Kitchen Cupboard, Fridge, and Spices.

Beans, confit, pearl barley, packet noodles, vermicelli, sauerkraut, pickled mustard greens, balti paste, brinjal pickle, mango pickle, dried cepes, tins squid octopus anchovies, rice, lentils, orzo, penne, spaghetti, couscous, herbs, spices.

Just one kitchen cupboard which represents some of the things I like to eat. Nothing too exotic or expensive, probably not dissimilar to most people's cupboards.

Foie gras, pickled onions. pork pie, gherkins, fray bentos steak-n-kidney pudding (not pie), pesto, branston, yogs, milk, preserved lemons, curry paste, lady m's plum jam, hoi sin, horseradish, butter, bacon, cheddar, st agur, more cheddar, prunes, tub of coleslaw, peppered mackerel, more prunes, eggs, champagne, strudel and sausage rolls (both made by my daughter in law). 

Again, I suspect not unlike most people's fridges.

So what does this tell me about myself? Probably that I like Indian, Italian, and Moroccan foods, and that I like variety.

Oats, muesli, chick stock cubes, garam masala, dried mint, gunpowder spice blend, ground cumin, dried parsley, five spice powder, aleppo chilli flakes, and others that I can't see.

An average selection of herbs and spices.

I'm exhausted.

Eccentrics.

Above: The late James Devenney of Brighton in Kensington Gardens, wearing one of his more sober outfits.

I'm sure most villages, towns, and cities have their fair share of eccentrics. Some are naturally that way; others possibly use eccentricity as a prop. 

Here in Brighton, I suspect that we have more than the 'national average'; if there is such a thing.

Just recently I have noticed a young man who stands static in the churchyard, staring up into the sky. He is always in the same spot, always at the same hour, and always looking up at what seems to be a 45 degree angle. What he is doing, or looking for/at, I have no idea.

Clothing is the most obvious expression of individuality, and walking around town on a Saturday morning (or on any other day at any other time) one really does see some wonderful examples. I would love to take my camera around with me, but I have to respect the privacy of those involved. James Devenney (above) was a well loved character around the North Laine area of Brighton, and enjoyed being photographed.

A bit of eccentricity makes life more interesting. What would we do without a few oddballs in our lives; they light-up my life on a daily basis.

PAUL WHITEHOUSE - IN THE DRESSING ROOM

Football managers are notorious characters in the UK. Mostly they are foreigners (like the team's members), but just occasionally an English or Scottish one will appear.

Anyway, here is the inimitable Paul Whitehouse demonstrating how to be the perfect Football Manager!

A Bargain.

I usually do my main shopping trip for the week on Saturdays. Last Saturday I went with this coupon (below) anticipating a reduction of £13.50 from my bill. However, instead of spending just over £90 to qualify, I ended-up spending just £89. You can imagine how infuriated I was with myself. I should have totted-up as I went. I haven't been able to forget it since then.

So, not to be outdone, I returned yesterday (Tuesday) to make sure I did get my reduction before it expired. It was the final day and if I didn't go I would lose it.

I ended-up buying far more than I'd intended just to make sure I spent over the £90. In fact I spent about £130.

I bought lots of wine, several bottles of Champagne, all sorts of meats, a frozen Leg of Lamb, and a variety of things that I would never normally buy. In fact I treated ourselves to some very nice things that will keep us going for at least two weeks.

Having felt a bit cheated since Saturday, I am now happy again and feel that I have shopped wisely. £13.50 is not to be sniffed at. Not by me anyway!

I shall NOT be going shopping this Saturday. We are overloaded!

 

Maya Angelou, DID's.

 

For those who may not know, Desert Island Discs (DID's) is an iconic BBC radio show where guests are invited to select 8 records to take to a fictitious desert island. It's been running for decades.

I have just been listening to a 1988 edition which featured Maya Angelou. Maya was a soft spoken and intelligent woman who chronicled institutional racism throughout the programme, it was eye-opening.

Her choice of music was mostly by black artists; other than one Sinatra song. She spoke eloquently, and without malice, about the horrific racism amongst which she was raised.

For someone like myself who was brought-up in England, that type of institutional racism is totally alien. I was quite surprised, therefore, to learn that she had married a white Welshman, Paul du Feu.

Of course racism exists here too but it has never been institutionalised, in fact racism is deemed a criminal offence. Racism in the UK is generally between individuals, gangs, or between those of different ethnic groups. 

Racism is nasty in all its forms, and is not helped by certain so-called 'anti-racist' groups who perpetuate ill feeling.

Ms Angelou was an example to all who experience or spread racism. Her quiet and logical attitude should be studied by everyone. I didn't previously know a lot about her, but now I wish I had.

 

Bullseye!

I noticed recently that these two glass windows in our front door had become a bit grubby, so I gave them a quick clean. 

They are known as 'Bullseye' panes, and they originally date from medieval times.

It reminded me that recently one of our neighbours posted something on our street's WhatsApp page that was quite worrying.

He said that on a hot sunny day the sun had come through the glass just like through a magnifying glass, and had begun to scorch his stair carpet. He suggested we all put a curtain behind the glass to prevent all our houses catching fire.

Well I didn't put a curtain up, and am relying on the fact that for the past 60 odd years, since the house was built, that not one house in the street has caught fire, and I pray this will continue. 

 

Tea, Choc and Oil.

I've been having some leg problems and having consulted Dr Google, I think it's to do with poor circulation.

So, what to do? Again I consulted Dr Google about how to treat it, and he came-up with a few suggestions. Firstly Olive oil, I must drink a large spoonful of good quality unfiltered oil every day. Secondly I must consume 80% cocoa solids dark Chocolate daily. And thirdly I have to drink Green tea.

Hardly a punishment in all three cases, so I am happy to follow his advice.

I've always consumed different oils; usually Walnut oil. I have also always liked good quality dark Chocolate. And as for the Green Tea, I've drunk it on and off for years; I like it.

The particular Tea I drink is called Black Dragon Pearls Tea (top picture). Small 'pearls' of green leaf tea that unfurl when combined with boiled water. Only a few 'pearls' are used and I strain the leaves away before drinking. It's a very pleasantly flavoured tea, and if it's doing me some good at the same time as tasting good, then I am very happy.

I'll give it a month to see if I notice any benefits, then if not I 'might' consult a different doctor. However, I have great confidence in Dr Google; he's become my doctor of choice, and no need to visit his surgery!