1
'That recovery, the first day at Weatherend, had served its purpose well, had given them quite enough; so that they were, to Marcher's sense, no longer hovering about the head-waters of their stream, but had felt their boat pushed sharply off and down the current. They were literally afloat together...'
Yes, 'literally' - and yes, that's the unmistakable prose of Henry James (in The Beast in the Jungle). If even The Master, the most fastidious of prose artists, was content, back in 1903, with this loose usage of 'literally', perhaps the rest of us should just get used to it. And it's not only Henry James...
2
'I have finished another book, only a short one and not quite a novel, and we are now looking for a really good jacket design. I always used to have Old Masters of some kind on the cover but the sales department say that they are now hopelessly out of date.'
That's Penelope Fitzgerald, writing to her friend Maryllis Conder in 1994. The book - 'not quite a novel' - she so casually refers to is her masterpiece, the utterly extraordinary The Blue Flower, a novel like no other. One of the joys of reading Fitzgerald's letters is her disarming modesty, her complete lack of writerly affectations. Perhaps it was because she found literary success so late in life - or, more likely, such modesty was deep in her nature. If only today's writers had a little more of it.
3
'Among nets
some are stout
and cast by
rubber-clad
sailors who
venture out
in boats and
talk of knots
and floats and
diesel and
gruesome accidents
to decent people.
Whereas the
nets approached
by birds and moths
and set by
Nabokovs in white
are lighter stuff
tied by threads
to branches
as though for sport...'
That's Kay Ryan (unmistakably), in a poem called The Catch, and that is surely Vladimir Nabokov's only appearance as a plural generic noun. It is also the most gloriously unlikely rhyme ever made with 'moths'. Has any other (single) writer's name been used in the plural? I can't think of a case...
Monday, 23 May 2011
Friday, 20 May 2011
They're Back!
I'm happy to report that the Holland Park pigs are back! I saw them earlier, lolling contentedly in the sun - three whites and a saddleback - building up their strength before getting down to some serious rootling. They're in a new patch of the woods (duly fenced off) - and, as proof of their good work, the patch where last year's pigs did their transforming work is now gloriously adorned with poppies and foxgloves. Pigs - what's not to love?
The Sammies!
As if a nocturnal visit from Gordon Brown wasn't enough, this morning I found in my inbox this mind-boggling press release, which I think speaks for itself (at punishing length). I will only add - Tesco?! Greggs??!! Subway???!!! And I'm tempted to enter myself in the Smoked Port Salut Cheese Sandwich category - there are surely only so many things to be done with smoked Port Salut.
(We've all been there. You're feeling peckish, you've got a couple of pieces of bread and some smoked Port Salut. Enter the sandwich...)
BRITISH SANDWICH INDUSTRY AWARD WINNERS ANNOUNCED
With commercial sandwich sales continuing to grow – by 2% in volume in the last year - the industry was in good mood at the Sammies, the British Sandwich Industry Awards, when they took place at the Lancaster Hotel in London on Thursday evening (May 19). The awards saw winners, both big and small, from all sectors of the market and from across the UK.
While sandwich multiple retailer of the year was Tesco, the industry also paid tribute to the long standing contribution made by bakers Greggs in helping to shape the UK sandwich industry by giving them the overall British Sandwich Industry Award. Rivals Subway, who have stormed into the UK market in recent years, were also recognised by winning the Specialist Sandwich Bar Chain award
But while the big names of the industry were well represented in the awards, there was also lots of recognition for the small independent sandwich bars which are so much a part of this dynamic market. Indeed, five won coveted Gold Awards this year – Moolis (London), Made By Ben (Bath), Taste UK (Romford), Kaffeine (London) and Delaney’s (Southsea).
“The UK commercial sandwich market is a major contributor to the UK economy, employing over 300,000 people – so it is really good news that it is continuing to prosper,” says BSA Director Jim Winship, “The Sammies provide us with an opportunity each year to recognise those that are continuing to drive this vibrant market.”
A full list of award winners is shown below.
SAMMIES 2011 – THE BRITISH SANDWICH INDUSTRY AWARD WINNERS
British Sandwich Designer of the Year
Oasis Citrus Punch Category (sponsored by Oasis)
Winner: Chris Rai from Chapati Man, St Leonards on Sea - Chicken saag wrap with mint chutney and cachumber salad
Smoked Port Salut Cheese Sandwich Category (sponsored by Bel UK & The Cheese Cellar)
Winner: Ben Curtis from Bradgate Bakery with a Smoked Port Salut, carrot and coriander raita and Brinjal pickle sandwich.
Chicken Sandwich Category (sponsored by Moy Park)
Winner: Sumaya El Kroni, Greencore, Bromley-by-Bow, London - Chicken, lemon, coriander, roast vegetable and salad flat bread sandwich
Chunky Tomato Chutney Sandwich Category (sponsored by English Provender)
Winner: Frank Boltman, consultant from London N11 - Grilled chorizo sausage, chunky tomato chutney, manchego cheese with mixed baby leaves dressed with olive oil in grilled sourdough roll
Wild Alaska Salmon Category (sponsored by Alaska Seafood).
Winner: Keith Allen, The Foodservice Centre, Cheddar, Somerset - Alaska Salmon and wasabi wraps with beetroot slaw and peashoots
Overall British Sandwich Designer of the Year
Winner: Sumaya El Kroni, Greencore
New Sandwich of the Year Award (Sponsored by Sam Browne Foods)
Winner: Pret a Manger Sweet Chilli Crayfish and Mango Bloomer
New Sandwich Product of the Year Award (Sponsored by Marks & Spencer)
Winner: Boots/Buckingham Foods Wrap Twister Pack
Workplace Sandwich Provider of the Year Award (Sponsored by Barclaycard)
Winner: Beetroot Blue, Edinburgh
Bakery Sandwich Shop of the Year Award (Sponsored by Rank Hovis)
Winner: Greenhalgh’s
Independent Sandwich Bar of the Year Award (Sponsored by Norseland)
Gold Awards were presented to:
Moolis, London
Made By Ben, Bath
Taste UK, Romford
Kaffeine, London
Delaney’s, Southsea
Specialist Sandwich Bar Chain of the Year Award (Sponsored by Friday’s)
Winner: Subway
The Sandwich Marketing Award
(Sponsored by Vion)
Highly Commended: Co-operative and SSP (UK)
Winner: Pret a Manger for their Christmas Campaign
Coffee Bar Sandwich Retailer of the Year Award
(Sponsored by Solway Foods)
Winner: Caffe Pausa (Dunelm Mill)
BSA Sandwich Manufacturer of the Year Award (Sponsored by TMI Foods)
Winner: Solway Foods
En Route Sandwich Retailer of the Year Award (Sponsored by The Cheese Warehouse)
Highly Commended: Harvest Market and Espression By Lavazza
Winner: M&S Simply Food
Sandwich Multiple Retailer of the Year Award
(Sponsored by Buckingham Foods)
Winner: Tesco
Sandwich Convenience Retailer of the Year Award (Sponsored by Shel)
Highly Commended: Wilkinson
Winner: The Co-operative
The British Sandwich Industry Award (Sponsored by Ginsters)
Winner: Greggs.
(We've all been there. You're feeling peckish, you've got a couple of pieces of bread and some smoked Port Salut. Enter the sandwich...)
BRITISH SANDWICH INDUSTRY AWARD WINNERS ANNOUNCED
With commercial sandwich sales continuing to grow – by 2% in volume in the last year - the industry was in good mood at the Sammies, the British Sandwich Industry Awards, when they took place at the Lancaster Hotel in London on Thursday evening (May 19). The awards saw winners, both big and small, from all sectors of the market and from across the UK.
While sandwich multiple retailer of the year was Tesco, the industry also paid tribute to the long standing contribution made by bakers Greggs in helping to shape the UK sandwich industry by giving them the overall British Sandwich Industry Award. Rivals Subway, who have stormed into the UK market in recent years, were also recognised by winning the Specialist Sandwich Bar Chain award
But while the big names of the industry were well represented in the awards, there was also lots of recognition for the small independent sandwich bars which are so much a part of this dynamic market. Indeed, five won coveted Gold Awards this year – Moolis (London), Made By Ben (Bath), Taste UK (Romford), Kaffeine (London) and Delaney’s (Southsea).
“The UK commercial sandwich market is a major contributor to the UK economy, employing over 300,000 people – so it is really good news that it is continuing to prosper,” says BSA Director Jim Winship, “The Sammies provide us with an opportunity each year to recognise those that are continuing to drive this vibrant market.”
A full list of award winners is shown below.
SAMMIES 2011 – THE BRITISH SANDWICH INDUSTRY AWARD WINNERS
British Sandwich Designer of the Year
Oasis Citrus Punch Category (sponsored by Oasis)
Winner: Chris Rai from Chapati Man, St Leonards on Sea - Chicken saag wrap with mint chutney and cachumber salad
Smoked Port Salut Cheese Sandwich Category (sponsored by Bel UK & The Cheese Cellar)
Winner: Ben Curtis from Bradgate Bakery with a Smoked Port Salut, carrot and coriander raita and Brinjal pickle sandwich.
Chicken Sandwich Category (sponsored by Moy Park)
Winner: Sumaya El Kroni, Greencore, Bromley-by-Bow, London - Chicken, lemon, coriander, roast vegetable and salad flat bread sandwich
Chunky Tomato Chutney Sandwich Category (sponsored by English Provender)
Winner: Frank Boltman, consultant from London N11 - Grilled chorizo sausage, chunky tomato chutney, manchego cheese with mixed baby leaves dressed with olive oil in grilled sourdough roll
Wild Alaska Salmon Category (sponsored by Alaska Seafood).
Winner: Keith Allen, The Foodservice Centre, Cheddar, Somerset - Alaska Salmon and wasabi wraps with beetroot slaw and peashoots
Overall British Sandwich Designer of the Year
Winner: Sumaya El Kroni, Greencore
New Sandwich of the Year Award (Sponsored by Sam Browne Foods)
Winner: Pret a Manger Sweet Chilli Crayfish and Mango Bloomer
New Sandwich Product of the Year Award (Sponsored by Marks & Spencer)
Winner: Boots/Buckingham Foods Wrap Twister Pack
Workplace Sandwich Provider of the Year Award (Sponsored by Barclaycard)
Winner: Beetroot Blue, Edinburgh
Bakery Sandwich Shop of the Year Award (Sponsored by Rank Hovis)
Winner: Greenhalgh’s
Independent Sandwich Bar of the Year Award (Sponsored by Norseland)
Gold Awards were presented to:
Moolis, London
Made By Ben, Bath
Taste UK, Romford
Kaffeine, London
Delaney’s, Southsea
Specialist Sandwich Bar Chain of the Year Award (Sponsored by Friday’s)
Winner: Subway
The Sandwich Marketing Award
(Sponsored by Vion)
Highly Commended: Co-operative and SSP (UK)
Winner: Pret a Manger for their Christmas Campaign
Coffee Bar Sandwich Retailer of the Year Award
(Sponsored by Solway Foods)
Winner: Caffe Pausa (Dunelm Mill)
BSA Sandwich Manufacturer of the Year Award (Sponsored by TMI Foods)
Winner: Solway Foods
En Route Sandwich Retailer of the Year Award (Sponsored by The Cheese Warehouse)
Highly Commended: Harvest Market and Espression By Lavazza
Winner: M&S Simply Food
Sandwich Multiple Retailer of the Year Award
(Sponsored by Buckingham Foods)
Winner: Tesco
Sandwich Convenience Retailer of the Year Award (Sponsored by Shel)
Highly Commended: Wilkinson
Winner: The Co-operative
The British Sandwich Industry Award (Sponsored by Ginsters)
Winner: Greggs.
Talking to Gordon
So there I was, chatting away to Gordon Brown. It was all going surprisingly well, as we exchanged light-hearted remarks about family life, football (a bit one-sided there) and this and that. Good Lord, I thought - it's true what his supporters (or is it just his wife?) say: he really is a rather warm and witty human being. I made a mental note to revise my prejudices... At this point, a relaxed Gordon reached into a box of large expensive cigars, took one and lit up, without so much as waving the box in my direction. It smelt delicious too. Brown withdrew into his inner darkness, we fell silent, and I took my leave. 'See you' he said, with a small smile and wave.
Yes of course it was a dream, don't worry, and it visited me, for reasons unknown, last night. It was at once rather sweet and funny, and faintly unnerving, especially as Gordon seemed to have ensconced himself in one room of a large house otherwise filled with family and old friends (many of whom I now see in dreams more often than in the waking world). I do occasionally have these dreams of eminent figures - once, as long-memoried readers might recall, of Vladimir Nabokov. Another time it was Robert Frost, and a terrifying old man he was...
Yes of course it was a dream, don't worry, and it visited me, for reasons unknown, last night. It was at once rather sweet and funny, and faintly unnerving, especially as Gordon seemed to have ensconced himself in one room of a large house otherwise filled with family and old friends (many of whom I now see in dreams more often than in the waking world). I do occasionally have these dreams of eminent figures - once, as long-memoried readers might recall, of Vladimir Nabokov. Another time it was Robert Frost, and a terrifying old man he was...
Thursday, 19 May 2011
Buy This eBook/PDF
Followers of The Dabbler will not need telling about Noseybonk's masterly treatise on The Theory And Practice Of Blogmanship, which is being serialised on that indispensable website. However, that's not going to stop Nigeness giving a shameless plug to this painfully funny anatomy of the low tricks we blogmen occasionally stoop to (even I, on this largely non-polemical blog, felt the odd twinge of shameful self-recognition). It's the funniest thing yet written about the strange world of blogging - and, what's more, it includes a picture of 'Mr Nige' posing proudly with the 8lb comment he landed back in April 2010. That alone is worth the (eminently reasonable) purchase price.
Wednesday, 18 May 2011
Life in Ponds and Gardens
I always enjoy stories like this in which a chance discovery increases our consciousness of the vast extent of our ignorance. This find may double the (known) diversity of fungi, of which we might have identified about 5 percent of species - while we're probably aware of as little as 1 percent of microbial diversity. It puts me in mind of Newton's remark about the great ocean of truth lying all undiscovered before him.
I also relish stories like this which show the extraordinary riches that are to be discovered simply by staying in one spot and looking really really hard at what is there - in this case, nearly 3,000 species in one ordinary suburban garden.
I also relish stories like this which show the extraordinary riches that are to be discovered simply by staying in one spot and looking really really hard at what is there - in this case, nearly 3,000 species in one ordinary suburban garden.
Life in Kitchen Drawers
I was going to set this as a quiz, until I discovered that it was instantly Googleable (albeit in mangled form). The question would have been - Who wrote this poem? And the answer is pretty unlikely...
The Kitchen Drawer Poem
1. The nutcracker, the skewer, the knife,
are doomed to share this drawer for life.
2. You cannot pierce, the skewer says,
or cause the pain of in one place.
3. You cannot grind, you do not know,
says nutcracker, the pain of slow.
4. You don't know what it is to slice,
to both of them the knife replies,
5. with pain so fine it is not pain
to part what cannot join again.
6. The skewer, nutcracker, and knife
are well adapted to their life.
7. They calculate efficiency
by what the others cannot be
8. and power by the pain they cause
and that is life in kitchen drawers.
The surprising answer is that great novelist Penelope Fitzgerald. The poem appears as an appendix to her letters (So I Have Thought Of You, which I'm reading at the moment), complete with an accompanying illustration drawn by the author. This is rather geometrical and brutal in style, but enlivened by the addition of a small, narrow eye to each of the kitchen implements, with which each looks askance at its drawerfellows. It's an odd, unsettling poem, as sharp and effective as the implements it describes. Despite its utterly straightforward and regular structure (emphasised by the numbering of each couplet), it put me in mind of Kay Ryan in the way it enters into the life of things, in its apparent simplicity of statement and shifting depths of meaning. It is surely about far more than 'life in kitchen drawers'...
The Kitchen Drawer Poem
1. The nutcracker, the skewer, the knife,
are doomed to share this drawer for life.
2. You cannot pierce, the skewer says,
or cause the pain of in one place.
3. You cannot grind, you do not know,
says nutcracker, the pain of slow.
4. You don't know what it is to slice,
to both of them the knife replies,
5. with pain so fine it is not pain
to part what cannot join again.
6. The skewer, nutcracker, and knife
are well adapted to their life.
7. They calculate efficiency
by what the others cannot be
8. and power by the pain they cause
and that is life in kitchen drawers.
The surprising answer is that great novelist Penelope Fitzgerald. The poem appears as an appendix to her letters (So I Have Thought Of You, which I'm reading at the moment), complete with an accompanying illustration drawn by the author. This is rather geometrical and brutal in style, but enlivened by the addition of a small, narrow eye to each of the kitchen implements, with which each looks askance at its drawerfellows. It's an odd, unsettling poem, as sharp and effective as the implements it describes. Despite its utterly straightforward and regular structure (emphasised by the numbering of each couplet), it put me in mind of Kay Ryan in the way it enters into the life of things, in its apparent simplicity of statement and shifting depths of meaning. It is surely about far more than 'life in kitchen drawers'...
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