Laws restricting large companies from selling and promoting harmful products are not the nanny state, but an attempt to provide a balance to the public. The true nanny state encourages consumers to over indulge in products that are addictive and harmful (tobacco, alcohol, sugar, salt,) and activities that potentially harm others (driving laws, health and safety laws, etc.). No sensible person would employ a nanny to encourage these things. Yet the looneys on the right are happy to promote these activities for their profit.
ENVIRONMENT
The government is getting worse by the day. It seems that Johnson perceives his hopes of survival on appeasing the right wing of the Cabinet (i.e. all of them). Environmental controls on food are to be slashed, rivers are being turned into sewers, building on Greenfield sites going ahead despite environmental concerns. Where it has power (e.g. railways) wages are being frozen. The talk is all about tax cuts which means job cuts in the current climate. Our economy is wilting under the onslaught of Brexit. The Rwanda shit show horror story continues to be an embarrassment to all sane members of the public.
REWILDING
We need publicity to make wild gardens cool. I have not got a large garden – the front is about 60m2. There are about 90 of these along my street. Some have been paved over for cars at least in part, one has artificial grass, 3 or 4 have sorted plants, one or two are leaving areas to wild, but I am the only one with a concerted lack of plan! 20+ types of mint, 7 thyme, a huge sage bush, 4 rosemary varieties, lemon verbena, Californian poppy tansy, sunflowers, vetch, forget-me-not, and other stuff all encouraging wildlife. If more people joined in we could have our own urban nature reserve. The urban climate would be moderated, rainfall run off (and floods) reduced. And the beauty of herbs and flowers that benefit our senses would be enhanced .
Scones
Tomorrows recipe
TOBACCO AND LAW
ECONOMY -BBC
And still the BBC refuses to mention BREXIT. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development expects the UK economy to grow by 3.6% this year, followed by 0% growth next year.
It means the UK will go from the second-fastest growing economy in the G7 group of industrial nations to the slowest growing in 2023.
The G7 members are the UK, US, Canada, Germany, Japan, France and Italy.
The OECD is a group of countries which aims to assist economic development, raise living standards and promote growth in world trade.
Laurence Boone, the Paris-based think tank’s chief economist, said the UK was being hit hard by a combination of factors, including higher interest rates, higher taxes, reduced trade and more expensive energy and food.
GARDEN PLANTING
Well more seeds in 60 pots of red basil, lemon basil and Korean mint – coriander seems to be growing well, and greek basil (I like basil) is catching up – in total about 90npots with seeds, a nice warm spell would be good. Tomatoes are all looking good in the greenhouse and tiny in front of house. Night scented stock in flower. Roses are abundant maybe I will get another couple of bushes? I have put camomile in bigger pot together with ginger mint. And I have planted some fat baby seeds. Raspberries are spreading across the ‘former’ lawn!
I will transplant some different mints for the shop – I wonder if I could do a bit of the Corsican Mint, lemon balm, chocolate mint, Bowles mint, spearmint, and the rest? Maybe 3 at a time?
APOLOGY
The tories quote ‘he has apologised’ so let him stay. But he said he would do again – so not an apology then. 211 MP’s voted for the criminal – were they scared, stupid, or waiting their time? 2 bye-elections coming up which might change some minds. No need for another vote for 12 months unless the MP’s show some back bone and refuse to back his misguided policies (where they exist). I think there could be a vote of no confidence in parliament as opposed to the Nasty Party. This would result in a General Election. Has the criminal stitched up donations to himself and his sycophants .
PISSADELLA
Pissadella – tomato, anchovy, onion and olive tart
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Prep 30 min
Rise 1 hr 30 min
Cook 60 min
Serves Many
20g fresh or 10g dried yeast
75ml milk, warmed
500g plain flour
10 tbsp olive oil
Salt
2 onions, peeled and sliced into half-moons
1 garlic clove, unpeeled and bashed, but left whole
800g ripe tomatoes, peeled and roughly chopped (or 2 x 400g tins, drained)
Dried oregano
12 anchovy fillets
Black olives
Mix the yeast, warm milk and a spoonful of flour in a cup and leave for 10 minutes, so the yeast activates and starts to bubble.
In a large bowl, mix the yeast mixture with the rest of the flour, four tablespoons of olive oil, a good pinch of salt and enough warm water to make a soft, slightly sticky dough. Rub a worktop with oil and plop the dough on top, then use oiled hands to fold and knead gently – it should be soft and a bit tricky to handle, but the oil will help. Wash, dry and rub the bowl with oil, then return the dough to it for an hour to rise.
Meanwhile, warm the remaining oil in a frying pan, then gently fry the onion and garlic until the onion is soft and translucent. Add the tomatoes and cook until they are soft and their water has evaporated.
Oil a large baking tray, drop in the dough, use oiled fingers to spread and dimple it into place – it should be about 1cm thick all over – then leave to rise for another 30 minutes. Spread tomatoes over the top and bake at 200C (180C fan)/390F/gas 6 for 40-60 minutes.
Meanwhile, cut the anchovies in half lengthways. When the base comes out of the oven, make a diagonal lattice pattern with the anchovies and put an olive in the middle of each diamond.
ADOPT A MANGO TREE
and get organic fruit when the season starts in Europe in the autumn
https://www.crowdfarming.com/en/order/order-ok/629c7af9e827af00480574e3
Other produce also available.