pumpkinstrokemarrow

And failed. A spreadsheet started to behave a bit oddly. Tried a little button down on the task bar and decided that the problem was something to do with something called scoll lock. But what was scroll lock and how did one turn it on and off? Ask the help system. It helpfully explains what I already know, vis that I need to turn scroll lock on or off, but does not tell me how to do this. Some time later, having slept on the problem, it dawned on me that scroll lock was a key on the keyboard. Soon discovered that keying the thing toggled the scroll lock status. But I think this has to count as a fail. After near forty years of IT one ought to know about such things.

Now consumed two thirds of the brussells sprouts harvest in two sittings, that is to say that we have done around 8 plants. Not too impressive. The plants were a fair size but the sprouts were rather small and a good proportion of them - maybe half - had started to open up and were not much use. But flavour OK and they were bug free - which is more than I can say for the January King cabbages. Also rather small but with quite nice heads on them. Strong chewy cabbagy sort of things - one of which had been penetrated by slugs or whatever right to the middle. Cut the thing in half and it looked like a black version of a red cabbage - that is to say black and white stripes rather than red and white ones. Not too good. A reminder of why organic can be a bit of a pain.

About to polish off the turkey. So one day hot, one day cold, one day soup, one day stew. And one day - that is the one that is about to come - in the pot - a combination of soup and stew. Maybe a turkey version of a chowder. The stock - the result of maybe four hours boiling with a few carrots and onions was an impressive white liquid with an interesting white scum on the surface. Should be OK.

A heritage day today at Hampton Court - the car parks to which were very crowded. Maybe the amusements parked in the front drive had pulled the punters. Wandered around the gardens - for how much longer will they be free at this time of year? - and impressed as ever. Some bulbs and irises starting to move. The winter light favoured views of ancient chimney stacks and views across the wide flat gardens underneath the pudding trees (aka large clipped yews). I like the contrasts between the red and white stone and the various sorts of brick on the various walls. Not to mention the buildings proper, which, despite being a great old hotpotch, are good. Properly a main line attraction. An arty person with a camera could have had a field day.

The flatness of the gardens between the W&M extension and the long water made for a differant garden experience - most gardens have a few humps and bumps whereas this one had the pudding trees. There were also a good number of interesting trees, especially in what used to be called the apprentices' garden, and now called the 20th century garden. A little overgrown, perhaps reflecting the lack of money to pay for apprentices - despite there being plenty to pay for fancy new car parking arrangements and a fancy new childrens' centre.