Jam Shed

Some time ago, I saw this wine, then £5 in Tesco, and obtained a bottle even though I thought the name childish I viewed the label in similar fashion.  Then I opened it!   A marvellous sweet red wine which almost made me attempt the entire bottle in one go.  That was not the idea, the wine was meant to be something different at night or with food.  However, it was good, and as the price jumped, £7 usually now, occasionally £6 with a store card in one of the fake bargains, it actually cannot, even with Brexit, have increased by £2 in such a short time.  

I passed a bottle one Christmas to the neighbours downstairs; the next thing I knew he was entranced by 'The Jam Shed,' and I knew this by the empty bottles lying by the bins!  They were not mine, and they never take them to the recycling bin at Sainsburys either.  

It is known that when people stopped the nomadic life wine of a sort was developed.  Less chance of this while on the move, however, people often stopped in regular places and no reason for them at the right time of year to attempt some form of wine making.  Fossilised substances going back millions of years suggest this happened.  Wine possibly developed in Persia about 6000 BC, the town of Shiraz might give a clue.  What it tasted like may be harder to describe.

The Egyptians like lots of wine, often made from Figs, grapes, dates and pomegranates, and the flavours may vary from what arrives today.  They also drank a lot of Beer, most men received beer as wages, in some places the water not being too good.  

As far back as 3000 BC the people of Crete had wine presses, the Greeks of course loved wine.  This helped concentration at symposiums, for men at least, and Dionysus was a god of wine, and an excuse for a booze up.  Some claim the Greeks frowned upon drunkenness, but imbibing the stuff would surely lead to this anyhow, however, in daily life much wine would be watered down as it was in much of the Middle East.

The Romans took to wine, though at first they preferred Beer and Mead though they did invent a way of using beer barrels for wine, instead of amphora.  They sent wine to the Gaul's who happily imbibed.

A glass Roman bottle was found dating from 325 AD, not many before that I suspect.  The Romans did take to wine in the end and happily misused it on many occasions, unlike us...

Monks produced wine and beer in many places.  Again, the water was often not very good so wine and beer helped.  The French did take to winemaking of course, though they needed American help when disease killed their crops. The US versions being immune saved France.  Tsk, maybe they would have turned to beer like the Germans?  

Wine is of course made almost everywhere these days, even in England, though I have not lowered myself to try it.  Wherever it comes from tax and profiteering will abound, and drunkenness also if care is not taken.  At £7 a bottle I take a lot of care with my wine...

Drink and Babylon!

 

I spent an enjoyable hour listening to a podcast from the 'National Archives.' 

I knew about these but only recently began to listen to them.  Today I listened to one from 2006.

Phillipa Glanville, from the V&A museum, discussing 'The Dichotomies of Drink.'  Very interesting this was too.  A clever woman, well researched, and clearly spoken, discussing drink from the late 1600s up until recent times.  The development of whisky taught me much I did not know, the growth of beer in its many forms, wine, political intrusion and responses to European wars, and the public response during difficult times.

Water being rough if not impure led to much beer drinking, of a  weak kind.  War in Europe led to sales of whisky and rum growing.  Drunkenness also grew alongside the increase in alcohol sales.  Who would have thought...?

A good Podcast, and well worth a listen and I suspect many more also.

This is a good book!

Good that is if you like reading about ancient Mesopotamia!

I do.

Paul Kriwaczek, a Viennese, was head of Central Asian Affairs at the BBC World Service for 25 years.  His wide knowledge of many languages no doubt aided his studies.  This book was published in 2010, a year before he died.

Beginning by comparing Saddam Hussein with the great leaders who had gone before him millennia ago helps us understand, he says, how life in the region continues in similar fashion since settlement began.  Human nature after all, does not change.

From Eridu in the south, where incoming peoples gathered around 5000 BC, through until the fall of Babylon to the Persians and the end of what the author calls the 'first stage' in civilisation, we follow the development of the various societies and indeed Pauls interesting, but not always correct thoughts on the matter.  

Paul was an intelligent and thoughtful man, however, some of his opinions were lacking in my view, indeed, somewhat idiosyncratic I would say.  His view on what was the 'Flood,' is worth reading, but somehow lacks substance to me.  

We hear of the rise of the Sumer super states, Ur and Uruk, the opposition from Elam, and the constant flow of peoples throughout time who eventually take over and, according to the author, continue the culture that they find.  

We read of Gilgamesh, and the various people who brought the rise and fall, and rise again, of Babylon and then Assyria.  Famous names such as Hammurabi pass by, less famous names come and go, leaving a mark in their day and going the way of all flesh into obscurity.  

Of course the rise of both Babylon and Assyria, and her fall, takes up some room.  Both, thanks to scripture, are renown in the west, though not accurately I suggest.  Paul describes the situation at various times attempting to enliven the image, he makes a story of the situation, often I found quite well, and throughout the book he remains easily readable, even I could understand the big words.

The study of those clay tablets covered in 'cuneiform' have offered us much detail on the life of people in the area.  This includes letters from a wife to her far off husband complaining about what he has taken with him on business, or detailing her efforts to sell the goods he has sent back from far off.  

It amazes me how much detail can be found, and it is exciting to consider how many thousands of these tablets have still to be translated.

We see the rise and fall of Assyria, her determination never to be put down again, resulting in her harsh treatment of those who resist.  Our author details also Assyria's harsh treatment of women, so harsh that it is possible to see how Islam can regard their treatment of women as protective!   

States cannot exist for ever under violence, eventually people rebel.  Babylon took over for a period, then the Persians ended this period of life.  Things were never the same again.

Ancient Sumer, and those that came after, developed the sciences as far as possible in their day.  Much of the maths known to the Greeks was already found in Ur and Uruk.  Architecture and art developed quickly, agriculture, in spite of mistakes, fed the people well, and life developed from Temple led authority governing an organised society, to a more 'free enterprise' world under the Kings.  The rich got richer and the poor remained poor as in all societies, but differing times had different responses to human need.

I liked this book, I disagreed with much of Pauls understanding of the situation, but I would wouldn't I?

This book is an easy read, full of information, offers a large reading list at the end, and is well worth spending time on.  Such a shame the author has passed on.

The Day Following Boxing Day

Having had several packets arrive, all in good time at that, it is depressing to sit here and listen for the ringing doorbell or knock on the door and nothing happens.  No postman arrived, no post van was noted passing the door.  Even 'White Van Man,' has deserted us.  If it carries on like this I may have to spend my own money on things just to have parcels to wait for.

However, while I wait, I do have several new books to read, they are in the queue like so many others, and a book voucher to squander on Amazon's cheap books also.  It would be terrible not to have books awaiting study would it not?  

 Another marvellous piece of sham PR today.  Having discovered that 95% of people do not wish to return to 'Imperial Weights' and are fine with 'Metric,' the Brexit promise to return to 'imperial' has been dropped.  On the same day they announce, with a smug grin, that from today you can buy wine in pint bottles!  Brilliant!

Of course there is one or two problems here.  For one, no-one bottles wine in pint bottles, and no-one intends to start.  The other unfortunate fact is that no wine dealer, producer, buyer, wants pint bottles of wine.  It appears Churchill asked for this many years ago, but since then not one soul has done this.

Another step towards destruction at Tory House.

 

Ironing Wine

This was my day.

Washing on, ironing on, downstairs to answer door, downstairs to answer door again, downstairs to throw out rubbish, not a moment to myself and my knees require peace and rest!  It's a good job I'm not one to complain.

Anyway, while planning my repast a knock on the door, well the next door actually.  My downstairs neighbour invited herself and her man up for a Christmas drink.  "See you in 30 minutes."

So, after a manic cleaning session, hiding the drying washing, pretending all else was normal, and ensuring glasses were washed, they arrived.  A bottle of wine and a card, and an hour or two of conversation which I enjoyed thoroughly.  We accidentally opened another bottle, and had they not got to go we may have accidentally opened another.  Altogether a very good evening chatting with neighbours I rarely see.  I was pleased with it all, I hope they were also.  Of course I gave them a bottle for their Christmas also!     

Unfortunately, while happy, I am losing interest in scribbling for some reason, the words dart about the screen.  Maybe I ought to do this happy stuff more often?  But that might lose my 'miserable old git' prize.  The man next door is well on the way to claiming it already.'  

Tuesday Twittering

It's the little things that hinder most.

I had orders to ttend the surgery for an 'Old Man's Test' at 11:35 today.  This meant I had to wash properly and ensure my clothes were not as scruffy as usual.  Having prepared I put on clean sox, there are plenty of them, most without holes, and here it was I struggled.  My feet appear to be much further away from me than they used to be.  Once upon a time I just got down and shoved sox on and moved.  Today I struggled.  My now expanded stomach does not help, even allowing for the recent exercise that has toned the fat, it still remains an obstacle for such jobs.  I may ask the nurse today if she can pop round in the mornings...

Update, no chance!

 

I slept well enough last night even though I lurched through some rubbish football. This featured an easy win for West Ham United, supported by so many around here.  The London overspill goes back many years.  West Ham itself was indeed part of Essex until the spread of houses took over so much of Essex it all became part of Greater London.  Few consider themselves in Essex in that region today.

By the end of the second world war I think the lines had been set.  Many out this way moved to just get out of the city, especially those with children, some for work, others just wanted a better life.  Today house developers cater to those with money who wish to move, the lower orders are not wanted in Tory lands, houses suitable are never developed.  Many West Ham footballers will however live in Essex, they can afford the prices for the mock Tudor buildings.  Funnily enough, there are many such buildings, mostly towards London, but when at the museum we had almost nothing on Tudor life in these parts, in spite of part of the Boleyn family being based down the road.  The English appear fascinated with Henry VIII, I fail to see why, many other bullying imperialist English kings make for better reading.

Early, I wandered round to greet the Stasi.  She was on the phone and ignoring me and also the beginning of a queue behind.  Eventually she placed her bets and began to deal with us poor mortals awaiting.  I pleaded my case, she fingered the cross and skullbone badge and gave orders. 

Obediently I entered the building, once she had unlocked the door, I than sprinkled my hands with the stuff in the container, once I found it, and took my seat. The nurse came on time, called me by name and ushered me into her cell.  

Here she probed, stuck a pin in, took blood, lots of it, placed it in one or two computerised measuring gadgets, weighed me, doubted my honest weight, gave instructions, informed me I was doing OK except for still being a fat slob.  Losing one stone, or whatever that is in metric, was not enough.  Leafleted, ordered, instructed, amongst which were no more drinking, no more fat breakfasts, no cheese, no more sausage rolls, etc, I was then thrust out into the street again.  

I promised to obey, to make every effort, to once more adjust the diet, especially as she has informed the doctor, who I may have to face, about my fat.  Hmmm... I may have to brush up on my communication skills, or flattery as it has been called if I meet her.

 

 

I forgot to inform the young lady, and all nurses look young to me these days, that I had finished a bottle of sweet red Greek wine yesterday.  She may have put that on the computer, so I forgot.  Then, having forgotten, I wandered up the road, bought six more bottles of this wine before the lorry driver shortage caused by Brexit leaves us short.  I had hoped this would get me 10% off but this did not occur.  However, I slunked off home, ensuring the nurse did not see what I was carrying, and returned to base.

Tomorrow the diet starts anew!

 

Tuesday Lunch

 Nothing to say, so I am just having a Greek style lunch instead.

 

 

Sunday Garden Party

I spent an enjoyable afternoon amongst the rich and famous whom nobody has yet heard off. Sunshine, warmth, friendliness (yes they did know me) and wine. Quite what was in that punch I am not sure but several drank large glasses of the stuff.  I preferred the rose however this was better than the cheap plonk I have indulged in all too often in occasionally.  
The house is a bit of a mystery, attempts to trace its linage going back several hundred years have led nowhere.  Clearly it started smaller and developed over the years and someone had a lot of money at one time to improve the place. No-on knows who however.  
The lady of the house has dressed it up very well and we were allowed free access everywhere, an idea which suited the women of course.

Poor Tiddles

The better mannered, the men, merely browsed the lounging quarters and accidentally found ourselves where the grub was housed.  I can vouch for the several layers of chocolate cake which accidentally fell onto my plate, and those little round jammy things with cream were not bad either. Then we ate the meat!  

This electric lamp is not Victorian and I suspect the place was done up in the 19th century at some time, as these places often were, but I doubt they would have had a gas lamp even then! Behind the gates the servants would secure the grounds and possibly a large dog or two may have been housed here.  There certainly is one now, conveniently removed for the day.  I remain far from jealous of those who have such dwellings.  The cost of maintenance, the cellar requires seeing to, and general upkeep take a lot of time.  It also fails to have a swimming pool and if you buy such a house you require a covered in pool somewhere!  Lots have pools in this area and hardly use them as normal weather forbids it.  How daft can you get?

A few fan tailed Doves in here would go down very well.  They would also avoid starvation during hard times, very nice with white wine I believe.  The 'Dutch Style' is not unknown around here, all them Flemish weavers of the past, and possibly a dealer in cloth moved in here and remodelled it to suit himself.

In the corner of the basement we find this!  At first we thought bread ovens but there is no flu, then our little historical minds ran wild and we, er got nowhere! So many mysteries and so little info.  A quick consultation with ourselves and back to the wine gathering.

The nice wee touches throughout the house and surroundings are very good indeed.  I loved the way she has made use of this old mangle (I still use mine) and made the back door attractive.  An apple tree amongst others surrounds the back yard and improves the servants entrance!

Oh yes, and as you might expect, there was a naked woman in the garden.....

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