The pleasure of preparing breakfast for our six guests this morning was marred by an intrusion from the radio – a rendition by those X-Factor graduates, G4, of William Blake’s Jerusalem. Okay, call me an old fogey, tell me I’m out of step with the new groove of ‘popera’, accuse me of unmitigated elitism. Do [...]
Despite the biting north-easterly wind, it was a glorious day today. The air was clear, the light was a photographer’s dream and the whole atmosphere of the day held the promise of spring. Buds are beginning to show, wind-tossed catkins festoon the hazels and green daffodil spears are poking through the soil. The blue sky [...]
Have I mentioned pheasants lately? No? Well, that’s all right then. I’d hate anyone to think I’m suffering from some kind of fixation . . . Anyway, the only reason I mention them now is that I feel it is my duty to keep this information channel up to date. Thus it falls within that [...]
It is with a certain amount of embarrassment that I relate this short parable on the economic benefits of forward planning. Last night we had guests for dinner. I had planned, as a starter, to serve smoked chicken breast with a potato salad and red onion marmalade (you’re right, that is pretty bizarre – John [...]
At the risk of laying myself open to ridicule or, at the very least, speculation as to whether or not I really have lost the plot, I must just mention the black pheasant again . . . The fact is that two weeks ago I was plucking him in preparation for the pot. Mourning the [...]
Gosh! How did that happen? One minute it’s still January and then, before we know it, it’s already 10th February. Well, at least that helps to explain why the first five years of this new millennium have practically vanished overnight. Meanwhile, for all you paid-up members of the Upf’rit Fan Club, you will be glad [...]