The Lancashire Riviera

On Sunday we dropped small son off at a paint-balling birthday event between Carnforth and Silverdale, and used the two-and-a-half hours productively, walking to the coast and along past Jack Scout. A friend staying in Juan-les-Pins texted to say it was 22 degreess there, and lots of punters on the beach. I replied it was 20 degrees in the South Lakes and no punters. Amazing return of the Indian summer when we had been warned of deadly blizzards.

On our return I overcooked (i.e. to medium rather than rare) a piece of sirloin of Aberdeen Angus from Rowntree Farms. Foolishly I followed the divine Delia's method instead of my usual slavish adherence to HF-W as regards meat. Saw an edition of the latter's veg thing later. Again a table of cut-glass-accented and very photogenic gardeners/helpers, but can forgive him for the way he does in the end inspire. Never yet felt like cooking something Jamie Oliver fries off (his phrase not mine), and it generally seems to be fried. Likewise Delia, though she does always inform, and Rick Stein, again educational and never less than interesting, but not inspirational. Nigel Slater's presentation on TV so low-key as to induce sleep, pity as in spite of annoying writing style (see below) he often has good ideas and sound views.

I Don't Like (Bank Holiday) Mondays

Raspberries coming thick and fast now on the allotment, yesterday's picking with same weight of our own cooking apples now three jars of sharp jam. Breakfast in bed this morning consisted of proper coffee and a couple of slices of toast spread with the new preserve. Everyday luxury, especially given we had the time to relax and savour it.

Why did Sir John Lubbock go for Mondays rather than Fridays when he introduced Bank Holidays? Doubtless because offices and factories used to work on Saturdays, but why can't the whole lot now be changed to focus on Fridays instead? Monday even sounds dreary with its low 'uh' vowel sound compared to the jaunty 'i' at the end of the working week.

We hardly ever venture out on BHMs, knowing both traffic and rain are always around the corner. So we'll celebrate with a family feast of sorts tonight: the chicken liver pate is made and cooling. With the addition of some breadcrumbs, two of our eggs, an onion and three cloves of garlic we'll have about 1kg for £3, half for consumption this week the rest for the freezer. Eco in Northern Eco means economy as well as a certain respect for the environment. The chocolate cake (as the oven was already hot from making the pate) will be ready in 10 minutes, thank you the blessed Delia. And turkey fricassee - such a lovely word fricassee - will be quickly done tonight when needed.

Counting home-grown veg as free that makes three courses for about £6.50 Roughly the price of the bottle of wine from the ever excellent Artisan Wines that will accompany it. Opened a bottle of Gamay de Bouze from them yesterday and it was very good indeed as we have come to expect.

Pity the BHM weather is equally consistent, a few hours of sunshine would have given that extra lift to the proceedings. Bet Friday is a scorcher.