Experimental Chutney

Thanks to 'Le Pré', I have added some Fig Chutney to my list of this year's conserves.

It is very similar to the Fig and Lemon Jam, but with a chopped red Onion, Raisins, red wine Vinegar, dark brown Sugar, and some spices etc.

Frankly it's a much better conserve to make, as it will be far more popular. Pickles and Chutneys in our house are consumed very quickly. 

 

Experimental Jam

Every year we have so many Figs that simply go to waste; I have three VERY BIG trees. We do, of course, eat a lot of them, but the rest either fall to the ground, or become Wasp and Hornet food.

So, I decided to make some Fig and Lemon Jam.

Last year I made Fig Jam, but it was too sweet, so this time I added the juice of a whole Lemon, plus some very thin shavings from half of another. I made just enough to fill two jars, plus a little bit left-over for breakfast.

Firstly I must pat my own back, because it set perfectly. And secondly it does taste very good. I can already imagine myself having it with toast on winter's mornings in Brighton.

Verdict: 8/10. The thin shavings of Lemon are not as soft as I'd like. Otherwise OK.

Our new PM.

 

As you might already know, we have a new Prime Minister in the UK. Here he is (above) with some people who are encouraging him to move to the USA (at least, I presume that's what their placards are saying).

He was only recently elected as an MP, and immediately assumed that he had some divine right to lead his party, and the country (politically). The old PM (Starmer) immediately resigned, and Handy Andy took over. Simple as that.

Over the past two weeks, since his heavenly inauguration, he's been wandering about, shaking hands and kissing babies, so now he's exhausted, and he's gone off on holiday. Well, you would, wouldn't you!

He's made a few instant policy decisions, including letting perverts and dangerous criminals out of prison early, so they've got more space for TV Licence dodgers and speeding motorists. He's also having a go at those same motorists, by making older cars more expensive to run, and older drivers despair. I'm even considering my own future on the road, although how I'd cope I really don't know.

His first couple of weeks in power are not giving us much confidence; unless you're a criminal, an illegal immigrant, or on the dole. If you lead a normal working life, with a home, a mortgage, and a car, then he's coming for your money! And if you're an OAP, he'll definitely make sure you are poorer.

The one good thing that he's promised, is to look into the whole 'Care Homes', Carers, Caring, business. The whole kaboodle is run by a bunch of money-grubbing shysters, who have all become multi-millionaires, whilst their elderly clients become penniless. The whole system really needs to be given a good shake-up. We now wait to see if Andy's concern is just 'words'. The present system is a criminal bloody DISGRACE. If he can sort-out the worst of these scoundrels; he'll have my support.

I'm looking forward to the next round of PMQ's in September, to see how the new boy fares against Kemi. She's a tough cookie, and takes no prisoners. I just hope (unlike the previous numpty) that he actually ANSWERS her questions.

Radio.

 

I always listen to the radio through the night, intermittently between dropping in and out of sleep. I have a single 'earphone' so as not to disturb Lady M.

For some reason, known only to themselves, the BBC have stopped broadcasting to Europe, so I am now limited to LBC Radio in English.

LBC is a Talk Radio station. The same old presenters, discuss the same old subjects, with the same old callers. When I came back to France in June, I could hardly believe that nothing seemed to have changed, or advanced, over the past year. It was like listening to constant repeats. 

The quality of mobile phones varies enormously, so many calls are almost indecipherable. The callers themselves are varied, and go from highly intelligent to completely bonkers. They also cover all political colours and attitudes; that side of them is good.

The presenters themselves vary in standard. Most are good 'communicators', but a few are so politically biased that it makes them almost worthless. They have an agenda, and they won't be budged. Not what one wants in a broadcast discussion.

I'm very upset that I can no longer receive the BBC Radio 4 Extra channel. LBC is no comparison; but I listen to it anyway. I just wish that the most obsessive callers (who call almost every night) would give it a break.

Time flies

 

My goodness, it's really gone so quickly. Our Summer is already slowly winding down. Kimbo and Susie have been gone for a while, one grandson has been driven to the airport and is already back in London (or Oxford), and my youngest (with Boo Boo and The Cherub and another grandson) are in Switzerland. My daughter, Tenpin, and another grandson, are spending some time on The Amalfi Coast before returning to Oz. Now we are all by ourselves again, and it feels very strange.

Having 11 people in the house was too much, and some eventually followed my original advice, and rented a nearby Gite. 

Luckily they were not here for the big storm of July 16th. It was frightening and destructive, and I'm sure the two smallest boys would have been petrified. However, they were all here for the huge forest fires near Bordeaux, the smoke even this far East was dreadful.

My 80th birthday went well. Kimbo made a superb film of my life with some wonderful surprises, and we ate at a favourite restaurant that night. A LOT of Champagne was consumed, including one bottle of Dom Pérignon 2017 (my first taste, and probably last, of DP ever).

I managed to catch a real stinker of a cold just before my birthday, but even though it was, and still remains, quite unpleasant, it didn't mar my enjoyment. I haven't been ill for years, then just when you really don't want, etc .......

I'm very lucky. I have a wonderful family, and it was a real pleasure having them all here (just one grandson was unable to come, he was working in Oz); we now have about a month before we head back to Blighty for Autumn/Winter. 

It was interesting how everyone seemed to go shopping without ever consulting each other. We ended-up with dozens of Eggs, all sorts of Yogs, packs of strange Milks, Melons, unknown cheeses, and of course piles of half-eaten Baguettes. I'm going to have fun sorting through the various fridges.

The Cherub learned to ride a bike. We've had no Crickets or Cicadas. And all the grass is crisp and beige. 

Summer 2026 was certainly a great vintage; and it ain't over yet.

Happy Birthday, and RIP

 

Today is my Father's birthday, he was born on August 5th 1905.

He wasn't a Cricket on the Lawn, Camping in the Woods, or Swimming in Lake, type of father; he was more a solid, old-style, presence.

I have so much to thank him for. He gave us lovely homes to live in, the best schools to attend, and a good solid home life. We never lacked anything; but we were never demanding. We grew-up with high standards of behaviour, honesty, and the respect for others.

He was always involved in local politics, and was well-loved as an employer. He was both a 'generous and a good' person.

So, Father, thank you again for everything. All that you did for me is still highly appreciated, and I continue to tell your great grandchildren what a kind person you were. Your picture (above) hangs in pride of place, in our Sitting Room in France; in the house you so aptly named 'The Nut House' (on account of the nearby Walnut trees!).

Below is my father as a boy, with his older brother, my Uncle Reginald.

What a Mug!

We used to be able to buy a really effective Weed Killer based on Glyphosate. It did everything that it claimed to do; and quickly.

However, those bloody busybodies in Brussels decided that it was far too effective, and that we should now be forced to have some less effective product in it's place. I went looking.

I do like to keep my garden, and pool area, looking as neat as possible. I like a combination of 'Jungle' and 'tidy'. Certain paved areas really do require the regular services of a good weed killer.

I came across this one above. The container was pleasantly colourful, it promised that it was 'Bio', and clamed to kill 99.999% of known weeds (don't they all).

I followed the instructions, diluting by 50% with water, and set to work; it promised to show results within ONE HOUR (Action Express). I waited a few days, but nothing seemed to have wilted; let alone died. I made a second batch using a higher concentration, and was very surprised to see that yet again everything resisted; if anything they seemed to enjoy it.

I began to wonder if I'd bought the wrong product; but no, it was what I'd wanted.

Then I decided to have a look at the label to see what this stuff contained. I was shocked to find that it was no more than WHITE VINEGAR; pure and simple. The same clear vinegar that we keep in the house for various other household purposes. I have a couple of litres of the stuff; it costs peanuts.

I now feel like a right mug. This stuff cost me about £5, and I already had plenty. I hear that Glyphosate can still be bought on the 'Dark Web'. I shall have a discreet look.