FA Cup First Round replays tonight – 11 of them. Including the gas, the pilgrims, the grecians and Cheltenham Robins. Oh and Wales vs Belgium. Wales already have a play off slot, but need at least a draw to get a home advantage. Czech Rep will probably beat Estonia, and it will depend on the goal difference if Wales lose and Czech win – I think a 2 goal difference in either game will make Wales have an away draw.
WEATHER
What is going on? The Express and Star and Mirror have all reported expected snow and temps down to -10C by the end of the month. However the forecast for the South-West as far as I can read it, is cold nights with possible frosts, probably in rural areas, bright sunny or at least dull days with little precipitation.
BELIEVING
COP26
FOOTIE PREM WEEK 12
Link is here for the bragging rites league
Theoretically there should be wins for Chelsea, Liverpool, ManU, WHU and ManC – but any one could be an upset. And the rest could all go either way – maybe I should put the lot down for a draw?
Just had 3rd jab – Moderna this time.
BAKLAVA
COVID
SANDFORD STORES
My local shop and staff have been nominated as “Local heroes” for their efforts during the Covid Lockdown. They are into the last 20 in a competition run by Boost Energy Drinks.
The reasons why I think they should be in with a chance for the winners title are as follows. At no time did they ever ask for anything in return – shopping was done, drugs and prescriptions collected, co-ordination with volunteers was arranged without fuss. Days off were not contemplated. All done quietly and efficiently. Local councillors were hiding in their nuclear bunkers. Thanks should also be made to Thatchers Cider who set up a dedicated help line for locals. All this was co-ordinated by Aaron Bleach who fortunately is still an invaluable member of our community.
TAPAS
Firstly I love the idea of nibbles. So a book of tapas and these are the ones I will make.
lamb with lemon, garlic prawns, spicy moorish kebabs, meat balls in tomato sauce, Catalan chick pea salad, chicken with garlic, potatoes in tomato sauce, stuffed mushrooms and peppers, aubergine cheese fritters, spinach, pine nuts and raisins.
Roasted almonds with paprika, picos breadsticks, anchovy stuffed eggs, chorizo and tomato loaf, fennel and citrus pork belly, chorizo in red wine, romensco chicken wings, paprika chicken wings and garlic, moorish skewers, ham croquettes, spinach, tomato and egg tarts, ricotta and red onion tortilla, garlic potatoes, potatoes with spicy tomato sauce.
I think I am drooling at the moment.
Now looking up recipes for okra – roasting seems a good choice?
EXCITED COOKING
A friend has shopped for me at a market in London – no instructions so I am fairly ignorant of what to expect other than I have been told Cassava or yucca. Recipes here or African bean cassava. But this Caribbean one looks so edible!