Lashing out

It was 40+ years ago that I bought my first cooker, a Tricity President. It still sits there, in the corner of our kitchen. But today, we bought a replacement.

What a bafflement! You may as well take a pin to the list. But we cut the Gordian knot, and - having resisted firmly all the add-ons which no doubt make Currys a profitable outfit - we await delivery in a fortnight's time.

A rare sight

On Wednesday, I put on a brave face and cooked supper for four. This happens only once in a blue moon. The marrow was grown by brother-in-law Bill: plenty left still - it was enormous.

The mince ended up rather too dry and too salty; but our guests - Robin and Felicity Littlewood - were too polite to say so. The pears in red wine weren't cooked enough, on the other hand. Better the next night, when Thibaud de Saint-Quentin was staying; but cooking for a Frenchman is not something I feel up to.