Surge Ahead

This photograph came to our attention yesterday taken from one of the boats we met up with whilst on our way out of the Norfolk Broads on our way to Southwold.

This photograph is taken as the boats waited in Great Yarmouth Harbour for the lifting of Haven Bridge so that all seven boats could proceed to sea.

During last nights huge storm surge this whole area was underwater. The tide breached the flood walls and entered the town. We could have gone over haven bridge rather than under it.

This just goes to prove the power of  mother nature.

Wrapping

We must be all out of kilter this year. Its only the 5th December but we already have the Christmas presents bought and sorted. 

Tonight we are wrapping the bulk of the presents which I picked up yesterday, thank the lord for online reservations and ordering, they make this time of year so much more palatable. All I had to do was walk into the store, type in an order number and within minutes I was walking back out of the store and loading the car up with goodies. Easy peasy.

The rest of the presents, only four of them, are ordered and are due to be delivered to our house on Monday evening after work so we will wrap them on Monday and start the task of delivering them during the evenings next week. 

By the end of next week we should have everything delivered and we can sit back and relax for the rest of December. 

This is very much out of the ordinary for us. We are usually very much last minute christmas shoppers but for some reason this year it has just felt right to get it all done and dusted early in the month, and I have to say it has been a much more relaxing way to go about the task in hand.

We have been so organised we have even got the numerous birthday presents for this month as well. Its all very odd!!

Seafood Lasagne

Just a little something I rustled up last night from a few bits and bobs in the fridge and freezer. We have so much lovely meat in the house at the moment but we fancied something a little bit different last night.

So this is super simple.

Make a simple white sauce with melted butter, flour and milk, then add grated cheese and stir until thickened and the cheese is melted.

In a seperate pan fry an onion, mushrooms, bell pepper and mixed seafood, we used king prawns, mussel meat and squid. When cooked through add some of your cheese sauce. Mix well then layer in a dish with lasagne sheets. Top with more of your cheese sauce and grated cheese. For this we used a reduced fat mature cheddar. Bake in the oven for 20 minutes.

Here's ours served with rocket salad and garlic bread.

Good Food

As I am sure you have figured out by now we are advocaters of buying good food. But buying good food doesnt need to be expensive, not if you shop smart.

As i had the day off work on Friday I had the chance to visit our local butcher, a family business who slaughter, butcher and sell local meat. Sounds expensive you might say, but it is anything but.

As an example two big rib eye steaks, one of which is pictured opposite, were just £6.30 and they were matured to perfection and melt in the mouth. The meat was like butter and melted away at the touch of the knife.

Whenever I get the chance to visit the butchers at Grenoside I take the chance to stock up the freezer with top quality products. The produce I bought last week will see us through until the next visit just before christmas, not bad for a spend of a shade under £40, especially as this included steak, lamb leg joint, four duck breasts, chicken breasts and duck eggs amongst other more basic provisioning such as steak mince, sausage and diced pork.

I know it may seem to some like more hassle to shop around at different establishments for different produce but it can pay off if you spend a little time out a couple of times a week to stock up. Green grocers next to stock up the fridge with fresh fruit and vegetables.

Decent Day

After the icy start yesterday actually turned out to be a decent day. We spent the afternoon anchored in Brayford Pool before heading back for home as the sun started to set. 

And Icy!

We really didn't expect this either. Ice breaking already! 

http://youtu.be/skl5kKpLIPo

Frosty

We got a bit of a shock when we got up this morning. The weather forecasters got it a bit wrong here in the Lincoln area. There has been a very harsh frost here in Saxilby with a fine skin of ice on the ditch. 

It's mostly melted now mind and Naughty-Cal is slowly thawing out as the heating releases her from her icy cage, the canopy windows are clearing and the hatches and port lights are now frost free. 

Looks set to be a glorious run back to the marina this afternoon after a lazy morning drinking coffee and listening to the radio whilst enjoying a big full English!