Small Beer.

An English friend of mine was telling me recently that back at his home in London he always makes his own beer, and has a brew permanently on the go. It reminded me of the following.

When I was at school, at the end of each Trinity Term (Summer), we boys would host a special meal at which we were allowed to drink beer. The 'basic menu' was approved by the kitchen staff, and it was a very jolly affair with speeches, specially invited guests, back slapping, and 'sad' goodbyes. Those who owned fancy waistcoats were encouraged to wear them.

The beer was better known as 'small beer' and was brewed by a couple of senior boys; probably those who were leaving.

The beer was tested by our Housemaster before being given its blessing. If it was over a certain percentage of alcohol, it had to be watered-down.

When my own turn came to leave school, in 1964, the beer was declared unfit for consumption, both on account of its alcohol level, and appalling bad taste. It was replaced by shop-bought cider.

Many years later I met a fellow alumnus and asked him if the tradition still existed; he hadn't a clue what I was talking about. I imagine that the new Headmaster (who'd arrived the term after my departure) had called a halt to such archaic traditions.

The drinking of beer (even 'small beer') by 14-18 year old boys, may not be sanctioned by the good matrons of the local Townswomen's Guild, but it was part of a tradition that I imagine traced back to times when it was far safer to drink beer than water. I'm not saying that I wish the tradition still continued, but I'm very sorry that it's stopped.

The more we lose such traditions, the poorer we are. Of this I am convinced!

Haddock's in January (just).

It's not the best season at Haddock's, but it's still providing me with plenty of food; either in situ, or from last years' preserved harvests.

There's still plenty of Cavolo Nero, Perpetual Spinach, and Curly Kale, as well as some PSB in waiting. I also have a small bed filled with beautiful plump Jerusalem Fartichokes, but I'm slightly reluctant to consume too many; for obvious reasons.

There's not a lot to do at the moment. I stab at a few errant weeds when I find them; otherwise, when pottering, I visit my animal graveyard, or snip at a few brambles and nettles. 

Too cold and miserable to do much else.

What an asset to British politics.

This charming, spotty, geek, is a Scottish MSP.

He is 24 year old Ross Greer, and is the Europe Spokesman for the Scottish Green Party. He failed to complete his degree at some little known Scottish University, and probably, having not found any mainstream party to adopt him, managed to convince the piss-poor Greens to take him on.

In a recent 'tweet', he described Sir Winston Churchill as a 'White Supremacist Mass Murderer'. Well, let me tell you Greer, that Churchill was one of the greatest British Prime Ministers of all time, and the likes of you are not fit to wipe his bottom.

If anyone should spot this person, out and about, would you please kick his backside (very hard) on my behalf. I would be most grateful.

Twenty fours years old, and the little twerp thinks he knows better than the rest of the world. I despair!

I suggest he stays north of the border, until the anger dies down.

Teddies.

Above is our House Bear named Monty (named well before we had our Labrador of same name).

If any children should come to stay WITHOUT their own Bear, they are offered Monty to keep them company during their stay. 

As a child I didn't have a Bear; instead I had a 'soldier doll' named Alphonse. He stood nearly 2 ft tall, and was dressed in Khaki-coloured army fatigues. He was a hard 'composition' doll, so not really the type you'd take to bed with you; he was won by my mother at a Red Cross Ball in London. I still have him back in England, and other than my 'spoon and pusher' he's the one thing that's stayed with me throughout my life.

My own children naturally had their own Bears. My oldest son had Bryn, my daughter had Mrs Pins, and my youngest had Harry (you might remember Harry's Passport). The first two were named by the children; Harry came ready named.

I think all children should have a Bear. Not some silly dayglo Disney character Bear that speaks in Japanese, but a pukka Teddy Bear. They, and their owners, soon become inseparable, and as much as they like to pretend that they no longer care for their childhood Bears; let me assure you that they do!

Thinking of what to buy for a small child? Buy a classic Bear.

If you still have your childhood Bear; put up a picture on your page!

Practical antiques.

I do occasionally buy 'decorative' antiques, but mostly I like them to be useable; preferably at table.

I bought these plates (above) last year. I bought four dinner plates and four soup bowls. I really should have bought more. The seller had a big pile, and I'm wondering, when I return to the same Boot Sale this year, if the nice lady might still have a few left (if, indeed, she's there).

The problem with antique knives is that they are made of ordinary hardened steel, and they stain terribly. When you use them, you can understand why those sand-filled knife cleaners were such an essential part of old kitchens. The knives may look nice, but, frankly, they're impractical; I never use them with salads or anything that contains vinegar. However, the forks and spoons are both silver-plated.

The glasses are classic French antiques, and are a pleasure to use. The salt and pepper cellars are Victorian English.

I should mention that our rustic antique Oak table was bought in the wilds of North Wales, but came with no top. For years we used an old stripped Pine door as a temporary top, which was eventually replaced by a much more presentable version which I had made from thick Oak boards from an ancient dismantled wine making 'Cuve'. 

As far as I'm concerned, antiques should be used. If they get broken, so be it; at least they die doing the job for which they were intended, and the pleasure they give is immeasurable.

The Local 'Fat Market' (Marché au Gras).

The Winter months are when our local farms fatten their Ducks and Geese for Foie Gras and Confit. In times gone past the ancient covered market place would be filled with farmer's wives selling their wares; nowadays (i.e. yesterday) there was just one lady with a very small selection, and they didn't even look particularly appetising.

Just two Ducks were on offer (without their livers).

And quite a few Duck breasts (magrets). The nice lady also had a big pile of eggs, so at least I was able to buy 'something'.

I'm afraid these markets have become a mere shadow of their former selves, and, frankly, are hardly worth attending. I wouldn't have gone myself, other than my desire for some fresh bread from one of the two town bakers.

                                      

For those who were disappointed with the morning's market, there was a 9pm game of Loto to look forward to. You can see by the list of prizes where people's priorities lie!

I wouldn't have said no to 15 Kilos of Entrecotes.

Another Brussels Disaster.

I am re-posting this from December 2012. Luckily, Santander didn't manage to take over my bank, and Santander eventually set-up in the UK by themselves. They have now just announced that they will close 140 branches, with a loss of 1,270 jobs. I wonder who, in Brussels, insisted that they set-up shop in the UK? Whoever it was should be bloody shot!

The European Commission recently INSISTED that my bank, The Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS), sell-off part of its UK banking business, including RBS branches in England and Wales.

I was informed by mail that the sale was going through to piss-poor Spanish bank Santander; this has now fallen through.... Thank goodness!

Who are these bloody anonymous unelected over-paid European bloody bureaucrats who dare give such instructions to the UK government? And why doesn't the UK government just tell them to piss off?

I wonder how much money (MY money) has been spent on foiling this unsuccessful and unnecessary takeover? 

Are either Germany or France ever told that they must sell off their major businesses or industries to other EU countries? Somehow methinks NOT. 

p.s. And while I'm on the subject, be very aware that the European Commission is trying to diminish Britain's hold on European FX trading. They want to 'SHARE IT AROUND'. As The City of London contributes around 15% of all government tax revenue (a MASSIVE amount for just one square mile of the UK), one can imagine what the EC's plans would do to Britain's economy. 

BEWARE!!!!!!

Having re-read this from 2012 it makes me even angrier than I was before. 1,270 job losses; and I expect there'll be more!