Another vote for Blackadder II as a series, mainly for the whole cast not just Mr Atkinson. However, the best moment was definitely the conclusion to IV which made me say "Wow!" out loud. Apparently it wasn't particularly planned that way but they had to move to another studio to film as the technicians wanted to go home and a production assistant suggested the final scene and segue to a field of poppies.
As daylight gets earlier I find that I am now able to cycle home through the nature reserve on a Friday as this is POETS* day and there is enough light to see where I'm going. Mrs Rogue is pleased that on this day at least I do leave work on time.
* Polite version: "Push Off Early, Tomorrow's Saturday"
Misty this morning in Arkland the Chill, with not much in the way of Sun-Shine, or even Wind - which is unusual (but not entirely unwelcome).
A change to colder weather - perhaps just for today - has brought back The One Dunlin to Our Creek, and I've just spotted him busily looking for food on the river-bed. There may well be more of his tribe around, but so far, he's the only one I've seen.
Lunch today is Italian - LASAGNE, washed down by Birra Moretti - and supper may well be Scottish (I haven't tried the Cullen Skink SOUP yet, though there is also Cock-a-Leekie if I find I don't like the CS).
BTW, the Haggis I bought has a 4th February use-by date, so I guess it's OK if I keep it in the fridge for a day or so. I've eaten about half of it so far, which leaves plenty for the odd breakfast or evening 'snack'...
I'm with @The Rogue, in thinking Series II of Blackadder was the best but the end of IV is probably top ten best TV ever. I remember watching it the first time, and thinking how are they going to get out of this one.
Lazy day today, so I got up too late to attempt to get one of the scarce spots for Pilates. I did go into town to do a bit of shopping and then made some soup on my return. This afternoon I also manged a 30 minutes aerobics video. The rest of the day will be laziness and knitting.
BTW, the Haggis I bought has a 4th February use-by date, so I guess it's OK if I keep it in the fridge for a day or so. I've eaten about half of it so far, which leaves plenty for the odd breakfast or evening 'snack'...
Certainly Haggis would form a very odd breakfast. Makes a change from corn flakes or toast, though.
Ha! I've had Haggis as part of a 'Full Scottish Breakfast', when staying at an hotel in that country. I think it takes the place of Black Pudding in the 'Full English Breakfast' ...and IMHO is rather tastier.
There was also a Norwegian family at breakfast in the Scottish hotel I mentioned earlier, and they were not at all taken with the thought of eating Haggis. In the interests of European solidarity and co-operation, I ate their slices on their behalf - but I was surprised to learn that the Haggis was new to them...didn't Norway rule Scotland for a time?
My Cullen skink has been consumed; half for Saturday lunch and the rest for Sunday lunch. Delicious fish and potatoes, very creamy, slightly too salty but it hit the spot both days.
My Cullen skink has been consumed; half for Saturday lunch and the rest for Sunday lunch. Delicious fish and potatoes, very creamy, slightly too salty but it hit the spot both days.
I've just had my Cullen Skink SOUP, and yes - it was very tasty. I'll have to ask Madam Sacristan to get me another tin or two, next time she goes to Waitrose...
I also think haggis makes a nice black pudding substitute for breakfast. Not tried laverbread, though.
I like Chinese crispy seaweed but it is actually usually made from kale. Mr Heavenly snacks on Japanese crispy seaweed though, usually while watching anime, and has several varieties of seaweed in the cupboard which he adds to Japanese dishes. He’s rather Japan obsessed.
I’ve only just got out of the office after a Monday morning of admin and emails followed by a long afternoon of marking, punctuated by phoning students. Mr Heavenly is currently making shepherd’s pie for tea.
Only the best bit. And Shetland.
Rather colder here today, but mostly dry, at least while I was out. I had to go to Tessie's at lunchtime because (O HORROR!!!) I'd run out of GARLIC! 😳
This passing aberration has now been remedied, and all is once again well.
Supper was pasta with prawns and veggies (and rather a lot of the aforementioned allium). 😋
A truly damp and dismal day here. I was going out for a coffee with my opposite neighbour, but have suggested I go over to her instead. I walk a lot faster than she does so I'll get less wet going over there than she would coming to us. Also, although I'm sure my husband could rustle up an excellent cappuccino, we have no biscuits in the house.
Before I go I'm trying to sort out some council stuff ahead of a meeting next month, and ignoring the fact that I should probably be doing some housework.
It was horribly wet and windy went I went out early this morning ... at the moment the sun is gracing us with its happy presence, although I know that showers are forecast for later.
- but I was surprised to learn that the Haggis was new to them...didn't Norway rule Scotland for a time?
Perhaps the haggis* hid from them because the Norwegians would have over-hunted and brought the species close to extinction whereas the Scots know how to manage the herds for mutual benefit.
We had the remains of the vegetarian haggis that was Sunday night's dinner on toast for lunch today. Mixed with a bit of horseradish sauce it was very nice.
It continues to remain wet and windy here. Quite a bit of next door's willow has dumped itself in our garden.
Dank and dismal in Arkland the Dripping, though drying out a bit now. A good day, though, as Pilates was a helpful (and not too painful) session, and I felt fit enough to do some Shopp Ing afterwards - which is not always the case!
There was also time before and after the session for some friendly interaction with another Victim and her daughter.
COD MORNAY with Mash n'Peas has been devoured for lunch, and I might fry up a slice or two of Haggis for tea.
Did you find anything Interesting? Curious things can sometimes be found lurking at the back of Cubbuds...I know I have some jars of distinctly vintage Jam...
I've just come down into the saloon/galley (nice and warm, thanks to the Dragon ) after a pleasant hour of S & Q in the wheelhouse. There are still gleams of Sun-Shine - even at 4pm! - but the Stoves of Arkland are now gently Smoking as the evening drawers on. This is not a particularly religious place (to say the least), but, if it were, no doubt Chapel (or Temple) Bells would be ringing for Vespers (or something)...
Haggis, SOUP, and YouTube beckon, after a brief (!) foray onto eBay for some bits n'pieces for my next model railway project - a very small 009 narrow-gauge diorama set in Northern Parts of Tolkien's Shire...
No, we only had our kitchen refurbished a couple of years ago. And it wasn't the larder ... that might prove more interesting!
I tidy/clear out my little cupboards now and then (leaving the vintage Jam to mature), but I check the use-by dates on tins of Beans, Sardines etc., just in case they're also getting a bit ancient.
There are no Use By dates on tins, are there? Best Before, maybe, but the contents are probably going to be edible long after that.
My daughter has just had her pantry fitted out with shelves. She has decanted everything into glass jars, arranged beautifully. It is now more like a photo in Country Living magazine than a farmhouse kitchen pantry.
I'd better sort my kitchen drawers.
I thought I was pretty good at keeping on top of what's in my jar/can kitchen cupboard but discovered a jar at the back yesterday that had a date of 2016 on it. Although it was only a Best Before, I wasn't going to risk it .
A very wet and windy night and a changeable day for weather, with a beautiful rainbow on display while I was having lunch with my friends. Now home and chick frick for tea - the Wrong Night, I know, but it's the way the menus have gone this week.
There are no Use By dates on tins, are there? Best Before, maybe, but the contents are probably going to be edible long after that.
My daughter has just had her pantry fitted out with shelves. She has decanted everything into glass jars, arranged beautifully. It is now more like a photo in Country Living magazine than a farmhouse kitchen pantry.
I'd better sort my kitchen drawers.
Yes, I meant 'Best Before' dates - though I'm reluctant to go too far beyond them...
Re: interesting use of black pudding, I fondly remember a delicious warm salad of black pudding, Puy lentils and leaves with a lovely dressing in a restaurant in Belfast. 😋
It was pissing with rain and blowing a hoolie here for most of today, and now they're offering us sn*w, although hopefully it won't come to that (sorry @KarlLB).
Belated Burns Night supper here (due to daughter’s shift patterns). Haggis, clapshot, and whisky sauce, followed by cranachan. And very nice too. It did strike me that it was a meal that could easily be consumed by someone short of teeth.
Raining here, and windy this morning. No walk for me today.
I had a pleasant morning at an online conference about supporting students, and a somewhat more mundane afternoon of marking.
Tea was Thai green chicken and mushroom curry, accompanied by Prosecco.
We haven’t been to the supermarket since before Christmas so haven’t had haggis yet. Must take a trip out next week.
Not having the best of luck this week. Was due to be in the office on Monday and Tuesday, working from home today.
On Monday, there was a broken down train blocking the line. Yesterday, weather meant most services were cancelled.
Today, we actually have sunshine, but the low angle is disruptive to my home office setup so have had to close the curtains. It was either that or rotate all my furniture and IT setup by 90 degrees.
Belated Burns Night supper here (due to daughter’s shift patterns). Haggis, clapshot, and whisky sauce, followed by cranachan. And very nice too. It did strike me that it was a meal that could easily be consumed by someone short of teeth.
Our son was given a haggis years ago, which I duly served up with clapshot (known in our house as "bashed neeps and tatties" - my father was a Durham man) and my son's comment was, "Not much chewing required there."
Bright and sunny here today. Lots of things on my To Do list.
A really nice bright sunny day which made the flood warning I received from the Environmental agency a little puzzling though I guess it'll take a while for yesterday's rain to come downstream.
I headed to the Town Hall to meet with one of the curators to discuss articles for a display they are doing this year to celebrate 400 years of the Mayoralty and 250 years since the Town Hall opened. My husband came with me as he wanted to chat to one of the other curators about another project that he's involved in. She wasn't there, but it was fun deciding on three items for the exhibition.
Since we've come home I've done a large pile of ironing and I'm now going to have a lazyish afternoon ahead of two council meetings tonight.
I last had haggis 40 years ago on a holiday to Scotland, I was heavily pregnant with our first and it was our last holiday in freedom.
It's that same child's 40th birthday next week so we are off to Germany again. He's having a party at home and some surprise guests will be turning up. This morning was spent walking Ted. This afternoon sorting out bedding for the house sitter and cleaning the windows to remove the Nose Art.
Grey and dry in Arkland the Chilly, after a clear night and morning Frost.
I was aghast to find - on turning on my PC at around midday - that I had NO INTERNET ACCESS . BT and Vodafone both appeared to be on strike, or destroyed by Trump (or Satan), but thanks be to Māna-Yood-Sushāī, normal service (at least with Vodafone) was restored at about 4pm. I tend to rely more on Vodafone, as BT in this area is erratic, to say the least.
I've caught up with emails, the crossword, and the chess puzzle, but I will very shortly need to pay Neighbour T for the next coal delivery, and we do this by a simple online transfer from my a/c to hers. Simple until IT DOESN'T WORK, of course...
Memo to self - get some £££ out over the next day or three, to pay T in actual Money if necessary...
BTW, I finished up the Haggis yesterday evening, along with a rasher of Bacon, and some Toast. I'd forgotten how much I actually like Haggis, so I may buy one now and then, as a change from my usual fare.
Mmm ... haggis on TOAST ... both comestibles I rather like! Accompanied by a splat or two of Branston pickle or chutney ... 😋
After the hoolie and rain yesterday, it was a much more clement day today, cool but clear. And it wasn't fully dark when I got home from work! Almost, but definitely not quite. 🙂
Supper was fishcakes and veggies.
Yesterday I looked out of my window at 5.00pm (my official going home from work time) and it was still light. Fifteen minutes later it was totally dark so if I had left on time I would have got half-way home before having to cycle back to the roads which have street lighting.
Another fairly mild and calm day in Arkland the Arcadian, though there was quite a thick Phogg during the night - not unexpected in a river valley, of course. S&Q is imminent, whilst I consider what to have for lunch, tea, supper, and late-evening snacks...
Tess Coe has been visited, and, to my delight, They are now stocking Baxter's Cullen Skink, along with a wider range (than previously) of that firm's delicious SOUP. I bought a bottle of PORT and some speciality CHEESE, as well as the SOUP, to celebrate this auspicious occasion.
The Office has also been visited, to settle the mooring fee/utility bill, and I've just transferred some £££ to Neighbour T's account to pay for my share (one tonne!) of tomorrow's Coal. Neighbour F will hie him down the A2 with his Trusty Trailer to the Coal Merchant, and he and Neighbour S (perhaps with others they can pressgang) will then do the unloading - a fairly hefty task, as I think this order calls for three tonnes in all.
Weirdness. I was thinking (as one does) of going to Istanbul. On looking up the Turkish Airlines website, I discovered that I could get an inclusive rail and air ticket from Cardiff Central, via Heathrow, for £159 (more expensive fares are available) on the day I wanted to travel. This meant travelling into London in the morning peak - the train fare alone at that time would be £113!!!
We have been out all day - spent a very happy morning and lunchtime with Nenlet1 and the GrandNenling to celebrate the former's birthday. This afternoon we were at the celebration of life for the wife of a friend of ours; the second time he has been widowed .
A dull day here that felt much colder than the thermometer said it was. Lip reading was fun, who knew chocolate was such a rubbish word to lip read. Shift in the charity bookshop was OK though I'm intending to give that up quite soon as I'm not enjoying it that much and I'll shortly not have much time to devote to it anyway.
Another cool but dry day here, which was just as well, as I tripped over my trotters on the way home from work and landed prostrate on my front, seriously damaging my dignity and a packet of crackers in my shopping bag.
Two very nice ladies who were passing were most solicitous and helped me back to a vertical position; I am such a clumsy piglet!
I didn't feel like doing any elaborate cooking, so I cobbled together spaghetti with bacon, garlic and Parmesan, which was really nice.
Yesterday’s Scrabble group and choral society rehearsal were both good ( if a bit hectic for me as I had to hastily provide refreshments for Scrabble and sub for the Librarian at choir.)
Tonight’s church choir practice was less enjoyable. Three new people came, invited by the DM. Not our usual guests who are excellent, make no fuss, sing well and know the ropes. The lady next to me seemed many years older than me. Deaf, too chatty, kept losing the place, sang when only men were meant to be singing and, biggest sin, had no pencil.
Comments
As daylight gets earlier I find that I am now able to cycle home through the nature reserve on a Friday as this is POETS* day and there is enough light to see where I'm going. Mrs Rogue is pleased that on this day at least I do leave work on time.
* Polite version: "Push Off Early, Tomorrow's Saturday"
A change to colder weather - perhaps just for today - has brought back The One Dunlin to Our Creek, and I've just spotted him busily looking for food on the river-bed. There may well be more of his tribe around, but so far, he's the only one I've seen.
Lunch today is Italian - LASAGNE, washed down by Birra Moretti - and supper may well be Scottish (I haven't tried the Cullen Skink SOUP yet, though there is also Cock-a-Leekie if I find I don't like the CS).
BTW, the Haggis I bought has a 4th February use-by date, so I guess it's OK if I keep it in the fridge for a day or so. I've eaten about half of it so far, which leaves plenty for the odd breakfast or evening 'snack'...
Lazy day today, so I got up too late to attempt to get one of the scarce spots for Pilates. I did go into town to do a bit of shopping and then made some soup on my return. This afternoon I also manged a 30 minutes aerobics video. The rest of the day will be laziness and knitting.
There was also a Norwegian family at breakfast in the Scottish hotel I mentioned earlier, and they were not at all taken with the thought of eating Haggis. In the interests of European solidarity and co-operation, I ate their slices on their behalf - but I was surprised to learn that the Haggis was new to them...didn't Norway rule Scotland for a time?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laverbread
Mind you, I've eaten some sort of crispy seaweed as part of a Chinese meal, and that was IIRC quite tasty.
I've just had my Cullen Skink SOUP, and yes - it was very tasty. I'll have to ask Madam Sacristan to get me another tin or two, next time she goes to Waitrose...
I like Chinese crispy seaweed but it is actually usually made from kale. Mr Heavenly snacks on Japanese crispy seaweed though, usually while watching anime, and has several varieties of seaweed in the cupboard which he adds to Japanese dishes. He’s rather Japan obsessed.
I’ve only just got out of the office after a Monday morning of admin and emails followed by a long afternoon of marking, punctuated by phoning students. Mr Heavenly is currently making shepherd’s pie for tea.
Rather colder here today, but mostly dry, at least while I was out. I had to go to Tessie's at lunchtime because (O HORROR!!!) I'd run out of GARLIC! 😳
This passing aberration has now been remedied, and all is once again well.
Supper was pasta with prawns and veggies (and rather a lot of the aforementioned allium). 😋
Before I go I'm trying to sort out some council stuff ahead of a meeting next month, and ignoring the fact that I should probably be doing some housework.
Perhaps the haggis* hid from them because the Norwegians would have over-hunted and brought the species close to extinction whereas the Scots know how to manage the herds for mutual benefit.
* What is the plural of haggis?
It all depends who you ask: I've heard "haggis" (i.e. no change, like sheep); "haggii" or "haggises" (which seems to be the official plural).
Check with a True Scot.
It continues to remain wet and windy here. Quite a bit of next door's willow has dumped itself in our garden.
There was also time before and after the session for some friendly interaction with another Victim and her daughter.
COD MORNAY with Mash n'Peas has been devoured for lunch, and I might fry up a slice or two of Haggis for tea.
In fairness, it didn't take long.
I've just come down into the saloon/galley (nice and warm, thanks to the Dragon
Haggis, SOUP, and YouTube beckon, after a brief (!) foray onto eBay for some bits n'pieces for my next model railway project - a very small 009 narrow-gauge diorama set in Northern Parts of Tolkien's Shire...
I tidy/clear out my little cupboards now and then (leaving the vintage Jam to mature), but I check the use-by dates on tins of Beans, Sardines etc., just in case they're also getting a bit ancient.
My daughter has just had her pantry fitted out with shelves. She has decanted everything into glass jars, arranged beautifully. It is now more like a photo in Country Living magazine than a farmhouse kitchen pantry.
I'd better sort my kitchen drawers.
A very wet and windy night and a changeable day for weather, with a beautiful rainbow on display while I was having lunch with my friends. Now home and chick frick for tea - the Wrong Night, I know, but it's the way the menus have gone this week.
Yes, I meant 'Best Before' dates - though I'm reluctant to go too far beyond them...
It was pissing with rain and blowing a hoolie here for most of today, and now they're offering us sn*w, although hopefully it won't come to that (sorry @KarlLB).
Supper was a DUCK BREAST with veggies.
I had a pleasant morning at an online conference about supporting students, and a somewhat more mundane afternoon of marking.
Tea was Thai green chicken and mushroom curry, accompanied by Prosecco.
We haven’t been to the supermarket since before Christmas so haven’t had haggis yet. Must take a trip out next week.
On Monday, there was a broken down train blocking the line. Yesterday, weather meant most services were cancelled.
Today, we actually have sunshine, but the low angle is disruptive to my home office setup so have had to close the curtains. It was either that or rotate all my furniture and IT setup by 90 degrees.
Still never eaten haggis.
Our son was given a haggis years ago, which I duly served up with clapshot (known in our house as "bashed neeps and tatties" - my father was a Durham man) and my son's comment was, "Not much chewing required there."
Bright and sunny here today. Lots of things on my To Do list.
I headed to the Town Hall to meet with one of the curators to discuss articles for a display they are doing this year to celebrate 400 years of the Mayoralty and 250 years since the Town Hall opened. My husband came with me as he wanted to chat to one of the other curators about another project that he's involved in. She wasn't there, but it was fun deciding on three items for the exhibition.
Since we've come home I've done a large pile of ironing and I'm now going to have a lazyish afternoon ahead of two council meetings tonight.
It's that same child's 40th birthday next week so we are off to Germany again. He's having a party at home and some surprise guests will be turning up. This morning was spent walking Ted. This afternoon sorting out bedding for the house sitter and cleaning the windows to remove the Nose Art.
I was aghast to find - on turning on my PC at around midday - that I had NO INTERNET ACCESS
I've caught up with emails, the crossword, and the chess puzzle, but I will very shortly need to pay Neighbour T for the next coal delivery, and we do this by a simple online transfer from my a/c to hers. Simple until IT DOESN'T WORK, of course...
Memo to self - get some £££ out over the next day or three, to pay T in actual Money if necessary...
BTW, I finished up the Haggis yesterday evening, along with a rasher of Bacon, and some Toast. I'd forgotten how much I actually like Haggis, so I may buy one now and then, as a change from my usual fare.
After the hoolie and rain yesterday, it was a much more clement day today, cool but clear. And it wasn't fully dark when I got home from work! Almost, but definitely not quite. 🙂
Supper was fishcakes and veggies.
We're getting there!
Tess Coe has been visited, and, to my delight, They are now stocking Baxter's Cullen Skink, along with a wider range (than previously) of that firm's delicious SOUP. I bought a bottle of PORT and some speciality CHEESE, as well as the SOUP, to celebrate this auspicious occasion.
The Office has also been visited, to settle the mooring fee/utility bill, and I've just transferred some £££ to Neighbour T's account to pay for my share (one tonne!) of tomorrow's Coal. Neighbour F will hie him down the A2 with his Trusty Trailer to the Coal Merchant, and he and Neighbour S (perhaps with others they can pressgang) will then do the unloading - a fairly hefty task, as I think this order calls for three tonnes in all.
A chilly, dull, grey day.
Two very nice ladies who were passing were most solicitous and helped me back to a vertical position; I am such a clumsy piglet!
I didn't feel like doing any elaborate cooking, so I cobbled together spaghetti with bacon, garlic and Parmesan, which was really nice.
Yesterday’s Scrabble group and choral society rehearsal were both good ( if a bit hectic for me as I had to hastily provide refreshments for Scrabble and sub for the Librarian at choir.)
Tonight’s church choir practice was less enjoyable. Three new people came, invited by the DM. Not our usual guests who are excellent, make no fuss, sing well and know the ropes. The lady next to me seemed many years older than me. Deaf, too chatty, kept losing the place, sang when only men were meant to be singing and, biggest sin, had no pencil.