HAPPY (if that's the right word) HALLOWEEeeEEeeEEeeEEN!

Iranians knock turbans off clerics' heads

I'm not normally someone who would support uprisings or revolution, but this is an interesting development, the Iranian citizens are at last fighting back against their evil rulers. So many ordinary Iranians against so few Mullahs; numbers are certainly on their side, and it looks as if a regime change is on the books.

A regime run by clerics (who represent a religion which says it's OK to kill women who don't wear their hijabs correctly) deserves everything coming to them. 

I see revolution in the air. Bring back the Shah!

Everything comes in tins.

I would never normally buy such a thing as tinned Houmous, but in these times of austerity, and threats of power loss, etc, I thought it might be a good idea to see if this was any good. It is Turkish made, so my expectations were high.

In fact it was quite a revelation. The texture was perfect, and the flavour excellent. It had a very slight nutty taste which I expect was the greater sesame content. All in all it was excellent; and I really wasn't expecting to say that.

Once extracted from its can, I bathed it slightly in Olive Oil, and sprinkled it with Sumac; it needed nothing more. 

I don't know if I could recommend all canned varieties, but if you can find this one (Sofra), I would happily suggest a few for the store cupboard.

Life with Billy.

When you own a dog, he or she becomes an integral part of your life; not unlike children.

They force you to live a structured life, to go for walks at regular times, to feed them at the same time each day (or they become ratty), and to go through all sorts of quirky rituals that they insist upon. Dogs like an organised life, it makes them feel secure.

Billy is a popular boy. People shout "Hello Billy" as they pass by, school children shout it in unison, and he can hardly walk 20 yards without being stroked by friends and strangers alike.

Border Collies are both instantly recognisable, and well loved. They are a breed that brings a smile to people's faces. It must be the 'One man and his dog' effect.

Billy certainly has 'character'. He has rituals that have to be honoured every day. At lunch and dinner he comes to me and gently touches his cold nose on my arm, just to say "I need to be fed now". It's not that I'd forgotten, it's just a way of allowing him to take a certain amount of control over his life.

Just look at that face, who couldn't love a boy like Billy!

Almost my Favourite Church.

This (below) is the belltower belonging to the church at the end of my road in Brighton. It's a lovely old flint-and-stone-built church with a few very nice features.

Every Sunday morning at 10am they ring the bells. The door at the bottom is left open, and I sit on that sloping gravestone on the right with Billy, and we listen to the changes. They usually continue for about 20 mins.

I believe there are 8 bells; the huge tenor bell having the inscription 'Pray for our children, pray for our sailors, pray for our town'.

At the opposite end of the church is this 'corner' (below) which appeals to me as an ex-stone-cutter. It is the sort of work I used to do myself. Nothing fancy, just jobbing work.

I note that some of the stones have been replaced, and very nicely done too. Stone cutting is very satisfying work. I've only done basic openings, lintels for fireplaces, faux medieval windows, etc, but seeing one's work in situ after many years is always a pleasure. In this case both the Flushwork and Proudwork are beautifully done. One can still see the repairs, but they'll soon mellow.

p.s. Flushwork are the cut stones that sit flush with the flint, and Proudwork is that which projects in front of the flint. Both are illustrated above.

Autumn on a small scale.

This, sadly, is not chez nous, but at Kimbo's house. The Virginia Creeper that tumbles down in front of his back wall has been spectacular this year, and in its autumn colours is even better. 

Like most patios behind Brighton's Victorian terraces, it is very small; just big enough for a BBQ and about 6 diners. It has a lovely jungle atmosphere, and is home to a large colony of Sparrows, as well as a few Pigeons. 

Cats, of course, come and go as they please, and possibly the occasional Fox as well.

Soon will come the worst season of the year, when the temperature drops and there are no leaves on the trees. People will take to drink and beat their wives and children, whilst others will end up in Bedlam.

Luckily those who can avoid such catastrophe will be rewarded next Spring with re-growth and warmth.

It's worth waiting for.

 

Mushy Peas

I was buying a few tinned vegs recently when I saw the item below. A can of Sainsbury's 'British chip-shop-style Mushy Peas'.

I had never before eaten 'Mushy Peas'. I was always told that they were illegal south of Watford; so I was intrigued. What is this northern delicacy, I wondered? 

Fridays are the one day of the week when I take a rest from gourmet cooking. We usually eat from the freezer. Fish (usually fingers), chips, and peas. It's easy, cheap, and we both pretend to enjoy it. 

So, taking the example from the can illustration (above), last Friday we ate fish-n-chips, but with Mushy Peas.

Actually they were quite nice; in fact very nice. We were both somewhat surprised. They did have a rather strange luminous colour, but it didn't seem to affect the flavour. I simply re-heated them with a splash of white wine, and S & P.

I shall definitely buy these again, I have an idea that they might also make an interesting Dhal. I shall experiment. 

I'm always prepared to try something once, and often once is enough; but not in this case. I have already added 2 tins to my next week's shopping list. 

Have you eaten Mushy Peas?