Thursday, December 27, 2007

Y at Burton Joyce - I collected her

I had photographed, cropped and given it the I'm feeling lucky' button in Picasa, and then found I could link you straight to it, please clicky here for online and in colour.

As Y sometimes tells me "For an intelligent man you can be incredibly stupid". I never thought of checking it out online. With all the papers publishing a free online version I suppose it isn't really worth buying one. Mind you the feel of a proper newspaper, with a coffee, settling down to the crossword takes a bit of beating.

Anyway. Point is. I was going to tell you what an excellent garment 'the cape' was. They were made of a variety of Melton Cloth which perhaps Jill knows about. It was very closely woven without being heavy and didn't let water through, however heavy the rain. When it wasn't raining an approved method of folding allowed it to be comfortably carried on the shoulder. Also when saturated, if swung properly it became a fearsome, even though not lethal, weapon. Comfortable to walk in, ride a bike in and it was possible to hide things - in my case once, when being met at a conference-point by the Sergeant, a brace of pheasants donated by a friendly gamekeeper, or poacher, I can't quite remember ! And doesn't he look confidence-inspiring? Ah, the things we lose in the name of progress.

Now to a problem which has defeated my googling skills. Y reports that the bronze lady statue that stands outside the Theatre Royal in Nottingham is missing. As I recall, the sculptor was Richard Stainthorpe, and a delightful piece which brought me pleasure each time I saw her ! If she has been stolen for scrap I bitterly resent it; if being repaired or something I am suprised at finding nothing with google. I know Bungus's homepage is Radio Nottingham's and he is aware of nothing. Perhaps a regular Evening Post reader, or Anon'niftygoogler' at Annesley can throw some light? I will dig out a snap for tomorrow.

Blogger.com seems to be having one of its periodic 'stresses' with Picasa pictures. When I came to check yesterday's with 'Millicent in slippers' as the lead picture, both pictures had vanished. But I know they went out because Bungus commented on the late rose (Picture 2), I have reinstated both but it is annoying.

Comments.....Thanks Bungus for the Jamie Oliver carving method. It makes sense. I have always thought that meat tastes better when carved across the grain rather than with it. It must affect the chew-factor benificially. The Rufford Walk on Sat. 29th starts at 10.15am from the main Car Park. Thanks also for the foodie bulletin; always fascinating reading for us gluttons or gourmets (take yer choice) and your storm kettle sounds a hoot. I'd love to try it. Bring it on Saturday and lets brew up properly !! And I think I agree about 'fudge'. As you all know I will eat most things, including fudge, but I don't like the way it sticks to your teeth.

The Lidl Xmas puddings also have been ace. But our Microwave conked on Xmas Eve and we couldn't fit in the necessary hour to steam one on Xmas Day. Considering we don't actually use it to cook much it has suprised us how much we miss it. I can't reheat my stewed coffee for instance, or warm the plates. Ever resourceful, I warmed dinner plates stacked upright in the airing cupboard and they were just right. I thought it didn't quite qualify as bright idea 6,329 but Y was impressed and hovering.

Hope AnonRob is recovering from his shingles and what sounds to me very much like a broken toe.

,u>Quotation time.......

"There are two kinds of light--the glow that illuminates, and the glare that obscures"

James Thurber

A truly great humourist. His drawings, if you aren't familiar with them will repay a search for some.

A sad day tomorrow, and I don't think a smiley is in order. John's (Lisa's Dad) funeral in the morning. We are looking after the little ones, which allows me not to stand. Catch you tomorrow.



6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Boxing Day afternoon I spent a couple of hours removing the lean (only) meat from the oxtail which had been cooked with the venison. The fat I put aside for Ralph.
I then stewed the bones in the slow cookere with sautéed onion & celery, bay leaf, thyme, water, port, brambles and blackcurrants.
Today I strained off the liquid and removed the residual fat. I then returned the gravy to the slow cooker and added Bisto Roast Onion gravy, red wine, mushroom essence, anchovy essence, tomato puree, Worcester sauce, sautéed shallots, celery and carrot and the oxtail meat. After about three hours I sampled the meat and decided that, despite the acidic additions, it was too rich for my taste.
So I had cold ham for my tea with Cumberland sauce, creamy, buttery mash and a mix of petit pois, finely chopped leek & cabbage stewed in butter. You win some; you lose some.
I think Alan will enjoy the oxtail stew with some added chunks of potato.

I do not think for a minute that there has been collusion but Sandra quite often tells me "For an intelligent man you can be incredibly stupid".

Doesn’t the rozzer look magnificent. He is right; that uniform inspires trust and confidence (and, if required, a bit of fear).
That said, I think modern army uniforms look more efficient (and comfortable) than battledress.

Sorry, I still cannot throw any light (of either Thurber variety) on the disappeared statue.

Is it 10.15 at Rufford, not 10.30? If so, I shall expect to be picked up at about 10.00, complete with Volcano Kettle but fudge free.

I too am sure that meat cut across the grain is less difficult to chew.

Yes, we too actually cook very little with our microwave (although Sandra, unlike me does porridge and sauces in it) but they are very useful. I reheat 3 hour old tea in ours and I once knew someone who used his only for drying tea towels.
At least they are now very cheap.

I would think AnonRob’s toe is more likely badly bruised than broken; not that that will make it less painful!
Considering my own risk factor, I am unlikely to catch a damaged toe but am I right in thinking that his shingles are no longer contagious or infectious?

At last I have managed to buy some pearl barley – at our little 7 day Co-Op. I was surprised to see on the packet that it should not be used in a Slow Cooker unless boiled for 10 minutes first (a bit like haricot beans etc).

Anonymous said...

I was unable to get onto the internet for 48 hours, no idea why (except that it rained a lot) but it seems OK now.

Bungus, that storm kettle, we used something very like that in the Girl Guides. A very useful present! And I wanted to say how much I fancied your pre-christmas meal, the one with the gammon. Just my cup of tea!

I cooked and carved our small turkey like Jamie O, very successfully, carcase was in slow-cooker by the evening of 25th, and soup made yesterday and eaten today. 25th we spent at son's house, which looked beautiful (if slightly too much Homes and Gardens) and daughter in law is an excellent cook, we had the full traditional turkey lunch, followed by a DVD game of 'Who wants to be a millionaire' when we split into teams - there are 3 teen-agers in the family plus the other granny. Then we played similarly 'call my bluff'. We had a cup of tea and cake and were home by 7.00.

26th we went to daughter's for cold beef, salads and jacket potatoes and trifle, and the rest of the family came to tea. So I have had two days off cooking!

Today I braved Oxford Street and John lewis, it was fine and not too crowded util about 11.30, then it became awful, I met up with friends for lunch, and then came home.

Graham, I loved your jolly socks - those are the sort I knit!

Melton cloth - I don't know any more that you said, the capes do look a very useful piece of clothing.

TV - I thought 'To the Manor Born' a waste of time, very disappointing, enjoyed Ballet Shoes (one of my favourite childhood books) thought 'Extras' tonight was brilliant.

Anonymous said...

I just read Bungus's comments, I didn't know that about pearl barley, I have been using it in slow-cooker and it has been fine, no problem.

I use microwave for re-heating tea/coffee, softening butter/chocolate, and dyeing wool....

Anonymous said...

Jill,
I can only suggest an umbrella for the internet (we used to have one in the Boy Scouts which I never joined).
The volcano kettle was brilliant in the desert and the roasted ham/gammon (I still cannot find the difference) was very very good. It is a meal that has never disappointed (other than one teenager at Eatser – should have been Easter but the pagan Eatser is better - when he wanted what had become the traditional lasagne). I have had a ham cob or ham and potatoes on the three days since and there is just one portion left (most of it having gone to the family party on Boxing Day).

Did you have 2 turkeys on consecutive days? Glad yours was small one!
The games day sounds fun. Not enough interest in our group for that sort of thing. I used to like charades and still would if anyone wanted to watch me ‘show off’ (as my mother would have said).

Do you mean 1130 am in Oxford Street. Not a place I want to go anyway (I hate London) but if I was goinf to be anywhere at 11.30 it would have to be pm.

Didn’t consider watching 'To the Manor Born' but gather the critics agree with you. Christmas at the Riviera was dreadful (24th).
Even though I kept dozing off momentarily (English usage) I too thoroughly enjoyed Extras. The tape ran out on Harry Hill’s TV Burp but what I saw made me laugh. Otherwise nothing very entertaining (weak soaps except bits of Corrie) apart from Match of the Day.

Pleased to hear the pearl barley toxins have not had an effect (yet!).
Does anyone still actually cook in a microwave?

Anonymous said...

I believe my toe is not broken but, merely(?!) badly bruised as Bungus said. The swelling has gone down and the bruising pretty much gone except that some more has come out on the next two toes. I've always been able to wiggle the toe which is why I think it's not broken.

I'm still hobbling about though and used the foot quite a lot yesterday (comparatively speaking). As a result today it was hurting more than yesterday. I shan't be going to Rufford tomorrow as we have other things to do. I think I am shingle free now and would love to meet Bungus but it's probably for the best that I'll have to wait a bit longer.

Yesterday was our family get together at my younger brother's house at Giltbrook. It was a good gathering with my elder brother up from south Lincs and both of his sons, which meant there were nine of us. I hadn't seen either brother since last Christmas but it was as though we had never been apart.

Last night we went to see Ken Dodd at the Royal Concert Hall in Nottingham. He was amazing. The show started at about 7.10pm and ended 5 hours later; Doddy was on stage for well over 4 hours in total. My favourite joke was the one about the 95 year old man living in an old folks home. The staff decided to celebrate his birthday and booked a policewoman strippergram.

After she had taken off her blouse and skirt, and was standing before him in basque and fishnet stockings, he said to her "What are you doing here?" She said "I'm going to give you supersex." So the old man said "I'll have the soup."

Rob

Anonymous said...

I've just done some nifty googling re the missing statue. Elaine is fairly certain it was there last night, so I hope I've got the right one.

The statue is called "Carmen" and is by Hilary Cartmel. It was unveiled on 6 January 1989 by Simon Rattle (now Sir, of course). It cost £4,500 and another £1,831 for installation.

All this information is from http://pmsa.cch.kcl.ac.uk/NM/SB0079.htm

I'm not sure which academic site this is but the info is actually from the Public Monument and Sculpture Association. The following is an extra bit of interesting information:
"Unveiling ceremony boycotted by Coun Mrs Jackie Jenkins-Jones, County Council environment spokesperson, who thought it 'unattractive' and 'negroid'" I can only assume she was a Tory.

I'll keep searching for news of its disappearance, assuming it has gone.

Rob