Good day people. After a momentous and savage battle against influenza, I am now back to full health (well, as healthy as a middle-aged, nicotine and alcohol consumer can expect to be) and that means back to work. It has took many years of employment to conclude that its not really for me. I want to buy and live on a narrowboat, with my cat........ and some chickens....and my potters wheel.
Long hot summer days meandering the waterways at a leisurely 3mph, foraging the local woods and hedgerows for their surplus of wild foods; fungi, Spring shoots, Summer flowers, Autumn berries, The countryside will be an extension to my larder. The fruit will be made into jams and the Sloe berries will be submerged in gin to work their magic. Sitting on the deck with a book and a glass of wine, surrounded by the huge communal garden reflecting in the stillness of the water, I would display my merchandise; freshly laid eggs, homemade jams and chutneys, bottles of homemade Sloe Gin, and exclusive handmade pottery for the passing traffic along the tow path to peruse and purchase. I wouldn't earn much, but I wouldn't be spending much either.
In my rural isolation, the dawn chorus will gently rouse me from deep sleep. The Chopped wood will be glowing red in the stove as the kettle comes to the boil and the gathered breakfast eggs gently fry away as butter melts over hot toast. On cold, wet winter evenings my cat and I will slouch in slumber by the fireside as Mother Nature orchestrates the pleasing and harmonious music of wind and rainfall. My innately lazy self would be very much at home in this enviroment.
£12.95 savings sit in my piggy bank eagerly awaiting the company of more coinage...£87,487.05 to be precise...to finance my dream, so until it is realised I will continue to be provoked, like an irritable, tranquilized bear, at stupid o'clock by a bloody annoying, obstreperous electronic alarm clock...6 days a bloody week. I will continue to offer my labor to an ungrateful employer in exchange for a small recompense. I will continue to walk these overcrowded and noisy streets of concrete and grey.
All donations kindly accepted and made payable to..........
Anyhows, just the wierd little Xbox kid and myself at home for dinner tonight, so I will be making a quick, easy and delicious Tuna melt and serving it with a dressed green salad. This is a lovely, fresh dish. Give it a go.
Best Ever Tuna Melt
2 cans tuna in spring water, drained
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup Finely Chopped celery
1 1/2 tablespoons finely chopped onion
1 tablespoon chopped parsley
3/4 teaspoon red wine vinegar
1 pinch salt
1 pinch freshly ground black pepper
4 slices seedless rye or bloomer bread
8 slices ripe tomato
8-10 slices Monterrey Jack or Swiss cheese
paprika, for garnish
Preheat the grill.
In a bowl, mix the tuna, mayonnaise, celery, onion, parsley, and vinegar. Season with salt and pepper.
Place the rye Bread Slices on a baking sheet, and grill for 1 minute, until lightly toasted. Remove from heat, and spread with the Tuna Salad. Place 1 Cheese Slice over the tuna salad on each piece of bread, layer with 2 Tomato Slices, and top with another cheese slice, cut in half to sit on both tomato slices, if necessary.
Return layered bread to the grill, and grill for 3 to 5 minutes, until cheese is melted.
