Category Archives: Food

Happy Birthday Mark

Happy Birthday, Mark Luke. I should say that Mr Luke and I share the same birthday. Which is tomorrow. Although, once more, I should say that I stopped having birthdays quite a few years ago.

Mark is a very nice bloke, by the way. But we have an annual ritual where we both try to sent the first happy birthday text. And he’s won the past three years’ competition. I’m aiming to stay awake until 00:01 this evening in an attempt to sent the first happy birthday text. Me resolution is strong and I have Gin (a birthday present from my youngest child) to help me stay awake.

I need assistance in staying awake because my second in command had booked a table at the Painted Elephant in town. Where we had very nice, and overly filling, food. We both had pea and mint soup as a starter and I must say that I’d happily have had a second bowl for a main course. My childhood memories of gloopy home made soup have now been dispelled.

Everything else was lovely too. My second in command had a new take on chilli (I don’t recall the name of the dish) and I had Turkish Delight, a spicy lentil dish (in an aubergine with the best ever roast potatoes).

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I’d wanted to go there since it opened, so my second in command gets a lot of points for booking tonight. There will be multiple return visits.

Oh, I shall send you a link to this at midnight; happy birthday Mark.

Yorkshire pudding

This evening, my second in command made Yorkshire puddings. Vegan Yorkshire puddings. An important discovery allowed such an event; the water from a can of chickpeas makes a pretty decent egg substitute. Apparently, it works in cake too.

And a video from Saturday night’s gig.

Pies

Yesterday, my second in command had her first real excursion following her injury. We took a bus to the Central, where we seemed to be the only customers.

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After a couple of beers and something to eat, we returned home to make pies. Mushroom and beer (Innes & Gunn original).
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Now that she’s getting the hang of crutches, we’re considering venturing out again today.

Bombay potato

While in a rush to Kings Cross, I stopped off at a Christmas market outside the station. Upon noticing lots of dead stuff on sale, I didn’t bother walking around and cut straight through instead.

In doing so, I found a stall selling veggie food. Best of all, a lot of it was vegan. I opted for a (huge) Bombay potato wrap, which I’ve just consumed on the train. I only mention it because it was gorgeous.

Also gorgeous was the pint of stout in the Chandos en route to the station.

Alternative Stores

I finally made a trip to the vegan shop in Benton, the strangely named Alternative Stores. Well worth a visit, even if you’re not a veggie. They gave me free chocolate, even though my second in command had eaten most of the sample food on display.

I’ll certainly be returning.

Big Bird

Currently in the Ostrich, after a very nice curry in the Taj Mahal (the one in Peterborough). In our usual seats.

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Did I mention that my second in command once lost a hat of mine here?

Cheese sandwich

A cheese sandwich.

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Or not. To be honest, I’ve not been impressed with vegan ‘cheese’. The soft, spreadable stuff’s OK, but the harder variety’s not great.

Until today. Vegan cheese slices purchased this evening from Asda have proven to be quite edible. I’d even go as far to say that they’re really nice.

Well done Asda.

Sad Elvis

Stuff tends to pass me by, but is it close to the anniversary of Elvis’ death?

I only mention this because Priscilla Presley seems to be on every UK TV chat show lately. And I only mention her because she’s had pretty shocking cosmetic surgery.

Why?

Durham

A very pleasant afternoon was spent in Durham yesterday. A visit to the Swan and Three Cygnets was compulsory, of course.

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On leaving, there was something of a downpour, so it was necessary to take refuge in the Market Tavern. And the Head of Steam. And the Bridge Hotel.

And, since the rain hadn’t eased, there was a rather nice curry before the train.

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Cake on the Tyne

I’m currently sitting in the back bar of the Central. We’ve had a pleasant afternoon/evening in Town. And an important discovery was made – beer and cake are a great combination.

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