Day 4 Bread or Cake?

I've had a lot more phone calls since the 'lockdown'. Friends and family ringing up to find out how I am. So thoughtful of them but of course, they have time to fill as well. I have never been one for long chats on the phone but with no social contact it feels good to exchange news and concerns. 

I rang the garage to see if they still wanted me to take my car in to have it's M.O.T. on Monday although I have read the news that our kindly Government has extended the period. I have a booking so I shall use it.

Below is a small video taken in a restaurant in Antwerp. The food is served in various separate bowls which pass in front of you on a conveyor belt and you take whatever you fancy. The dishes come in the order of starter, fish, mains etc. Also in the picture are my son, Matthew, partner Saskia and children Tess and Bo. Such fun! Nothing to do with my activities today but I was going through my photos and found it. Click on it to watch. You can also make it fill the screen. If you have the sound turned up you can hear us talking, me especially!

Well, here is the loaf fresh from the bread maker. Good isn't it? Sorry, I lie. Actually the picture below is the reality. I think the mix was too old and the yeast element had degraded. I have a fresh packet of bread mix and will try again tomorrow as it takes four hours from start to finish. Anyone else make bread in a machine? We used to do it all the time and sometimes home made soup as well on a Saturday for lunch. I even bought a machine when we were living in France as although we liked French bread it doesn't keep well and we were a car journey away from the boulangerie.

Stitched a few more patchwork pieces today before I took Jasper for his walk. I took some water with me to water the rose bushes as the pumps were not working. Spoke to another allottmenteer who said he would look at it. On our journey 'round the block' I called in at Strawberry Fields and bought some fruit and veg. They were very busy in there making up boxes for delivery. Next stop was Filco where I got the loaf, some biscuits, a slice of pork pie and stocked up on Kitkats. Sorted!

Random Photo

The picture above is a T'shirt designed and hand-printed by my son Matthew. He and his partner Saskia run a company called 'Lion of Leisure' (advert) which they run from home in Antwerp. All their clothing is organic cotton. I am showing you this because the Pangolin which is illustrated is believed to have been the source of the coronavirus infection. Matthew's design predates all of that and the DANGER sign is because they are an endangered species.

Tot Ziens! Stay Home! Stay Safe!