katie1997

I'd gladly sign any petition against the ridiculous, ill-conceived CPZ proposal and its flawed consultation. Thanks to the forum for helping to keep us informed of local issues, invaluable information in some instances.

I always move my neighbour's bins from the street if they haven't managed to move them after a while. Not saying I put them in the exactly right spot but it does help a bit. Bin men are great on my street and get the job done really quickly and efficiently, never had a problem. I can hear them coming a mile off now. All those bins = much more noise, so I sympathise with anyone who needs to sleep during the day. But then again, maybe they get used to all the noises of the city.

PPS I typed that really slowly.

So maxxi, does that mean we can call you names and stuff? What about all those 73s? Alan will be rubbing his hands in glee...as will LM. Good luck both. PS I started writing this before midnight.

Me too maxxi, me too. Very appealing in fact. Anyway, I suspect it'll be easier to achieve than a self-imposed exile. When will you be back? Oh, you can't say.

My flatmate's bedroom on the ground floor. (Hiding from a certain visitor and had to eventually 'escape' through the window out the back) An unassuming nightclub in mid-90s Prague. (Turned out to be a VERY naughty but bizarre sex show, pole-dancing place to the joy of all three male friends I was travelling with) Kebab & Wine. East Dulwich. Every time. Quids, my mates used to say I spent most of the evening at Turnmills in the loos (nothing dodgy, just applying lipstick for the thousandth time).

Every language I've tried to learn (and bought all the grammar and vocabulary books imaginable): Latin, French, German, Dutch, Hindi.

You're right Alan. Probably best steer clear of his posts in No-drink-vember....

You weren't meant to see that until after you'd drank all those beers tonight. Then I thought you'd be more in a sort of jovial, more forgiving mood.

Mick Mac was only really witty whenever Narnia and Quids were around. Oh...

they don't provide bags at SMBS either ... hope no-ones thinking of driving to the store to pick it up tsk tsk etc is it organic etc? what a fab photo, hope its still there B)

Thanks to all for your very helpful advice, I think this pretty much sums it up. I reckon a damn good extractor is what's needed as I always cook with the windows open too (and didn't make much difference to the amount of smoke the other eve). d-c, that link to advice from the Hawksmoor chef is brilliant, thank you so very much, some great tips there (one of which I think answers your question to randombloke, Moos. They use tongs to hold steak vertically to cook the fat at the sides and flavour the pan - edited to add, only if the steak is to be cooled medium or rare).

Apologies in advance for those of you experiencing deja vu (so many 'how to cook steak' threads I didn't want to start a new one) but some advice please: How can you cook steaks at home without needing to redecorate the kitchen the next day? I use the really really hot pan method (don't use a fancy griddle or anything, should I?) and drop it in holding with both hands so it sears evenly$ but the smoke.....the smoke is horrendous. Do I just need a better extractor fan, bigger windows or new kitchen? Was the problem due to cooking different cuts and sizes for various times? They were at room temperature and not marinated in anything and I used the tiniest amount of oil on the pan (not the steak). Thanks for any tips if you have them.

Oooh Nette indeed, the suspense.... anyway, here's another recipe (from Villandry) Breast of Barbary duck with fondant potatoes, Bordelaise sauce and morels. Its so simple but effective. The sauce is french red wine, shallots, thyme, bay leaves, veal stock then add butter and a good splash of madeira. Reduce, simmer and sieve then add morels. Alan, did you lose marbles? Me too! I keep visualising the baseball caps belonging to Huey, Dewey and Louie floating in the pomegranate, grapefruit, orange, cherry, lavender, honey, soy sauce combo whenever I read this thread :)) Edited to correct spelling of Louie. It simply won't do with a y B)

Alan, have you been foraging for mushrooms by any chance? Is it too late to suggest Provencal-style duck with olives (but legs def best for slow cooking) or lavender honey duck? Classic and simple but maybe not as adventurous.

Is the forum operating a one in, one out policy for veteran forumites? Where's dearest HonaloochieB these days? Anyone? And very nice to see you back on here Quids (and tee hee on pipping LM to the 100s). Hurrah... (I'm glad I didn't bet on your return with hibbs tho) ;-)

Gang activity.

Grumpy Granny, there's a lovely, friendly group that meets at the Magnolia on the first Tuesday of every month to play backgammon (beginners are very welcome). I think there's a fair few who come along that are in the (upper) age range you mention but really its a good range of ages and ability, men and women. Its advertised in the forum's 'What's on' section. Also, I can echo Sue's comments about the singalong sessions. I have been to two previously when they were held at the CPT and they're extremely welcoming and fun for all ages. You don't even have to be into folk music or anything but the songs and singers are amazing, its a really enjoyable night. Highly recommended.

Foraging. Everyone's at it these days or so it seems. I blame Hugh F-W and his nostalgic Ladybird books myself. Next in series: seaweeds and grasses.

katie = :)-D *waves to the much-missed Quids*

*Bob* Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Moos Wrote: > -------------------------------------------------- > ----- > And > > Thunderbird, for some reason. > > Blue or Red, Madam? Shall I pour... ? I think its usually drunk straight from the bottle. Which is probably just as well as I don't like to ask what type of glass should, or should not, be used.

bobbly - not sure but think I may have heard something similar. Its not the Food Substitutions Bible is it? :-S

enjoy Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Hmm, l don't like these over keen helpers either. > But if there are only two people in a room, it > feels strange not to say a single word.> But everybody is different, l guess. I agree with that, it definitely feels strange to say nothing when there's only a few of you in there. Whilst I have mostly had good, friendly service on LL, I did have a recent 'bad' experience in a small shop where there were only two people behind a counter and me, the sole customer. I said hello when I walked in and they managed to look up from their phone/computer/whatever they were doing. I then spent aaaaages trying to decide what bottle of wine to buy (their selection is rubbish). Did either person offer to help? No. I stupidly bought from there anyway, said goodbye on my way out. One of them at least had the grace to mutter a goodbye. It wasn't the french place either - there's always a pleasant welcome and offer of help there, in my experience. But generally, I don't mind the quality of service in LL shops at all.

Oh dear. Don't you mean digressssssss? And those shoes are absolutely hideous. Let's not discuss the crochet number.

What about that place on the corner across from the Black Cherry? Can't remember its name. I doubt you'd get it in the lovely Barry's these days .... its all marmite X0, if you please, and posh micro-brewery bottles.