Our First Flutter

In my very first blog I mentioned that one of my hobbies was horse racing and that I compiled my own Private Handicap. I also said that if I thought a horse had a good chance of winning I would publish it in the Journal. These are free tips purely based on my own personal opinion, they are published with the view that they will create interest and provide us with a bit of fun. I, nor anyone else can guarantee a horse will win and I do not profess to be a professional punter. If readers wish to back these selections, that's fine, they are welcome to do so. However, I would never urge anyone to bet heavily on any horse race. The golden rule is never bet more than you can comfortably afford to lose. Here are the details of our first bet.

Tuesday 6th January. Southwell 3.40

* Came Back *

Came Back, a 6.y.o chestnut colt by Bertolini, trained by Ann Stokell, runs in the Arenapleasureplc.com Handicap at local track Southwell. Won twice on this track in December, in both a seller and claimer, winning both times over todays trip of 6f. Despite stepping up in class and carrying top weight Came Back still looks ahead of the handicapper and can win again. Lets hope the selection can kick us off to a good start.

Another Christmas Slips Away

My goodness how time flies! Seems like only yesterday I was running around like a headless chicken buying those last minute Christmas presents. Today is the 6th January, traditionally the last day of Christmas. I scoured Lincoln looking for twelve drummers drumming but I could not find any anywhere, not even at B&Q. The girl behind the counter said they were not likely to be getting any in either. She suggested I tried Amazon! Now it's time to take the lights off the tree (when are they going to invent Christmas tree lights that come on first time). Followed by the tedious job of taking all those glass baubles off the tree and packing them away safely in boxes between layers of tinsel, silver drape, two tatty old father christmas hats, the cat, (the cat! what's he doing in there, get out). Remove all those sprigs of holly from behind the pictures and pick up the Christmas cards that fell over a long time ago. That leaves one last job.........getting the dreaded Christmas tree out! Well I cracked that one several years ago. No more trying to push and pull the tree through the door, leaving a trail of pine needles everywhere, for me. The answer! Garden loppers. Take the loppers into the house together with large plastic bag. Snip off branches into manageable lengths. Pop branches into plastic bag. No mess. Job done. Time to drink that last can of lager in the fridge. Good luck with yours, though I suspect many of you will have done this job long before now.

Medieval Recipe

Fancy something different for dinner tonight? Then why not try out this Medieval recipe for Mounchelet. Put on your best doublet, pour yourself a glass of meade and tuck in to this robust culinary delight enjoyed by our ancient ancestors. Rustic and delicious!! Well it makes a change from fish and chips.

Mounchelet
2lb of boned stewing lamb/mutton
2 medium onions finely sliced
1/2 tsp each dried rosemary, thyme, marjoram
1/4 tsp each ginger, cumin, coriander
1 tbsp of chopped parsley
2 tbsp of lemon juice
salt to taste
15 fl oz chicken stock
8 fl oz white wine
2 eggs

Cut the meat into 2" cubes. Put the stock in a pan and bring to the boil. Add the meat and bring back to the boil, skim if required, then add the onions, herbs, spices, salt and wine. Reduce the heat, cover the pan and cook gently for about one to one and a half hours or until meat is tender. Blend together eggs and lemon juice, remove pan from heat and stir in the egg mixture, slowly to thicken it slightly, do not allow to re-boil. Serve with whole boiled potatoes and chunky diced carrot.
Serves 6