watervole | (no subject)

I'm gradually recovering from the pain in my leg. Starting to be able to type again, without having to stop after a minute or two.

So, let's give it a go and see how I get on with actually posting something!

Cycled into Poole today on my beloved electric bike. It's been a real godsend while the leg has been bad. I'm still not safe to drive, but I am safe to cycle (it hurts more when I sit down, but less when I'm cycling - not totally pain free, but enough that I'm not a danger to other road users.)

The bike had it's post purchase check up, which should really have been months ago, but was delayed due to rain, pain, etc. It passed with flying colours.

While waiting for them to finish with the bike, I went charity shopping.

Came back with a book on allotment gardening. I already have several books on growing veg, but this one is by the RHS, (Royal Horticultural Society), is very readable, and has useful tips like using cardboard tubes to blanch leeks while they are growing.

I also got two pairs of second-hand trousers. A side effect of cutting out biscuits and adopting a diet veering towards the vegan end of the spectrum over the last couple of years is that I've gradually lost weight and my old trousers now only stay up if assisted by belt/braces.

The last time I bought a new item of clothing was last September - I succumbed to a new waistcoat with dragons on it for my sword dancing costume. I'm getting very good at this not buying anything new style of life. I've always bought a lot from charity shops, but I'm even better at it now, and I repair/darn more than I used to.

I'm rather fond of this planet and I'd like to pass it onto the next generation in good health. The odds of that are pretty low, but I'm still going to do my best.

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At least this virus scare is doing one good thing. With the reduction in people using transport - air, rail, bus and car - the levels of pollution are dropping rapidly.

Even so, we do need to ensure that we do everything we can to preserve the planet for all life.

Ah, hi, am I glad to hear from you!
You must have had a bad time with your leg but you are such a brave lady and so very positive, I believe no illness has a chance!
Congratulations on your new electric bike! It is definitely the best thing for you.
Your post reads like the world was all right and I am glad.
We here, during a fortnight, have our coutry under an emergency regime and quarantined. I and my family are still safe and I wish it remainder like that. The situation is dealt by our politicians and to be sincere, I don´t dare to write about it because I would be rude - no, not rude, VULGAR. I have already been furious three times today...
Anyway.
Stay safe and healthy and happy!!!*HUGS*

Glad to hear pain levels are diminishing. I'm sure you've told us, but please could you remind me what model of bike you have. I'm starting to look at electric bikes with a little more interest.

Glad to hear you're a bit better. Fingers crossed it continues.

So glad to hear from you!
Yay for electric bikes! Donald has one he loves.
Do tell about toilet rolls and leeks. I planted a lot of leeks this year in the Henry St garden and may take the remaining ones to Ukiah tomorrow.

The RHS website is also very useful, lots of info on there.

I've planted mangetout peas (Golden Sweet & Bijou, my usual suspects) and broad beans (Karmazyn - they're pink!). Ailsa Craig onion seedlings are doing nicely. The next job is sowing tomatoes and experimental peas; I'm still hoping for some edible red pods and giant yellow pods. All indoors for now - I may need extra windowsills. :)

I quite like this planet too. I hope the Vogons aren't coming too soon...

I'm glad to hear your pain is subsiding. Stay healthy. :)

Edited 2020-03-17 09:36 (UTC)

So glad to hear things are getting better for you! Well done on your new lifestyle.

I have to admit that this has occurred forcibly and ignobly to me on several occasions over the last few days -- it means that everyone is being propelled into the same lifestyle that I've been adopting, where you never get to go anywhere except by means of your own two legs, and, theoretically, to the same rather tedious diet of elderly winter vegetables and dried staples while waiting for the home-grown food to come in.
(Which I would rejoice at more if it didn't mean the shelves have been stripped of those same dried staples I rely upon -- I've got very little brown rice left, and even the health-food shop had sold out the last time I tried. Fortunately I do still have a large bag of gluey Patna rice...)

I discovered this morning that I was down under eight stone again, on as non-vegan a diet as I can afford (last night: gammon, leek & barley casserole, with one slice of gammon to flavour four portions).
Which would be fine if the weight in question were actually distributed in the same places as when I was in my twenties, but sadly it isn't; I've still got enough fat reserves to put me up a size in clothing...

I know exactly what you mean. Sadly, it's also taking focus away from the climate crisis, so we gain on one hand, but lose on the other. The Glasgow summit is sliding down the agenda - and it really is critical.

Hug.

This one, or a very similar model - Giant Entour E+ step through - there are several similar models with price variations.
https://www.cyclestore.co.uk/giant_entour_e_2_low_step_through_electric_bike_2020-ID_78513?msclkid=b3050c4e30d214351730523a8a711553&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=*Bing%20-%20%20Shopping%20-%20%20All&utm_term=4582833187897828&utm_content=UK%20All

One slice of gammon to four portions isn't too bad from a planetary viewpoint. We have some form of meat roughly ever ten days. Might be a slice of bacon for flavouring, a chicken, or some really good quality sausages. Beef and lamb, have gone for ever, with vegan evening meals most, but not all of the time.

Thanks.

I cycled 24 miles today. When I came in, I had a grilled sausage, boiled potatoes with butter, grated beetroot (bought that afternoon from the farm shop) and frozen Brussels sprouts cooked in butter and lemon juice with black pepper (essential ingredient), and char-grilled purple sprouting broccoli, followed by fresh rhubarb fool made with egg and cream. Mmm. I needed that.

Cooking time about one hour - eating time about five minutes ;-)

(I shan't bother trying to blanch and char-grill broccoli again, though -- it takes forever, is fiddly and generates a lot of smoke, and the results are nothing special.)

I love beetroot. So many good ways of cooking it. Have you ever had it roasted like roast potatoes? LOvely.

Roast beetroot is delicious, as it's so sweet.
I must try another roast vegetable tart...