We seem to have had our winter last week. Prior to that I had been wondering if it was worth while keeping the heating on as the temperatures were keeping so high, and looking at the lovely pair of gloves I was given for Christmas and wondering if I would wear them this year. Then the temperatures suddenly dropped to 1 to 3 degrees. On one memorable walk on the beach I was hailed on viciously for the last fifteen minutes whilst returning to the car, and even with gloves, hat and scarf I was sooooo cold and numb. And then, just when I had got into the habit of adding the necessary layers, the temperatures went back up.
Was that it?
Sunday, 28 January 2007
Thursday, 18 January 2007
The green, green grass of home
I know it's been a mild winter. I know it's been a wet winter. But the lush emerald green of fields, not just now, but through the winter, has really surprised me.
Wednesday, 17 January 2007
Recycling
I have had a think about recycling. Recycling basically means finding another use for an item instead of disposing of it. Recycling is so linked to waste disposal that I need to understand more about waste disposal before I can progress on my understanding of all the issues with recycling.
Meanwhile, here are a few links:
Jersey government sites:
"Wacky Waste Facts"
Full detail of waste disposal and recycling services
Energy from waste
May 2005 Solid Waste strategy
Energy from waste project FAQ
Waste Management
Waste Management Part 2
Waste Management Part 3
Waste Management Part 4
Waste Management Part 5
Waste Management Part 6
Waste Management Part 7
I thought 14.6 of the Waste Management (Island Plan 2002) covered most of my concerns, which are broadly that the whole thing needs to be looked at form an island perspective:
"The decision whether to recycle materials or not depends upon a number of factors, including the availability of raw materials, energy consumption in collection and processing and any environmental implications. It is counter-productive to recycle if doing so has a greater impact upon the environment than disposing of the waste. Furthermore, a recycling scheme that might be cost-effective in the UK might not be viable in Jersey if the material has to be shipped out for recycling, even if there is considerable capacity to export materials in the ships going to the UK. The local market for recycled goods is another important consideration – for certain materials the economics of recycling become marginal and other waste management options further down the ‘waste hierarchy’ may be more appropriate."
I shall read further.
Meanwhile, here are a few links:
Jersey government sites:
"Wacky Waste Facts"
Full detail of waste disposal and recycling services
Energy from waste
May 2005 Solid Waste strategy
Energy from waste project FAQ
Waste Management
Waste Management Part 2
Waste Management Part 3
Waste Management Part 4
Waste Management Part 5
Waste Management Part 6
Waste Management Part 7
I thought 14.6 of the Waste Management (Island Plan 2002) covered most of my concerns, which are broadly that the whole thing needs to be looked at form an island perspective:
"The decision whether to recycle materials or not depends upon a number of factors, including the availability of raw materials, energy consumption in collection and processing and any environmental implications. It is counter-productive to recycle if doing so has a greater impact upon the environment than disposing of the waste. Furthermore, a recycling scheme that might be cost-effective in the UK might not be viable in Jersey if the material has to be shipped out for recycling, even if there is considerable capacity to export materials in the ships going to the UK. The local market for recycled goods is another important consideration – for certain materials the economics of recycling become marginal and other waste management options further down the ‘waste hierarchy’ may be more appropriate."
I shall read further.
Saturday, 13 January 2007
Smoking Laws
There is a letter in the paper today from a very disgruntled truck driver, who cannot now smoke in his truck, as it is his workplace.
Hurrah!
I bet his driving has improved now he is no longer: carrying a burning stick, and passing it from hand to hand to tap out the ash; bending over his lighter to light a fresh "ciggie"; opening his window (one hand) to toss out the filter (held in his other hand); shaking his next fag out of the packet; trying not to burn his leg on the end of his "ciggie" when turning a sharp corner. I was the only non smoker in my family, and three out of the four of them smoked whilst driving. Only one continues to smoke, and now does not smoke whilst driving, having come to appreciate the risks. Trust me, being their passenger is a lot less stressful now.
Remember the "Hands Off" campaign? It appears to have had it's 15 minutes, but it was always unbalanced, as evidenced by the name. Surely the idea is that people should have hands on the wheel? At the height of the "Hands Off" campaign I saw a truck bombing round Beaumont filter in turn from Beaumont Hill, heading into town, steering left handed - the driver's right hand wrapped round a baguette, and I saw a woman driving through town to drop her child off from school, and as she crawled forward (with pedestrians hovering on the edges of the pavement watching for a tiny break in the traffic to squeeze through) she was leaning up close to the rear view mirror applying mascara.
Free Jersey linked to an article about how it is more dangerous to drive for a living than it is to smoke. Maybe the ban on smoking in the workplace will actually improve the risk for some employees who drive all day (or night) in Jersey, improving the mortality rates for both smokers and drivers.
Hurrah!
I bet his driving has improved now he is no longer: carrying a burning stick, and passing it from hand to hand to tap out the ash; bending over his lighter to light a fresh "ciggie"; opening his window (one hand) to toss out the filter (held in his other hand); shaking his next fag out of the packet; trying not to burn his leg on the end of his "ciggie" when turning a sharp corner. I was the only non smoker in my family, and three out of the four of them smoked whilst driving. Only one continues to smoke, and now does not smoke whilst driving, having come to appreciate the risks. Trust me, being their passenger is a lot less stressful now.
Remember the "Hands Off" campaign? It appears to have had it's 15 minutes, but it was always unbalanced, as evidenced by the name. Surely the idea is that people should have hands on the wheel? At the height of the "Hands Off" campaign I saw a truck bombing round Beaumont filter in turn from Beaumont Hill, heading into town, steering left handed - the driver's right hand wrapped round a baguette, and I saw a woman driving through town to drop her child off from school, and as she crawled forward (with pedestrians hovering on the edges of the pavement watching for a tiny break in the traffic to squeeze through) she was leaning up close to the rear view mirror applying mascara.
Free Jersey linked to an article about how it is more dangerous to drive for a living than it is to smoke. Maybe the ban on smoking in the workplace will actually improve the risk for some employees who drive all day (or night) in Jersey, improving the mortality rates for both smokers and drivers.
Thursday, 4 January 2007
Where to buy
I have been looking for a washing up bowl. The only place I could find one was in Woolies. None of the supermarkets seemed to carry them, and "The First Place" is closed, hopefully temporarily. I kept thinking that there are 80,000 to 90,000 people in this island, making lots of households with at least one washing up bowl per household. Is Woolies the only place to sell them?
I can buy a washing up bowl online, if I want to spend £40 plus on a designer article. There are some places that sell your basic washing up bowl, but the postage would double the cost of the bowl.
Maybe this is why there is such a lack of the bowls for sale in the island, they take up a lot of shelf space, and make little profit.
Incidentally, whilst researching online I found a 2000 BBC report on bacteria in the kitchen in which an "infection expert" spoke of the bacteria breeding capabilities of washing up bowls. He also said that washing up should be done with bleach. What a yucky thought. Bleach may get rid of germs, but when it comes to lumps of dirt, it just makes them invisible. I bet he makes his wife do it though.
05/01/2007 Update. Walking through the co-op in town heading to the furniture department I noticed they carry cream washing up bowls. The Woolies ones are silver. So, now I have found a choice of colours at least! I hadn't thought to look in the co-op homeware store.
I can buy a washing up bowl online, if I want to spend £40 plus on a designer article. There are some places that sell your basic washing up bowl, but the postage would double the cost of the bowl.
Maybe this is why there is such a lack of the bowls for sale in the island, they take up a lot of shelf space, and make little profit.
Incidentally, whilst researching online I found a 2000 BBC report on bacteria in the kitchen in which an "infection expert" spoke of the bacteria breeding capabilities of washing up bowls. He also said that washing up should be done with bleach. What a yucky thought. Bleach may get rid of germs, but when it comes to lumps of dirt, it just makes them invisible. I bet he makes his wife do it though.
05/01/2007 Update. Walking through the co-op in town heading to the furniture department I noticed they carry cream washing up bowls. The Woolies ones are silver. So, now I have found a choice of colours at least! I hadn't thought to look in the co-op homeware store.
Sausages
We tried the sausages from the Classic herd farm shop. Yep, they were very meaty, and no gristle. I think they were Lancashire sausages, and they were very herby. Personally, I prefer a plain sausage, herby meat always makes me think that the herbs are disguising bad meat, but my partner is a fan, so that is what we had. We have not been able to try any other sausages as the abattoir has not been open. I guess it proves how fresh the meat it!
The milk is cheaper than the supermarket as well. The milk is sold in one or two litre plastic jug/bottles, which I like. Far less messy.
I saw the calves my partner mentioned.
The milk is cheaper than the supermarket as well. The milk is sold in one or two litre plastic jug/bottles, which I like. Far less messy.
I saw the calves my partner mentioned.
Wednesday, 3 January 2007
Saturday, 23 December 2006
Classic Herd
On the positive side, my partner managed to snaffle the last pack of bacon from the farm shop, and also brought home some milk and sausages for us to try.
On the negative side my partner spotted three bull calves in crates on the farm, and wondered if this means that there is veal being produced on the farm. The crates were big enough for the animals to turn round.
We don't support veal production though - if an animal is to be kept, keep it healthy. Restricting movement so that muscles do not develop properly hardly seems healthy.
I know that there are extremes of veal production - calves head tied so they cannot turn or lay (who end up standing in their own urine, damaging their legs and feet) and calves fed an iron deficient diet to keep them anemic and their flesh pale. I know the UK has laws preventing the worst cases of this treatment to calves, which is why UK veal is not as white or tender as veal produced in some other countries, but I have no idea what the laws are in Jersey.
On the negative side my partner spotted three bull calves in crates on the farm, and wondered if this means that there is veal being produced on the farm. The crates were big enough for the animals to turn round.
We don't support veal production though - if an animal is to be kept, keep it healthy. Restricting movement so that muscles do not develop properly hardly seems healthy.
I know that there are extremes of veal production - calves head tied so they cannot turn or lay (who end up standing in their own urine, damaging their legs and feet) and calves fed an iron deficient diet to keep them anemic and their flesh pale. I know the UK has laws preventing the worst cases of this treatment to calves, which is why UK veal is not as white or tender as veal produced in some other countries, but I have no idea what the laws are in Jersey.
Wednesday, 20 December 2006
Beautiful bacon
I rarely eat bacon. My partner enjoys it, on occasion. I think we will both be eating it more regularly now, as tonight we tried the bacon I bought from Darren Quenault's farm shop. It seems wrong to call it the same name as the flimsy, watery tasteless stuff I normally buy in supermarkets even though I make an effort to buy flavourful bacon (buying Duchy Originals where I can, or something from the Waitrose "Taste the Difference" range).
The Quenaults' bacon doesn't look that brilliant on the fridge shelf - the colour is good but the bacon is vacuum packed, so the slices are shapelessly mushed together. The rashers are quite streaky as well, something we normally avoid, but that bacon tasted indescribably good. My mouth is watering just thinking about it. I find myself longing for an excuse to try the bacon in a bacon sandwich - the flavour is intense enough to cope with the bread. The bacon had a good shelf life, but it definitely wont need it in our house.
The Quenaults' bacon doesn't look that brilliant on the fridge shelf - the colour is good but the bacon is vacuum packed, so the slices are shapelessly mushed together. The rashers are quite streaky as well, something we normally avoid, but that bacon tasted indescribably good. My mouth is watering just thinking about it. I find myself longing for an excuse to try the bacon in a bacon sandwich - the flavour is intense enough to cope with the bread. The bacon had a good shelf life, but it definitely wont need it in our house.
Monday, 18 December 2006
Shopping Locally
My Mother visited the Island this weekend, and after having lunch at Big Vern's last week, I had noticed that their plates and mugs are produced at a local pottery located at 7 Belvedere Terrace. I used to live at 7 Belvedere Terrace, so whilst my Mum was over we visited the pottery and I bought a beautiful dish for grating garlic or ginger upon. Theresa was there and as well as talking about the house and how it has changed over the years she introduced us to her creations. I wanted to buy lots, but being stoneware the pottery is not cheap and at this expensive time of year I could not treat myself to anything more than the dish I bought.
I notice that the pottery is a member of Genuine Jersey. The Genuine Jersey website has a large list of members upon which I notice Classic Herd Ltd, the Quenaults' business. I used the rare opportunity of having some free time last week to pop into the Quennaults' farm shop where I was surprised to find a large number of luxury biscuits and relishes. A farm shop seems an odd place to buy Christmas presents, but there you go! I did buy some bacon, soup, spare ribs and the Jersey Brie and those we have so far eaten were good. The Brie has a much more solid texture than Brie from France or Somerset, but was very creamy. The farm shop is quite large and when I visited I was the only person buying, although they were re-stocking the sausages which indicated plenty of customers earlier. I do wish the Quenaults every success, and will be shopping there when I can, although I can not see myself buying many of the luxury biscuits, sauces etc. I am hoping that next year they may sell new potatoes that have not been through the grader.
Grading new potatoes bruises and dries them, and should be made illegal. Potatoes that have not been through the grader are more tender and seem to stay fresh longer than those that have, but I have a dreadful job finding any. The only way to be sure to get some is to befriend someone growing them! Eating potatoes that have not been graded is like eating the potatoes we enjoyed as children.
I notice that the pottery is a member of Genuine Jersey. The Genuine Jersey website has a large list of members upon which I notice Classic Herd Ltd, the Quenaults' business. I used the rare opportunity of having some free time last week to pop into the Quennaults' farm shop where I was surprised to find a large number of luxury biscuits and relishes. A farm shop seems an odd place to buy Christmas presents, but there you go! I did buy some bacon, soup, spare ribs and the Jersey Brie and those we have so far eaten were good. The Brie has a much more solid texture than Brie from France or Somerset, but was very creamy. The farm shop is quite large and when I visited I was the only person buying, although they were re-stocking the sausages which indicated plenty of customers earlier. I do wish the Quenaults every success, and will be shopping there when I can, although I can not see myself buying many of the luxury biscuits, sauces etc. I am hoping that next year they may sell new potatoes that have not been through the grader.
Grading new potatoes bruises and dries them, and should be made illegal. Potatoes that have not been through the grader are more tender and seem to stay fresh longer than those that have, but I have a dreadful job finding any. The only way to be sure to get some is to befriend someone growing them! Eating potatoes that have not been graded is like eating the potatoes we enjoyed as children.
Another service award
This time to Boots where a member of staff noticed how much I was spending and suggested I take my Boots card to a card machine they have in the store whereupon I printed out a voucher entitling me to £4 worth of Boots points if I spend more than a certain sum that day. The lady, who was not English/Jersey, was very helpful in other ways as well, but they are too boring to detail. Thank you Boots for the £4 extra sitting on my card. It will come in useful in January.
Wednesday, 13 December 2006
A beautiful day
Walking the dogs down Val de la Mare valley today I was pleased to see that the water level in the reservoir is rising though there is still plenty of room to store more water - perhaps we should hope for more rain? I really enjoyed my walk in the sunshine, with late leaves swishing overhead and the stream tinkling to the side of me, and I was not the only one - everyone I met was smiling and happy to stop and chat.
Thursday, 7 December 2006
Service to be proud of
Jersey recently came 10th from bottom in a customer service shopping survey of the Channel Islands. But I had a lovely experience today, and would like to give a gold star to the lovely lady who served me at Hallmark cards in King Street.
Not only was she helpful and pleasant whilst I paid for my cards, but when I was cheeky enough to ask for a second free 2007 datebook she happily popped another in without hesitation. Then I remarked upon a 2 Euro chocolate coin on the desk amongst some sterling ones and she handed it straight to me, insisting I kept it whan I protested. My smile lasted all the way back to my car.
Not only was she helpful and pleasant whilst I paid for my cards, but when I was cheeky enough to ask for a second free 2007 datebook she happily popped another in without hesitation. Then I remarked upon a 2 Euro chocolate coin on the desk amongst some sterling ones and she handed it straight to me, insisting I kept it whan I protested. My smile lasted all the way back to my car.
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