Sunday and a sort of Roast

17th October and we woke to rain - not for long but quite hard - this meant I wouldn't need to water today which was good.  Everything looked that little bit fresher for having the dust washed off and I contacted Mum to tell her that it might be cooler up here when she came for lunch.

John had suggested I did his take on a Sunday lunch as the two previous ones at the Farmyard in Kathikas had proved so successful so we were having Beef in Yorkshire puddings, with carrots, beans, peas and my attempt at roast potatoes like Argy produces.

The beef was from some beef ribs I had which had been about to celebrate a birthday in the freezer.  I had browned them off and rendered down as much fat as possible.  Then I had cooked them in the pressure cooker with wine and herbs and veggies then removed the meat, discarded any bones and removed any more unrendered fat and sinew then strained the gravy and let it cool so that I could remove as much fat as possible.  The meat was super tender and super tasty.

I started the Cyprus Roasties early in the morning - I know that Argy gets a bit of colour on them before turning the heat down and cooking low and slow and turning and basting all the time.  

Our pudding was to be one of Mum's favourites - bread and butter pudding and not just any old bread and butter pudding but Mary Berry's bread and butter pudding.  We had prepared it ready this morning before nipping over to have a quick coffee with Lakis and Argy for whom it was their last full day - they return home tomorrow.  Strangely the weather always seems to change when they go home and this time was no exception.  I know that Lakis had said he wanted to be in the warmth and safety of their newly created sunroom when it was raining - but really you need to be careful what you wish for!!!  

I have been really struggling with heartburn or acid reflux since I had this weird allergic reaction and I see that both steroids and beta blockers can cause this so I guess this is a side effect I am going to have to manage.  It came on in the night so bad I just had to sit bolt upright in order to cope with it - if this is anything like a heart attack feels then no thank you I don't want.

Mum has started to think about Christmas and says she has no idea what to buy John or me.  Welcome to the club as I have no idea what to buy John or her!!!  I know it still seems like an age away but it is only two months and it will be on us before we know it.  John said he would be happy with a selection of real ales so I took a photograph of three of his favourites so that Mum can have a look out for them.

I just need to get my thinking cap on...