King Creole (Christmas cake)

It's that time of the year again where I have to turn my newly found bakery skills (thanks to Bunty!) and get out the key ingredients for the family Christmas cake.

Key ingredients being:
Rum
Brandy
Cherry Brandy
Port
Angostura Bitters

a load of other stuff which are relevant even if they sound banal;

raisins, currants, cherries, prunes, chopped nuts, molasses etc;

Instead of the angelic icing topping I use a variety of nuts (but only because Bunty prefers the really healthy option ??). For my West of Scotland tastebuds the icing would be "de rigeur".

In case anyone feels like trying this I attach the recipe and believe me it is pure dead brilliant !!

https://www.deliaonline.com/recipes/occasions/christmas/christmas-cakes-icings-and-toppings/creole-christmas-cake

The irony of Unionism breaking up the United Kingdom.

I've been so engrossed with the parliamentary shenanigans of the last wee while that I've not had the time or wherewithal to do a blog. The title says it all ! 

Is it the Tory Party or is it Nationalism ? Whatever the root cause, the terminal ailment will lead to the carcass of the "United Kingdom" rotting in the Palace of Westminster without a decent burial.

The rise of right wing populist politics in the U.K. is merely a small part of a global self centred attitude towards diminishing resources on the planet. Money no longer talks, it stands up on the table with a megaphone bellowing to all and sundry. If you're not oozing wealth out of every pore then tough shit plebeian ! 

It's very definitely  "I'm alright Jack, fuck you"

Cameron didn't think it through and was probably certain the xenophobes of Farage and UKIP etc; would never win when he decided to hold the referendum three years ago! This has come home to bite the Tories backside with the savagery of a hungry alligator.

On top of Gaelic and Syrian it appears that Polish is my next task!

One of the joys of living in the capital of the Highlands is the diversity of the population and prominent amongst the diverse groupings are the Polish ! They represent almost 5% of the population of the capital of the Highlands and are amongst the almost 70,000 that inhabit this delightful small city. They're industrious, fluent and bilingual also a credit to their upbringing.

On Friday 11th I've had dealings with three Poles. The joiner, the barber and a plasterer. Everyone of them has been the epitome of hard-working men with no pretensions.

Dziękuję Ci bardzo  moi przyjaciele !

Are we to lose these stalwarts because of xenophobia and some antediluvian idea of an "Empire" that has sunk around the same time as the "Titanic" ?

Not if Scotland has anything to do with it !!!

Oriental contemplation and exercise on the menu to try and delay the ageing process !

This past couple of weeks has shown me that my assumption, that despite decades of personal abuse (in terms of diet, neat alcohol and tobacco intake and nothing else I add), my body was a temple indeed, but one that has crumbled under the weight of ageing decay!

So much so that it required the best efforts of the respiratory ward in Raigmore Hospital here in Inverness to clear out the tubes and prompt a re-assessment of lifestyle.

Earlier I'd got a Tai Chi package brand new and unopened, from the charity warehouse in Evanton for a mere £2. This is so gentle and relatively undemanding that even my wheezing lungs and Bronchial Tubes could cope, so Bunty and I are one the road to suppleness for OAP's, with Tai Chi Chuan, which combines deep breathing and relaxation with flowing movements. Originally developed as a martial art in 13th-century China it should be bang up to date for the Highlands.

Wilma has joined up, she's become a fully charged "Eco-warrior"

Ashgrove has become the battle ground for her fight against the forces of plastic.

She is of course, absolutely right and I applaud her and the determination she shows in this fight. 

My only real concern is that she's also verging towards vegetarianism and of course I'm the original carnivore!  If it flies, swims or walks on four legs then I'll eat it.

The important thing is we never try to hoist our views on each other !

For us - plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose

Feasgar Math bho Thomais Mac an-Fhucadair

Leasan a h-aon:  (Lesson one)

That's enough for one day! The night classes started yesterday and both the tutor and the other students are a pleasure to be with. A truly diverse bunch with Americans from Oregon, A German lady, several Invernesians and some English make up the class of 16.

Oidhche mhath mo charaidean !!

Infidelity, misogyny and caddish behaviour in Strathpeffer after Cathedral Evensong

You may well ask what is happening in the deepest Highlands especially in the Victorian Spa town just 6 miles north of Dingwall. The truth is much more banal than the "hook" put in the headline. Bunty and I went to the Cathedral of St Andrew this afternoon for the Choral Evensong celebrating the 150th Anniversary of the building of the Cathedral.

and the service was a joy to be part of with the choir in good form as was expected and the church packed with participation throughout the choral aspect.

A swift return to Ashgrove and a chicken "Ruby Murray" a la Bunty's culinary expertise and she and I headed off to the Spa Town for the rendering of "The Merry Widow" by Opera Bohemia. The music is by Franz Lehar the Austrian/Hungarian composer, while the libretto was a dual offering by Leon & Stein which in itself is a musical romp with much waltzing and plenty of innuendo to suggest the title above.  Truthfully the singers were all at the top of their game. The tenors, sopranos and the whole chorus were a delight to the ear and in the relatively small and intimate atmosphere of Strathpeffer Spa Pavilion it struck a whole range of chords but primarily the hair on the back of the neck ! Opera Bohemia are touring Scotland in smaller venues till mid September. Catch them if you can !