October

The Lancrigg, Lentil Soup, Tofu Cheesecake, Slim T and Poetry Competitions

The sun has been shining and at last we have had some summer. Too late. Hacked right off. I suffer from SAD syndrome and it kicked in around the beginning of June this year, instead of the usual late January. Without a holiday in two years and working far too hard trying to hold it all down, it was time for a break. And what a break it was. Short, but very very sweet.

The Lancrigg (www.lancrigg.co.uk) will feature in depth in Issue 5 out November 1^st but for now let me whet your appetite about this most wonderful hotel deep in the forests of Grasmere in the heart of the Lake District. The place is just sublime and features about 10 or 12 rooms in a beautiful country house with first rate facilities, most excellent service, an incredible hospitable host in the form of Robert the owner, and the most inexplicably awesomely stunningly outrageous lentil soup in existence this side of the next universe. And the nut roast was just so good too. Joined at the hip by a fine hefty Bordeaux, plus the immaculate company of my treasured and much loved Dad Chris, now in his 80’s and still in the prime of life, this was the best it gets really.

The Friday started with the most immaculate Lentil Soup I have ever tasted. Did I mention that? The Nut Roast was rich, moist and flavoursome, the Cheesecake almost Bavarian in texture and the best use of tofu imaginable, and the wine was so quality that even the two of us could only manage a half bottle. A single malt before (whose name escapes, but images of heaven were conjured up by its smell let alone taste and effect) and a cognac after (equally sublime) plus a little coffee and those deep luxurious after dinner sofas in the lounge were way and above what any of us truly deserve, to be quite frank. Except nurses and saints of course. And Louis Saha right now.

All too soon it was over, the rest can be read in November, but oh my gosh what a most beautiful break. Thanks to everyone especially Robert and his team and also me Dad for putting up with me all the way up there and back. Appreciated.

The only problem is that I have changed my name again, this time to Slim T, on account of all the training and Chi Kung and lack of beer recently. The Lancrigg visit has slightly threatened the description and also weakened my resolve for alcohol and rich food. But Slim T it is for now, and we are all hard at work on Issue 5 as well as the Eco Veggie Fayres (www.ecoveggiefayre.co.uk) with Croydon in a month, and Reading before Christmas, Brighton next spring and now the Bristol 2 day mega bash for May 29^th and 30^th 2010. Croydon is already officially over half full and filling out fast with loads of peeps on board already and our recently announced poetry competition has already received some quite dreadful entries as well as one or two good ones – more are welcome, closing date is near the end of October sometime, email info@yaoh.co.uk with your best efforts.

Until next time

Peace xxxSlimT