Thursday, May 11, 2006

Smashing Weather - Burton Joyce Day


Another Renishaw Hall picture. And I must admit that it made my remaining few socialist nerve-ends twitch abit when one had to pay to walk through the woods with no access to the house.

Admittedly the gardens were lovely and one had admission to a museum, and some interesting art-galleries. But "a tad on the big side for one family" I thought. Never mind 'eh? We had a super day out and we would like to go again. My loyal contributor 'Bungus' who saw this picture yesterday evening is of the opinion that I should have repositioned myself for the benefit of the fountain. But I didn't want the fountain right in the middle of the frame and I wanted to show the steps, statues and house. So consider it another 'record shot' dear boy.

A strange day, computer-wise. A close friend is very annoyed that WUforums have started attaching adverts to individual posts and isn't going to contribute anymore until they stop the practice. When I looked into it I found that where I had included the words 'computer' 'laptop' 'Wi-Fi' etc., the words were now bold and underlined and, if hovered over, produced a linked 'pop-up'. I composed a 'post' complaining that I felt I had copyright over my own words and objected to them being used in this way. Even Google is polite enough to put their 'related advertising' in a separate column, not inside the email itself. But eventually it was pointed out to me that according to a specific clause in the rules, the site-owners have the right to use a 'post' in anyway they choose. Others pointed out that it was up to me to install an efficient 'adblocker'. So, by early evening, I went on Open Forum and ran up a white flag

Thursdays is Yvonne's Burton Joyce 'grannying' day and I took her to the tram as usual. A charming incident took place. The tram she boarded was in fact the one before the one she intended and it wasn't quite 9.30am. She tendered her money but the conductor refused it and said "By the time I've been up the tram and come back it will be 9.30am and free". Who said the age of chivalry is dead ? She had a lovely day and is now Millicent's big buddy. She rushes to Yvonne with little arms outstretched and one would need a heart of stone not to pick her up - tiring though it is. Children can be so sensitive ! Hannah now gives me a sort of thigh-hug so I don't need to try to bend down to kiss her. When I arrived to pick Yvonne up they were playing footie in the garden and she was rushing about and kicking goals like a 20yr old. Lisa made me a hot drink and I sat and chatted to her about her cleaning-lady who is starting after Whit. Lisa has been reluctant, feeling that it is her role to deal with the house. But I made the point that I bet no previous occupants had done such a large house all by themselves. Lisa told me that originally the house had had servants, and when they first moved in someone researching their family-tree had a relative who had lived there. And that would be before the house was extended.

I had, as usual, put Jacket Potatoes in the oven, timed to be ready when we arrived back, and on Bungus's recommendation had used Estima as an alternative to my favoured Desiree or Maris Piper. He is certain to read this and it gives me no pleasure to say "they were rubbish". I prepared them exactly the same, gave them the same oven-time and temperature but, in comparison, the skins, instead of being crisp and crunchy were at best 'leathery'. Perhaps there is a secret.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

TGM is misunderstanding me again! I did not want the camera repositioned for 'the benefit of the fountain' but for the benefit of the composition. And I did not want the fountain central, or the steps and statues obscured. What I suggested was that if the camera had been moved to the left, it would have the parallax effect of moving the fountain to the right - about one third from RH border, as it happens, in line with the old Golden Section. I have demonstrated this by scribbling on a print and rephotographing to send by email.

I am sorry that 'Estima' were not estimable. They have always been good enough for the likes of me but then I just wash 'em and stick 'em in the oven at Mk7 or 8 for an hour - I have tried oiling and salting but, while accepting that it gives a different result, I find it an extra task which does not afford any real improvement. But then, I only like Yorkshire Pud the proper way, with beef (or pork sausage, or game casserole)and I reckon nothing to pork without apple sauce (and stuffing, preferably home made from fresh white breadcrumbs, fresh sage and fresh onions)!

The grounds of Ren-i-shaw Hall (yesterday's blog)look and sound extremely pleasant (but so are Boughton Brake and Wellow Woods, with no entry fee and, admittedly, no seats). I liked the brighter of the two bluebell photos. I nderstand that there is a lake on the other one but I thought it was sky or a field of Estima.

Anonymous said...

Thanks Bungus. Your comment is, as always, most welcome. I take you point about the photo in question and even I think it is a mess. Not proud of it at all. I agree with your stuffing recipe, but you have missed out the sausage-meat! Just a little seems to hold stuffing together, particularly if making stuffing-balls.