What makes up a Florentine

Mary Ellen and Jeannette asked what a Florentine was. I apologise that it wasn't the best of pictures - I'll just have to have another one soon so I can take a better pohoto! The only place I have come across the name Florentine for this bit of heaven on earth is in the Woodlands Centre in Stornoway . Otherwise, like Jeannette, I have only heard of Eggs Florentine. Unfortunately I don't have the recipe but it is a bit like a very spread out version of my Mum's recipe for cornflake crunch (cornflakes, sugar, syrup, and chocolate) with sliced almonds and glace cherries, drizzled with dark chocolate. I tried making some last year but it just fell to pieces so there is obviously a delicate balance to be got between the cornflakes and the syrup/chocolate. Having said that, the ones at the Woodlands Centre do fall apart a bit when you eat them. Messy food is always the best!
 

Of Dogs and Cats and Florentines

We went into Stornoway this morning and after shopping we had coffee in the Woodlands Centre where I could not resist my usual coffee accompaniment there - a Florentine.


This splendid fishing boat - The Reaper - was in the harbour.


In the afternoon we took C-from-Next-Door around to Pat's for coffee. Briagha was as welcoming as ever.



I was also introduced to Misha - a new addition since I was last on the Island.




 

How much is that doggy in the window

"How much is that doggy in the window?" asked the popular novelty song written by Bob Merrill in 1952.



The answer, in the case of Duke in Ambleside, was £875.

How much is that doggy in the window?
The one with the waggley tail.
How much is that doggy in the window?
I do hope that doggy's for sale.

I don't want a bunny or a kitty.
I don't want a parrot that talks.
I don't want a bowl of little fishies;
You can't take a goldfish for walks. (Woof, Woof)

I spent a couple of days unable to recall the end of the first line of the second verse. It was most frustrating and every time we got Internet access I forgot to look it up.


(This not-so-little fishy in the House of Bruar Gallery cost around £2,500. It was a fantastic picture and must have taken many. many hours to paint.)
 

I have a problem!

Actually, I have lots of problems but most of them are pretty minor. The one I am thinking of at the moment is where to blog about my daily doings. Do they go on my Rambles blog or on my Hebridean blog? The answer, I think, lies in a combination. I shall ramble on about the daily trivia on this blog but put blogs about specifically Hebridean things on the Hebridean blog. I shall try not to repeat myself too much.
 

Settling in

I had a very lazy day on Sunday. I slept in until late, not getting up until coffee time to do a crossword with GB. Both of us had difficulty getting our brains in gear and it was not the most satisfactory crossword day.

I watched part of the Monaco Grand Prix and then went back to bed for a siesta. I spent some time on the computer sorting photos and then tidied up the mess I had made in GB's spare bedroom by just dumping my luggage last night. I am now nicely settled in and ready to enjoy my stay.


One of the noticeable things about staying with my big brother is that I come across reminders of my youth. This Native American, for example, lived on the wall of our bedroom at home when we were children. In those days, of course, we knew it as a Red Indian, not in any way appreciating that such terminology could be considered offensive. If you were to ask me to name one item that brought back the strongest memories of my bedroom as a child it would be this carving. It was given to our parents by 'Uncle' John Dowd next door.


How many computers does a chap need?


And how's this for a posh lifestyle - GB even has his own chocolates!!!


Actually the G & B stands for Green and Blacks but it still looks impressive.