Been out most of the day. Finished Christmas shopping for the family this morning, then went to lunch with friends. Last I'll see them for a bit, they have bought a camper van now he's retired and they are going off until April.
I've often cooked chicory in cheese sauce with ham, SIL loves it but daughter doesn't. SIL, who is French told me it comes from Northern France. Tried to look it up on Google but all it gives me are recipes. We also like chicory as a vegetable, simmered until soft, then fried gently until browned in butter - makes it sweet.
You seem to be making the most of your move to France, Obelixx
Dordogne and Norfolk. Clay in Dordogne, sandy in Norfolk.
Harumph! Belgian endive or chicon (witloof in Flemish) was discovered by accident in 1830 by a Belgian Flemish farmer who was storing the roots in the usual way in his cellar to make a coffee substitute (thanks to the British naval blockade of France and French occupied ports in the Napoleonic wars) . Several months later he found they had sprouted white shoots which he tasted and liked. Now it is farmed and blanched on an industrial scale and, whilst often eaten raw in salads, is also often braised, roasted or done as a gratin. Lots of what is now the Nord Pas de Calais is part of geographic Flanders so they're bound to claim the recipes. I like it served as a whle leaf with those tiny brown North Sea shrimps mixed in a bit of mayonnaise and grainy mustard. Wonderful nibble with apéro or as part of a platter of smoked fish and prawns.
I quite fancy doing a camper van tour of Spain but I suspect the size and comfort that would be acceptable is beyond our means or driving skills.
Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
"The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
So sorry Pdoc, must be really difficult to deal with. I have no answers I'm afraid.
Dad continues to improve. They are talking of getting him out of hospital but won't let him leave Hampshire! Since we are spread round Surrey and Sussex that might prove an obstacle. Going visiting after work tonight.
Went to a fabulously uplifting talk by Andy McIndoe (recently ex-Hilliers) last night - gardens he loves and why bits of them work so well. I am good at saying "I like that" but less good at working out what it is that appeals so I can replicate it myself. Very entertaining chap
Pdoc ((Hugs)) never was the word tragedy so apt. I just don't know what could be done to make things better that wouldn't make things worse elsewhere. It seems that every time we try to right wrongs we cause yet more obscenities. The road to hell is paved with good intentions ... I think one of the problems is that historically the west has thought that it has the answers to other peoples problems ... And it patently hasn't.
Chicky, OH and I were just bemoaning the closure of the little cottage hospitals and convalescent homes. It's the lack of these that causes bed blocking. Southwold had a cottage hospital, partially funded by Adnams brewery, and it was wonderful that Pa could be sent there when he no longer needed to be in the big hospital 25 miles away. Sadly even with the additional funding from Adnams the NHS have ended it's function as a hospital and now only houses clinics. The repurcussions are immense both for the big hospital and the local community. Eventually I expect someone will come up with the idea of opening little local convalescent hospitals! We keep reinventing the wheel.
Today I will be driving around Suffolk. I have to see solicitors re the Aged Ps' estates, so I'll deliver cards and presents in that area at the same time.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
PDoc; I hope you got some rest last night. Though I imagine it very hard to come by Sheltered from the world seeing only images that graphic movies make you numb too, reading biased news reports, it is too easy for us to go about our days seemingly uncaring.
We're not. We just can't even pretend to understand.
I unfortunately think we are beyond miracles right now, beyond rational conferences where the only things that get bruised are egos. But I still hope for peace, or at least stability.
Pdoc I have no words, I dont understand my world, I used to think I had grasped an understanding of what it was "all about" but not now. However remember that there are some beautiful things. It is not all grim. Hang on in there
trip down to my favourite GC in the Valley this morning their Christmas shop is so pretty and their lunches are famous?
No baby .............
Weeds are flowers, too, once you get to know them.” A A Milne
God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,: Courage to change the things I can,: And wisdom to know the difference.
Reinhold Niebuhr (1892–1971)
And I believe we will change more by continuing to treat all our fellow humans with tolerance and respect, regardless of race, religion, politics or our own self-interest. Tiny steps, but forward ...
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Posts
Been out most of the day. Finished Christmas shopping for the family this morning, then went to lunch with friends. Last I'll see them for a bit, they have bought a camper van now he's retired and they are going off until April.
I've often cooked chicory in cheese sauce with ham, SIL loves it but daughter doesn't. SIL, who is French told me it comes from Northern France. Tried to look it up on Google but all it gives me are recipes. We also like chicory as a vegetable, simmered until soft, then fried gently until browned in butter - makes it sweet.
You seem to be making the most of your move to France, Obelixx
Harumph! Belgian endive or chicon (witloof in Flemish) was discovered by accident in 1830 by a Belgian Flemish farmer who was storing the roots in the usual way in his cellar to make a coffee substitute (thanks to the British naval blockade of France and French occupied ports in the Napoleonic wars) . Several months later he found they had sprouted white shoots which he tasted and liked. Now it is farmed and blanched on an industrial scale and, whilst often eaten raw in salads, is also often braised, roasted or done as a gratin. Lots of what is now the Nord Pas de Calais is part of geographic Flanders so they're bound to claim the recipes. I like it served as a whle leaf with those tiny brown North Sea shrimps mixed in a bit of mayonnaise and grainy mustard. Wonderful nibble with apéro or as part of a platter of smoked fish and prawns.
I quite fancy doing a camper van tour of Spain but I suspect the size and comfort that would be acceptable is beyond our means or driving skills.
Their camper van isn't very big, I'm sure I would feel claustrophobic in it, but it's very well designed. They bought it secondhand.
Have just read back. That's a gorgeous cake Lesley. It's a beautiful tree too. I'm sure I would have broken the eggs.
Heard earlier today that 2 of the local doctors I worked with, were killed a few days ago.
WHY?
Why has the West done nothing about this?
I really do not understand the world at all, anymore.
I am not sure sleep is going to feature in my plans tonight.
When you don't even know who's in the team
S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
So sorry Pdoc, must be really difficult to deal with. I have no answers I'm afraid.
Dad continues to improve. They are talking of getting him out of hospital but won't let him leave Hampshire! Since we are spread round Surrey and Sussex that might prove an obstacle. Going visiting after work tonight.
Went to a fabulously uplifting talk by Andy McIndoe (recently ex-Hilliers) last night - gardens he loves and why bits of them work so well. I am good at saying "I like that" but less good at working out what it is that appeals so I can replicate it myself. Very entertaining chap
Lesley - that cake is a triumph .....love it???
Good morning all
Pdoc ((Hugs)) never was the word tragedy so apt. I just don't know what could be done to make things better that wouldn't make things worse elsewhere. It seems that every time we try to right wrongs we cause yet more obscenities. The road to hell is paved with good intentions ...
I think one of the problems is that historically the west has thought that it has the answers to other peoples problems ... And it patently hasn't.
Chicky, OH and I were just bemoaning the closure of the little cottage hospitals and convalescent homes. It's the lack of these that causes bed blocking. Southwold had a cottage hospital, partially funded by Adnams brewery, and it was wonderful that Pa could be sent there when he no longer needed to be in the big hospital 25 miles away. Sadly even with the additional funding from Adnams the NHS have ended it's function as a hospital and now only houses clinics. The repurcussions are immense both for the big hospital and the local community. Eventually I expect someone will come up with the idea of opening little local convalescent hospitals! We keep reinventing the wheel.
Today I will be driving around Suffolk. I have to see solicitors re the Aged Ps' estates, so I'll deliver cards and presents in that area at the same time.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Save travels Dove!
PDoc; I hope you got some rest last night. Though I imagine it very hard to come by Sheltered from the world seeing only images that graphic movies make you numb too, reading biased news reports, it is too easy for us to go about our days seemingly uncaring.
We're not. We just can't even pretend to understand.
I unfortunately think we are beyond miracles right now, beyond rational conferences where the only things that get bruised are egos. But I still hope for peace, or at least stability.
Good morning, very dark still
Pdoc I have no words, I dont understand my world, I used to think I had grasped an understanding of what it was "all about" but not now. However remember that there are some beautiful things. It is not all grim. Hang on in there
trip down to my favourite GC in the Valley this morning their Christmas shop is so pretty and their lunches are famous?
No baby .............
A A Milne
God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,: Courage to change the things I can,: And wisdom to know the difference.
Reinhold Niebuhr (1892–1971)
And I believe we will change more by continuing to treat all our fellow humans with tolerance and respect, regardless of race, religion, politics or our own self-interest. Tiny steps, but forward ...
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
That's so sad, Punkdoc, I don't know what to say. What a waste, they were so brave to be there, as were you.
Taken ages getting here this morning, Internet playing up again.