Duck Soup and other Stories

The title is not a reference to the Marx Brothers film set in a bankrupt 'Freedonia' (though I think I know that place quite well), but my Christmas left-over soup, made today without recipe. Come hell or high water it must get eaten (please, no more re-hashed festive food). Needless to say it has a kick like a mule with Scotch Bonnet chillies to spice it up, and which will please MrsB.

She and I drove the hour and a half to Anglesey this afternoon to spend the New Year down here. Dear daughter J is staying behind, as she is heading for her own Sheffield party on Monday.

There was an absolute gale blowing here on the island as we arrived (gusting Force 8 at least). I wouldnt want to be out on the water tonight. This then is the shot taken from Beaumaris Pier looking west towards the sunset over the Gallows Point boatyard. I could barely stand or hold the iPhone steady it was that ferocious.

Three sets of visitors are arriving to stay with us in Beaumaris between Sunday and Monday, and all staying through to Wednesday. Tomorrow is 'stand by your beds' inspection day then, to make up the bedding, tidy up the house and shop for last minute provisions.

By way of a gentle warm up, we are out tonight with Glen and Carolyn who live in the town. Just early doors only though in Ye Olde Bull's Head Inne next door, before just the two of us head back for some fiery duck soup. We are also invited round to theirs for one of Glen's famous Vindaloos tomorrow night (Glen vs MrsB is the ultimate curry cook-off and not one for amateurs or the faint hearted). As for the rest of tonight, MrsB just wants to watch her new Dark Knight Rising DVD present on our home cinema projection system. The house here was once a little cinema, so that's my justification for this little extravagance. A real joy on cold, rainy nights like tonight.