We are not even out of the first stage of covid-19 and there is talk of the second stage.Not sure of what the new normal will be as we all are still in for the long haul before we can start to get together.Rick

That's bad luck for both of them Colin, but unless you are in direct physical contact with them there should be no reason to stop you visiting your mum. There was something on the news this evening that travel restrictions were being lifted in Wales this coming weekend so you should be alright, but also your visit would be on compassionate grounds which has been allowed for a couple of weeks.

Do hope you can sort something out.

Best wishes, Nerys.

A few weeks ago there started to be talk here in California about reopening things. Well the old saying....give them an inch they'll take a mile.... people just came out, traffic looked almost like normal. Well this week our covid cases are spiking, the curve going straight up.

I was planning on getting some of my new builds over to the pond for sea trials, but I now plan to wait it out and see what happens in the next few weeks. Stay safe, stay put!
Joe 👍

Looks like lockdown is starting all over again, I was hoping to visit my mum in the next 2 weeks, but now my sister who lives near Leicester and works at a local school is back in lockdown when two parents contracted the covid virus.
So it looks pretty bad again as another one of my sisters, has a family member in Kidderminster has tested positive.
Cheers Colin.

This isn't really related to model boats but watching an 'Alaska; film on TV last night, I saw shots of the Aurora Borealis and it reminded me of an old superstition or folk tale says that if the Aurora or Northern Lights are seen in England it foretells a disaster for the country. They were seen in 1939 and several times earlier this year. I won't say any more!

Nerys

Thank you Nerys,
I emailed mum a few minutes ago and we are planning on going to visit in a couple of weeks to take her garage over and get it erected for her.
At last I will be able to use my trailer again for the tip run and the builders yard.
Hope you're lake opens up soon. My local lake is closed to all because of the problems with the idiots partying and damage caused, and also fires and litter.
I can't even walk my dog there now.
Cheers Colin.

Hi Colin, at least there is good news for you today, you can come over the border to visit your mum on compassionate grounds from Monday and for any reason in two weeks. And about time too, I hear you say.

Cheers, Nerys

Hi Colin, Very pleased to hear that you have tried out the Bara Brith recipe and you all approve. I do hope your mother likes it too. I'm not surprised you didn't wait the two days before eating, we never do either. PLeased to hear your grandson is around and about, obviously getting over his accident, you'll have him in your workshop pretty soon, I hope.
Anyway, best wishes to you and Caroline,
Nerys

Tried your Bara recipe, but sadly it didn't keep, we ate it after 24 hours.
Now I need to make some more,
will it keep if I make a few.
Grandson called in today after hospital check up and ate 3 slices and he doesn't normally like cakes.
My mum makes it differently as she doesn't weigh anything, but it always tastes great.
I have sent her one for her 95th birthday on Saturday.
I am sure she will tell me what she really thinks of it.
Thank you Colin.

Thanks Nerys, that's something I didn't know, and I often use their service.
Cheers Colin.

Colin, something else that's gone up enormously. The free delivery from Toolstation is now for £25 worth of goods, going up from £10.

Cheers, Nerys

Thanks for that and very similar to our tea cake. Very tasty but have not had it for years. That is about to change.

Back to boats. Hull of my Commander painted, just have to clear coat. I have a 700 motor and will go with the SLA battery. Now to build the top decks etc. Might get into the water yet.

A fine example. My brother is a keen Barra fisherman in far North Qld. Tag and release but has many an image of large meter plus Barramindis that the crocs did not get.

Hi Nerys, Peter's talking about Barramundi, supposed to be quite tasty (big example in pic). Unfortunately we don't get them in NZ, but we do get big salmon in the south Island. I'm going to give your Bara recipe a slash sometime, as I'm rather partial to a bit of cake!
JB

I'll try that Nerys.
Cheers Colin.

Is Barra, short for Barracuda?

Nerys

For the uninitiated, thought I'd better give the recipe for Bara Brith. It is a sort of heavily fruited bread/cake, but don't blame me if you try it and describe it some other way.
Take 400gms of mixed fruit and soak overnight in 300mls strong tea to which you have added 300gms brown sugar. Mix in 250 gms SR flour, 1teaspoon of mixed spice and an egg. Mix well, line a tin with baking paper, put in mix and cook at 180/ gas 4 for an hour. When a knife stuck into the mix comes out clean, it's cooked. Put on plate, leave to cool and it's best kept for two days before eating. We don't always bother about that bit. Best eaten liberally buttered.

Good luck, Nerys

Had not heard of Bara before, had to google it. Sounds good. I know the Welsh Cakes and have tried my hand at making them over here. Love them. Bara over here is spelt Barra and is one of our favourite fish - especially if wild caught.

Hi Colin,

I don't think shop made Bara Briths are up to much anyway. I had one from a shop specialising in them a while ago, I won't say which one, and was very disappointed. Trying not to boast, but I like my own best. Alice and I are both as well as can be expected, fed up with the present situation, wondering if we could escape for a few weeks in the caravan once freedom comes to Wales, Have to persuade some hospital or other that I was a wandering gipsy and can they dyalise me please. Best wishes to you and Caroline

Hi Nerys,
Times like these we need a boost now and again.
Can't get a decent Bara in Hereford and we never seem to be able to bake them as good as the Welsh. Although Caroline makes cracking Welsh cakes.
Looking forward to being able to cross the border and visit my mum she's 95 next Saturday, it will be the first time that the family will miss being with her since dad passed away in 2008.
Mum sent us 2 bara's last week, but they soon go.
I hope that you and Alice are looking after each other and staying safe and well.
Best wishes Colin and Caroline.

I agree Colin, I hadn't actually worked it out, but knowing how much we've spent recently compared with normal times, you can't be far out. I must admit though, we are allowing ourselves a few extra treats. Must keep up morale!.

All the best, Nerys

Hi Nerys,
totally agree about the costs rising, over the last three shops for the same items it has risen by 24.7% here in Hereford. That's a big slice out of the pension.
Cheers Colin.

Forget the waistline, enjoy.
Well done, and thanks for sharing, (sort of.)
Cheers Colin.

Re -Almost a meal but where is the extra thick double cream???.

Plenty of marg and plum jam Colin, only took me 3 days to finish😁. No cream unfortunately as I have to watch the waistline😂
JB

Re - I have noticed that since we have been good Lockdowners and only gone shopping once a week,

I'm with you on the 2 freezers and biscuits Nerys, but I've actually spent less (probably not been out and about so much and not getting an appetite.) Flour and baking stuff has been completely sold out over the lockdown so there must have been a lot of baking going on! My son bought me some gluten free chocolate cake mix (about 10kg) from a wholesaler while he and his mates were doing a shopping run for their flat. There is nothing you can do to this stuff to make it taste good, (tastes like cardboard) tried everything but must need glutin😁
JB

Yes Martin. I went with Alice on Friday for the first time. She has been going alone. Thought a lot of things were more expensive than before lockdown and several things that we normally buy, Alice said were dearer than last week, so we left them. Manor House fruit cake was one, 1.95 this week, 1.50 last. TUC biscuits were up by 60p too, and I'm sure the 9.95 I paid for a half shoulder of lamb was a bit over the top..

Cheers, Nerys

Hi Nerys,
The only weight loss i have had is in the wallet LOL!!

Have you noticed since we have been on lockdown the price for many an item fluctuates.?

Martin555.

I have noticed that since we have been good Lockdowners and only gone shopping once a week, we are spending a lot more than usual, we have an excellent stock of biscuits and cake and are running two freezers instead of one. Curiously, though, my weight has , if anything, reduced a little.

Cheers, Nerys

It seems during the lock down we go from meal to meal and then it may be a snack before bed.O the waistline.
Rick

OMG.
Call the fire brigade, and the council and stand by for a blockage.
😂😂😂😂

Sorry Jb,
I just had another look and i can now clearly see why you are looking forward to when the lockdown is over LOL!!


Martin555

Almost a meal but where is the extra thick double cream???.
Cheers Colin.

Jb,
Last time i saw something like that the Bomb squad was called.LOL!!

Martin555.