Thursday 16 February 2012

IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME SINCE I'VE HAD A BATTER DAY.

Yesterday was such a good day. Though, like most days that are 'marked' as different it began with a hospital appointment for  pre-assessment before Friday's Chemo. Blood was taken and the gods were smiling , because rather than the trooping of the Vampires standing in line to prove that they can find a vein...my little nurse hit it first time and we were done and dusted and out of there before the cock crowed eleven. A minor detour to pick up some work for NOAOS and the world was our oyster, scallop or cockle. (The reason for the seafood theme will emerge tout de suit  )


First stop was B&Q in Canterbury [for those of you from foreign parts B&Q is a vast store selling everything you could possibly need to build a house including bathroom and kitchen. It is also a garden centre.]
NOAOS had a time of it shuttling between my chair and the large wagon as I chose three large pkts compost, two cherry trees and a plum tree and five rose bushes. (And if that isn't a clear case of optimism I don't know what is.)

By the time we had arranged for delivery we were both getting hungry and we decided to listen to JP for once and his suggestion that we eat at a restaurant in Whitstable and, once again luck was with us with a parking space outside the place from which the most heavenly and well remembered smells were wafting out and around our heads so that we looked like the Bisto Kids raising our noses  and sniffing like bloodhounds on the scent of a good gravy. The dining room was packed but we found two seats and ordered, mouths salivating..




FISH&CHIPS

Now I am a bit of a connoisseur of fish and chips having owned and run one for a short while [it was too successful and we sold it sharpish] and it is many years since I have had anything that tasted half as good...either the fish had been frozen or the batter too thick or soggy and chips too greasy. Our plates, when they arrived  overflowed with dry crisp chips and a large piece of fish in crispy bubbles of batter. It was, like the best meal ever...accompanied by bread and butter [a must] sweet gherkin and a mug of tea we were silent as we chomped our way through our pesci. delights, stopping only for the occasional thumbs up or gulp of oxygen.

At one time fish and chips was a poor man's dish, as cheap as the newspaper it came wrapped in. Not any more. Ours  did cost the equivalent of a steak but hey, 'twas worth every penny.


23 comments:

  1. That looks delicious. So much for the first day of my diet.

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  2. How divine the plate of perfect fish & chips looks and how delightful your words are to my ears. Thanks for continuing to be part of my mornings on the other side of the world.

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  3. I love fish and chips now and again...and they look tasty....I wish I knew where you ate (I will be down in Whitstable in a few weeks......) so I could savour them. The purchases in B+Q, will, I hope be blooming lovely too and you have made good choices....now we just need the weather!

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  4. There is nothing better in the world than the nurse being able to get the blood on the first stick! You should ask for her every time!

    You must post pictures of your new cherry trees, plum tree and roses when they bloom! That will be gorgeous!

    You made me hungry....now Hubby and I are going to have to get Long John Silver's fish and fries for lunch....oh, I know that isn't the same, but it's as close as we get here in our town. lol

    It's wonderful that you are feeling like going shopping and out to eat! Spring is just around the corner!!!

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  5. A plum tree! I love having a plum tree. I can give you loads of recipes for your harvests to come!

    Good fish and chips are hard to find, but when you do, what a delight. A good day all round.

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  6. So nice to see your words and know life has batter days for you, with many more to come.

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  7. Oh I love fish and chips, and I'm quite fond of Whitstable too. Though the last time we tried to visit, I managed to miss the exit on the motorway and drive practically as far as Canterbury. When we eventually found the way back we realised it was Oyster weekend and we couldn't get anywhere near for the hoards of people. I'm so glad your visit was much more successful.

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  8. Fish and chips!! Sounds teriffic. I am glad you got to enjoy it!

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  9. That plate of fish and chips looks irresistible! I'm glad I've just finished dinner or I'd just have to go out and find some! The trees and shrubs you have
    purchased from B & Q are among my favourites -- they should be gorgeous. It's good to hear from you again -- will be thinking of you tomorrow.

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  10. I hope that you got your discount at B&Q.

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  11. Our fishing industry globally has almost outfished the ocean and the aquaculture enterprises are facing greater regulations. Thus the cost of fish goes up. Looks yummy!

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  12. That fish & chip lot looked delicious.
    Chemo wrecked my digestion & I find I now have to take tons of antacid following a lovely meal like that!
    Hope you didn't pay the price later on.
    Maggie X

    Nuts in May

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  13. I have to visit my friend in Wisconsin to sit down to a plate that looks that good! So pleased you filled your tummy as beautifully as your garden.

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  14. fish has gotten so costly that our office cafeteria (a world class eatery, seriously) no longer serves it every day ... but they did make an really excellent (in this American's opinion) fish&chips .. now you've got my mouth watering and tummy grumbling and its only half past nine in the morning!!!!!

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  15. Ah, now you've got me craving fish and chips... with malt vinegar on the hot chips! Sigh.... and it's barely 8AM here...

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  16. Most of my English relatives live in Kent, near Maidstone........I visited Canterbury when I was there....loved it.
    Went to Dymchurch and had great fish and chips.
    Yes, you do sound optimistic, and why not. You're here, and it's a choice you make.
    Bravo.

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  17. mmmm, sounds very yummy. glad to know the nurse hit the vein on the first try too. simple things make us VERY happy!

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  18. Now I have to go find fish and chips and luckily dont have to look far...I salute you, my friend! It's your attitude that will get you through!
    Warm hugs and salute with my cuppa!
    Sandi

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  19. Mmmmmmmmmm. I love a good fish and chips. You've set my mouth to watering. Maybe dinner tonight...

    Glad to hear you had a good day all around!

    xxxooo

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  20. Oh, it's great to read about a good day! And thinking of roses!

    I am still seeking the world's best fish n chip shop - I do love this dish, (which is catastophic for my diet of course)

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  21. I'm not a big fan of fish and chips but that's probably largely because I'm basing my tastes on what passes for fish and chips around here. That, and I don't like deep fried foods (except for the chips). Frank is on a never-ending quest to find authentic fish and chips like he's eaten around your neck of the woods and he's usually disappointed. He'd have loved the meal you had, for sure.

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  22. Funny thing food. I've not had one biscuit or cake for five weeks and my blood sugar has gone steadily up! Keep well and smiling.

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  23. Gosh .. you made fish and chips sound absolutely delicious - no mean feat when you consider that I'm deathly allergic to white fish and have never wanted to so much as enter the portals of a fishy diner!

    Hope all goes well on Friday! I'll be thinking of you. xx

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