A descendent of the Mughal Nargesi kebab of Lucknow? The creation of the Fortum and Mason Department Store in London? Originally made with minced fish in Whitby ? There are many theories about the origin of the Scotch Egg. Personally I choose the Nargesi origin, hard to look at these Indian kofta with boiled eggs…
Food : Baechu-kimchi
This my basic Kimchi recipe. I make large batches as I have extensive fridge space and I make for a friend as well as for myself. You can of course scale it down. For me the game changer to fermented veg method has been topping the ferments with water. Most recipes say you have to…
Beer : The State We Are In
Jeff Alworth’s piece here makes for grim reading. He is in my opinion absolutely correct. Craft beer has over the last decade experienced massive growth but in doing so has I feel lost its way. Jeff explores the generational aspects of beer drinking which I think is definitely a major factor, one he is much…
Travel : Came on Holiday by Mistake – Beautiful Day Above the Grave
A wind gets up in the night. The southerly gusts rattle all the old windows in the hotel and play the sash counterweights like wind chimes. Every now and then a sound I can’t place goes past. It’s like a helicopter is passing close but then disappearing as fast as it came.When I leave for…
Travel : Came on Holiday by Mistake – Geometry, Fire, Iron and Whisky
I breakfast at a vibrant bakery that also does café service. A dome of scrambled eggs , sausage patty , confit mushrooms and glazed ham all spiked with Szechuan crispy chilli oil. A family dressed like it’s 1983 walk along Lower Stuart Street. They are animatedly discussing the city’s wifi service. They head into one…
Travel : Came on Holiday by Mistake – City of Industry
In the morning I note that a bible has jumped to it’s death out of one of the adjoining rooms window. Perhaps it has died so that I may live. I set out in search of breakfast. Dunedin is a city that makes stuff. OR at least it always has been. Wilsons Whisky, Cadbury Chocolate,…
Travel : Came on Holiday by Mistake – There is much evil in the world and a great suffering in my head
I slowly become aware of my continuing existence on this mortal coil. Limbs seem to be unhindered , for the moment my gastric processes seem sound . But my head. God . My head. There is a bastard behind the eyes. It feels like a pig shat in my head. What do you mean we…
Travel : Came on Holiday by Mistake – By the sea but not of the sea
We pull into Oamaru . The roads are being resealed, dust rises as utes and trucks drive over the metal road surface. A haze fills the sky . I disembark, head to the Lagonda Tea Room. From it’s attached bakery next door I buy the last mutton pie. I walk down to where the railway…
Travel : Came on Holiday by Mistake – Up with the ghosts
I wake early. Shannon was out last night so I creep around the house, feed the dog, dress and set out with Rubes for an early morning walk. I head up past my family home where the light tells me mum has stirred and is starting her day. I walk a road edged by bush…
Travel : Came on Holiday by Mistake – Holiday at Home
I found myself coming on holiday by mistake. Not because we had lifted a key from Uncle Monty but because a work event I booked for had moved dates when I had already booked tickets and set up dog care. So I found myself setting off for 4 nights in Otago with one night in…
Raise the Dawn 