Richard's space

Hi All

Been a while since I have spent any time here,  I have been very busy lately.  I'm pretty much busy with something most nights at the moment.  Been going to gym every oppertunity, seem to be having midweek band practice at the moment too.  Have started the course at college, so far it is looking really good.  Well they haven't lost me yet is what I mean.  So that is Thursday sorted, but I still managed to pop up to the Centurion afterwards for a singsong.  Although, it did end prematurely last Thursday when one of the fridges went up in a puff of black smoke.  So I had to finish my beer outside then head home.  Been around the house most of the weekend, not feeling 100% at the moment.  There's been a sore throat and gooey sinus thing going round at work, seems it's my turn now!  So I have taken advantage of the quiet time and made myself some nice grub, haven't done that for a while.  I'll add the pics nextdoor.  I made a Salmon en Croute, basically a Salmon in a pastry puff pastry case.  Had some leftovers, so I made a Prawn and cream cheese 'en Croute' too. 

Thanks for your messeges and so on.  I do appreciate them, so I'll take this oppertunity to Hi back to you all and hope everyone is well.       

I have become a slave to the Book of many Faces!!

Attention!!

Hi all
Back from the War and Peace event over the last 4 days.  It was a blast!!  If you'll pardon the pun.  You wouldn't believe the amount of historic hardware at this event.  I think I have seen every type of vehicle, weapon and uniform from as far back as the First World war onwards.  Unfortunately, I don't have any photographs at this point, because some lovely person nicked my camera within 5 minutes of me arriving there......!!  But I will get some from the rest of the guys that were there with us over the weekend.  I have posted one pic that was taken on my phone.  The guys decided I looked like a dead ringer for a Sergeant Major, so I was quite happy to play along.  I met loads of people, as this was also bit of a P.R. thing for the guys from the 'Living History' group.  We were representing the bush war in SA from 1966 to 1989.  Not many people knew that South Africa was at war for 23 years against the Communists.  I think I learned loads about it while I was there. 
Well I'm off to go look for a new camera online now
Fallllll....out!! 

Hi All

It's been a while since I have cooked myself something nice. I had these pieces of Duck in the freezer and thought I fancied some Aromatic crispy Duck.  Dug through my books and found a recipe and immediately decided I'd do it my way.  I roasted off the duck portions (2x duck legs with thighs attached ) for an hour.  The book wanted me to steam the meat for about a year.... life's too short for that.  Once that had done, I let them cool and then deep fried them in hot oil for about 5 min.  Ten hauled them out and let them rest for a bit.  Duck is a wonderful meat to cook with and any time you put into it is worth the results in taste.  Earlier today I headed out to my local Chinese supermarket, I love that place, and bought the 'pancakes'.  I wanted to make them from scratch, but could find a recipe for them.....  Once the duck had rested for a short while, I pulled the meat apart with two forks, which is easy as the meat is really tender.  I forgot to mention that whilst at the Chinese super market I bought some Plum Sauce, wasn't gonna make that from scratch, I not that good.  Sliced some spring onion and cucumber and Bob's your Uncle, job done.  This is one of the easiest things I've ever cooked, maybe in future I will marinate the Duck over night in the spices they recommend and that should add more flavour.  I've just finished the plate of pancakes I made and they were scrummy......
I recommend you guys give this a go next time you have a friend or two over.  It's real easy to do and doesn't take much time, you can get on with other things.  Ten minutes before serving is all you need really.  And most importantly, the Duck portions were under £3 to buy and will easily do for two as a starter or part of a buffet.  As usual I have added some pics, yep it's Saturday night and I have nothing better to do. 
Go forth my gastronomic friends....    

Hi All
It's been almost a week since I've been back from Silverstone, which was an absolutely awesome experience this year.  The reason I'm only blogging now is, I have been absolutely stuffed this week, I'm talking knackered beyond belief.  I went up there the Tuesday before the race and set up camp.  Went by myself this year, due to various reasons, but had a ball all the same.  I pretty much instantly made friends and found some drinking buddies and I was set.  The campsite laid on some really good entertainment this time round, bands and a Karaoke.  The beer tent was humming the whole weekend.  I met some really cool folks at the circuit on the weekend and hung out with them there, enjoy a few bevvies with them.  Met a really nice lady called Kat, she was awesome, one of the nicest people I've met in ages.  Sadly, she lives way up north, but we are still in contact.  So as you can guess, I partied most of the week away.  Drank more than my far share, but it was fun.  I think I made it to 8pm on the Sunday after the race and collapsed in my tent, weekend over.  Up early the Monday morning and headed home. 

This week has been a struggle.  I think I only regained my power of speech around Wednesday, been in a haze til this morning.  Had to go see a physio on Tuesday as I pulled a muscle in my calf on Sunday after the race, think I became dehydrated over the weekend.  That can be a real bugger.  Also came back with really bad ear ache and soar throat.  Everything seems to be feeling better now, but have to see the physio on Tuesday again.  But I tell you something, I'll gladly suffer all that again for another week like that.  I'm really hoping that there will be another F1 race at Silverstone next year, and all indications are looking good right now, as Donnington doesn't look like it will be ready in time.  If that's the case, I'm there!!

Well, I'll post some pics of the sights and views.