Yes, I remember those like 330 in that video. I'm pleased to see that Carris have such a nice selection of vintage cars!
On the way to Belem, Mrs BF and I were standing on the platform (the car was crowded) when she suddenly realised that a young malefactor was trying to reach into her handbag. Upon shouting at him, he leapt off the moving tram, leaving the rest of the passengers profuse in their regrets that such an Awful Thing should happen to a visitor to their country.
I half-expected them to send us a letter of apology from the President, but it was at once both an alarming and a heart-warming moment.
The Bacalhau and a bottle of Vinho Verde improved the day even further...
Husband en rouge was at the market at 8 o'clock this morning to get the pick of the fish and shellfish. We went out rather later, got coffee in town (actually hot chocolate for Captain P and me) and bought some remaining veg. I have now wrapped all the presents.
My Dad's suitcase is described on the website as "out for delivery" so we live in hope that it will arrive today.
Tonight is the French Christmas Eve meal:
Champagne and nibbles
Starter #1 - oysters for those as likes them, smoked salmon for those as doesn't
Starter #2 - foie gras
Mains - turbot with citrus beurre blanc and parsnip and pear purée
The Bacalhau and a bottle of Vinho Verde improved the day even further...
We have just consumed both.
I was riding on the platform (which you can't do any more as the cars have doors) at Mardi Gras when a young imp on the pavement squirted everyone with his water pistol. The conductor leaped off and chased him, then jumped back on - to general hilarity.
I was pickpocketed (not very much) on the Lisbon Metro.
After a nice lazy morning, I've been alternating between intense activity and Sitting On The Sofa (while listening to King's). At that point I had started on the mushroom pâté and the mushroom mixture was cooling. The intention had been that I would set the bread-machine going while King's was on, but I got distracted trying to get the computer to let me in to Radio 4, and by the time it did, the service was nearly starting. As always, I suffered slight eye leakage during the Bidding Prayer ("they that rejoice in a greater light, and upon another shore"). I enjoyed the rest of it though, except for two of the readers - the American one who read the second lesson and the Provost who read the Gospel both had voices that set my teeth on edge.
The bread-machine has just finished its "dough cycle" and the dough is on its first rise, and the presents for the littlies are all wrapped.
Memo to self: go to the cashline machine and get money for the oldest two. Although I won't be seeing them tomorrow, their dad's going to be there so I ought to deliver their pressies.
I suppose I ought to eat something; there was a bit more smoked-salmon pâté than fitted into the dish, so it's going to be a cook's treat. Then off to the 10:00 Eucharist with Carols, at which I'm doing the first verse of Once in royal and reading one of the lessons.
If I'm not in touch again before midnight, a merry Christmas to everyone!
The freezer part if our fridge-freezer is not working properly, and yesterday we found the door ajar and the contents partly defrosted. A quick change of menu ensued, to use up the smoked salmon for lunch yesterday, corned beef for lunch today and a couple of salmon fillets this evening.
I dealt with the immediate problem, so the door now shuts properly and everything is frozen again, Hopefully will remain so until I can empty it and attempt to tackle the actual problem, which will not be before the new year.
Having recently re-read The Nine Tailors I'm thinking of you in the same light as the ringers of Fenchurch St Pauls @Sandemaniac . I hope beer was provided somewhere along the line.
Glad you could re-arrange your menus @Roseofsharon, but what a pain.
Son made a dozen of his excellent mince pies which we had with a glass of masala after dinner and very nice they were too. We then watched the latest Knives Out film on Netflix. Totally bonkers, but with a surprisingly positive attitude towards faith.
"Service of the Nativity" done and dusted (with slightly croaky solo piglet, but I ended in the same key I started in, which is always a Good Thing). There were only 11 of us, but we sang lustily and with good courage (see Eccles for details).
Now having a wee glass of WINE before turning in. 🍷
I envy you being able to drink WINE at such a late hour - as I've got older matured, I can't eat or drink late in the evening (that is, after about 8pm), otherwise the Indigestion Plays Up Something Terrible.
I'd love to hear Solo Piglet sometime, having heard the phrase often. I don't know whether that will ever be possible.
We went to Our Place's very full and lively Christmas Eve service at 6pm after which I had my first mince pie of the Christmas. I'm not really a huge fan, but these were warm with amazing crumbly pastry and it would definitely have been rude to refuse .
A quiet day here, just Mr Nen and me. Ham joint for tomorrow is baking in the oven, turkey crown in the slow cooker, aiming our meal for early evening which is our usual routine. Alcohol consumption will begin at lunchtime, with PORT and CHEESE.
Bright and sunny here, but scoured by the Frozen Breath of the Ice King, aka a Bitter East Wind.
The end of a quiet day with amiable spouse in freezing Van Diemen’s Land. Despite the cold (8c with wind and rain) we enjoyed Bruny Island oysters, local cray served cold with veg and mayonnaise and potato salad followed by berries, ice cream and meringues. Children all overseas and various conversations via WhatsApp. A far cry from nightmare Xmases of days gone by trying to defuse potential brawls with my late mother, burbling idiocy from late MIL and other people’s screaming kids. Spouse wisely left food to me as he has finally realised that OTT Xmas food/booze and controlling behaviour is not conducive to a good day.
No church; not missed after 20 years as a chorister.
Having recently re-read The Nine Tailors I'm thinking of you in the same light as the ringers of Fenchurch St Pauls @Sandemaniac . I hope beer was provided somewhere along the line.
Glad you could re-arrange your menus @Roseofsharon, but what a pain.
Son made a dozen of his excellent mince pies which we had with a glass of masala after dinner and very nice they were too. We then watched the latest Knives Out film on Netflix. Totally bonkers, but with a surprisingly positive attitude towards faith.
Sadly we had to provide our own beer, c/o the local watering hole, but I see tbe similarity! Luckily it's a bit drier round here... so far!
Church is done. No organist but a good recorded accompaniment. Full church with people of all ages from 9 months to 90 years, plus three dogs, one with bells on.
Visiting retired priest was a bit bumbling. He managed to mention The Ashes at least four times in his short homily and barbecues / Bondi Beach three times. What the…..? I think the Light of Christ got a mention once.
Quick cuppa then off to daughter’s for an early lunch as her husband’s family can’t stay long. I’ll drive home when I’m ready. Looking forward to board games with the young adult grandchildren.
Cool, dry and overcast in West Lothian; the church was decently full and singing quite con gusto.
Glad rags have been donned, makeup applied, and the packing of carrier bags with food, drink and pressies to take to Kirkliston accomplished. The taxi should be picking me up at 1 - hope everyone has a lovely day!
Have a lovely time with the family @piglet, and I hope everyone is enjoying whatever they've chosen to do today.
I headed to church this morning while husband and son went off for a walk. We've had a makeshift lunch of scones and cheese, both vegan and are settling down for a couple of hours of doing our own thing before meeting up to start cooking the dinner.
The weather here is very sunny, but rather cold with a bit of an icy wind.
I'm hoping we get to play some board games later, but in the meantime I'm going to do a bit of my jigsaw puzzle.
A bitter easterly Wind in Arkland In Ye Cold Waste, and my head hurts...Neighbour T will bring me my Dinner in due course, but meanwhile there is SOUP.
Despite the lack of public tramsport attendance this year was higher than usual: around 35 at Vespers on 24th and around 45 at Divine Liturgy on 25th. (Regular attendance: Vespers (on Saturday evenings): 10-15; Divibe Liturgy (on Sunday mornings): 50-70.)
My Dad's suitcase never turned up They sent an email at 6pm on Christmas Eve saying they'd given it to a parcel delivery service and it wouldn't arrive until Friday. Off we sprinted to the bottle shop to get more WINE before it closed. The pudding couldn't replaced, but we did find a pâtissier open so Christmas dinner was fine. We have lunched excellently off a goose.
Captain Pyjamas got a child's camera for Christmas. Last time I looked, he had taken 266 photos since this morning
At least you have presents and wine to look forward to tomorrow @la vie en rouge , but that's really annoying. I've never eaten goose. We had turkey with all the trimmings because for me that says Christmas and as I'm the chief - actually the only - cook in the house I get to choose what we have.
I am off to find my bed and book, having taken a couple of painkillers against developing a headache overnight.
I've only had goose once, when I spent Christmas in Austria. A friend was spending a year working for a charity there and a group of us went out for the holidays. I rather enjoyed it though obviously wouldn't be eating it now. It sounds like you had a good dinner @Nenya. I think you were very wise to let your children have Christmas to themselves.
Our dinner, of a nut roast with lots of vegetables was very enjoyable, but I've spent the rest of the evening feeling very fat. At least we're off for a walk with the Ramblers tomorrow before basically having the same again for dinner tomorrow.
I too am heading to bed.
It's eight twenty in the morning and I am still in bed. So are the rest of the household!
My Enkelin was very civilised yesterday and didn't wake up until 8am.
We had a lovely day. My highlight was the crazy cracker penguin race. I'd bought crackers with wind up penguins and a race track. Highly recommended. 🐧
Glad you're having a good Christmas with your granddaughter @Boogie.
We went out for a very nice walk with our local Ramblers group. Just ten of us for stroll round the village to the north of here.
Tonight's dinner will be a re-run of yesterdays with added vegan pigs in blankets.
A quieter day in Arkland the Chill, where the horrid East Wind (I think Sauron must have been eating too many Sprouts ) has abated somewhat.
I visited one of the larger local Co-Ops (O! the excitement!), and managed to find a bottle of PORT to go with the nice CHEESE I received as an Xmas gift. There was no use trying to get to Tess Coe, as they're still CLOSED and will be ridiculously busy tomorrow...
Well done, Dogs. for ignoring the unspeakable in full pursuit of the uneatable...
My father, as a rural postman, took great delight in pointing the local hunts whose hounds had lost the scent in directions opposite to those in which he had seen a fox run.
Well done, Dogs. for ignoring the unspeakable in full pursuit of the uneatable...
My father, as a rural postman, took great delight in pointing the local hunts whose hounds had lost the scent in directions opposite to those in which he had seen a fox run.
🤣
I'm glad to say our local hunt is just follows a scent trail. 🙂
Rummaging in the cupboard that serves as our wine cellar/glassware store I came across a half case of champagne. Don't know when we bought it - quite sometime ago as it's a 2000 vintage. It is - just - available online: £180 the knock.
As I say, we have 6 bottles, or, after tonight, 5.
Wow, Firenze - that's quite a find! I hope it was still in good condition.
I had a lovely day with the family - good food, lots of WINE and excellent company. The Uber I'd ordered arrived at 10:30 in the evening (I could have happily stayed longer, but that's how it went), I was home by about 11, and fell asleep on the sofa, waking up at some godless hour and going to bed.
I had a VERY lazy day - I don't think I got properly up until about 3 in the afternoon - and then realised there was a gathering of most of the clan at my sister's, so I ordered another taxi (which cost a bloody fortune) and had another nice evening with some of the mob (some of them weren't there as they were having a lazy day as well).
Home now for what may be a (relatively) early night.
Well done, Dogs. for ignoring the unspeakable in full pursuit of the uneatable...
My father, as a rural postman, took great delight in pointing the local hunts whose hounds had lost the scent in directions opposite to those in which he had seen a fox run.
🤣
I'm glad to say our local hunt is just follows a scent trail. 🙂
Hope the champagne was amazing @Firenze. I wish I could find things like that in the back of cupboards.
That sounds like a very nice Christmas Day @piglet, and a good Boxing Day too.
Yesterday, after a slightly truncated church service, we had a vegetarian Christmas feast* with Elder Son and Family, followed by the exchange of Christmas gifts. Then home to doze in front of the TV.
*Nine different vegetables, most served two ways, two Quorn products, stuffing balls, home-made Yorkshire puds, & gravy, followed by home-made Christmas pudding & home-made mince pies with frangipane topping.
Today was spent preparing ourselves for a visit from Younger Son and family, who come down to the south coast during Twixtmas for two nights in an airbnb. In theory they will be with us in time for lunch, so a piece of gammon was slow-cooked today to be served cold with salad - if I can get any any. I would have preferred not to shop tomorrow, but needs must. Hopefully Sainsbury's will have some, can't see Mr RoS wanting to drive out to Lidl.
On Sunday there will be a 'family lunch' with both sons and families, to which I will contribute a baked lemon curd ring, with raspberries. I cooked that this afternoon, and it is now in the fridge.
Then life returns to 'normal' as we don't make any concessions to NY Eve, or Day.
Christmas Day with daughter, Boxing Day with son. Both very pleasant. Lunch, walk, board games. Grandchildren all on top form. Grandson W had made two desserts: pannacotta and sticky toffee pudding, both a huge success.
Daughter in law has broken a bone in her ankle but is still driving. She had to work a few hours yesterday and as I left she was tackling a mound of ironing, which she insists on doing for her adult children.
Before I left she made an unexpected suggestion: that in 2026 I should aim to go somewhere abroad on my bucket list and get one of my children to go with me. Her husband did not comment. Ideas on a postcard please.
Today I need to tidy up, catch up with various tasks, probably pop over to Aldi to buy some milk. Tomorrow: church, friend back here for coffee then out to eat Sunday lunch. The next seven days are a blank page, apart from NYE, when I am hosting one or more friends. I have a list of one-off tasks to accomplish over the coming week before the normal busy routine resumes on 5 January. I will need to be disciplined and set myself a timetable, or the week will disappear if I am not careful.
Christmas Day, with Master Heavenly the Elder, we hosted the in-laws for Christmas dinner which was expertly cooked by Mr Heavenly. Then yesterday we went to the Grantchester barrel race where we joined up with Master Heavenly the Younger and girlfriend, followed by a drink, and then to the in-laws for lunch and tea. Mr Heavenly did not compete in the barrel race this year for the first time in a decade, his team is now all in their 50s and 60s and have decided to retire.
Nobody else in the house is up yet so I am not sure of the plans for today. The younger people want to go ice skating at some point this weekend as there is a temporary rink in town.
The postman has just knocked on the door and delivered 2 brace of pheasants!
I had a chat with him last week when he was discussing not being able to give pheasants away after a shoot and he offered us a brace then but he turned up this morning with two lots from the Boxing Day shoot. We really don’t need that many to pluck so our next door neighbours now have their New Year’s Eve meal planned and a new adventure in food preparation.
The postman has just knocked on the door and delivered 2 brace of pheasants!
I had a chat with him last week when he was discussing not being able to give pheasants away after a shoot and he offered us a brace then but he turned up this morning with two lots from the Boxing Day shoot. We really don’t need that many to pluck so our next door neighbours now have their New Year’s Eve meal planned and a new adventure in food preparation.
Can you not just joint them out, save plucking? That's what we do these days.
Our neighbours are friends and we knew they would appreciate them. We will roast ours whole, probably as a pot roast with white wine, cream and mushrooms. We regularly get pheasant breasts (and other game) delivered with our veg box so a whole roast would be nice.
I'd be interested to know what you do with the pheasant, as I have one in the freezer.
Nothing ambitious for tonight, just roast chicken with bread and banana stuffing.
Been out for the paper and although not raining, it is horribly raw and damp. But two new books came in the post, and I have a shedloads of knitting, so a day of huddlage I fancy.
Today I am cleaning and preparing for tomorrow when Little Beaky's little brothers are coming for a Christmas sleepover with us.
They're all coming down here in two cars to visit the Cathedral, including Huxley/ Little Beaky as the Cathedral is one of his favourite places. Then his carers are taking him home as sadly he can no longer stay with us as we don't have room for the specialist hoists etc now required for him.
The little boys are then coming to us and the exhausted parents are having a night in a hotel.
Not sure how much sleep we'll be getting though!
Our neighbours are friends and we knew they would appreciate them. We will roast ours whole, probably as a pot roast with white wine, cream and mushrooms. We regularly get pheasant breasts (and other game) delivered with our veg box so a whole roast would be nice.
Fair enough! It's been yonks since I've plucked one as it's such a faff.
@Firenze - look up Normandy Pheasant, though best only glance if watching colesterol!
The suitcase has arrived! It's a mere four days late, and only came today because husband en rouge told them the barefaced lie that they were going home tomorrow and would be leaving before it arrived.
The company has sent me not one, but two, customer satisfaction surveys, so I have enthusiastically filled them in, telling them exactly what I think of their service
Telling Hideous Fibs is a Sin but it sometimes works...
Another quiet day in Arkland the Windswept, where Sauron's Farts from the East are still occurring, albeit less fiercely than a few days ago. It has just begun to Rain, but at least it's not Sn*w (well, not yet, anyway).
Feeling rather flaky, I've spent all day below decks, engaged in Restage and Snoozage, but there is CHEESE to be eaten, along with CRUMPETS, so the evening will be spent in a more positive manner.
We had a nice simple dinner of baked salmon, together with boiled potatoes, a few Brussels sprouts and a little salad, followed by Christmas pudding and washed down with red wine. All except the fish were larder leftovers from Christmas.
Comments
On the way to Belem, Mrs BF and I were standing on the platform (the car was crowded) when she suddenly realised that a young malefactor was trying to reach into her handbag. Upon shouting at him, he leapt off the moving tram, leaving the rest of the passengers profuse in their regrets that such an Awful Thing should happen to a visitor to their country.
I half-expected them to send us a letter of apology from the President, but it was at once both an alarming and a heart-warming moment.
The Bacalhau and a bottle of Vinho Verde improved the day even further...
My Dad's suitcase is described on the website as "out for delivery" so we live in hope that it will arrive today.
Tonight is the French Christmas Eve meal:
Champagne and nibbles
Starter #1 - oysters for those as likes them, smoked salmon for those as doesn't
Starter #2 - foie gras
Mains - turbot with citrus beurre blanc and parsnip and pear purée
Cheese
Christmas log from the fancy pâtisserie
I was riding on the platform (which you can't do any more as the cars have doors) at Mardi Gras when a young imp on the pavement squirted everyone with his water pistol. The conductor leaped off and chased him, then jumped back on - to general hilarity.
I was pickpocketed (not very much) on the Lisbon Metro.
Meatloaf point reached - two out of three.
The bread-machine has just finished its "dough cycle" and the dough is on its first rise, and the presents for the littlies are all wrapped.
Memo to self: go to the cashline machine and get money for the oldest two. Although I won't be seeing them tomorrow, their dad's going to be there so I ought to deliver their pressies.
I suppose I ought to eat something; there was a bit more smoked-salmon pâté than fitted into the dish, so it's going to be a cook's treat. Then off to the 10:00 Eucharist with Carols, at which I'm doing the first verse of Once in royal and reading one of the lessons.
If I'm not in touch again before midnight, a merry Christmas to everyone!
Done until morning. Soss roll cooking time.
I dealt with the immediate problem, so the door now shuts properly and everything is frozen again, Hopefully will remain so until I can empty it and attempt to tackle the actual problem, which will not be before the new year.
Glad you could re-arrange your menus @Roseofsharon, but what a pain.
Son made a dozen of his excellent mince pies which we had with a glass of masala after dinner and very nice they were too. We then watched the latest Knives Out film on Netflix. Totally bonkers, but with a surprisingly positive attitude towards faith.
Now having a wee glass of WINE before turning in. 🍷
I'd love to hear Solo Piglet sometime, having heard the phrase often. I don't know whether that will ever be possible.
We went to Our Place's very full and lively Christmas Eve service at 6pm after which I had my first mince pie of the Christmas. I'm not really a huge fan, but these were warm with amazing crumbly pastry and it would definitely have been rude to refuse
A quiet day here, just Mr Nen and me. Ham joint for tomorrow is baking in the oven, turkey crown in the slow cooker, aiming our meal for early evening which is our usual routine. Alcohol consumption will begin at lunchtime, with PORT and CHEESE.
Bright and sunny here, but scoured by the Frozen Breath of the Ice King, aka a Bitter East Wind.
No church; not missed after 20 years as a chorister.
No tree or presents, either.
Sadly we had to provide our own beer, c/o the local watering hole, but I see tbe similarity! Luckily it's a bit drier round here... so far!
Visiting retired priest was a bit bumbling. He managed to mention The Ashes at least four times in his short homily and barbecues / Bondi Beach three times. What the…..? I think the Light of Christ got a mention once.
Quick cuppa then off to daughter’s for an early lunch as her husband’s family can’t stay long. I’ll drive home when I’m ready. Looking forward to board games with the young adult grandchildren.
Now Mr Boogs is up to his eyes in cooking and we are about to walk the dogs in the sun and wind.
Glad rags have been donned, makeup applied, and the packing of carrier bags with food, drink and pressies to take to Kirkliston accomplished. The taxi should be picking me up at 1 - hope everyone has a lovely day!
I headed to church this morning while husband and son went off for a walk. We've had a makeshift lunch of scones and cheese, both vegan and are settling down for a couple of hours of doing our own thing before meeting up to start cooking the dinner.
The weather here is very sunny, but rather cold with a bit of an icy wind.
I'm hoping we get to play some board games later, but in the meantime I'm going to do a bit of my jigsaw puzzle.
There is also WINE and CHEESE for later.
My Dad's suitcase never turned up
Captain Pyjamas got a child's camera for Christmas. Last time I looked, he had taken 266 photos since this morning
I am off to find my bed and book, having taken a couple of painkillers against developing a headache overnight.
Our dinner, of a nut roast with lots of vegetables was very enjoyable, but I've spent the rest of the evening feeling very fat. At least we're off for a walk with the Ramblers tomorrow before basically having the same again for dinner tomorrow.
I too am heading to bed.
My Enkelin was very civilised yesterday and didn't wake up until 8am.
We had a lovely day. My highlight was the crazy cracker penguin race. I'd bought crackers with wind up penguins and a race track. Highly recommended. 🐧
We went out for a very nice walk with our local Ramblers group. Just ten of us for stroll round the village to the north of here.
Tonight's dinner will be a re-run of yesterdays with added vegan pigs in blankets.
I visited one of the larger local Co-Ops (O! the excitement!), and managed to find a bottle of PORT to go with the nice CHEESE I received as an Xmas gift. There was no use trying to get to Tess Coe, as they're still CLOSED
Happy Twixtmas, all!
We got half way on the walk and suddenly there was a rumble of hooves galloping behind us. It was the boxing day hunt!
Horses, hounds and people wearing velvet hats and coats. We quickly put the dogs on lead and took them to one side.
Our dogs were really good and ignored everything - the master of the hunt called. 'Merry Christmas' to us!
My father, as a rural postman, took great delight in pointing the local hunts whose hounds had lost the scent in directions opposite to those in which he had seen a fox run.
🤣
I'm glad to say our local hunt is just follows a scent trail. 🙂
As I say, we have 6 bottles, or, after tonight, 5.
I had a lovely day with the family - good food, lots of WINE and excellent company. The Uber I'd ordered arrived at 10:30 in the evening (I could have happily stayed longer, but that's how it went), I was home by about 11, and fell asleep on the sofa, waking up at some godless hour and going to bed.
I had a VERY lazy day - I don't think I got properly up until about 3 in the afternoon - and then realised there was a gathering of most of the clan at my sister's, so I ordered another taxi (which cost a bloody fortune) and had another nice evening with some of the mob (some of them weren't there as they were having a lazy day as well).
Home now for what may be a (relatively) early night.
In theory.
That sounds like a very nice Christmas Day @piglet, and a good Boxing Day too.
*Nine different vegetables, most served two ways, two Quorn products, stuffing balls, home-made Yorkshire puds, & gravy, followed by home-made Christmas pudding & home-made mince pies with frangipane topping.
Today was spent preparing ourselves for a visit from Younger Son and family, who come down to the south coast during Twixtmas for two nights in an airbnb. In theory they will be with us in time for lunch, so a piece of gammon was slow-cooked today to be served cold with salad - if I can get any any. I would have preferred not to shop tomorrow, but needs must. Hopefully Sainsbury's will have some, can't see Mr RoS wanting to drive out to Lidl.
On Sunday there will be a 'family lunch' with both sons and families, to which I will contribute a baked lemon curd ring, with raspberries. I cooked that this afternoon, and it is now in the fridge.
Then life returns to 'normal' as we don't make any concessions to NY Eve, or Day.
Daughter in law has broken a bone in her ankle but is still driving. She had to work a few hours yesterday and as I left she was tackling a mound of ironing, which she insists on doing for her adult children.
Before I left she made an unexpected suggestion: that in 2026 I should aim to go somewhere abroad on my bucket list and get one of my children to go with me. Her husband did not comment. Ideas on a postcard please.
Today I need to tidy up, catch up with various tasks, probably pop over to Aldi to buy some milk. Tomorrow: church, friend back here for coffee then out to eat Sunday lunch. The next seven days are a blank page, apart from NYE, when I am hosting one or more friends. I have a list of one-off tasks to accomplish over the coming week before the normal busy routine resumes on 5 January. I will need to be disciplined and set myself a timetable, or the week will disappear if I am not careful.
Nobody else in the house is up yet so I am not sure of the plans for today. The younger people want to go ice skating at some point this weekend as there is a temporary rink in town.
I had a chat with him last week when he was discussing not being able to give pheasants away after a shoot and he offered us a brace then but he turned up this morning with two lots from the Boxing Day shoot. We really don’t need that many to pluck so our next door neighbours now have their New Year’s Eve meal planned and a new adventure in food preparation.
Can you not just joint them out, save plucking? That's what we do these days.
Nothing ambitious for tonight, just roast chicken with bread and banana stuffing.
Been out for the paper and although not raining, it is horribly raw and damp. But two new books came in the post, and I have a shedloads of knitting, so a day of huddlage I fancy.
They're all coming down here in two cars to visit the Cathedral, including Huxley/ Little Beaky as the Cathedral is one of his favourite places. Then his carers are taking him home as sadly he can no longer stay with us as we don't have room for the specialist hoists etc now required for him.
The little boys are then coming to us and the exhausted parents are having a night in a hotel.
Not sure how much sleep we'll be getting though!
Fair enough! It's been yonks since I've plucked one as it's such a faff.
@Firenze - look up Normandy Pheasant, though best only glance if watching colesterol!
The company has sent me not one, but two, customer satisfaction surveys, so I have enthusiastically filled them in, telling them exactly what I think of their service
Telling Hideous Fibs is a Sin but it sometimes works...
Another quiet day in Arkland the Windswept, where Sauron's Farts from the East are still occurring, albeit less fiercely than a few days ago. It has just begun to Rain, but at least it's not Sn*w (well, not yet, anyway).
Feeling rather flaky, I've spent all day below decks, engaged in Restage and Snoozage, but there is CHEESE to be eaten, along with CRUMPETS, so the evening will be spent in a more positive manner.
@Firenze - have you tried braised pheasant in Madeira from Delia Smith's Christmas?
I've had a complete non-day - slept in, got up eventually, faffed about for a while and made Piglet's Pancetta Pasta for an early supper.
Now contemplating House of Games and the Grauniad crossword.
😇
Parfumier: 'I have good news and bad news. The good news is, I have discovered a scent that is irresistible to men. The bad news is, it's bacon'.