Poach pods. Another silicone product I've scorned a bit in the past. But guess what? They actually do work, and the tops of the eggs cook better if you put a lid on the pan. Cutting edge investigative reporting for you all.
The snow has just about gone now, helped on its way by an impessive thunderstorm at 4.30am yesterday. It was like someting in the films, much crashing overhead and very, very bright. Everyone was talking about it. Even while it was happening, and I was watching the lightning from my bedroom window, it struck me that probably most people in town were awake at that particular moment.
An email came out to all staff the other day from a colleague who volunteers at an animal shelter. They have had an influx of small rodents and desperately need cages. As our hamster died recently I offered the large cage and accessories. Last night I cleaned and disinfected it and she came and collected it all. I have to say that I'd never thought of donating cages and things to shelters, though I often send old towels and such as they get through loads of them with dogs and are always grateful.
And one other good thing. On Tuesday morning, before it was properly light, I could hear the blackbirds in a frenzy outside the kitchen window, they were swooping about and chattering like mad. The rowan tree is in front of the window and there on the bottom branch, fluffed up and gazing at me through the window, sat a rather gorgeous owl. He of the screeching I imagine. The mice live at the bottom of the tree so no guessing why he chose there to take a break.
That's the mice who've been in my outhouse and shredded the lagging on the outside water pipe, shredded my garden kneeler and eaten all the tulip bulbs I forgot to plant in the autumn...
