I read that as referring to the Republic of Iceland, but ISWYM.
Our principal local food bank is one of the Trussell Trust's many places, and is both large and well-patronised (one of the tory government's success stories!). I would be surprised if they didn't have freezer facilities.
Well, I've had a busy weekend post lurgi. Went into the cattle crossing yesterday with some Christmas money, and bought a new toy. Meet Roly, everyone! https://flic.kr/p/2psbfXi He needs work, not least working out how to use him, but I think I might have got a bargain here. We shall see... oh, and we burnt some more Christmas money on some picture frames for pictures we got for said feast.
Today I just about got to ringing not too late (yesterday being only the second time since the C word I got on the bike, I will tell you for free that my knees and nether regions are bloody uncomfortable!), then rolled into town for archery where we were blessed by the presence of His Solar Majesty. On the way back I stopped at the allotment and persuaded some veg to emerge from the waters before getting home for lunch. By this time I was so knackered I napped for an hour and a half! Oh dear, I appear to be getting old.... bugger!
Post nap I pottered for a bit outside, then decided to have a play and developed my stash of film I've shot this year. Four rolls of b&w are now drying in the bathroom. Goodness only knows when they will get scanned, but so be it. Peasant stir-fry has been cooked and partaken of and it only remains to be washed up before I can got Arsebook for the evening, answer a family history contact's emails, and book tickets to see the Wurzels in June.
At my son’s today I learnt of a real dilemma for Grandson W. Some of you may recall he has not had the easiest ride through life, with problems sometimes of his own making, but also a victim in a horrible court case. He is very bright - and very headstrong as many young men can be. Last January, shortly after getting his first car, he crashed it and now sadly has a criminal record for drinking and driving. He is in his first year of an apprenticeship degree, for which he applied before the conviction and has really knuckled down well, showing real aptitude. He has become aware that if he declares the conviction now, he will be sacked instantly, not just for having it but for not declaring it. If he waits until checks are made, as they will be eventually, he will probably be sacked. His father wants him to continue as long as possible, to do well, to get an education, a skill, to improve his chances in life, to get as far as he can whilst he can.
I am hopeful that if he has proved himself for three years they will not disqualify him, but it is a risk.
I only got the story, not W’s views or feelings, but my son is really upset, not knowing what to advise, or whether the lad will go off the rails if he is thrown out.
I might put a sentence in the Prayer thread.
Doublethink, the drink driving isn’t in itself a disqualifier for the job.
Part of me thinks he should disclose it now, but since his dad tells me that would mean instant dismissal, I don’t know what to think. The way W has settled down into the work has been a real transformation.
I just have to take a step back and tell myself it is not my problem to get involved in, but that is hard.
A lovely crisp, but chilly, day here, with lots of Sun Shine...however, Arkland is braced for a dose of Too Much Water - a combination of a high spring tide, a northerly wind, and the closure of the Thames Barrier.
The Chariot has been parked as far away from the water as possible, but Neighbour F has just told me to phone him, if it appears to be in danger, and he will wade through the water to rescue it (he's done that before, bless him).🤞🤞
Bright and sunny here today too. I have toyed with the idea of going for a walk but domesticity has taken over, to the extent that I've got lots done but haven't yet showered.
I am, however, out this evening for my book group and will get fed, which will be very nice.
For the first time this year, there was sunlight on my wall this morning, falling on a photo of a Mediterranean street with palm trees and a pavement cafe under blue skies, and bringing it to life for a few moments. Beautiful.
Also, quite amazingly, the replacement book I ordered which had stalled over the weekend and had been labelled as ready to be collected, was delivered at lunchtime. Now I only need the lost one to turn up and then I can avoid being charged.
Just got in from a sunny walk and it is 1 degree here.
Usual Monday morning of admin. I also reviewed an old tutorial to re-use next week (the challenges in providing good end of life care) and planned tomorrow’s marking (practitioners working together in communities to support young people).
@Puzzler - I'm inclined to agree that an admission now might work out better for W, especially if a clean driving licence isn't required for his apprenticeship. As others have said, I think it might "compound the felony" if he were to conceal it for any longer. Sending up prayers for a good outcome!
It's jolly chilly here: bubbling around the 0° mark, and even though there isn't much wind, it feels fairly parky. It did, however, make for a reasonably nice amble home after a busy day at work; I think I produced (among other things) eight Powers of Attorney (plus the associated paperwork, which is a right faff) and half a dozen Wills. If I didn't really rather enjoy my job, I'd be saying "if I never see another one, it'll be too soon". What I will say is, thank God for word processors, which mean that you just have to pull up a previous one and mess about with it a bit ...
No matter: once I got home, it was a only half an hour's work to produce a chickie frickie (despite Monday), which was Rather Good.
It's literally freezing out there now. Walking from my car to the supermarket my fingers actually went numb and I could feel my nose going the same way. I wouldn't be surprised if it was actually below freezing.
Setting things in motion for coconut prawns with Waitrose's Special Fried Rice and peas tonight for dinner. A hot meal would be very welcome just now.
@Puzzler, I too think your grandson needs to tell the course. Is there a student support service or does he have a tutor he can go to for help and advice. It is hard when it is a problem that you really can't do anything about. Rather different reasons but my son had a total disaster of his first attempt at uni. I really wanted to get as stroppy as possible with people, but he was an adult and he had to sort it out for himself.
Down to about -2 here this evening. I had a very nice chat to some friends on-line at our Book Club. We should have discussed the book in September but life got in the way. We intend to do better this year.
Cheat's Kedgeree for dinner. Decided it is probably a bit better with plain rice + curry powder than pilau. What is most important of course is good natural smoked haddock and preferably not the lurid orange dyed stuff.
Speaking of which, how easy do you find it to access quality fish? Scotland I think is more disposed to consume it regularly. Nevertheless, two fish shops in the vicinity closed in the last few years. I depend on John the Van to deliver - and very good he is too, albeit with a limited range (cod, haddock, trout, salmon, sole, sea bass, prawns, scallops on request and swordfish if you're lucky). Plus there is a good (if expensive) Asian fishmonger a bus ride away.
There's apparently an excellent fish van in Linlithgow, which stops further up the High Street on Saturday mornings, but I never leave enough time before choir practice to amble along to it. My friend J says their prawns are to die for - I really ought to give it a go some time.
I'm not really a connoisseur of fish, and content myself with what Tessie's has on offer; it'll be interesting to compare with the new M&S that's opening a bus ride away in a few weeks' time.
I'd support your local fish van if you can. Chances are they're bringing you fish direct from the quayside markets of the east coast, that hasn't gone through the freezing/warehousing/redistribution of the supermarkets.
I think once you get a taste of fresh fish, you appreciate the difference.
Quality fish? You mean like Captain Birdseye superior fish fingers?
Round here it's whatever the supermarkets stock. Waitrose and Morrisons have fresh fish counters. Sainsbury and Tesco scrapped theirs. I think Morrisons probably has the edge on variety and price. The only problem is getting served at the fish counter as there's usually nobody around.
* * *
Puzzler - Sarasa makes a good point about going to his course tutor or support services first. In some ways it might be better to own up to it now as he can genuinely say that he didn't realize beforehand and there was no intention to deceive, which is better than sitting on it for three years and being found out. But it is a very difficult decision, and one the young man has to make for himself.
Likewise our local Waitrose has a fresh fish counter. But my fish is usually via the organic delivery, which means I get ethically sourced fish but it isn’t the freshest and is pricy. They do a nice line in foraged sea vegetables, though. I would love a fish van to visit.
Tea here was a paneer, lentil and veg Goan curry with sticky rice.
Thanks for the advice re Grandson. I agree but it seems unlikely he will speak up.
Really good choir rehearsal tonight in the city. The whole set up is very professionally run. I spent the break speaking to the Librarian, as the Chair of my local town choral society has approached me about becoming Librarian there. I am not sure I want the job but somebody needs to do it as the current post holder has had to leave for family reasons. The trouble is, the membership of the local choir, like the local churches, is getting older, with no young energetic people to step up.
It is 5 to 6 and I have been awake since 3. It's -1° C and the CH doesn't kick in for another hour and a half. I am grompfing paracetamol for the achey legs. I feel as enchanted by this state of affairs as you might expect.
Commiserations, Firenze. Hope the paracetamol kicks in quickly. It's a cold morning here - I can tell because the heating comes on by itself if the temperature drops below a certain point, and the room is warm. The heating's not on a timer as I managed to break that shortly after moving in and haven't had it fixed.
I recommend moving to France as an excellent way of sourcing good quality fish but I grant it might be an extreme solution for some
There are excellent fishmongers about but the markets are usually cheaper. I mostly go to a stall where they buy the stuff straight off the boat in Dieppe without it ever seeing the inside of the wholesale market.
I was talking to someone recently (a retired bishop no less) who said that when he was at university, if they had kedgeree for breakfast the joke was that kitchen had to use up the fish that should have been served yesterday.
This morning I did the snow-angel in my swimming costume thing, and I did it so fast that the NE Man didn't get a photo - apparently I had no sooner lain down than I boinged back upright like Zebedee on speed and was back inside the house in the blink of an eye.
I start another batch of marking today (the working together in communities with children and young people essays) so I have my usual shadow of doom lurking over me but it will disappear once I start. I should probably do some prep for my viva too, as that is hurtling towards me. A colleague showed me an application for an appropriate part-time post-doc in my own faculty yesterday but it is too soon for my situation. It would be great next year though.
A bitty morning. Out early for shopping while some washing washed, put washing out, then to the school where I'm a Governor for a lengthy session with the deputy head (assessing Teaching and Learning). Then to the opticians to pick up some some glasses, and a quick pop in to the doctors' to pick up a sample bottle (don't ask). Four bus journeys of various lengths - a good thing I don't have to pay!
This morning I did the snow-angel in my swimming costume thing, and I did it so fast that the NE Man didn't get a photo - apparently I had no sooner lain down than I boinged back upright like Zebedee on speed and was back inside the house in the blink of an eye.
Bright and cold here with only light cloud. No sign of the forecast sleet/snow (probably too busy falling on @North East Quine ).
MrF due back from hospital dentistry soon. I am converting the remains of Sunday's chicken into Tom Yum.
If I can stay awake (I did get some more sleep in an armchair between 7 and 9) I must hit the sewing. I have an idea enhancing a plain grey jersey dress with appliqué, extra ruffle and bead embroidery.
Cold here, with a few flurries of unforecast snow which hasn't settled.
I'm having a staying in and doing nothing sort of day as the rest of the week is going to be busy. I have made some leek and potato soup though if anyone needs something warming.
Continuing with clearing Mr P’s study, firstly by making room in my study for some stuff I am keeping. I now have masses of stationery, notebooks, A4 pads, folders etc. I uncovered boxes of my own memorabilia I should have sorted long ago, but I now have plenty of folders and albums to store what I will keep.
I ought to spend an hour or two each day sorting instead of faffing around browsing online .
Someone unexpectedly turned up to deal with the storm-damaged tree. I had just heated up a quick lunch when something went bang and the power went off, and I couldn't get the mains switch to stay back on, which meant all I had were the overhead lights. I've spent half my lunch hour investigating, and gratefully resolving this, with the help of the son of an elderly neighbour's son who happened to be visiting, and the other half lopping the remains of my poor dead ceanothes into bin-sized pieces.
It was a lovely tree that had beautiful fragrant blue flowers each year that attracted bees and butterflies, and gave enough shade and privacy to sit in and work from home during the summer. Unfortunately the heavy rains of last year were too much for it. It's not called the desert lilac for nothing.
I suppose you could replace it, but (how can I put this delicately?) trees do take such a long time to get to the size where you can sit in their shade...
🌳
There's the option of putting up a garden arch and training something over it. I notice next door's Potato Vine (Solanum jasminoides) is second only to the ivy in covering that bit of fence. Also, in sub-optimal conditions I have clematis, Virginia creeper and climbing hydrangea all coming along after just a year or two.
The rather wild (and therefore) interesting Garden at the back of My Old Dad's general store had an arch, over which (IIRC) there were pink Roses.
The garden also had a Fishpond (with Carp), several Sheds, a Coal-Hole, a Paraffin Tank (Esso Blue at 2/5d a gallon - change from half-a-crown!) an underground Air-raid Shelter, a Well, and a huge Bramley Apple-Tree...a Paradise for Small Boys!
I have a monster rose, the fabulous Constance Spry, which is quick-growing, vigorous and evilly disposed towards humanity, but which has wonderful flowers. That might go in. The landlord isn't amenable to restoring the trellis panels and the handyman says he can't see any trace of them. No, that's because next door let them crumble, then used the bits in their infernal barbecues. So now I have no proof, other than oversize fence posts and one small shred of lattice.
Constance Spry is indeed a magnificent variety of Rose - go for it! Maybe (if you talk nicely to it) it will be evilly disposed towards your neighbours, but not to you... 🌹
ION, a Domestic Disaster has occurred itself. The sub-zero temperatures have caused the Ark's water supply to freeze up, leaving me with no option but to drink my WHISKEY neat...O! calamity!
There is sufficient in the tanks and pipework within the Ark to allow for Wash Ing, and an emergency supply is available to flush the Loo, but it looks as if it'll be a day or so before the outside pipework thaws...in case anyone wonders, lagging 100% of the said pipework isn't feasible, and it only takes a few inches of unlagged pipe to freeze in order to block the whole lot IYSWIM.
BAKED SPUD & CHEESE for Tea will cheer me up, I expect.
It wasn’t a day for marking but I did some virtuous prep towards the viva instead. Just having a late lunch of a trio of houmous with a sourdough roll.
I suppose you could replace it, but (how can I put this delicately?) trees do take such a long time to get to the size where you can sit in their shade...
🌳
I suppose you could replace it, but (how can I put this delicately?) trees do take such a long time to get to the size where you can sit in their shade...
🌳
Not always, apparently: see Jonah 4.
True...I had forgotten about the Gourd, the Worm, and the East Wind...
That's lovely. I'm a great fan of old roses with plenty of fragrance. Especially as it looks as if my David Austin roses have succumbed to the recent weather, so replacements will be needed.
It's definitely colder than last night. Fingers crossed that cement doesn't start crumbling from the rooftiles the way it did during the last prolonged sub-zero spell last year. An early night with a good book and the electric blanket on is called for, I think.
Tea here was a rather nice spicy sausage and bean casserole made with fresh chorizo sausages (as opposed to dried cured ones). Followed by apple and raspberry crumble with a muesli topping.
We've been out most of the day - GrandNenling Cuddleage occurred - and ours was a quick chicken curry tea, made from leftover chicken, a jar of curry sauce and ready-cooked rice zapped in the microwave.
Mr Nen and I have been listening to a series of podcasts (he loves podcasts but I only listen to them when we're travelling somewhere in the car) about how we should all Eat More Beans. Accordingly I have looked up a recipe for vegetable and bean chilli, ordered the ingredients which the kindly Mr Sainz Breeze will deliver tomorrow, and that will be tea tomorrow evening. I'm wondering how Mr Nen's Delicate System will cope... the podcaster says that if you're not used to Much Beanage you need to Go Easy To Start With .
In other news, it's been cold but bright here. I'm about to crawl into bed with my book.
In other other news, my Dear Old Mum would be 104 if she were alive today, God rest her soul. I miss her every day.
I teach a grief theory called ‘continuing bonds’ which says we don’t end our relationship with someone when they die but instead we develop a new relationship over time and the bonds can remain strong. It counters ideas about ‘moving on’ and getting over someone’s death.
My mum died 15 years ago next week (my dad 25 years and 2 weeks ago) and I see her every day when I look in the mirror. I am the spitting image of her.
Comments
Our principal local food bank is one of the Trussell Trust's many places, and is both large and well-patronised (one of the tory government's success stories!). I would be surprised if they didn't have freezer facilities.
Today I just about got to ringing not too late (yesterday being only the second time since the C word I got on the bike, I will tell you for free that my knees and nether regions are bloody uncomfortable!), then rolled into town for archery where we were blessed by the presence of His Solar Majesty. On the way back I stopped at the allotment and persuaded some veg to emerge from the waters before getting home for lunch. By this time I was so knackered I napped for an hour and a half! Oh dear, I appear to be getting old.... bugger!
Post nap I pottered for a bit outside, then decided to have a play and developed my stash of film I've shot this year. Four rolls of b&w are now drying in the bathroom. Goodness only knows when they will get scanned, but so be it. Peasant stir-fry has been cooked and partaken of and it only remains to be washed up before I can got Arsebook for the evening, answer a family history contact's emails, and book tickets to see the Wurzels in June.
Apart from that, I've done bugger all really.
I am hopeful that if he has proved himself for three years they will not disqualify him, but it is a risk.
I only got the story, not W’s views or feelings, but my son is really upset, not knowing what to advise, or whether the lad will go off the rails if he is thrown out.
I might put a sentence in the Prayer thread.
I would have thought that any ultimate outcome is likely to be better if he declares it, than if he is discovered to have concealed it.
Leftover peasant from yesterday. It was a big bugger because there's still enough for sandwiches tomorrow!
Part of me thinks he should disclose it now, but since his dad tells me that would mean instant dismissal, I don’t know what to think. The way W has settled down into the work has been a real transformation.
I just have to take a step back and tell myself it is not my problem to get involved in, but that is hard.
The Chariot has been parked as far away from the water as possible, but Neighbour F has just told me to phone him, if it appears to be in danger, and he will wade through the water to rescue it (he's done that before, bless him).🤞🤞
Must do some sewing this afternoon a) because it's been hanging about for a while and b) the crafting room is on the sunny side of the house.
🌞😎
CHICKEN Goujons (a posh word for Bits?) & MASH for lunch...
I am, however, out this evening for my book group and will get fed, which will be very nice.
Also, quite amazingly, the replacement book I ordered which had stalled over the weekend and had been labelled as ready to be collected, was delivered at lunchtime. Now I only need the lost one to turn up and then I can avoid being charged.
Usual Monday morning of admin. I also reviewed an old tutorial to re-use next week (the challenges in providing good end of life care) and planned tomorrow’s marking (practitioners working together in communities to support young people).
It's jolly chilly here: bubbling around the 0° mark, and even though there isn't much wind, it feels fairly parky. It did, however, make for a reasonably nice amble home after a busy day at work; I think I produced (among other things) eight Powers of Attorney (plus the associated paperwork, which is a right faff) and half a dozen Wills. If I didn't really rather enjoy my job, I'd be saying "if I never see another one, it'll be too soon". What I will say is, thank God for word processors, which mean that you just have to pull up a previous one and mess about with it a bit ...
No matter: once I got home, it was a only half an hour's work to produce a chickie frickie (despite Monday), which was Rather Good.
Setting things in motion for coconut prawns with Waitrose's Special Fried Rice and peas tonight for dinner. A hot meal would be very welcome just now.
Down to about -2 here this evening. I had a very nice chat to some friends on-line at our Book Club. We should have discussed the book in September but life got in the way. We intend to do better this year.
Speaking of which, how easy do you find it to access quality fish? Scotland I think is more disposed to consume it regularly. Nevertheless, two fish shops in the vicinity closed in the last few years. I depend on John the Van to deliver - and very good he is too, albeit with a limited range (cod, haddock, trout, salmon, sole, sea bass, prawns, scallops on request and swordfish if you're lucky). Plus there is a good (if expensive) Asian fishmonger a bus ride away.
I'm not really a connoisseur of fish, and content myself with what Tessie's has on offer; it'll be interesting to compare with the new M&S that's opening a bus ride away in a few weeks' time.
I think once you get a taste of fresh fish, you appreciate the difference.
Round here it's whatever the supermarkets stock. Waitrose and Morrisons have fresh fish counters. Sainsbury and Tesco scrapped theirs. I think Morrisons probably has the edge on variety and price. The only problem is getting served at the fish counter as there's usually nobody around.
* * *
Puzzler - Sarasa makes a good point about going to his course tutor or support services first. In some ways it might be better to own up to it now as he can genuinely say that he didn't realize beforehand and there was no intention to deceive, which is better than sitting on it for three years and being found out. But it is a very difficult decision, and one the young man has to make for himself.
Tea here was a paneer, lentil and veg Goan curry with sticky rice.
Really good choir rehearsal tonight in the city. The whole set up is very professionally run. I spent the break speaking to the Librarian, as the Chair of my local town choral society has approached me about becoming Librarian there. I am not sure I want the job but somebody needs to do it as the current post holder has had to leave for family reasons. The trouble is, the membership of the local choir, like the local churches, is getting older, with no young energetic people to step up.
There are excellent fishmongers about but the markets are usually cheaper. I mostly go to a stall where they buy the stuff straight off the boat in Dieppe without it ever seeing the inside of the wholesale market.
This morning I did the snow-angel in my swimming costume thing, and I did it so fast that the NE Man didn't get a photo - apparently I had no sooner lain down than I boinged back upright like Zebedee on speed and was back inside the house in the blink of an eye.
Perhaps I'm less unfit than I thought I was.
I start another batch of marking today (the working together in communities with children and young people essays) so I have my usual shadow of doom lurking over me but it will disappear once I start. I should probably do some prep for my viva too, as that is hurtling towards me. A colleague showed me an application for an appropriate part-time post-doc in my own faculty yesterday but it is too soon for my situation. It would be great next year though.
A Google Earth satellite may have caught you...
MrF due back from hospital dentistry soon. I am converting the remains of Sunday's chicken into Tom Yum.
If I can stay awake (I did get some more sleep in an armchair between 7 and 9) I must hit the sewing. I have an idea enhancing a plain grey jersey dress with appliqué, extra ruffle and bead embroidery.
I'm having a staying in and doing nothing sort of day as the rest of the week is going to be busy. I have made some leek and potato soup though if anyone needs something warming.
I ought to spend an hour or two each day sorting instead of faffing around browsing online .
It was a lovely tree that had beautiful fragrant blue flowers each year that attracted bees and butterflies, and gave enough shade and privacy to sit in and work from home during the summer. Unfortunately the heavy rains of last year were too much for it. It's not called the desert lilac for nothing.
I suppose you could replace it, but (how can I put this delicately?) trees do take such a long time to get to the size where you can sit in their shade...
🌳
The garden also had a Fishpond (with Carp), several Sheds, a Coal-Hole, a Paraffin Tank (Esso Blue at 2/5d a gallon - change from half-a-crown!) an underground Air-raid Shelter, a Well, and a huge Bramley Apple-Tree...a Paradise for Small Boys!
Elf and Safe Tea? What them?
ION, a Domestic Disaster has occurred itself. The sub-zero temperatures have caused the Ark's water supply to freeze up, leaving me with no option but to drink my WHISKEY neat...O! calamity!
There is sufficient in the tanks and pipework within the Ark to allow for Wash Ing, and an emergency supply is available to flush the Loo, but it looks as if it'll be a day or so before the outside pipework thaws...in case anyone wonders, lagging 100% of the said pipework isn't feasible, and it only takes a few inches of unlagged pipe to freeze in order to block the whole lot IYSWIM.
BAKED SPUD & CHEESE for Tea will cheer me up, I expect.
It wasn’t a day for marking but I did some virtuous prep towards the viva instead. Just having a late lunch of a trio of houmous with a sourdough roll.
Not always, apparently: see Jonah 4.
True...I had forgotten about the Gourd, the Worm, and the East Wind...
That's lovely. I'm a great fan of old roses with plenty of fragrance. Especially as it looks as if my David Austin roses have succumbed to the recent weather, so replacements will be needed.
It's definitely colder than last night. Fingers crossed that cement doesn't start crumbling from the rooftiles the way it did during the last prolonged sub-zero spell last year. An early night with a good book and the electric blanket on is called for, I think.
Mr Nen and I have been listening to a series of podcasts (he loves podcasts but I only listen to them when we're travelling somewhere in the car) about how we should all Eat More Beans. Accordingly I have looked up a recipe for vegetable and bean chilli, ordered the ingredients which the kindly Mr Sainz Breeze will deliver tomorrow, and that will be tea tomorrow evening. I'm wondering how Mr Nen's Delicate System will cope... the podcaster says that if you're not used to Much Beanage you need to Go Easy To Start With
In other news, it's been cold but bright here. I'm about to crawl into bed with my book.
In other other news, my Dear Old Mum would be 104 if she were alive today, God rest her soul. I miss her every day.
My mum died 15 years ago next week (my dad 25 years and 2 weeks ago) and I see her every day when I look in the mirror. I am the spitting image of her.