Just larking about.

My current machine has started to leak and is not really worth fixing, so it's off to the recycler with it. A friend suggested this replacement.

This 'Bambino Plus' arrived today after a long Ebay search for the right machine at the right price. This one has come from an area with soft water so hasn't furred up inside like a London kettle: An important consideration when it comes to serviceability and longevity.

The Guardian calls this "the perfect espresso machine for beginners" although I tend to disagree. It is fairly simple to operate (although you need to read the guide book to find out how to switch it on and off - that's truly a first for me), but my Krupps machine in the 80s was way simpler. This machine scores big-style in the way it steams milk, with use of a microchip and a heat sensor. Put milk in the jug, insert the wand, place the jug on the drip tray, and push the button. Silky, smooth, and well-textured in less than a minute. My cappuccino in the picture is the evidence.

Will this become my all-time fave? No; it doesn't have the temperamental nature of my old Faema, or the obviousness of my Pavoni. But for now, it will do nicely.

Growing in my old garden. Their season was so short.

Despite the apparent repetition each one is a subtle variation on a theme. Knocks and scrapes differentiate each one.

Processed with VSCO with e5 preset

youtu.be/RkLAHaQM3sE?si=zHKkPdOMFSJ8y4IY

The last few days haven't been easy for anyone. An understatement, for sure.

Don't worry, be happy.

(These sunflowers are very real, in case you're wondering!)

P10+

Today is bread-making day again. Looking into my baking box, I found several almost empty bags of different kinds of flour. So I weighed them all into a bowl together, and this strange looking bread is the result.

This is a 1956 Lamborghini DL25 tractor that I was lucky to see at Joe Macari's showroom in 2019.

(Yes, I'm digging through my archive!).

The DL25 had a 2.5 litre twin-cylinder diesel engine, making 25 bhp. It was designed to be simple to operate and easy to repair by the farmer.

It was the Italian equivalent of the famous Ferguson TE20 ('Little Grey Fergy').

Sadly we no longer have Monty, he was very poorly and had to be put to sleep a few weeks ago

After 30 minutes on the cooling rack the baking tin can be removed. I lined the tin with soaked couscous.

in the back garden

I really considered making beans on toast today.

I'm glad I didn't.

Chicken from Ukraine. Vegetables from Lancashire and Suffolk.

Wine from Veneto.

Parsley, basil, celery, lemon and garlic stuffing made by me.

Candle holder from Germany.

Card from my friends.

I hope you all had a lovely day.

I saw this (one of a pair) on the steps of a Methodist church. Made by Turner & Allen, London. You can see their work all over the country.

Beautifully bound books on display at the British Library.

open.spotify.com/track/0bRXwKfigvpKZUurwqAlEh?si=07f3c287...

After a restorative cup of tea with my friend, it's time for a walk.

Not a breath of wind; Heysham nuclear power stations on the horizon, filling in the energy gap left by the turbines that are standing still.

Heavy rain runs down Market Street.

Black Combe is an outlying fell, as described by Wainwright. It's a 600m high weather magnet.

P10+

Like a ring of broken teeth the remains of an ancient oak protect it's progeny. Possibly grown from an acorn that fell into the still standing trunk of it's parent.

Is this reincarnation? Or just continuation of a theme...

Containing fibre, protein, Omega-3, a raft of vitamins and minerals, with natural bactericidal action, this drink appears to lack nothing.

Also, I like how it looks in the morning light.

As different coffees produce different results, so it is with milk. This one was very lively.

Great day at the ballpark!

Caught a few fun moments with the new Vivo and this HUGE telephoto adapter!

Dinofest approaches. one of my favorite shops gets the dino treatment.

I went to a cooking class yesterday. The people were so kind and friendly. It was such fun.

I found some toaster bags online a while back, and never knew what to do with them. My friend suggested cutting my muffins (not a euphemism) in half and heating them in the toaster.

The guy's a genius.

I have no clue what the bags are made of, but I don't expect to be around long enough to suffer any long term effects.

Processed with VSCOcam with x1 preset

Abandoned Haludovo hotel in Krk, winter sunset. Android shot.

A lovely treat with my daughter