Come on Irene!

Hurricane Irene is heading up the East coast and supposedly Boston is in the direct path. Its a big hurricane, was a Category 3 over the Bahamas, is now a category 2 but is still significant enough to cause mandatory evacuation orders to be issued at various places up the coast. The people on the Weather Channel are all excited and its hard to tell whether this is serious or just something to ensure they get good viewing figures. Do I board up my windows? Do I stock up with water and buy a backup generator? Do I start looking for somewhere to evacuate to? Should I pack my suitcase? Or shall I just have an extra glass or two of wine and continue to watch the Weather Channel as the fun unfolds. Hmm....Cheers!

Where's the realism?

Just watched tonight's episode of Coronation Street. I was looking at Owen Armstrong (the builder) and a thought occured to me. Have you ever seen a builder with such puny, white arms? Come on Corrie, you are destroying your credibility ;)

A vacation in Montreal

Last week we spent 4 nights in Montreal, Canada. It was quite a drive there (5 hours) but the time seemed to pass quickly. To save me from posting lots of info about our activities, I shall use this opportunity to advertise my son Robert's "new" blog called Burnt Toast- (link to Robert's Blog), which gives a detailed account of what we did as well as a lot of photos. Check it out. He has his Dad's razor sharp wit (ahem...)

Happy Anniversary!

Happy 51st Anniversary to my parents!!

You don't have to be Welsh to eat these..but if you are, thas great mun!

Been experimenting with making Welsh Cakes recently. I used to think I could not make them as we did not have a genuine bakestone, but I forgot that we are in the 21st century now and we have electric griddles instead! Seems to work really well. Heres the recipe we use:

WELSH CAKES

8 oz (225g) (2 cups) self raising flour pinch of salt 4 oz (100g) (1 stick) butter 2 oz (50g) (1/4 cup) sugar 2 oz (50g) (1/3 cup) raisins 2 small eggs (or 1 medium egg plus 2 tablespoons of milk) 1. Mix flour and salt, and rub in butter until like breadcrumbs. 2. Stir in sugar and currants. 3. Add eggs and mix to a fairly stiff dough. 4. Roll out dough to approx 1/4 inch thickness (slightly thicker works well, too). 5. Use small/medium diameter pastry cutter to cut into rounds - don't forget to re-roll the trimmings! 6. Place rounds of dough on a moderately hot griddle for approximately 3 minutes each side - the heat of the griddle is critical so as not to over-brown the cakes! Experiment to find the correct heat. 7. Eat hot or cold - sprinkle with sugar or serve warm with a dollop of brandy cream! 8. Can be stored for a few days in an airtight container

England riots - so shameful

So...what to say about the riots that have occurred in England over the past few days. A few thoughts and my message to these rioters...

(note: my opinion only, I realize that many others think differently. Don't complain to me about what I think, its my blog and I'll say what I like on it. If you don't like it,  create your own blog and express your opinion there):

- you have no real grievance, you are just looking for the chance to loot shops and get free goods

- OK, so its sad that you cannot get a job. Boo Hoo. Life is hard...but there are many unemployed who don't feel the need to riot and steal to express their discontent. Stop dressing this up..you are just a thug. You are not starving or living on the streets. You are nice and warm in your hoodie and you are a thug. 

- The chances of getting work are increased if you have qualifications or skills. Don't complain that you cannot get a decent job when you could not be bothered to work hard at school to get qualifications that would've helped you.

- You complain that jobs are being taken by immigrants. But lets look at the immigrants from eastern europe. They want to work and they will do whatever they can to get a job. They don't whine about their lot in life..they get off their backsides and do something about it. They will start work before the sun comes up to serve breakfast in a hotel, they will clean windows, they will do whatever it takes to earn an honest wage. Who would you prefer to employ? The youth with a chip on his shoulder and an "I'm entitled" attitude, or the hardworking immigrant willing to do whatever job is available ?

- And what about the parents of these thugs? They know that their kids are going out on the street at night with their hoodie wrapped around their faces. They know that they come back with goods that they could never afford. Don't they have a responsibility in all of this? Or are parents nowadays so ineffective that all they do is all sit around in a group holding hands discussing their feelings and singing kumbaya....

- And lastly, I have to comment on the British police force,  I am not a supporter of guns, but these riots have proved just how ineffective they are with their truncheons and polite warnings. They need to be given more power. This cannot continue. It is shameful for Britain and for the millions of decent people who live there who unfortunately will be tarred by the same broad brush as these thugs.