quick trip down to the fishmonger's. I went on the Mean Machine, my electric scooter. My, was it cold! At the moment I'm having a tea break to thaw out before getting on with preparing this evening's meal, some spicy salmon patties.
As usual I went along the promenade. The tide was way out. Wet sands stretched for miles across the bay to Barrow. Through the sand weaved bright bands of blue as the rivers edged their ways through to the sea.
My eye was suddenly caught by an odd sight. As the sea reached one sandbank far out in the bay, there seemed to be a great wave crashing down, yet the sea, such as I could see, was absolutely still.
I looked closer. Is it the bore tide starting its way up the estuary? No. I finally realised it wasn't water at all.
It was birds, a whole flock of them. They were flying close to the surface of the shallow water, presumably fishing as they did. As they came over the drier sand, they lifted up to the sky, showing their whiteness, curling round to once more fly close to the surface of the incoming sea. There presumably must be a large shoal of fish just there, that was attracting their attention.
I continued on my way. When I came back a little later the birds were gone. A few remained bobbing on top of the surface of the water, but no longer this whirling spray of activity. They made the trip even more worthwhile.
As usual I went along the promenade. The tide was way out. Wet sands stretched for miles across the bay to Barrow. Through the sand weaved bright bands of blue as the rivers edged their ways through to the sea.
My eye was suddenly caught by an odd sight. As the sea reached one sandbank far out in the bay, there seemed to be a great wave crashing down, yet the sea, such as I could see, was absolutely still.
I looked closer. Is it the bore tide starting its way up the estuary? No. I finally realised it wasn't water at all.
It was birds, a whole flock of them. They were flying close to the surface of the shallow water, presumably fishing as they did. As they came over the drier sand, they lifted up to the sky, showing their whiteness, curling round to once more fly close to the surface of the incoming sea. There presumably must be a large shoal of fish just there, that was attracting their attention.
I continued on my way. When I came back a little later the birds were gone. A few remained bobbing on top of the surface of the water, but no longer this whirling spray of activity. They made the trip even more worthwhile.
Tuesday 25 January 2011
Dilemmas of disability
The rain is back. It didn't stay away for long.
My mind is still going over the question of the problems & barriers that come with disability. Over the days of pondering I'm coming to the conclusion that at least some of the problems are related to lack of self-confidence in the disabled person himself.
Undoubtedly this is symptomatic of some mental health problems. Fears, often quite irrational, take over. I know when I am in a bad state I get very anxious about being in company as I dread making a fool of myself by bursting into tears for no obvious reason & everyone fussing around me. I hate being the centre of interest in that way & yet I don't feel I can control the tear ducts at such a time.
Many people I have spoken to are anxious about venturing out in a wheelchair or with a walking stick. They feel conspicuous, dread that they will be pitied, be regarded as an eyesore, be somehow a lesser being. And yet the reality is that few people even notice.
I equally suspect people who lose their sight probably can manage to get around, especially in familiar surroundings, yet are nervous to try to do so without someone to encourage, support & guide them.
There is also a proportion of the disabled population which can't, or won't, learn. This may be the result of dementia, for example. It may be they like being fussed over. They may just find it easier that way.
Whatever the reason, I don't see why those who do their physiotherapy exercises thoroughly, learn how to use aids, learn to lip-read, keep going through the pain involved in so doing, should be penalised for their determination, courage & overpowering need for independence. To me that just seems unfair & leaves you wondering why you should bother.
Still, all of this is going to be put to one side as I turn my attention to more pressing matters such as sorting out some holiday insurance for our trip to Cyprus, & some overnight accommodation & parking at Manchester airport.
We're even beginning to think the holiday might be fun now it's becoming more of a reality!
My mind is still going over the question of the problems & barriers that come with disability. Over the days of pondering I'm coming to the conclusion that at least some of the problems are related to lack of self-confidence in the disabled person himself.
Undoubtedly this is symptomatic of some mental health problems. Fears, often quite irrational, take over. I know when I am in a bad state I get very anxious about being in company as I dread making a fool of myself by bursting into tears for no obvious reason & everyone fussing around me. I hate being the centre of interest in that way & yet I don't feel I can control the tear ducts at such a time.
Many people I have spoken to are anxious about venturing out in a wheelchair or with a walking stick. They feel conspicuous, dread that they will be pitied, be regarded as an eyesore, be somehow a lesser being. And yet the reality is that few people even notice.
I equally suspect people who lose their sight probably can manage to get around, especially in familiar surroundings, yet are nervous to try to do so without someone to encourage, support & guide them.
There is also a proportion of the disabled population which can't, or won't, learn. This may be the result of dementia, for example. It may be they like being fussed over. They may just find it easier that way.
Whatever the reason, I don't see why those who do their physiotherapy exercises thoroughly, learn how to use aids, learn to lip-read, keep going through the pain involved in so doing, should be penalised for their determination, courage & overpowering need for independence. To me that just seems unfair & leaves you wondering why you should bother.
Still, all of this is going to be put to one side as I turn my attention to more pressing matters such as sorting out some holiday insurance for our trip to Cyprus, & some overnight accommodation & parking at Manchester airport.
We're even beginning to think the holiday might be fun now it's becoming more of a reality!
Monday 24 January 2011
The other Big Bird Day(s)
The Fox has already written about the big bird day, but, for me, the big bird day came yesterday. I duly put any left over bits of turkey skin, fat, etc out for the birds. I'd barely got back into the house when the starlings arrived. En masse. Within minutes the whole paved area was black with birds scurrying around with bits of golden skin tangling from their beaks.
The rest of the skin went out this morning - I don't want the birds to overeat so much they can't even take off from the ground. Sure enough the starlings were back again. I suspect tomorrow they will turn up in eager anticipation. They will be disappointed.
The liquid fat I put in a mug & added loads of birdseed, making a fat ball. That's in the fridge getting really hard ready to be be tomorrow's fare. Our birds do pretty well!
Meanwhile I'm pondering the first question on the disability Allowance consultation form - "What are the problems or barriers that prevent disabled people participating in society and leading independent, full and active lives?" How's that for a biggy? I can't help thinking the range is vast. So much depends on the disability, on the age at which you become disabled, even on the character of the person. The problems of someone becoming blind in older age are quite different from those born blind, I suspect. I could write a whole thesis on the subject but I suspect they're hoping for something briefer, more concise. I'm just hoping the other questions aren't so broad, otherwise I'll never get it done in time for mid-Feb.
The rest of the skin went out this morning - I don't want the birds to overeat so much they can't even take off from the ground. Sure enough the starlings were back again. I suspect tomorrow they will turn up in eager anticipation. They will be disappointed.
The liquid fat I put in a mug & added loads of birdseed, making a fat ball. That's in the fridge getting really hard ready to be be tomorrow's fare. Our birds do pretty well!
Meanwhile I'm pondering the first question on the disability Allowance consultation form - "What are the problems or barriers that prevent disabled people participating in society and leading independent, full and active lives?" How's that for a biggy? I can't help thinking the range is vast. So much depends on the disability, on the age at which you become disabled, even on the character of the person. The problems of someone becoming blind in older age are quite different from those born blind, I suspect. I could write a whole thesis on the subject but I suspect they're hoping for something briefer, more concise. I'm just hoping the other questions aren't so broad, otherwise I'll never get it done in time for mid-Feb.
Thursday 20 January 2011
Winter's morning
For once it's one of those simply beautiful winter's morning. There was a heavy frost last night so everything has a patina of glistening white. The day started with a pretty pink blush appearing over the houses on the other side of the street. Now there's a gleaming cloudless blue sky. This is so much better for a flagging morale. It lifts the spirits, sets off a song in the heart.
I've just been busy making some ham & parsley pancakes for this evening. We used to have this old favourite often. Now it's less often & comes up as a real treat.
I used to fry, fill & serve them fresh but these days that would be too much for me. Instead, in the morning, when I'm fresh, I fry up the pancakes, fill them with the ham & parsley sauce, put them in an ovenproof dish, pour over any remaining sauce & then I will just reheat them this evening for about half an hour. Or maybe the Fox will do that last bit this evening.
Waves of geese are still honking away as they fly north overhead. I've not seen or heard them flying back in the evening. Maybe that's just chance, or we're too busy making a noise in the kitchen over dinner at the time, or maybe they are in the midst of mass migration north. We, though, still feel the urge for that migration south for a bit. Hopefully we will be soon.
I've just been busy making some ham & parsley pancakes for this evening. We used to have this old favourite often. Now it's less often & comes up as a real treat.
I used to fry, fill & serve them fresh but these days that would be too much for me. Instead, in the morning, when I'm fresh, I fry up the pancakes, fill them with the ham & parsley sauce, put them in an ovenproof dish, pour over any remaining sauce & then I will just reheat them this evening for about half an hour. Or maybe the Fox will do that last bit this evening.
Waves of geese are still honking away as they fly north overhead. I've not seen or heard them flying back in the evening. Maybe that's just chance, or we're too busy making a noise in the kitchen over dinner at the time, or maybe they are in the midst of mass migration north. We, though, still feel the urge for that migration south for a bit. Hopefully we will be soon.
Wednesday 19 January 2011
Life is turning busy
Things seem to have moved on since I last wrote. We're off to Cyprus when the bathroom is being done. It's all booked & paid for. Now I just have to sort out the travel insurance - regular readers will know this is not a task I relish as I am reminded of what a disintegrating old crock I am these days. I suspect there may be further complications now the Fox is having greater health problems too. In both of our cases I cannot see why there should any implications to increase our risk level, but that's our view, not the insurer's.
I went along to a meeting yesterday on the proposed cuts to Adult Social Care in this area. I found it an interesting meeting. Above all I appreciated the intellectual exercise, the stretching of the little grey cells. I think it was important that I was there as I was one of the few people attending who had had any practical experience of the reality of receiving such care. My opinions seemed to be appreciated.
I've suddenly got co-opted into looking into a consultation document on the new benefit which is being devised to replace the present Disability Living Allowance. I'm considering looking at one on hospital discharge procedures. I'm also hoping to attend a second meeting about the provision of Adult Social Care which is to be held next month.
Life is suddenly becoming very busy. I just hope I've got the stamina to keep up with it all.
I went along to a meeting yesterday on the proposed cuts to Adult Social Care in this area. I found it an interesting meeting. Above all I appreciated the intellectual exercise, the stretching of the little grey cells. I think it was important that I was there as I was one of the few people attending who had had any practical experience of the reality of receiving such care. My opinions seemed to be appreciated.
I've suddenly got co-opted into looking into a consultation document on the new benefit which is being devised to replace the present Disability Living Allowance. I'm considering looking at one on hospital discharge procedures. I'm also hoping to attend a second meeting about the provision of Adult Social Care which is to be held next month.
Life is suddenly becoming very busy. I just hope I've got the stamina to keep up with it all.
Monday 17 January 2011
Hunt for some warmth
I see the Fox has done it again! Pre-empted me. Maybe that just shows how in tune with one another we are. Or how much we're both fretting about the need to locate some accommodation for when the bathroom is being done. Or maybe it's just a case of great minds thinking alike, with ne'er a thought between them.
As you may have read, we're off to the travel agents in the hope of solving the problem. Most of what we've found has been very expensive or places we just don't want to go to. We object to paying over £600 for a cottage in Lancashire when we could go abroad, staying in a hotel with food thrown in for not much more.
Maybe the real consideration is this weekend has just been so grey, wet & windy. The idea of being stuck on a moor in the middle of nowhere, without our usual homely comforts, has little appeal to us. Driving around pretty villages is not the same in the rain. At least going abroad we may find a bit of sun & warmth.
And my, do we feel the need for that! In desperation we're eating curries & chillies to get some warmth from somewhere.
Then, this morning, I hear the honking of geese. I look up into the skies A great W stretches across the greyness, followed by a smaller V. They're heading north. A bit early I would have thought, but maybe be they're just seeking a new place for food before returning southwards for the night. But then they tend to do that in smaller numbers. Whatever their reason I can't say we're tempted to follow them in that direction. We want WARMTH & BLUE SKIES.
As you may have read, we're off to the travel agents in the hope of solving the problem. Most of what we've found has been very expensive or places we just don't want to go to. We object to paying over £600 for a cottage in Lancashire when we could go abroad, staying in a hotel with food thrown in for not much more.
Maybe the real consideration is this weekend has just been so grey, wet & windy. The idea of being stuck on a moor in the middle of nowhere, without our usual homely comforts, has little appeal to us. Driving around pretty villages is not the same in the rain. At least going abroad we may find a bit of sun & warmth.
And my, do we feel the need for that! In desperation we're eating curries & chillies to get some warmth from somewhere.
Then, this morning, I hear the honking of geese. I look up into the skies A great W stretches across the greyness, followed by a smaller V. They're heading north. A bit early I would have thought, but maybe be they're just seeking a new place for food before returning southwards for the night. But then they tend to do that in smaller numbers. Whatever their reason I can't say we're tempted to follow them in that direction. We want WARMTH & BLUE SKIES.
Sunday 16 January 2011
Curry again
As usual on a Sunday, the Fox is in charge of dinner today. After his midweek success at making a beef curry, he's decided to have a go at a simple prawn curry. This is just such a quick & easy, but deliciously tasty, meal to make. I'm already looking forward to it. The prawns & naan bread are out of the freezer, gently thawing, ready. I've just one task left to do. Find some wine. It's always a difficult task to find something to compliment a curry. I usually go for something fruity I'm confident we'll enjoy on its own, even if it clashes with the food. That way we can have an pleasurable break between courses if necessary.
Saturday 15 January 2011
Panic sets in
Yesterday was a rather depressing day, one when so many things go wrong.
After writing my blog, I got back to the job of locating some accommodation for us for when the bathroom was done. The day before I had found some reasonably priced holidays in Cyprus. I was just going to decide on the precise hotel before booking. BUT, & it seemed a big but, by yesterday the prices had gone up several hundreds of pounds as the cheap flights were no longer available. We would have to go by scheduled flights, with a long wait between flights, instead of the single direct, cheap flight available the day before.
I tried another company. I found some possibilities there. However, by the time I tried to show them to the Fox, they, too, had gone.
We turned our attention to a couple of accessible cottages here in Lancashire. One didn't open until Easter, the other was already booked.
They scheduled the bathroom for the week they did as it was the week after school half term in this area. I'm now coming to the conclusion that it must be half-term somewhere else in the UK a week later than here & everyone is going on holiday, some to here, some abroad.
But none of this helps us. It's just adding to the stress. There seems to be an overwhelming imperative to find some accommodation somewhere & I'm beginning to panic. I'm going to have another look after this. There must be something somewhere available that is at a reasonable price! Wish me luck!
After writing my blog, I got back to the job of locating some accommodation for us for when the bathroom was done. The day before I had found some reasonably priced holidays in Cyprus. I was just going to decide on the precise hotel before booking. BUT, & it seemed a big but, by yesterday the prices had gone up several hundreds of pounds as the cheap flights were no longer available. We would have to go by scheduled flights, with a long wait between flights, instead of the single direct, cheap flight available the day before.
I tried another company. I found some possibilities there. However, by the time I tried to show them to the Fox, they, too, had gone.
We turned our attention to a couple of accessible cottages here in Lancashire. One didn't open until Easter, the other was already booked.
They scheduled the bathroom for the week they did as it was the week after school half term in this area. I'm now coming to the conclusion that it must be half-term somewhere else in the UK a week later than here & everyone is going on holiday, some to here, some abroad.
But none of this helps us. It's just adding to the stress. There seems to be an overwhelming imperative to find some accommodation somewhere & I'm beginning to panic. I'm going to have another look after this. There must be something somewhere available that is at a reasonable price! Wish me luck!
Friday 14 January 2011
A Life of Food
It never ceases to amaze me how much time we seem to spend thinking about, shopping for, watching, talking about, cooking & eating food. Yesterday it took up a substantial part of the day.
We went along to the Pub yesterday - PD is finally well enough to want to go again. On the way we stopped at the butcher's for some chicken for Saturday.
We'd barely sat down in the Pub with our crossword, when Mr P, the music teacher, turned the corner. He duly joined us.
We had the food clue "small pie" . Answer "turnover". We were all disgusted at that. A pie & a turnover are not the same thing, though what the difference is I'm not sure. After all both are encased in pastry.
Mr P went on to tell us of his culinary escapades over Christmas. He ended up doing a lot of cooking as various members of the family went down with illness, mainly colds & flu. He's also preparing for a wedding, & a dinner party as part of his home-catering business. He retires this year from teaching. He's still only in his 50s & so is intent on making his living from what seems like a burgeoning catering business. He's already getting commissions &, so far, we've only heard about satisfied customers. Discussion also went to the TV programme "Michel Roux's Service" on BBC2. Mr P was also recruiting waiting staff from those who work at the Pub. He realises the need for good front of house.
So we came home, cooked & enjoyed our mackerel. It's a good meaty fish. Oily, too, so it's good for our aging tickers.
After getting changed I settled down to watch the second part of the Michel Roux programme. We gave up in despair & moved instead to a bottle of Loire chenin blanc & some CD's with food references eg Louis Arnstrong's "Blueberry Hill & "The Peanut Vendor" by way of contrast to Eileen Barton's "If I knew you were comin' I'd've baked a cake", Hank William's "Jambalya (on the Bayou)" & Jo Stafford's "Shrimp Boats". After the wine, over some tea, I finished the evening, curled up in the Fox's arms, watching an episode of "Daily Cook's Challenge" recorded earlier on ITV3.
And so now, today, first thing I did after breakfast, is turn to food preparation. It's home-made turkey nuggets with a spicy tomato dip today. The dip will just need re-heated tonight, the nuggets frying up, the potatoes cut into chips & deep-fried & some sweetcorn warmed up. Quick & easy.
Food is never far from our minds. It's a good thing it's not only essential for life but it is something we can enjoy & take pleasure in in so many ways. We certainly seem pretty obsessed by it.
We went along to the Pub yesterday - PD is finally well enough to want to go again. On the way we stopped at the butcher's for some chicken for Saturday.
We'd barely sat down in the Pub with our crossword, when Mr P, the music teacher, turned the corner. He duly joined us.
We had the food clue "small pie" . Answer "turnover". We were all disgusted at that. A pie & a turnover are not the same thing, though what the difference is I'm not sure. After all both are encased in pastry.
Mr P went on to tell us of his culinary escapades over Christmas. He ended up doing a lot of cooking as various members of the family went down with illness, mainly colds & flu. He's also preparing for a wedding, & a dinner party as part of his home-catering business. He retires this year from teaching. He's still only in his 50s & so is intent on making his living from what seems like a burgeoning catering business. He's already getting commissions &, so far, we've only heard about satisfied customers. Discussion also went to the TV programme "Michel Roux's Service" on BBC2. Mr P was also recruiting waiting staff from those who work at the Pub. He realises the need for good front of house.
So we came home, cooked & enjoyed our mackerel. It's a good meaty fish. Oily, too, so it's good for our aging tickers.
After getting changed I settled down to watch the second part of the Michel Roux programme. We gave up in despair & moved instead to a bottle of Loire chenin blanc & some CD's with food references eg Louis Arnstrong's "Blueberry Hill & "The Peanut Vendor" by way of contrast to Eileen Barton's "If I knew you were comin' I'd've baked a cake", Hank William's "Jambalya (on the Bayou)" & Jo Stafford's "Shrimp Boats". After the wine, over some tea, I finished the evening, curled up in the Fox's arms, watching an episode of "Daily Cook's Challenge" recorded earlier on ITV3.
And so now, today, first thing I did after breakfast, is turn to food preparation. It's home-made turkey nuggets with a spicy tomato dip today. The dip will just need re-heated tonight, the nuggets frying up, the potatoes cut into chips & deep-fried & some sweetcorn warmed up. Quick & easy.
Food is never far from our minds. It's a good thing it's not only essential for life but it is something we can enjoy & take pleasure in in so many ways. We certainly seem pretty obsessed by it.
Thursday 13 January 2011
A bit of a change
I was going to write about our visit to the new Sainsbury's which opened not long before Christmas. We thought we'd leave it until the initial stampede would be over. The Fox has pre-empted me in writing about this visit. As you can tell, we weren't overly impressed & will be continuing to use Morrisons most of the time. If nothing else the latter is nearer to us. I suppose part of the problem with Sainsbury's is unfamiliarity. It always takes so much longer when you go to an unknown shop.
As you will also know, the Fox's beef curry was excellent. It slipped down a treat.
So today, by way of contrast, we're having fish. Mackerel to be precise. I've just filleted it. I have more confidence in my own filleting abilities than in those of most fish counters/shops. It's easier to locate any remaining escapee bones if you start with the whole fish. The exception being when you are talking about a really big fish, especially when it has big bones eg cod or salmon.
I always think mackerel is such a beautiful fish to look at, with it's electric blue & navy, almost black, striped back. The underside looks so silvery by comparison. I'm not doing anything fancy - just a covering of crumbs & cheese before baking in the oven with some cherry tomatoes & capers. Hopefully it will be good. It will certainly be a change.
As you will also know, the Fox's beef curry was excellent. It slipped down a treat.
So today, by way of contrast, we're having fish. Mackerel to be precise. I've just filleted it. I have more confidence in my own filleting abilities than in those of most fish counters/shops. It's easier to locate any remaining escapee bones if you start with the whole fish. The exception being when you are talking about a really big fish, especially when it has big bones eg cod or salmon.
I always think mackerel is such a beautiful fish to look at, with it's electric blue & navy, almost black, striped back. The underside looks so silvery by comparison. I'm not doing anything fancy - just a covering of crumbs & cheese before baking in the oven with some cherry tomatoes & capers. Hopefully it will be good. It will certainly be a change.
Wednesday 12 January 2011
In a dither
We're in a bit of a dither at the moment. Where to stay while the kitchen is done? Local or abroad in the sun?
The dithering is starting to extend into other areas of life.
As I'm sitting in the local pub yesterday, I contemplate what we're to have for dinner today, & ask the Fox for his opinion. He usually cooks on Wednesday so his view is important.
I'm currently running down the freezer a bit. Food for the current month to be used up include cooked turkey, turkey stuffing, ham, cooked lamb, cooked beef. I usually try to work the way down the list in the order in which they are written. Topping the list is the stuffing, followed by the turkey, but yesterday we were having turkey croquettes for dinner & that uses both so I thought a change would be nice.
Next on the list is ham. We've had a fair amount of ham this year - ham & egg flan, ham & parsley pancakes, French hammy scrambled eggs, potatoes florentine. I suggest a hammy omelette. No great enthusiasm. Too much like the scrambled eggs. How about hammy dumplings? That got a bit more of a reaction. It's an old favourite & we haven't had it in ages. But he still didn't seem keen.
Finally we agree on a shepherd's pie made with the lamb. Then, at home, mid-dinner, the Fox comes up with the idea of spicing up the shepherd's pie. Maybe a bit of chilli or Worcester sauce.
It dawns upon me that what the Fox is really fancying is some spice. Apart from the reassuring spicy spag bol (read his blog) we haven't had a lot of spice this year. So it is that we finally settle on a beef curry.
At last we're off the fence, a peculiarly uncomfortable position to be in. Now we only need to get off the fence concerning this accommodation while they do the bathroom!
The dithering is starting to extend into other areas of life.
As I'm sitting in the local pub yesterday, I contemplate what we're to have for dinner today, & ask the Fox for his opinion. He usually cooks on Wednesday so his view is important.
I'm currently running down the freezer a bit. Food for the current month to be used up include cooked turkey, turkey stuffing, ham, cooked lamb, cooked beef. I usually try to work the way down the list in the order in which they are written. Topping the list is the stuffing, followed by the turkey, but yesterday we were having turkey croquettes for dinner & that uses both so I thought a change would be nice.
Next on the list is ham. We've had a fair amount of ham this year - ham & egg flan, ham & parsley pancakes, French hammy scrambled eggs, potatoes florentine. I suggest a hammy omelette. No great enthusiasm. Too much like the scrambled eggs. How about hammy dumplings? That got a bit more of a reaction. It's an old favourite & we haven't had it in ages. But he still didn't seem keen.
Finally we agree on a shepherd's pie made with the lamb. Then, at home, mid-dinner, the Fox comes up with the idea of spicing up the shepherd's pie. Maybe a bit of chilli or Worcester sauce.
It dawns upon me that what the Fox is really fancying is some spice. Apart from the reassuring spicy spag bol (read his blog) we haven't had a lot of spice this year. So it is that we finally settle on a beef curry.
At last we're off the fence, a peculiarly uncomfortable position to be in. Now we only need to get off the fence concerning this accommodation while they do the bathroom!
Tuesday 11 January 2011
One decision made, another to make
The bathroom's on order. We signed the contract & handed over the deposit yesterday. We've got a date to start work - March 1.
Now we're trying to decide where to stay. They've told us the work will involve a fortnight of noise, chaos, & long spells without water. These days I'm not one for stress so we're thinking of moving out for the duration. If it takes longer than anticipated, they should at least be on the quieter tasks by then.
But where to go? That is the question.
At first we thought of renting a cottage nearby. That way we could easily return if there were any problems they needed to consult us on.
When we had the bedroom refitted, we went abroad, had a fabulous relaxing holiday, only to return to find the work had still not begun because we weren't there to consult.
When we had the kitchen done we rented a local cottage. It wasn't the most satisfactory. It certainly wasn't stress free. Our thoughts were constantly on the kitchen - certainly not a holiday! Also the surrounding area was so familiar that days out were more a case of filling in time rather a distraction - we'd gone back north a bit, near where we'd lived for over 25 years. The only real advantage was that the cottage was near where our friends MK & Helen live so we were able to visit them daily. MK was at the time dying, incapable of movement neck down, so was particularly appreciative of the visits.
If we do stay locally we're thinking we'll head southward to the other side of Lancaster, an area we don't know so intimately. Hopefully that way we will have more of a sense of exploration, more of a holiday feel.
But we are tempted by the idea of a few days in the sun. At least if we head off to a warmer part of Europe, such as the Canaries, we might be distracted from worrying about the bathroom by the difference of culture, of environment, & by our fellow hotel guests. We're telling ourselves if we leave a contact phone number the work should get done, & hopefully we'll be undisturbed & left to just relax. I certainly can't see us having the chance for another holiday before the autumn. A weekend away we'll be the most we could manage if the Fox is going to do his veg growing again this year.
Whatever we do we haven't got much time to sort it. Certainly that's the next thing on my list of things to sort out.
One decision made, another to make.
Now we're trying to decide where to stay. They've told us the work will involve a fortnight of noise, chaos, & long spells without water. These days I'm not one for stress so we're thinking of moving out for the duration. If it takes longer than anticipated, they should at least be on the quieter tasks by then.
But where to go? That is the question.
At first we thought of renting a cottage nearby. That way we could easily return if there were any problems they needed to consult us on.
When we had the bedroom refitted, we went abroad, had a fabulous relaxing holiday, only to return to find the work had still not begun because we weren't there to consult.
When we had the kitchen done we rented a local cottage. It wasn't the most satisfactory. It certainly wasn't stress free. Our thoughts were constantly on the kitchen - certainly not a holiday! Also the surrounding area was so familiar that days out were more a case of filling in time rather a distraction - we'd gone back north a bit, near where we'd lived for over 25 years. The only real advantage was that the cottage was near where our friends MK & Helen live so we were able to visit them daily. MK was at the time dying, incapable of movement neck down, so was particularly appreciative of the visits.
If we do stay locally we're thinking we'll head southward to the other side of Lancaster, an area we don't know so intimately. Hopefully that way we will have more of a sense of exploration, more of a holiday feel.
But we are tempted by the idea of a few days in the sun. At least if we head off to a warmer part of Europe, such as the Canaries, we might be distracted from worrying about the bathroom by the difference of culture, of environment, & by our fellow hotel guests. We're telling ourselves if we leave a contact phone number the work should get done, & hopefully we'll be undisturbed & left to just relax. I certainly can't see us having the chance for another holiday before the autumn. A weekend away we'll be the most we could manage if the Fox is going to do his veg growing again this year.
Whatever we do we haven't got much time to sort it. Certainly that's the next thing on my list of things to sort out.
One decision made, another to make.
Monday 10 January 2011
Fat
"It's fat," the man from the council tells me.
I finally got around to getting someone in to clear a blocked drain this morning. I'd been leaving it until the freeze was over, just in case it was a great piece of ice that was causing the problem. No harm in hoping. But we were getting to the stage that the sink was emptying very very slowly.
He then went on to tell me he didn't mean to say I'd been pouring all manner of fat down the sink. I do try to avoid that as much as possible although inevitably a certain amount goes down eg fatty deposits in frying pans, roasting pans etc. No, it seems the real culprit is washing up liquid, dish-washing machine detergents, washing machine detergents, soap. They all coat the pipes as they pass through. This coating just builds up after a while, eventually blocking the hole in the middle. The only thing he could suggest may help avoid such a build-up is to pour a kettle of boiling water down the drain every once in a while. Even so, it will block eventually. It's just as well our local council turns out promptly (they were here within the hour) & is reasonably priced ( better than most of the private drain-clearers).
I finally got around to getting someone in to clear a blocked drain this morning. I'd been leaving it until the freeze was over, just in case it was a great piece of ice that was causing the problem. No harm in hoping. But we were getting to the stage that the sink was emptying very very slowly.
He then went on to tell me he didn't mean to say I'd been pouring all manner of fat down the sink. I do try to avoid that as much as possible although inevitably a certain amount goes down eg fatty deposits in frying pans, roasting pans etc. No, it seems the real culprit is washing up liquid, dish-washing machine detergents, washing machine detergents, soap. They all coat the pipes as they pass through. This coating just builds up after a while, eventually blocking the hole in the middle. The only thing he could suggest may help avoid such a build-up is to pour a kettle of boiling water down the drain every once in a while. Even so, it will block eventually. It's just as well our local council turns out promptly (they were here within the hour) & is reasonably priced ( better than most of the private drain-clearers).
Sunday 9 January 2011
A lesson taught
I look out of the window to notice our neighbour, Dave, is backing his van out of the drive. He stops, gets out & looks at the back of the van, gets back in & reverses another couple of inches.
The problem? Someone has managed to park across his drive blocking his exit. This is a particular problem for him as he is often on call & needs the contents of his van to respond to an emergency.
He has his car parked in the street. He gets in that & parks parallel to the offending car. Now the offender driver will not be able to get into their car without talking to Dave first.
Half an hour later someone comes from the nearby houses. She looks flummoxed. Eventually she rings Dave's bell. I suspect she got a good telling off before Dave would move his car to let her into her car to get away.
Knowing Dave I suspect she was told, very calmly & politely, the trouble she could have caused parking as she had. I suspect too it will be a long time before she parks across a drive again.
We used to have this problem in our previous house. We lived across the way from the railway station. People often parked across our driveway, then got on the train to be away for the day, even days. We ended up ringing up the police several times to move a car in order that we could get out. Eventually we persuaded the council to paint white lines across the entrance of the drive to draw people's attention to the fact that they should not park there. They still sometimes did.
The problem? Someone has managed to park across his drive blocking his exit. This is a particular problem for him as he is often on call & needs the contents of his van to respond to an emergency.
He has his car parked in the street. He gets in that & parks parallel to the offending car. Now the offender driver will not be able to get into their car without talking to Dave first.
Half an hour later someone comes from the nearby houses. She looks flummoxed. Eventually she rings Dave's bell. I suspect she got a good telling off before Dave would move his car to let her into her car to get away.
Knowing Dave I suspect she was told, very calmly & politely, the trouble she could have caused parking as she had. I suspect too it will be a long time before she parks across a drive again.
We used to have this problem in our previous house. We lived across the way from the railway station. People often parked across our driveway, then got on the train to be away for the day, even days. We ended up ringing up the police several times to move a car in order that we could get out. Eventually we persuaded the council to paint white lines across the entrance of the drive to draw people's attention to the fact that they should not park there. They still sometimes did.
Thursday 6 January 2011
A woodland visitor
I'm just settling down to my mug of tea, when the Fox suddenly asks "What's that?" I look out of the kitchen window into the garden in the direction he is looking. What indeed.
I hastily find my glasses. Low down, half hidden behind the twiggery, a flash of crimson is moving. My immediate thought is that it's going to be a goldfinch, with its red clown's face. But no, it is too big a bird.
The binoculars & bird book are hastily found.
By this time the shape of the bird is more apparent. The movement of its head instantly makes us realise it's a woodpecker. It's pneumatic drill of a beak is pecking away at the cracks in the tree's bark.
Now we only have to decide which woodpecker.
It obviously isn't a green one. The back is definitely black & white. Eventually it moves around a bit. Suddenly there's a second flash of crimson. This time it's on its rump. It has to be a great spotted woodpecker. It certainly is a bit bigger than a starling but smaller than a blackbird.
In the summer I remember hearing the rat-a-tat-tat of a woodpecker drumming somewhere. Is this the culprit? I wonder. Our garden is full of trees & shrubs. They've clearly encouraged this woodland visitor to come a-calling. We feel privileged & touched by a little bit of nature's magic. It's the first time either of us have ever seen a woodpecker. Magic indeed. I hope he comes again.
I hastily find my glasses. Low down, half hidden behind the twiggery, a flash of crimson is moving. My immediate thought is that it's going to be a goldfinch, with its red clown's face. But no, it is too big a bird.
The binoculars & bird book are hastily found.
By this time the shape of the bird is more apparent. The movement of its head instantly makes us realise it's a woodpecker. It's pneumatic drill of a beak is pecking away at the cracks in the tree's bark.
Now we only have to decide which woodpecker.
It obviously isn't a green one. The back is definitely black & white. Eventually it moves around a bit. Suddenly there's a second flash of crimson. This time it's on its rump. It has to be a great spotted woodpecker. It certainly is a bit bigger than a starling but smaller than a blackbird.
In the summer I remember hearing the rat-a-tat-tat of a woodpecker drumming somewhere. Is this the culprit? I wonder. Our garden is full of trees & shrubs. They've clearly encouraged this woodland visitor to come a-calling. We feel privileged & touched by a little bit of nature's magic. It's the first time either of us have ever seen a woodpecker. Magic indeed. I hope he comes again.
Wednesday 5 January 2011
Getting back to normal
It is good to get back to something like normal. Christmas, especially when it falls at the weekend, is such a disruptive time. You never quite know what will be open, what closed. And even if it is open, is it going to be heaving with people? The food shops never re-stock their shelves well in the course of the week to the New Year bank holiday, so you can't be confident that you'll be able to find what you want, especially if you are hoping for something with a short shelf life such as bread, veg or fish.
I think this is part of my pre-Christmas blues. I don't take stress well these days & disruption from routine is stressful. When it is disrupted for my pleasure eg going on holiday, I can cope fine. But when it is imposed on me, it is a different matter.
So it is with great pleasure that we set off on our chores yesterday. At last we've found a bathroom shop which shares some of our feelings about bathrooms. So far we seem to have seen providers for disabled people who only seem to provide bathrooms suitable for a hospital, clinical & aesthetically unpleasing, or the usual providers where you can get aesthetically pleasing but where they have no concept of practicalities as far as a disabled person is concerned. By a flat entrance to a shower area, for example, I mean just that, not something with a small lip for me to trip over. At last we seem to have found a company that believes that even a disabled person has the right to have a nice bathroom that is a pleasure to enter. They are coming on Friday for a measure up, so we're hastily trying to decide on sink designs etc that most appeal to us. We finally think we've found our supplier.
I'm even looking forward to a quick food shop today - just a top-up trip. Hopefully the shelves should be fuller & we may actually be able to buy the bread we like, unlike when we went last week. Things are returning to normal, thank goodness.
I think this is part of my pre-Christmas blues. I don't take stress well these days & disruption from routine is stressful. When it is disrupted for my pleasure eg going on holiday, I can cope fine. But when it is imposed on me, it is a different matter.
So it is with great pleasure that we set off on our chores yesterday. At last we've found a bathroom shop which shares some of our feelings about bathrooms. So far we seem to have seen providers for disabled people who only seem to provide bathrooms suitable for a hospital, clinical & aesthetically unpleasing, or the usual providers where you can get aesthetically pleasing but where they have no concept of practicalities as far as a disabled person is concerned. By a flat entrance to a shower area, for example, I mean just that, not something with a small lip for me to trip over. At last we seem to have found a company that believes that even a disabled person has the right to have a nice bathroom that is a pleasure to enter. They are coming on Friday for a measure up, so we're hastily trying to decide on sink designs etc that most appeal to us. We finally think we've found our supplier.
I'm even looking forward to a quick food shop today - just a top-up trip. Hopefully the shelves should be fuller & we may actually be able to buy the bread we like, unlike when we went last week. Things are returning to normal, thank goodness.
Tuesday 4 January 2011
Each to their own
Parties are strange things. We went down to our village pub yesterday & were told all about the New Years' Eve party that had been held there recently. Only regulars were invited. The barman who was telling us is only young, still in his teens I'd guess. He was full of enthusiasm, showing the photos that had been taken. All the staff were in fancy dress, he himself as a panda. It was packed. Music, alcohol & bonhomie flowed. Dancing went on until around 2.30am.
We suddenly felt old. The idea of such packed frivolity & frenzy did nothing for us. The Fox had been invited to stay - he'd popped down to the pub while I was having an afternoon nap that day. He felt no regrets about not having stayed.
Part of it is we just don't have the stamina you have as a teenager. The barman was excitedly fizzing off in every direction just telling us about the party. There's no way we could have kept up, no way we would have wanted to, and we certainly wouldn't have wanted to cope with the after-effects of such a riotous evening. No, a quiet night at home, just the two us, in the company of some champagne & some French chanson, is much more our scene.
To be honest the idea of a party has always had a greater attraction than the reality for me, and that applied even when I was a teenager. I can enjoy a dinner party with a table full of family or friends, but this sort of big event no. It is always too noisy to have a conversation, too crushed to really have a good dance (not that I can do that anyhow now). No, I would retreat into the quietest corner & hope some other mouse would care to join me.
I have no regrets that's one party we missed. I'm just glad everyone seems to have had a grand time, while we stayed at home in peace. Each to their own.
We suddenly felt old. The idea of such packed frivolity & frenzy did nothing for us. The Fox had been invited to stay - he'd popped down to the pub while I was having an afternoon nap that day. He felt no regrets about not having stayed.
Part of it is we just don't have the stamina you have as a teenager. The barman was excitedly fizzing off in every direction just telling us about the party. There's no way we could have kept up, no way we would have wanted to, and we certainly wouldn't have wanted to cope with the after-effects of such a riotous evening. No, a quiet night at home, just the two us, in the company of some champagne & some French chanson, is much more our scene.
To be honest the idea of a party has always had a greater attraction than the reality for me, and that applied even when I was a teenager. I can enjoy a dinner party with a table full of family or friends, but this sort of big event no. It is always too noisy to have a conversation, too crushed to really have a good dance (not that I can do that anyhow now). No, I would retreat into the quietest corner & hope some other mouse would care to join me.
I have no regrets that's one party we missed. I'm just glad everyone seems to have had a grand time, while we stayed at home in peace. Each to their own.
Monday 3 January 2011
New residents
A huge sycamore tree stands in our neighbours' garden, by the dividing fence. As it is deciduous, it is bare at the moment.
While sipping my mug of tea at the dining table, for one moment I thought it had regained its leaves. Bear in mind I'm short-sighted & wasn't wearing my glasses at the time. I finally realised the dark leaves was in fact a flock of starlings. They've obviously decided this is a good vantage point to watch out for the arrival of food in any of the gardens around.
Usually this tree is the domain of the magpie The collared doves did try to nest there one year but have since decided there's more peace in the evergreen tree on the other side of the lawn. There was just too much harassment from the magpie who was highly protective of his own burgeoning family. So the status quo has remained for several years now. The magpie won't be too happy with all those starlings, that's for certain.
While sipping my mug of tea at the dining table, for one moment I thought it had regained its leaves. Bear in mind I'm short-sighted & wasn't wearing my glasses at the time. I finally realised the dark leaves was in fact a flock of starlings. They've obviously decided this is a good vantage point to watch out for the arrival of food in any of the gardens around.
Usually this tree is the domain of the magpie The collared doves did try to nest there one year but have since decided there's more peace in the evergreen tree on the other side of the lawn. There was just too much harassment from the magpie who was highly protective of his own burgeoning family. So the status quo has remained for several years now. The magpie won't be too happy with all those starlings, that's for certain.
Saturday 1 January 2011
The new year
And so the new year arrives, as grey & damp as the old year left. I managed to see it through to the bongs of Big Ben. We finished our champagne to the sight of the fireworks around the London Eye, watched by the shivering crowds on the Embankment.
So today I have turned my mind to phone call good wishes. PD is down with a fluy cold & feeling sorry for himself. A cousin rang with her good wishes. I rang Jean, our friend with cancer, to discover, according to her husband, she'd decided to retreat back to bed. She's not sleeping well - too much to worry about since she discovered just before Christmas that the tumour hadn't shrunk any despite the chemo. Still I had a chat to her husband & sent our good wishes.
In the midst of the phone calls I turned my attention to the meal today. We're having a roast gammon joint for a change. I'm thinking of glazing it with a redcurrant jelly & orange juice mixture for a festive hint of a change.
The Fox does enjoy his roast. I have to confess gammon is my favourite roast, both to eat & to cook. There are so many ways you can vary it a bit with different glazes or par-boiling it in cider or with spices. And so much lean meat, delicious hot or cold. A truly celebratory meal to start the new year.
So today I have turned my mind to phone call good wishes. PD is down with a fluy cold & feeling sorry for himself. A cousin rang with her good wishes. I rang Jean, our friend with cancer, to discover, according to her husband, she'd decided to retreat back to bed. She's not sleeping well - too much to worry about since she discovered just before Christmas that the tumour hadn't shrunk any despite the chemo. Still I had a chat to her husband & sent our good wishes.
In the midst of the phone calls I turned my attention to the meal today. We're having a roast gammon joint for a change. I'm thinking of glazing it with a redcurrant jelly & orange juice mixture for a festive hint of a change.
The Fox does enjoy his roast. I have to confess gammon is my favourite roast, both to eat & to cook. There are so many ways you can vary it a bit with different glazes or par-boiling it in cider or with spices. And so much lean meat, delicious hot or cold. A truly celebratory meal to start the new year.
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