Danger - Mango chutney in progress

I've wanted to make Mango chutney for ages.  So, as I have some time off, I decided to make it.  And this time, I've taken photos of the process!

First, prepare the mangoes, onion, garlic, apples and peel the root ginger:

Then, in the preserving pan, dissolve the sugar in the vinegar:

Once it's dissolved, grate the root ginger into the sweetened vinegar and stir:

Then add everything else:

Then bring to the boil:

Once the mixture has begun to boil, reduce the heat and simmer for about an hour or until the liquid has evaporated and the chutney begins to thicken..

Still simmering.....

It's now been simmering for about 40 minutes...

Nearly time to jar it....

Now jared...

So all it needs to do is cool down so I can put lids on and label the chutney.

So now time to chill...

Back soon.

Karen 

Now I feel better

Thank you for the day

For the day

We'll last forever

Thank you for the day

For the day

Car Troubles - Part 2

Just when you thought it was safe to restart the Monster.... 

The battery strikes again. I went to unlock the Monster, and no response from the plip.  So several muttered curses later and it was the same as yesterday.  No click, no response from the dashboard.

So another call to the breakdown people and a mechanic was duly sent out to the Monster.

He got the car started, and then suggested that I let the car idle for about 30  / 45 minutes.  

I suggested that I gave the Monster a good run up the motorway with no stops, as that would make sure that there was a reasonable charge, and he agreed with that - provided I didn't stop or turn the car off.

My partner also sorted out a replacement battery for the Monster, in case this one is a dud.  They will have it in stock tomorrow (but fingers crossed that I don't need it)

So all I can do now is wait and see if the battery holds the charge overnight.  

Ah well, the chutney calls.

Back with photos...

Karen

The dead of night
You're saying words you can't recite
A sea of noise so empty
Get on your way
There's no excuse for the delay
Before it's just a memory

A weekend of car troubles

Not exactly the weekend that we had planned so far...  This was the weekend that we were supposed to be at Birmingham Town Hall to see Magnum on the Serpent Rings tour, but COVID-19 put paid to that.

So, we decided to say "sod it" and have a relaxing break.  Ok - Friday morning we dropped my partner's car off to the garage so they could investigate a couple of issues for him, and we still had Monster to use for the various bits and pieces (even though he doesn't like Monster (or my driving!)).

So Friday was successful in a way.  After we'd dropped his car off, we stopped off at Morrisons to pick up some shopping, then it was on to Wing Yip to get some bits and then once home, the first of the car troubles started...

The garage where my partner had left his car called, and said that they couldn't open the bonnet as the lock was inoperative.  Typical Ford problem from what we found out.  So he wasn't happy yesterday.

Today it was my turn.  We'd planned to go to Tesco to do some food shopping, then go into town for a look around.

Well, Monster decided *that* wasn't happening.  I hit the plip for the car, and the mirrors didn't unfold, nor did  the headlights come on.  Ok, strange, but possibly a dead battery in the plip.

So, I unlocked the driver's door (thank God for a physical key!) Then put the key in the ignition, and tried to start the car.  Nothing.  Not a click, and no interior light...

Ok.  Now I was worried.  But, my partner (practical man that he is) said that we should replace the battery in the plip to see if that worked.  So, one replacement battery later, and it was back to see the Monster.

Nope.  Still not having it.  So, I freely admit that I was now seriously worried. What had gone wrong with my little Monster?  But, luckily for me, I have breakdown cover, and decided to call on it.

The recovery agent came out, and he was charming, as well as being very informative.  He said that it was not a good idea to use jump leads, as this could fry the electronics on the car. (Been there with the Audi - don't want to go through that with the Monster thank you!). 

So, once he'd connected the jump starter (and shown me how / where to connect it on Monster), he asked me to turn the car into the first ignition point to see if I had power....

Yes!  So we started the Monster, checked the alternator was working ok and the battery was charging.  But, he couldn't guarantee that the car would start again, so I needed a new battery.

Great.  Now as the car is a smart ass stop start system, it costs a hell of a lot more than a normal battery.  And to add insult to injury, there are two different versions of the battery for the Monster.

Luckily for me, the local independent car spares had one of each in stock... And said if it wasn't the right one (as in it didn't fit) I could swap it for the other one.

Ok - then it came to getting it fitted...  Now I appreciated the honesty of the car spares staff - they'd never replaced a battery on a car as new as Monster, and were unwilling to risk damaging the car's ECU -  but they knew somewhere that could near by...

So, off we went.  Only this other store didn't have a battery in stock.  Damn.  But, if we supplied the battery, they would fit it.  

So, back to the car spares store for the new battery, and it was duly fitted by a really helpful and charming gentleman who didn't treat me like a dumb female when I asked questions about the battery as this is the first car I've had with this system on.

Monster is now sorted, but I still have to get the engine management light reset, so I'll call Arbury on Monday morning and see if I can drop the Monster in for their engineers to reset the system.

So, after a day like today, all we have wanted to do is chill out.  And I had planned to make some mango chutney as well as season the two carbon steel woks that we bought from Wing Yip.

That's now being done tomorrow as the weather doesn't look too good, and neither of us is really interested in shopping - especially not this close to Christmas....

Time to call it quits - I am starting to fall asleep, and don't really want to fall asleep on the setee...

Back tomorrow with photos of the chutney making...

Karen

The Moonking is waiting again

And maybe he'll welcome you in

To ride on a warm solar wind

Back where your dreams can begin

The Moonking is calling again

But never a sound to be heard

So up through a bright silver sky

Waiting but never deterred

Welcome to Tier 3 London!

That's what really annoys me,  My home area has been placed in tier 3 for COVID-19 restrictions, meaning that the following rules are in place:

 

• You cannot mix indoors, in private gardens or in most outdoor venues, except with your household or bubble
• You can meet in a group of up to six in other outdoor spaces, such as parks, beaches or countryside
• Shops, gyms and personal care services (such as hairdressing) can stay open
• Bars, pubs, cafes and restaurants must stay closed, except for delivery and takeaway
• Sports fans cannot attend events in stadiums
• Indoor entertainment venues - such as bowling alleys and cinemas - must stay closed

So, when London, parts of Essex and Hertfordshire get put into tier 3, you would have thought that the world was ending - especially the way that it was being reported by the media.  These two gems came from BBC News and Sky News respectively:

 

The director of the Theatres Trust said the London's theatres would face "disaster" under the stricter rules, while business owners in the capital said it would "be a ghost town".

 

The Confederation of British Industry warned that "thousands of jobs and livelihoods could be at risk" due to the government moving London into Tier 3.

Congratulations.  Now you know what the rest of us are having to put up with.  Why the south of England thinks that they are so unique, I have no idea.   They're not the only areas that have had these issues.  

Areas in the north of England (and my home in darkest Warwickshire) are all under these restrictions - and I think that we have gotten off lightly, as we (Warwickshire) only got placed into tier 3 the beginning of December, where as places like Newcastle have been in tier 3 since the beginning of September (if not longer!)

Ah well - rant over.  I've had enough of staring at a computer screen today.

Back when I get chance...

Karen

Man will take the treasure
Innocence is lost
Thinking he's so clever
Lines have been crossed
Man won't live forever
Shadows on the wall
Can't get it together
Sacrifice all

The tiers are in… And we’ve been rated…… TIER 3.

Great.  The new tiers have been announced, and my home area is in tier 3, as is my partner’s home.  Now his area, I can understand, but mine?  Unless there is something I have missed, I didn’t think we were as bad as some areas

So, as we’re in a support bubble (and we’re in the same tier) I’m planning to escape next weekend to see him, as I haven’t seen him since the end of October.  I know it’s not as long as the first lockdown, but this time of year, things are that much gloomier, and it makes me want to curl up with someone I care about, and chill out watching a film.

Ah well, guess I’d better get back to the grindstone – my lunch break is nearly over.

Back when I get chance.

 

Karen

You gave me your love
To last me forever I know
Our love is forever
You gave me your love
To last me wherever I go