1. Shopping in Lewes

    Went to Lewes yesterday afternoon and did a little Christmas shopping despite the wind and rain. These were some of the things I lusted after but didn’t buy - may need a return visit, but not alas for the little antique glass that cost £3000! (Far right in the penultimate pic!)

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    See the full gallery on Posterous

  2. Lunch

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    Prawns, stir fried vegetables and brown rice

  3. My new Olympus xz1 as delivered by Amazon.

    I have been listening out all day for a delivery from Amazon. It’s beautiful weather for once this summer and all the doors and windows are open. We’ve been here all the time and Conker has spent most of the day lying on the terrace sunbathing, and he always barks when the gate us opened. So as it was getting late in the afternoon I was getting anxious that my new camera wasn’t going to arrive. Then I happened to go out to the car to fetch something and spotted, all alone in the middle of the drive, a package!
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    I don’t know what time it was left there, but clearly the delivery man had thought it appropriate to leave a parcel containing a £300+ camera in full view of anyone passing in the lane, not asking for a signature, and not providing a waterproof covering. It could easily have stayed there until tomorrow morning. Bizarre. And of course I’ll complain. The battery is now being charged - I’ll report on the camera when I’ve had a play. .

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  5. Lamb leg steaks with garlicky flageolet beans

    We found a new (to us) butcher today. In a residential area of Tonbridge in a small unassuming parade of shops, away from the main town, which we were visiting because Andro had an eye appointment, I discovered Whites. They sell Welsh lamb, Scottish beef, organic pork and poultry, and it all looked wonderful. I bought lamb leg steaks and a beautiful piece of organic pork belly. We had the lamb this evening and will have the pork on Sunday.
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    Grilled lamb steaks with garlicky haricot beans

    Prep Time: 15 mins | Cook Time: 8 mins | Servings: 2 servings | Difficulty: Easy

    Ingredients:

    • 2 boneless lamb leg steaks
    • 1 sprig fresh rosemary leaves
    • 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
    • Zest of half a lemon
    • 1 tbsp olive oil plus a little more for the beans
    • salt and freshly ground black pepper
    • 1 can flageolet beans

    Directions:

    Put the marinade ingredients, ie one of the garlic cloves, the lemon zest, the chopped rosemary, salt pepper and a tablespoon of the olive oil into a mortar and grind with a pestle so the rosemary is bruised and the garlic, seasoning and oil has combined a little. Rub this mixture into both sides of the lamb and leave for ten minutes, or longer if possible.

    Heat a griddle pan until hot. Griddle for about two minutes on each side for medium-rare meat, or longer if you like it well done. Remove the lamb from the pan and leave to rest.

    Meanwhile sweat the other chopped garlic clove in a little olive oil, add the drained flageolets beans, salt and pepper and heat through. serve with the lamb with remaining pan juices poured over.

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