A wee bit cooler here today, and occasionally trying to rain. Work was sort of intermittent; although J is officially Not Here on a Thursday, he sent in several voice files, which got done.
Went to Tessie's at lunchtime to stock up on CHEESE, out of which I was beginning to run; did I remember to get some Red Leicester to go with the digestive biscuits? Of course I didn't!
Supper was pasta with prawns, tomatoes and mushrooms, because use-by dates, and actually rather good.
It seems, from today's comments, that I was quite lucky to avoid the worst of the rain in London and Hampshire. Little more than a light drizzle.
Had second conversation with my line manager, with their intention to finish my fixed term contract early, as the person I'm covering for is returning to work earlier than initially planned.
A bit drizzly when I walked into town for a bit of shopping and a hair appointment. I caught the bus back as the rain was heavier by then.
My son came over this afternoon to escape a cold house as they were having a new boiler fitted. No gardening today but we had plenty to chat about, including a job possibility for him which will put an end to his frequent visits if he gets it. Meanwhile he has some interesting part time consultancy work to keep him busy.
Slept a bit later than intended; this was quite a good thing in one way because, as I walked down to the supermarket, I met the bus I usually catch to come home, running early - I'd have missed it. However, the next one was running 15 minutes late, so I trudged round to the "other" bus stop to catch a different service.
The sun has made some tentative appearances. Sheets washed but drying indoors, not out.
I managed to make my philosophy class today where we attempted to discuss cultural appropriation. One the way home I went to the farm stall in the market and bought a swede, a savoy cabbage, some kalettes and a bag of potatoes for £3.10.
Tonight I'm off to a 'words and wine' event in a local art gallery. Should be fun, and I've been assured there are soft drinks for those of us doing dry January.
So far it hasn't rained today but the sky is looking a bit ominous.
We've got sunshine and showers today, which is a nice change from the relentless rain of yesterday. Ted has his groom shortly, which is badly needed. He looks like highland cow at the moment!
I'll share an 'after' photo when he's been done. 🙂
Sunshine and showers earlier but now grey and drizzly. I’ve done lots of admin and comms, and some work on a research project, and I’m about to get stuck into a pile of marking.
I can only think the days are in a competition for 'Dreich of the Week'. Today even wetter and gloomier than yesterday. The weather app persists in describing it as 'drizzle' or 'light rain', occasionally admitting to 'light winds'. It needs to get out more.
Slightly cooler, still very grey, but dry (so far) in Arkland the Dismal. We are promised a visit from The Big Yellow Face tomorrow which I will believe in when I see it...
Tess Coe has been visited again, as I was getting short of my favourite Bread ('Seed Sensations') and Oranges. I've invested in a Haggis (by Simon Howie), and find that it's easy enough to pan-fry slices. The use-by date is 4th February, so it'll last me for some time.
Meanwhile, SOSSIDGES n'CHIPS for lunch, because (a) use-by date, and (b) easy...
Angels of the Lord™ have been evident today - the Nice Lady on the checkout at Tess Coe, the Nice Lady in the Arkland Office who brought a bulky package out to the car, to save me tottering in to get it, and kind Neighbour D who took my shopping bags onto the deck of the Ark.
We've got sunshine and showers today, which is a nice change from the relentless rain of yesterday. Ted has his groom shortly, which is badly needed. He looks like highland cow at the moment!
He certainly looks as though he could do with a trim!
My brother-in-law (who is Slovenian - he and my sister live in France) was greatly amused when he first visited Scotland (where Ma lived) some 30 years ago. He found it hard to take the shaggy highland cattle seriously...
A quiet evening in Arkland the Chilly, where a clearing Firmament presages a cold night. I looked out a while ago, and thought I saw the Evening Star, but it was a light from a passing aircraft ( ).
Never mind. French Onion SOUP is a-boiling on the Dragon, and there is also CHEESE - proof if proof were needed that god loves us..
I'm just back from the St Pete's Burns supper (HAGGIS and CHIPS from the Golden Chip, and very excellent). The entertainment was also excellent, and - contrary to my usual luck - I won the "star prize" in the raffle - a bottle of Ardnamurchan WHISKY, which is 10 years old and apparently part of the first batch they've made.
I wish I liked WHISKY, but I don't really (and it would presumably be the most gross heresy to use this for hot toddies), so I'll just have to wait until I have a WHISKY-loving visitor. Several people at the supper said they'd be right over ...
A disappointing, dull & boring day.
We generally keep Fridays free to go out somewhere, but Mr RoS didn't get up until 9:30, which is the time we would need to leave if we are having an outing. Then he got involved with sorting out piles of old papers in his bedroom, so we didn't even get out for lunch, and I had to rustle up something to fill the gap in the menu.
It is approaching the time of year when the remaining 2025 cans in the store cupboard need eating up and I had unearthed a small tin of pilchards of that date. Just the thing for Mr RoS's lunch - not that he deserved them.
I briefly contemplated putting them up for auction, but repented and served them to him, grilled, on toast.
In spite of the afternoon being dry, and even fairly sunny, I could not summon up any enthusiasm to go out and do necessary things in the garden, so finished up the remains of Christmas gifts of cheese and chocolate in front of rubbish TV.
I will regret it in the morning, but at least it won't be around to tempt me next week.
I'm just back from the St Pete's Burns supper (HAGGIS and CHIPS from the Golden Chip, and very excellent). The entertainment was also excellent, and - contrary to my usual luck - I won the "star prize" in the raffle - a bottle of Ardnamurchan WHISKY, which is 10 years old and apparently part of the first batch they've made.
I wish I liked WHISKY, but I don't really (and it would presumably be the most gross heresy to use this for hot toddies), so I'll just have to wait until I have a WHISKY-loving visitor. Several people at the supper said they'd be right over ...
Don't let them drink it all - we may be in Linlithgow in a couple of months.
Today I am driving to a city south of here, an easy journey, for a Come and Sing day: Handel’s Coronation Anthems. This c&s is very well organised, with plenty of Cake.
A ready meal is in the fridge for tonight.
The weather is dry, a bit chilly, but good driving conditions.
I’m another one who misread the time, or rather didn’t read it at all. I turned up at the words and wine event at 7.30 last night to discover it started at six. I spent ten minutes chatting to a few people then headed home. At least it was only ten minutes walk away.
For once it isn’t raining so we are considering a walk today.
I'm just back from the St Pete's Burns supper (HAGGIS and CHIPS from the Golden Chip, and very excellent). The entertainment was also excellent, and - contrary to my usual luck - I won the "star prize" in the raffle - a bottle of Ardnamurchan WHISKY, which is 10 years old and apparently part of the first batch they've made.
I wish I liked WHISKY, but I don't really (and it would presumably be the most gross heresy to use this for hot toddies), so I'll just have to wait until I have a WHISKY-loving visitor. Several people at the supper said they'd be right over ...
It's a bit dreich in West Lothian today, with intermittent rain, so apart from ambling along to the Post Office to top up my electricity wand, I've been no further than St Pete's for choir practice.
I have reasonable supplies of the essentials*, so I don't really need to go anywhere.
Risi e bisi for supper, I think - it's been a wee while since I made a risotto.
A staying-put day here in Arkland the Mild, where The Big Yellow Face is revealing Herself from time to time. I, too, have no need to go out for anything, but it's clement enough for a spot of S & Q in the wheelhouse whilst I wait for my PIE n'CHIPS to cook.
Haggis tomorrow, I think, but I have some Lamb Chops to hand just in case I manage to destroy the poor Haggis...
We headed to a country park about fifteen miles north of here for a walk in a country park in the grounds of an old abbey/country house. About a kilometre into the walk we reached a locked gate. My attempts to climb it met with failure so we went to try and find another way taking in the grounds of the old abbey which were interesting. The obvious way was private so we stopped for a coffee and I then thought I might now have the oomph to get over the gate. We got there and husband decided to go and check the way wasn't blocked slightly further on. After about ten yards he was back, the path seemed to be leading us through someone's private garden. We went for a shorter walk round a lake and then headed home. Since returning husband has discovered lots of other walks in the area so we'll go there again soon as it was very pretty. There were lots of snowdrops out. People round here tend to take seeing them in their stride, but they are quite a rare site in London parks and we still haven't got used to seeing them in such numbers.
We may or may not go out for a curry tonight.
We spent the morning with Nenlet1, son-in-law, the GrandNenling and The Other Grandparents for an early celebration (known in the family as Cake and Bubbles) of Nenlet1's birthday next week. The GrandNenling was on very good form , Nenlet1 seemed more relaxed than I've seen her for a while (she really likes having her beloved husband at home) and a jolly time was had by all.
On our return home we continued with The Sorting of the Nen Chateau (so much achieved... so much more still to do... ) and have a date this evening with stir fry, wine, the Traitors Finale and Uncloaked; also a slice each of Nenlet1's cake for dessert. So the day should end on a positive note.
We were supposed to visit my cousin in Aberdeen today, but decided not to risk the roads. We are under a Flood Warning and are keeping an eye on our nearest burn (stream) which has burst its banks. SEPA has produced a map showing the area in danger of flooding which includes some of our neighbours but stops short of us. I'm not currently worried as the flood levels would have to rise a lot before there is any chance of it reaching our neighbours, let alone us.
A busy day yesterday as we drove to York and back as it is Master Heavenly the Elder’s birthday next week. So we had a nice lunch out with both Master Heavenly’s and their partners. We got back after 8pm and had a late supper of pan fried fresh tuna with sticky rice and a Japanese style salad with pickles.
I have had a lazy morning today and need to get dressed and go for a walk. I assume lunch is bread and cheese as we have loads of cheeses in the fridge.
Indeed. I confess my favourite series was the Elizabethan one, but that's probably just me.
No, me too, especially the episode just called "Beer". It's just turnip. That's the surprise!
That said, I watched the final episode of "...Goes Forth" in a 6th form boarding house, and beforehand we were all wondering how they would end it. The room got quieter and quieter as the episode went on, and that final scene is the only time I remember a whole room full of people just sitting in transfixed silence long after it faded out.
I really must set Uncle Google onto finding out whether any WW1 veterans went on record about it.
After a busy week I skipped church today. I walked Ted in the grey drizzle - and felt better for it. Then I got on with housey things.
Now I'm enjoying a coffee from my splendid 10-year-old coffee machine, eating a cracker and perusing the Ship. Next - a half hour read of my book then on to laying the fire in the Fireinametalbox and laundering the laundry.
FWIW my favourite Blackadder series is number 3, with Hugh Laurie as Thick George the Stupid Prince. I suspect I am going to be seeing more of Mr Bean in the near future though...
Rather a disjointed start to the day. I was still in bed when the phone rang; a further SEPA flood warning. So I pulled on trousers over my PJs, put on a raincoat and headed out to check the two points from which floodwater might reach us. There was no issue at all, so I headed back in to warm up over breakfast. And then I pottered around for a bit till 9.20 when I realised I was neither showered nor dressed, but still wearing trousers over PJs. A rapid scramble to get ready and I made it to church by 10!
Another quiet and mild day in Arkland the Busy, where Neighbours T & T are having a Grand Clear-Out of metal junk, bits of wood, etc. etc. - they can barely reach their old Dutch tug!
It's a fairly massive work-in-progress, but it'll be Nice When It's Finished.
LAMB CHOPS for lunch, because use-by date, but there is Haggis for tea.
My Spy tells me that attendance at Our Place was good once again, and it does look as though we've picked up some young families and other newcomers. This is immensely encouraging, and rather bucks the trend in neighbouring Places.
I've had several flood warnings in the last couple of months. Both times, although the river was high I didn't think there was any danger of us flooding. It could happen this winter, but I really hope not.
Curry last night was excellent. We have two good Indian restaurants here. The Keralan one does fantastic dosas but the service can be a bit iffy and the loos, though clean are in dire need of an refurb. The one we went to last night which is Indian/Nepalese has great service and lovely loos. The food is really good, just not quite an interesting menu.
I went to and from church in the damp but fortunately there was nothing in the way of serious rain, though we've had heavy showers on and off all day so far. There was a pastoral letter from the bishop that took about twenty minutes to read, and by the end I was not much wiser as to the contents. I'll have to look it up on line to find out what it was all about.
Tea tonight is vegan haggis and our attempt at clapshot. Neither of us has any Scottish blood but we do like vegan haggis. I saw a local care home celebrated Burns Night yesterday and the chef made a whisky and onion sauce. Is that traditional. It sounds rather a waste of some good alcohol. Even if we weren't doing dry January I doubt my husband would want his prize bottle of whisky used for such a purpose.
I guess one could use an inferior WHISKY for cooking purposes...but certainly not a single malt...
Arkland the Snug is settling down for the night - lamps are glowing in the windows of several Arks, and wood-smoke is rising from stoves likewise. Heavy Rain is 'set to batter the county' on Tuesday, leading (no doubt) to commuter chaos, carnage, devastation, trauma, heartbreak etc. etc., but for the moment all is calm...
Time to slice up the Haggis, put some Oil in the frying-pan, place the Haggis therein, and boil up some Tatties. For ease, I use Tess Coe's tinned New Potatoes, as there's just the right amount in the can, and all I need do is to add some BUTTER once they're done.
Yesterday’s Come and Sing was most enjoyable, though I escaped before the final run through, mainly because I didn’t want to overtire my voice. Easy journey and nice to get away from home territory. Dry and a bit sunny.
Good service at 9.15 this morning, led by the absolute best of the local retired priests. I read the first lesson. Decent hymns too.
Then I drove over to my daughter’s, mainly to see my granddaughter H who came back from her first skiing holiday in the French Alps yesterday. Amongst other things she announced she has been selected to represent her firm to speak to MPs in Westminster about apprenticeships. She is one of only a very few girls doing an engineering degree apprenticeship with BMW.
Daughter was in a cold bath when I arrived, having taken some sort of hydration fluid to which she rapidly developed a reaction, swelling of limbs and a rash. The cold bath and piriton soon restored her to normality.
As I no longer cook on a Sunday we had our haggis yesterday evening, with clapshot, and some savoy cabbage. Cloutie dumplings are beyond me, so pud was just a slice of chocolate marble cake with chocolate custard.
The remains of the haggis & clapshot will be eaten tomorrow with the addition of some fresh greens.
For anyone wondering about today, we had a microwave pack of tortelloni and a green salad for lunch, and for the evening whatever we could find to graze on.
Whenever we had haggis, David made the clapshot. He reckoned the secret was to get the proportions right (one part neeps to two parts tatties), cook them separately and then mash together with industrial quantities of butter and a good grind of pepper.
Whenever we had haggis, David made the clapshot. He reckoned the secret was to get the proportions right (one part neeps to two parts tatties), cook them separately and then mash together with industrial quantities of butter and a good grind of pepper.
A few cloves of fresh garlic pounded into it lead to enhanced happiness.
We too consumed haggis but kept the neeps and tatties separate. We also consumed glasses of Scotland's Other National Drink but not whisky. BTW my wife upbraids me because I like to have some Brown Sauce with my haggis, which she considers Sassenach heresy.
We too consumed haggis but kept the neeps and tatties separate. We also consumed glasses of Scotland's Other National Drink but not whisky. BTW my wife upbraids me because I like to have some Brown Sauce with my haggis, which she considers Sassenach heresy.
The 'recipe' I used for clapshot included chives mixed into the mashed veg, in the absence of which I used spring onions.
I felt that a gravy was required, but did not consider adding a condiment.
As I am very partial to a condiment, that would imply that the dish did not need embellishment.
It didn't.
We too consumed haggis but kept the neeps and tatties separate. We also consumed glasses of Scotland's Other National Drink but not whisky. BTW my wife upbraids me because I like to have some Brown Sauce with my haggis, which she considers Sassenach heresy.
It is! Mr. Boogs makes the most amazing perfectly seasoned dishes. A fabulous cottage pie will come out of the oven., served to the table with lovely greens and what does he do? He covers his in brown sauce. Heresy indeed!
We had two of the NE Man's Nigerian colleagues round for Haggis, neeps, tatties and cranachan last night. I made mashed sweet potato as well, in case they'd prefer that to neeps. I'm not sure what they made of it all, but they seemed appreciative.
They brought round some homemade puff-puffs. I had two for my breakfast this morning.
Comments
Went to Tessie's at lunchtime to stock up on CHEESE, out of which I was beginning to run; did I remember to get some Red Leicester to go with the digestive biscuits? Of course I didn't!
Supper was pasta with prawns, tomatoes and mushrooms, because use-by dates, and actually rather good.
Had second conversation with my line manager, with their intention to finish my fixed term contract early, as the person I'm covering for is returning to work earlier than initially planned.
My son came over this afternoon to escape a cold house as they were having a new boiler fitted. No gardening today but we had plenty to chat about, including a job possibility for him which will put an end to his frequent visits if he gets it. Meanwhile he has some interesting part time consultancy work to keep him busy.
The sun has made some tentative appearances. Sheets washed but drying indoors, not out.
Tonight I'm off to a 'words and wine' event in a local art gallery. Should be fun, and I've been assured there are soft drinks for those of us doing dry January.
So far it hasn't rained today but the sky is looking a bit ominous.
I'll share an 'after' photo when he's been done. 🙂
https://photos.app.goo.gl/3P1Yic65eL9R17KcA
Tess Coe has been visited again, as I was getting short of my favourite Bread ('Seed Sensations') and Oranges. I've invested in a Haggis (by Simon Howie), and find that it's easy enough to pan-fry slices. The use-by date is 4th February, so it'll last me for some time.
Meanwhile, SOSSIDGES n'CHIPS for lunch, because (a) use-by date, and (b) easy...
Angels of the Lord™ have been evident today - the Nice Lady on the checkout at Tess Coe, the Nice Lady in the Arkland Office who brought a bulky package out to the car, to save me tottering in to get it, and kind Neighbour D who took my shopping bags onto the deck of the Ark.
And here's me thinking that Ted was ... a horse!
He certainly looks as though he could do with a trim!
My brother-in-law (who is Slovenian - he and my sister live in France) was greatly amused when he first visited Scotland (where Ma lived) some 30 years ago. He found it hard to take the shaggy highland cattle seriously...
https://photos.app.goo.gl/RdfX1stARCSGfnHv7
Yes - he is allowed on the windowsill. Which means the windows get cleaned often due to 'nose art'!
Never mind. French Onion SOUP is a-boiling on the Dragon, and there is also CHEESE - proof if proof were needed that god loves us..
I'm just back from the St Pete's Burns supper (HAGGIS and CHIPS from the Golden Chip, and very excellent). The entertainment was also excellent, and - contrary to my usual luck - I won the "star prize" in the raffle - a bottle of Ardnamurchan WHISKY, which is 10 years old and apparently part of the first batch they've made.
I wish I liked WHISKY, but I don't really (and it would presumably be the most gross heresy to use this for hot toddies), so I'll just have to wait until I have a WHISKY-loving visitor. Several people at the supper said they'd be right over ...
We generally keep Fridays free to go out somewhere, but Mr RoS didn't get up until 9:30, which is the time we would need to leave if we are having an outing. Then he got involved with sorting out piles of old papers in his bedroom, so we didn't even get out for lunch, and I had to rustle up something to fill the gap in the menu.
It is approaching the time of year when the remaining 2025 cans in the store cupboard need eating up and I had unearthed a small tin of pilchards of that date. Just the thing for Mr RoS's lunch - not that he deserved them.
I briefly contemplated putting them up for auction, but repented and served them to him, grilled, on toast.
In spite of the afternoon being dry, and even fairly sunny, I could not summon up any enthusiasm to go out and do necessary things in the garden, so finished up the remains of Christmas gifts of cheese and chocolate in front of rubbish TV.
I will regret it in the morning, but at least it won't be around to tempt me next week.
Don't let them drink it all - we may be in Linlithgow in a couple of months.
A ready meal is in the fridge for tonight.
The weather is dry, a bit chilly, but good driving conditions.
For once it isn’t raining so we are considering a walk today.
I'll PM you my address.
I have reasonable supplies of the essentials*, so I don't really need to go anywhere.
Risi e bisi for supper, I think - it's been a wee while since I made a risotto.
* pasta, rice, CHEESE, WINE ...
Haggis tomorrow, I think, but I have some Lamb Chops to hand just in case I manage to destroy the poor Haggis...
We may or may not go out for a curry tonight.
On our return home we continued with The Sorting of the Nen Chateau (so much achieved... so much more still to do...
(Personally I much prefer Rowan Atkinson in Blackadder but I get that Mr Bean is side-splittingly funny when one is seven years old.)
I still remember being gobsmacked by the final scene...
Decently well-attended church this morning (and a few unknown faces, which is always nice), and mostly decent hymns (see Eccles).
Laundry is laundering, and lunch will, I think, be a smoked-salmon omelette and a BUTTERY or two.
Supper will be HAGGIS and CLAPSHOT, because Burns' actual birthday.
I have had a lazy morning today and need to get dressed and go for a walk. I assume lunch is bread and cheese as we have loads of cheeses in the fridge.
No, me too, especially the episode just called "Beer". It's just turnip. That's the surprise!
That said, I watched the final episode of "...Goes Forth" in a 6th form boarding house, and beforehand we were all wondering how they would end it. The room got quieter and quieter as the episode went on, and that final scene is the only time I remember a whole room full of people just sitting in transfixed silence long after it faded out.
I really must set Uncle Google onto finding out whether any WW1 veterans went on record about it.
Now I'm enjoying a coffee from my splendid 10-year-old coffee machine, eating a cracker and perusing the Ship. Next - a half hour read of my book then on to laying the fire in the Fireinametalbox and laundering the laundry.
It's a fairly massive work-in-progress, but it'll be Nice When It's Finished.
LAMB CHOPS for lunch, because use-by date, but there is Haggis for tea.
My Spy tells me that attendance at Our Place was good once again, and it does look as though we've picked up some young families and other newcomers. This is immensely encouraging, and rather bucks the trend in neighbouring Places.
Curry last night was excellent. We have two good Indian restaurants here. The Keralan one does fantastic dosas but the service can be a bit iffy and the loos, though clean are in dire need of an refurb. The one we went to last night which is Indian/Nepalese has great service and lovely loos. The food is really good, just not quite an interesting menu.
I went to and from church in the damp but fortunately there was nothing in the way of serious rain, though we've had heavy showers on and off all day so far. There was a pastoral letter from the bishop that took about twenty minutes to read, and by the end I was not much wiser as to the contents. I'll have to look it up on line to find out what it was all about.
Tea tonight is vegan haggis and our attempt at clapshot. Neither of us has any Scottish blood but we do like vegan haggis. I saw a local care home celebrated Burns Night yesterday and the chef made a whisky and onion sauce. Is that traditional. It sounds rather a waste of some good alcohol. Even if we weren't doing dry January I doubt my husband would want his prize bottle of whisky used for such a purpose.
Arkland the Snug is settling down for the night - lamps are glowing in the windows of several Arks, and wood-smoke is rising from stoves likewise. Heavy Rain is 'set to batter the county' on Tuesday, leading (no doubt) to commuter chaos, carnage, devastation, trauma, heartbreak etc. etc., but for the moment all is calm...
Time to slice up the Haggis, put some Oil in the frying-pan, place the Haggis therein, and boil up some Tatties. For ease, I use Tess Coe's tinned New Potatoes, as there's just the right amount in the can, and all I need do is to add some BUTTER once they're done.
Good service at 9.15 this morning, led by the absolute best of the local retired priests. I read the first lesson. Decent hymns too.
Then I drove over to my daughter’s, mainly to see my granddaughter H who came back from her first skiing holiday in the French Alps yesterday. Amongst other things she announced she has been selected to represent her firm to speak to MPs in Westminster about apprenticeships. She is one of only a very few girls doing an engineering degree apprenticeship with BMW.
Daughter was in a cold bath when I arrived, having taken some sort of hydration fluid to which she rapidly developed a reaction, swelling of limbs and a rash. The cold bath and piriton soon restored her to normality.
I have been lazy for the rest of today.
The remains of the haggis & clapshot will be eaten tomorrow with the addition of some fresh greens.
For anyone wondering about today, we had a microwave pack of tortelloni and a green salad for lunch, and for the evening whatever we could find to graze on.
A few cloves of fresh garlic pounded into it lead to enhanced happiness.
I can see it sort of working, but no.
I felt that a gravy was required, but did not consider adding a condiment.
As I am very partial to a condiment, that would imply that the dish did not need embellishment.
It didn't.
It is! Mr. Boogs makes the most amazing perfectly seasoned dishes. A fabulous cottage pie will come out of the oven., served to the table with lovely greens and what does he do? He covers his in brown sauce. Heresy indeed!
I don't take any sauce with a cottage pie, but my wife will probably take ketchup ...
They brought round some homemade puff-puffs. I had two for my breakfast this morning.