Super Sunday - Hot-Pot good - Idea 6,333 !

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Picture 1 is of an annual event - "the counting of TJ's change bottle". Y hasn't really imbibed the bottle of brandy so we put the glass at the side for 'narrative' reasons.

We have a £1 wager on how much there is going to be and I was closest at £46.20p. But there was almost £60 and I didn't feel close enough to collect my winnings. Man of honour ? or what ?


Picture 2 illustrates the latest of my 'good ideas', number 6,333. The black basins are what supermarkets sell Christmas Puddings in, and I have saved half a dozen of various sizes, some red and some black.

Their attractions are that they are flexible enough to facilitate bending into a sort of spout, for pouring purposes. They are dish-washer proof, freezer proof, microwave proof and they are incredibly cheap i.e. nothing ! Well worth idea 6,333 status.

Picture 3 is mainly for Pete B who wondered about block ice-cream for ice-cream wafers. The only one we know for sure is the Walls version illustrated.

Most of the major Supermarkets stock it. But I'm not sure about the supermarket position on the Isle of Man. Wafers are easy. If they carry the block ice-cream, they carry the wafers too. A very pleasant 'back to childhood' experience.

The Bolton Hot-Pot was, even if I say it as shouldn't, great. I had cooked it, in total, almost 6 hours at about 100/120° which had brought the flavour out and produced tender meat. With part cooking it yesterday all the flavours of the ingredients had melded together successfully and the sliced potatoes on top had browned nicely.

I did Roast Potatoes as one of our accompaniments and I remembered to use the Goose Fat which Santa included in our hamper from Long Eaton. And WOW! everybody is right - it is the best stuff for the purpose. Using Maris Piper I achieved the sought after crisp golden brown outers and the white fluffy inners.

For pudding Y did a Rhubarb Crumble and Custard which was spot on and not 'commercially' over-sweet. Again, the real flavour of a good old-fashioned English Pudding. We had a good cheese board, which we returned to after Y and TJ had been Garden Centre-ing and I had had a nap.

Nice chat to David this morning and it was good to hear the Long Eaton news. In particular his continued successes on Ebay, as a seller. Brooke's Nintendo DS had broken completely. The hinge had disintegrated and the thing was in bits in fact. One would think the bin was the only solution.

But he described it fully, published a picture which showed the state of it. And it made £22 - truly amazing !

David and Helen have worked hard to create a patio halfway down the back garden and the picture on the left shows it. An excellent job folks ! Now you must take some time to sit on it and enjoy it rather than immediately starting a further project.The magnificent Clematis looks like a Montana. either Rubens or Grandiflora - hard to say because I can't really see the colour accurately due to the plant being in full sun etc.....

My responses to your previously penned comments

Bob ..... Vinegar is truly a cure-all of a liquid. I know you and I both have a booklet listing around the first 200 or so uses.

I would have thought the sodium bicarbonate might be good. If the aphids are suffering from indegestion.

Your dislike of sheep meat, particularly the cooking smell is well known to me and I wouldn't dream of serving it when you visit.

Re Y's 'Moving' comment. The position is that we would like to move, when the country's financial situation makes that possible. Until then we have decided to grin and bear it, and enjoy some of the advantages that Brinsley/Eastwood/Derbyshire have to offer.

Not a bit surprised about the Gordon Ramsey exposé.

Rob ..... By popular acclaim you are now Radiogandy's Poet Laureate ! I can't promise the annual case of Claret or whatever though.

Writing verse on demand is a responsibility of the post I understand. And it was that aspect that Andrew Motion had difficult with.

I think in the matter of Dandelion Haikus you have the winning hand over Wordsworth. 'Dandelion Haiku' sounds rather like a Chinese dress designer I think.

I hope your 'Illustrated book of Haikus' is advanced as a serious suggestion. Now that would be different and has great potential. As they used to say - "Run up a flag and see who salutes it".

Jill ..... Welcome back 'pet'. We've missed you. So glad the weather played the game and provided those blue skies.

The 'big room with a view' sounds good, but a shame about the food. Was it a matter of regional variation or simply not of good enough quality ?

It sounds, going on the tulip report, that garden wise they must be at least a fortnight or three weeks behind.

Well now ! A steak mince and gravy sandwich ! That really sounds something. Does the gravy run down your chin?

Looking forward to Part 2 .......

.................................

Quotation time .......

"A cynic is a man who, when he smells flowers, looks around for a coffin"

H. L. Mencken

I know Rob will appreciate the re-publication of this Man Utd memorial line




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Mostly fine - 40F but feels colder

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Picture 1 is from The Express which David saved for me because it caught his eye. If the image has not been tampered it is really incredible. As all photographers know, clouds seldom stay in the same formation for more than a few seconds. You would have to whip your camera out quickly, or in my case nip indoors or to the car boot to get it - or perhaps he used his mobile phone ?

Readers opinions as to its veracity will be welcome.


Picture 2 is more straightforward. But I think lots of people may already do this.

I've attached a 4GB memory-stick to my car keys. I'll call it new idea 6,331...! But if someone comes back and says "I've been doing that for years" my blog-post can be edited accordingly.

Far be it from me to claim originality where none exists.

Our Ikea browse was successful and we found at least some of the things we were looking for. A new microwave jug with lid, 2 lightweight lager glasses, a jazzy cushion for the Office and a new, equally jazzy duvet cover for my bedroom. I won't bore you with the new loo seat. A suitable white plastic plate-drainer for the draining board however proved elusive.

Y is watching the Inauguration of President Obama and I'm sure it is very moving. One can't help having renewed hope for the world with such an impressive and obviously intelligent man in the job which is so important to the world. The Times online seemed the best coverage, so that is what I've linked you to. Mind you Y tells me that Aretha Franklin was a little high on the cringe-scale.

With regard to our own indigenous financial straits Matt, as always, aims his dagger directly to the right spot and hits it unerringly.

As I always attribute his work, and only pilfer stuff perhaps half a dozen times a year, I feel sure he won't object. And we do pay for the paper, not just nick material online.

As he always does, he identifies problems.

How dare these greedy bankers who, through bad business decisions, have got themselves into a mess, expect to be bailed-out by the tax-payer ? And you know in advance none of them will be honourable enough to resign.

When Y (as Grandma) apologised for forgetting something while over at Burton Joyce, or on Google Chat to Tilly (Hannah) Tilly told her, very seriously, that blueberries are recommended for older people with memory problems - although they can take 3 months before having an effect. So, while we were shopping in Lidl, we bought a punnet ! In three months time we'll report back. If we remember !

My responses to your previous comments.


Jill ..... I'm surprised that Michael Nicholson claims the authorship of the "I counted them out and I counted them back" comment because I'm fairly sure it was Brian Hanrahan. I remember hearing him say it and thinking 'WoW that's pretty good'.

But I suppose I could be wrong - it has been known.

Your other lectures sound good too. But I'm not surprised the finger print man had a problem ............ The subject matter is rather boring anyway.

As Y says "Jill tells it like it is". I'm referring to the food/fish. Of those that you mention we agree completely. Pollock is a load of 'pollocks' - likewise coley. I don't think we've yet sampled Mai Mai or Atlantic Char. I note you say your Catfish was nice, so, if we spot it we'll give it a go.

Yvonne ...... It does sound some cruise doesn't it? And with their accommodation being so good too.

You are right to praise Brian's books about Nottingham - they are good. I keep sneaking a look, without moving your bookmark.

And, as you have already told Jill "the lady in the kitchen IS knitting". I sort of remember you asking Helen. However one creates a 12th scale model of knitting I don't know. Can't be easy. No doubt Reg knows about it - with his modelling interests.

.................................................

Quotation time .......

"Women like to sit down with trouble as if it were knitting"

Ellen Glasgow

Ellen Glasgow was a Pulitzer Prize winner, and is best known in the USA. As to her opinion, the views of lady readers would be valued. Mind you, if we have any gentlemen knitters ........................

....We are WoW-ing tomorrow. But where ? hasn't yet been decided. And I don't know who is going either. Meet up as normal at Reg's.

"Sleep tight - catch you tomorrow"

I think this ending line is a new one

Quiet - Y at Theatre with Sylvia - Idea 6,330

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Pictures 1 and 2 are Collages of Roy and AnonymousJBW' work. When we WoW-ed at Dale Abbey on a dismal lightless day some week's ago, all the gravestones had been regimented, much as shown in the bottom left corner of JBW's picture. Roy said he had some earlier versions when they were higgledy-piggledy as is proper. He promised to find a picture and e-mail it to me.

And for good measure, he found the inset 1953 picture of Cologne Cathedral. He did some RAF time in Germany the same years as me, and not too far apart geographically. Perhaps he was in the next billet and we could have discussed German bier ! Or even photography !

AnonymousJBW was kind enough to provide me with a whole CD of Dale Abbey images - the Hermit's Cave, views from the Church, and it's interior. There is some very interesting Art in there. A wall painting which has all the indicators of being medieval. It couldn't possibly be - could it ? I wonder. I must go and have a look for myself.

Picture 3 is another spider's web photo. This morning the moisture was hanging delicately from the strands.

The only title I could think is "Nature's Jewellry" which I admit errs on the side of 'sugary and too sentimental'. So, any improvements will be gratefully received.

Y and Sylvia went to the Theatre Royal to see Alan Ayckbourn's "Absurd Person Singular" (considered a major play by some). Click the title to read some reviews. But it didn't click with Y and S who considered it "appalling" and they left after the first two scenes. This wasn't a spur-of-the-moment thing because they seriously considered leaving after Scene 1 but thought it might improve. It didn't. And they were not alone ! There wasn't exactly a rush for the exits, but it came close to that.

My quiet but busy day has involved sorting pictures out, moving stuff around and deleting much. Got to be done ! I haven't yet had time to try out the Photology programme I mentioned.

I delivered Y to Phoenix Park this morning and then around 4.30pm collected her from Moor Bridge. No problems with traffic I'm pleased to report.

We watched Strictly come Dancing which, now it's down to 5, is getting very exciting. Click the title if you want to read all about it and watch a clip ! In my opinion Vincent let his and Rachel's dance be too much about him, and Tom and Camilla seemed rather stiff. As Austin and Erin were in the middle of the leader board (a dangerous position) we voted for him because his Latin dance was amazingly powerful. And we certainly don't want him going out. Probably should be Christine or Lisa for the chop.

Comments

bungus ..... I willingly and hastily accept the correction about the "fused glass pendants". Please apologise to Alan Taylor if there is any chance of anyone reading the blog who might have been mis-led. The spelling 'misled' is avoided because I always think it feels like 'cheated out of, in a miserly fashion'. I've probably made that up so don't worry about it.

The mistake occured because, when I dived back into my filing system, I discovered the original glass pendants were by Emma (I didn't blog them because I thought they were too blurry). When this tack-sharp version arrived I assumed the author was the same. Sorry !

The fresh pineapple chunks as on ongoing sorbet is, as far as I know, one of my 'original' ideas. If my filing system can be trusted it is Idea 6,330.

Re AOL and Google. I sincerely don't think there's much danger of a 'major malfunction' with Larry and Sergey's computers - if Google were to fail 'all hell would break loose' all over the known world. AOL will probably be OK too, it is just that it has been 'mentioned' in WebUser circles.

Jill ....... I agree with you about the pendants. Each one of course is an individually crafted and unique work of art. But people are simply buying a beautiful object.

The 'poster' or wall-mural was around 5' by 5'. It was too high off the ground for the customary 50p piece, but of course, the surrounding brickwork gives scale. Maybe I cropped in too close and the bricks vanished. It could have been tiles I suppose but I think not, just straightforward acryllic on board.

You are quite 'in order' to be justifiably proud of Carrie's achievements. To be sharing exhibition space with Damien Hirst and Banksie is really something to have a good old 'crow' about.

I'm pleased to be able to publish it.

Your 'not liking greens' is also perfectly acceptable. I remember you telling us you like your meal floating in a lake of gravy. And that's A1 OK too. The Xmas pudding was completely voluntary as was the slightly burnt custard !

Talking of all those veg, and food, makes me think I ought to have a soup making session tomorrow - if I can fit it in......

Try not to worry about AOL - prolly a 'storm in a tea-cup'.

Much of Tom Lehrer would fail the essential PC tests these days I think. What rot !

Clive James has been very good last week in the Point of View BBC radio series.


Quotation time .........

"Speak the truth, but leave immediately after"

This is a Slovenian proverb - with much to commend it.

Particularly at Committee Meetings.

"Sleep tight - hope to catch you tomorrow"




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Y's funny turn ............

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At breakfast this morning Y fainted and collapsed. I suspected a stroke due to her dizziness and subsequent unsteadiness.

Our super Dr saw her almost straight away and reassured us that she hadn't had a stroke but was suffering from an accumulation of stress. She prescribed some tablets but, more importantly, complete rest and taking it easy.

Dr. L remembered all about the failed house-move tension and my health etc. She really is a proper 'family doctor' and we appreciate her very much.

In consequence we have had a 'rest' day and, at the moment, Y seems better.

I promised info re fridge and this is it. The centre clear plastic shelf completely disintegrated. My good idea 6,330 was to throw away the broken shelf, measure the available space and buy removable storage containers. Result = the fridge's storage capacity is now more efficient than it was before.

Y had thought we maybe needed a new one but is pleased with the result.

Picture 2 is some Meadow Sweet from yesterday, just now flowering and one of my favourite hedgerow scents. So heady and exotic.

But, as a predictor of today's weather, covered in little black 'storm' flies.

Comments ..... Bungus ..... I must disagree with you, and Jill, about the qualities of denim. Although I have never worn jeans, I have a couple of well worn shirts which, along with my new bespoke jacket, are tops for comfort.

So people don't be confused re your right/left of the saloon picture comment - I corrected the error, post publication, after you had drawn my attention to it.

You have a supporter in Roy re the Leibowitz picture and cropping. And thanks for the hospital stories. Sorry to hear about the recorded delivery letter and what promises to be resumption of neighbourly hostilities. How stressful for you and Sandra.

Reg ..... No problem with the 'poppies' being on a black mount - but perhaps narrower margins ? Anyway, it's your picture and thank you for sending it. Always a pleasure to publish.


Jill ...... Y remembers very well her visits to you in hospital when you had TB and were 19yrs old. She says her 'done for' look was due to travelling halfway across London after a day at work. But that's what friends are for !

'Lolly stick' seems to be the consensus re Helen's picture.

There's a small pink-flowered member of the Salvia family which may be it. But apart from beginning with 'S', I can't remember its name.

Sartorially, I have never been able to achieve 'the bees knees' look. Whatever I wear always looks as if I've had it ten years. Even while trying something on in a shop Y once said "You could walk out the Shop in that - no-one would notice". Your 'knitted with denim yarn' sounds just great to me, after about 20 washes !

Roy .... I realise from our last WoW that you know your stuff re birds and bird-song and I'm happy with the kestrel ID.

My denim jacket is definitely a WoW garment but I couldn't possible wear the blue hat. That would be quite improper.

Thanks for the jokes and the Tommy Cooper card story.

You did well to plough through that much blog material.. Much skim-reading is called for I think.

anonymousrob ...... Thanks for putting us right about the saloon picture and as editor I must apologise for any unintended slur on your forbears.

It is good to hear 'the truth' after all these years.

I certainly like your 'reading' of the Nicole Kidman picture. There is so much to 'read' and one person's views are as valid as the next as, as in all great Art, you can go on and on seeing more if you are willing to look.

The philosopher Roland Barthes said in his book about photography 'Camera Lucida' there is, about a photograph, both 'punctum' i.e. that which hits you, and 'studium' i.e. that which you need to study.

As you correctly hint, there is little ground between an Art History degree and Pseuds' Corner.

....................................

Quotation - .................. Relevant ? .........................

"The test of courage comes when we are in the minority. The test of tolerance comes when we are in the majority".

Ralph W Sockman

Not our usual sort of chap - but - as I've said before "If the line is good enough etc......" Mind you, on re-reading - perhaps a little pompous and definitely preachy !

Hope to catch you tomorrow. ........................................

Rob's 'cyanotype' pinhole - RG's Idea 6,329

This is a 'pinhole' picture of a magnolia tree, by Rob Palmer BA(Hons) ARPS. Printed digitally in cyanotype. All potentially acquisitive and occasional readers please read the © copyright notes at the head of the left-hand column.

The image intrigues me. Such depth, even with the tree against a wall, and it is difficult to believe the picture is two-dimensional. It resembles a three-dimensional model in a shallow, glass -fronted display case. Rob draws our attention to Worldwide Pinhole Photography Day . The subject is very interesting. Must have a go! I guess it would be possible digitally - a body cap with a pinhole in it ...... etc., etc. Anyway - Congratulations !

I haven't been idle and came up with bright idea 6,329 ! The other day I dropped my 'helping hand' which has been thoughtfully provided by the disability people, and it caused me a major problem ! i.e. Nothing to pick it up with.

What it needs, I reasoned, is a wrist-strap similar to the ones Joan made for my walking sticks.

In the picture you will see at the bottom, the 'helping hand' as supplied. The copy image above it (I've photoshopped the strap in) shows the redesigned device. I have sent the idea, accompanied by the picture, to the manufacturers with a paragraph saying, if they use it, a couple of quid will come in very handy !

The weather has done its best to be April - we have had an aluminium saucepan coloured sky, followed by bright sun, followed by heavy rain and then a violent 'donner und blitzen' storm. And finally a dramatic sunset - maybe a picture tomorrow.

This morning I decided to pursue Jill and Ro and found they've arrived at Gran Canaria so I 'saved' guessing it might be dark if I looked around 'blog-time'.

The picture makes you realise how enormous the ship is when the bridge-camera apparently looks down onto the roofs of 6-storey buildings near the quayside. And the normal sized boat at its moorings looks like a child's toy.

Hope Jill is enjoying her holiday, but we are missing her from our 'comments' column.

Comments..... Bungus ..... Even as a Derbyshire lad, I do agree about Nottinghamshire scenery. A little understated - but that suits me fine! And I'm glad you enjoyed Dorket Head. Following the success of yesterday's ramble Y and Joan want to have a meander in Bestwood Park soon. That will suit me. Plenty of trees and flowers and grass, and a good pub to boot.

Internet and download speeds can be notoriously tedious at the weeked, or early evening, when everybody is trying to get onto the web. You must just be patient.

White honesty is not that uncommon. As you will see from Mr. Fothergill's website he is quite willing to sell you a packet of mixed seeds. But why pay £1.70p, when Joan is intent on petty theft? And I am quite happy to act as 'fence'.

Reg ..... I honestly didn't realise that the club was started so long ago. The 1950s were of course a growth period for many hobbies, and photography came within the reach of so many.

Obviously then PMT is out as an explanation of EPS's difficulties with its 'monthlies'. Do I remember that 'Indian Brandy' used to be recommended. Next year we must arrange for 'tots' to be available for sufferers.

Thanks for your interesting stuff about the local jazz scene. I seem to remember seeing Kenny Ball at Kirkby-in-Ashfield but I didn't enjoy it much. The Bell in Nottingham centre had a good reputation at one time I believe. See Rob's recommendation for Basford in his yesterday's comment.

Rob..... As you will see I have taken the liberty of publishing your pinhole magnolia tree. And I'm glad to hear you seem to have had a reasonable day.

I entirely agree that 'I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue' cannot continue without Humpf. It would seem almost sacrilegious to even try. And I shall have to eventually 'meet my maker' without ever having understood 'Mornington Crescent'.

Re Jill's hols. It looks good weather in Gran Canaria - but I guess she will be somewhere else tomorrow.

Re your accent, or lack of it. I've never thought of you as sounding 'posh'. You don't sound stupid and perhaps the 'local commentator' thought that implied 'posh'. Don't worry about it !

Quotation time........ This just about follows, I think ......

"The power of accurate observation is commonly called cynicism by those who have not got it"

George Bernard Shaw

...... Sleep tight. Catch you tomorrow......

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Burton Joyce day - Camera Club

Our EPS evening was about sharing our 'photoshopping' from 8 images we had been given (all had the same) and we could add things of our own. Please click here to see the pictures we all started off with. I only wish I could do you a link to everyone's pictures because there were many memorable images. People had used Photoshop techniques I still need to master. As you know I am anti using PS to pass off images which have been faked as original photos but this 'creating pictures' seems fine and doesn't offend me.

People had been resourceful and the humour delighted us all. There was much laughter! Sometimes it sounded like a tap-room again. Can't be bad. And Reg and Roy deserve compliments for the images for us to work on. The picture of 'Duggie at Tripod' (Roy's) caught almost everyone's imagination.

Pictures 1 and 2 are my finished images.

Meanwhile back at the ranch, it was a fairly normal Thursday. The A610 is too bad to contemplate so I took Y to the Hucknall tram terminal. Adjacent is a large Tesco, so I did some shopping prior to our usual Friday/Saturday blitz. I then messed-about until it was time to collect Y from Burton Joyce. I had time to read some stories to Millicent and her chortles of laughter when I 'do' the voices are reward enough.

Even though Tesco isn't our favourite supermarket this one has recently been effectively doubled in size by the creation of another floor reached by an airport style belt rather than the normal stepped escalator. So you can go upstairs with your trolley.

I had a mooch round for some 'Delia recommended stuff' but could only find a couple of items. The checkout girl said lots of folks complained they couldn't find things. I said it might be a good idea to collect together the Delia stuff all in one location in the store. My suspicion is that her programme will prove such a success that the idea would be worthwhile. It doesn't quite merit the status of Idea 6,329 though.

Brian has fixed my printer. Apparently the yellow ink nozzle was completely blocked and needed clearing plus the heads, and then he reset the whole thing. I got him to admit that he had spent two and a half hours on it. But he wouldn't take a penny. As I told him, that is worth any amount of WoW lifts etc. It is a great aspect of our club that people are pleased to help each-other.

Comments......AnonymousRob....I'm glad we have sorted out the misunderstanding over 'requests' because generally I'm only to pleased. There remains a few people who I wouldn't 'p*** on if they were on fire' - but you aren't one of them.

Like you I remember my Mum using a hand mincer screwed on the side of a table. I couldn't find an exact replica and this is the best I could do. The resultant mince was used to make 'rissoles' - do people still make them ? they were a favourite of mine and I must unearth a recipe. Perhaps 'Old Scrote' - see issues passim. Inevitably, when in his cups and out of my Mum's earshot, my Dad would tell a joke about somebody calling them 'pissoles' only to be corrected "I think you will find it's an 'r' not a 'p'" which elicited "Alright then 'arseholes' if you insist". I apologise for the vulgarity but it is a true story.

Y's cough is much improved. And she thanks everyone for their sympathy.

Jill is home and everything went well. She e-mailed me and gave 'blog' permission, so I intend to publish her e-mail as a comment on this post.

Bungus..... Thanks for the praise ! You must be going soft !

Jill...... Strangely enough, I prefer my stick blender to the full-size one. I'm now on my second; the first cracked around the blade. The current one, a Moulinex, is quite excellent and has two speeds which is a handy feature. I tend to use the slower setting because the fast one has a tendency to project stuff onto the kitchen wall. I guess it would be handy if mixing cement perhaps.

Your point, echoed by Bungus, that Delia isn't really cooking to a budget at all, is quite correct. I suppose I am just a diehard fan.

Quotation time.......

"The only reason I made a commercial for American Express was to pay for my American Express bill.

Peter Ustinov

Now there was a polymath if ever there was one. I miss him.

Another blood test tomorrow but generally a quiet day is planned. Catch you tomorrow.

Karen day - Idea 6,328 - Photoshoppery

When making scrambled egg & smoked-salmon on toast for lunch I had bright idea 6,328.

These black, substantial, bendy polythene basins are the packaging for Xmas puddings and make excellent mixing bowls. The domed base is excellent for beating and their ductile quality makes them excellent for p0uring out of.

Feel free etc.,........

Karen came this morning and seems to bearing up under the strains of the 'single life'. She said that a lad she went to school with had invited her out for a drink and both Y and I enquired if it was a 'love interest' ? She said, "Oh No ! I wouldn't go out with him, he always looks as if he had an uphill paper-round". Some Erewash Valley sayings are priceless.

While we had lunch we watched "This is Civilisation" by Matthew Collings and we really rate it. He has the knack of 'describing thoughly' without everything being overlaid by his 'opinions'. Only 4 parts unfortunately because it is excellent television.

Picture 2 is a photoshoppery experiment. An idea I picked up from RPS and that is to 'desaturate' all colours except one (red in this case) and you finish up with a monochrome picture with just the main feature in colour.

Views please ?

I'm also pleased to report that 'blogger have fixed' the picture enlargement glitch. A left-click on a picture will now open a full-size piccy without any intermediate 'faff', as it used to.

We are going to have to record Strictly....It takes Two... this evening because of the need to shoot off to Mansfield for our Nat Trust evening. It is a pretty foul evening here so I'm glad I shan't be driving alone.

Comments.....Hope your neck has been less of an 'ouch' today Jill and I also hope that your new kitchen equipment turned up. Leek and potato is a prince of the Soup world. For some strange reason in my personal recipe book I wrote it as Potato and Leek Soup and always have a small spasm when I can't find it. I ought to know it off by heart now anyway, but I don't.

In my opinion Bungus your vinca minor is performing quite normally. It always seems to carry the odd flower at any time of year and, by its nature it seems to favour shady protected places.

Tea break, and Mansfield but I'll be back........................

"The Lost Houses of Nottinghamshire" by Philip Jones was very interesting and we saw some very important pictures some of which illustrate Philip's book. It was interesting to see for instance architectural similarities between the original Worksop Manor and Hardwick Hall - and then discover that the same architect was responsible for both buildings. Since 1945 there have been 60 major houses in Nottinghamshire demolished. Mind you, in Y's and my mind, some of them were no great loss. Ugly, over-gothic, untidily designed buildings which sometimes we are well rid of. We don't subsribe to the 'must preserve it because it's old' school at all.

I'm well aware though that my position is vulnerable to somebody saying "That is a value-judgement and in a hundred years what is now considered hideous might be considered beautiful". Difficult decisions because we simply can't afford to keep everything. Lots of people there again, 80+ at a guess, and Y took £51.50p on the raffle.

Finally breaking off because I'm off WoW-ing tomorrow morning, and need some kip. Sleep tight everybody. Catch you tomorrow...................

Much cooler - Y over to BJ - Mouse pad idea

A one picture blogette today due to time constraints.

We've been busy; doctors this morning for blood tests and things, and I've got to go back for another tomorrow. Little shopping then, we were going to have a salad but decided that the weather demanded cooked food. So we had a Fray Bentos pie, mashed potatoes and brussels. Karen (cleaning lady treasure) seems to have done a bunk. We knew she was having domestic problems and this morning she texted us saying sorry but she was hundreds of miles away and wasn't coming back. Ho Hum ! I'm sure more information will emerge.

I took Y over to Burton Joyce for the bonfire this evening and she has wrapped up sensibly and I'm collecting her from TJ's in the morning - after my blood test ! Tomorrow evening we have our monthly National Trust meeting at Mansfield. The lecture is to be about National Trust gardens. Should be good.

Let me explain 'good idea 6,327'. Some time ago I had the notion of using a ring-bound sketch pad as a mouse mat because, not only does it provide a good surface for the mouse you can also make notes on it while you are working. The only snag proved to be that, as one worked down the page, the surface the heel of your hand rests on became, due to grease, impossible to write on. Solution - start making the notes from the bottom !

Comments Pleased Bungus that you owned up to refilling the Sarsons bottle from the Blakeleys. And I accept that it is for pragmatic rather than posh reasons. I accept everything you say about 'that programme' but I'm still glad I decided against watching it. Important it no doubt is, but I don't watch much TV anyway and that didn't figure for us. I guess Jill will be of the same mind.

To AnonymousRob. If I come across a buttle-tin for your baked winter veg I shall obtain it for you. Perhaps one of these moisty mornings when I'm on charity-shop patrol.

......I'd better shut up shop. You will be here in 20 minutes or so. No time for a quote. Sleep tight everybody. Looking forward to Hannah's post bonfire blog.

Walk from Horse & Groom - bright idea !

Some time ago Tracy gave us a 'potato-ricer' (see Picture 1) and I didn't really know what to do with it. My handling of an old-fashioned masher please click is exemplary. If you open that link, ours is second from the left. With 20+ stone leaning on it most potatoes yield !

Anyway I had bright idea 6,326 and considered that the ricer would make an ideal makeshift meat press. So I decided to cook my remaining Pork Hock and it worked like a charm. Picture 2 shows the result and the £1 is there for scale, so that Bungus doesn't winge. I've just had a sandwich of it and it is delicious. Takes me back to boyhood.

It was a very pleasant morning and Y had spotted a locally organised walk, setting off from the Horse & Groom at Moorgreen at 11.10am to finish around noon. Yes. I too wondered about the rather precise start time but apparently it is to do with bus-timetables. After dropping Y at the Pub I decided to go down the lane at the sde of the Pub in search of pictures and they abounded. I saw a sparrow-hawk but he was too quick. Most of the corn-fields had been harvested (see Picture 3) and I suppose we have nearly reached that 'all is safely gathered in' time of the year. I used to love Harvest Festivals and found the display of crops at the front of The Church adorable. At that time the corn was in the fields in 'stooks'.

This is how they used to look and I remember as a little chap being allowed to ride on the enormous Shire Horse as he pulled the cart which the farm-workers forked the stooks onto. Well he seemed enormous to me, but so gentle. And the 'threshing yard' was less than a 100 yards from where I lived.

Two of the ramblers were back in the pub by the time I arrived around 11.45am so I introduced myself. They had seen the sparrow-hawk too and a buzzard has been seen. And a yellow-hammer, which I don't think I would recognise even if I was lucky enough to see it. A case for Jill, I think.

Yesterday evening I had one of those late-perception moments with the word 'castaway'. I have fully understood the word for at least 65 years but only at that moment realised that it comes from a person being 'cast' - 'away'. Stupid or what ? And I have much enjoyed the list of memorable film-moments and the only one I would still add, is that horrifying instant in Alien when the creature bursts out of the person's chest.

Thanks Bungus for the suggestion that a 'murmuration' of starlings be replaced by a 'nastiness' because they certainly are. But I have checked the group names for birds list and notice that vexation hasn't been taken. My Shorter Oxford gives one meaning as -'harassing by means of malicious or trivial litigation' - I rest my case. Starlings to a T. A 'vexation of starlings' has a certain ring to it.

My quote is from my iGoogle home page :-

"Of all noises, I think music is the least disagreeable."

Sam Johnson

I'm not sure I agree with him though. The link is courtesy of Wikipedia.

Blood-test for me in the morning and then Tracy is taking us to Chatsworth for the day and we will prolly have lunch in the Restaurant at the rear of The Farm Shop. Looking forward.

.......Sleep tight everyone. Catch you tomorrow.

Pleasant July day - 70F - Rest Day

Weather changes again and today has been a lovely July day with a light wind. I guess that in July one is supposed to call it a 'summer breeze' which sounds altogether more acceptable.

Picture 1 is some phlox which, in spite of sounding like a mild skin disease, are very reliable and, as far as ours are concerned, trouble free. The snails don't seem keen, neither do the greenfly. They aren't invasive and, if you decide to move them, they come out easily. Pretty good plant I think?

I included the sprig of honeysuckle to indicate where these particular phlox are, i.e. next to 'sparrowville' and in front of a weigelia.

This morning we went to the 'Buyrite' shop in Heanor, hoping to buy a suitable box in which to hide the plug extension and assorted wires which link to the stuff on my computer desk. It is now beginning to look more 'like me' and it is great for instance to have the printer there and permanently attached and switched on. I printed a copy for Y of the Nat Trst stuff that Gordon forwarded, and it is more conducive to getting things done promptly than when I had to carry the printer from a shelf in my wardrobe, and then read how to plug it in and get it to be 'live'. We didn't find a suitable piece of furniture/equipment but as we go to Tracy's on Sunday, we pass a Wilko !

A problem with the pedal bin has been that a black plastic bit, which covers the pedal, kept dropping off. I would stick it back with a progressively changing variety of adhesives, up to and including super glue. No matter which, it persisted in coming off so this morning I had bright idea 6,325. I threw away the plastic bit and sprayed the pedal black. A casual walk past wouldn't reveal it and after all who is going to inspect the pedal bin and say "I think you will find that there is a black plastic bit missing here".

I can think of one 'commenter' who will now do precisely that, next time he visits. Fish & Chip day today and while our usual 'chunky haddock pieces' from Lidl were fine we had changed from our normal variey of oven chips and didn't like them as much. Apricots and greek yoghourt for pudding though !

As you may note from 'comments' I had omitted mention of Reg's foot equivalent of 'tennis elbow' and I hereby remedy the omission. Further research in Wikipedia about tennis/golfers/elbow did not take me immediately to a foot version. My attention was grabbed by "osgood-schlatter's syndrome" because Peter Osgood is one of the few footballers I can remember. I was also encouraged when I saw there were 'footnotes' - ha ha! But it was a blind alley I'm afraid and in anycase is mainly suffered by 10-14 year old boys which rather conclusively rules out Reg. None of this Reg should be taken as diminishing a very painful ailment about which you have all our sympathy.

When I collected Y from Burton Joyce it was nice to see Steven and he does genuinely seem much better. I think though that he still has a fair way to go because he said how quickly he tires and how stairs make him not only 'done-for' but also breathless. It would be nice to think that their holiday would be a chance for rest, but, with a young family, it never is is it?

My quote for the day is :-

"Not only is there no God, but try getting a plumber at weekends"

woody allen

Plus a favourite from my own personal quote Library :-

"Jenny kissed me when we met
jumping from the chair she sat in.
Time you thief, who love to get sweets into your list
put that in"

J.E. Leigh Hunt

He was much criticised by the mainstream poetry lobby for 'triviality' but I've always rated him for some memorable lines. Takes all sorts as they say. And I love Bungus's invention of the name 'Nisson Lycra' for their new stretch limo ! John says stretch limos are basically unsafe and unroadworthy and their import should be restricted, and he should know !!

Leisurely coffee. Finish off Xword, read, radio and early kip. I must set my phone to remind me I am helping with the Exhibition in the morning. Catch you all tomorrow. Sleep tight.

Mansfield - Lunch - Thunder - Sun

"..AND, WHEN I RETURNED ALL THAT REMAINED WAS AN EMPTY GLASS AND HIS COLLAR."

This was Bungus's title for Picture 1 which he took while I staggered to the bar in The Widow Frost. When I received it a few minutes ago I laughed so much I nearly 'wet 'mi knickers'. Seldom does a photograph provoke spontaneous laughter in it's subject but this one did.

My 'neck-brace' is uncomfortable and I don't consider it wise to wear it all the time lest I come to rely on it. Hence my decision, while in the comfortable embrace of a great Mansfield Pub, to take it off for a few minutes while I went to order the food. And Bungus saw the potential.

All the things I needed to shop for were crossed off my list. One important thing was a quantity of the larger rubber bands that postmen used to discard but don't seem to any longer. They were ideal for holding together books that are in the process of disintegration - of which I have several. The little thin, coloured, rubber-bands available in supermarkets are simply not up to the job. Another item was a qood length of strong garden wire to support shrub roses which are suffering with all this wet weather and wind. Wilko of course, 99p for 50ft. Every town should be required by law to have a Wilko. W.H.Smith provided one other thing - an A4 Art-Pad. As I've already said, I can't draw but I use them as computer mouse-mats which have the additional quality of allowing me to write notes and stand my coffee. When suitably full and disgusting I tear it off and start a fresh sheet. Idea 6,325 - I think? 6,324 'the keeping of potatoes in the fridge to stop them sprouting' was disallowed because other people already do it.

Jill's trip to Hidcote sounded good. It is generally considered in 'jewel in the crown' terms amongst Nat Trust Gardens. I had in my head, quite erroneously, that it was something to do with Christopher Lloyd. But when I googled there was no mention of him. But E.A.Bowles of Erysium 'Bowles Mauve' was mentioned and others who had a hand in it, including Gertrude Jekyll.

I had a picture of the beautiful evening light, when I started my blog but Picasa and/or blogger is playing up. An error message, with a code, appears and tells me I can't upload the picture and to try again after a few minutes. I have and it won't. Lets hope it's cured itself by tomorrow. (it's cured itself already - ed)


Still laughing at Bungus's picture. Sleep tight. Catch you tomorrow when I am hoping that my 'carbon footprint' will be zero.

Colliers Wood - 17C - Grey Sky

Blood test this morning. And the nursing assistant called me Mr. Marsden which I consider a great step forward from 'darlin' or 'my sweetheart' both of which are so patronising and make one feel that senility and the old-folks home are due.

Lets just hope thaqt te result is OK. After that Y went to The Library and then we did a few other Eastwood jobs and Lidl and Morrisons for bread.

Then I cooked griddled chicken and courgettes, with steamed carrots, green beans, potatoes and cauliflower. Y had made a jelly, so we had it for pudding with Greek Yoghourt. Lovely.

Afternoon walkies then beckoned and as the weather looked so threatening we only went as far as Colliers Wood. The light was so poor and these pictures are just 'blog-shots'. I like that and think I might have invented a new photographic genre. Picture 1 is of a very assertive swan; presumably a male. He wasn't aggressive - more curious as to our reason for being in his territory. Isn't it strange that swans have such bright white plumage and apparently dirty necks? Colliers Wood was opened in 1999 and is built on the site of the old Moorgreen Colliery and the former miners did all the hard work of planting and laying things out. It is attractive now and will continue to become more so for many years into the future. Sadly there's been some vandalism. What can I say.

18,000 trees were planted, there are 2 lakes and large areas of wild-flower meadow which is only mown annually, as meadows traditionally were.

I thought I would share these cowslips with you. There are things like little red dead-nettles and even some primroses. In my opinion the primroses would thrive more on one of the banked areas rather than on the flat. But maybe they took professional advice.

With frequent sits-down I must have managed at least half a mile. And it was nice to sit anyway.

Damn me if now that I am at home 'blogging' and don't need it, the sun has broken through. Lets hope it is a little earlier tomorrow because with the Wednesday walkers I am going back to Clumber. I told Reg that on Monday the bluebells has been gorgeous so we might be lucky. Must remember my tripod because to get a large expanse all sharp, will need a tiny aperture and a long exposure. There isn't much light under the tree canopy.

No links to bright knitting yarns, or hotspring geysers today. But I have made an important discovery. If you store a few potatoes in a paper-bag in the 'fridge they wont sprout! Even at this time of year when they are at their worst. I bought a bag of King Edwards a fortnight ago and put them in the usual dark cupboard. I had however selected 4 large ones intending to 'jacket' them and I put them in a paper bag in the 'fridge. Result this morning - those in the cuboard had all sprouted and gone spongy - those in the 'fridge had not a single tiny sprut and were hard as when they arrived. Idea 6,324 I think.

Y is doing tea. So, I'm off and will catch the News at 6pm.