I love the arrival of the first cherries, the first asparagus, and the first courgettes. There's something really exciting about a new year's crop just beginning; and they always taste the best. These few courgettes we shall have tonight, simply cooked in garlicky butter with a pinch of salt.
And so to the bloody mower. I went straight out this morning to buy a replacement; the old one will be given a good thrashing before being taken to the mower-hospital. Maybe they can mend it; maybe not. We shall see; it's not very old.
The new one is a McCullock, Briggs engined, black job. I hope it works.
Whilst out, I also bought this bunch of $100 notes. I have no idea what the 'real' ones look like, but these'll keep the children amused. Now I have to think of something to do with them. 100 $100 notes cost me €3; can't be bad!
Bloody hell, Cro, those notes look very convincing to me! You are going to have the US Secret Service all over you wanting to know where you bought these things, they get desperately upset about their currency.
ReplyDeleteI had McCullock chain saws when I was logging in Belize, they were brilliant and you cannot argue with the quality and longevity of Briggs and Stratton.
My last mower had a Honda engine, and I always said the same about that!
DeleteI was listening to a radio programme this morning about an Angolan man who fell from beneath an aeroplane as it came into Heathrow last September. Did the story make the news back in Angola?
It did and, oddly enough caused a bit of outrage as the initial reporting in UK suggested his desperate act reflected conditions here in Angola which is, of course, nonsense. Angola is dealing with its own immigration problem, especially with people fleeing the conflict in Congo.
DeleteThere is no doubt that he managed to get on the BA aircraft in Luanda but he was actually Moçambican. So that was OK then!
How he managed to get airside and climb up into an undercarriage compartment is another question which I could answer but would turn this comment into a post!
As an aside, I know you made your way as an artist. Had you been a retired civil servant, such as a now globe trotting communist anti thatcherite English teacher and adept photographer say (I do not want to be too specific and name names), I would have assumed that pile of cash was just the monthly dividend from your gold plated pension pot.
DeleteI think I know to whom you are referring (ahem), but he is only following his beloved Blair's example. Good enough for Blair; good enough for XX.
DeleteFirst courgettes - yum - mine are nowhere near that stage - mind you, once they start there is no stopping them is there
ReplyDeleteI bought some paper serviettes like tenners. I put one next to everyone's plate at Christmas, as "an extra little gift". They were very life-like, if rather bendy :-)
ReplyDeleteYou seem to be a couple of weeks ahead of us in getting veggies. As you said, the first picks of the season are the best.
ReplyDeleteyou are WEEKS ahead of us on the courgettes! my they look delicious. One of my favorite ways to eat them is to shred them and make a pancake which is fried. Yum.
ReplyDeleteA local restaurant always makes a shredded courgette omelet at this time of year, which is good.
DeleteThose bills look very real! And..you paid about what they are worth today!!!
ReplyDeleteDamn; I was hoping to ship a few container-loads over for someone!
DeleteConvincing-looking money, Cro! The kids could stash it in a pirate's chest aboard the HMS Dangerous Fun!! :D
ReplyDeleteI'm thinking of using it as hidden treasure, then the boys can exchange it later (with me) for toys or sweets or whatever.
DeleteMy Briggs and Stratton mower is a little beauty, nearly ten years old and still going strong.
ReplyDeleteI like shredded courgette pancakes or omelettes too, very delicious and a good way to use up those huge ones that always seem to pop up overnight. Nice with a grating of cheese.
Hmmm..courgettes/zucchini....The first crop of the season is always the best.
ReplyDeleteI used to make zucchini bread, way back when.
You seem to be a lovely, fun Grandpa, thinking of ways to make your Grandsons' summer even more exciting - just like my Dad did for my own boys.
ReplyDeleteYour blog is the first one I log onto every day. Love reading about your life.
Hello Gilly; how very kind you are.
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