The Untied Kingdom? - the British thread 2021

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  • I took advantage of the dry, sunny morning to cut down a bed of swiss chard

    Even before the discussion about vegan cheddar, I read that as Swiss cheese....

  • Well, it is warmer but it looks as if the rain is likely to cause flooding.

    Anyone else feel like we're having Groundhog Year?
  • PigletPiglet All Saints Host, Circus Host
    It actually wasn't a bad day in Embra - not exactly warm, but with a pleasant lack of precipitation when I had to be out in it, and looking quite civilised for tomorrow too.
  • NenyaNenya Shipmate
    Mr Nen and I went for a walk before lunch as it was meant to pour with rain this afternoon (it didn't) and saw some snowdrops which were a real delight.

    I'm now making my shopping list for tomorrow's early supermarket foray and wondering whether to try and do something a bit different for Burns Night (we'll be celebrating with our online group on Sunday, with whisky and shortbread) or whether to keep to my usual menus. I've had a look at recipes for Cullen Skink but I'm not much of a fan of soup. I think the usual menus will win the day.

    I think it was on this thread that we had a discussion about online grocery shopping; I registered with Tesco's this afternoon but all delivery slots for the next three weeks are booked so that's un fat lot de bon as @Piglet would say.
  • Well, it is warmer but it looks as if the rain is likely to cause flooding.

    Anyone else feel like we're having Groundhog Year?

    Please God, NOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!
  • BroJamesBroJames Purgatory Host, 8th Day Host
    Nenya wrote: »
    Mr Nen and I went for a walk before lunch as it was meant to pour with rain this afternoon (it didn't) and saw some snowdrops which were a real delight.

    I'm now making my shopping list for tomorrow's early supermarket foray and wondering whether to try and do something a bit different for Burns Night (we'll be celebrating with our online group on Sunday, with whisky and shortbread) or whether to keep to my usual menus. I've had a look at recipes for Cullen Skink but I'm not much of a fan of soup. I think the usual menus will win the day.

    I think it was on this thread that we had a discussion about online grocery shopping; I registered with Tesco's this afternoon but all delivery slots for the next three weeks are booked so that's un fat lot de bon as @Piglet would say.
    I’m finding this fairly commonly at the moment. I’m making use of the trick whereby you book a slot a long way ahead and put in a sufficient order to keep it, but then amend the order much nearer the time to match what our needs actually are at that point. If you can accept a four-hour slot then there can be greater availability, and they do text you on the day to give you a one-hour delivery window.
  • BroJames wrote: »
    I’m finding this fairly commonly at the moment. I’m making use of the trick whereby you book a slot a long way ahead and put in a sufficient order to keep it, but then amend the order much nearer the time to match what our needs actually are at that point. If you can accept a four-hour slot then there can be greater availability, and they do text you on the day to give you a one-hour delivery window.
    Until your updated basket doesn't actually get saved and you end up with the stuff you originally had in there to bump up the order value. Then you have to go shopping again.

    Guess who wound up with a couple of bottles of wine, cleaning materials and veggie sausages above and over, but no bread, butter, fruit or cheese....
  • NenyaNenya Shipmate
    BroJames wrote: »
    I’m finding this fairly commonly at the moment. I’m making use of the trick whereby you book a slot a long way ahead and put in a sufficient order to keep it, but then amend the order much nearer the time to match what our needs actually are at that point. If you can accept a four-hour slot then there can be greater availability, and they do text you on the day to give you a one-hour delivery window.
    I was prepared to book pretty much any slot, but there were none. No one hour ones, no flexible ones, in any of the next three weeks. I don't know when new slots actually become available but read something online that said midnight is a good time. I am an early bird and not inclined to stay up until then on the off-chance. Particularly as I'll be up at 5.30 tomorrow to be on the doorstep of my local store when they open. >rolleyes<

    Nenlet1 and son in law have the same delivery slot every week (not with Tesco's) and they pay a monthly amount to cover all delivery charges. I wondered if you get priority treatment if you do that, but I couldn't see that Tesco have that option.

    sighs and heads for bed
  • BroJamesBroJames Purgatory Host, 8th Day Host
    kingsfold wrote: »
    BroJames wrote: »
    I’m finding this fairly commonly at the moment. I’m making use of the trick whereby you book a slot a long way ahead and put in a sufficient order to keep it, but then amend the order much nearer the time to match what our needs actually are at that point. If you can accept a four-hour slot then there can be greater availability, and they do text you on the day to give you a one-hour delivery window.
    Until your updated basket doesn't actually get saved and you end up with the stuff you originally had in there to bump up the order value. Then you have to go shopping again.

    Guess who wound up with a couple of bottles of wine, cleaning materials and veggie sausages above and over, but no bread, butter, fruit or cheese....
    With Tesco, who we shop with, if you make a change to your order you get an email straight away listing the revised order, so I’d soon know if my changes hadn’t been saved.
  • Penny SPenny S Shipmate
    I shouldn't bother trying for midnight after my experience with Waitrose before I got prioritised. Sit in front of computer at 11:59:55, finger poised. At 12:00:00 computer hiccups and all future slots have been fully booked. There are people out there with algorithms!
    I now make a new booking the day I have a delivery, and it has to be a fortnight ahead, that is a week ahead of the one I made the previous week. I use the trick of filling the new order with the contents of the just delivered one, and then tweak it later.
    I have found that Sainsburys and Morrisons currently offer slots much closer in time, and I am not a priority with them. They are useful for things I cannot get from Waitrose, so are very odd orders - e.g. large numbers of things like sardines in tomato sauce, which I don't eat but which WR only stock in very small quantities.
  • Memo to self, the reason toad in the hole doesn't feature on the menu any more is because it doesn't work with GF flour and soya milk. Those products on sale purporting to be GF toad-in-the-hole are using all sorts of tricks to make it work.

    I used to make toad-in-the-hole a lot when my daughter was little and every so often think it would be a good idea (with braised red cabbage this time) and only remember, when I've made it, that it didn't work last time I tried with GF flour and soya milk.
  • NenyaNenya Shipmate
    Penny S wrote: »
    I now make a new booking the day I have a delivery, and it has to be a fortnight ahead, that is a week ahead of the one I made the previous week. I use the trick of filling the new order with the contents of the just delivered one, and then tweak it later.
    I have found that Sainsburys and Morrisons currently offer slots much closer in time, and I am not a priority with them.
    Thank you. Nenlet1 and son in law shop with Sainsbury's and this is how they do it. They don't seem to have trouble getting the same slot each week, but as I said they do pay an upfront fee for all deliveries and maybe that helps. I'm wondering whether to try other places. I met a friend in the store this morning who usually shops online and she was saying she couldn't get a delivery slot either.

    However - mission accomplished, which is always a great feeling. Shopping done, all clothes in the wash, been in the shower. It's a wet grey day here and I am not much inclined to leave the house again. I guess strictly speaking I shouldn't anyway, as I've already been out once, but I don't think a trip to the supermarket counts as exercise.

    In other news, I made a healthy-ish fruit-loaf-type cake yesterday and am looking forward to a slice of that with my coffee. :smile:
  • How frustrating @Curiosity killed. These replacements products certainly have their limitations. Perhaps they should have a warning on the packaging!

    This is day 3 of Operation Catflap. I can understand the feline aversion to tunnels (the catflap is on an exterior wall) but she is confined to quarters or supervised on her excursions until she goes both out and in without the flaps being sellotaped open. On behalf of the avian population I’m quite pleased she is currently mostly indoors.
  • NenyaNenya Shipmate
    My brother (may he rest in peace) tried years ago to introduce their cat to an electronic-collar-triggered catflap. The scenario: cat approached door. Catflap flew open. Cat jumped back in alarm. Catflap closed. Cat approached door. Catflap flew open. Cat jumped back in alarm. Catflap closed. I'm sure you can picture the scene.

    In the end they had to get rid of the catflap. :lol:
  • BoogieBoogie Shipmate
    edited January 19
    I do asda online. I book the slot two weeks ahead - never have a problem. I allow substitutions as you can always send them back if they don’t suit. I get the 6pm to 7pm slot as it’s cheaper (£1.75).

    Our butcher delivers and we get a weekly veg box too. The milk is doorstep bottles the old fashioned way.

    So we haven’t stepped foot in a shop since Christmas. It will be strange when we eventually get back to ‘normal’ shopping!

    Anyone here had the vaccine yet? Four of my friends have had it (the Pfizer one) and all had bad reactions - but they are still pleased they’ve had it. Two are youngsters (nurses) and two over 80s.
  • Boogie wrote: »
    Anyone here had the vaccine yet? Four of my friends have had it (the Pfizer one) and all had bad reactions - but they are still pleased they’ve had it. Two are youngsters (nurses) and two over 80s.

    I rather suspect @alienfromzog probably has, maybe @Doublethink . I'm due to get it tomorrow.

  • alienfromzogalienfromzog Shipmate
    edited January 19
    kingsfold wrote: »
    Boogie wrote: »
    Anyone here had the vaccine yet? Four of my friends have had it (the Pfizer one) and all had bad reactions - but they are still pleased they’ve had it. Two are youngsters (nurses) and two over 80s.

    I rather suspect @alienfromzog probably has, maybe @Doublethink . I'm due to get it tomorrow.

    Yep. I had the Pfizer one a couple of weeks ago. Arm sore the next day but otherwise no big deal. Second dose booked in March.

    AFZ

  • By bad reactions do you mean mild flu symptoms? They are common with ordinary flu jabs (I've never reacted) but don't last long.

    Went for a walk in the drizzle and then planned a presentation on my research. This afternoon is the beginning of another marking bonanza (essays on the importance of community to young people and how practitioners can work within this).
  • Boogie wrote: »
    Anyone here had the vaccine yet? Four of my friends have had it (the Pfizer one) and all had bad reactions - but they are still pleased they’ve had it. Two are youngsters (nurses) and two over 80s.
    I had my first Pfizer vaccination just before Christmas (it was a spare dose at a centre where I was helping in the recovery room) and, other than a sore arm, haven’t had any reaction from it.
    Nenya wrote: »
    The scenario: cat approached door. Catflap flew open. Cat jumped back in alarm.
    Oh poor cat - I think I’d have done the same. This one detects the microchip and clunks when the mechanism is triggered to unlock the door. Other than the clunking, I think the main deterrent is the tunnel through the wall that she has to crawl through.
  • PigletPiglet All Saints Host, Circus Host
    A few of my colleagues have had the jab, and one of them (a trainee midwife who I'd guess is in her 20s) said she had really bad pain in her arm; most of them reported mild headaches.

    I've put in an application for the vaccine, but I'm not going to book it until they start doing them at my place of work (which I understand is due to happen in February) - there's no point in my faffing about going to the Royal or the Western General if I don't need to.

    Re: online groceries, there's a part of me that thinks if you don't absolutely need them, maybe it's best to leave the slots to people who do. The question doesn't arise for me anyway; I'm not in at the sort of times they're likely to deliver, and it's no hardship for me to get my own shopping - it doubles up as my exercise for the day.
  • BoogieBoogie Shipmate
    edited January 19
    By bad reactions do you mean mild flu symptoms? They are common with ordinary flu jabs (I've never reacted) but don't last long.

    They had the runs and chills for twelve hours, both the nurses had to come home from work and went straight to bed. They both work on Covid19 wards. They are fine now and back at work.

  • One of the older members of the congregation at Our Place had her first jab a couple of weeks ago (she's 80+, and lives at home, managing very well - better than me, in fact!) and reported no side-effects at all.

    FatherInCharge (who is 72) is due his first dose this week, so Especially Efficacious Orisons are being offered up that he, too, will suffer no side-effects...
  • MiffyMiffy Shipmate
    Boogie wrote: »
    By bad reactions do you mean mild flu symptoms? They are common with ordinary flu jabs (I've never reacted) but don't last long.

    They had the runs and chills for twelve hours, both the nurses had to come home from work and went straight to bed. They both work on Covid19 wards. They are fine now and back at work.

    I’d the flu jab at the end of September and apart from a sore arm for a few days my reaction was negligible. Let’s hope that’ll be the case for the Covid vacc, too. But as I’m in UK priority group 7 (60-65, no underlying conditions), I’m in for a bit of a wait. Although when I tapped into that rinky-dinky Omni calculator last night, they’d upped the vaccination rate to 2 million a week, bringing my (very much estimated) vaccination to March-April for the first dose and June-July for the second. Which is more encouraging than a month ago when we were thinking September/October.

  • Yes, I was very excited to see that they are hoping to start the over 50s end of April, very good news.
  • As I'm not 70 until August (St Bartholomew's Day, since you ask), I think I'm in one or other of the next two groups - so possibly being Jabbed in late Feb/early March.
  • Penny SPenny S Shipmate
    Thankk you Boogie, for mentioning the milk - I had forgotten to get it in! I miss, with the milk, being able to go out to the farm and get raw milk.
  • FirenzeFirenze Shipmate, Host Emeritus
    Piglet wrote: »
    I'm not in at the sort of times they're likely to deliver, and it's no hardship for me to get my own shopping - it doubles up as my exercise for the day.

    Sainsbury's offer 1 hour slots from 7 am to 11.30 pm.

    I appreciate it's different when they're actually in walking distance. I'd rather shop in person, especially when it comes to perishables. We've ended up in a mixed economy with an online every couple of weeks for bulky and heavy - bottles, tins, multipacks, bags of spuds. And a drive-to-supermarket about every 10 days for fruit, veg, charcuterie and dairy.
  • MooMoo Kerygmania Host
    daisydaisy wrote: »
    This is day 3 of Operation Catflap. I can understand the feline aversion to tunnels (the catflap is on an exterior wall) but she is confined to quarters or supervised on her excursions until she goes both out and in without the flaps being sellotaped open.

    When we installed a dog door for our large mutt, she didn't use it until our slender teenage daughter crawled back and forth through it several times. Then the dog caught on.

  • I’m really annoyed with Tesco’s on line delivery service - we used to have a delivery every week and have no problem booking. I know everyone wants home delivery, but when I tried to order a couple of weeks ago, the earliest slot was in February. I wanted a delivery as I had vouchers I needed to use up.
    Because we haven’t been able to get slots, we’ve been going to a local Sainsbury’s, which is a bit dearer, but has exciting things that Tesco’s doesn’t.
    I wonder if I can claim a refund on my delivery payments?
  • Moo wrote: »
    daisydaisy wrote: »
    This is day 3 of Operation Catflap. I can understand the feline aversion to tunnels (the catflap is on an exterior wall) but she is confined to quarters or supervised on her excursions until she goes both out and in without the flaps being sellotaped open.

    When we installed a dog door for our large mutt, she didn't use it until our slender teenage daughter crawled back and forth through it several times. Then the dog caught on.

    :open_mouth:

    But...would it not have been possible for a slender Burgular, or other Malefactor, to gain access to the house by the same means?
  • Yep. I had the Pfizer one a couple of weeks ago. Arm sore the next day but otherwise no big deal. Second dose booked in March.

    A few of my local friends have also had the Pfizer vaccine. Some have had both doses. A couple reported mild flu-like symptoms for a day after the shot (elevated temperature, feeling a bit grotty), and most, like afz, reported a sore arm.

    I also, unfortunately, know a few people who were offered the vaccine, but turned it down - most of them bought in to the nonsense claim that the Covid vaccine will damage their fertility.
  • kingsfold wrote: »
    Boogie wrote: »
    Anyone here had the vaccine yet? Four of my friends have had it (the Pfizer one) and all had bad reactions - but they are still pleased they’ve had it. Two are youngsters (nurses) and two over 80s.

    I rather suspect @alienfromzog probably has, maybe @Doublethink . I'm due to get it tomorrow.

    Yep. I had the Pfizer one a couple of weeks ago. Arm sore the next day but otherwise no big deal. Second dose booked in March.

    AFZ

    Yes, Pfizer, sore arm for a couple of days, headache feeling a bit rough - side effects wore off quite fast.
  • This is what I posted on my Facebook page the day after the vaccine:
    COVID vaccine warning!
    The day after the jab, I have a sore arm!!!
    Now, let's be clear, a sore arm is clearly WORSE than not being able to breathe, coughing all the time, fever, rigours, aching all over, chronic severe fatigue, being admitted to hospital and not being able to see anyone you love, and possibly giving this disease to friends, strangers, loved ones, health care workers, bus drivers...
    It's a simple choice really.
  • BoogieBoogie Shipmate
    This is what I posted on my Facebook page the day after the vaccine:
    COVID vaccine warning!
    The day after the jab, I have a sore arm!!!
    Now, let's be clear, a sore arm is clearly WORSE than not being able to breathe, coughing all the time, fever, rigours, aching all over, chronic severe fatigue, being admitted to hospital and not being able to see anyone you love, and possibly giving this disease to friends, strangers, loved ones, health care workers, bus drivers...
    It's a simple choice really.

    I always get a reaction to the flu jab, so I make sure I’m free for a few days afterwards to recover. It doesn’t stop me getting the flu jab.

  • I do like that, AFZ!

    Neither of the Knotweed's parents reported a reaction, and they are both 75+. Mind you, Paternal Knotweed is a Professor of Immunology, so it's possible his immune system wouldn't dare!
  • PigletPiglet All Saints Host, Circus Host
    When my young colleague reported her side-effects (headache as well as the painful arm), one of the others said she'd heard that younger people were slightly more prone to side-effects than those of us who are older, which I found rather cheering.

    Not that I'd wish ill-effects on E, the young lady in question, you understand.
    It's turned into a thoroughly miserable night: I got very damp waiting for the bus and walking home from the station. I cheered myself up with a rather nice supper of salmon baked with veggies and crème fraîche and a glass of WINE.
  • la vie en rougela vie en rouge Circus Host, 8th Day Host
    edited January 19
    Tonight I excelled myself by producing a coulibiac de saumon i.e. salmon encased in puff pastry, along with spinach and hard boiled eggs. The recipe I used also included herbed rice and recommended quail eggs, which I agree are agreeably bite sized. A cream and lemon sauce goes with. Coulibiac is originally a Russian idea that the French picked up and ran with. Dessert was apples baked with mincemeat and served with cinnamon and vanilla cream.

    I have eaten too much :flushed:
  • Husband cooked a nice lasagne for tea, and I've just had a half of a nice hoppy beer (Hazy Jane). I'm going to have an early night tonight as I have a long day of marking tomorrow.
  • Had a busy (for me) and very tiring day today, leaving my back aching too much to spend the evening in the kitchen cooking dinner, so ordered a Greek meal to be delivered.
    We rarely buy in - last time was early November, I think, so this was a rare and very welcome treat.
  • DormouseDormouse Shipmate
    I have bought a new slow cooker/ crock pot...it is only a cheap one from Lidl, but I'm looking forward to using it. Our last one broke about two years ago. Pulled pork is a favourite dish, but other stuff too. Any favourite recipes?
  • PigletPiglet All Saints Host, Circus Host
    Lamb shanks are magic done in the slow cooker with red wine and veggies.
    ION, we have a little sn*w. Not enough to be bothersome in Linlithgow, but I suspect Edinburgh might be a bit worse off.

    Even so, the train was on time for the first time since Christmas.
  • Dormouse wrote: »
    I have bought a new slow cooker/ crock pot...it is only a cheap one from Lidl, but I'm looking forward to using it. Our last one broke about two years ago. Pulled pork is a favourite dish, but other stuff too. Any favourite recipes?

    Gammon in cider
    Beef in mushrooms, garlic and red wine

    Are my favourites...

    Happy to share in detail.
  • PigletPiglet All Saints Host, Circus Host
    AFZ, when you do gammon in cider in the slow cooker, do you finish it off in the oven?
  • Piglet wrote: »
    AFZ, when you do gammon in cider in the slow cooker, do you finish it off in the oven?

    Nope. It's just beautiful straight from the slow cooker.
  • I used to make a gammon recipe in the slow cooker with lots of vegetables cut into chunks (carrot, other root vegetables, onion, leek, bay leaves, a few tablespoons of lentils) that was first served straight from the pot as slices of meat with the cooked vegetables and bread and/or baked potatoes. If I was only making this for two, I'd make sure I'd left a decent lump of gammon to finish off in the oven, studded with cloves and glazed, for another meal. Mashing the remaining stock and vegetables produced a soup for a couple of days too (easy lunch in a flask with a roll). The trick to that one is soaking the gammon first to reduce the amount of salt.

    Don't cook beans in the slow cooker without 10 minutes preboiling first, by which point I keep boiling them on the stove top rather than dirtying more cooking equipment. Beans don't boil properly and much though I loved rice and beans, I didn't like the stomach ache.

    Stock is amazing in a slow cooker. I'd dump all the bones and other bits of a chicken after roasting it, with a bay leaf and onion studded with a clove, cover with water and leave in the cooker overnight.

    You can also set it up for chocolate or cheese fondue if you can face the cooker on the table and or serve soup from them for buffet lunches.
  • Penny SPenny S Shipmate
    I would repeat the beans warning. Not just red kidney beans, any beans. The stomach ache is vicious. I was lucky that the person I had cooked the vegetarian dish for didn't turn up, so I was the only sufferer. I thought it was the barbecue sausages - not cooked by me - until the second bout the next day. Since the condition goes by the name of lathyrism, I'd apply the rule to any pulses.
  • Memo to self, the reason toad in the hole doesn't feature on the menu any more is because it doesn't work with GF flour and soya milk. Those products on sale purporting to be GF toad-in-the-hole are using all sorts of tricks to make it work.

    I used to make toad-in-the-hole a lot when my daughter was little and every so often think it would be a good idea (with braised red cabbage this time) and only remember, when I've made it, that it didn't work last time I tried with GF flour and soya milk.

    I've never used soya milk but find cornflour works well for yorkshires/toad in the hole
  • Ooh, thank you, I might try that next time

    The problem is that most other batter recipes work well with GF flour: pancakes, drop scones, although drop scones don't keep for another meal. I forget that this batter is an exception.
  • SarasaSarasa Shipmate
    The only time we tried pancakes with GF flour (bought by mistake) it was a disaster. Would gram flour work or is that not GF free?
  • With gf flour it's a matter of the right kind of protein. Gluten as a protein is very long and stretchy. This is both what makes it hard to digest and also what makes it fabulous for making pastry and toad in the hole. Eggs fill the protein gap with cakes and pancakes. Xanthan gum can help with shortcrust pastry and possibly with toad in the hole. I've never tried. But I don't see any way of making good gluten and dairy free pastry other than shortcrust and I suspect that toad in the hole and Yorkshire pudding will always be decidedly deflated and cake like sadly. I've been fiddling with gluten free things all the time I have ever cooked so have had time to get to these conclusions.
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