blog

Missions

With lockdown due to start tomorrow, and yesterday’s mission being devoted to pleasure at the expense of the practical, this afternoon I went out with a detailed shopping list and a pre-planned itinerary. The first stop was the chemist, followed by a walk down Istiklal to the mobile phone shop where I topped up my […]

Tulips and hyacinths

With lockdown due to start on Thursday, the GF and I decided to go out this afternoon for supplies that may become harder to get hold of in the days to come. But first we walked across the Galata Bridge for a cup of coffee in the pleasant square between the Yeni mosque and the […]

Half a sheep’s head

I had half a sheep’s head for dinner tonight, along with a bowl of tripe soup drizzled with chile oil, garlic and vinegar. Rather intense, and will be followed by some burnt apple crumble. A good thing my digestion is as sturdy as it is. It’s a cool, grey evening so I thought I’d best […]

What I noticed

Coronavirus ravages India Pakistan next? The trial of the murderer of George Floyd Football Super League rises, falls Pakistan, India overtures on Kashmir Downing Street sleaze – I wish they’d just call it corruption US refuses to send vaccine precursors to India US recognises Armenian genocide Attacks on Arabs in Jerusalem President of Chad falls […]

Funny tofu

I made a funny tofu dish today which turned out surprisingly pleasant. It had tofu, turmeric, dill, a stick of cinnamon, chillies, fish sauce and lemon juice. So maybe slightly Vietnamese tinged? Anyway, it was good. Today is a lockdown so the streets were quiet. It was also a little cloudy all afternoon, so cooler […]

Old times

I had a call with a client today which reminded me rather of my old work at a university, where I became an expert in helpfulness with a soupcon of flattery for some, to get what I needed out of them. A useful skill but a tiresome one. It was a sunny afternoon and tomorrow […]