Sunday Mornings





Saturday 23/4/2005

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Diary and Notes

I got up early this morning and walked through the sleepy streets of Exeter to my office to write my blog and get some work done. I don't normally get up so early at the weekends (nor during the week to be honest) but I have started writing up my PhD in earnest and I thought getting out of bed might help. What a strange time Sunday mornings are - not having seen one for about ten years I had never really noticed - but they are definitely very odd indeed.

Firstly there's the noise; bells ringing and birds chirping and nothing else. All the shops are closed so you can't buy some croissants or Danish pastries for breakfast, but oddest of all are the people, folks that you don't normally see walking the streets, old people mixing with children on their way to church, everybody so well dressed - all neat and tidy, spick and span in their Sunday best. I didn't know this still went on these days - it's been quite a revelation.

Where are these people the rest of the week? Maybe I just don't notice them amongst the shambling hoards of scruffy denim wearers, Goths, businessmen and students.

The other thing I noticed about the church goers were their ages. It was as if only the extremes of society were represented, everyone under twelve or over sixty. I assume people between these ages go to church also but I didn't see any - perhaps they drive instead.

I'm not sure if I'll be going out on Sunday mornings in future. It was all a bit clean and sober for my liking. Nobody tried to sell me a Big Issue or asked me for spare change. Nobody tried to run me over and I could cross the streets without running and dodging maniacs in 4x4s. People smiled politely and looked pleasant and unthreatening. It was as if all the craziness of life had been replaced with serenity and good manners - nobody seemed evern the least bit interesting and I got into my office without feeling the need to strangle anyone, string them up, or have them flayed alive. All just a little too weird.


Cake Blog

Double Chocolate Scones: Somebody (I will not embarrass them by mentioning any names, Stacey) turned the oven off just after I'd put them in and they didn't rise properly. They came out as a cross between a cookie and a cake. They were however exceedingly good. Just add some cocoa powder and loads of chocolate chips to the basic scone recipe.


Menu

  • Greek Style Pork Chop (Hirines Brizoles)
  • Stuffed Vine Leaves (Dolmades)
  • Tsatsiki
  • Pitta Bread


    Ingredients*

    Greek Style Pork Chops
    1 Pork Chop
    1/2 Clove Garlic
    1 tsp Lemon Juice
    1/2 tsp Oregano
    Black Pepper
    1 Tbsp Olive Oil
    		 Dolmades (makes 5)
    50g Rice
    10 Vine Leaves
    1 Tbsp Pine Nuts
    1 tsp Dried Mint
    2 Tbsp Currants
    Fresh Parsley
    1 Tbsp Lemon Juice
    1 Tbsp Olive Oil



    Preparation

  • Chop: Mince the garlic and mix with the oil, lemon, oregano and pepper. Rub on both sides of the chop and leave to marinade for an hour or so. Grill quickly for about 4 minutes per side, turning once or twice.
  • Dolmades: Cook the rice with the crushed pine kernels, mint and currants. Drain, season and leave to cool. Mix in the chopped parsley and put a spoon in the middle of a vine leaf and wrap (using the other vine leaf as well). Place a little olive oil in a pan and put the dolmades in the pan, packing them in quite tight (stops the rice leaking out). Pour a little lemon juice over, cover with water and simmer for 20 minutes.

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    *All quantities are very approximate and for a single person





    JCBorresen@GMail.com