Category: Food

The Messages – 17 September 2024

Posted on by Zogman

Today we went for the messages, but just for a bit of fun, we went to Morrison’s in The Fort.

Before that, Scamp was out early checking on her roses and cut three flowers which are now sitting in front of me in a vase on the coffee table. With the light in the morning coming in the front window they were easily a possible PoD.

It’s surprising the difference in prices between Morrison’s and Tesco. It’s also surprising the different range of food and drink in the two. If we had the time, we could buy half our shopping in one store and half in another, but we’d probably spend more on petrol driving between them. We got a really cheerful checkout girl who managed to wangle a free bottle bag for us because we’d bought six bottles of various alcoholic beverages. Try getting that in Tesco!

We drove home and after a quick lunch, Scamp started cutting the grass in the back garden. I volunteered to cut the front grass, but forgot that I’d then have to clean the mower. A fly move by Scamp there. Before I got inveigled into doing any more gardening I went for a walk in St Mo’s.

About halfway round the circuit, I had a wee problem with the zoom lens. It had managed to put itself into manual mode ( it should have been in ‘autofocus’ mode). I couldn’t understand what I’d done wrong this time. There were no benches to sit on while I puzzled it out, and the big boulders beside the path aren’t the most comfortable seats, but I did resort to them for a while, but could find no solution. The standard lens was working fine and so was the camera, so the problem was with the zoom lens. When I got home and checked the settings, I found the solution to the problem. This next paragraph is for my benefit.

If the camera goes into Manual mode, move the zoom switch to No 3 position and hold the button down for 1 second. That should fix it. The No 3 position is programmed to switch between manual and auto and it requires a press of 1 second to switch between them. Now remember that for next time ya daftie!!!

There, that’s me telling myself off!

Back home Scamp was making dinner. Fried potatoes and fish. The fish had come from Morrison’s today and was lovely. Scamp had opened a bottle of wine so we had a glass each to go with our dinner. A glass of wine on a Tuesday? The sun must have gone to our heads.

PoD did turn out to be the three flowers. The pink one is Gertrude Jekyll the rose bud is the winter colour for Lady of Shalott and the warm yellow one is a fully out Lady of Shalott. They were too good to miss.

Tomorrow is to be as warm as today in the west, so we probably won’t be heading east, but we might go out for a spin.

 

 

A Green Jacket – 15 September 2024

Posted on by Zogman

Today I wanted to settle this rain jacket search for good.

We drove to GO Outdoors in Coatbridge and although I tried on a few jacket, none really felt comfortable. Eventually I gave up and we drove over to Tiso in Glasgow. Again I tried on a few jackets and eventually settled on a Montane 75D Goretex (no, I don’t know what that means either, but it sounds good) jacket that didn’t tick all my boxes, but it did tick enough to be the best one I’d seen at a price that I could afford. Eventually the search seems to be over. The old Famous Blue Raincoat need have no fears. It won’t be thrown out. After I’ve repaired the pockets and given it a good wash in Nikwax to reproof it, it will go back on the peg.

With the deed done, we went home via Lidl for some ingredients for tonight’s dinner which was Jamie & Sim’s Coconut Curry, and a bottle of Hortus Gin.

After a lazy afternoon I did put on the new green jacket and go for a walk in St Mo’s. At first I thought I’d made a mistake by buying a size larger than I initially thought I should get, but after a while it became “just the jacket I was wearing”. In other words, with nothing to compare it with, it was fine.

The weather in the morning was splashy showers and occasional spots of sunshine, but as the day progressed, the showers lessened and the sun shone more. Most of today’s photos had spiders in them, because spiders seem to build up a store of food for the winter months and that was what they were doing today.

The Coconut Curry was lovely and after dinner we watched the Azerbaijan GP which was a bit boring until the last ten laps. Then it just went crazy and it seems to still be going crazy with penalties being awarded left, right and centre. I’m not sure what the outcome was, now.

Spoke to Jamie later and heard about a new door for the house and looking for apple trees to plant. Good to hear that things are going well down south.

PoD was a spider on a web. Quite a typical subject for me.

I’m intending to seal a leak in the wash hand basin with silicone tomorrow. I may take the new jacket out for another walk.

Dancin’ ( or trying to) – 14 September 2024

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We drove over to Brookfield for the first dance class in ages.

The first dance in the unheated Brookfield Hall was a sequence dance, the Melody Foxtrot. Two tracks to start with and an extra one for Peter and Gillian because they were late. Would they do an extra track for us or for Leslie & Gordon? Maybe not, but Peter and Gillian are friends of the teachers. Petty? Me? Oh yes, but if your face don’t fit here you don’t get privileges.

First dance was the Butterfly Jive. I’ve never really sorted this one out in my head. Too many things coming at you too quickly. Scamp seems ok with it, it’s just me who’s too slow.

The tempo slowed down for the next dance which was the Four Seasons Waltz which I thought I was dancing correctly, but Scamp kept telling me I was wrong. For once, I was sure I was right because muscle memory was telling me to do one thing and Scamp was telling me something else. Eventually, after calling the adjudicator, Jane, I was proven right. It’s nice to be right … sometimes. We’d danced this waltz on Thursday and most of it was encoded in my head, I just couldn’t play it back with confidence, but Scamp could. I can usually rely on her to keep me right.

The third ‘real’ dance was a Quickstep which may have a name, but I can’t remember it. It’s quite quick, but again, muscle memory came to my rescue and the entire first section just flowed perfectly. The next section we hadn’t practised, but struggled through. It might need some homework to get the footwork fitting in perfectly, but it was much better than I anticipated.

The torture finished with a Sally Anne Cha-Cha which is just a bit of noisy fun with hand claps and shouts of “OI!”. Then we left for a quick trip into Glasgow, or so I thought.

I was heading to WEX to drop off a lens I was selling. It should have been easy, but the sat nav had found a new way that didn’t allow for roadworks or diversions. After a good half hour of going the wrong way, we eventually found the carpark and dropped off the lens at the shop. We dropped in at Nevisport where we’d had a good chat last week with one of the sales guys. Not so today. Almost none of last week’s stock was there. It had been replaces with “SALES” stock. None of which was what I was looking for. We left to have a decent cup of coffee in Waterstones and drove home empty handed. Stopped at M&S in Cumbersheugh to get some fruit then went home.

In the fading light I got today’s PoD which was a James Grieve apple on our apple tree, viewed through a LensBaby distortion lens.

Dinner was a very spicy chicken curry with an ice lolly each to cool us down. Not a bad day as far as weather was concerned, but tomorrow looks better. We’ll see.

Autumn colours – 13 September 2024

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Two leaves, one yellow and one red. They sort of went together.

It was a cold morning, about 5ºc when we woke and the temperature didn’t rise much. I spent the morning getting things organised while Scamp was off at her FitSteps class. I’d intended sealing up a leak in the downstairs sink, but the silicon I was intending using was solid and the only other one I had didn’t look as if it would ever solidify again. I thought I’d get a new tube in B&Q, but we were going to visit Isobel first.

Isobel didn’t look well, but she is being looked after by a succession of health visitors and nurses who seem to be satisfied with her progress. Scamp had brought her tablet with photos of the Jersey wedding and that kept her interested even if she didn’t know that side of the family at all. I suppose a wedding is a wedding no matter who it is that’s getting married. That’s the other think I’d intended doing, putting some of my photos of the wedding on Facebook. Maybe I’ll have time tomorrow. After a cup of coffee, a blether and a catch-up, we headed home, via Tesco.
Isobel had been complaining that she used to get chicken sausages in Tesco, but they don’t seem to sell them now. I found them in our miniature Tesco. Must ask her if these are the ones she was looking for.

Back home and after the sausage sandwiches, we more or less frittered away most of the afternoon. I did get out for a walk in St Mo’s and got a PoD of a couple of colourful leaves. For the first time in ages I was wrapped up in my winter Berghaus and for a while I did need it.

Hopefully going to dance class tomorrow.

Wandering round Glasgow – 11 September 2024

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I drove in to Glasgow today to meet my brother.

We had planned to visit the Transport Museum, or the Riverside Museum as it’s known these days, but it was a beautiful day and it did seem a shame when we could be wandering round the streets taking photos. Anyway, I never was a fan of the Riverside Museum. The old Transport Museum had character which the new one lacked and why stack loads of cars in a vast space where petrolheads can’t get near them to look inside and remember driving that classic car? Totally pointless. The outside of the new museum is much more interesting than the inside, and the only reason I’d go there.

So, instead we walked down Buchanan Street to take some photos and so that Alex could wander round a guitar shop, looking for a new amp for his guitar. I had an ulterior motive too. I was still looking for that jacket. The waterproof one I’ve been searching for all week. I’m beginning to think it doesn’t exist, but I’ll continue looking Dug wi’ a Burst Ba’ again. I didn’t find it today, but we’d both scratched our individual itches and come away with nothing, but we’d both looked and seen.

I suggested we adjourn to Paesano to see if a pizza each would give us time to think. After lunch we went for a walk round St Enoch’s square to take some photos. For once we both went separate ways and met up again after taking a few shots of different subjects. Then it was a walk down the Clyde Walkway to admire the graffiti, and there was an entire wall that had been covered with artwork since the last time we’d been down there.

Next we took some photos of St Andrews Cathedral and its reflections on the glass walled building next door. By that time the temperature was dropping and I was aware that it was getting towards late afternoon and I was going to dance class later.

We walked back up Buchanan Street before splitting up with Alex heading for the bus and me going for my car. Some good shots today and some good nonsense talked by both of us.

I got back in time to get ready for Kirsty’s dance class. Today it was a reprise of the Rumba she’d turned into a Cha-Cha. I admit, I was lost to begin with, but after a quick run through by Kirsty and Scamp, it began to fall into place again.

PoD went to a photo of the ‘Balloon Man’. He stands in Buchanan Street in Glasgow twisting balloons into the most intricate shapes to the delight of hundreds of children every week. I was lucky, the light was just right today.

Tomorrow Scamp would like to take me to a Tea Dance in Paisley. How could I say no?

 

The Morning After – 1 September 2024

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  • Woke not quite with a hangover, but feeling a bit sick
  • Life returned to a bit more like ‘normal’ after a shower and breakfast of Weetabix and milk and a slice or two of toast with ‘fishy jam’.
  • Scamp was fine with mixed fruit and a couple of slices of toast with jam.
  • It had been raining during the night.
  • Couldn’t decide where to go today so after some discussion, said we’d walk down to the bus station and get the first bus available. Except, no services were available. It seems buses almost shut down on Sundays.
  • However, on  the way I got a photo of an ancient camera and a stoneware bottle that held ink … once upon a time, in an old dusty shop window.
  • Walked through Liberty wharf instead to get photos I’d missed last Wednesday.
  • Walked to La Frégate Cafe which is like an upturned boat.
  • Leave it well alone. Food is poor but highly priced. Building looks good.
  • Watched the Amphibious Duckws driving along the path to Elizabeth Castle.
  • Only accessible for walking at low tide.
  • We walked along the breakwater instead and had a look at the posh boats.
  • Walked back into town and had a beer (me) and a G ’n’ T (Scamp) at a pub playing old style music
  • Went to El Gato Gordo (The Fat Cat) for an early dinner. Good food.
  • Bought some tonic and walked back to hotel.
  • Thunder storms forecast tonight.

The Wedding Day – 31 August 2024

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As has become traditional when we’re away from home, the write-up is more of a place marker than anything else. With bullet points to keep the memories fresh without taking up too much writing time.

  • A walk through a different part of the town on a dull morning
  • Found a monument to Jersey Cows!
  • One calf had found a toad
  • Wandered round the indoor market
  • But soon it was time to get dressed to impress
  • Got a taxi to La Mare Vineyard
  • The weather had improved
  • It was time for Pimms on the lawn
  • More butterflies in the garden
  • Alex and family arrived later
  • Just in time to see the happy couple’s entrance
  • Saw some folk we hadn’t seen in years
  • The meal was delicious
  • The dancing was hilarious
  • I took over 300 photos here are some:

 

 

Checking out The Vineyard – 29 August 2024

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As has become traditional when we’re away from home, the write-up is more of a place marker than anything else. With bullet points to keep the memories fresh without taking up too much writing time.

  • We walked down to the church with the blue building beside it
  • That was a much easier way of finding the town centre
  • Scamp got a new pair of trainers
  • Just missed the bus to the vineyard
  • Had a coffee then got the next bus (only one an hour)
  • What a roundabout road. A long road for a short-cut
  • Scamp got tickets for a tour of the winery and a few glasses of wine
  • Interesting talk
  • I only liked the white wine. Scamp liked the red and the white
  • Rosé was the only poor one
  • Stayed for about two hours


– Walked back to the bus stop
– Didn’t have long to wait for the bus
– Got a bottle of Gordon’s gin and a mixer
– Scamp led the way to the road back to the hotel
– I kept a check with Google Maps
– Booked dinner at hotel
– Waited 45mins for our main course
– Lots of excuses
– Waiter let slip that a big order had come in and ours missed out!
– Lots more excuses
– Food was late but it was lovely
– Entertainment was two blokes. One played trumpet other played guitar. Playing jazz
– Disappointing dessert. Lychee & Raspberry Pavlova.
– Had a couple of G ’n’ Ts in the room.

Travelling 28 August 2024

Posted on by Zogman

As has become traditional when we’re away from home, the write-up is more of a place marker than anything else. With bullet points to keep the memories fresh without taking up too much writing time.

  • Alarm played a merry tune at 6:15am
  • Walked over to terminal building and divulged the contents of our bags for all to see
  • Walked into Frankie & Benny’s and had breakfast
  • Too much chilli sauce for a morning
  • They didn’t even check to see if my bag fitted in the grid
  • Easy flight to Jersey
  • Saw a Spitfire on the grass of the airport
  • Taxi from the airport to the hotel
  • Very grand and our room was ready
  • Changed into something more fitting for summer
  • Got a free minibus ride into town, courtesy of the hotel.
  • Walked for miles, photographed everything
  • Got a weekly bus ticket.
  • Lunch in a wee Italian restaurant with a view of the town square
  • Saw an Amphibious Duckw
  • Saw and heard the Spitfire £3,500 for half an hour’s flight!!!
  • Got lost trying to find the hotel
  • It’s a long walk up that hill
  • Swam in the inside pool

Rain – 25 August 2024

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It rained today from early morning until late at night.

Actually it did stop around 6pm when, for an hour, the rain stopped, the sun shone and I managed to get a handful of photos of flowers in the garden. After that the rain returned as heavy as ever and I think it’s still raining. Usually I say that the gardens need it, but the gardens are fed up with it too and just want some late season warmth and sunshine. An Indian summer we used to call it.

In a way, the rain was a blessing. It forced us to start tidying things up. Making bundles and packing those bundles away for better days to come, but first there were some messages to get.

Normally Monday is the shopping day, but we’d meant to do it yesterday, then yesterday slipped from our grasp and it turned into today. We couldn’t let it go any further or else there would be no food in the house, so we braced ourselves and drove to Tesco to buy some much needed supplies. Just the essentials today. Fruit, veg, milk and some sausages. No wine, no beer, just the bare necessities.

Then just as quickly as we finished our lunch, and read a few chapters in our books and played the occasional game of Angry Birds or finished a jigsaw for some, it was almost dinner time.

Just before dinner was when I got the PoD. It’s a bunch of Japanese Anemones with a bit of bokeh in the background courtesy of a hand made steel Allium that holds the raindrops beautifully. Thanks again for that Hazy.

Also around that time we found a PDF of the Holiday Recipes had arrived in the WhatsApp mailbox. Thank you for that Neil. Very well presented. It’s now downloaded and will be printed off tomorrow.

Spoke to Jamie later and agreed that stripping paint is not the most pleasant of ways to use your weekend, but sometimes it just has to be done. If we could string a few dry days together here, I’d like to give the window sills a fresh coat of paint, but if present weather systems are anything to go by, it would need to very quick drying paint!

I have an appointment with the nurse tomorrow to review a possible change in my meds. Hope it’s not as wet as today.