So what a wonderful way to start the day. Woken up by the little one nice and early after I'd promised her last night that if she went off to sleep nicely I'd take her to Sebastian's Café in Twyford for some breakfast.
It's quite funny when we have breakfast there because it's right on the way to school so we see some of her school buddies passing and they all look amazed and surprised to see that Emily is sat there with a cheese toasty, kiddiechino (frothy milk with marshmellows) and a great big grin.
Curry night was a success again, this time only two portions remained both of which I nabbed and are in the fridge at home. I realised quite soon that I'd made the flavour far too intense for a pub curry so had to send my better half off to get some more coconut milk to temper it down a bit. In the end it turned out pretty spectacular. I wanted to create something a little more complex than just a bog standard curry, that level of cooking was never likely to get many comments from the average bloke in the pub but a couple of people noticed that with each mouthful there was about three or four flavours that hit the palate at different times.
First off you got a nice taste of curried coconut then came a slight sweetness from the tamarind paste I'd used, after that you got a velvety butter flavour and texture followed finally by a hint of heat off the chilli that I'd roasted then ground.
It's amazing how people who confess to not liking spicy food manage to throw down bundles of the stuff once it's cooked well and has other flavours. I put a good few handfuls of dried chilli in there, probably about two peppers per serving but when it's offset with a bit of coconut cream, delicate spicing and a good dollop of natural yoghurt then it all becomes much more than just a hot curry.
Been keeping an eye on channel 4 and the exploits of Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall and his chums on their quest to stop the ridiculous EU fishing law which only allows fishing vessels in the north sea to bring back particular species of fish from their nets meaning that all other species caught, and by now are already dead, have to be thrown back in the sea. This accounts for between 40% & 60% of all catches which is just a tragic waste and does absolutely nothing to aid the sustainability of fish stocks.
You can read much more about it here at the website. Please do sign up and get this terrible piece of EU bureaucratic nonsense changed.
There are also catch up shows available on the channel 4 website (UK Only) which I urge you all to watch. I've watched a couple of the spin off programs (not entirely sure if that is the right way to describe them seeing as it's such a sensitive topic but I can't think of anything else) including the brilliant Fishy Feast with the amazing Heston Blumenthal. I simply cannot get enough of this guy, he's just a genius. I'm not however too enamoured by Gordon Ramsey as a personality but I really want to see the programme he made (well not him alone but you know what I mean) that highlights the horrors behind Sharks Fin soup, I'm told that it's really quite harrowing.
I'm guessing that those outside of the UK can get these programmes via You Tube etc and it's well worth a search to find them.
So with this ridiculous ruling from the numbskulls in Brussels I've found myself looking at other strange laws from around the globe and one that stuck out in particular took me back to a previous blog when I commented on the strange sudden death of blackbirds in the American Mid-west................There's quite a few strange ones from the US, mind you it's a big place with lots of strange people so there's bound to be isn't there?
So anyway......Apparently it's against the law to mispronounce the name of the State of Arkansas in that State!!
A few others from the USA -
Alaskan law says that you can't look at a moose from an aeroplane. (Damn sexy moose)
In Memphis, Tennessee, a woman is not to drive a car unless a man warns approaching motorists or pedestrians by walking in front of the car that is being driven. (Not sure if this is strange or just sensible...sorry ladies, cheap shot I know)
California law prohibits a woman from driving a car while dressed in a housecoat. (presumably this indicates that they have been away from the housework too long)
Some from the UK -
It is illegal to die in the Houses of Parliament. (However it's a daily occurrence in the House of Lords)
A pregnant woman can legally urinate anywhere she wants, including if she requests, in a policeman's hat. (In Luton I think they can just do it anywhere whatever state they are in)
In Liverpool, it is illegal for saleswomen to be topless, but only in tropical fish stores. (Can't even think of a comment for this one)
In York it is legal to murder a Scotsman within its ancient city walls but only if he is carrying a bow and arrow. (This should be updated to a can of Strongbow)
From around the world -
In Australia, it is illegal to roam the streets wearing black clothes, felt shoes and black shoe polish on your face as these items are the tools of a cat burglar. (or a kleptomaniac chimney sweep)
In Toronto in Canada, it is illegal to drive a street car on a Sunday if you have been eating garlic. (Considering French is the 2nd language I'd imagine this is hard to police)
In France it is illegal to name a pig Napoleon. (but calling Nicolas Sarkozy a Gnome is fine)
In Israel, it is illegal to pick your nose on a Sunday. (On this day or any other infact you are quite entitled to pick any other country as your homeland.......JOKE OK!!)
In Iceland, it is illegal to blow on lampposts. (Sticking your tongue on them is much more fun kids)
In Hong Kong, a woman can kill her husband if he has cheated on her. She must use her bare hand though. This isn't a requirement for the man's lover, who can be killed by any means necessary. (beware the one handed Chinese woman)
In Samoa, it is illegal to forget your wife's birthday. (Tough task because you can have several there)
There are hundreds more...all very silly too but alas I must get on and do stuff.
Toodlepip...xxx
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