York Food Festival

The best that could be said, marginally better than the traveling junk food circus that periodically blights Lincoln High Street.

An interesting conversation with Riverford re deteriorating quality and poor service, though I hasten to add not as bad as Mindful Chef who are a fjdgrsce, claim to be ethical, something of an oxymoron when owned by castle.

Another recipe box company…. were a joke. There stall was quitewikfeittsrall bare, naxxda. When qjerjed, told to go on line.vtgen showed a few photos of produce. Why are they even there, is this not supposed to be a femebtayion of local produce.

A fish and chip, stomach churning stench claimed to be best in the country.

Chocolate wrapped in plastic. Bean-to-bar? Er, no, Belgium chocolate, bagged. Local, celebration official produce?

Why is plastic packaging permitted?

Gin, did k wish to try? No, I cannot stand gin.

Greek junk food.

A soup making machine. I discovered a taste

There are places to eat in York, excellent deli?

York Autumn Equinox plus two

A dull windy day, occasional sunny spells.

Unlike previous week, York Station not busy.

Along City Wall, descend to River Ouse at Barker Tower.

Linch at The Perky Peacock. I sat outside but eventually driven inside by noise from angle grinder on metal.

Looked in delightful deli in Lendal.

Found my way to Minster Gate Book Shop. Did not have The Foundation series as last week.

York Food Festival. The best to be said, not as bad as the traveling junk food circus that periodically blights Lincoln High Street.

As a result of my wasted detour to the food market, arrived to find Kiosk closing. No coffee.

Looked in at the Hairy Fig.

Takeaway espresso from Spring Espresso Lendal.

York Station with a few minutes to spare.

Train packed, very few wearing masks.

Salmon with slow roast tomatoes and potatoes

Two organic salmon steaks from Waitrose on Monday.

That evening Jamie Oliver on cooking salmon served with slow roast tomatoes.

Cherry tomatoes, some time done overripe some cut some not.

Potatoes cut into small chunks. Par boil for ten minutes.

Tomatoes and potatoes in a small tray, drizzle with olive oil, added salt.

Place in fan oven 180C for sixty minutes.

Salmon streaks drizzle with a little olive oil, sprinkle with a little salt.

Place in fan oven 180C for last twenty minutes.

Delicious.

Lincoln Autumn Equinox plus one

A little cooler today, strong wind blowing.

Not very busy in town centre.

Hopped on Walk and Ride to Lincoln Cathedral.

Lunch at Elite on the Bail.

Walked back down Steep Hill.

Guest coffee at Madame Waffle. Impressive aroma, especially as grinding beans. Espresso by contrast disappointing

… to be continued…

Nottingham Autumn Equinox

Autumn Equinox day and night equal. As we head into winter days get shorter nights get longer.

A lovely warm sunny afternoon in Nottingham.

Train to Nottingham, large number of passengers board at Newark, none are wearing masks.

At Nottingham, train pulls in way along the platform. Usually I head out the side entrance but would have had to walk back. I head out the front entrance

in station foyer, half a dozen Wise Owls. Last year they were in the streets. I have seen nothing. Lincoln Imp Trail, Sheffield Bears.

Looked in 200 Degrees. Empty, close at four.

Broadmarsh demolition in progress. Different route through to retail desolation on the other side.

The tacky hoardings outside Thea Caffea not acceptable.

Cappuccino at Cartwheel Coffee.

I learn there new bags are from recycled coffee cups.

interesting distribution tool. Needle like lins project down into the coffee, give it a whirl.

Cartwheel Coffee not busy.

Flower seller not around.

More retail desolation down a ride street.

I did not have what I had previously, fillings not to my liking.

Look in Kigali, head to Sneinton Market.b

I was pleased to find Yoke had not closed. A few weeks ago I found closed.

Look in Oxfam Shop. Raise issue of Tony’s Chocolonely, slave trade industrial low quality chocolate.

I comment on the cast iron columns holding up cast iron beams. I learn shop was there very first Boots store.

A plaque outside. So high up would never notice unless attention drawn to it, too jkghvup covered.

Head to Luisa’s. Try a new chocolate on which I can not comment as not yet launched.

I learn Bare Bones undercutting bean-to-bar chocolate makers to acquire market share. Not good behaviour.

Back to Kigali. Long chat about coffee. Did I pay last visit for Standart? I cannot recall. They cannot either but think I did. I guess if I did not they would remember.

I took along three bags of coffee from different roasteries, Mind the Cup, The Under Dog and Coffee Gems.

After an espresso, I head to the station. Makecrrainn with acfewcminutes to spare

train packed. Few wearing masks.

… to be continued …

Lincoln Autumn Equinox minus one

A lovely warm sunny day. 20C.

Claim by Lincolnshire Live litter in city centre not true.

Walk and Ride to Lincoln Cathedral.

After lunch walk through Lincoln Castle to Stokes at The Lawn.

Lincoln Imps lined up. Removed last week from the streets, a week early due to vandalism At least three have been vandalised.

Tea at Stokes at The Lawn reasonable.

The Walk and Ride to town centre. I was about to walk through Lincoln Castle grounds when Walk and Rjdecturbed up. I hoped on.

Coffee at Coffee Aroma.

I learnt something interesting. Stokes, Imperial Teas, Coffee Aroma, all source their tea from same source.

Looked in Oxfam Bookshop. I raised how bad Saturday. Oxfam order their staff not to limit the number in the bookshop. This is appalling behaviour by Oxfam.

Seven Districts roastery and coffee shop

I visited via Nettleham en route, driver would not drop me off at Welton Hill, I therefore alighted at Nettleham and caught the next bus.

Quiet, not as busy as last visit.

Avocado and halloumi cheese on toasted sour dough bread a deceptively simple dish. Followed by an espresso.

A garden out the back, with welcome rules, no smoking, must be quiet. Failure to comply and will be asked to leave.

A long walk back along a country lane to pick up a bus from Welton.

I learnt later, No 53 Lincoln to Market Raisen Hail and Ride, driver has to drop of a passenger if request. I doubt though viability of picking up a bus to Lincoln as would be travelling too fast.

to be continued….

Seven Districts Nettleham

I was visiting Seven Districts roastery and coffee shop at Welton Hill middle of nowhere but bus driver would not drop me off. I alighted Nettleham en route to take my chances on the next bus.

Seven Districts located in a library, confusingly called a Hub, more a kiosk than a coffee shop serving takeaway coffee.

My cappuccino excellent.

Not somewhere I would go out of my way too, but if I lived in Lincoln I would frequent.

… to be continued …

Visit to coffee shops in Nettleham and Welton Hill

Warm sunny day.

Seven Districts a roastery and coffee shop at Welton Hill middle of nowhere half way between Lincoln and Market Raisen. On a bus route, only problem no bus stop. At whim of bus driver if dropped of, wise therefore to ask before boarding the bus.

Today I asked and the driver said no.

I asked therefore for Nettleham.

Seven Districts have a coffee shop in Nettleham.

I alighted from the bus, Seven Districts more a kiosk than a coffee shop, located in a library confusingly called a hub.

Not somewhere I would go out of my way to visit, though ideal if living in Nettleham.

On the other hand roastery and coffee shop worth a visit, the only problem middle of nowhere and no bus stop.

Luckily bus driver agreed drop me off. If not I would have caught a bus back to Lincoln

Not as busy as my previous visit.

Something to eat, an espresso, then long walk to Welton to pick up a bus to Lincoln.

Stopped off at Waitrose on the outskirts of Lincoln.

Bus from Waitrose into city centre was No 53. On leaving the bus, driver advised me service was Hail and Ride, request to be dropped where no bus stop.

Mowing lawns in the rain

Mowing grass when wet is