A Gluten-Free Bacon Sandwich
I bet some people who end up here, didn’t think it could exist.
A Gluten-Free Bacon Sandwich
It was made with organic bacon from Waitrose and a couple of slices of Genius brown bread. I didn’t use butter, but Benecol.
It was a very nice sandwich! I would say that wouldn’t I!
A Pit-Stop at Micheldever
In Victorian times, rail journeys were often done in stages, as there was a need to change engines. For instance, the Great Western used to change engines at Swindon and everybody, including the King and Queen got off for refreshments in the station. Here’s a piece from the entry in Wikipedia for Swindon Station.
Swindon railway station opened in 1842 with construction of the Great Western Railway’s engineering works continuing. Until 1895 every train stopped here for at least 10 minutes to change locomotives. Swindon station hosted the first recorded railway refreshment rooms, divided according to class. Swindonians for a time were eminently proud that even the current King and Queen of the time had partaken of refreshments there.
I think I read in something like Rolt’s excellent biography of Brunel, that the tea was produced in an enormous urn and was virtually undrinkable. I also think that there was a contract which said that trains must all stop at Swindon.
On Saturday, I was intending to break my journey to the football at Portsmouth at a station called Micheldever, where I was going to have lunch with a friend and his family. After lunch, I intended to use the same ticket travel to Fratton.
It all worked well! The inpector on the leg to Micheldever from Waterloo, just looked at my ticket and made no mark on it. When I returned, there was no problems either, as I got on the train to complete the journey. I do worry that with these new barrier systems coming in, that this pit-stop ability may be lost. I did once a couple of years ago, want to break a journey at Reading and it took me a lot of persuation to achieve it. I also have the problem at Cambridge, when I want to use the Marks and Spencer’s in the station to get my supper, when I’m perhaps changing for Dullingham.
On Saturday, it certainly made for a better trip, as an exquisite Chinese meal home-cooked by my friend’s wife, was very much preferable to the food available in the region of Fratton Park. This was the first Chinese food, I’ve eaten since I had the stroke in Hong Kong.
I wonder how many people actually know of this split journey rule, which greatly improved my journey to Portsmouth. After all, many stations, Micheldever included, are very close to good pubs or restaurants, so are ideally placed to break a journey. For instance on the 25th of September, I’m going to see Ipswich play Scunthorpe and then I’m going on to York. Would it be easier to book an off-peak single to York from say Dullingham and break the trip at Doncaster, from where I’d get the train to Scunthorpe?
An Unusual and Good Hotel
It wouldn’t suit everybody, but for someone, who needs an affordable place to put their head down in Islington, I can recommend the place where I spent, Thursday and Friday night, The Raj Hotel in the Essex Road. I paid £60 for the total of the two nights and I had a cosy room with a very modern and clean shower/bathroom, a choice of two comfortable beds, where I slept well, a Freeview TV and a light breakfast. The staff incidentally, were everything you could expect in a small hotel. Something that is often lacking in other hotels!
Judging by the people at breakfast on the Friday, a couple of single women were staying, which is always a test of value and quality.
On the Friday night, I also sampled the food, which was excellent and proper Bangladeshi food with lots of flavour. I paid just under £10 for a chicken tikka, trimmings and a Coke.
Tommy Miah, who owns this hotel and also one in Edinburgh, may be starting a revolution here. Will we be seeing affordable and clean Indian-themed hotels, possibly attached to good restaurants, springing up all over the UK? I surely hope so, as there is a vast gap in the marketplace.
I shall certainly be staying again. If I ever get to buy a house nearby the hotel, I will probably use the restaurant again.
Lizzie’s Gluten Free Tins
It has just been pointed out to me that Lizzie’s tins of dog food are gluten-free.
Butcher's Gluten-Free Dog Food
Does Lizzie care?
I asked her and she didn’t answer!
A Pain Diary
This is a set of notes to see if I can find the best strategy for controlling the pain.
Tuesday, 31st August
10:00 – The pain in my jaw, face and arm is bad. I’ll give it 7/10.
11:00 – The doctor gives me some 15 mg. codiene tablets and says to take one or two, three times a day. He says it won’t hurt if I mix them with paracetamol.
12:00 – I take two codiene and one paracetamol tablets.
13:00 – Lunch is one of Waitrose tiffins, which I feel helps my mouth.
14:00 – Pain is down to about 5/10 and I sleep for perhaps an hour.
17:00 – I’ve done quite a bit of typing this afternoon, so the left hand isn’t too bad. Pain still 5/10.
19:00 – Pain now about 6/10, so I’ve taken another two codiene.
20:00 – Supper was a tuna steak, peas and sauce followed by raspberries and yoghurt. It was surprisingly easy to eat and the fruit and yoghurt was very soothing. I should say that I still eat peas with my right hand, using the fork as a spoon. Pain is now about 4/10.
Wednesday 1st Setember
06:00 – I have just got up after a good night’s sleep or at least a very reasonable one. I didn’t take one of the sleeping pills either. Pain is about 3/10.
07:00 – Just taken one codiene and one paracetamol.
12:00 – On the way to Lingfield, I took two codiene and one paracetamol to keep the pain level to about 4/10.
17:00 – Supper was pasta in Carlucciuo’s with a still lemonade. Pain still about 4/10.
19:00 – On the train home to Whittlesford, I actually slept for twenty minutes or so, so the pain level was probably a bit less. I didn’t end up in Cambridge either!
21:00 – Just cook one codiene and one paracetamol before bed. I’m trying to keep the number I take each day to below the maximum, as that gives me a margin for if the pain gets worth. Pain is probably at a 3/10 level.
Thursday 2nd September
07:00 Woke up after a good night’s sleep. Pain in the face after a cup of tea. Perhaps 4/10.
08:00 – Took one codiene and one paracetamol.
11:00 – I went to see a physiotherapist, who used some electrical therapy on my arm and also said that some of problems there were because I don’t sit straight up.
15:00 – I’ve peeled a few potatoes for a fish pie and the cold water and the movement seems to hsve eased the pain in my wrist. The pain level is about 3/10.
22:00 – As with yesterday, I have a codiene and a paracetamol before going to bed. The pain level is about 3/10.
Friday 3rd September
07:00 – Slept well with no problems.
09:00 – Took one codiene and a paracetamol. Pain level about 4/10.
18:00 – Took one codiene and a paracetamol. Pain level about 4/10. Pain mainly in a tooth. Did find that a slice of Marian’s chocolate cake had a beneficial effect.
Saturday 4th September
07:00 My arm wasn’t good in the morning and I had a bit of trouble putting a shirt on as I couldn’t find the left arm-hole.
22:00 – I didn’t have too much pain all day and had perhaps one paracetamol, when I got up and one in the evening. Pain level about 4/10.
Sunday 5th September
07:00 – I woke up much better this morning after a lot of sleep. I took a paracetamol. The pain level was 3/10.
21:00 – Not much pain at 3/10 and I’ll probably take a paracetamol before I retire.
Monday 6th September
07:00 – I slept well with little pain. Perhaps about 5/10.
Decoding the Wheat Genome
In some ways I am pleased that scientists at mine and C’s old university, Liverpool, have led a team that has decoded the wheat genome.
I could make a sarcastic comment about what good is that to me as a coeliac, but it should help to ease the problems of feeding the world. Something that is needed even more given the problems in Russia and Pakistan, which may well be repeated elsewhere. Although new varieties will come too late for the current crisis.
I do suspect though, that science that works for wheat will also work for rice, maize and the other staple cereals. This is actually confirmed in the BBC Report, which says they are less complex and have already been done.
What Shall I Do Tomorrow?
Today is not really the problem, as there is plenty of good sport on television, with the Grand Prix and some football. But it is tomorrow!
I thought that I might like to go to the cinema in Haverhill, as it would be possible with a taxi both ways.
But having seen the list of awful American films they are showing, that is a complete no-no. Most seem to be in 3-D, which is totally appropriate for someone with bad eyesight. I should also say that this relives some really bad Bank Holidays in the past, where C and I would vargue because there was nothing to do. Often we’d go shopping in London or Bluewater, or perhaps go and have a meal. But I can”t do that as I’ve got no transport and must stay here in my beautiful and lonely prison.
I could go to the Imperial War Museum at Duxford, as I haven’t been for many years.
I can’t even do some of my new found love and time filler; cooking. I’m miles from the nearest shop and that would again mean a taxi both ways, just to get the things I need.
So I’ll just stay here and rant at all the people , who’ve said they’ll visit me and never have!
But at least there’s Tuesday to look forward to!
A Dastardly Plot
I am a coeliac as well as being an Ipswich Town supporter. A couple of years ago, Delia was on the radio promoting one of her books and I got to ask her about gluten-free food. She admitted she didn’t know anything about it.
So why at the next away Derby match at Carrow Road don’t we give Delia a test? Let’s get four coeliacs and book a table for lunch before the match. I should say that I’ve asked Ipswich hospitality and they can do gluten-free as can Newmarket Racecourse and the two Premier League Clubs I’ve contacted.
There is one point has to be said. I also talked to Gordon Ramsey about gluten-free food in a restaurant. He said that if you book at least 24 hours before and say you want a gluten-free meal, the restaurant has no excuse for not giving you what you need. I have found that his advice usually works, except in a couple of cases where they have said they can’t, so I’ve just gone elsewhere.
Let’s hope she gets the message.
I always wonder if she got those “Wish You Were Here” postcards Town fans sent on the European adventures a few years ago.
A Good Trip to Crewe and Chester
It was a good trip, not only because Ipswich won and I was able to renew old memories in Chester, but also because of the little things that happened and that I discovered.
- Virgin’s First Class lounges made travel in my condition a bit easier.
- The Crewe Arms offered a comfortable bed and good coffee in the morning close to the station and the football.
- I had a very good curry in Passage to India in Crewe.
- The staff and stewards at Crewe Alexandra were pleasant and welcoming.
- Real pubs still exist in the most unlikely places.
- I got a nice complimentary gluten-free salad on the way back. So Virgin can do gluten-free, despite what I said earlier.
I shall definitely go to Crewe again, if Ipswich play there!
The Albion, Chester
I was walking the Chester city walls with the intention of going back to a nice restaurant in Bridge Street, when I saw this pub called the Albion.
The Albion, Chester
What had caught my eye was the various chalked boards on the outside of the building. This one which was readable from the walls, said that this could be pub that was to my taste.
Perfect Advertising for a Pub
So did the Albion live up to what it said on the outside. I just had a half of cider to drink. This could have been better, but then I come from Suffolk, where they make the best;Aspalls. As they do sometimes have Adnams on draught, it shows how much the county of my conception is influencing the taste of discerning drinkers, all over these Isles.
As I said, I was ready for lunch, so I chose a cottage pie from the menu.
Cottage Pie at the Albion
I suspect it was wrongly named as it is more of an individual house pie. It was of course gluten-free. It was certified by the pleasant barmaid, who said that her mother was a coeliac like me!
I should say that the Albion also does bed and breakfast, which if their beds are as well-proprtioned as the pies, might well be something.
The Anonymous Widower 