Stormy Weather

[salymap]

Thanks for printer info Uncle Monty. it will have to take its' turn in the things to be done/bought unfortunately. saly

[Serial_Apologist]

Er in case there's any misunderstanding my computer expert lives in St Mary Cray but does not work at the PC World there.

[marthe]

Not very nice where I am. Cloudy morning and rain again this afternoon. Fortunately it didn't rain this morning during my walking tour of an historic Newport neighborhood. My group was made up of retirees who are history buffs. I'll be giving a garden tour to the same group tomorrow. Fingers crossed that it doesn't rain.

[eighthobstruction]

Aaaaaah so he works at PC World somewhere else; while living in St Mary Cray....

....sounds like a good subject for a blues

Woke up this morning, cycled down to St Mary Cray....

[salymap]

I only know Foots Cray and St Mary Cray as places on the direct bus route from Sidcup to Orpington. I have never actually set foot in them and have never seen computer shops or anything but very old cottage type houses, sadly neglected.

[greenilex]

Do they still breed special chickens in Orpington?

Very grey here - dry so far.

[salymap]

Do they still breed special chickens in Orpington?

Very grey here - dry so far.

Ask Mahlerei,he will know

[marthe]

Backyard chickens have become very chic here. One of my NYC sisters (actually in Jersey City across the Hudson) has an English neighbor who raises chickens in her back garden. One of the chickens, Rosie, has become something of a pet of the neighbor's young daughters. This chicken will not be ending up in a pot any time soon!

During the war, my grandparents had chickens and rabbits (for meat) in their back garden in Newport.

[salymap]

When I was about twelve I had lots of rabbits in hutches in the garden. I got a neighbouring boy to put some to sleep, as I thought of it but to my horror saw my Loppy, a Flemish Giant breed,hanging in the local butcher's window. It was the end of keeping rabbits and a beautiful friendship. The fact that he split the money, five shillings, with me did help a very little though.

[marthe]

Saly, I sympathise about Loppy your Flemish Giant. We had two lovely rabbits when our children were young. One of them, a very sweet Netherlands Dwarf named Jonathan, fell victim to a raccoon. Perhaps not as horrifying as seeing one's rabbit in a butcher shop, but tragic for my son Christopher nonetheless.

[salymap]

marthe,it's a difficult thing to be a meat eater, [in moderation],but love animals. I've always felt puzzled about farmers who give some of their favourite animals names, then send them off to the slaughter house. I suppose if they weren't bred for food they wouldn't 'live' at all? I had some very good veggie friends who always referred to a meat meal as 'flesh'. One cooked wonderful 'tray bakes' with various veg and a tasty sauce, the other made wonderful cakes but gave me cheese or eggs all the time for main meals.

[marthe]

Saly, I'm not a veggie but could live quite happily without eating meat. I do live with a meat lover so have to compromise a bit. I usually leave the slabs of beef to my husband and concentrate on the veg. I would find it very difficult to be vegan though. One of my co-workers is a vegan whose husband is a real "meat-and-potatoes" man. They never eat together. When M. goes out to a restaurant with friends or family, she often just has a glass of water rather than risk eating a vegetarian meal, so called, that has been cooked with beef broth. she became violently ill once when this happened.

Yes, I find it strange to make pets of animals destined for the chop. I suppose it is a human instinct to anthropomorphise living things. Over here, there is now a trend for butchering one's own meat. I'm not sure how I feel about this. I was always a bit squeamish about things like gutting and cleaning fish...even baiting the hook!

[salymap]

Marthe I agree. Years ago I went outwith a variety of relis for a meal. My cousin Clive, over from Oz, sat next to me dissecting frogs' legs and I could hardly eat a thing for nausea. I also don't appreciate fish served
complete with head, like trout. Cowardly really Isuppose. Dry but dull here and had better see what 'gardener' is up to, grass being cut. How are the walks going?

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

The vegetarian argument is a powerful one, though the vegan one is more logical, if more difficult to manage. I've considered taking the plunge for some time, but I have a weakness for fish.

[marthe]

Saly: I agree about fish with their heads on; also beef tongue that is still in tongue form. My grandmother used to serve tongue with a cream and caper sauce. I couldn't bear to eat it, let alone look at it as the meat on the platter was still so tongue-like. Of course, children who were comme-il-faut and well brought-up were expected to eat what was put in front of them without making a fuss. No dessert if we didn't clean our plates!

My walks are going well. Today I ran in to my "Road Scholar" group of yesterday as I was going to the hair dresser. They were just finishing the tour of another site and were enjoying a little free time before going to a lecture in the afternoon! They were an intrepid and cheerful group who were enjoying the good weather on their last day before returning home.

Alpen: I've also been tempted to take the plunge, but am far too fond of fish, eggs, and dairy...especially good cheese! I just returned from a cocktail reception at which cheese, meat, and shrimp hors d'ouvres far outnumbered the veg and fruit.