Opera Update

I have reserved a seat for La Traviata at the Grand Opera House, Belfast, next February, 2009. I managed, eventually, to pick a half-decent seat, number A21, in the Dress Circle.

I'm keeping a close eye on the Castle Ward Opera website and their anniversary season in 2009.

When I'm in the metropolis in the New Year, Turandot is being performed at the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden. I have seen this opera before; so I'll make a decision on that whilst in London.

The Fate Of Woolworths' Connswater Branch

I see that the eminent entrepreneur, Mr Theo Paphitis, of BBC Dragons' Den fame, is interested in Woolworth's. Good luck to him. I hope he, or anyone else for that matter, can transform a coveted national institution into a national success. Woolworth and its staff deserve it.

It ought to be remembered that Woolworth has been established in Belfast for many decades; and that their main branch was in High Street, where Dunne's Stores now trade. Woolworth commercially supported the city of Belfast, and its citizens, through very hard and difficult times; right through the Troubles, in fact. We respect them for that. We wish them well.

Mr Paphitis is particularly keen on turning round the most profitable stores. I cannot help but wonder what the future holds for Woolworth's Connswater store in east Belfast. I fear it cannot be amongst the most profitable of Woolies' branches...

Divis: Frosty And Misty

If I'd peered out of the window and glanced towards Divis, this morning, I'd have known that it wasn't quite the same there as here! Visibility up there was down to barely one hundred yards. There were about a dozen vehicles at the National Trust car park. I donned my hiking boots along with Russian hat, gloves, fleece jacket; oh, and my camera!

I didn't walk far at all. I ambled to the Long Barn, on the right, which is surrounded at the front by a temporary security fence; I've a feeling that it'll open in the New Year. It has been very well restored by the NT; even the slates are from the old barn itself. The Trust has landscaped the area and there will be lavatories also.

Divis Lodge, on the left, which is a short distance away from the barn, still has temporary roofing to keep it dry. No sign of restoration work beginning there yet. I hope they'll make a start on it in 2009.

About next Tuesday, the 2nd December: a modest reminder that it is Lord Belmont's Official Birthday!

The Poet Wasn't Lonely Tonight

By Jove, it wasn't half nippy tonight! Literally freezing, in fact. I'd reserved a table for two at east Belfast's newest restaurant, the Lonely Poet, this evening at seven o'clock.

In the event, it was easy to park the two-seater a few yards from the front door of the Poet - formerly the Queen's Inn. I had taken a short-cut via Cabinhill Park, turning left on to the King's Road. The Lonely Poet is just off King's Road, at King's Square Shopping Centre.

First impressions were good. It's welcoming and comfortable; especially the staff, who all try hard to be cheerful and courteous. The restaurant seemed to be fairly busy too. We were shown to a small table at the front window. I sat on a sort of cushioned, leather, banquette type of seating at the wall; the dowager had a proper arm-chair. It quickly became clear to me that this was not a wise move, on my part, because I sank into my seat making the dining-table slightly too high for me!

We ordered our meal thereafter: two ravioli for starters; one grilled skate for a main course; and two fruit juices.

The portion of our starters was modest. I should immediately clarify that I am not one of those who relish huge platefuls of nosh overflowing with chips, or anything else for that matter! I weigh about 54 kilos. I seem to recall that it consisted of three pieces of fresh mushroom ravioli sitting on a creamy sauce, on a large plate. I, personally, found it bland. I had to sprinkle salt on it, which is unusual for me because I'm normally content with the seasoning on most dishes. The sauce was thin, or runny, and I left most of it. A nice basket of fresh breads to accompany it would have been most welcome.

The Dowager had the same ravioli starter while I ate my grilled skate. She usually finds a starter sufficiently satisfying. Not in this case! The size of the portion was, again, too modest. I was largely satisfied with my grilled skate. I'd never eaten skate before, and it was a mild-flavoured fish, which suited me. It was served on the bone; however, the flesh separated easily from the bones. The fish was served with a piece of pork belly, a smallish portion of mashed potato and kale.

The bill amounted to £28.15. We both found the meal a bit disappointing. Although I quite enjoyed my main course, it was, I felt, expensive for two starters, one main course and two juices. We had no pudding, nor coffee. I thanked the waitress, handed her £31 and we departed.

Tesco Pricing Obfuscation

I happened to be at Tesco's tea shelves this afternoon, checking the prices of my current favourite tea, Twinings Everyday. Is it a deliberate ploy, on the part of major supermarkets, to stealthily attempt to confuse customers with their pricing?

• Twinings' largest pack of tea, 240 bags, costs £4.99
• Tesco state that this equates to £2 per 100g
• Tesco states that Twinings 160 bag pack is about 78p per 100g. Yet, the larger pack is clearly the better value of the two. I cannot recall how much the 160 bag pack actually cost (let me know if you do). I enlisted the help of a fellow-customer beside me by asking him if he was any good at maths! He was compos mentis and agreed that the largest packet was best.
  

My fellow-blogger, Alan In Belfast, has pointed out this tea discrepancy before. Now I know exactly what Alan means!

Salt Island: Maintenance Day

I continually forget to take the rush-hour into account, and leaving home just before half-eight yesterday morning was no exception. I'd arranged to meet Craig and the others at nine o'clock; nevertheless, I made it on time at about 9.02. We assembled at Whiterock, County Down.

The sea was almost high and it was calm. Cloudy and dry. Six of us set off for Salt Island shortly afterwards with lots of tools, including a crook and lassos in order to catch a goat! Salt Island is a property of the National Trust. It is quite close to Killyleagh and is situated in Strangford Lough.

It took us about half an hour to reach Salt Island. We anchored at Brandy Bay on the western side. The National Trust boat we used was robust, 22 feet long with a 100 horse-power outboard motor. The bothy is directly opposite Brandy Bay at the eastern side of the island.

I hadn't been to the island since early summer and, I have to say, everything was in very good shape. The bothy now looks great, with strong, black, lockable metal shutters covering the windows when not in use. Although the bothy is basic, it provides excellent shelter with its wood-burner; the walls are a foot thick; it is dry; and it has running water with some useful provisions too. The accommodation is very basic, with wooden platforms where you'd place your cushions or inflatable mattresses and sleeping-bags. There are lavatories provided, with two barbecues outside.

Today Craig, Natalie and Self were endeavouring to repair the stone wall which surrounds the bothy. The remnants of the original wall can still be seen, the old mortar holding it together. Hugh and the others were thinning some trees in the plantation behind the bothy. It was planted over twenty years ago and has matured well.

Having tidied up later in the afternoon, we trudged over to Brandy Bay with all our gear and set off on our boat which, by the way, had almost run aground! Beware of the tides on Strangford Lough; be ever vigilant.

En route to Darragh Island, we passed close by Sand Rock where there was a group of seals - and pups - resting. They kept a close eye on us! Further on, we were treated to quite a spectacle: a school of about six porpoises. These smaller cousins of the dolphin were swimming fast, in and out of the water for breath, doubtless finding plenty of rich pickings in the lough. Their fins could be clearly seen.

Stopping off at Darragh Island, where there is a herd of wild goats, the task was to catch two of them which had been seen limping. It was a relief to catch them quickly. They both required their hooves clipped and sprayed with anti-bacterial liquid. One young goat, worryingly, had a number of large, fat ticks which we pulled off.

So, after that, we boarded our boat again and headed back to Whiterock; and I arrived home about 5.40, just in time to motor up to the old school for the sixty-length constitutional.

Twinings Everyday Tea

We quite often vary our tea. I'm too lazy to bother making tea the traditional way, with tea leaves; so we use tea-bags instead. We have been using Sainsbury's Gold Label blend recently.

We required more tea-bags the other day, and I noticed Twinings Everyday tea on the shelves - the packets which are yellow with gold and black lettering. The verdict? Very good. The best cup of tea I've had for a very long time. I'm no tea expert. I can say, though, that it had a good depth of flavour and the bag infused quickly.

I think we'll buy the largest packet - 240 bags - the next time. I'm pleased with it and intend to stick to it.

I've been on Salt Island for most of the day, so I'll write about that tomorrow.