Yes    I am thinking of trying my hand at home brewing, something I have never done before.  For some bizarre reason, this weather is making me want to settle things in for winter - bit like a squirrel really.  I know, I know, it's very strange but then...so is the weather!

So, I have my Harry Potter notebook to hand and I am going to surf the interweb for some 'corking' (sorry!!) good recipes, preferrably involving things that are growing like mad in my jungle, benignely neglected garden *coughs*.  Thanks to Tylluan for that description and the way in which I now refer to my garden at work, albeit tongue in cheek.   Have told them it is a deliberate attempt to provide a home for the European protected Marsh Fritillery butterfly (which I do actually have, as they seem abundant round here).  Having moaned about finding the lost tribe, I feel unbelieved somehow!  Ah well!

Anyway, the gist of the post was that I thought I should warn everyone in the South West Wales area that should there be an explosion, it's probably going to be my fault.  So, if anyone has any 'safe' recipies they would like to share with a 'luna'-tic, then please feel free to correspond.  In the meantime, I shall get it all down on paper first - that way, I can take it with me to make sure the yeast is SUPPOSED to do that!

And...

Talking of alcohol, I would just like to praise my friend Pauline's Christmas cake, after one slice of which you simply CANNOT drive.  She makes it in August and once a week from then until Christmas, she pours a glass of brandy, red rum and some sort of sweet liquer into it, (suspect Kirsch only she aint telling!), alternating the weeks.  It is absolutely gorgeous but really, you seem to get drunk from the ankles upwards.  You think you're fine till you try and stand up.  Like that T-shirt, one tequila, two tequila, three tequila, floor!  I suspect it would also be foolhardy to smoke after it as well!

The one thing I regret about leaving Europe is the fact that I cannot get hold of 100% alcohol over here.  At least, not without a Hazardous Materials licence and/or many, many questions asked.  Seems as a nation we just cannot be trusted to use it responsibly!  For shame  

Right, I am fully armed with a wizard and wand, so let's go surfing...

Laters *hic*