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.

The Divine Hugh

New Hugh F-W series began last night, and was disappointed enough to wander off to do stuff elsewhere halfway through. He is my favourite food writer of modern times at least, David and Grigson (Jane not Sophie) vying for all-time top spot. HF-W is thought-provoking and environmentally aware, which balances the ridiculously posh accents of his team of photogenic gardeners. It began badly with the trail, which stated something like: "Britain is a nation of carnivores and River Cottage led the way." Am reasonably sure we ate meat before it appeared as a topic on bookshelves and TV screens. And the stunt of giving up meat entirely for a period was as annoying as someone's kid screaming 'look at me.' There was something very condescending about giving the veg packs to builders too.

I'll still buy the book as he always has good ideas and has a cosily relaxed writing style (see previous blog for my rather different views on Nigel Slater's) but maybe he should take a break from TV and stop to think about his output more. That's me off the list of potential contributors then.