Noclue

Left Out in the Cold

devonshire.dumpling@googlemail.com (Devonshire Dumpling) — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 10:50:00 +0000

On the eve of the second reading of the government’s controversial Welfare Reform Bill on 9th March, this stark image of disabled campaigner Kaliya Franklin aims to convey in the most powerful way, how vulnerable some of the bills proposals will leave sick and disabled people across the UK.

Just like Franklin’s wheelchair in the image, social care and support will be left out of reach for many of those most in need if these reforms go ahead, literally leaving many “Out in the Cold.” The Left Out in the Cold Campaign is the work of Broken of Britain who decided to use this one thought provoking image to make their point. The sick and disabled are often left voiceless in society, and they hope that the use of a single picture might reflect this.

Please share this image everywhere. Once again, you can use the Facebook and Twitter buttons on this site, send it to your MP, or send it to those who don't yet know about the cuts to sickness and disability support. This link : http://thebrokenofbritain.blogspot.com/2011/03/left-out-in-cold-press-release.html is the press release as it was sent to me and contains all the information about tomorrow's bill and the areas we will be opposing.

I hope there won't be anyone in the country who hasn't seen this picture by the end of today.

(Source: The Broken of Britain)

The disabled – I mean the legitimate disabled – are NOT a part of the sick note society as the Government and some media would have people believe. They have to undergo invasive medical test(s) and they need a doctors and surgeons backing and a horrendous 46 page long form to complete in order to become eligible for DLA (disability living allowance) consideration.

The Government are removing this and replacing it with an impossible to achieve new method of testing – done by ATOS, which is owned by the Government – who are paid to fail legitimate disabled and save money and therefore without benefits the disabled have and soon all will become the new Jews. Shunned by the Government. Shunned by the media. Shunned by the public who believe that disability benefits only ever equates to some damned clever dole scrounging.

Care is removed. Mobility is removed. Funds are removed. Disability is not a personal choice and without meagre funds the DLA provides then what is to become of the disabled people? Where do they go? Where do they live? How do they eat, or be nursed or have the few aids to give them some sort of independent life? Or even a life of any sort?

Today someone’s disability may not affect you or your family directly, but tomorrow it could be you.

There's a lot of truth in this.....

devonshire.dumpling@googlemail.com (Devonshire Dumpling) — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 12:59:00 +0000

....when you think about it, heh

Champagne, Strawberries and friends

devonshire.dumpling@googlemail.com (Devonshire Dumpling) — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 08:40:00 +0000

I think I have finally got over Monday having enjoyed a very good Birthday bash in the company of friends (who have now gone back to their own homes and left me with some serious housework to do)

I wanted to thank Uncle Bernard very much for his lovely very special Birthday message and lovely choice of pic – also Angus, Cherry Pie, and Foody for their good wishes as well as the bloggers who left me messages of condolence on Twitter.

ps: Angus - it's now 316 days and 15 hours!

I spoke far too soon

devonshire.dumpling@googlemail.com (Devonshire Dumpling) — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 11:01:00 +0000

It seems that the powers that be have decided in their wisdom that I have to undertake a mandatory four weeks work starting next week, doing gardening.

Somehow along the line the powers have ignored my registered disabilities and what I can/cannot do and I have to work within a group for a month, working a 37.5-hour week to remain eligible for unemployment benefit and disability living allowance.

Ignoring the fact that they know I have applied for work that I know I can do, they (in their wisdom) have ignored my qualifications and abilities and my working career and have arranged for me to do gardening work within a group consisting of young people on probation, youth offending, learning disability, mental health, and people recovering from substance abuse.

Isn’t that nice? They have also kindly arranged for me to start work on my 60th Birthday so to ensure that I celebrate the day as a truly memorable event. I am beside myself with excitement as to their thoughtfulness and consideration towards me as a law-abiding disabled person.

So I won’t be about much for a month and I promise not to bitch too much when I do have time to blog.

**UPDATE** The job has been cancelled! At least I can get back to looking for work that I can do.

I am still about

devonshire.dumpling@googlemail.com (Devonshire Dumpling) — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 11:31:00 +0000

The big problem is that since the beginning of this year nothing nice has happened to blog about. I know from past experience that sharing tales of woe and seeing no comments means that I am blogging to myself and in consequence I have kept silent. Nobody wants to read doom and gloom do they?

However, I am still here! I faithfully check the blogs that I follow daily (my apologies for my lack of comments on their posts) but hopefully I shall be back to blogging in the near future.

Happy New Year

devonshire.dumpling@googlemail.com (Devonshire Dumpling) — Sat, 01 Jan 2011 09:30:00 +0000

Wishing you all health, wealth, success, peace and prosperity.

Happy Christmas, Bloggers

devonshire.dumpling@googlemail.com (Devonshire Dumpling) — Fri, 24 Dec 2010 09:53:00 +0000

Of dogs

devonshire.dumpling@googlemail.com (Devonshire Dumpling) — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 09:21:00 +0000

A few days after Raki’s Birthday I watched her go rapidly downhill within 12 hours so off to the vet’s we went.

The vet (Ruth) actually examined Raki on the floor rather than insist Raki was put on the examination table and Ruth kept Raki at the surgery for an hour whilst blood tests and a scan took place. The diagnosis was Pyometra and the only chance of Raki surviving beyond 72 hours was for her to be spayed. The chance of her survival was put at 25-40% but Raki's eyes told me she hadn't given up so I signed the necessary forms.

The operation took place later that day and very fortunately Raki survived it owing to the fact that I was so quick to get her to the vets in the first place, plus two highly qualified vets did the operation.

Its taken Raki a fortnight to get back to normal and I have joined my two friends in paying horrendous veterinary bills which means Christmas is cancelled for us all and there will be no present giving – so its going to be a very strange Christmas for me devoid of any excitement or anything to unwrap on 25th for the first time ever BUT to have my dog home again with me is a priceless gift.

Between my friends and myself, we have nearly £7000 of vet bills to pay but we still have our dogs which we all consider to be wonderfully early presents.

Culinary delights

devonshire.dumpling@googlemail.com (Devonshire Dumpling) — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 11:00:00 +0000

Its Raki's eleventh Birthday today. After getting a bowl of tea and custard cream biscuits in bed, she condescended to get up for toast and marmite.

Then out in her dogmobile to a particularly favourite smelly patch in a large field and currently she's sleeping it off and waiting for elevenses.

Tonight she will dine on a tin of Premium steak while I've got egg, chips, tomatoes and bacon. Mind you, I had a fry up planned but I think I possibly spoil my dog just a little bit.

Remembrance Sunday

devonshire.dumpling@googlemail.com (Devonshire Dumpling) — Sun, 14 Nov 2010 07:04:00 +0000

Who are these men who march so proud,
Who quietly weep, eyes closed, head bowed?
These are the men who once were boys,
Who missed out on youth and all its joys.

Who are these men with aged faces,
Who silently count the empty spaces?
These are the men who gave their all,
Who fought for their country for freedom for all.

Who are these men with sorrowful look
Who can still remember the lives that were took?
These are the men who saw young men die,
The price of peace is always high.

Who are these men who in the midst of pain,
Whispered comfort to those they would not see again?
These are the men whose hands held tomorrow,
Who brought back our future with blood tears and sorrow.

Who are these men who promise to keep
Alive in their hearts the ones God holds asleep?
These are the men to whom I promise again:
‘Veterans’, my friends - I will remember them!

Poem by Jodie Johnson (aged 11)

Early to rise again (for bloody weeks)

devonshire.dumpling@googlemail.com (Devonshire Dumpling) — Sat, 30 Oct 2010 15:00:00 +0000

Just a reminder that the clocks go back an hour Saturday nite/ 2am Sunday morning.

This means Raki's stomach and my body clock will take weeks to adjust and I'll probably be awake all bright eyed and bushy tailed at 3am instead of 4am.

I take a little comfort in the fact that Posh Totty will probably also be awake and on Twitter so at least she and I can have our own private party while the rest of the sensible world sleeps.

Energy saving failures - Number One

devonshire.dumpling@googlemail.com (Devonshire Dumpling) — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 17:23:00 +0000

You suddenly realise that you really should have put the kitchen light on when you finally become aware that you have fed your dog a can of Balti curry paste and her can of Beef and Liver is merrily warming up in your wok – with chopped onions and fresh herbs added.

Just how cute is this?

devonshire.dumpling@googlemail.com (Devonshire Dumpling) — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 09:35:00 +0000

(Its in Sweden)

The Guardian and Bendy Girl

devonshire.dumpling@googlemail.com (Devonshire Dumpling) — Fri, 22 Oct 2010 15:28:00 +0000

The Guardian has picked up on Bendy girls YouTube message to David Cameron concerning the forthcoming loss of DLA mobility allowances for those in care homes. His article is HERE which contains her YouTube video. It has also been transcribed for the benefit of the deaf and you can read what she has said HERE

Bendy girl (whose blog "Benefit Scrounging Scum" is on my blogs worth reading list) has written an excellent article which the Guardian have picked up on and her BLOG is well worth following whether you are disabled or not.

I hope that David Cameron reconsiders his financial attack on the most disadvantaged members of society, none of whom would have chosen to be disabled and barely have sufficient money to survive let alone have some benefits taken away from them.

DLA mobility allowance removed from the most needy

devonshire.dumpling@googlemail.com (Devonshire Dumpling) — Fri, 22 Oct 2010 10:55:00 +0000

Ozzie Osborne: 'Hang on a minute lads, I've got a great idea.'

CammyClegg: 'eh?'

Ozzie: 'Let's stop mobility benefits for the registered DLA scroungers!'

CammyClegg: 'But if they are disabled then we have to pay for them to keep a small degree of mobility'

Ozzie: 'Why?'

CammyClegg: 'So they can get to a polling station to vote for us. Simples'

Ozzie: 'Oh'

(Pause for deep thinking and numerous calculations on pads of paper)

Ozzie: 'Hang on a minute lads, I've got another great idea.'

CammyClegg: 'eh?'

Ozzie: 'We stop their mobility allowances if they are in residential, care or nursing homes!'

CammyClegg: 'So how would they get about without wheelchairs or specially adapted ones?'

Ozzie: 'Easy! They can be pushed around in manual wheelchairs. One can always sit on anothers lap if it came to it'

CammyClegg: 'But we've reduced carer allowances and government funds for these homes so how can the homes still open afford to purchase wheelchairs without using residents mobility allowances, or the residents afford to purchase them for themselves?'

Ozzie: 'We'll rent out wheelchairs to them very expensively!'

CammyClegg: 'You mean we pick on the needy and genuinely disabled? We'd never get away with it!........ just how much would it worth to us anyhow?'

Ozzie: 'Quite a few million quid.'

CammyClegg: 'oh...righhht...we’ll sneak that one into the emergency budget then!'

Sky installation - and my telling off

devonshire.dumpling@googlemail.com (Devonshire Dumpling) — Sat, 09 Oct 2010 10:04:00 +0000

Last week I finally succumbed to getting Sky reinstalled after a 10-year absence. The installation was not easy.

The engineer talked to the carpet and not me and he unplugged everything from my double BT socket (minicom phone, broadband, flashing alarm and caller display) and left me with a 30-foot length of phone lead strewn all over my carpet.

He tuned the TV in, reconnected everything and then went out of the house and after some time I realised he was not coming back so I spent the evening tucking the wire behind units and furniture to hide it (before I tripped over/garrotted myself on it) and sat back to enjoy the change and variety of new programmes.

The next day a friend called to advise me she could not get me on the phone as my phone was permanently engaged and she was going to report my line as faulty. It transpired that the sky box was faulty and had the engineer done his job and all the normal checks then he would have realised this, so I disconnected the Sky lead from the rest of my plugs and replaced it with just my phone and broadband and I was back with a phone line that had no fault and started to receive calls again.

Phoned Sky and told them the skybox was 'looping' and asked to see an engineer and they were wonderful and very helpful and arranged for an engineer to visit the next day.

Back came the same engineer. Scowling. Angry. Bad tempered, and told my carpet “Every time you phone Sky they have to phone me and it costs ME time and money! If there’s a problem then you phone ME direct and not through Sky” I told him that if my phone bill showed 12 hours of “busy” with my phone dialling out into cyberspace then Sky could pay for it so didn’t really care if my skybox fault was costing him money.

He replied, “We agreed that you could only use Sky in your BT socket and not plug anything else into it” …and that was news to me because he did not say that at any time and I would never have agreed to it anyway.

I asked him of he seriously thought that I would disconnect my phone and broadband simply so that I could use the sky lead plugged into my BT double socket and he said, “That’s what we arranged” …..Oh no we didn’t!

Great opportunity for me to remind him that it was what HE arranged/decided achieved by only talking to my carpet seeing at no time did he talk to me. His idea was disconnect everything, tell me to NOT get an extra BT socket installed near my TV and tell me NOT to bother keeping the Sky plugged in at all as he didn't think I would need interactive or to purchase films and if Sky told me off because checks showed I was not connected online then I was to telephone him immediately........huh?

He defaced the front cover of my manual with his name and phone number and ordered me to phone him direct and not Sky in future because if I contacted Sky he would be charged (etc., etc)

He replaced my Skybox and did not speak to me at all, and went outside and after twenty minutes I realised that he had gone and was not returning.

I must remember that if I report any future fault to Sky that it is costing this engineer his own time and money and if he visits me via Sky fault reporting that he will only tell me off again. Not the best start to becoming a Sky customer.

Warnings in Devon vet surgeries

devonshire.dumpling@googlemail.com (Devonshire Dumpling) — Sat, 09 Oct 2010 09:09:00 +0000

Raki decided last week to develop an intestinal problem and her output was not conducive to my appetite so after 5 days it was a trip to the vet.

I was amazed that the waiting room TV was displaying a loop of warnings to NOT let your dog swim – and photos of dogs in the sea, along rivers, investigating ponds and so on. To ensure that nobody waiting had missed the large TV there were posters all over the walls.

It seems that in the UK the dreaded blue green algae is back and this area is suffering badly. Mind you, it seems that the problem is nationwide so for all you dog lovers take heed of the effects caused by this horrible algae.

Raki is now fine and her problem had nothing to do with swimming but I am simply passing on a warning to all canine owners because this algae problem is not limited to just Devon.

What planet are BT on?

devonshire.dumpling@googlemail.com (Devonshire Dumpling) — Sat, 09 Oct 2010 08:14:00 +0000

<-------- a BRITISH Telecom advisor

I emailed them and asked for a sms/email number, as I am a noted on their records as disabled customer. I explained that if anything went wrong with my line I would have no broadband and the only method I would have of contact would be sms or email as I used a minicom (which would not work if my phone line was faulty) and I stressed that I currently did not have a fault but would they give me the required information for future use.

BT replied:-

I apologise on behalf of BT for the inconvenience caused to you. I would request you to click on the following link to report faults.

Please click on the following link to report faults online, if any: https://www.bt.com/consumerFaultTracking/public/faults/tracking.do?pageId=2&s_cid=con_FURL_faults

For any further queries, you can always send an email to us by visiting us on www.bt.com/contactus

Yours sincerely,

Mouna Subbaiah

Digital Care Advisor

Oh jolly well done, Mouna - who clearly understood my question (not) but at least I know that if my phone line develops a fault and I have no phone or broadband I will magically be able to access BT on my computer or minicom to report the fault. Doh!

Is it not high time that BRITISH telecom employed British people or at least foreign people who have a clear understanding of the English language and can answer any questions that their customers are actually asking them? They go from bad to worse and I am now looking for an alternative company to rent my line/broadband as any competitors are probably better than BT

Stop Bragging, Sally!

devonshire.dumpling@googlemail.com (Devonshire Dumpling) — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 09:08:00 +0000

Yesterday during a Devonshire monsoon the postman arrived with a postcard for me from Sally.

The postcard was sopping wet on both sides (that took some doing to achieve didn’t it, Posty?) and bearing in mind I was wearing a jumper and debating lighting the fire later that day it amused me to hold the card which was dripping water all over the hall carpet only to read the words “ OMG Its so HOT here!” .....

Oh, pffffft.

Bless her dear little hand knitted socks because she always remembers me, she is one of two people who always send me postcards from their journeys into far distant lands which I always appreciate receiving.

It seems that now she has travelled on to China that the weather has been a bit wet – not that it has dampened her ardour or caused her to cancel any planned walk. But following her is a bit difficult as she can’t get a connection to her normal website to post much or Twitter (not sure about Face book) and I think this is down to Chinese Internet rules and regulations, as well as the internet carriers in the Country – but I’m looking forward to seeing all her holiday photos and reading about her adventures stories when she is back home to a cold, wet, and windy Blighty.

How much?

devonshire.dumpling@googlemail.com (Devonshire Dumpling) — Thu, 23 Sep 2010 07:15:00 +0000

The Beeb have the complete series of Howards Way (just available) for a modest £57.99 for the whole series on DVD proudly advising would be purchasers that its £20 off the recommended retail price.

For those who do not know the series, it was a television drama series produced by BBC Birmingham and transmitted on BBC1 between 1985 and 1990. The series dealt with the personal and professional lives of the yachting and business communities in the fictional town of Tarrant on the South Coast of England, and was filmed on the River Hamble and the Solent. Most of the location filming for the series was carried out in Bursledon, Hamble, Swanwick, Warsash, Hill Head, Lee-on-the-Solent, Southampton and Fareham - all in Hampshire.

Interestingly, at that time I lived in Gosport and owned a yacht and frequently sailed from Gosport up the Hamble river to visit the Jolly Sailor pub. The cast used to film in the pub and utilised members of the public for background shots within it. We "extras" never were paid for our time and got quite used to seeing the cast and the film cameras - to the point of being able to enjoy a drink and simply ignore them. I do know that I am in the background during quite a few of the episodes and so is my yacht, but a twenty-year-old series now finally made available on DVD does not warrant a £58 purchase, especially when far more modern TV series' are available for purchasing at a much cheaper cost.

I know what my face looks like so I am not forking out that amount of money for an ego boosting trip but I would have enjoyed seeing my old stomping ground as its an area (on land, on sea and buildings) that I knew and loved so much.

The Blue Lamp Foundation

devonshire.dumpling@googlemail.com (Devonshire Dumpling) — Wed, 22 Sep 2010 10:58:00 +0000

When PC David Rathband went on duty last July and was sitting in his patrol car he never could have ever expected that the very last thing he would ever see was the face of a man whose mind was warped on steroids aiming a shotgun at him. A blast of the shotgun changed this police officer’s life forever. His sight. His career. His whole life that he had only ever known for 42 years. His lifestyle. His hobbies. His independence.

Rather than sit back and feel sorry for himself he has launched The Blue Lamp Foundation, it aims to support the personnel of ALL the Emergency Services who have been injured whilst on duty as a result of a criminal act.

The foundation seeks to raise £1M and I think that they will meet their target figure in record time and you can find their website link HERE. The website is easy to navigate and explains what David is trying to do and to achieve - not for him - not just for the police - but for all the Emergency Services and this concept makes The Blue Lamp Foundation unique.

I'm sure that many of you have found that with many charities intentions to donate leads you onto a donation page requesting the minimum of £3 or £5 or £10 pounds or "other" but The Blue Lamp Foundation does not do this so anybody wishing to donate does not automatically feel a 'guilt trip' when the donation amount required by the charity concerned may be more than an individual is able to afford (depending on their own financial circumstances)

It is also easy to leave David a message on the website and I am sure that he reads them all because I understand that he has computer programs to read aloud what has been written. A quick sortie through Twitter or Face book or the new website shows his very active involvement to the charity that he has set up and he displays a wonderful sense of humour when he replies about something someone has written to him.

I wish David and his family well and also thank the people who now act as his eyes who quietly work in the background in helping to set up this Foundation, and I would appreciate it very much if fellow bloggers also gave his website a mention on their own blogs too.

(Daily Fail report today)

Camel, Buffalo or Kangaroo? …..decisions, decisions, decisions!

devonshire.dumpling@googlemail.com (Devonshire Dumpling) — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 08:04:00 +0000

You name it and I would have probably eaten it (including alligator, horse meat, locusts and shark) but I am ~~licking my little lips~~ slavering in eager anticipation over the choices of ‘alternative meats’ that I can buy which I’ve have found on a website who coincidentally calls their business “Alternative Meats” and I am adding them to my Shopaholics Choice, the link is HERE.

Their prices are extremely reasonable and so are their postage and packing charges and they are so nice to deal with because when placing an order as you receive an email which politely says, “We would like to deliver to you on the morning of xxxxx , if that will be convenient for you?”

I have to admit that looking at butchers/supermarket prices for joints or steaks of the types of meat that they only sell (lamb, pork, beef etc) I'm getting fed up with the same flavours week in, week out (and also seeing the prices go through the roof) so its getting to be much cheaper to consider cooking/eating alternative meats and if you click on my link you’ll see the huge variety of all the alternative meats that they have available.

Raki is more than interested in the pet food selection and has just ordered out of her bone money some diced meat trimmings from their Butchery. They will also include some bones if requested, “If there is room in the parcel”. All of which is easily stored in the freezer, in handy 1kg (2.2lb approx.) bags.

I do like their style! For a BBQ or for a big family gathering it is even possible to order a suckling pig and they cater for vegetarians too. So why not give them a try and give your taste buds a treat?

Shoppers get a sexual thrill out of seeing a special offer in the supermarket

devonshire.dumpling@googlemail.com (Devonshire Dumpling) — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 11:20:00 +0000

Shoppers who see special offers on their favourite products in the supermarket react as if they were watching pornography or erotic images. A coupon or free gift with a jar of Marmite or a loaf of bread gives them just as much excitement as pornography, according to new research...as reports the Daily Fail today.

I have to honestly admit that seeing "buy one pack of Tetley 180 teabags and get one free" or "or buy one tin of baked beans and get one free" really does not get my ovaries twitching one little bit, and as to buying one loaf of bread and getting one free does not blast me into a totally unexpected orgasmic orbit at all, and as to special offers on dog food it honestly does nothing for me......

I think I must be going through "the change" because I honestly do not feel orgasmic at all when I go out ~~shoplifting~~ shopping. Mind you, if Keanu Reeves would like to lie all naked and bare and prostrate in the middle of the snacks and biscuit aisle then I might well change my mind. As to what Keanu might choose to use to dip Marmite into I'm feeling very frisky already!

WARNING Confused.com sells to a 3rd party access to your credit report

devonshire.dumpling@googlemail.com (Devonshire Dumpling) — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 09:24:00 +0000

When you search online for any type of insurance and use Confused com just to see a page of online quotes, your personal details are passed to a Company called AGP (ADMIRAL BELL DIAMOND ELEPHANT) who proceeds to conduct a thorough search of you! Your credit history, your address, what credit cards you have, your mortgage, whether you have defaulted on any payments to anyone, the electoral roll, any repossessions etc., AGP have full access of your credit and your credit history!

Confused.com are using a legal loophole to sell/pass on your very confidential information to a third party – without your knowledge or consent – simply because you have used confused com to get online quotes for insurances and not even taken any insurance through them with any suggested businesses that they show.

A quick search shows that forums such as consumer action group, money saving expert and even a police specials group and many other forums are reporting strange searches on their credit reports from a company called AGP. In April 2008, even The Times wrote an article about it and yet this AGP, whoever they are, still are allowed to continue to access your personal and confidential details and search your financial affairs all courtesy of Confused com.

What information does/will/has/certainly will AGP access about you? : -

Number of credit accounts (including those settled) names, addresses, payment history
Amount of available credit (excluding mortgages)
% of your total credit being used (excluding mortgages)
Amount of outstanding debt (excluding mortgages and defaults)
Number of accounts overdue
Number of missed or late repayments in the last year
Public information records on your report
Number of aliases (other names) and/or financial associations recorded
Length of time you have lived at your current address
Are you registered on the electoral roll at your current address

AGP have accessed all these personal details (and numerous other peoples) simply because Joe Public has innocently all used confused.com to find a choice of cheap insurance quotes displayed on one screen page!

What does this 3rd party do with information that I have not agreed to them even accessing? Who do they sell or pass on this information to? Why do they need to conduct such invasive research of any person when that person was simply ONLY looking at a computer screen of insurance choices and prices? How long is my information stored with them? Why did they need it? Who are they? How secure are my details?

So, if you want a quote and nothing else then avoid confused com unless you are happy with a third party accessing all your confidential records, whether or not you uncheck the box allowing a third party to share your details. You HAVE to accept Confused com's terms and conditions to even see the online quotes so either way if you use them - and then AGP will be given your details and then proceed to find out everything about you.

East End fishmongers of yesteryear

devonshire.dumpling@googlemail.com (Devonshire Dumpling) — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 12:24:00 +0000

As a kiddie I remember so well walking past the fishmongers simply because they had huge white trays outside their shops full of succulent fish and eels that were still squirming.

Of course, that was then - because in the 21st century to leave a tray of goodies on trestle tables outside a shop means they would be nicked (contents and all) and even in a small local town like Bideford (full of reasonably honourable people) the health and safety brigade would have an absolute field day.

I am craving eels. I want to cook them slowly. I want to jelly them. I want to make pie and mash. I want to freeze some…..I simply am salivating over the thought of eels.

I so miss what is now seemingly unavailable to purchase and in an area pretty much surrounded by the sea I simply cannot believe that I cannot get eels in Devon! The last I heard was that local anglers cut up eels to use as bait (shudder/recoil/shock/horror) but I simply cannot get eels down here and this born East Ender so really yearns for them. I have now reached the point whereby I would happily donate a kidney for free to anyone who can provide me monthly with some eels and I do not discount selling my soul to the devil at this point.