pumpkinstrokemarrow

Second half of the chicken went for stew. Boil carcase with one large onion for two hours. Pummel occasionally with the potato masher to bring out the juices. Strain. Wash detritus with a small amount of water to extract a bit more juice. Reject detritus. Add four ounces of red lentils. Simmer for a while. Add five medium sized carrots, not peeled but thinly sliced. Simmer for a bit longer, remembering that it is important that the carrots should not be overcooked. Those who like them that way can use tins to save time. Meanwhile, gently fry two large chopped onions in the chicken fat held over from the roasting tin from Sunday. Prepare cold chicken. Prepare mushrooms. Blend the whole lot together and simmer for a few more minutes. Serve with spring cabbage and white rice. Turned out really well. And for some reason tasted of cocoanut. Option 1, there is some active ingredient in common. Option 2, lentils associate to subcontinental food which associates to cocoanut. Option 3, the sauce has very much the texture of that of one of those very mild curries containing cocoanut, so associate directly to cocoanut. Must consult the curry experts in Tooting.

Then, thinking of a Tooting Zimbabwean who had once demonstrated to me the clicking aspects of her native language, coming home the other night, thought I would give clicking a go. Most intrigued to find that one could click more or less continuously, with variations, while breathing both in and out. Now I believe it is possible to blow a wind instrument on this basis, and birds can do it because they can breathe round and round as well as in and out, but I don't see how one can sing without stopping to breathe. Although experiment suggests that one can make noises when breathing in, noises but not song. At least not yet. Presumably singing requires air to be moving over the vocal chords in an upwards direction, on the way out, so that we can hear it. Only the stomach gets to hear what you sing in the downwards direction.

Opening remark notwithstanding, it being a fine Autumn day yesterday, across Epsom Common for lunch at the Star. Not a bad bit of calves liver for boil in the bag (or however they do it). On the way back, very surprised to put up what looked like a buzzard. Never seen such a thing in these parts before. Was it one of those kites which are supposed to be getting more common? Then thought to get back without being irritated by the activities of the eco-vandals, but failed. Stumbled across two of their activities: charcoal and pasture preparation for cows. First thought, very odd how the eco-chain(saw)- gang is allowed to chop trees down wholesale, whereas me, should I have the temerity to want to chop down some middle aged oak tree in my own garden, an oak tree which I planted and which is now smashing the drains, shading the jigsaw table in the back room and taking light from my dahlias, I have to go cap in hand to these very same eco-vandals to get their permission. Very odd.

Second thought, perhaps most of what I want from Epsom Common is peace and tranquillity, untouched by the busy world. A place where it is not all hustle, bustle and activity. Or loud with the chatterings of fools. And so, more or less any purposeful activity is going to detract from that. Doesn't matter how worthy or well-intentioned. To take away from the more or less religious feel to the place. Religious in that one can get the same peace in a large empty church. Just sit there in this large quiet space, with a nice bit of masonic beauty around one for occasional distraction. Maybe a bit of singing in the background.

Freedom pass now turned up, some weeks late. Pipped at the post by some interesting literature from the NHS, triggered by the same birthday event, suggesting that I ought to indulge in a bit of preventative maintenance. But it all looked a bit gruesome and I binned it. Despite the fact that I understand them to fill you so full of Vallium while they do it that you don't care any more. Foolish but there we are.

Chrome threw a wobbly today. Took a reboot and some huffing and puffing to get it back onto the straight and narrow again. It - or something at least, nothing else open at the time - even managed to get in the way of the task manager.