HEMINGWAY, HE WAS A BIT OF A BOY
Lisa Stansfield again, ahhh ! (No offence to Lisa of course)
Been awake for ages thinking, all good, nothing bad, just excited really.
Thinking about the future, life is full of exciting decisions, after having been on the tear for the last few years, it's so good to be back on an even keel. From stability comes strength, from strength comes fearlessness, from fearlesness comes could decision making, from good decision making comes contentment. Bring it on.
A great meal last night, a few of the papers, the crossword and a quiet table for one in the corner and the Monday night menu please. One ice cold bottle of beer, two glasses of wine and three local dishes from the area of LAZIO later and that's me happy for another evening.
In bed for ten, with my new MARCO PIERRE WHITE book, I fell asleep whilst reading it a few minutes later, so good to be tired, makes a person feel honest.
I'm contemplating moving, I want life to continue to get simpler, I read a brilliant host of articles over the weekend about chefs who have their own vegetable gardens and I thought I really fancy that, a nice big ktichen and your own fresh fruit and veg, a big welcoming old table and a rack of hearty wines stacked up against the wall, the radio on, doors open to the garden and all the food on the go, sounds like heaven.
Ideas for the show are coming thick and fast, sometimes it's like that, usually when you're in a good place. Really fancy doing something about great moments in time after looking at some photographs of Fidel Castro's life. There's a particularly brilliant one of him and Che Gavara sitting on the back of a boat whilst fishing in Ernest Hemingway's annual fishing competition, two legends kicking back... what was that conversation like ?
What makes the greats, great ? There they are at school one day, with their packed lunch and in the blink of an eye, they're dragging the hopes and dreams of a nation or even the world behind them.
What was little Bill Clinton like ? The little seven year old WILLIE chasing all the girls round the play ground,
"I'm going to be president one day, I'm going to be president one day, who wants a kiss!"
Little Nelson Mandella,
"Come on Nelson your teas ready, you have to eat well if you're going to change the way the whole planet thinks !"
Little Madonna ...
"Now stop showing the football team the colour of your panties, stop drawing pictures on that bible and don't miss choir practice otherwise you'll never be able to sing ! "
I've got a picture of myself as a four year old kid on the mantlepiece, it tells you far more than looking in a mirror. The reflection in the mirror is simply who you are now. The image in the photograph is who you were always going to be. It's all in the eyes, your intent, your destiny is born with you.
Plans are important too I now realise. Another thing I'm up to just after this, is planning a walking holiday with a couple of pals, we're off next week and we can't wait. With every step of planning comes another chink of excitement, just writing about it now is giving me a good feeling in my tummy. Where to stay, what clothes to pack, a new pair of boots to be researched and bought, restaurants must be booked, reading material selected and a new item of packing put in the case every day. Calm packing, calm holiday, thoughtful preparation, fruitful outcome.
Yes. Yes. Yes, I love it.
Boy George was funny yesterday in New York, what a farce, what were the authorities thinking ? Idiots ! What was Boy George thinking in the first place ?
If there is blackmail, why is it so called ? Is there whitemail ? Like blackmail but not as sinister.
We must have a food item on gravy. The nation needs to be reminded how important a good gravy is and how we go about making different types. Walking home last night there was a layer of frost on the cars, gravy time is coming ! Why would anyone want to live anywhere other than Great Britain? The seasons, I love them.
Signing off now, time for the second cuppa of the day and a virtual search for the house of my dreams,
x
Lots of love, Tuesday already, let's get on with this life.
Comments
Good Morning Christoph!
Of course there's whitemail. As the great man, Terry Pratchett wrote, there must be anti crimes.
Whitemail is simply the threat to a gangland enforcer that their charity work will be revealed to the rest of criminal society unless alarge sum of money is handed over.
Then there's a different sort of breaking and entering where anti criminals enter someone's house and redecorate causing humilation and outrage. Sounds like a TV show.
A walking holiday. How great is that. Hope the weather holds good for you.
Toodles.
Hmm, thought provoking stuff.
It would be great to have a veggie garden, I want one someday, would love to be as self sufficient as possible.
A walking holiday? Never contemplated that before Chris? Me and girlfriend really enjoy a walk but a whole holiday walking? Hmm...maybe I could bring it up over lunch. I suppose the Lake District would be a great place to go for that. Thanks Chris, couldn't give me a shout out later could you?
Todays Tip! If you make a mistake, LEARN from it. Mistakes are for this purpose alone. A man who never made a mistake, never made anything.
Take care folks.
Love to all x
Morning fellow Lisa Stansfield alarm sufferer (not that theres anyhthing wrong with her, it's just that she's not my favourite singer of all time!)
You have the idea of keeping life simple exactly right Chris, I had the same thought a few years ago and although some would say my job was stressfull (I work in adult education) I think its the best job in the world. But having your own veggie garden is the button you press to make the world go round, great stuff, just had freshly picked toms on toast for breakie, brill. Talking of which, did'nt you say last week you would put up all the stuff on the blog from John Smith on moon gardening, what a guy, pity you didnt have more time for him but there we are. Can you poin me in the general direction Chris as I cant find anythin on his teachings.
Great show, spot on formula thats lured me away from local ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ.
Martin
the seasons are a-changing. last night was very possibly the last night you could get a full round of golf in after starting at 6. finishing 5/4 on 2 par 3's is telling me something as you try to get in before dark
a sad day.
but then coming up, is nights in in front of evening footie.
so not all bad
Hi Chris
You will love your veg garden, I have an abundace of green beans, corgetts and tomatoes in my garden, it's great!
A tip, plant Marigolds in between your runner beans, this will keep the aphids away 'cos you really don't want to spray anything with chemicals.
Thanks Chris, I now get up early and start the day 1-nil ahead. And I started my own blog last night, why not have a look and be the first to post a comment! http//annaliese1960.bogspot.com
Love Anna.......XXXXXXX
Ahhhhhh, large stone flagged kitchen, food on the go,doors and windows open looking out over a well stocked veggie garden, dogs asleep under the hug kitchen table with mismatched chairs and sitting there reading or catching up with a whole bunch friends, sounds absolutely perfect, do it, grab while you can.
Love Emma xx
PS Looooooove your show, listen to it every evening on the way home from work - why can't you be on for longer????
a Blogtastic morning to you all! tuesday again
three days too the weekend
lisa stansfield again lovely singer but change the alarm lads and lasses then no more AHHH!
yeah blackmails been around so long maybe we should have Whitemail sounds far better.
right thats me for now happy Blogging on the Shlogger
most likely some time today listen to some Frank Sinatra
keep up the good work christop and the team
im 9 and i LOVE gravy when i have mash potato and peas i mash them together and pour on gravy and thhere ya have it!!!
p.s could you play the boy with the Arab strap for my mum and dad!
Chris it is Che Guevara & Nelson Mandela
However, you'll be pleased to know I've found an Omlet for you and it will be very appropriate if you get your own veg garden.
Good spell checkers are available
as I type this my 9 year old daughter is blogging to you with her favourite gravy mix (she loves it - with anything)!!! even through the summer!
Veg gardens - fantastic - I had one up till this summer (if you read my blog yesterday - I am the self employed one working to pay the builder for the new office)! My veg garden is under a layer of landscaping felt, all the gravel from the bits the builder is building on and assorted plants which used to sit on the gravel!
Grow garlic - it is great - you need to buy it from the garden centre tho - not the supermarket stuff - plant it in November - it likes a frost - then just keep it weed free, harvest in August and learn to cook Italian!! We also did purple sprouting broccoli (the gravy lovers fave veg)! great success! potatoes are a scoosh - saw on gardeners world (sad sack that I am) a man who planted his potatoes in a trench filled at the bottom with torn newspapers, organic compost and grass cuttings - when i get my veggie patch back I am gonna try that!
Builders are here - the windows starting to go in! (most infuriating though when you buy thousands of pounds of windows from Norway to find they have been packed and shipped with the paint still wet! aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaggghhh!
Good luck with the ideal house search - we have lived in ours for 12 years now - it is a quirky little number and will be even quirkier when the builders leave! will send a photo when finished (it will be minimalist tho as we will have no money for furniture)!
bye for now!
Love Dot
Morning Christophe!!
Gravy....mmmm, sausages, mashed potatoes, peas and onion gravy - there is nothing better, and you never know while on the boat fishing Che and Fidel may have been discussing the best way to make it!!!!
I think everyone should follow their dreams for a little while in this hectic life, so if you want your garden go for it - it sounds wonderful.
As always Chris the shlogg is great
Have a great day everyone
Luv
Mayhem
xx
Morning!
Great minds hey, I just booked a walking holiday myself, what better holiday can there be, great views and great conversation, withouut intrusions!
I also think if you walk alday you appreciate a great meal more, like you really deserve this one!
I aspire to that dream house in the country too. Lets hope good things do happen to good people!
xxx
Good a.m. Chris
Yesterday I picked homegrown sweetcorn from the veg patch and they were yum! Served with a little butter & a fresh bread roll... The organic garlic bought on Saturday from a (large wellknown) retailer was "off". Think I'll try growing that too.
The veg patch is blooming with green beans, sweetcorn as said before, leeks, sprouts, spring onions, tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers although the latter 3 are in the greenhouse. A veritable pot-pourri for homemade winter soups. With or without gravy.
ttfn Val B.
Morning Chris,
Mmmmmmwah!
What a fab morning,.... now, I know that I said yesterday, I was going to blog in the evenings for the rest of this week... cos of my training course ...... it starts at 9:15 this morning.... Well: ..... I couldn't wait, so I missed out my piano playing session this morning and have dived into work early ... I say dived ... but driven 25 miles through open countryside.... a lovely drive today , bright sunshine , the fields strewn with cubes of straw left by the Combines yesterday.
Diving; right into the gravy if I may ..... ... ...
First and most importantly .. you don't need any "Gravy Products" so if you hear yourself saying Ahhhhh....I must pop out and get some gravy granules ....... don't. You don't need them and they will spoil the flavour of anything you pour it on.
Good gravy can make a meal just as poor gravy can ruin it...... where gravy is concerned , anything from a box or packet is bad news......
Good gravy starts the moment you put your "meat in the oven" ( sounds like a euphemism for something else but really.... it isn't) Top tip! ... put a tea-spoon of honey in the corner of the roasting tin. Then roast the meat as normal ...... the honey will burn to a cinder and turn a delicious dark brown colour. When the meat is ready take it out of the roasting tin and pop it over there ( you know where I mean........... yes you do ...... you know ... over there...... on the side) on a tray and cover with tin foil. What you do next will depend on what you are having with your meat ....... assuming a traditional roast diner .. the veg will be bubbling away nicely by now .... take the roasting tin and pop it onto a spare ring on the cooker...... (low heat) ... spoon off any excess fat from the top of the meat juices ( the fat floats on the top)... tip the tray to one side ( the side where the honey is) add just a dash of water from the cooking veg and agitate with a flat wooden spatula ... in a few short moments the gravy will start to thicken .. keep adding just a dash of water at a time and agitating until you have about a pint or so of mildly viscous brown liquid ........ if you like thick gravy ( as I do)... mix a bit (1 teaspoonful should be enough) of corn flour with water - so it looks like milk .. then add that in drips to the gravy and stir .. keep adding the corn flour "milk" until the gravy is thick enough to stick windows in with ... then decant into a jug ... pop the jug into the oven to keep warm ......Carve and serve the meat ,( onto warm plates) add the veg ( Roast potatoes - if you're having those - and the Yorkshire pudding) ... cover with a generous portion of the gravy, then eat....... yummy....... Ignore anyone that says eating this way will make you fat .... it's not something I've ever been accused of..... being fat that is....
Rachel's Gravy Facts:
1. Gravy Powder is just burnt sugar.... anyone can burn stuff, so make your own.
2. Posh Chefs use wine to "Deglaze" the roasting tin but all they are doing is burning the sugar in the wine...
3. Gravy granules are just burnt sugar and dried meat stock. .... (Yuck)
Growing your own vegetables is great but because they tend to be ready all at the same time .. you have storage problems ....you need to have an outlet for your excess produce ....... farmers markets are just the thing ... , sell or swap your excess short life produce ( Strawberries etc) for long lasting produce....
Boots! ......
Take it from a girl who knows ..... go get your new boots today and wear them for the rest of this week... even in the bath..... if you take new boots on a walking holiday .. you're gonna have blisters like beach balls.... take a pin, some antiseptic spray .. and some sticky elastoplasts tape for running repairs to your feet......... you'll thank me when you back.....:) Feet are essential ... look after them....
I'm typing at 100MPH... so apologies for any typos, other error or if the wholle thing makes no sense at all.....
Childhood pics ........ I must add some of those to my gallery... perhaps I'll do that at lunch-time today
Gotta dash ... of to the Training g Classroom ....... ( It's a post Portakabin in the car park.... Oh joy)...
Keep smiling
Rachel
x
Boots!! ... Go get em....... do it now.... on your way to the studio!
Profound shlogg, Chris.
I've just found a picture of me as a four year old and you are absolutely right, the impish side of me is plain for all to see. I think I'm going to let her out to play a little bit more....!
I've just bought a gorgeous little Edwardian house; it has settled me so much finding that much happiness in a house - I for one cannot wait to grow a few vegetables. Room isn't something I have a lot of but I'll happily give up a corner of the garden - any ideas from anyone as to what vegetables would suit a very small plot?! If that's a success, maybe an allotment would be my next move. Onwards.
Looking forward to the show, Chris (but pleeeeease don't play "I've got a golden ticket" again - I was singing it all last night - Lisa Stansfield would have been a welcome alternative!)
Take care,
xxx
A walking holiday! Why would any one want to go on a walking holiday? Too much hard work for an holiday. Why do you think cars have been invented?
Jezza Clarkson wouldn't go on a walking holiday;Come to think of it, neither would I.. But have a good one, and I hope the blisters are small.
Cheers...
Clair - grow garlic - see my blog earlier!
Thanks for the great words of encouragement - as you say "bring it on"
Salls
Christophe,
Rach is absolutley right - you need to be wearing those new booties right now! But failing that, as well as antiseptic spray and a pin, get some compeed (not sure of spelling) plasters - they're especially for blisters and are fab.
Veg garden sounds very idyllic, got me thinking of veg that I could start growing now. I haven't got much space, but could do three of four pots, anyone got any ideas?
Love the show,
xx
hi chris,
have to disagree with rachel. buy a quality gravy granule and it tates great. why sod about trying to make your own when great gravy can come out of a packet and made in minutes with just a kettle. blog on.
jason
Hi everyone.
Top of the morning to you all. Hope the weather's being kind to you. The sun's finally coming out again here after a few miserable grey weeks. I was enjoying the summer too much for it to go so soon. Sometimes, I think I was born on the wrong continent - bring on the heat!
Enough of the ramble...back to the point of this post.
To follow-on from Rachel (no. 14), shop-bought gravy products are loaded with MSG (mono-sodium glutamate). Unfortunately, having had a poor diet growing up that consisted, primarily, of junk food, I have developed food intolerances as an adult to MSG and caffeine, so I have to be careful what I eat. I'm not allergic, fortunately, but I can only have a very little bit on very rare occasions or else the gastroenteritis/IBS symptoms kick in with a vengeance. Believe me, not a great experience. Sorry, probably too much information!
Anyway, this means that I need to avoid processed foods, chinese (sob), crisps and, of most relevance, gravy. Not living anywhere near a health food shop that's actually easy to just 'pop in' and being too dependant on supermarkets due to my current rat-race lifestyle (note to self: think there's a lesson here), I've not had gravy for years and, sometimes, I really miss it. There are a few producers of gravy products that don't contain MSG, but most supermarkets don't carry them or only the beef one (not helpful if you're veggie, not that I am, but you get my point).
MSG seems to be a forgotten intolerance unlike gluten etc, which the supermarkets finally seem to be addressing in their ranges (about time too).
So, any advice on getting pre-prepared healthy gravies for those of us who don't have the time to cook a roast from scratch, or who live on their own so there doesn't seem to be much point, or who can't cook for toffee anyway (ok, yes, all three describe me to a tee)? Ta muchly.
Take care all.
Hello Good Morning
First time I've blogged and I chose this website Chris to do it!
Anyway - walking - choose Corsica - I think a best kept secret - although am now giving it away.
Beautiful mountains, scenery, beaches, a rugged existence, there is an amazing coastal road in the North which I actually cycled along for my triathlon training several years ago. But the coastal gardens full of ripe courgettes, tomatoes, very earthy red wine with an abundance of figs, apricots and gorgeous maccia aroma ( a blend of wild rosemary, thyme and lavender) - cant get the words out quick enough!
So you see you've got your garden idea to investigate and indulge in whilst walking through some immensly stunning surroundings.
Its very inspiring and would highly recommend!
Have an amazing day.
Love Amanda x
Theresa - potatoes do really good in deep containers (even a compost bag turned inside out)!
Am I beginning to sound reallys sad?
must go back to work!
Dot
Just wanted to get on the gravy train, or should that be boat (terrible, i know!). My mum in law makes the best gravy in the world.
What sarnies do you think Fidel and Che packed when they went fishing?
In reply to Ian:
Its got to be cheese and pickle, plain and simple. In a rocky boat you need something that is going to stick together. Fancy going fishing with a 6 inch thick multi-layered butty. first wave and you're going to be wearing half of it. Fancy ole Che sat there with a slice of tomato stuck to his t-shirt. Seriously uncool!!!!!
Take Care
LJ
xxxx
A good late morning to you
Don't you just love thinking? I love the way you start off with one thing in mind and then end up miles off course with another dozen or so thoughts having rambled in along the way. Conversations that work the same way can be the most interesting - I have a colleague (Ian) who is brilliant to converse with as he can seamlessly (seamlessley?) flow through topic after topic each one with just the slightest common link and he's so good because he just doesn't even realise that he's doing it.
By the way Chris your dinner last night sounded great - what's your favourite crossword? I'm a big fan of the cryptic in the Daily Express myself.
Enjoy the day....
Katie
x
Good morning Chris,
Opening your blog this morning was like opening the curtains and letting the sunshine in.
I love starting my day with your blog. I could have done without the Lisa Stansfielfd thing though. Not my cup of tea at all!
I want to go on a walking holiday but can't find anybody who will go with me! (Sulk)! Either they're too lazy or have kids to consider.
However I have persuaded 5 of my female friends and their children (8 in all aged 2 - 11) to accompany me on a weeks' camping holiday in Dorset from Monday. Only one of the mum's has camped before. The kids are very excited about it (having only ever holidayed abroad on fancy package trips). Mum's are nw beginning to think it's a good idea what with all this Heathrow business. They'll get to fish and walk and climb and horse-ride and surf and rest their play station thumbs. They'll also realise just how much good old blighty has to offer and all without a plug socket in sight. At night we'll have spooky stories by torchlight as the embers of the fire die down and sleepy heads drop off to slumber and then the wine and cider will come out and we ladies will chat until midnight or so. Most people find my choice of 'holiday' odd as my only child is now 21 and at 40 I should be 'living it up' but this is my idea of fun. I've not gone a year in my life without a camping trip.
I'm a lover of all seasons and the sudden changes of climate we get in the UK. I spend as much time outdoors as possible. The hot sun is my least favourite as I am fair skinned and wilt in the heat. My last home was surrounded by trees and had a roof garden. I spent as many nights as I could sleeping up there. I remember you having Ray Mears as a guest on your Saturday show last year. He said that he spends as many nights as possible sleeping outside. I think it does wonders for the soul. Was he an inspiration for you? I wouldn't mind a long walk somewhere with him........ :)
I love walking in the rain but can't take much wind as my mum potty trained me by blowing in my face and now when the wind blows in my face I wet myself a bit! I walk in my local woods (no wind in woods) most evenings for an hour or so if I can get somebody to walk with me. Single females are not able to walk in woods in London alone I'm afraid. Sad but true. I wish I could. I'd like a woodland walking meditation. Yesterday eve was perfect after the heavy rainfall we'd had. Cool, damp and the smell of goodness in the air. Having only just moved home my first ever veg garden is still on the drawing board. I have an abundance of toms and cues in pots and strawbs in hanging baskets on the verandah though. My postie has permission to treat himself to some of my strawbs every morning. I like the idea of my post being delivered with a smile. By October/November I'll be digging up the parched lawn with a couple of male friends who will want to thank me for taking their wives and kids out of their home for a week! I'm already excited about it.
Any chance of getting the moon gardener back on or even doing a weekly blog? I'd love to grow my veggies with his guidance. I grew up in a house with a massive veggie garden. My mum grew just about everything although more out of thrift than pleasure! It was my job to pick the veg for the dinner once I was home from school. I loved to pull up carrots and beetroots when they were very small and eat them. I'd then put the tops back into the soil so that they looked untouched (or so I thought). I often got a telling off for that!
Looking forward to tuning in this eve and to reading tomorrow's Blog.
Have a productive day,
Debs xx
Hi Chris
Just wanted to say that I'm really enjoying the blog - its really thought provoking, in a good way! Also loving all the comments about gravy and walking and veg). Growing your own veg, fruit or herbs is a great thing to do. I'd recommend it to anyone.
Hope you have a great walking hols...wear those boots!
xxx
Mornin' Chris, although it's nearly afternoon... why does time go so fast? I'm too lazy for a walking holiday, but did enjoy camping last year - except it rained most of the time! Yesterday I read a comment on your blog about Camden Market and how it's being detsroyed by the developers (it's vanished today!)... It reminded me of when you had a shop there & my friend & I had our photos taken with you, wearing a rupert Bear style scarf!! It was a cool shop! When are you going to open another one?
Read your blog for the first time today - very apt topic - growing your own stuff.
This year I've had a veg plot at home for the first time - loved it so much, have just taken on an allotment! Lowering the average age of allotmenteers considerably! (I'm 38).
My kids are 6 and 3 and it's great to see them picking and eating our home grown produce!
Hi Chris... I didn't know you had a shop in Camden!! Where was I?! I'd have visited you for sure as I love Camden! I've seen the new buildings they've put up & they're disgusting!! Can't someone stop it? I look forward to your thoughts tomorrow...
Hi Chris
Two things to watch out for in your veg garden. Birds (the feathered variety) and water.
The birds eat every plant I put in and so I have to cover the whole garden in nets to keep them off.
The other kind of bird isn't usually a danger to your plants.
The water one is that if you don't water many of the veggies will die in the summer. This is especially difficult if you go away for a week. So when you have your garden invest in an automatic watering system as soon as you're up and running. Oh and hope that they don't impose a hosepipe ban.
Good show good Blog keep it up and don't let the likes of Chris Knall bring you down I think he has a few issues that he likes to take out on you.
Nick
hi Chris! Good blog!
To Katya (31) - yeah, you can try & stop Camden Market being destroyed! Check out www.camden.gov.uk/planning & e-mail your objection to env.devcon@camden.gov.uk
Tell your friends to do the same if they want to keep camden as the best place to be at weekends!!
By the way, Chris' shop was bril, great vibe & cool graffiti around the shop! It rocked!!
Oh bother... as the wise role model of mine would say... "pooh bear"
I'd say coming in and out of bad times, you look for insperation in pretty much anything.. And then validate somethings against the amount of time you have know, or followed them.. Taken independantly, they are not so intence steatments, but take a look at somone who is in your life daily, and someone you have "known" for years and years, and you have the damn DJ who blogs, giving thoughts that realy ring true, then are compounded by the fact you feel you know, and understand his personality, and trust his judgement/education/perception of life.
Did you ever relise how much influance you actualy have on peoples life, not just through radio, but making it a double wammy, and blogging too!
I'm sure if you weren't someone I respected, a simple para like
"it's so good to be back on an even keel. From stability comes strength, from strength comes fearlessness, from fearlesness comes could decision making, from good decision making comes contentment."
wouldn't have knocked me for 6 this morning, and made me kick my arse into gear, and turn this insignificant life around
Thanks Chris
Hey Chris!
Were you and I separated at birth?!! Walking, gardening, veggies and fruit growing, etc. This is getting too bizarre for me - I take up new hobbies to find you're there too - and I'm a ginger who turned 40 this year!!!
(By the way, when you move, make friends with your neighbours as you'll need them to water your garden produce on a daily basis.)
Take care
xxx
yes i totally agree. camden will be completely ruined if they are allowed to build that monster of a building! will definitely check out that site and i urge everyone else to do so as well.
Couldn't agree more Chris. Life is for living not complaining about. I try to wake up most days full of optimism and calm about how wonderful the world is the trees the birds, what tasks I have to perform today at work and looking forward to the weekend to spend quality time with my kids.
Yes work is a bind but if you're like me you look at it as just something you have to do to afford all the things you want to do so you may as well do the best you can..if you do your best even if someone somewhere complains in your heart you know you tryed and are true, thats important, helps you to sleep well.
Its about time people looked around them and started to realise how lucky they all are instead of blaming God or everyone else for the things they have not.
Look at this war carrying on..if only all of a sudden an invisiable bomb exploded full of some magical dust that stopped everyone within a million mile radius in thier tracks..picture the scene everyone just stopping all of a sudden questioning the way they are carrying on, looking around them at the trees and birds, seeing and hearing them for the first time and changing their minds turning round and toodling off home...how good would tha be????
Cheers Kris
Couldn't agree more Chris. Life is for living not complaining about. I try to wake up most days full of optimism and calm about how wonderful the world is the trees the birds, what tasks I have to perform today at work and looking forward to the weekend to spend quality time with my kids.
Yes work is a bind but if you're like me you look at it as just something you have to do to afford all the things you want to do so you may as well do the best you can..if you do your best even if someone somewhere complains in your heart you know you tryed and are true, thats important, helps you to sleep well.
Its about time people looked around them and started to realise how lucky they all are instead of blaming God or everyone else for the things they have not.
Look at this war carrying on..if only all of a sudden an invisiable bomb exploded full of some magical dust that stopped everyone within a million mile radius in thier tracks..picture the scene everyone just stopping all of a sudden questioning the way they are carrying on, looking around them at the trees and birds, seeing and hearing them for the first time and changing their minds turning round and toodling off home...how good would tha be????
Cheers Kris
Hello Chris ! just wanted to say read your blog for the first time - and it has inspired me ! Seperated from my husband last october, its been a tough year but hey i,m still here and i can still smile - you should definetly move to Shropshire its fantastic - Shropshire never gets mentioned enough - full of rustic big houses - just what you are looking for ! great for country walks on a sunday - october being my favourite month - all crispy and crunchy - then home for a yummy roast - with lashings of gravy - Heaven !!
Love the show its the best way to end the working day and gets me through my drive home !
Ally
I have delayed posting my first response to your blog till mid afternoon as I wanted to give it further thought. Your blog has, for me, become compulsive reading of late. It is at times light, funny and inspiring, it has encouraged me to start reading again, as you appear to derive such pleasure from it, I thought it may have the same affect on me....it has! I love it! I now refuse to turn the television on till 9pm and it's great.
Today, more fun thoughts of large open kitchens packed with fresh produce and genourously stuffed wine racks, fresh air filled walking holidays, well planned travel arrangements, gravy etc etc, BUT then a cold shiver engulfed my body as your description of frost infected cars hit me like a bolt of lightning, I had been putting off thoughts of the fast approaching winter, dark nights, dark mornings, cold starts, central heating, rain, drawn curtains, pullovers. For once your enthusiasm failed to reach me and filled me with horror. Am I on my own? Do I have SAD? Do I need to re-educate myself and try to enjoy the inevitable arrival of my most feared season? Maybe it's something fellow bloggers or listeners can help me with? What do they enjoy about winter? Am I on my own? Until then, more shared experiences of late summer walks, vegetables, new houses and Lisa Stansfield please?????
Speak soon Christophe
David
Hello Chris
It was the first time i read yr blog today and i throughly enjoyed it. The idea of havin a big table full of fresh food, with all yr closest people around it is my dream too, altho i wud b dressed in a long skirt and wellies surrounded by a few happy children - i'm guessin thats not really the look you'd b goin for.
I'v jus moved house with my friend and our kitchen has inspired me to bake...made my first cake last week and it was brilliant! give me a month or too and i'l b wearin gingham and talkin to squirrels.
and i completely agree with yr stand for gravy...bein a yorkshire girl theres nothin quite like my mums yorkshire pudding with gravy...altho i hate these packet ones...its gotta b made proper and not hav the consistency of water...don't ask me how tho, i hav no idea. thats the magic of bein a mum...think when u give birth mums r instantly granted with magical powers of bein able to make gravy, sooth a grazed knee and run a bath thats jus the right temperature.
anyway...anyone kno where i cud get some jazzy wellies? I'v got the gardening gloves and need the footwear to match
Julia x
Hi Christoph!
Where to start? This is my first 'blog' entry and I have to say really weird.
I had to chip as the gravy got me. I've already had my first portion of bangers n mash with onion gravy. Just seemed the thing to do when the winter weather set in.
Why does it have to be cold to have gravy?
I also have had the veg garden idea, sadly I'm toooooo lazy but did plant a few bits - not those sort of bits! small plants from the nursery. Courgettes are soooo easy to grow and taste great, brussels were also not to bad but look out for the root veg. There's lots of underground critters that are after them!
Well worth it though they have the best taste you will ever get.
Love the show, only time I get to listen to the radio and chill when I'm in the car.
Cheers Fwed x
Hey Christophe
Love the blog, love the show, it is so good to have you back on the radio.
I read out your blog everyday at work and we chat about various topics.
We do need to know how long you are away on your walking holiday for ??
xx
Hi ya
I'm so delighted to report that, despite my initial fears for your drivetime slot (before you'd actually started), I love it! It's not a show to be compared with Johnnie (who I adore) as it's so very different and has a life all of its own.
I love your happy outlook and you regularly have me in stitches with some of the things you say.
I'd heartily recommend moving to the countryside if you can manage it without the commute - cos obviously, YOU wouldn't have the benefits of Chris Evans helping you on your journey home. I moved to the country five years ago and although I hate the travelling, it's made much easier by R2.
Keep up the great work Chris. I've followed you 'forever' and I'm soooo glad you seem happy. Lots of love and best wishes, Jonahwood xxx (My real name's Jo Wood, but my hubby reckons everything I touch is jinxed, so I'm a real Jonah! Nice eh? xx)
Hi everyone!
Message back to Abi (21) - I know time is precious but do make time to cook a roast! I know you may only be cooking for one but this way, you can have the same thing the next evening and dinner is prepared for when you get home thus giving you even more time to get on with life. I have food intollerances too and therefore cook everything I eat from scratch (at least you know what's gone into it then!) and Sunday roasts are fab cos you chuck everything in the oven, take the dog out, do the ironing and then fix the veggies do the gravy and serve! Not many meals that can left to their own devices whilst you get on with something else and you get the benefit of a night off cooking on Monday. Do yourself a favour and try it this weekend. Be positive - you can do it - it's only a roast and it CAN'T go wrong - promise you! Good luck xx
Chris,
Good blog first time ever read a blog but i can see it becomming quite compulsive.
Like you i also love freshly grown produce and the great british outdoors, infact this year i tried myself to grow Tomatoes, Lettuces, beetroot, carrotts, cucumbers and chillis.
Unfortunately the chillis got eaten by the birds and the carrots and beetroot seem too small, but the lettuce, tomatoes and cucumbers were/are really tasty.....i'll send you some toms if you like.
Anyway whilst making a purchase at M&S yesterday of some chicken breasts i was horrified to learn that for three chicken breasts i needed to pay nearly six quid for them.
This gets me thinking next year why don't i raise my own chickens, but could i kill them, pluck them and all that....could you!
Also and finally my friend popped in last night and has invited me the wife and the kiddies to an allotment fayre. I am thinking of going, but what if i get hooked and end up buying my own one... i'll be leaving the town of Leigh-on-Sea (Essex) and build my own farm, whatever next.
Me thinks its the influence of watching the Good Life when i was younger raising it's ugly head.
Roll on the Indian Summer, God bless you all
The Dench Mister!!
Good Tuesday Chris et all,
I was just remembering one of your ladies minute quizzes, (quiz's, quizes, what is the plural of quiz?) a few days ago and the folks had to name musicians that had colours in their names. Your contestants were terrible at it but it sounds like a good topic for the All Requests Friday. Peoples requests have to come from musicans with a colour in the name. What do you think? Who are the best, colouful musicians?
Cheerio,
Matt
I started an office job, and so decided to have a look at radio 2's website. I now read the blog everyday!
I have a veggie patch-in my parents garden, they have to look after it when im at uni, its lovley though-no order to it, my garden shed is bright pink its called the shed of joy! we'll see how it turns out- my friend and I are going to have a harvest festival and enjoy one massive meal of all our produce!
I like country living! Ultimate idol Barbra and Tom from the good life!
I like this blog shlog! x x x
Reading you blog today is like seeing my own thoughts written down. After being down getting back on an even keel is great, and rediscoving life again is wonderful.
Life is a once chance thing and we need to grab it with both hands and enjoy every second of it.
Cheers
A
The word 'blackmail', according to an excellent book I am reading (Shaggy Dogs and Black Sheep - by Albert Jack), is meant to have originated in the Highlands of Scotland in the 1600's. The 'mail' is the old Scottish word for 'rent'.
In those days tenants paid their rent in silver coins, known as 'white money', but in the 17th Century chiefs of the Highland clans began a protection racket which meant farmers and tenants had to pay to be protected from other clans. This informal tax, or additional rent, soon became known as 'black money' or 'black rent'. Hence 'blackmail' became part of the English language.
I do recommend the book 'Shaggy Dogs and Black Sheep - it is full of interesting facts about the language we speak.
Chris - love the show and love you. You are sooooo funny!!! I love your quirky view on life and the way you find something interesting about EVERYTHING! How can you go on hols and leave us next week?? Argh?!!! Can't you do the show whilst walking????? Tip for shoes - get CROCS!! THE most comfortable shoes on the planet!
Your dream is like my dream - big old house, lots of veggies growing in the garden, dogs, chickens, pigs, a few solar panels and a wind turbine - heaven!! One day, mate, we'll get there!!
My wish for you is that you find a lovely lady to snuggle up to and and have babies with - I think you'll make a great dad!!
LOL
xxx
Hello again Chris,
Second blog of the day - couldn't resist it as I wanted to share this with you....... I just read in my local rag that 18 residents in a Greenwich street had 8 foot potted sunflowers left on their doorsteps. The residents found them there from 6am onwards and not one of them had noticed any activity in the street the night before. What a lovely random act of kindness. Here's the link to the piece.
I used to have a cleaner come in every Friday. A few times I did all my cleaning and went out to work so that when my cleaner arrived she found a note saying that the cleaning had been done and she was to sit with her feet up for a couple of hours and take her money (which I always left for her) when she'd finished. I don't often hear of examples of random acts of kindness outside my immediate circle of friends and family but would like to think that it's something that could be encouraged. Any comments?
Debs xx
Debs,
raks often happen in my life. You get back what you give I find. My neighbour has just made me some new bedroom curtains a lovely rak.
Perhaps we should try and set sumthing up between commenttors here?
hugs
jenny
Hallo Chris!
I love the musings, and I am so pleased there are plenty of people in the world, other than myself and my fella, who just open their eyes of a morning and immediately start rabbiting on about life, the world, and everything.... so many people just grumble and grunt and moan, but!!! Tis another day, another adventure, another up or down and mystery to fathom. What a thing to be born as!!
Hello Jenny
I love the idea of raks for the Chris Evans bloggers. How will we go about it? Do you think Chris may help us promote the idea?!
Hugs to you to,
Dx
PS I'll check in again c. 6.30pm
Hi Chris and everyone
³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖgrown fruit and veg is just the best. Just picked a huge bowlful of fruit from my plum tree, bumper crop this year. They are delicious. Loads left for the blackbirds and thrushes who seem to love them too.
Had to have an old pear tree taken out a week ago. The wood was cut up into logs and everything else was shredded and left in an enormous pile in the front garden. Noticed the pile was steaming so just started barrowing it on to the flower borders as mulch. It is so hot in the centre of the pile, I think I might be able to fry an egg in it. Going to try later!
A neighbour asked if he could have some of the logs as pear is good for wood turning, which he does amongst other things. A much better use than burning so I'm going to try and find some other wood turners.
Love Linda x
PS With all the bad stuff going on it's just great to read everyone's comments. Everyone seems so nice. I just wanted to be part of it.
Debs,
I'll put some stuff on my blog?
/I am quite happy to co ordinate things but maybe C Evans will help with an idea or two?
hugs
j
Hello Chris,
This has probably got nothing to do with your blog today but I just wanted to add a note to my gobsmacker I submitted earlier, I am currently reading a book called The Zahir by Paulo Coelho and I came across and amazing quotation and I felt this sums up how relationships once dead should be completed. The quote is thus.....
That is why it is so important to let certain things go. To release them. To cut loose. People need to understand that noone is playing with marked cards; Sometimes we win and sometimes we lose. Don't expert to get anything back, don't expect recognition for your efforts, don't expert your genius to be discovered or your love to be understood. Complete the circle. Not out of pride, inability or arrogance, but simply because whatever it is no longer fits in your life. Close the door, change the record, clean the house, get rid of the dust. Stop being who you were and start becoming who you are.
Hi
Now there's a thought, the season is a changing.
In my view we are now coming upto the best part of the year, the run upto christmas, dark nights, frosty mornings, trees changing colour. You can feel the excitement in the air as fire work night gives way to xmas.
Great that you are getting new boots, because not only will they be good for hols, but think of sundays with friends.
Wrap up warm, go out for the long walk in the Surrey hills, stop off at the local for a few beer's[pubs are always better in the autumn roaring fires etc], then back to a friends house where everyone helps cook the best sunday lunch with gallons of good gravy, sit around a table eat and drink good strong reds followed by cheese and port. maybe after put on videos, ie blackadder for a laugh. Then if anyone is alive a walk to the pub for a chat and beer around the fire. Can't wait
Hi Chris,
Re random Acts of Kindness or RAKs as they are known in blogworld.
I have put a post on my blog if anyone would like to be involved?
Hope this is OK?
Jenny
www.jennysdays.blogspot.com
Chris - thank you, thank you, thank you.
You are like a breath of fresh air and an oasis of positive thinking in a very big sea of negativity.
I love my job but am surrounded by people moaning all the time and it can really get me down.
But all I need to do now is log onto your blog and feel that actually, life is good after all and there's a lot to be positive about.
You're a godsend hon.
x
I love gardening. My job is ivory-tower/white-collar type where I do most of my work in my head. Getting my hands in the dirt, getting muddy, sowing seeds and reaping a crop of tomatoes and zuccini satisfies that simple part of my soul. It makes me complete. Otherwise, I fear that I would completely retreat into my head and lose touch with all things natural and real.
Chris,
Afternoon. I like you believe that there is a certain amount of destiny involved in our lives, not just regarding who we become but also our interaction with others.
Have you ever met someone for the first time and felt that you know them already. There is a familiarity that you just can't explain and then it later turns out that you end up having a massive impact on eachothers' lives. I've had this feeling a couple of times in my life and ended up marrying one of them!
I met you once too, you'll be relived to know that I didn't get that feeling but it was very exciting, so exciting that after having had a few too many champagnes I ended up peeing myself, only a little pee but enough for me to be embarrassed about it. One an only time this has ever happened to me, not particularly proud of it and dreading ever bumping in to you again.
Lots of love
C
x
Chris,
Gravy Chips.....Mmmmmm....A real delicay. I am actually going to stop at my local chinese on the way home tonight to get a Gravy Chip (we refer to a portion of chips in the singular in Northern Ireland)
Yea, It is good to be alive and on a even keel, Chris.
Eat less processed food, eat provides at least one balance in life.
Good Luck to you.
cath
Hi Chris
never been on one of these before but happening to be listening from home today instead of usual spot on M25.
On the subject of veg gardens I am in my first year of gardening to fill my tummy.
I grew lots of things, chilli's, toms, beans, corgettes, leeks, peppers, tonnes of herbs etcetc anyway Corgettes are EASY although i started to run out of recipes for them. Am experiencing a tomato and chilli glut at the moment - any ideas??
I have to say i got the most satisfaction out of peppers - seeds were about a pound and peppers cost about 60p? I am raking it in here in the sussex country side if only i could find an outlet to sell them and not just depending on my hungry boyfriend to scoff them all.
Top tip from this year?? You don't need to plant a whole packet of each veg you grow!
Ciao for now
Jacks
Hi Debbie H
Chips and gravy are divine!
Chips and grated cheese superb!!
chips and curry sauce can't be beaten!!! YUM!
And Chris..Is your subconscious trying to tell you something about Lisa Stansfield!!
I have a similar problem. I keep having to say "Hello Dave" in a League of Gentlemen type way!! My 4yr old, Daisy thinks it's hysterical!
chris mate if you need some peace and somewhere to plant your garden try suffolk ,best county in east anglia and your never to far from the coast and a good pint (adnams from southwould ),i for one cant fault it mate, no crime and no noise ,its like being in a different country sometimes , oh and big skyes , i never did get that till the other day ,dont tend to stop an look at the sky much but no i do ,if youve time reply would be great cheers GAZ
Chris,
You say about who and what you will become in life and I have you to thank for my life now.
When the big breakfast started way back when I used to rush my paper round to get back and see you with zig and zag. One day one of your camera men was on his last day and you jokingly said "if anyone wants his job write to me" You then said "lets have a camera woman as we don't have any of those." This turned on a lightbulb and I realised what I wanted to do with my life. So I did a BTEC in media studies then HND in TV operations & engineering and got my first job in TV as a technical operator. I have since realised that cameras weren't for me but I'm a vision engineer. I work in outside broadcasts and met the love of my life through my work.
So never underestimate the weight of one throw away comment. Thanks Chris I hope it makes you smile to realise you shaped alot of my life.
Sah.
Hi Chris,
Started growing my own 2 years ago its great but don't do as I did and plant lots of seeds at the same time as you will get much more than you can eat. Stagger the planting and you will have a constant supply for weeks.
Heard, Michael? talking about what is in the veggies, really interesting. He didn't mention mushrooms which have more good stuff in them than blueberries. I found a great site that has quite a lot of info on the anti oxidants in food it is called:-
Loved the signature tune for The Fox.
Keep up the good work,
Ian
Hello all,
love gardening, especially veggies. Got back into it this summer, partly in an effort to get the kids to eat more healthily and for them to appreciate food doesn't grow in Sainsbury's! However, my 2yr old keeps picking the green tomatoes and proudly presenting them to me and his big sisters - he doesn't seem to understand why the girls are not too impressed...
Love walking hols too, but the little people in the family struggle over long distances so we are limited somewhat at the moment...just spent time in Snowdonia alternating 'little legs' walks and playing on the beach.
Life is good!
Love S xx
Chris,
Love the show, the veggie man was excellent tonite. Cannot think what additional info he is going to impart tomorrow !
Slightly disappointed on Friday as you promised that the Request show would be cover versions which did not materialise.
Enjoy perusing the Blog, you are so positive these days it is really uplifting.
Keep on enjoying life
Re: the RAK message thread (52, 53, 55, 57 & 60)
Count me in. Not sure how it works, but I'll try most things once!
The Greenwich story reminds me of something that was covered on Radio 2 a while back (I forget which show), where people throw seeds out of car windows as they pass by and cultivate roadside verges and central reservations just to make the local area look much nicer for everyone to enjoy. Pity I'm not green-fingered (on top of being rubbish in the kitchen), although the 'pots in pots' idea is growing on me (forgive the pun).
To Vicky (45), thanks ever so for the encouragement. Believe me, I'm tempted but would need instructions for idiots to be brave enough to try. What temperature? How long? How much? How to manage the miracle of getting everything to be ready to serve at the same time? I think a few potato seeds, some soil and a bit of water sound a much easier task to tackle at this stage, but I'm not giving up on it altogether. One day.......
Hi Jen
Off walking in a mo so will check out your blog upon my return c. 9pm.
I'm looking forward to making the world an even better place.
More hugs,
Dx
One of the best things about growing your own fruit and veg is giving it away because you always end up growing so much! I've been given marrows, rhubarb, leeks and lettuces and have given away strawberry jam, tomatoes, potatoes, spring onions and rhubarb and ginger jam - it's a great feeling! Also, nothing beats going out to the garden and picking the ingredients for tonight's dinner. Do that veg garden thing Chris - instead of blogging at 6am you'll end up running round your garden oohing and aahing over the colour of your different kinds of tomatoes!! Life's good ...
Chris
My first time a a blogger! woo hoo.
I am lucky enough to Rent a house in a tiny village in Northampton with a huge Garden and a walled off kitchen garden that we have used for the last two years to grow veg. To be honest we haven't had loads because we started to big and the thistles and weeds got the better of us but the few things that we have grown are sooooo much better than the shop brought stuff. We also have two ducks and some chickens in there!...
I tell ya,,, when you discover the green beans under the leaves and orange flowers its like discovering treasure.... Ah country life is splendid (we have even made cider ) does it get better than this ? I think not sir.
And another thing.......... that gardening lark, it'll ruin ya flingin' flangin' nails old friend.......wear gloves!
until we blog again...... I'm off to polish me green wellies........Tally ho
Liecex
Sorry chums, I meant to say that The books by Hugh Fearnley - Whittingstall are great for gardening buffs as well as cooking buffs!
till later bye
Liecex
Hi Chris,
Only got one thing to say. What a positive person you are! Some great personal development is happening with you! Its just magic to see, read and hear. Great stuff!
Chris
Great Blog. Couple of things. I once had a walking holiday with a mate of mine alone the West Country coastal path from Banstable to Bude. Best holiday of my life, never slept so well or ate so much! Enjoy your walk.
On the subject of Veg. In my small London garden I dug up the lawn (actually weeds) into 2 x Veg plots. Trouble was that when you looked out of the window they looked like a couple of graves. Thankfully they look ok with the veg in them. Plus I'm now knee deep in tomatos thanks to two grow bags...so you can grow a lot even in a small space.
Keep Smiling :-)
Hi Chris
Really enjoying the show and now the blog. It was great last night to discover I'm not the only person in the world who remembers TV-Mayhem, I only mentioned the show on my blog a few days ago!
As for gravy, I cheated for tonight's meal. Stewing steak,a chopped onion, a clove of garlic, a few spoonfuls of granules (cheat!) and a can of my favourite ale left in the slow cooker since last night. Best "gravy" I've tasted in a long while. Currently struggling with the idea of not eating it all tonight...
Hi Chris ... you and the show are just brilliant ! I love the earlier idea from Jennie about RAKS amongst us - your bloggers. Two thoughts that my 12 year old told me (not RAK related tho) - "Why do people keep running over a piece of string a dozen times with their vacuum cleaner, then reach down, pick it up, examine it, then put it down to give the vacuum one more chance? " ..and also... "Why doesn't glue stick to its bottle ?"
Ps I've only ever grown strawberries but I am sooo inspired now !!
Not so long ago life got very complicated when my daughter was born, (the details are irrelevant), but like you I realise that the simple things are the fuel of enthusiasm. A smile, laughter, home cooked food, a log fire outside, the hum and counterpoint of people talking, the smell of pine, an unexpected squeeze of your hand, youth, experience ....
Why do we burden ourselves with material things ? Imagine a world with no money .... (deeeep)
Hi all, how do?
I love the whole grow your own thing, though haven't had chance to start yet. Thought it was definately what we wanted when me and family went to visit my cousins in Bristol, and they have an allotment, which we went to, and they fed us on their own fruit and veg. Want to get our own allotment now, because the garden is too small. We have started already though. We came home from holiday to find carrots growing in the plant pots, cos the birds had been messy with the seed on the bird table.
On holiday I fell in love with Talaton, which is where we stayed in Devon. Full of lovely thatched cottages, with a church where they actually do the proper bell ringing on a Sunday.
Love the blog, everyone, specially Chris, so amazingly cheery and upbeat. Not my normal environment as a teenager. Keep it up, it warms my day, even in this grey August.
Just a thought...shouldn't 'random acts of kindness' be abbreviated to RAOK rather than RAK? Or am I being thick and missing something?
Tee hee
:-)
Christoph, so pleased your back on form in a big way, we met once at the olympic gallery at Wembley Englad V France? circa 2001, thanks for the opal fruit (they were called that then) anyway cant wait for MPW's book, this isnt all about me but i once judged a chef salon cullinaire with MPW once everything i wanted from him Marlboro red and attitude. anyway keep doing what you do friend....
Hi Chris
Really enjoying your blogs, it must be fantastic to have a job that fires you up so much.
Love Debster's idea about 'random acts of kindness' definately an idea for your show. You could have a weekly top ten RAK eg Top of the RAKs. I'm sure you can use your influence at the Beeb to resurrect the theme tune from Top of the Pops after all you have to have 'a whole lot of love' for a RAK to be meaningful.
Have a great holiday next week look forward to reading about it.
June x
Ding dong and Digging - Like many bloggers I love gardening in the countryside but are there other bell-ringers (see Helen's comment 83) among Christophe's contented veg-growing listeners? Far more difficult than it looks but so joyful to do! I'm still definitely a beginner although I've been hanging on there each week for 3 or 4 years (lost count). You can't practise between sessions.
I've found veg-growing a touch tricky this year, what with the excess of heat (fron their perspective) and shortage of rain (ditto). They've been petulant and it's very upsetting to watch much-loved seedlings pass away once they've reached maturity....
Love the show and, as soneone else noted earlier, what a great bunch log on and blog.
My parents have a veggie patch in their back garden - it's good for the soul and great for getting young kids helping outside.
Plans do seem to give you something to look forward to as well as clearing your mind, in fact being "spontanious" can sometimes be bloody boring!!
Bought an Italian Language CD set at the weekend so i'll be listening to the show on my pc when i get home, although i was concentrating so hard on it i almost crashed yesterday. Ooops!
Angie.
Hi Chris
Just got into your blog.Amazing the amount of people that are commenting. We have our own veg patch in the garden , it's not very big but we have fresh veg when we need it, superb!
Must be honest and say that when it was announced that you were taking over the drivetime slot I was disappointed as I thought that Stuart Maconie should have got it. How wrong I was! Your show is brilliant from start to finish and for the first time EVER I get out of my van- of course it's white!- go indoors and put the radio on so that I can carry on listening. Glad to see you in such a good place!
Simon
Hi Chris
finally got round to reading your blog... re the simpler life.
This week I've dug my own potatoes and carrots, collected my own eggs, made two kinds of wine and some chutney and started a big vat of dangerously strong home brew off! Never thought when I was in my 20's that 10 years later I'd be stomping about in my wellies contemplating buying a goat, but its bloody great! The cockeral was crowing at 4.20 this morning but it beats waking up to the sound of traffic past the window! Enjoy your hols
hi chris, great show which is why i've come over from all the other stations. veggis garden, walking holiday wow how lucky....
yep you are wright where did all our young dreams go....
i can not really remember much of my childhood, i have no pictures of me at such a young age, shame
take care you are the greatest xxx