Comfort Food - Italian? Style

Hearing about the UK’s depleted shelves of pasta, surely we must now surpass Italy’s consumption?

So tonight we had that now rare delicacy which may not be gracing many tables at the moment - penne, with Mr Bs best-tomato-sauce in the world, topped with air-fried aubergine and shallots, and vegan nutritional yeast (almost as good as parmesan).

An unexpected benefit of these strange times, is speaking to family and friends, who have been out of touch for a long time. Last night I had a call from M, my newly found Chilean 2nd cousin, who now lives and works in LA. She had a surprise for me, “she’s booked a flight to London – wait for it – in September”. High optimism, would be a miracle - I
So want to meet her.

Then today – M called from Stockholm. We stayed with her for a week just before we moved to Bournemouth, before moving to her partner’s home in Oslo. A journey we will never forget, by train from London - stopping off on the way. After booking it all up I realised that there was no train between Bergen and Stavanger, which meant taking the Hurtigruten boat for a short distance in the North Sea. As a nervous traveller who normally only goes by train and prefers to drive herself, this was the bit I dreaded. Anyway all went well and this was the journey of a lifetime.

Now watching Andrew Marr. I really question the government’s guidance. I understand the promenade here was packed out, people were sitting outside cafés (officially closed, but serving takeaways). The beach at Sandbanks was packed too. Several groups of people happily chatting in groups on the Overcliff, even old and young nattering out on the lawn here (keeping a distance, whether 2m???).

Dreading holidayers descending here and bringing Covid. Absolute madness. 3 in my circle (in London) reporting cases. A friend’s nephew (recovering quickly at home), my bro-in-law’s best friend (at home, coping), and another friend’s son-in-law (at home, recovered quickly) - she also knows 3 others in her wider circle.

Take care, and STAY HOME. And thanks to all of those who work in the NHS, care homes, vital services. You’re all amazing.


Read this: https://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/18325476.crowds-seen-gathering-southbourne-boscombe-lulworth-cove-beaches-coronavirus/