AS: Tea and biscuits and GIN, the British thread

1222325272864

Comments

  • finelinefineline Kerygmania Host, 8th Day Host
    I was not introduced to blue cheese as a young child, hated it when I tried it, and acquired the taste only at age 18, when I had a Saturday job in a deli - purely because it was fun to taste all the different cheeses. Now I love all cheeses and I like to go to a cheese shop and ask to taste the different kinds and buy the ones I like best.

    Thinking of children being introduced early to strong tasting food to acquire the taste, I suppose that happens here in the UK with Marmite. I hated it as a little kid, but somehow got used to it and am quite fond of it now.
  • MMMMMM Shipmate
    edited July 2018
    I looooooove Marmite, food of the gods.

    We're just back from a very hot Reading, where we went to the museum to see the wonderful reproduction of the Bayeux Tapestry. I'd never heard of it before, but it was embroidered by a group of Staffordshire ladies in the 1880s. They each embroidered their name under the section they had done; the husband of the lady leading the team dyed all the wools to match.

    We've been talking for a while of a trip to see the original, or wait until its visit to the UK. But it was great to see the reproduction in the meantime.

    MMM

  • Ah yes - the Bayeux Tapestry.

    A wonderful record of the last time this Fair Land was invaded by Johnny Foreigner....

    Did the Normans bring CHEESE with them?
    :wink:

    IJ
  • Probably not, because cheese sounds old English or Germanic (Käse) rather than French (fromage). They did bring beef (boeuf), mutton (mouton) and pork (porc) leaving the animals as cows (Kühe), sheep (Schaf) and swine (Schwein).
  • DarllenwrDarllenwr Shipmate Posts: 47
    If it's cheese with presence you are after, can I recommend "Stinking Bishop" (I kid you not)? There is a cheese that wants the place to itself, and very quickly gets it! Imagine the oldest, sweatiest, pair of socks that you can, then multiply that by about 10 and you are approaching the power of Stinking Bishop. The secret is the repeated washing in Perry, which develops a very particular surface bacterial coating.

    The cheese itself is actually quite tasty, but is probably best stored in an underground bunker, some 20 yards from the house. We bought a piece, as a Christmas Present, for my parents some years ago. In the end, it had to be kept in an hermetically sealed container, in a different fridge to all the other food stuffs.

    And then there is Livarot, a French regional cheese. For the first three days, it is not unlike a Camembert - thereafter, most small boys would prize it as a stinkbomb.
  • DormouseDormouse Shipmate
    My parents bought a Livarot cheese when on holiday. Somehow it fell out of the bag, and got lost under the car seat for a while. And then it started to make its presence known...
  • I am making notes of these pearls among CHEESES - thank you, all!
    :grin:

    IJ
  • Polly PlummerPolly Plummer Shipmate Posts: 44
    I'm reminded of the chap in Three Men in a Boat who had a railway carriage to himself because of his smelly cheese.
  • My uncle found he always had lots of room on the bus home from work if he had bought jumper cheese or other similar types.
  • PigletPiglet All Saints Host, Circus Host
    I'm afraid I'm a bit of a cheese wuss: my nose usually gets the better of my taste-buds. I can handle a not-too-ripe Brie or a very creamy blue, but mostly I prefer my cheese fairly gentle. Sorry about that.

    It's been a mixed sort of day here: after the silly temperatures yesterday (35°, and feeling like 42 - it was very hot at the party but v. enjoyable all the same), it was a hot, uncomfortable and rather sleepless night followed by a rather good thunderstorm and much precipitation this morning. It did eventually clear the air a bit and by the time we came out after the Cathedral concert (guitar and cello duets - v. good) it was feeling much more civilised.

    In the afternoon, we went out to Woodstock (about an hour's drive away) as D's giving an organ recital in the church there next week, and he needed to suss out the organ so that he doesn't programme something that can't be done.

    I'm now in the process of making SOUP for tomorrow's lunch (ham, lentil and tomato, since you ask). Maybe we do almost live on SOUP, but we like it, it's cheap, easy and therapeutic to make and excellent for using up Things That Need To Be Used Up.
  • SarasaSarasa Shipmate
    I like cheese but I'm not always sure it likes me so I try not to eat too much of it. We have a very nice wine shop near us with a cheese counter, I tend to spend too much there at Christmas.
    I've been out shopping before it gets too hot and I feel like I've been taking part in that I went to the shops and I bought game. When I got home my bag had:
    1 set of water colour paints and small sketch book to take on a reatreat I'm off to in a couple of weeks
    Some training socks to replace the ones that are wearing out
    A new pair of sunglasses to replace a broken pair
    Two tshirts for son's upcoming birthday
    Food for dinner tonight
    and I also bought an iced coffee to keep me going
  • Bishops FingerBishops Finger Shipmate
    edited July 2018
    I'm reminded of the chap in Three Men in a Boat who had a railway carriage to himself because of his smelly cheese.

    It was indeed the author of that wonderful book, Jerome K. Jerome, recalling his favour to a friend in transporting a large Stilton CHEESE, which eventually had to be buried on a beach.

    The lucky resort then found itself much in demand, due to its peculiarly bracing air...
    :mask:

    IJ

  • Belatedly (as ever!) hoorah for the at-home-ness of bébé en rouge.

    I love stinky cheese but am more or less alone in my appreciation of it. Child C loved it as a baby & toddler, but seems to have gone off it now. A great shame.

    It is Proper Hot here, and for the first time, it also feels quite humid. I’m unable to do anything useful, and so am passing the time watching tv and reading. Such a shame. :wink:
  • PigletPiglet All Saints Host, Circus Host
    Above a certain temperature I can't really do anything useful either.

    It's a pleasant 24° with no Humidex here today, so I took advantage of the lower temperatures to launder the bed-linen - I really didn't fancy faffing about putting it back on the bed in the heat we've been having. Just as well - there's another heat warning in place for tomorrow and Monday, and even after that it's still going to be in the high 20s. :warning:

    We went to what is called the Botanic Gardens this afternoon for a little stroll, but there wasn't all that much to see: mostly just gravelled paths through woods (nice and shady) and a few beds with random plants in them. We reckon it's probably a work in progress, and might be more organised in the future. Nice little amble though.

    I ought to go off now and set some bread going, and put those sheets back on the bed.
  • We accidentally encountered London Pride yesterday, I would have liked to have seen more, but didn't get to play closer than where we were which was on Oxford Street visiting Liberty's and MacCulloch and Wallis on Poland Street. Plus the walk down to Tottenham Court Road tube because Oxford Circus was shut for entry. It was very, very loud, not helped by the pubs in uproar for the England game.

    We'd been to Walthamstow Market on a fabric hunt and could have come back having more than replenished the piles we've managed to destash by making clothes. Being good, and not finding what we were looking for, meant we refrained from buying fabric just because it was good value and lovely. The fact that there are still fabric stashes to use may have also had an influence and that I wasn't sure how I'd use some of the things I was drooling over. For those who are interested, TMOS had some cotton tana lawn at £5 a metre and the shops had good ranges of the African wax print cotton at ridiculous prices (£5 for 6 yards) plus a fantastic range of Indian fabrics - the stuff you make saris and those sorts of clothes from. If I was making evening wear, that's where I'd go.

    (And yes, even trying to stay in the shade and covered up, I'm slightly singed.)
  • la vie en rougela vie en rouge Circus Host, 8th Day Host
    If I get on the train to London, is it still good value?

    I made a couple of cotton frocks about a month ago. I can get offcuts for 10€ for 3 metres. I quite fancy using African wax but I'm not sure I can carry it off.
  • I am quite certain I couldn't carry some of the African wax cotton patterns off, but there were some smaller patterns and/or some subtler (relatively) colour combinations - blues and purples or yellows and softer greens. Having come home, looked it up and thought about it, you can just treat it as patterned cotton and wash off the wax coating, so making a matching shirt and skirt/trousers/culottes outfits would seem a good way to go. (I tend to wear a size smaller bottoms than tops, so separates are easier.) Or you can build very structural clothes, keep the wax and live with a dry clean only garment.
  • BoogieBoogie Shipmate
    I got very little done yesterday, it was 29 degrees so not terribly hot in the scheme of things.

    🤔
  • Ah, but it's the humidity that's enervating, rather than the heat as such, no?

    I'm finding life in general at bit difficult at the moment, as, although the Episcopal Pelvis is now no longer twisted, but back to its normal position, the Episcopal Leg Muscles are still not quite sure where they should be.

    I am, therefore, still hobbling around with a walking-stick, in some discomfort (though it varies from day to day). The hot weather certainly doesn't make it easier.

    My osteopath, a brisk young man (I could quite fancy him, were I that way inclined), reckons that it will be a while before my muscles are de-contracted, un-inflamed, and/or un-irritated IYSWIM.

    Meanwhile, I regard myself as Temporarily Disabled, and therefore allowed to wave my stick peremptorily at anyone who gets in my way.
    :grin:

    Fortunately, driving is no problem, so I am able to get to the shops for CHEESE and ALE.
    :wink:

    IJ
  • PriscillaPriscilla Shipmate
    I feel like putting this current heatwave on TICTH, but I suppose you can't send it where it already is. Unfortunately, I only really function up to about 22/23 degrees these days. We went to Wells yesterday and it got so hot I simply couldn't cope.
    Perhaps we ought to have an anti TICTH thread, blessing people. My first nomination would be the person who invented the electric fan.
  • Perhaps we should nominate God, who (IIRC) invented rain?
    :grin:

    IJ
  • Perhaps we should nominate God, who (IIRC) invented rain?
    :grin:

    IJ

    If she gets on and remembers how to turn it back on, then yes. Otherwise....
  • finelinefineline Kerygmania Host, 8th Day Host
    I also have difficulty functioning in heat, even being inside rather than outside. I am spending lots of time lying on my sofa. I did find something that helps a bit - I tried putting my vest tops straight from the washing machine into the freezer. Then when they are frozen I wear one. It does make me feel better and it actually does lower pulse and raise blood pressure. I did measurements before and after. It doesn’t last long though - it soon defrosts. There must be a better way. I was putting a wet scarf in the freezer too, but that didn’t work so well. It got stuck to frozen food.
  • BoogieBoogie Shipmate
    God needs some lessons.

    Pleasant light showers overnight, every night.

    Pleasant sunshine during the day, 20 to 23 degrees, with a light breeze.

    Is that so difficult to dispense? No!

    🌧 ☀️
  • Boogie wrote: »
    God needs some lessons.

    Pleasant light showers overnight, every night.

    Pleasant sunshine during the day, 20 to 23 degrees, with a light breeze.

    Is that so difficult to dispense? No!

    🌧 ☀️

    amen.
  • PigletPiglet All Saints Host, Circus Host
    Priscilla wrote: »
    ... I only really function up to about 22/23 degrees these days.
    That's about Optimum Piglet Temperature™ too. :)
    Perhaps we ought to have an anti TICTH thread, blessing people. My first nomination would be the person who invented the electric fan.
    I tried such a thread in AS once (I called it Today I Commend To Heaven), but it didn't really fly, maybe because the initials were the same.

    I'd totally agree with you though - and even more so, the person who invented air-conditioning.

    It was very hot in church this morning, not helped by the dozy bint* who switched the fan in the choir stalls off because she thought it was blowing her music around. If you're holding your music correctly, it won't blow around even in a force 10 gale. :rage:


    * Doesn't every choir have a silly old bat who thinks she runs the show? :naughty:
  • SarasaSarasa Shipmate
    It's too hot to think. I've spent the day mooching around at home apart from a quick trip to the corner shop next door for an ice cream. I feel I *ought* to do something, but neither my body or brain feel up to it.
  • PigletPiglet All Saints Host, Circus Host
    As long as there isn't anything you absolutely have to do, you're better off doing as little as possible - no point in getting all steamed up if you don't need to.
  • ......we became aware of an Awful Odour. We duly checked the soles of our shoes, in case we'd trodden in anything unpleasant (let the reader understand), but realised eventually that it was the CHEESE rolls in our bag.....
    Oh yes - the time on the return ferry after a day trip over The Channel when I simply couldn't escape the odorous fellow traveller, only to find it followed me into the car - it was the amazing cheese from the market.
  • Wesley JWesley J Shipmate
    Boogie wrote: »
    God needs some lessons. [...]
    Raising guide dog puppies? There you could be the teacher! :)

  • FirenzeFirenze Shipmate, Host Emeritus
    The spicy noodles for lunch probably weren’t a great idea. Nor was weeding (aka fighting pythons of bindweed) in this heat. Duly felled with gutgripe. Evening spent with salty nibbles alternating with pints of dilute juice.
  • One of our servers (altar, not computer) went down this morning. There was a thump in the middle of the Eucharistic prayer and down she went. She was fine, but still subdued ½hour later after water and fanning. This is after the fan in the sacristy exploded.

    It's a bit warm out there folks...
  • We had a brilliant weekend celebrating Mr. S's birthday - Miss S, SiL, the Intrepid Grandson and I took him for a cream tea on a steam train on Saturday afternoon (well, how was I to know England would make the quarter-finals? Be reasonable!) All was well until we reached the end of the line (aka Middle of Nowhere) and were unable to return due to fires on the line <eeek>. We were delayed by an hour, while the nice lady from the buffet car handed out water, finally making it back to our point of departure to be met by some very overheated firefighters who still managed to smile and wave* We got home extremely hot and sticky and the Little One had his bath in the paddling pool that evening!

    Yesterday, Master S and DiL drove up and we had a lovely lunch - too hot to eat it outdoors, amazingly - and we were joined by the rest of the family after their lunchtime engagement. It was truly joyful and the whole reason for moving here in the first place <spinning smilie>

    Mrs. S, tired but very happy

    * probably no more steam trains till it rains :-(
  • Crikey, Mrs S, that’s rather more excitement than you bargained for!
    Glad everyone is home safely and hopefully now rather cooler...
  • PriscillaPriscilla Shipmate
    Mrs S, the Welshpool and Llanfair railway are only running diesels during this hot period to cut the risk of fires.
  • BoogieBoogie Shipmate
    Priscilla wrote: »
    Mrs S, the Welshpool and Llanfair railway are only running diesels during this hot period to cut the risk of fires.

    Very sensible.

  • Bishops FingerBishops Finger Shipmate
    edited July 2018
    Well, things have come to a pretty pass when even Wales runs out of liquid sunshine!

    It's hot, humid, and cloudy here - quite unpleasant, in fact. One Good Thing, though, is that, having left the church garden to do more or less what it wants, plant-wise, no watering is needed. Those established plants which are happily surviving the dry weather (roses, lavender, sedums) are flourishing, and Bees are plentiful.
    :grin:

    One or two pots/troughs, which have been neglected this year, are full of a most beautiful plant with gorgeous little pink flowers. I have no idea what it is, but I suspect it is technically a Weed...but, again, Bees seem to like it.

    IJ
  • No, I don't think it is - the flowers are much smaller (but about the same colour!).

    I'll have to have a look at my Wild Flower book...
    :confused:

    IJ
  • PuzzlerPuzzler Shipmate
    In retirement I have always liked to keep busy, but this heat has defeated me and I think I have finally learnt how to be idle.

    I fluctuate between enjoying being thoroughly lazy // feeling bored and cross with myself for wasting time and opportunities.eg
    Far too hot to face the journey and hassle of parking then walking to the venue for a concert in a stuffy building, but now wishing I had made the effort.

  • PigletPiglet All Saints Host, Circus Host
    It's come to a pretty pass when it's to hot to eat outside in the UK! 🌞😎

    It's Jolly Hot here too: 29° but feeling like 32 according to Environment Canada, but I went out very briefly just now to put something in the dustbin, and it actually felt quite nice. Very warm, certainly, but not horribly sticky as I'd expected.

    The birdie bistro's been very busy today - lots of mourning-doves, several cowbirds, a couple of sparrows and a lovely little yellow goldfinch who we've christened Woodstock after Snoopy's little friend and because our house is off Woodstock Road. :)
  • Our next-door neighbours from two houses ago once found a little cockatiel in the road, adopted him and called him Woodstock. Over 30 years later he is still flourishing :smile:

    Mrs. S, devoted Snoopy fan
  • NenyaNenya Shipmate
    So pleased the move is giving you some special family times, Mrs S.
  • It really is, @Nenya - so lovely to be able to see them all without it being a big deal of travelling, staying over and so on. And doing a bit of babysitting, too :smile:
  • PriscillaPriscilla Shipmate
    Priscilla wrote: »
    Mrs S, the Welshpool and Llanfair railway are only running diesels during this hot period to cut the risk of fires.
    Update on the W&L - they are now running steam again but following each steam train with a "water train" to deal with any trackside fires!
  • BoogieBoogie Shipmate
    Today is NEW PUPPY day!

    I’m really nervous.

    And excited!

    He’s called Spencer, he’s nine weeks old today Golden Retriever/Lab cross.

    All is prepared :mrgreen:
  • Wesley JWesley J Shipmate
    Hurray for Spencer and Boogs! :mrgreen:
  • Boogie wrote: »
    Today is NEW PUPPY day!

    I’m really nervous.

    And excited!

    He’s called Spencer, he’s nine weeks old today Golden Retriever/Lab cross.

    All is prepared :mrgreen:

    (I miss the spinning happy face and the one with the shower of hearts.)

    How exciting for you and Spencer. And I assume Tatze is ready to step in as aunty as usual.

    You shouldn't be nervous, since you've done this several times now, and done it so well.

    Please give Spencer a snuggle from me.

    :smile:

  • A nice little picture of Spencer would cheer us all up, I think, no?

    Better than yet more rubbish about BoJo the Clown, and DayDay the Exiting Brexiteer...

    IJ
  • How exciting! Hope Spencer settles in with you quickly, Boogie.
    It’s been a bit cooler here today, and thank goodness for that. I might even brave a run later... :neutral:
This discussion has been closed.