The OS Doorstep - a helpful and supportive thread in these tough times

siegemode

wondercollie wrote: »

Quinine. It's found in very small quantities in tonic water.

Dialysis patients have it on prescription for leg cramps.

Thanks
Have just looked it up and see it's also an ingredient in bitter lemon and irn bru. Will give it a try and perhaps I won't wake oh up so much.

Popperwell

Thanks for the explanation wondercollie...I'm awake but have slept a bit but the RL has stopped. Hope it works for you siegemode. A simple remedy, I hardly drank any and worked quite quickly.

Mrs_Chip

Morning!

Welcome Siegemode!

After we moved from London to Essex, when I was five, I was able to run riot. There were still fields behind our newly built houses (they were built on within a few years) and they were a wonderland for me and my chums. I remember being particularly petrified by being chased by someone with a teasel - witches sticks we called them. The surrounding fields had been lived on previously by people who bought a plot of land and built their own houses, all different and cobbled together, but this meant there were fruit trees and bushes and lots of flowers. There were blackberry patches everywhere, and lots of apple trees to scrump.

Some of the cottages were still occupied (I guess they were all eventually bought up for the estate to be developed) and we children were fascinated by the (we thought) strange old man who lived in one - he used to come running out brandishing a big knife, cue a lot of screaming and time to run home.

Once they were all knocked down the builders moved in and we played on the huge piles of building bricks, building them into castles and sailing ships. No sign of health and safety, it was a perilous place but huge fun.

We lived in a cul-de-sac, and all the houses were bought by young families, so everyone knew each other and all the houses were left unlocked. The young mums would get together in the close for a natter and all the kids would play together in the close. Nowadays there is no room to play, there are so many cars and vans parked on the driveways and in the close as everyone has at least three cars - then it was unusual if you had one.

Most of the front gardens have been concreted over for parking, it is such a shame. The first summer we lived there I remember dad planted potatoes in the front, to improve the clay soil. I could look out of my bedroom window and see them growing, it was like magic.

You could walk, via a network of footpaths, across the fields and down to the river, where there were miles of riverbank and saltings to expolore. We used to swim in the river, it was filthy really as all the houses discharged their sewerage directly into the river, untreated - we just used to avoid the floating brown stuff! We made camps by the river, and went home late and got told off, but I never remember being frightened of strangers - I do wonder if our mums were secretly worried.

I was very lucky to have had so much freedom, I learned so much about nature, and how to look after myself. It must be so different being a child today.

[Deleted User]

Morning Toughies, little lurchers do no sleep at all well in warmer weather and as a consequence neither do thier Mumis, 4.30 this morning was quite lovely though and it was probably worth being awake to see the sun, I'm not sure how many more days of rising that early I can do though.

SIEGEMODE Hello petal, lovely that you've come over here to play too, loved your post and your grandparents sound perfect. I didn't know any of mine, they had all died before I was born and I've always felt a little sad that I never knew them. You're right though in that feeling that they have never left and are still there sharing life with you, I think that as long as you remember them and love them they'll stay alive in your heart and still be with you which is a lovely thing I feel, and a comfort too, yes?

Off into town this morning for a necessary visit to t'shops and grocery top up, it looks as though we're in for another nice day up to 19 degrees the weather forecast said which is nice but not too hot either so this afternoon will most likely be lurcher walking and some maintenance in the garden amongst the veg, perfect way to spend a day, Have a good one everybody, Cheers Lyn xxx.

PX87 any news on the new arrival yet? and any news of the missing kittie cat? Lyn x.

Kittikins

Aaaah, I used to sit excitedly in the car in my cossie going to the beach........a long way from Oxfordshire where I grew up! but, it had to be done

babyshoes

Pops, your trout sounds like a great bargain. I assume it is whole and gutted? If so, you may want to rinse it well in cold water before you cook it (they can go a bit slimy when getting near the best before date - it's harmless but unappealing) and check that it has been scaled.

I like whole trout and most whole white fish baked in a tinfoil parcel with some lemon slices and a few blobs of butter both in the cavity and on top. You can add a bit of salt and pepper if you like, but it shouldn't need a lot. Wrap the parcel up tightly, put it on a baking tray and cook it in a medium-hot oven for about 20 mins, then carefully check if it's done (the parcel will be full of hot steam so open it cautiously). It is a fairly delicate flavour so you don't want to overpower it with lots of herbs & spices, though if you have fresh parsley or other mild herbs they can be nice too. If using herbs, I generally just put them in the cavity not on top.

I would usually serve it with potatoes (new ones with garlic and parsley butter are ideal) and fresh green veg like broccoli or peas, but any side dishes that you fancy will be fine.

mardatha

Hi to the Durham miners daughters. I'm a Fife miner's daughter

Popperwell

Babyshoes thank you so much for ideas and help on the preperation of my Rainbow Trout...it often comes up but I avoid due to lack of space in the fridge/freezer but this time I was lucky.

There were another three(yes, all gutted)and within seconds of me claiming mine another person took the remaining three.

Your ideas had me almost wanting to have it now:)and the date does mean that I can wait until Friday, longer if I froze it. I have all the veg and herbs that you mention too.

FairyPrincessk

Good morning, everyone!

I'm had a full read, but I'm a bit tired today (again) so I'm not feeling confident that I will remember everything that needs saying.

To those of you struggling with arthritis or other physical pain, I hope it soon eases. For those of you with loved ones going into hospital, hugs and I'll be thinking of you. For those of you run off your feet, a rest in the sunshine is definitely in order. For those with difficult times with your family, I hope things settle down soon.


Yesterday evening I spent some time thinning the broccoli, planting out some of the seedlings and getting the planter started. Slug defences have been reinforced after the rain, with smart little cardboard collars around the tiniest plants. Nets have been reinforced, and the strawberry was picked and enjoyed. I think I spotted another one just going pink. We got another wardrobe finished last night--one left to do although it will have to wait.

OH's parents are coming for supper tonight. He is cooking, supposed to be to make up for a little incident of forgetting someone's birthday. I say that, but I ended up making the ice cream last night while he got the tea ready. He has chosen to go with a tapas or mezze style meal with lots of little dishes. I'm sure it will be tasty.

Not much other news, time for me to get myself in gear and get to my desk this morning. It should be about 17 today and no rain so I will try to get much of the washing finished for the week. Will need one more at the end of the week to do OH's work shirts, but they aren't too difficult to dry even if it does rain.

Hugs to all who need them.x

[Deleted User]

FPK I've harvested just about 2lbs of strawberries this year, I've put them into the freezer for jam later on when the rest are ripe. It's been an odd year, and the fruit are very small but sweet and juicy. I think our plants must be coming to the end of thier productive life so we might have to think of getting in some new stock for next year, don't work too hard and try to take a break in the sunshine in the day, Cheers Lyn xxx.