Pointless

Allotment, adolescents, alcohol, ar@!holes.

Skills Swap

I have a pal, Graham, who is in his 80s and who decided a few weeks ago that it was time he joined the digital revolution. He wanted an iPad initially, but only having two fingers on his hand (!)I felt that he might find the touch screen too difficult. He mainly wanted to be able to type letters, so I talked him in to buying a laptop and printer. At first he found it extremely frustrating to learn how to use it and I spent a lot of time either with him or on the phone as a helpline. Anyway the upshot is that now he is chuffed to bits with the whole thing. He is amazed at the information that you can find, that you can send emails all over the world and that he can chat to people on line. It is lovely to see his enjoyment.
Now Graham is a carpenter and when he realised that I needed a stand for my butler sink he promptly offered to make me one. He delivered it tonight and hasn't he done a wonderful job. I am so pleased with it.
Another twist to this tale, is that Graham got the wood for this when he was helping the 'old' lady across the road (his words, not mine!) chop up wood for her log burner. I love the fact that my sink stand has been created out of three labours of love :)

Maggie's Legacy

I don't normally get political, especially on what is essentially a fun blog. But this is something that I feel strongly about. I cannot understand why Maggie Thatcher is being given a 'ceremonial' funeral. Winston Churchill deserved one. He united the country in wartime and was a great leader. Thatcher divided the country like no other leader and does not deserve all the sentimental hype that she is getting in the UK and world press. If the Tories want to give her a good send off, then they should pay for it. Not the rest of us that had to endure those years and suffer the consequences ever since. Here are my views on Maggie's legacy to the UK:

My son cannot buy his own house as he does not earn enough money. When we sell our house, he will be condemned to a life of short term letting not knowing whether he will have to move every six months as there is no longer enough social housing. This is Maggie’s legacy.

Workers’ rights have been so eroded that employers can now treat their workers as badly as they like. This is Maggie’s legacy.

Our manufacturing sector is on its knees, whereas Germany’s is thriving. Germany have one of the strongest economies in Europe. This is Maggie’s legacy.

The Public Sector is considered the root of all evil in society, to be vilified and despised at all times, despite the fact that society actually needs nurses, teachers, policemen, dustmen etc. This is Maggie’s legacy.

Whole communities were devastated due to a personal vendetta against the unions and are still struggling today. This is Maggie’s legacy.

Generations since the 80s have grown up in a society driven by rampant consumerism. A ‘must have it now’ generation who is seriously in debt. Look after oneself and greed at the expense of others, has undermined the community aspect of society, culminating in the bank crisis recently. This is Maggie’s legacy.

Amazing how one woman can make so much difference and how the rest of us have to pick up the pieces and live with the consequences. The trouble is, I think that we are destined for more of the same with this latest government and their ‘Thatcherite’ ideas. This is Maggie’s Legacy.

RIP Maggie – there are a lot of people whose lives were seriously damaged by your politics and amoral leadership and who are now trying in their own small ways, to put things right for themselves and society in general.

Boarding

Just a very quick barge update. Electrics run, plasterboard going up and it is beginning to look like somewhere to live instead of a workshop. More to follow later .....

It's Official

We are going to be grandparents! I have known for a couple of weeks but I was sworn to secrecy, how mean was that when all I wanted to do was shout it from the roof tops! I am so excited, Baby Gap here I come ......

More Food Confusion

I was looking for a recipe for Bread Pudding to veganize and I realised that once again there is real confusion about what a traditional British bread pudding is. I found so many recipes for "bread pudding" which to my mind were actually Bread and Butter puddings. Bread pudding is wonderfully dark, stodgy and packed with fruit. It is eaten by the slice and it can be served hot or cold, with cream, custard or ice cream. You can buy it in the bakers alongside the other cakes. My mum makes the most amazing bread pudding and I am drooling at the thought!

Here is the recipe that I am going to veganize, but I thought I would give it to you straight for all you non vegans to try.

BREAD PUDDING

Ingredients

8 oz bread (stale bread preferably, white or brown)
1 oz shredded suet (vegetarian please)
1 or 2 teaspoon mixed spice
3 oz soft brown natural sugar
4 oz sultanas or mixed dried fruit
1 egg (1 tablespoon flax seeds soaked in water or any other vegan alternative)

Method

Soak the bread in water until it is soft.
Squeeze most of the water out and put the bread in a bowl.
Add the suet, spice, sugar and fruit and mix well so that the bread breaks up and mixes in. If the mixture feels too sloppy, add a tablespoon of flour.
Add the lightly beaten egg (or vegan alternative) and mix well again.
Put in a greased dish or tin and cook in the middle of the oven (350F / 180C / GM 4) for about an hour or until it is risen up in the middle and firm to the touch. If you want to make it really traditional, sprinkle sugar over the top for a bit of extra crunch.
Serve hot with cream, custard or ice cream or cold by the slice.

Whiskey

Today a Dutchman told me a story about the invention of whiskey - he said that apparently the Irish were the first to distill whiskey.  But they used it to rub on their horses' flanks, it was the Scots who discovered that you could drink it!  True or I am being spun a yarn?  Mel over to you ......