Merry Christmas 2010

Well it's here again, and this time its a white Christmas. It's a long, long time since i can remember one, i think i was a small child.
Almost a month now of this freezing weather, and it looks like there is more to come.

We are having a gammon joint for Christmas dinner this year, and the aroma coming from the kitchen is really nice. Just when i need to lose weight i shall, no doubt, be putting some on. Bring on the sprouts!

We are going to Andrew & Suzannes for Boxing Day, i am looking forward to that, and i know there will be lots of salad, which i need to eat!

I hope everyone reading this has a really nice time, and i welcome a chat on msn (tonypne@hotmail.com) or Skype(tonypne). Also my Facebook name is Tony McKay-Rhodes.

Look forward to hearing from you.

the BIG freeze

The big freeze continues in the UK. Last night was the 14th consecutive night where the temperature was below freezing, and on some nights it has gone as low as -12C round where we live.

The forecasters say it will be the same for at least another four days, with more snow. Luckily we have not had the heavy snow that other places in the Uk have had.

On the up side it means we get another cold weather payment of £25- for each period of 7 days where the temperature has been below zero!

I just had some of my home made mushroom soup- it doesnt half make you feel warmer!

Our friend , Robbo has now moved to Hong Kong from London. He is selling insurance policies. Over there it is around 30c almost every day and he seems to be enjoying the experience.

thats all for now! i must get some Christmas presents bought this week!

North Yorkshire in freezing temperatures brrrrrrr

Our latest trip took us not far away, to Low Bentham, just inside North Yorkshire. We were told that there were lots of ponds, a canal, and river for fishing in. We arrived and the area was quite desolate, and it was at Bentham Pottery in the middle of nowhere. We were the only ones there and we got stuck as soon we tried to put the caravan onto the space on a very bumpy site! We eventually found a hard standing pitch which seemed quite nice perched on the top of the hill.

It was the first very cold night of this spell we are experiencing, but the caravan was snug and warm and we gorged ourselves on bacon butties and cups of tea. We had brought plenty of food with us just in case, and it was most welcome i can tell you! A couple of sheep and a cow came to visit us, i think they were checking us out! wish i had learned how to milk a cow, it would have saved us a journey to the shop the following morning!

There was an electric hook up, hot and cold water, shower, and toilet, and we felt at home. It was cold, oh yes it was very cold outside, but our laptop, mobile phones and the telly worked really well so all was good.

We awake to see jack frost had been to visit, i think he had taken up residence actually, as he was still there at 11 am.

We had a visit from our friend Joe Wilson, who has a bungalow not too far away from this site. Unfortunately later in the day we learned that on his way home he had been in an accident and was badly shaken up. Luckily the people in the other vehicle and Joe himself were not injured just strains and pains, but it looked as though Joe's car was going to be a write-off. Obviously this put a damper on our visit, together with a very unhelpful farmer who when we asked where the nearest fishing pond was kept sending us in a different direction with the message *you cant miss it*. We did! ! Anyway some fishing did take place at a local river, but it got so cold, the jollies were called off an hour early, and we trudged back to our lovely warm place. We didn't have fish for tea that day!!!! maybe just as well.

The Wednesday saw us up root and make our way back home without any further incidents. Paul had been in his usual humorous mood all through the break which made us laugh a lot. Andrew came with us this time, and he seemed to enjoy it apart from no pond!

Winter Warmer

Courgette Soup: with thanks to Katie from the BBC !

2tbsp olive oil
15g butter
1 medium onion roughly chopped
900g courgettes
1tsp dried oregano
1 pint vegetable stock
115g cheese (it says dolcelatte but I used crumbly Lancashire)
300ml single cream (I used milk)
salt and pepper

1. Heat the oil and butter until foaming. Add onion and cook gently for about 5mins, stirring frequently until softened but not brown
2. Add courgettes and oregano with salt and pepper. Cook over medium heat for 10 mins, stirring frequently. Pour in stock and bring to the boil stirring.
3. Lower the heat, half cover the pan and simmer gently, stirring occasionally for about 30 mins. Stir in cheese until melted.
4. Process soup in a blender until smooth.
5. Add cream and stir over low heat until hot but not boiling. Add more stock, water if the soup is too thick.

Enjoy

Newport, Shropshire

Just got back from a few days in Newport in Shropshire, it was a small site, and only 3 minutes walk from the town which had every shop you could think of for a small town. The site was well kept and surrounded by lovely old trees. I collected a few pine cones, and conkers, yes i know i'm too old for that hehe. Paul and Bryan went fishing, it was only 200 yards away, and guess what? it didnt rain! we had two very sunny days and it was quite warm too for late October.

There was a lovely fish and chip shop, but quite expensive. The fish was to die for though, and was as nice as Chorley chippy. We will deffo be returning there at some point. It was very cheap, almost half the normal price.

Now then ! who is going to clean the car ? that will be me again then i expect hehe

Yorkshire born...

There are some lovely places in Yorkshire, and we found a cracker of a site at Bolton Abbey, called Strid Wood. It has a river running right along side the site.


The site was wonderfully clean and well laid out, with hardly any distance to walk to get the water, and empty the wastes. The only drawback was that the television reception was poor and no signal for the mobile phone or broadband dongle, but hey! we can do without those for a few days cant we? hehe.


We took a return trip which i made, must be 40 years ago, to the biggest fish & chip shop in the World; Harry Ramsdens. There were very few people in there, and i remember all those years ago, it was almost impossible to get served it was so busy. We did have some fish and chips, but even if i was being kind, all i can say is that it was average, and expensive too.


The building is as it was, and brought back some memories of Preston North End away games, when we used to call at 'Arrys on the the way home.


We took a trip to Lake Coniston on the third day away, and Dale and Paul went on a paddle boat for a couple of hours, its a wonder one of them didnt fall in!

Gone Fishing!

Off we went, four of us, to Poolsbrook, which is near Chesterfield in Derbyshire. It is an eco friendly site, which means windmills and solar panels, and the water which is used in the showers, is re-cycled and flushes the toilets!

As is normal on Caravan Club sites the place was spotless with friendly wardens, and we were surprised by how many people were there, considering it was a mid-week excursion. We stayed for three days, and Paul bought an annual rod licence and the large ponds near the site cost £3 per day for a permit.

Of course it did rain for two of the days, but we are quite used to that now, and it was noticeable how much cooler it was this time, but thanks to Katie's Husband, Alan, we got the central heating working fine.

We loved the place and nearby were any amount of shops, and a Morrisons just down the road. We will be going back there next year im sure of it.

The journey back was very slow, and the roadworks around Stockport and Hazel Grove meant that it took us a lot longer to get back home, but the whole mini break was great.

Soups are us!

Thanks to Katie from the BBC for the following receipe. It sounds really nice, so i shall try it myself this week. here it is...


Here we go a recipe for Bean Soup, it tastes better than it looks.
4 baby leeks
1 large carrot - finely diced
1 large onion - finely diced
2 sticks Celery - finely chopped
400g tin Cannellini beans in unsalted water
2 cloves garlic
2 pints stock
1 tsp dried thyme or a few sprigs of fresh Thyme
2 bay leaves (I didn't use these)
Black pepper olive oil
Method
1. Cook onion and garlic until brown in a small amount of olive oil.
2. Add vegetables (except mushrooms) and cook until slightly brown
3. Add stock and herbs and bring to the boil then simmer for 15 mins until vegetables are tender
4. Add mushrooms and simmer for 5 mins, then add beans and simmer for a further 5 mins
5. Liquidise soup ( think it's better not to do this but it just depends how you like your soup)
6. Season with black pepper
Enjoy!!!!!

It's been a good month for the Rhodeses

Well i went and bought a tourning caravan! I have no idea if i can tow it or not, and how difficult it is, but i'm going to have a damn good try! more to follow soon. Our first outing is to a lovely site in mid- wales, called Corwen.

The picture was taken on the day we picked the caravan up- i was really nervous, and my asthma was bad too!

The man took over an hour to show us about how everything works, and i was non-the wiser...good job paul and bryan were taking notice!

not been well again :(

I have to report that my old chest has been playing up again, and i am wondering when it will ever get better again. I had to see the emergency Doctor last Friday night- thanks to Dale and Paul for going with me. It was after dark, and it was useful to know that you can cash prescriptions up to 10 pm from ASDA or Tesco, which is brilliant.
I was much better the following morning as soon as the antibiotics kicked in, and on Sunday night i met Ryan on his way back home on the train, and he stayed the night. We did lots of catching up. On Monday i took him back home to Manchester and it was a lovely day even though i was quite tired really. The weather has continued to be nice and warm all this week, and i have to see my own Doctor in the morning at 8.30 am. It is now 9 pm and its not quite dark, so summer is very much just round the corner, yippee!

Katie, one of the lovely BBC receptionists has given me a nice recipe for Garlic, Chick Pea and Spinach Soup ! and so i have copied the details hereunder- enjoy...

Garlic, Chick Pea and Spinach Soup
Serves 4
2tbsp olive oil 4 garlic cloves, crushed 1 onion, roughly chopped 2tsp cumin 2tsp ground coriander 2 pints vegetable stock 12 oz potatoes, peeled and finely chopped 15oz can chick peas 1tbsp corn flour 1/4 pint double cream ( I use milk) 7oz Spinach, shredded Cayenne pepper ( don't think I use this) Salt and pepper
1. Heat oil in pan and cook garlic and onion for 5 minutes or until they are golden brown and softened
2. Stir in cumin and coriander and cook for a further minute
3. Pour in stock and add potatoes, bring to boil and simmer for 10 mins, Add chick peas and simmer for 5 mins or until potatoes and chick peas are just tender
4. Blend together corn flour and stir into the soup with the spinach. Bring to boil, stirring and simmer for 2mins. Season with cayenne pepper, salt and pepper


another update before long- take care everyone xxx

A Souper Time

Here is an absolutely wonderful recipe for vegetable soup. we have tried and tested a few different ones, and this is the most wonderful one mmmmm... it's just so easy to make.

Ingredients

1 large onion

2 large potatoes

3 carrots

1/3 of a large swede

3 vegetable stock cubes

75 grams best butter

250 ml milk.

Method...

Melt the butter into a large saucepan, add salt and pepper. Add and fry the chopped potatoes and onions for ten minutes.

add the chopped carrots and swede.

disolve the stock cubes into a pint of boiling water and add to the saucepan and simmer for 30 minutes.

pour half the contents of the saucepan into a blender for a very short time, and put back in the saucepan, and stir well.

Serve with homemade grannary or white, Hovis bread. .....Enjoy!

Cakes and Crumbles

Hello everyone,

following on from the breadmaking (which is still going well) i decided to start baking cakes and puddings. everyone who knows me- knows what a sweet tooth i have! i have made some lovely crumbles too, with custard, ice cream, or cream. its making my mouth water just thinking about it. I also made cherry cakes and mixed fruit cakes which didnt last very long i can tell you!

Helpful money saving tip- dont buy expensive crumble topping mix from your supermarket- make it yourself it is very easy...

100g/4oz flour

50g/20z butter or margarine

50g/2oz sugar (castor sugar will do)

mix it with your fingers until it resembles bread crumbs. I usually make double the amount and keep it in the fridge until i need it. It tastes so much nicer than packet mixes, and is a fraction of the cost.

Meanwhile Bryan has been making home-made soups. Not just any soups - Bryans recipe! my favourite one is onion, although his mushroom and butternut squash ones are really tasty. If anyone would like a receipe which really is nice and has been tried and tested by me, drop me an email! tonypne@aol.com

The Breadmaker arrives

I have always wanted to have a go at making my own bread, and so a bread maker was added to the kitchen. It is so easy to make, the instructions are brilliant, and you can even get ready mixed breads from the local supermarket. There is nothing like the smell of home baked bread even though it does take 3 hours to make a large loaf! all you do is add the ingredients and switch it on- its that simple! you can also make cakes, pizza dough, jam, and all sorts of things with it.

erm it doesnt always go to plan though, as you will see in the picture i have added! go on you can have a laugh at my expense- just this one time though! it actually tasted very good in spite of its odd appearance.

They aren't cheap to buy though, they start around £60 for a decent one, i got mine for just over a hundred quid - it was reduced in the sales, but it makes a bigger loaf than some of them and was worth the bit extra.

A large loaf costs around 50p to make, not bad eh? Orders for bread are now being taken!

Winter Wonderland

Hello folks,



Well Winter is here and its been the worst for over 30 years so they tell us. It has been over a month since we last got our bins emptied and the pavements are just so dangerous for people to walk on. The big supermarkets, such as ASDA, Morrisons, Tesco, seem to pay no regard to their customers who are braving their car parks to get inside the store and spend an awful lot of money. Young and old alike are risking life and limb making their way from their cars. Surely they could do more to make it safe for people who are putting millions of pounds into their coffers. Rant over.



i have uploaded a video of our back garden - not sure if it works or not. We got a big "dalek" type compost bin today, along with a small one for the kitchen, all for free- there is a website called "freecycle" you have to register and people can offer free stuff that they would maybe be throwing out, or they can request things that they want. No-one passes any money over, and its all very civilised. Usually an email comes out each week with the new items for offer. http://www.freecycle.com/ have a