Mundane News

[fossyant]

Fed up with being stuck in, we've just has a lovely lunch at Stockport's Produce Market. It's one of those old markets/venues with various independent food retailers. All Covid secure, order on app or via text. Did need to do three separate orders for 2 mains and drinks, but hey ho, times are very strange. I had Pad Thai, MrsF had Meatballs, and washed down with a couple of pints of Czech beer.

 

[Reynard]

Cool, breezy and spit-spotting with rain here chez Casa Reynard.

This morning I have prepped fruit to make a batch of chutney and then spent some time in the garage de-rusting a freebie FD I was sent for my bike build. With a bit of elbow grease, it's coming up a treat.

Almost lunchtime. Then will be making chutney this afternoon.

 

[Reynard]

What'd they have, and will you be trying your hand at it.

Pop tarts, ready meals and bagged salads. And no. I won't.

They did make fresh pasta though, but I do that anyways. (Orchietti and gnocchi, as I don't have a machine)

 

[Reynard]

Do you never get the claw up your nostril? Just very gently at first, then it gets more insistent!

YES!!!

Lexi is very good at that. Poppy just purrs in my ear. But she has such a loud purr, the noise is like being accosted by a rusty chainsaw...

 

[Reynard]

Be warned ! They are mini tigers, so let that be a lesson. They come fully armed with razers. You realise why vet's will sedate cats for most procedures - you can't hold a hissed off puddy cat.

Hrmph... I'm asking for it, being a cat show judge... I also steward, which is near enough the same thing, but without the judging.

There is one judge Poppy cannot stand, and she'll go into psycho mode as soon as she sees the woman. There was once a last-minute judge change, and well, let's just say the woman had a challenging few minutes...

 

[Reynard]

View attachment 550240

And Grumpy Cat...

I had one of those... Still miss my Tobycat dreadfully.

His claim to fame - beating up the Mayor's dog at the pet service in Ely Cathedral. He had absolutely no patience for small yappy things.

 

[Reynard]

Last year I tried to store the apples, which was mostly unsuccessful. This year I have a quantity of stewed apple in the freezer.

Here's a tip for you... Those green cardboard crates from the Tesco produce section.

Pop a few sheets of newspaper in the bottom and put the apples in the crate in a single layer, but don't pack them tightly. Store in a cool room and check regularly.

The advantage of the crates is that they are stackable and allow good airflow.

N.B. If the apples are packed too tightly, it only takes one damaged one to make its neighbours go shonky.

 

[Reynard]

Anyways, lunch. I has a hungry.

 

[PeteXXX]

s claim to fame - beating up the Mayor's dog at the pet service in Ely Cathedral. He had absolutely no hpatience for small yappy things.

Me neither 😂

 

[Kempstonian]

The figs are finished now. I ate the last one yesterday and to be honest it wasn't quite ripe so I didn't enjoy it much. There are still two on the bush but they are still small, rock hard and green, so I don't expect them to ever ripen.

I must have had more than 30 from two small bushes in my raised bed though, so I'm pleased with that. It bodes well for next year.

 

[Kempstonian]

Me neither 😂

Same here. Animal OR human!

 

[postman]

Lots of ironing after a holiday,plus other jobs.Need a rest because of the holiday.

 

[Reynard]

In the middle of making a massive batch of bramley apple and date chutney.

 

[Reynard]

The figs are finished now. I ate the last one yesterday and to be honest it wasn't quite ripe so I didn't enjoy it much. There are still two on the bush but they are still small, rock hard and green, so I don't expect them to ever ripen.

I must have had more than 30 from two small bushes in my raised bed though, so I'm pleased with that. It bodes well for next year.

I didn't have any this year, but that's because I put my fig tree in a new (bigger) planter.

Have loads of little green 'uns that have come up in the last few weeks. They won't ripen this year, but I will cover them with old socks and wrap the tree in fleece, and they'll ripen in the spring.

 

[Reynard]

Same here. Animal OR human!

Hey!!! I resent the implication!!!