Chutney

Today my mate called to see me, it was nice as always but the weather did turn nasty. In fact it rained heavily and the wind, from the noth was strong and it also turned very cool.
  I managed to pick him a couple of marrows earlier so he had some of his favourite vegetables.
  I told him earlier that I had made some runner bean chutney. He had told me the last time he came that onions were on offer. I asked him to get me a net. In the meantime I decided to make this chutney.
  When I was in business there were many nice people that I made friends with, none more than a couple from near Newark. They had a touring caravan which they kept on a site near Skegness. They would come to see me regular and always told me they only cmae up to see me. It was then £2 to park their car.
  I was taken ill towards the end of 1997 and never swa them again before I sold the business. I was lucky because the couple who bought the business from me had several requests from customers to tell them where I had gone to. This couple they did give my address to. One day the following year there was a knock on the door and sure enough it was this couple. I was so pleased to see them. He had given me some strawberry plants several seasons before, so when they came I always gave them a little something to eat. Both had type 1 diabetes although I didn't know this at that time.
  One day thay asked me if I had ever tasted runner bean chutney. I told them I had not. His wife then told me that the next time they came to see me she would bring me the recipe.
When they would come he would always bring me something and I found out that he loved my James Grieve apples so I used to save almost everyone hjust for him although I never let him know this. He used to bring me plums in the late summer which he knew I loved.
 True to her word the next time she bought the recipe. By the way, they would ring me and tell me they would be calling in the next day.
 As it was late summer, I decided to try this chutney out and made it but only using half of the measures supplied. I was delighted with the outcome.
 The couple called regular for the next 3 years but sadly, soon after giving me a call informing me he had been in hospital but was on the mend and soon hoped they would be down to see me his wife rung me up to tell me he had died . The year before they had told me that they would not be taking their tourer to Skegness again but they would come to see me.
 I was looking at some papers when I saw this recipe. I could not believe it. The recipe was put on a millennium paper so I guessed it was given to me no later than 2001. He must have died no later than earlier 2012. I could not believe it, how time flies.
 Anyway I decided to make another lot of chutney. Unfortunately I didn't have any onions but lots of small shallots so I started to peel them. It took me ages as my shallots were the worst I have ever had just about the size of small marbles.
 oday I gave my mate a taste to see if he liked the chutney. He certainly did, so much so that he wanted the recipe, I gave him a pen and paper so that he could copy it down whilst I washed the pots and pans after our dinner(lunch).
 Anyway I have decided to post the recipe so anyone who wants to make this chutney I am sure will be well pleased.
2.lb of Runner Beans
1.1/2lb of Onions
1.1/2 lbs Sugar
1.1/2 pints of Malt Vinegar
1. Tablespoonful of Turmeric
1. Tablespoonful Dry Mustard
1.1/2 Tablespoons of Cornflour
Method.
Slice beans and cook in a little water until tender
Peel and chop onions and cook separately in a little water until tender. Drain both beans and onions.
Add both beans and onions together with 1.1/4 pint of vinegar, add sugar and bring to the boil and simmer for 15 minutes.
Mix Tutmeric, Mustard and Cornflour with 1/4pint of Vinegar. Add to the pan bring to the boil and cook for 20 to 30 minutes.
Allow to cool then bottle when cool.
If you don't like chutney too sweet then reduce the amount of sugar.
This amount will make about 5 jam jars of chutney. I decided to do only half of the amount so had almost 2.1/2 jars of chutney. More soon.

Holiday over

The late Summer Holiday is now over not that it makes a deal of difference to me these  days.
 Last week end I had a pleasant surprise. I heard my neighbour, the one with the chickens, her partner was using his hedge trimmer to cut his hedge. Later I noticed that he had come round to mine and also trimmed my side of the hedge. I was surprised and of course very pleased.
 Later I took them some french beans, she loves them. I asked if they would be racing but they told me the pigeons had got a sickness so they would be having a week end off racing. Just as well really as the weather was not good for racing, or anything else much. She then asked me if  I would like a cucumber. I told her that would be nice. Indeed it was very nice indeed. It came from a all female plant so no need to take off the male flowers. To be honest, generally one cucumber lasts me as I am not a sales fan.
  My plums are beginning to ripen, but as they are some of them are splitting and the odd one has a maggot in the centre. It is caused by the plum moth. I did put a trap but the weather has been so bad that I suppose the moths were out later than normal. I know the plums are much later than I have ever known for ripening. They are normally ripe, that is the first plum tree it is called Early Laxton, they are generally ripe by early August. The Victoria plums are a little later but they will not be ready until early next month. Some of those too are beginning to split. Still I will get a few plums, most round here are not so fortunate. Perhaps I have made up for those because I have had no apples at all. More soon.
 

Bank

The other day I had to go to the Bank. whilst waiting to be served I could not help but hearing what was going on with one customer.
 The conversation went something like this.
 Customer. " I don't know whats wrong with your cash machine outside but it has taken my card and won't let me have it back."
 Teller. "Thats funny, the machine is working alright."
 Customer. " I always have trouble with those machines, I don't think they like me."
Teller. "Well what did you want?".
 Customer. "I wanted to draw out some money".
 Teller. "Have you got any identity so that I can check you balance then I can get you to sign and then you can get some money",
Customer. That will be alright"
She opened her handbag and pulled out her wallet.
Customer. "Look what I've found. How did that get there?".
 It was her debit card.
Teller. "Do you think you put a store card in by mistake?".
Customer. "Probably so"
This took about 10 minutes to sort out and there were only 2 tellers on duty so you can imagine how long the queue was.
 Eventually it was my turn. I asked the teller who I know well if Lloyds TSB will stay the same or will it convert to the Co-operative Bank. She assured me that it weas going to stay the same with the staff being the same. In fact no change at all.
 Typical weather, it is the last Bank Holiday of the season and it talks of it being rather unsettled. Mind you, the other night the farmer started to harvest his wheat when we had a thunderstorm. Last night he managed to finish gathering the wheat in. Just in time as this morning it was raining again.  Lets hope the weather men are wrong for the Holiday week
end. More soon.

Cancellation

This morning I had yet another phone call from my local Surgery. It was the same receptionist who booked me in for my annual diadetes check. She told me that unfortunately the date for me to see the diabetes lady had to be cancelled as she was ill.
 I was then told that an alternative slot was available for a date which she gave me. I told her that this date was not possible as I was at Hospital. Another date was given, that too was unsuitable. She laughed and told me that I must be in high demand. I told her this was so. She then gave me a date in mid September. This I checked and told her this was acceptable. She then started to offer me several times. I stopped her and told her the first available slot would be alright. She then told me she would post the appointment time to me. I told her this was not necessary as I had put it in my diary. This way it would save money. I wonder how often this sort of thing happens? I guess we shouln't be so surprised really.
  Today has been a nice day, last night was had a thunderstorm with plenty of vivid lightening. Still it saved me watering my runner beans today. More soon.

Bits and bobs

This morning I went to get my Pension and on the way I took a glass jar to the recycling bank. I also had my repeat prescription with me so I stopped off at the Medical Centre and put it in the repeat box. I was about to leave when I thought I would book an time in Early September for a blood test. This I did.
  I then went for my Pension, called in at the paper shop for my T.V. paper then called at the local shop for a gammon, a 2ltr of skimmed milk and 2 packets of Teacakes. Then back to home.
  I went to my greenhouse and picked a bunch of grapes I had earlier picked the runner beans so I collected enough for a couple of meals then off I went to see tme couple who took over the Business I had, they are in their 15th season.
 As always they were pleased to see me and her Husband went mad for his runner beans, he told me they were his favourite vegetable. I know that it is not possible for them to grow any as their time is filled up with the business especially as it  is seasonal.
  Whilst I was there the car park man came along. I told him jokingly that I was only there for a few minutes. He surprised me by saying he recognised my car and he then saw me sitting down. He had a chat with me, I wish my mate had been there, his eyes would have lit up with what he had to say. In October the whole of Lincolnshire is being decriminalised and the Councils are being made responsible for all on street parking. He told me that as far as he knew, none of the men doing car park duties will be working the on street parking.
 Within a minute of me getting home the phone rang. It was the Doctor's Surgery, the lady told me not to worry but there was a slot for me to have my annual Diabetes check this Friday. I told her this would be O.K. These  5 weeks I have been or will be to the Hospital, also to have my eyes checked. blood test, dentist, hospital for internal examination and now Diabetes. I sure have my monies worth of the NHS. More soon.

Internet trouble

Here are a few photos of runner beans and in the polytunnel climbing french beans. I grow lots of french beans and to be honest give far more away than I eat. Everyone loves them and of course they are grown indoors so do not have pests and I never give any artificial fertiliser.
 for the last week or so, well to be honest it could have been longer, my Internet speed has been slow. It is several months since I last had a problem with the download being slow. Anyway I decided to go online and check my speed. True enough it was very poor.0.02 megabits per second. I should have been getting over 5. I decided there and then to get in touch with my provider. It is a freephone so it didn't matter that I had to wait for a while. When I got through the formalities I told him that I had had this problem before and it was the filter that was at fault. I told him that if it was the filter I would think that something was causing this to occur. He told me he would check my line. He came back and told me that there had been some uotage and would reset it  but I would have to wait for a few minutes. I didn't mind at all. A few minutes later he came back and asked me to check once again. Immediately I started the test I could see that all was correct. I told him so and he laughed. He than asked me if there was anything else he could help me with. I asked him if my old exchange would ever be uprated. He then informed me that hopefully in 2014 the new fibre optic cable should start to come online. Here's hoping. More soon.

A few weeks ago I took the photo of my Hust Greenshaft peas. To be honest I did far better with them than I nad ever expected. Odd pods had 11 peas in which is very good.
 Yesterday I took a couple of photos of my grapes, they are ripening well and getting sweeter. I have given a few bunches away already, 4 to be precise. Still there will be others wishin to have a few to taste.
 This afternoon I went to the Hospital to pick up the medication prior to having my internal inspection. As usual I went to the main building and up 4 flights of stairs. When I arrived at the top there was a notice informing me that the department had moved. I was none too pleased and had to go to the other end of the Hospital.  After asking a catering lady I found the place. I went in, nobody was there at all. I just stood there for about 5 minutes when the receptionist appeared. She apologised for keeping me waiting. I told her what I had come for, she told me she could not hand the medication to me as it had to be a qualified Nurse.. After waiting about 25 minutes a Nurse came to see me, explained all I needed to know. She told me that I would be anaesthatised and that I MUST have someone with me for at least 4 hours after the procedure.  Oh well we will see.  More soon.

A call

Yesterday teatime I had a pnone call. It was from my Consultant. He informed me that it was 5 years since I had a thorough inspection and he wanted me to go to have another one. Normally I have to take medication prior to the local anaesthetic. It is sent by post but he told me unfortunately it was not allowed to post the medication to me so I would have to go to Hospital and pick up the medication myself. I was not too pleased because it is almost 40 mile round trip for me. Anyway he told me that he would pass on the information to the relevant department and they would contact me.  About 5 minutes later he rang me again to tell me that the staff had left for the day and would contact me tomorrow, which is today.
  My mate called this morning and erected my weather station. I told him that I had to go to Hospital and would he take me, I could not tell him when as nobody had contacted me yet. He, naturally told me there would be no trouble at all.
  About 11.30am the phone rang. Naturally I expected it would be a call from the Hospital. Wrong, it was my best Pal telling me he would call later this afternoon.
  My mate had his meal and around 2.10pm. he left. I went into the T.V room and turned no the T.V. I had just sat down when the phone rang. It was from the Hospital. At the same time the doorbell rang. Anyway I managed to get the relevant information and told her I would call and get the medication within the next week or so. I am not due for the examination until September 13th.
 I then went to the door, sure enough it was my best Pal. His wife had dropped him off as she wanted to see me, she had taken the dog for a walk on the beach. She didn't stay out long as it started to rain. Before that I took my Pal to my runner bean patch and picked some beans for them. I also gave them a bunch of grapes. They finished up with a little marrow. This was intended for my mate but unfortunately he forgot to take them home with him. Not to worry as there will be plenty more for him another time. More soon.

Radio 4 extra

I listen to Radio 4 extra regularly each morning. Yesterday I switched on after I had my Sunday bath. It would be around 7.30am. It was half way through a programme talking about extreme weather. The conversation went something like this. Interviewer. "Was it real snow" Reply. "Yes I was there I saw it for myself. It was about 3cm deep and further up it was 5cm deep. It lay on the ground and at luch it was still below freezing. The next day the women were in their dresses. We were bowled out for 43 and lost by over 300 runs". I guesses they were talking of the snow in June in 1975. Replier."I will tell you this Dickie Bird was umpiring and  Ozzie  ***** was the next batsman. He had dentures  and when he walked out he said to Dickie, hold these for me, I won't be here long". Interviewer. Why was that? Was he so cold h was frightened his teeth would chatter". Repiler. No of course not he didn't want a baal to hit him in the face wearing dentures. Remember the ball was whistling round your ears and there were no helmets in those days".
  I was in business in those days running a cafe/restaurant. We had these people come from  Hertyfordshire way. It was Mother Daughter and her Husband plus a mentally disabled Son. They had come fior the last 3 years. rriving the week after Spring Bank Holiday and stopping for a fortnight. They had a chalet on one of the parks.
 The first week the Mother told us that she could not keep warm as there was only a small electric heater over the door. Half way on the second week, she told us that it was far too hot for her. Yes the weather had changed so quickly. By the way the daughter was huge, at least 22 stone.
 The following year they came again. This time the daughter had gone off to a shadow. We could see that she was not long for this world.
 Sadly we never saw them again.
  On a lighter note. The Olympic Games was a huge success. We did far better than I had expected. I was pleased that they did. The swimming and track results were not so0 good though. MO Farah did exceptionally well but he trained in the United States still he was brilliant.
  As Carl Lewis told everyone USA were top of the medal table. G.B. were great at finishing 3rd  a great result. More soon.

Eye examination

This morning I had to go to the Mablethorpe Medical Centre to have my eyes tested.
  I was not pleased because I only had notification on Wednesday, the cancellation telephone number had been crossed off.
  I left here about 10.00am. it was cloudy which is good for me if it stayed that way after the examination. I arrived about 10.25am. the sun was just breaking through. My appointment was for 10.30am.
  When my examination was complete I left the huilding and the sun was shining brightly. Typical I though, it's sods law. Anyway I managed to get home without incident. The effects generally last for about 3 hours. What they do is put drops in your eyes and this dilates the pupils.
  Just as the effects were beginning to wear off around 1.30pm. the clouds came over and that was the last of the sun we saw today. Brilliant timing. I wanted it to be dull from 10.30am. to 1.30pm. The opposite happened.
  Yesterday the men came to empty the garden waste bin. When I went out to get the bin in, I saw that the lid was hanging off. One of the pins holding the lid had been lost. I rang ELDC and this woman on Customers Service asked how she could help. I told her what had happened and she told me that some men would come out and repair the bin but it could take up to 10 days. I told her I expected her to send a replacement pin by post but she told me this would not happen.
 About 90 minutes  later my best Pal rung me up to tell me he would be calling later in the afternoon. I then went out to open my gates to my driveway. While I was out there I decided to have a good look to see if I could find the pin. I couldn't believe it, about 15 yards up the road, I saw something and when I went closer it was that pin. I picked it up and managed to fix the bin, What I did remember to do was ring the Council up and ask them to cancel the repair as I had managed to do the job myself. The lady seemed surprised but was grateful for me contacting them to give them the information. More soon.

No time

I seem to have no time to go online, I have forced myself to go online today. I have been watching the sport on T.V. Olympics, plus cricket. Anyway the Test Match is over so now I will write a little.
 I was in a conversation the other day with my mate. He told me he had bought a Weather Station, the latest and up to date. Well, he bought it with him last week when he came to see me. I was impressed and he told me I could have that one and he would order another one.
 I have every confidence with him when it comes to him wanting anything. He researches it thoroughly and then waits for the item to be on offer. This happened to the Weather Station,
 It was left at mine and to be honest, I am looking forward for him to fit it all up and get it working next week. I know this will be the best deal going.
 I must also say that it was due to my mate that I had Solar Power installed. He researched it for many weeks and had several surveys. In fact he knew far more than a lot of agents who came to see him. He told me all about it and said he was going to proceed. Unfortunately for me, the Company that he had could not fit the system in for me before the cut off date so I had to get another. To be honest, I don't think my system is quite as good as his. Also I am facing east west and there are several trees blocking the sunlight. This is alright in the winter when they have no leaves but in the summer, it makes a lot of difference. I still think I will do alright though. I am certainly not complaining at all.
 My mate has a southery aspect and so he should do well. This summer has not been great but he is still doing alright. I am sure he will finish the year with a healthy percentage  profit on his outlay. I certainly hope so as he deserves it if only for his research.
 Oh dear, the new neighbours had visitors this last week. Yesterday they  all decided to go to Skegness by bus. I was surprised because I know that getting by Butlins these 2 hectic weeks would be bad. The bus was 30 minutes late getting to Skegness. Never again they said. I am not surprised. They did say though that the place was very busy. His wife told me that they were lucky for when it was raining they were in a queue in the Post Office. I told her that as far as I knew, the Post Office was going to close by the end of the year. She asked me if there was another one. I told her my mate had told me that the only one left will be in a small supermarket on the Burgh Road. I wonder what the queues will be like next year if that is the only Post Office left in Skegness. More soon.

Olympics

I must admit that G.B has done far better than I had expected. I am surprised and pleased that they have done so  well. I don't expect much from the track events though. I don't think the men have any runners in any of the sprints and middle distance races. From 100m to 1500 metres. 
 I must congratulate the way the whole thing set up is. Everything that can be, is so close to each venue. The Olympic Park is fantastic. The Show Jumping is in London  Grenwich Park. Different to Beijing(spelt it correctly this time) there the show jumping was in a different Country. Well different to me because when I was in the Army, I spent my time out in Hong Kong. It was then leased to Great Britain fro 99 years from 1898 so in 1997 it revertet back to China. It must be remembered that the population was ruled by us then so it must have been  a little difficult to be ruled by China when they took back the Colony.
 The crowds have also been magnificent, the Stadium being full from early morning, that was just for many preliminary rounds. The stadium was then vacated around 2.00pm. so that the evening crowd could get ready to take their seats for the start at 7.00pm.
 It seems that every event that has been televised have been packed with supporters. Even the sailing at Weymouth was well supported.
 It was not the British competitors who had support, Usain  Bolt had almost as big a cheer as Jessica Ennis who was brilliant. She comes over as a very nice young woman. Hopefully with sponsorship deals, her future will be secure. I sincerely hope so. 
These last couple of days has been just like April, only less sun and heavier rain. Yesterday we had a very heavy thundersorm and rain. Not everywhere had it though. My Pal from the Chesterfield area rung me up and he told me that they had no rain at all yesterday. Needless to say, all of my water butts are full. Good for the runner beans. More soon.

Computer problems

Yesterday I had computer  problems. I tried to delete something I no longer required. When I came to delete it, the prompt came are you sure. I clicked yes then came up the response. You have to have authority to continue and it refused to delete this item.
 As anyone who reads this knows, I am not computer literate whatsoever. Mind you I don't like to be beaten. I guess I spent at least 3 hours trying all I knew, which is next to nothing but eventually I managed to get the item deleted. I think I only managed to get it working temporarily still I did it.  Hopefully my mate will sort it out when he next comes to see me.
 Now to something completely different. It was on the News about food aid. What most of the younger people will not know is that here in England we received food aid of sorts in the late 40s.
 I was at school and it happened on about 3 occasions. All of us children were given a tin of stewed steak. From what I can remember, I think this was donated from Australia. I know that the beef was produced and packed in Australia.
 My Sister who was over 4 years older than me bought home, more than once a sort of drinking chocolate powder. We had never heard of drinking chocolate so we used it as a sort of sweet. It must be remembered that sweets were on ration. This chocolate powder which was sweetened was donated by the United States of America.
  What most people would not realise is that the Country was in a dreadful state after the war. There were pot holes in the roads, to be honest everything was in a poor state of repair. All the resources went to the war. It was not until the mid 50s that things began to get better.
 It did make us appreciate everything we had and taught us to be thrifty.
 Now they talk of austerity, they don't know the meaning of the word. Oh well that is the modern lifestyle for you.  
 I am pleasantly surprised at how well we are doing in the Olympic Games, pity the weather has gone back to what we have had most of this year  More soon.

Saucepans

My mate called today, it is always nice to see him. Last time he came I had asked him to get me some stainless steel saucepans. When he bought them I was dismayed. They were all stainless steel and had none of the phenolic handles and tops that resisted heat. It was 100% my fault entirely. I just thought he would know about this. Mind you, I had done something similar many years ago.
 I guess it would be well over 20 years ago. My Mother was still able to walk with the aid of me helping her. Morrison's Centre had just let one of it's units to a shop selling kitchen products. As we looked at the display outside the shop. My Mother noticed a 3 tier Steamer. To see a 3 tier one was unusual and the cost was only £15. Generally if you saw one it would be £30 or there abouts. My Mother then remarked that it was probably a flimsy product. I told her we would check up and go inside.
 Once inside the assistant was most helpful. She readily let us inspect the steamer. My Mother told me it was a solid make and I agreed with her so I decided to buy it there and then.
 When we go to my Mother's home we had a drink and my Sister came to see us. My Mother told her that I had bought a good 3 tier steamer. My Sister asked if she could look at it as she would like a 3 tier steamer too. I went to my car and bought it in for her to look at. She agreed that the steamer was a good make but it had one fault. She pointed out that with the solid stainless steel handles, when the pan got hot it would be impossible to lift the pan without having some protection as the handles would be too hot to handle.
 When I got home I decided to use it. Sure enough the handles got so hot it was impossible to touch them by hand. I thought that I would never again fall into the trap of buying anything that had no resistance to the transference of the heat. How wrong I was.
  Now the truth of the matter is that I bought a clock(buy one get one free) from a Company. Yesterday they sent me their latest catalogue. It is hard to believe but on opening the page, there was  a set of 3 saucepans with handles resistant to heat, for less than my mate had bought me. Also there is a 10 year guarantee. Needless to say, I have this afternoon ordered a set. I'm still learning at my advanced age. More soon.