Disaster at Tarrant Close

Preparing the evening meal, it is Monday so it is Pasta, I went to put back the olive oil into the cupboard and I knocked the salt container by mistake, which escalated a chain of events I had no control over. Just to put you in the picture. I am making a penne pasta with a pork and bacon sauce, topped with a typical carbonara coating. 

The salt container hit the bowl of olive oil which bounced twice then hit me on the midriff, covering my clean, white t-shirt in olive oil. I also had my favourite cord jeans on and they were not spared. 

We as a family do not wash clothes for the merest blemish and I have been keeping my jeans clean for the last two weeks, now they will have to be washed. I can hear the call from Susan when she empties the washing basket.

‘Did you spell on these jeans?’ 

Life has so much to offer, even the small, chats between breakfast and the washing machine.

‘No dear, just needs a wash.’

On cooking, do you have a pan that seems to favour one side over the other? I do and it is a challenge as it is hotter on the one side. Challenges come in various forms, take for example a packet of pasta and they have a sticky seal saying. ‘Simple fold and seal!’ Try it, never works for me.

I have decided to sprinkle some fresh basil over the pasta, I must remember to buy a new basil plant. Hats off to this one, it has lasted for about two months without water, hardy plants of Italian extraction.

Well, after all this drama there is always Movies 24 and Classic FM to see me through these dark hours. We chefs have the slogan from Churchill. ‘Never has so much been owned to so few by so many.’ 

From disaster comes forth salad, butter lettuce, spring onion and tomato, with an olive oil and balsamic glaze.

Maybe it is just me making order from serendipity.

On to better matters of real importance. Lady Mally of The Laurels has just purchased a Westfalia Campervan. Put Westfalia and VW together and it is a sound investment. Sleeps 4, two for Mally and two for Mark. It has a DSG automatic gearbox and solar panels, well, who knew that was a thing? Turns out it is fully dependent on the solar panels for Wifi and to fly. You guessed it, it has an internet connection and a 32” television. Upholstered in white leather, chrome cooker and brass loo, this has everything. I am a little concerned, the brass loo has no seat belt, is it legal to poo without a seat belt? Lady Mally summed it up something like this.

‘If you want to travel, travel with everything you need and some for the occasional celebration.’ Lady Mally has installed a wine fridge, a 24-bottle wine fridge, you can never have enough. Lady Mally has kindly offered the van for Susan and I too enjoy a wee trip, I will be taking her up on that offer as soon as they have had a trip or two. 

Talking of Ladies, Lady Helen of Holt Forest Estate is going on a road trip with Mark, also of Holt Estate. Stay with me, they driving from Holt Forest to somewhere in Italy. You will remember they have an estate in Italy, the one with the extended pool. Well, they are taking Ruby and Ralph, the black labradors, to get to know the locals. Helen feels it is time she took more of her family to the Italian estate and let their locals become accustomed to the Cook's way of life, almost like training the lovely, gentle race of people known fondly to Helen as her Italian friends. Mark will help with the driving and see to all things of importance while enjoying an odd swim in his extended pool. Let’s hope they have a wonderful, stress-free time and enjoy some of the local cuisine.

It is bank holiday weekend and you guessed it, it is raining and overcast. We did go for our morning swim on Saturday, with the elusive sun warming us slightly. Water is still a persistent 10 deg C but with a slight breeze and some sun, it was marvellous. We then got on with some work in our neglected garden, the winter has hung on for so long this year that it did seem pointless to waste our energy on a garden that is still hibernating from the cold. Between Susan and I, we mowed the lawn and trimmed the edges. Hard work and Susan did comment this morning that her hips were tender, which must be from holding the electric cable while I was mowing. Important task, one does not want to cut through an electric cable while mowing. After all that exercise, we sat for a while in the sun enjoying a chicken and mayo roll with iced coffee, well cold coffee, as we took too long to drink it. 

To finish off, I came across this image and thought I would share it.