COLD DARK ROOM

[CarolM]

I had to Google it before saying either yes or no. A braai should be great when I go visit Carol. I could bring more dandelion seeds as a house gift.

Hmmm. Deal.

 

[Bambam1989]

No not you at all. Maybe Linda or Lyn? Orrrr even Sabine and Kathy.[emoji33] [emoji33] Definitly Yvonne and Dan and most especially Ed, Gillian, Adam, Luara and John. Did I leave anybody out?

Probably[emoji57]

 

[CarolM]

Um. I’m really on Google today. If you mean —
“a savoury pudding containing sheep's pluck (heart, liver, and lungs); minced with onion, oatmeal, suet, spices, and salt, mixed with stock, traditionally encased in the animal's stomach” — yes, please!

Never had it. And doesn't appeal to me. Have you ever had tripe? Not sure if they only make it in SA or if you get it overseas, but not a dish that appeals to me either. Tasted it once and was out off for life. [emoji37]

tripe

trʌɪp/

noun

1.

the first or second stomach of a cow or other ruminant used as food.

 

[CarolM]

I was about to offer işkembe çorbası as a starter...

Whahaha. Snap. Also a google night for me.

 

[CarolM]

Oh, no braai for me then. I’m not making this trip across the globe to eat some grilled chicken... *sigh*

I'll braai lamb chops and boerewors especially for you.[emoji6]

 

[CarolM]

As it happens I had haggis at both breakfast and dinner today. I love it.

Haggis roam the Highlands of Scotland. They have ginger hair and have two legs shorter than the other two which helps them cope with steep mountains. [emoji56]

Whahaha. Nope if I am going to eat parts of an animal i only want the meat. I might eat the liver and kidneys but none of the other stuff thank you.

 

[CarolM]

Me too. Or a properly done rare. Once I tasted it, there was no going back to anywhere above medium rare.

Same. I worked for a chef once and he always said that steak is like coffee ... if you are not going to eat it rare or drink it strong then don't bother.

 

[CarolM]

Some photos for you

First for @moozillion’s bucket list is Skara Brae

This is a 5000 year old neothlithic settlement. The stone houses were sunk into the ground and had covered passageways between them. All the furniture (dresser, beds, tank for storing fish) was made of stone where we would use wood. Trees are few and far between on Orkney so stone had to take the place of wood)

I remember going here on my school trip in 1980. Back then we could walk in the houses and through the passages. Now you have to view from above, but it’s still amazing
View attachment 238641
View attachment 238642
View attachment 238643
View attachment 238645

That is so cool. I wouldn't mind living in one of those although come winter it must have been cold especially if wood was scarce.

 

[CarolM]

There are 22 Nature Reserves on the main island of Orkney alone so, needless to say, we have done quite a lot of bird watching today.

We made our way to Marwick Head which has cliffs full of nesting seabirds in season... they’re just turning up now. Orkney is at least a month behind Kent; they’re still on Daffodils and primroses as spring flowers here.

It had clouded over by the time we got to Marwick Head.

View of the sea cliffs with the Kitchener Memorial dedicated to WWI Field Marshal Kitchener
View attachment 238648

View towards the island of Hoy
View attachment 238649

View towards the Brough of Birsay- an island linked by a causeway at low tide
View attachment 238650

I would love to visit Scotland.

 

[CarolM]

I had a nice steak (fried in GREASE!!!), a helping of green beans smothered in real butter and a nice baked potato (baked in olive oil). If that doesn't harden my arteries, I don't know what will. But, M-m-m-m-m it was good!!

That does sound yummmyyy.

 

[CarolM]

Yipes! Be careful of hurling. If you hit one of those angry things that live in here, it could mean trouble for you.

[emoji33] [emoji33]

 

[CarolM]

We are worn out. So it’s bedtime now!

Nos da everyone ... or “Oidhche mhath” in Scottish Gaelic

Nos da Linda. Sleep tight and sweet dreams

 

[CarolM]

Ooo now I want steaks.

Lol. Yvonne beat you to it.

 

[CarolM]

Probably[emoji57]

You were sitting on it. So i didn't want to draw attention to you until you were allowed to get off. Glad you are now off the naughty seat. [emoji6][emoji6] so how many minutes did you have to stay there?

 

[CarolM]

Well. That is me for the night. Good night and sleep tight all. Sweet dreams.

 

[Lyn W]

I was about to offer işkembe çorbası as a starter...

If it involves tripe or offal you can keep it thank you very much!!!

 

[Bambam1989]

You were sitting on it. So i didn't want to draw attention to you until you were allowed to get off. Glad you are now off the naughty seat. [emoji6][emoji6] so how many minutes did you have to stay there?

I lost track of time..

 

[Lyn W]

Some photos for you

First for @moozillion’s bucket list is Skara Brae

This is a 5000 year old neothlithic settlement. The stone houses were sunk into the ground and had covered passageways between them. All the furniture (dresser, beds, tank for storing fish) was made of stone where we would use wood. Trees are few and far between on Orkney so stone had to take the place of wood)

I remember going here on my school trip in 1980. Back then we could walk in the houses and through the passages. Now you have to view from above, but it’s still amazing
View attachment 238641
View attachment 238642
View attachment 238643
View attachment 238645

I saw some excavation of that on TV - Time Team or something to do with Neil Oliver. It's an amazing place.

 

[Lyn W]

There are 22 Nature Reserves on the main island of Orkney alone so, needless to say, we have done quite a lot of bird watching today.

We made our way to Marwick Head which has cliffs full of nesting seabirds in season... they’re just turning up now. Orkney is at least a month behind Kent; they’re still on Daffodils and primroses as spring flowers here.

It had clouded over by the time we got to Marwick Head.

View of the sea cliffs with the Kitchener Memorial dedicated to WWI Field Marshal Kitchener
View attachment 238648

View towards the island of Hoy
View attachment 238649

View towards the Brough of Birsay- an island linked by a causeway at low tide
View attachment 238650

You are so lucky to be in such a fabulous place!

 

[Lyn W]

And then we went to the Brough of Birsay. The island has a Viking village inhabited from c 600AD - 1100AD ... so only 1000 years old.

It is remarkably similar to its much older neighbour at Skara Brae, but they did have a drainage system so plumbing was a benefit!

We saw a puffin on the cliffs ...but the weather closed in and we escaped just before the rain got too bad
View attachment 238651

Nordic carving
View attachment 238652

More sea cliffs
View attachment 238653

Heading for the mainland
View attachment 238654

I see in that top picture they also had irons, can tell by the iron burn on the rock.
I have one on my carpet!