Porridge Resumption

Suppliers of Quaker Food Products HM The Queen - Master of the Household Granted in 1958

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This morning I motored over to the nearest massive supermarket, grabbed a basket and, holding the post-it note with a shopping-list, made a bee-line for the salad aisle.

During my childhood we used to breakfast on porridge occasionally, though I stopped eating it ages ago.

However, having been offered it whilst staying with friends at Christmas, my appetite for the stuff has been rekindled.

Hence, today I procured a carton of the original Quaker Oats and Tate & Lyle's squeezy golden syrup.

Despite the instructions provided for cooking the porridge, I prefer mine quite thick in texture; so in future I'll add less milk.

I was in good company. None other than Barney Eastwood, the celebrated bookmaker and boxing promoter, was also doing the rounds, wearing a heavy tweed overcoat.


MY FELLOW-SWIMMER and old pal Schomberg (!) has recommended a local greengrocer and delicatessen, The Four Seasons, to me. I'm told that their home-made lasagne and coleslaw is delicious.


Dangerfield, the old school pal and sparring partner, called unexpectedly last night for ten minutes. He told me about his woes regarding a part for his classic Land-Rover.

Dangerfield is a terrific shot. I told him I was minded to have a few of his venison bangers tonight, though I've decided to postpone that gastronomic feast and have a salmon risotto instead.

Wine Trick

Mystery House

A reader has sent me these pictures of a house somewhere in Northern Ireland.

It was used for a period by United States forces during the 2nd World War.

Can anybody recognize it?

Belmont Burger

The 100% British beef Hawaiian burger, made with pure Ulster beef, for the Earl of Belmont, by his master chef of the gastronomic taste-buds, Anatole, today.

It was devoured with gusto by his lordship, a devotee of fine beef patties.

Blackford Dolphin

I wish I had worn my British Warm overcoat this morning, when I went for a walk at Belfast's Titanic Quarter.

It was damp, dreary, cold and windy.

A large drilling rig called Blackford Dolphin is being repaired or refitted by Harland & Wolff.

This rig weighs about 3,000 tons and the crew quarters can accommodate 102 persons.

Downhill Pictures

DOWNHILL HOUSE, near Castlerock, County Londonderry, taken at the latter part of the 19th century.

The mansion house was built for the Rt Rev and Rt Hon Frederick Augustus [Hervey], 4th Earl of Bristol and Lord Bishop of Derry, commonly known as The Earl-Bishop, in the 1770s.

The Downhill Centaur

A merry centaur welcomed visitors to Downhill House.