Early Risers.

[PhilJ W]

Morning all from Estuary-Land. A good nights sleep and I only awoke just before nine, bright and starry eyed, I wonder how long it will last? I agree with @iL Dottore that the Christmas TV offerings were pretty dire. The only thing I found interesting was 'Sean the Sheep' and to my surprise I hadn't seen 'Farmageddon' before. I missed the Kings speech as I was doing something else and forgot about the time, I'll catch up on I-player later. Today is a bit better (IMHO) on BBC1 with The Repair Shop at 8PM followed by Death in Paradise, thats my evening accounted for.

1 hour ago, PupCam said:

Morning All!

Sorry, got to disagree with that ID.     The perfect turkey breast is one that's still running around on a turkey (and I'm no Veggie!), the most over-hyped, over-expensive, least desirable to munch form of flesh there is irrespective of how well or badly it is cooked IMHO.    Why is turkey so expensive at Christmas; 'cos few wish to be polluted by it throughout the rest of the year I should imagine.

My thoughts exactly, thats why I never eat it, I used to have salmon as a substitute but now most salmon is farmed its going the same way as turkey. Thats why I chose venison for my Christmas dinner, an added bonus its a healthier meat than turkey or even salmon.

[Barry O]

@PhilJ WErm.. venison is a "farmed" animal.. 

 

Awaiting youngest Herbert's appearance. 

Her indoors has realised the Mariners are playing kickball at Arrogate this pm.. hopefully I can avoid this(!)

 

Baz

 

 

[PhilJ W]

22 minutes ago, Barry O said:

@PhilJ WErm.. venison is a "farmed" animal.. 

Not the venison I have, it is culled from wild herds in Scotland. Wild deer has to be culled anyway to maintain the health of the herd. Too many deer in the herd puts a strain on the available food resources resulting in a decline in the heath of the herd. There is more 'wild' venison available than farmed as the farmed venison mostly goes to restaurants or for export. 

[PhilJ W]

I was talking to a chap in Tess Coes a few months ago and the talk got round to venison. It turns out he was a marksman licenced to cull deer and he said that Muntjac produced the best venison. Its surprising how many deer there is around here, there are herds in Epping Forrest, North Weald and Bedfords Park (Havering) as well as the Muntjac's which spread into the area during the pandemic and are all over. 

[polybear]

Bear here......

Yesterday?  I'm glad it's over is probably the best way of putting it - though no doubt far, far better than many experienced (or didn't, if you see what I mean) so I have much to be grateful for.  Bear somehow was nominated to be Oven Driver - I can do that; bung stuff in at the right point seems doable; the results were reasonable, though I do know that cheapo frozen roast spuds just don't come close in this Bear's book.

As for @iL Dottore's comment regarding TV being "dire", I do think he is being somewhat unkind......to the word "dire"; it was way, way beyond that - not even achieving the dizzy heights of "f. appalling" in this Bear's Book.

As for the roads, well I did find that the number of drivers chugging down a 70mph dual carriageway (at 21-30 hours) doing 50mph was somewhat disconcerting - if it was because they'd all had a drink and were trying not to attract attention from the boys in blue then I'd guess it'd do the exact opposite.

Still sitting on the fence regarding today's activities as yet; I've just scanned the telly guide and it makes yesterday look like a Movie Premiere........

Bear gone

Edited December 26, 2022 by polybear

[Coombe Barton]

... Today should be clearing up the wreck that is the kitchen, but first I’m contemplating a coffee. The coffee is a strong contender to win. ...

https://johncolby.wordpress.com/2022/12/26/sounds-of-the-season-2022-23-30-stopping-modelling-data/

 

[DaveF]

This morning dawned icy but sunny.

 

Yesterday was a much better day than I had expected, I actually enjoyed it.  I had my usual Christmas Dinner - turkey joint etc, I managed to cook enough other bits for one rather than two, then enjoyed some more of it in bread rolls for my tea.  A couple of glasses of a Pinot Gris from Alsace went down well and there is enough left for today.  I've no idea when or where I bought it, I think its been in my wine rack for some time.

 

I had an enjoyable chat on the phone with my aunt, a cousin and his children who are now in their late 20s.

 

After lunch I had a quick walk around some of the local roads, I didn't feel like going too far as I felt a bit full.  Of course that was when the only shower of the day came along, fortunately I was wearing a waterproof coat.  Everyone I met was cheerful and we all wished each other a "Merry Christmas" rather than the usual "good afternoon".

 

I decided to watch some of the not too inspiring TV, The King's Christmas message which I thought was very good, then"Some Like it Hot" (yet again).  Then later on Dad's Army, Morecambe and Wise (I am not quite word perfect at that one yet) and Doc Martin.  All in all a pleasant and undemanding set of programmes which took my mind of other things very successfully.

 

In between all that I put a few photos on RMWeb and flickr and did some reading.

 

David

[jjb1970]

I hope people enjoyed Christmas, or if not then the day was tolerable. Here it was nice, we went to church where they had a combined service in English and Mandarin. I am the only white person in the congregation but many Chinese in Singapore don't speak any of the Chinese languages, and English is the common language for Chinese, Malay and Indian Singaporean people. Hearing the usual carols in Mandarin is kind of interesting. After the service there was a lunch in which everyone brought something, I had a very nice biryani with spicy gravy and a most excellent prata. Today I cooked a traditional British Christmas dinner, turkey, pigs in blankets, roast beef and all the usual stuff, just because it's 30C outside is no reason to drop standards in Christmas fayre. 

[jjb1970]

One of the things I love here is the magical transformation that happens at close of business on Christmas day. Yesterday all the shops, malls, markets etc were full of Christmas goods and promo material. This morning it had all disappeared and all the shops, malls and markets etc were full of Chinese lunar new year goods and promo stuff. The completeness of the changeover is amazing, Christmas has gone, done, finished, it's lunar new year season! A couple of photos from the local market this morning.

 

[The White Rabbit]

Afternoon all. At the risk of sounding smug, a good night was had, with no hang-overs or indigestion souring the dark hours. 

 

Re deer, the meat we have is 'wild' rather than farmed too. I wouldn't like to comment on which breed/species produces the best meat, partly as I suspect (strongly) that the method of cooking has much to do with how the dish comes out. Despite living in a semi-rural location, we have quite a few deer roundabouts and I see them now and then. Usually when walking in the hills and in certain locations where there's plenty of woodland and cover for them. Back in the days when I was going into Leeds on the train I would occasionally get a fleeting glimpse of them on the morning commute, most often in the woods between Guiseley and Apperley Bridge. 

 

TV - yes, well, maybe I'm doing well in my training to be a grumpy old man but I can't say much has appealed over the last few days. My opinion may well be coloured as this is the first Christmas since 2018 when I've actually had much time to sit and look around. 2019 and 2020 passed in a blur of caring, terror and grief; last year I had only just narrowly survived a very risky procedure caused by NHS incompetence and wasn't in a position to watch much TV. We can't get all channels on our package but looking through the TV guides, there's not much I feel we're missing. There are times I wonder if it's worth having a TV. I consoled myself by viewing pictures of small objects which run on parallel strips of metal which some temptress had emailed me an invitation to purchase ... and then actually did some practical work on you know what .... 

 

A wander was had earlier, we managed to dodge the rain. It's one of those days when you look out of the window and it's sun & blue sky, two minutes later it's very grey and the window has raindrops running down it. And then ten minutes later, vice versa. 

 

Bears (and other animals?) may be visiting later - as I couldn't fulfill my ambition to bake a Christmas cake this year, I will 'offer' a consolation 'prize' of a chocolate cake. Everything comes to him who waits...

 

 

Must go now and put some towels in the airing cupboard for drying wet paws. TTFN... 

[Claude_Dreyfus]

Well Christmas day was rather pleasant. Just Mrs Dreyfus and myself, accompanied by a number of bottles of nice things and the television. Our usual Christmas dinner, served up on a platter...perfect for troughing...

 

 

Nothing to watch in the evening, so dug out some Father Ted to catch with a rather nice glass of Oban whisky (purchased as a result of too many samples during the distillery tour - cunning sales technique, ply your visitors with the nice stuff to lessen the resolve in the shop)...

 

 

[NGT6 1315]

So, here's us oop narf again now. It's been a while and I sure hope we'll be able to visit more frequently next year. With the fracas that's been going on this year concerning The Visit of the Black Dog following the accident in February and the workplace  backstabbing slug fest dispute which followed, we couldn't really do much in the way of travel plans.

 

Though at least, it would seem a solution is within reach as the QA department has recently expressed an interest in getting to know me and to that end, the current plan is for me to be assigned there for a workplace H&S assessment project beginning 4 January for starters. Assuming everything to go well there, there's the possibility of making this assignment permanent, which I think would indeed suit my interests and working style very well.

 

With that said, the dispute about the extent of driving duties as such has yet to be resolved, and I certainly intend to revisit this issue next year, too. Assuming I'd stay on board in QA, I could arrange for at least one shift per week with no problems but as a matter of principle, I'd insist on retaining maximum flexibility to take on duties as I see fit. 

As my medical rehab is now complete, I will be able to put the assessment from there into the equation too, which I already know will be in favour of my position. Nothing would make me happier than to flip off those backstabbers with the aid of expert opinion!

 

At the same time, rebuilding trust will remain a key issue for me as certain individuals have been a major disappointment in this respect over the course of this year. Which is a prize understatement!

[BoD]

4 hours ago, PhilJ W said:

There is more 'wild' venison available than farmed as the farmed venison mostly goes to restaurants or for export. 

 

I bet it's expensive.

[PhilJ W]

Afternoon from Estuary-Land. The venison casserole went down very well. I've still got some roast parsnips and potatoes  to finish off. Not much on TV until eight when The Repair Shop is on followed by Death in Paradise.

[PhilJ W]

15 minutes ago, BoD said:

 

I bet it's expensive.

Two venison steaks are about £7 in Tess Coes. If your on your own or just the two of you it makes sense. Not so much if there's a large number coming for Christmas. A joint will set you back about £35. 

[jamie92208]

11 hours ago, iL Dottore said:

I do, actually, agree with you. There IS flavourful and edible turkey out there, but it is hard to find and expensive to boot. As you rightly point out - turkey generally has all the foodie appeal of wet cardboard - and that’s before you consider the myriad ways in which it can be badly cooked…

 

Just across the border from us, in France, is a poultry farmer who raises - as a profitable hobby/sideline - a few free range turkeys, ducks and geese. They are not monstrous (usually 3 - 6kKg), have a slightly gamey flavour (as did turkeys did have before industrialised breeding and production) and couldn’t be fresher. One year, the farmer had forgotten our order - no worries: he just went outside the farm shop and some squawking and industrial machinery noise later, returned with a still-warm, plucked turkey with legs and head attached, gutted but with the giblets put back in.

 

THAT was definitely a turkey with taste. But not cheap (I won’t say how much, but certainly more expensive than even a “top end” mass produced bird). As for being “hard to find”, the farmer didn’t advertise and you had to know someone who was one of his existing customers and make an appointment to collect your fowl - all a bit hush-hush, really.

 

If, Puppers dear boy, you are forced to cook turkey (family pressures, societal expectations 😁 etc.), you could do worse than brining it first (which will firm up the meat and, if using an flavoured brine, add much needed flavour) then cooking the breast on the crown and cooking the legs confit*

 

Alternatively, make a Mexican turkey mole - guaranteed bags of flavour!

* that’s cooking by immersing food in olive oil, duck or goose fat. Surprisingly the end result isn’t greasy or fatty…

 

Our duck that was roasted yesterday was still quacking on Thursday and delivered fresh and plucked etc on Friday morning.  It tasted excellent.  It had been raised free range.  I thought that the Kings speech was good but certain occupants of Westminster may not have agreed.  We had an evening of easy watching of The Midwife and Doc Martin.  It may be similar tonight.  I have managed to get some shed time this afternoon aand the restored plaque for the cemetery is coming on well.

 

Jamie

Edited December 26, 2022 by jamie92208

[PhilJ W]

I looked up what is the best way to cook venison. The consensus is long and slow best in a slow cooker which is exactly what I done. One thing I didn't do though was marinade it first. I've now found several recommended marinade recipes on the net, one containing honey and whisky looks good. I think I'll give it another try in the new year.

Edited December 26, 2022 by PhilJ W

[TheQ]

Afternoon Awl,

We didn't get the 30mph forecast, but we did get 20mph winds at times.

 

One hours unexpected expected eyelid inspection later..

 

A good turnout, plus some visitors for the event, including a firefly dinghy and a solo dinghy.

Although there is but one trophy, due to numbers there was a split start. Keel boats then 5 minutes later, dinghies.

One problem, no watch, several days ago I got something between watch and  wrist, it's gone a bit nasty, so I've not been wearing it for a couple of days and I forgot it this morning.

The helm had the problem his watch kept disappearing beneath waterproofs and gloves.

 

Course, 4,2,1 both races

Start line upwind of buoy 2, sail upriver south west to the bend at bouy 3,

West to bouy 4.

Sail back to corner near buoy 2, south east to bouy 1, then back to buoy 2 and then over the line.

line.

Wind from the west , low tide was 09:00 so coming in all day.. and a surprise... Sunny clear skies all day..

 

Race one,

 

Knew where we wanted to be, but timing was the problem, we were late by about 15 seconds so still heading to the starboard end when the buzzer went as everyone else set off.

 

So on the first tack everyone was in front of us at the first tack off the port bank.

At the tack on the starboard bank, we curved round behind the next to last boat coming out higher, by the end of that tack we had a good over lap. A good next tack had us clear ahead of the previous second to last boat. 

 

Continued tacking and we're catching the group of three boats ahead by the top buoy 4.

Rounding that several boats pop their spinnakers, just two of us don't have them rigged.

Slowly we drop back, even the other non spinnaker boat pulls ahead.

By the bottom buoy we were a fair way back, on the second leg it was follow the leader, we did catch up a fair amount upwind, but lost again down wind..

 

Observations of the dinghy fleet, the solo dinghy was up with the lead lasers, so was by far the winner of that fleet.., it was a loooooooooooooooooooong way back through lasers , splashes, toppers. To the last optimist.

 

Then it was time for rum punch, mince pies and sausage rolls..

 

Race two,

 Got it right, on the start line on time at the starboard end, just the port end boat managed to be ahead of us at the first tack..

Tacking our way up to buoy 4, we held up close behind the leader, on rounding that buoy, they pulled a spinnaker and left us behind. We held 2nd place easily all the rest of the way round to lap 2. Tacking up wind on the second lap, we were catching the lead boat but no where near enough.

On rounding buoy 4 as we approached buoy 3 the others behind us were blocking our wind they were catching, one boat got along side as we reached the bend and crossed from the port bank to starboard bank.

We basically squeezed them out, as the wind came more on our port side, we then moved into the bank out of the tide. They attempted to over take on the port side, but although they were blocking the wind a little, the tide held them back... A shortened course meant it was straight over the line to finish, we got second place be just a few feet..

 

The solo that won the first race, didn't compete in the second. A pin on his rudder fell out on the way to the start line and he had no steering...

 

Overall I suspect a laser has won the trophy, which is a giant wooden fork and spoon.

 

Me left knee and right ankle are complaining a bit but not too bad.

 

 

 

 

 

[iL Dottore]

1 hour ago, PhilJ W said:

Two venison steaks are about £7 in Tess Coes. If your on your own or just the two of you it makes sense. Not so much if there's a large number coming for Christmas. A joint will set you back about £35. 

That’s not bad for meat that isn’t factory farmed. I’d love to come home with a joint of venison at such low prices
 

When you say “joint” do you mean leg, saddle or haunch?

1 hour ago, jamie92208 said:

I thought that the Kings speech was good but certain occupants of Wextminster may not have agreed….

Quite! 🤣

1 hour ago, PhilJ W said:

I looked up what is the best way to cook venison. The consensus is long and slow best in a slow cooker which is exactly what I done. One thing I didn't do though was marinade it first. I've now found several recommended marinade recipes on the net, one containing honey and whisky looks good. I think I'll give it another try in the new year.

Depending on the cut, game can also be quickly fried or grilled (such as wild boar chops), but generally low and slow with added fat in the form of lardons (or similar) is the name of the game with game 😮

 

When looking for a suitable marinade, note that they come in broadly two types: the marinade which is thrown away after use and the marinade which is used in the cooking (either in the pot or later to make a sauce).

 

One of the joys of slow-cooked venison is the excuse to have lots of creamy mashed potato (or, even better, pommes purée) or mounds of spätzle- quickly sautéed with mushrooms and onion, to help soak up the juices, sauces and gravies….

Edited December 26, 2022 by iL Dottore

[NGT6 1315]

45 minutes ago, jamie92208 said:

Our duck that was roasted yesterday was still quacking on Thursday (…)

 

As the poorly translated menu in a restaurant somewhere in Poland purportedly referred to it, "Roasted duck let loose", eh? 🤣

 

Speaking of culinary oeuvres, our Christmas Eve dinner was this:

 

 

It's not uncommon here to have something fairly simple on Christmas Eve, such as cooked sausages and potato salad or sauerkraut. Our meal comprised simmered Lyonnaise sausage from the Saarland to put a bit of a twist on what would otherwise be a typically simple Christmas Eve meal!

 

The story behind this is that simmered Lyonnaise, bread and dandelion greens were the common welcome dinner at Elise's late grandma's in the Saarland when they visited for Christmas. Saarland style Lyonnaise is something that's almost impossible to get outside the region, until we recently found a retailer who would ship local delicacies by parcel.

[45156]

Evening All,

 

Not a lot to report from here = it appears that a recorded midwife is being called at the moment.  Shifted and split two bags of logs from garage to fill up the log store this morning, and backfilled the holes where the screws to secure the loft trap was fitted.

 

Regards to All

Stewart

Edited December 26, 2022 by 45156

[Ian Abel]

Christmas done and dusted, though to be far given it was just the Mrs and me, it was very low key! Sore throat still playing a major roll in anything being done 😒

Nice simple meal of some ham with a glaze the Mrs made, some green veg and a salad. Plenty of egg-nogg with lashings of Amaretto, probably could have just done with the Amaretto  🤣

Watched "Love Actually", one of our regular Christmas fares and also "Grumpy Old Men", somewhat a Christmas movie and given it's set in Minnesnowta, has some handy colloquialism to get a laugh.

 

Today, as always, we do Boxing Day, Trevor and Meagan will be over, with their two dogs, so Whitney will get a playtime with friends.

 

Weather is becoming "winter normal" -19c at newspaper time, sunny no wind, expecting a high of -11c "LOVELY"!!

 

Happy Boxing Day

[Ozexpatriate]

10 hours ago, Gwiwer said:

Welcome, one and all, to the Feast of Stephen.  I’ll have mine 🍕deep-pan, crisp and even. You’re welcome. 

Google suggests that the Patron Saint of pizzas (actually pizzaioli) is St. Anthony the Abbot (St Antonio Abate) whose 'feast' is January 17. (Died 356 in Egypt.)

[New Haven Neil]

Back domesticity today, putting up a curtain rail.  Pah.

 

The 5c had a 'feels like' of 0c according to the app-o-thingy and it certainly felt like it on my walk to the village shop for milk. Shop was full of people moaning there were no newspapers.  Really?  On Boxing Day? There's no ferry on Christmas night to bring them, should they be so daft to publish one. 

 

It's an odd thing, the true-blue (well red really - our flag is red of course, not our politics) kipper-lovin' Manxie has no time for the UK, its politics or even its existence, but the UK newspapers are an absolute necessity for the continuation of life. I never could work this out.  

[Ozexpatriate]

4 hours ago, jjb1970 said:

One of the things I love here is the magical transformation that happens at close of business on Christmas day.

Little different here, though not at the close of business on the Feast of Stephen. While there will be a short interregnum of holiday closeout sales, the seasonal aisles will quickly turn blood red for the feast of an obscure third-century Roman martyr now more known for an association with manufactured commercial notions of romance than his presumed stoning and beheading.