In the bleak midwinter

Estelle is mooning about and complaining she is bored. We have been marooned on the estate since Tuesday - a dose of cabin fever I think.

I have had Cook keeping busy in the kitchen. At this end of the week when rations are sparse she has been cooking up some comforting foods, using whatever is in the pantry. The cold weather sets the scene for some serious comfort foods. We need some foodie defences against the 9 inches of snow which surround the estate. Hmmm. All this snow is not good for the diet.

Tuesday we enjoyed a beef casserole with the greenest broccoli. Estelle is such a peasant, she insists on consuming dumplings too. And Cook indulges her.

Wednesday we enjoyed a roast chicken with all the trimmings. Crispy potatoes a la Nigella with a dusting of semolina. Marrow and carrots too. With the smallest and tasty Brussell sprouts we have had so far this year. In fact I think it was the first time I have consumed any thus far.

Today Cook indulged Estelle again, I really must have words with Cook. We enjoyed mexican style tacos with homemade guacomole and spicy rice. The tacos were perfectly crisp. Made a change from the regular British comfort food. Odd isn't it, that foreign food can be comforting now in the 21st century.

Remembrance Sunday

11.00am the streets fell silent

11.02am the cannons saluted the fallen

Does the poppy mean more to us now, in the 21st century than it did 20 or 30 years ago? I wore my poppy with pride this year and will do next year.

The wounded soldiers marching down Whitehall today... in their 90's are alongside soldiers in their 40's, 30's, 20's. For years we have toasted our glasses and wished for World Peace. Was that a joke? It is 2010 yet we are on the ground and fighting wars the world over. Afghanistan now, what next?

Remember the dead. Remember the living. Do something nice for a stranger tomorrow.