Local colour

Couldn’t be anywhere else! We chugged slowly through the habitual traffic jam to shop in Yarm, but were very lucky to grab a parking space on the high street just as someone was leaving. Yes, I brought my parcels. No the post office wasn’t open. Sigh.

We did some successful shopping though. I bought some lovely smoked haddock from the fishmonger, smoked in house. Then Sainsbury’s and finally the Italian deli. Given how posh Yarm is, I was extremely surprised that it doesn’t have a wine merchant. “We’re the only licensed premises on the high street,” said the Sainsbury’s customer service lady proudly. No dessert wine to be had. And finally, turkey collection from the farm shop on the way home.

In the afternoon S put on his running kit for the second time today and ran to Hemlington with my parcels (having phoned the post office to avoid a wasted journey). There’s dedication! He returned with olives and single cream, but no dessert wine.

Dinner: haddock Monte Carlo, by me, for the first time in probably 30 years. It was delicious, will go on the blog later. S made another old and neglected favourite, Moroccan date and orange salad, for dessert. Delicious too, and a nice light meal before Christmas excess.