The British Lettuce

When we were nattering over coffee and cinnamon scones at the Bay Tree yesterday morning, I told the others a trivial story about a visit to the supermarket and quest for some lettuce.

I really wanted a pair of Little Gem lettuces though, after a little cogitation, bagged an Iceberg lettuce instead.

The influencing factor was the Union Jack mark; or, rather, the lack thereof on the Little Gem lettuces. Had the Gem lettuces been clearly and unambiguously labelled as emanating from the United Kingdom, I'd probably have chosen them.

The term "Ireland" is, to my mind, ambiguous because a product could come from the Irish Republic or Northern Ireland. Whilst this factor may not be of any consequence to some, it matters to me!

Bacon Breakfast

We enjoyed a few rashers of really good bacon with our toast this morning. It's the first time we've tried this particular brand, Case and Sons.

It was fried in a little oil for five or six minutes. Despite it having been "traditionally matured for a great tasting, drier and more meaty bacon" there was still watery fluid, which was poured off.

This bacon, to my mind, is good: thick cut, smoked, traditional Wiltshire cure, very lean; and a delicious flavour, too.

I very much approve of the royal warrant and the Love Bacon Quality Union Jack standard mark thereon.

Shortie Wetsuit

The "shortie" wetsuit I bought in Sainsbury's last week is a perfect fit. It's skin-tight, though I can move my arms freely. It seems to be well made, too, in - you guessed it - the People's Republic of China.

I can see why many surfers wear full-size wetsuits at this time of year, in Northern Ireland. The water is still absolutely freezing! I managed to walk into the sea up to my chest and that was enough.

I think my new wetsuit is a bargain, because a well-known surfing shop in Portrush was selling similar shorties for £45-£50; and I purchased mine for £25.

The manufacturer, the Wetsuit Factory, Cornwall, established in 1969, sells them online for £39.99.

2010 Dissolution Honours

Brief perusal of the 2010 Dissolution Honours List provides no surprises in Northern Ireland whatsoever.

Ian Paisley becomes a life peer as the Right Honourable Ian Richard Kyle Baron Paisley PC; that is assuming he uses his own name for the title. I suppose he could be Lord Paisley of Ballymena or wherever.

Nigel Dodds OBE MP is appointed to the Privy Council as the Right Honourable Nigel Dodds OBE MP.

There are many others on the List who remain unspeakable and insufferable Labour cronies, thugs and minions. One simply has to use one's imagination. Speaking of which, has Prescott punched anyone else this year? Sir Ian Blair, now a life peer, is, according to his erstwhile paymaster, a "distinguished public servant". Ha ha.

Ducal Disharmony?

There is a slight differing of opinion between two of our great northern dukes, viz. Their Graces the Duke of Northumberland and the Duke of Roxburgh.

Apparently Guy Roxburgh wishes to go ahead with a wind turbine project on the Lammermuir Hills, south of Edinburgh; and his neighbour, Ralph Northumberland, whilst not opposed to wind farms in principle, considers that such a project would be detrimental to an area of outstanding natural beauty.

I have a measure of sympathy with Northumberland, despite that old cliché, NIMBY, springing to mind.

Mathematical Genius

When I am researching articles about property values and their monetary equivalent for today's values, regular readers shall be aware of my considerable mathematical prowess, despite never having achieved the requisite grade thirty-five years ago to "Wee Jimmy" Thompson's eternal dismay. Fear not!

You didn't really believe that I had worked out all those sums in the old head, which takes an extra hat size thanks to all that fish I consume, did you?

Instead, I make good use of the Bank of England's ingenious Inflation Calculator. Try it and see.

Home Again

We got home at about one-thirty this afternoon. The baby two-seater is a diminutive "flying-machine", effortlessly cruising at 70mph - at least - and passing most other vehicles.

A sort of sea mist arrived at Portballintrae yesterday evening and, consequently, the temperature dropped. This morning it was cloudier and cooler.

We had intended lunching at the very good Bushmills Garden Centre, though decided to drive straight home. Meals out have been generally a touch disappointing; no match for, say, Beatrice Kennedy's shoulder of lamb. We try to vary our restaurants whilst up at "the Port", so didn't make the Bushmills Inn or Ramore on this occasion.

I shall have my sixty-length swim at the Sports Club, as usual, this evening.