Category: Food

Dancin’ – 2 October 2025

Posted on by Zogman

It was another wet autumn morning with a loads of clouds.

Spoke to Hazy in the morning and found out what’s going on down south, or “Dahn Sarf” as my old pal Ray would say. We talked for a while and never once mentioned books! That’s a bit strange, but here is what I was going to tell you Hazy. I’ve must started ‘Babycakes’ by Armistead Maupin. Not very far into it yet, but enjoying (maybe that’s the wrong word) it so far. It’s a long time since I’ve read his books. Just thought I should mention that. After we had finished blethering and said our ‘Cheerios’I took a drive up to the doc’s.

I had to drop some samples off and arrange a blood test. Then I drove home via M&S to get some sweet things for Scamp. She got a Raspberry Cheesecake Cookie and I had a Chocolate and Hazelnut Cookie. Actually both of them survived until we returned from Tea Dance! Sorry Hazy, I’d imagine they both had eggs and other contraindicated things in them.

We were almost late getting to Glenburn for the Tea Dance. Pesky roadworks again. No diversion signs, just ROAD CLOSED. Not the most helpful signs. We did find our way round the labyrinth that encloses Glenburn by following our noses. A much bigger group today. Lots of ‘Weel Kent Faces’. Ones who we hadn’t seen since the spring. All coming back because the heating was on in the hall perhaps?

It was a bit of a lacklustre dance. Not quite as good as we were hoping for, but Scamp sat and talked to Carol and I sat and talked to David, her husband. We did dance almost all the dances that were thrown at us, some of them were variations on the real dances, but they were close to what we were trying to do. We left just a wee bit early hoping to miss the traffic jams getting out through Glasgow, but I chose the wrong lane and we ended up taking almost an hour to crawl over the Kingston Bridge and eventually got out of first and second gear.

That was about it for today. Driving through the rain was the theme. I didn’t really get a chance to take any photos. PoD went to Mrs Salt & Mr Pepper who were sitting on the table looking a bit lost. I think getting their photos taken brightened their day.

I might have to take some ill fitting clothes back to M&S at The Fort tomorrow and Scamp may meet Shona for a blether.

It rained – 1 October 2025

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Nearly all day!

I think it’s still raining. Maybe it will tire itself out soon, but after listening to the weather forecast after dinner, it doesn’t look like that’s going to happen. We’ll just have to wait and see. High winds forecast for the weekend.

Scamp was out in the morning getting her nails done – professionally. I sometimes do a bit of nail painting for her, but I can’t claim to be as neat and tidy as those who do this sort of thing for a living.

I kept myself busy clearing up the back bedroom and finding places to put all the stuff. After lunch I began collecting things that I’d need in the coming weeks, finding things that I really didn’t need and remembering things that I should have added to my list weeks ago. Oh well, there’s always tomorrow or the next day, or the …

I managed to do a backup of the September photos using Microsoft NTFS for Tuxera. A bit slower than the more expensive versions, but the fast iMac balances it out. As I’ve probably mentioned before, Apple software can read an NTFS formatted disk/SD card, but can’t save to that same format. With NTFS for Tuxera it can. Fiddly to start with, but after a bit of tweaking it worked.

Late in the afternoon I grew tired of organisation and went for a walk in St Mo’s. I took the A7c and a 16-35mm f4 lens. I tried and failed to get those low down to the ground shots that the folk on Facebook seem to be able to create. I think I just need some practise. What I did get was a decent shot of a snail sheltering under the seed head of a cow parsley plant. That became my PoD.

Dinner was potato, cabbage and egg for Scamp and if you substitute bacon for the egg you get what I had.

Tomorrow I believe we may be going to a Tea Dance.

Fantasy Land – 29 September 2025

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Today we drove into Glasgow to do some shopping, but when we turned the corner in what was George Square we were transported to the late 1800s

I get really fed up with the media moguls attempting to make Glasgow look like something else. Something American. Why don’t they make their fantasy America in America? Why choose a Scottish city? Half the centre of the city is being dug up or pulled down, now they want to rebuild it as something it isn’t. Grrr!

We walked down to M&S looking for a pair of trousers for me and some other things for Scamp. When we came out it was raining. This was September Weekend, a Scottish holiday, so you expect the rain. I remember my mum and dad taking me to Ayr on September weekend one day a long time ago. I needed a slide rule for going to college and I was sure I could get one in a big shop in Ayr. There wasn’t such a thing as a calculator in those days, let alone a laptop. I still have that slide rule somewhere. I must look for it some day, although I don’t think I could work out how to use it now.

Anyway, back in 2025, we walked along to Waterstones on Argyle Street where I used up a book token I’d had since Christmas and got the latest Slow Horses book. We had lunch there too, because Scamp remembered the toasted sandwiches were very good. Then we fought our way into an HSBC bank at the bottom of Buchanan Street. I thought I had been spirited away to the far east, because almost everyone in the queue was either Japanese, Chinese or Korean and to paraphrase Tom Waits “… and no one speaks English …”. Then Scamp explained that as well as being September Weekend, it was also the start of the University intake. Suddenly all was clear.

We drove home, still in the rain and I grabbed a few shots in the garden to supplement the couple I’d taken in Glasgow, but it was one of the Glasgow photos that got PoD. It’s a hand cart pretending it’s from the late 1800s.

We went dancing in Kirsty’s class, Waltz for a change. Only Andy and his wife plus us, so not a gigantic class. For the third, or is the fourth time recently, I thoroughly enjoyed waltzing round the floor. Great fun Kirsty, all is forgiven.

No plans for tomorrow yet.

 

Another lazy Sunday – 28 September 2025

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We didn’t do very much today. More tidying up than anything else.

Over lunch, (always a late lunch on a Sunday) we watched Keir Starmer squirm under Laura Kuenssberg’s gaze with his usual rabbit in the headlights look and James Cleverly talk for half an hour or so without actually saying anything. And these are our leaders or would-be leaders? Oh yes, and Greta Thunberg. Thankfully we couldn’t hear her due to sound problems … or something.

I did some reorganisation in my room, hoping to find something useful there. Eventually discovered the sheet of paper I was looking for and taped it to the bedroom door.

Later in the afternoon I went for a walk in St Mo’s. There wasn’t much to write home about, so I won’t, except, as I was heading home a tree cast some beautiful shadows towards me across the grass. That became PoD.

While I was off galavanting with my camera, Scamp was busy making dinner in the house. Beef olives with potatoes for me and a lentil stew for Scamp. However the star of the dinner was an Eve’s Pudding Scamp made with our own apples. Absolutely delicious.

Spoke to Jamie in the evening and heard more about their Welsh adventures. Out walking every day after worrying that the rain that came on day 1 would last all week. No need to worry the landscape photos they sent were lovely.

Tomorrow we may go in to Glasgow for some shopping.

Today we went Dancin’ – 27 September 2025

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We drove through heavy traffic to Brookfield to go to dance class.

The class was smaller than we expected. Partly due to the weather forecasts predicting heavy rain (that never materialised) and the fact that it was September Weekend, a Scottish long weekend. However we did have a quorum and enough participants to make it interesting.

We started with Queen of Hearts Rumba and after fluffing a few steps it worked well. Then we segued into the Cameron Quickstep that we’d attempted last week with a smaller than normal class. It was good to get some tips from Stewart and from Jane about those little things that make dances difficult, but which improve the flow of the dance once you are told about them.

In the break, we danced the House of Bamboo just for fun and I actually danced through it without making too many mistakes. Next was the Blue Angel Rumba which we learned with Kirsty in the church that is now a skeleton of steelwork after being burned to the ground a month or two ago. We finish with a waltz that neither of us know the name of, but we’ve definitely danced before. Lots of spins and twists in it. Must find out what it’s called.

We finished dead on time because the Bowlers wanted in for their afternoon lunch and prize giving. By then it was raining and the roads were jam packed with folk like us who were caught up in the new roadworks on the M8 that will be with us until May 2026 DV.

Back home we struggled through Wordle et al. We were hoping the rain that had just followed us would stop, but it didn’t. I walked down to the shops to get some of the messages for tonight’s dinner which was going to be Fish Risotto. I don’t know what I did wrong with it tonight, but it ended up a wet mess. I drained off some of the liquid and boiled the rice for another 20 minutes or so and that sorted things out. I added some frozen spinach and that made it even better.

We watched the first ‘live’ Strictly later in the evening and weren’t impressed with much of it. Some to the dance routines were poor, but some showed potential. We may watch the next episode.

PoD went to a bunch of blue Asters and pink Carnations taken inside the house, because it was raining quite heavily. It sounds like the rain has returned, judging by the sounds outside. Another wet day tomorrow perhaps?

Another busy day – 26 September 2025

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We had visitors coming for lunch today. An unusual event.

Usually we have folk coming for dinner in the evening, not for lunch in the afternoon, but sometimes you have to be flexible. I’d made my pannacotta last night and it went in to the fridge before we went to bed. Scamp had marinated her chicken last night too, so we were organised, or so we thought.

I’d forgotten to put the gelatine into the pannacotta last night, so had to decant all four ramekins back into the pot, warm the mixture again and add the gelatine. Then, when the gelatine had dissolved into the mixture I had to refill the ramekins again, with fingers crossed, hoping the pannacotta would come out of the moulds again today!

Scamp had managed to sear the marinated chicken at too high a heat which we think was the reason it turned out a bit tougher than she’d intended. Other than that, we had both done well!

John & Marion arrived just when we were expecting them, and the afternoon went really well. They were telling us about their summer holidays and we were talking about what we had coming up. The food wasn’t mentioned, except to say that the salad Scamp had made was beautiful, because it was. My pannacotta got a good reception too and, yes, all four pots came out cleanly!

We sat an talked for quite a while, just blethering and hearing how the families were getting on. It’s ages since we last had them out for food and definitely the first time we’ve had them for lunch. I think we might do it again some time, all being well.

Just in the middle of lunch the Amazon man knocked the door and handed me a parcel. I knew what was in it. It was a 50mm lens for the new camera. It felt cheap and very plasticky. It hadn’t been very expensive, but the next model in the range was £1,000 more! I think I’ll stick to my £100 version!

We watched the end of Masterchef tonight and both of us agreed who would be the winner and we were both correct. A worthy winner.

PoD was a photo of a Potentilla bush of yellow flowers I passed when I was out for a walk after being a chef for a day.

Heavy rain predicted for tomorrow, but I’m hoping we’ll get to dance class.

Out with the dragons – 25 September 2025

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Scamp was hoping to meet an old friend today. She also wanted to get a present for a newborn baby. I wanted to get my hair cut. I had to collect some meds. If there was time left I wanted to go for a walk in the warm sunshine. Those were our tasks for today.

Scamp was first to go out in the morning. She found almost exactly what she set out to get and was back with enough time to wrap up the parcel and have a coffee before going out again.

This time I was driving and I dropped her off at Calders Garden Centre, then drove up to the town centre to park. Walked over to an almost empty barbers an was back out again, a tenner lighter and with shorter and tidier hairs. We were doing well so far.

Next up was Boots for the meds and Tesco for the shopping. Since both shops are next to one another and I had a written shopping list, it was an easy trip.

Back home for lunch and to put the messages away and another hour and a half was gone, before Scamp phoned to say she was ready to come home. I drove back to Calders and picked her up and surprisingly she didn’t have a flower pot or new flowers to plant!

That was our driving done for the day. I did manage a walk with a camera in the late afternoon and PoD came from that. I think it’s a male Common Darter. It’s sitting on an old fence post soaking up some of the afternoon sun. There were actually a few dragons on the wing today. Probably due to that warm sun.

I made dinner which was an M&S stir fry. Once it was finished, I started making the pannacotta for tomorrow’s dessert. Same pannacotta I’d made for our visitors earlier in the month. It’s in the fridge chilling now. Tomorrow is going to be busy with John & Marion hopefully arriving around 1pm for lunch. Lots of stuff to do, lots of hoovering and lots of prep for dinner. It will be fine … hopefully!

A walk around Glasgow – 24 September 2025

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Just a walk with my brother, and a chance to show off my new toy!

It was a lovely morning today as I took the lazy way into Glasgow – on the bus. I arrived about half an hour early which is quite strange for me. I’m usually “At the coo’s tail” which means I’m always late. I got some interesting shots of the traffic in front of Cineworld which looked quite American with its curved glass panels and advertising. Only a couple of tweaks needed and it became PoD. There were lots of photo opportunities in and around the Buchanan Bus Station. Lots of chances to take photos at low levels using the amazingly adaptable fold out screen, although this shot was taken with the older A6500 APS-C camera.

I actually bumped into Alex on the way back to the bus station and we went for a coffee as usual to start our day and to decide where we were going. We finally decided a walk and a blether round Glasgow would be a good way to use such a beautiful day. Unfortunately, by the time we got to the bottom of Buchanan Street, the clouds were already rolling in and all that blue sky was being eaten up.

We took some photos of the graffiti down on the Clyde Walkway and by then it was deemed to be lunch time. Lunch today was identical pizzas in Paesano – Fennel Sausage. First time for Alex, but one of my long time favourites.

When it was finished and paid for, Alex wanted to go for a walk along Argyle Street to have a look in a couple of what could only be called ‘junk shops’ He was looking for a pedal for his latest guitar. I was more interested in the ‘tronic stuff. Neither of us bought anything. We walked back along Argyle Street and had a coffee before the long trudge back up Buchanan Street to get the bus home. That is a sort of cut down version of our day.

We both caught different buses home and both agreed in our texts that the chopped up streets in Glasgow are a disgrace and must make the bus drivers tear their hair out. I’d hate to drive through that every day.

Tonight Scamp and I watched Masterchef with only one presenter, presumably Greg Wallace had been given his marching orders by then. After that we watched the first episode of The Hack. Complicated story about journalists with too many twists and turns for the end of a busy day. We’ll see if it improves next week in episode 2.

Tomorrow Scamp is intending to meet up with one of her work pals. Not one of the Witches this time. I may get my hair cut, because it’s becoming a ‘Pure Afro’ to quote a family joke.

 

Out for a drive – 23 September 2025

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Scamp got the all clear.

I was up and out today driving to Boots Chemist to pick up a five pack of Covid test kits. The cold, flu or dare I whisper it (Covid) wasn’t lifting and the only way we would know what was going on was to do The Test. Thankfully, it was negative and we both breathed a sigh of relief. Now we could venture out without worrying.

I suggested we go to The Smiddy just outside Stirling. It’s a good place to go for lunch. A day in the sunshine, in the country would hopefully brighten up our day even more. It worked. We drove out into the farmland just a couple of miles north of Stirling. We knew the food would be good, and were prepared to be handed a buzzer and told how long the wait for a table would be. But we were wrong. There was no buzzer because there were quite a few empty tables. Mac ’n’ Cheese for Scamp and Shepherd’s Pie for me. Both were declared perfect for a lunch in the country.

The food was good, but the prices in the deli were eye watering, although I did look twice at some nice thick steaks in the butchers department. It was the price of coffee that nearly knocked me off my feet. An almost 50% markup on a bag of coffee is just a bit greedy IMO!

We stopped at Lakeland/Dobbies, (the two are now conjoined, but are separate shops) and I was tempted by a Sage coffee maker with a £100 markdown. I was tempted, but decided I’d spent enough this month.
For once Scamp didn’t go looking in Dobbie’s and we came home with some paper liners for a cake tin.

Back home, Scamp was keen to get some bulbs planted for spring flowering. While she was splitting up some plants, I was handed a trowel and two bags of spring bulbs and was given a 400mm square patch of earth to plant them in. I think I put them all in the ground the right way up, so they won’t be growing down into Australia. I just need to remember where they are planted. It will be a surprise. To finish off our day in the garden, we took down the sweet pea canes and netting, kept the canes and put all the twine and plastic clips in the bin. The canes are now drying off in the front bedroom for next year, all being well.

PoD turned out to be a photo of what looked like a genuine American policy car. A Black and White. It was only when I looked inside the car I noticed the steering wheel was on the right side. Otherwise it just looked the part. Someone spent a lot of time and effort getting this looking just right.

Tomorrow Scamp is intending to go for lunch with the rest of The Witches and I’m hoping to meet Alex for a wander round Glasgow.

Today I went shopping – 22 September 2025

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Scamp wasn’t feeling very bright and cheery, so I offered to do the Monday shop.

She very kindly made a list of everything we needed and even recited the list in the places I’d find them in Tesco. That meant I didn’t have to wander all round the shop looking for butter when I was in the aisle for orange juice. I appreciated that Scamp.

That didn’t take too long because I was out early … well, earlyish! But there were very few folk browsing the shelves, so I was done and dusted in half an hour at the most. Not so lucky when I was looking for petrol for the wee blue car, because the pumps were either displaying the yellow NO PETROL signs or there was a long queue waiting for fuel. I decided I wasn’t that desperate, and drove home to have lunch.

After lunch, and assured that Scamp wasn’t feeling that bad, I was encouraged to go for a walk. I chose to go up to Fannyside Moor to see if there was anything interesting to snap. I almost bumped into a dragonfly, a black one – can’t remember its name and then watched a field of bullocks running about in one of the fields. Finally got the photo I wanted of a group of cows watching me and making sure I wasn’t doing anything that needed to be referred to the farmer. PoD captured.

Drove home, remembering that I didn’t need to hurry, because Kirsty had cancelled today’s dance class because she was too busy working in her house. Instead, I took my time back home and made Oozy Tuna and Apple Pasta Bake From the Mowgli book. It was a bit complicated, because it told me to par-cook the spaghetti then cut it up into bit sized pieces before completing the cooking for 15 minutes. It looked a bit strange and sweet, but other than that it was fine.

Scamp is intending to get a Covid test kit tomorrow, just to be sure, because she’s meeting two groups of friends in the next few days and then we have friends coming for lunch on Friday. She say’s she’s fine and she does sound a lot better tonight, but she’s just making sure …

Other than that, no plans for tomorrow.