Pret A Manger Comes To Dalston On Friday
It appears that Pret a Manger’s new Dalston branch opens on Friday.
But search the Internet and not everybody is happy.
Pret is accused of the gentrification of Dalston.
There’s Something About Felixstowe
I turned up at the station and the bar there had no decent real ale or low-alcohol beer.
In the end, I bought a hot chocolate in a cafe, which didn’t take cards. Luckily, I had some cash!
Felixstowe seems stuck in the 1960s. And boy, was it dull!
China’s Biggest Worry Is Pork Not Protests
The title of this post, is the same as that of this article in The Times.
In the year of the Pig, apparently swine flu is rampant in China and half the pig population has gone in the last fifteen months.
It’s a thoughtful article by |Edward Lucas.
Over the years crises like this have brought governments down and with the price of pork rising fast China may see some serious unrest.
This situation is one to watch!
Home-Made Cabbage Soups Could Help Combat Malaria
The title of this post is the same as that of this article in The Times.
The article comes from this page on the Imperial College web site, which is entitled Scientists And Schoolkids Find Family Soups Have Antimalarial Properties.
This is the introduction.
London schoolchildren have found that some of their families’ soup recipes have antimalarial properties, with the help of Imperial scientists.
Researchers from Imperial College London helped the schoolchildren test their family soup broths for activity against the malaria parasite.
There is also this quote from one of the researchers; Professor Jake Baum.
We may have to look beyond the chemistry shelf for new drugs, and natural remedies shouldn’t be off our watch list, as artemisinin shows.
I also wonder, if natural remedies of this type, which are generally administered by a trusted relative or friend, come with a degree of care and concern, that is often lacking in healthcare.
We should also remember, that aspirin is not a modern drug, but was known to the ancient Egyptians.
Rescued By Timpsons
Putting my boots back to go to the Football at around five, one of the laces gave up the ghost.
Timpsons? Surely, they could help.
But I would have to hurry, as it shut at six o’clock. I suppose the good peoiple of Manchester have to get up early to work in the satanic mills, so shops close early.
I eventually found a Timpsons in the Arndale Centre and for a few pounds, I got some new laces.
As the price included fitting, that must be three cheers for Timpsons!
As I left the Arndale Centre, many shops were closing.
Could the decline in High Street sales be partly because opening hours no longer fit the times, when the public now want to shop?
I regularly shop for everyday needs in the evening, if the television is rubbish and will go out for a snack supper to say a Leon or Carluccio’s and then perhaps pop-in to a Marks and Spencer to get food for a few days or perhaps some clothes from Eastfield. Usually shops in Inner London close at nine or ten.
My local M & S foodhall in Dalston, which is shutting at ten tonight, is just two bus stops away.
Perhaps, more people need to live in City Centres to revive them?
Fibreglass Giraffes Help Stop Elephants Rampaging Across Delicate Tea Crops
The title of this post is the same as that of this article in The Times.
Tea plantations in Assam have an elephant problem and this weird solution seems to work.
An Oasis In A Gluten-Free Desert
I took this picture, this morning in Mark’s and Spencer’s cafe in Ipswich.
It was the only place, I could find a gluten-free breakfast in the town.
Note that Christmas must be coming, as it’s a turkey feast sandwich.
Tortillas From Kings Cross Square
If you are arriving at Kings Cross station and feel a little peckish, it is often worthwhile to check out the offerings in Kings Cross Square in front of the station.
I found these delicious gluten-free tortillas last week.
A Quick Pasta Supper For One
A few months ago Marks & Spencer started selling an Italian made gluten-free passta, that is named prosciutto & ricotta cappelletti.
Marks recommend serving it with your favourite sauce or melted butter.
So I used one of my favourite sauces adapted from Serial Cooking – Quick Pasta For One. The idea came from a recipe from Lyndsey Bareham in The Times.
These pictures show the stages.
Note.
- I split frozen peas down into small one-portion pots.
- The yogurt is a small pot of Honey & Ginger West Country Luxury Yoghurt from Marks & Spencer.
- I generally drink Adnams beer!
I shall cook the second half of the pasta in a few days, which will be the fifth time, I’ve had the meal in three weeks.
The Troubles At Pizza Express
This article on the BBC is entitled Pizza Express Set For Talks Over £1bn Debt Pile.
For many coeliacs like myself, who travel all over the UK,, the failure of Pizza Express or even a cutback in the number of restaurants would be a bit of a disaster.
I stayed the night in Preston on Saturday and the only place I trust to serve a safe gluten-free meal there, is the Pizza Express.
I didn’t actually use the restaurant on Saturday night, as the weather was so bad, I went straight to bed and then in the morning, went quickly to Manchester Piccadilly station for a decent gluten-free breakfast at Leon.
If Pizza Express closes branches in places like Preston, then it will make my journeys around the country a lot more difficult.
The Anonymous Widower 