Where I am today

[gaza the instructor]

Very sadly I think it could be five or six years before normality returns.
Thursday I took a pupil bay parking in Claygate station car park. This is
normally rammed in the week with commuter cars, it was almost empty!!

[Mash]

I agree. I don't think you can shutdown a society and then expect to flick a switch and it all return.

I am most surprised by the sheer amount of close friends who have changed or quit their jobs.

Not surprised at all by the situation with our truckers.

[gaza the instructor]

That Car Park was haunting, space for 300 cars 2019 full every weekday by 8.
Now 2.30 pm and no more than 40 cars. Where have they all gone.

[Moss]

Not surprised at all by the situation with our truckers.

I used to be a trucker before I was knackered. I certainly didn’t earn £60k

[Easydrinker]

Many trades, truckers and nurses spring to mind, have not been recognised for a long time.
We now either need to allow European workers back in, or pay national workers more.
Probably both.

Robert.

[Moss]

Probably right Robert.

A lot of drivers now believe they should be paid mega bucks

A lot won’t even look at a truck unless it has a fridge, microwave, satnav & £60k.

Back in my day, etc….

[Easydrinker]

Well today was a blast from the past, first gig for 18 months, postponed from last year.
Most folk being sensible, but the usual idiots.
It was very good, but happy to have no more on the horizon.
If I didn't live where I do, I might consider becoming a Troglodite.

Robert.

[Mash]

Yeah. I know what you mean. We have adopted a "not if absolutely necessary" travel (mixing) plan.

[Easydrinker]

Bad day!

Apart from from a trip to the tip with a trailer load of 200 year old plaster, hacked off walls during lockdown, and starting another beer wash,
three of us harvested 18Kg of sloes in 2 and 1/2 hours today.
That is a 25 litre fermenter.
My right hand is a little the worse for wear.
I have never been in possession of so many sloes.
Currntly trading on the bay at £14.98/Kg.
£270 worth of foraging?
Oh happy days!
Sloe Gin a-plenty this year.
There are not sufficient emoticons......

Robert.

[Mash]

I was only thinking yesterday, about time I got mine in.

[Jennysgin]

18kg! How much gin are you using? About 30-36l?
That will keep you stocked up for a while

I'm thinking I may try a small batch of sloe and haw gin this year. Tasted one at a gin show and raster enjoyed it...

[Easydrinker]

"You don't have to be Dread to be Rasta, this is not a dreadlocks thing, divine conception of the heart"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dbq_StW5zSE

The first Sloe gin recipe I was given 35 years ago was '1lb Sloes, 1lb sugar and 1 pint gin.
Pick after a frost and prick each sloe'.

Bugger that, pick any time, freeze and defrost, same effect.
I use a little less sugar.

Robert.

[Mash]

I have rounded up a mere 2.7 kg.. Hands intact. Used an afro comb.

Currently in the freezer.

[Jennysgin]

I'm off this week so think I may need to bribe the kids to come picking with me!

[Easydrinker]

Got mine cleaned up, bagged in Kilos.
Removed two earwigs and a small slug!

Robert.

[Mash]

I'm off this week so think I may need to bribe the kids to come picking with me!

Thats gotta be good for them.

Take some tcp though....

[Jennysgin]

Thats gotta be good for them.

Take some tcp though....

They don't think so!

[Easydrinker]

The youth of today!
When I was small I would have risked anything for a whiff of TCP!

Robert.

[Easydrinker]

I spent most of today plastering a ceiling.
It must be 10 years since the last time.
Weary is not a big enough word.

Robert.

[DorsetScott]

Must get out and check the sloe spots, need to up the sloe gin production. Managed 6l last year and 3 of sloe vodka.
Still not cracked open the remaining bottle of 11 year old stuff!

[Easydrinker]

Sadly, I never have enough to age it so far.
However, my sister who drinks alcohol once a year, claims to have half a bottle that I made 25 years ago.
She claims that it is lush.
Doesn't even want to show me the bottle!
Filial trust

Robert.

[Mash]

Still not cracked open the remaining bottle of 11 year old stuff!

It will be appalling, it's probably toxic ... Send it to me.

[DorsetScott]

Still not cracked open the remaining bottle of 11 year old stuff!

It will be appalling, it's probably toxic ... Send it to me.

Hahaha, I'm going to save it for a special occasion. Although I'm not sure why or what constitutes a special occasion.

[Easydrinker]

My Birthday!
Send it to me!

Robert.

[Easydrinker]

I made gin today.
To make Sloe gin from.
Life is awesome.
Simples.

Robert.