Friday 25th November, 2016                                 1915

Today’s handy tip: If you ever see a recipe for green pea and ham soup that suggests not using a blender, ignore it!

Although edible, last night’s was by far the most unsatisfactory I have ever made. I did however redeem myself with the macaroni cheese. In fact Suzy, Sheila and Harriett ensured that all that was left was a single forkfull on Sheila’s plate - AND she was needlessly apologetic for wasting that little.

So that’s Brenda and Harriett “done” with just Janet to host, then I will have treated all the people who have helped with my settling in problems. I am hoping to do pizzas next week, I have the sauce for the base (must make my own one day but it is actually cheap to buy) and a jar of jalapenos.

I asked Suzy to check on where the pepperoni had got to (along with Paxo stuffing and some stock cubes) and she did so today. The vendors haven’t despatched them so I have had to find other sellers but what really annoys me is that if they don’t have what you order they simply don’t bother to tell you. If the shop names on the site were in English I would keep a list of those who have done it to me and make every effort to avoid patronising them again. The ones that do tell you there will be a delay are at least honest and give you a chance to order elsewhere if you are in a hurry.

It would seem that I will remain teaching on east campus next term. Janet told me they were discussing my schedule and I think incorporating my classes into undergraduate degree programmes. That would explain the excited reaction when I was introduced at the show on Monday! Also, my email with my suggestions has been translated and circulated to the powers so who knows, in my twilight years I may just get to be instrumental in expanding a new venture for this place?

I would like to say that I have been bone idle today and indeed would have but for the fact that I never expect my guests to wash the dishes after eating. Personally I never do that myself, I have always left them to the next day but of course dishes for two courses for four people leave one hell of a mountain of washing up!

That done, I decided to have an easy dinner today. Last night finally I made a loaf of bread that was lovely and soft! Yes, I used the internet bread flour (French) and it took a lot of it, I reckon I will only get five loaves (no fishes) from 2kg but it’s cheap at 10y a kilo. So I toyed with the idea of cheese on toast for dinner. I discarded that notion and instead am having chilli enchiladas, I can always have some toast and marmalade tomorrow morning. I am just happy that at last I can make decent bread. Now I have to decide whether to use some of the other flour for the pizzas seeing as I have about 6kg of assorted types!

I reckon I must be a good customer for the little shop around the corner, what with buying all my jing jo, beer and ice cream from them. Tonight I eventually moved my backside to go there, only to find once the husband had bagged up my shop that I had left my wallet at home. I hate that but as it’s only two minutes walk I was going to come home and return with it. He brushed it off and insisted I just take my stuff, which was nice. I go there every day so it is no hardship for me to settle up tomorrow.

It’s also nice to know that for the price of a short taxi ride once a week I have no need to go to the supermarket more than once a week unless I really want to. This will be particularly good over the coming months now the mercury is rarely or barely above zero and I have no plans to go prior to Monday.

I shall have to ask Brenda to have a word with the electricity lady. I went and got a top up on the 17th and will have to go back for more on Tuesday. I have no desire to have to keep going to see her every ten days and she only opens on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Then of course she will close up for God knows how long during spring festival, I will be home nearly all day running my fan heater and I need to have an ample supply or I am in trouble. Sure, we have free central heating but this flat is quite large and although it isn’t cold, it isn’t warm either so I have the little heater as well in my office.