A Memorable Trip Home To England By Sea

A Memorable Trip Home To England By Sea

Back in February, I wrote a post including a copy of my article about Ronald Binge; he was such a prolific composer, and I have always loved "Sailing By," which is played before the Shipping Forecast is broadcast at 00.50 every morning.

"Sailing By" is such wonderfully relaxing music; whenever I hear it, I often imagine I’m on one of the Union Castle ships sailing back home from Dar-es-Salaam to the UK. It was reassuring to know the forecast would be helping the Captain make the right decisions to keep us safe as we neared England and sailed through the Bay of Biscay, which could be very challenging. 

On one trip, we were on the way back home on a Dutch ship, the MV Boschfontein, when a storm whipped up in the Bay; it was terribly rough, with waves so high we were "shipping it green" as the sea water crashed over the rails and onto the decks, cascading down the outer stairs leading to the other decks. 

Our Captain decided to keep going, plough on through the storm and make headway. It was the right decision, but as we progressed, we saw one of the Union Castle ships, also en route to England, hove to. She was bobbing around like a cork, and taking the full battering of the storm.

Both vessels eventually docked safely in Southampton; but it had been one of the more memorable voyages we had ever had! 

Wendy has won another two photography prizes!

Wendy has won another two photography prizes

Wendy is so chuffed to have been awarded further prizes in two categories in the Horticultural Society's photography competition, held at their autumn show on August 22nd. 

She won first prize in the Street Scene category, and second prize, in the Serenity section; both pictures are worthy winners, and this success has encouraged her to continue taking great photographs, and try her luck in future competitions. She certainly has a great eye for good composition, and creating evocative images.

Well done to Wendy!

 

                                                            Street Scene Singapore

Serenity Swan Lake

 

 

Wendy's winning photograph in a local photography competition

Wendy's winning photograph in a local photography competition

We belong to a very successful local horticultural society, that holds shows three times as year: Spring, Summer and Autumn. 

Apart from competitions for flowers and vegetables, there is also a photography section, and one category was "A religious building," so Wendy entered an image she had taken of a Buddhist Temple in Singapore. As a first-timer entering the competition, she was delighted to win a prize in that section, and it has definitely encouraged her to try again in future competitions.

Well done, Wendy!

 

Bob's Big 80 Family Celebration

Bob's Big 8-0 Family Celebration 

It's the middle of the year, and in the middle of a heatwave; but of course, that would not put Bob's family off dreaming up a big celebration for his significant 80th birthday.

It was all kept as a surprise for the day but, being a sleuth, I was able to work out what was planned for this special treat. As it was going to be hot (although, thankfully for the rest of Bob's family, the chosen day turned out to be less torrid than we expected!) I needed to have this information so that I could guide Bob about what to wear on the day. As an old East Africa, Dar-es-Salaam, hand, I know how to keep cool. 

Stripping off a lot of clothes, going around in shorts and tee-shirt, is not the best thing to do. I advised Bob to wear long trousers in a light colour, and a shirt with long sleeves, that was nice and roomy - all of it in cotton, if possible! and to take a big-brimmed hat. I am not daft in these matters. 

Before this great culmination of celebrations for Bob's birthday, he had already enjoyed a gentle day on his actual birthday - opening cards and presents, and taking happy phone calls from Wendy and Al and Dani, and other family and dear friends from Germany and further overseas. Two days later, Wendy came over to see us and she and Bob went out for dinner at the Beefeater Restaurant at the Liberty Bell;  I stayed home to look after Apollo. 

Two more days later, on Saturday, 20th June, Bob's son collected us and drove us to the Kent and East Sussex Railway - a delightful steam railway line that runs from Tenterden to Bodiam, over 10 1/2 miles of standard gauge track. We have been there before, many years ago, and there is a photo of me curled up on the grass in front of Bodiam Castle. It was brilliant to be back!

There is a separate on-going railway preservation effort by the Rother Valley Railway, that is restoring track at the western end of the line, between Robertsbridge Junction and Bodiam; we wish them well with all their endeavours. 

Bob and I both climbed up on to the footplate of Swiftsure, our loco for the day; alas, there was no-one around to take a photo of me smiling delightedly to be up alongside the fireman, but I did manage to get a picture of Bob as a memento of his special day. 

We spent a wonderful afternoon, chuffing through the countryside; cream teas and ploughman's lunches had been booked, so everyone had something they liked to eat. 

At the end of our outing, we met the manager of the souvenir shop, and he was very pleased to include a selection of Bob's books for sale to visitors; an unexpected bonus! We shall see how they go, and we will always be happy to go back to the K&ESR to do a signing.

After chuffing up and down the line, we then repaired to a local pub, for Bob to enjoy a little more time with his family, and open another delightful present - a GWR lamp, specially mounted for display. What a brilliant idea!

Bob so appreciated all the time and effort that had gone in to making this day a memorable occasion for him.

Bob's son then drove us home; I took some skyscape photographs, which seemed to reflect Bob's brilliant day.

The photographs show:

Bob and me in the "Swan" pose (well, swans do mate for life!)

The wreck

Bob on the footplate of Swiftsure

Swiftsure

A beautiful Essex evening skycape

The Me 'N' You at Chez Apollo

 The Me 'N' You At Chez Apollo

 

ME ‘N’ YOU

 

INCREDIBLE MUNCHES AT 

CHEZ APOLLO

 

FISH (AGAIN, COLIN)

 

Cod in Crumb

Plaice in Crumb

Cod in Butter Sauce

 

MEAT

 

Bangers and Cash (and gravy)

Sliver and Snunions (also with gravy)

Chicken with Auntie Bessie’s Yorkshire Puds

 

PIES

 

Cumberland Poi… with Naughty Sautees…

Cottage Pie with pots and veg

Shepherd’s Pie also with pots and veg

 

Beef Casserole with dimples (and pots and veg)

Dick Dastardly’s Paarstie (also with pots and veg)

 

HOUSE SPECIALTIES

 

Alexandra's Amazing Stew (with everything in it!)

 

Spagghie Bol

 

(These two dishes require 24 hours’ notice)

 

AND WHEN ALL ELSE FAILS…        

 

Beanies on Four Slices of Toast, with Lashings of Butter…

Christmas Day (and Boxing Day)

Christmas is the time for roast turkey, with my incomparable (so I am reliably assured) roast potatoes, and cranberry sauce, accompanied by carrots, peas, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, swede and broccoli. I also prepare Yorkshire puddings, and gravy; no-one overeats, but everyone has a choice of something they really like!

 

AND DON’T FORGET:  SUMMERTIME BRINGS SALADS!

 

Anyone trying to read one of our shopping lists would surely become a tad confused. We use imaginative words; made-up words; words that rhyme; words perhaps inspired by the lyrics of a song from the film, Mary Poppins; and occasionally, just plain English, which probably sends anyone trying to decipher our lists into some sort of hyper spin. 

Here are a very few examples - followed by their translations:

1. Cuedelidowndicumbles (try saying Cue-deli-down-di-cumbles - you'll soon remember it! And then try it backwards, which is Cumbles-di-down-deli-cue... which is, of course quite ridiculous!)

2. Follycowers

3. Sven (inspired by the late Football Manager, Sven Goren Ericson)

4. Snarpips

5. Snunions

6. Kitchen tiles

Well, that's probably quite enough for now... And the answers are:

 

1. Cucumbers  2. Cauliflowers 3. Swede (Well, Sven was from Sweden, wasn't he?) 4. Parsnips 

5. Onions 6. Kitchen towels. (A take-off of ultra-well-spoken people who pronounce towels as tiles)

And now to my Me'n'You - Menu...

"Fish Again, Colin..." recalls an ad on the telly from yesteryear; the poor man of the house looking sadly at his dog, uttering the memorable line: "Fish again, Colin..." (How many times had he had it before?)

Bangers and Cash - Sausages and mash potatoes (There is also a programme on T.V. called Bangers and Cash - selling old cars at auction, but that's another story entirely.)

Sliver and Snunions - Lamb's liver and onions

Cumberland Pie (pronouncing Pie as "Poi" is really more to do with Cornwall! but that's poetic licence for you...) and they are only "naughty sautéed" because I shallow cook them very slowly, in lots of butter, turning them constantly, until they are golden brown and crisp and delicious - and no, frying them in oil is not the same!

Beef Casserole with dumplings (dimples are much prettier, don't you think?)

Dick Dastardly, along with his canine sidekick Muttley, is a wicked character from the Wacky Races; and because a Cornish pastie is from Cornwall, it is best pronounced with a good west country accent: Cornish Paasrtie!"

My amazing stew (call it Lancashire Hot Pot, if you like!) and Spaghetti Bolognese, are all made slowly, and simmered for a long time over a low heat. I do not use a Microwave; you cannot hurry a proper north country stew.   

Beans on Toast - brought gently to bubbling point, and then poured over 4 slices of well-buttered toast, with extra butter dotted on top. Delicious. (These dishes are special treats; I'm not suggesting lashings of butter on everything we eat!)

And then the healthy summertime treats: Alexandra's Super Salads. A bed of lettuce, with diced carrot and celery; peppers (of various hues - yellow, red and orange), cucumber, tomatoes, radishes and beetroot, all topped off by a couple of sliced hard-boiled eggs. This is not a "side dish." This is a platter that has to be eaten slowly, savoured and enjoyed. It is not to be rushed!

I have never liked the idea of a chef in the kitchen, however famous, talented and creative, stressed out and screaming at his staff. Everything I make is prepared with forethought, with care, and with love. 

Thanks to my Grandma, and my Mum, I like cooking properly; please savour the results!

Poetry Prize Presentation

Poetry Prize Presentation

Back in November, I entered a poetry competition, writing a poem on the theme of Play; this subject was set by the National Poetry Society. I always like a challenge, and looking at things from l different angle than what might be expected, and it turned out to be one of those occasions when I was really inspired. The words just flowed; poem submitted; and then followed the long wait to hear the results... 

Come February, an e-mail suddenly landed in my inbox, with the brilliant news I had won! I was so chuffed, delighted, thrilled to bits... it is always an honour to have your work recognised as having some merit, and I was asked if I'd be free on 11th March for a presentation? 

Oh, yes, please! It was a great day.

My poem has been reproduced on large posters and displayed in all the libraries. There were also winners in the children's categories, so all ages were catered for and encouraged. 

 

PLAY

 

Play me a song 

On the radio

Push me high on the swings;

See how far I can go!

 

Play on my feelings – 

No-one will see

If it’s joy or distress

You’re inflicting on me

 

What an amazing show! 

The critics may say

Well written, well-acted,

A memorable play

 

But some theatre-goers

Return home at night

Confused and dejected,

Their emotions played out

 

When the sport is too much

The players collapse

They’ve played their last shot

And run their last laps

 

Sometimes simplicity 

Is all that we need

Not a search for distraction

Played at top speed

 

So play on my feelings

Like a six-string guitar;

Strumming soft, gentle chords

Is much better by far.

 

 

Alexandra Wilde

 

 

A Happy Memory: Playing Schubert's Piano

A Happy Memory: Playing Schubert's Piano

I recently found a photo of me, taken in February 1958, when I was still 11 years old. We were on our way back to England, via sea from Dar-es-Salaam on a Lloyd Triestino vessel (either the Europa or the Africa - I can’t remember which!) to Trieste, and then driving through Austria, Germany and France, before landing back in Blighty. In Vienna, we visited the Schubert Museum, and the curator must have seen me casting longing glances at the piano; she said, “I am going to go out of this room. What I don’t see, I know nothing about!” and made it clear I was allowed to play it. 

There were notices everywhere, with “Do Not Touch!” printed on them; rules shouldn’t be broken, but they can be bent a little, and I remember that moment to this day.

One of my Grandma’s cousins had her LRAM diploma in music, and taught piano for years. When we were in Africa, I took both Royal Academy of Music and Trinity College of Music exams; I think the RAM examiners came out just once a year, so you had only one chance to get it right! but Trinity College people came out twice a year, which took the pressure off. 

During our voyage to Trieste, our ship also called in at Venice. My Mum and I went ashore, and I was thrilled to see how Venice was built on so many islands, with the bridges across the canals connecting the houses and shops. I remember the Grand Canal and the Rialto Bridge, and lines of gondolas, some beautifully decorated, all waiting with their gondolieri, ready to ferry passengers from one place to another. 

As we walked around Venice, we saw a little shop selling jewellery, and went in to see what was on display. I fell in love with a little silver and marcasite gondola brooch, and my Mum, bless her, bought it for me. 

If you look carefully at the photo of me playing Schubert's piano, you can see the brooch, pinned on the right side of my coat; I still have it, and it is a treasured piece not just of jewellery, but of all the memories with which it has been imbued. Thank you, Mum, for recognising it would become an important part of items in my Happy Memory Chest!