Watch your prawns !

With all the talk in the news about food wastage and how much we throw away, it's been a weekend of lessons for us. Firstly, because of the hot weather, Sheri forgot to keep the access to the kitchen closed off. Having put out a large bowl of frozen prawns on the window sill to thaw out, she closed the kitchen door and went out. An hour or so later, when we got home again, there on the window ledge sat a very bloated and satisfied-looking Birman called Daisy licking her paws. Beside her was an empty bowl! We forgot to close the door to the lounge but the cat knew that by taking that route she could enter the kitchen via the serving hatch! Lesson learnt.
This weekend we decided to take an overnight stay on the boat and cruised up to Rockland Short Dyke. Very quiet, very hot and very remote. At luchtime Sheri produced a large bunch of asparagus and announced that we'd have this with lashings of butter and some bread. MMMmmm - can' wait. But then - NO. "I've forgotten the butter". In our haste to depart it was the one essential that didn't go into the cool bag. I'm never one to be outdone and resolutely announced "There's Rockland Post Office just two miles up the road. We'll get some there." This was easier said than done. It was just past midday with a clear sky. Fudge was harnessed and off we trudged along the Wherryman's Walk. Down to the staithe, onto the road and up the hill. Eventually we arrived at the PO at five-past one. "Look at the sign." Said Sheri. "It closes for lunch at one!" She wasn't wrong. Lunch 1-2 and it was five past one and the sun was baking us dry. Still resolved not to be outdone I dared to knock on the door. Mrs.Smith opened the door obviously still with a mouthful of lunch. Explaining our plight I can only say that we're so very grateful that John Smith the postmaster found it in his heart to open the shop briefly so that I could buy the necessary butter. Thanking him profusely we started the return journey at a quarter past one. So - it would take us about an hour to get back to the boat but there was just one problem. We hadn't brought a bag and in my haste to leave the shop without disturbing his lunch any further, I was carrying half a pound of butter in my hand ! Fortunately it was chilled right down and although I didn't believe we could do before it melted through my fingers, by careful manipulation, keeping it in my own shadow and holding it only by the edges, we got back to the boat and did enjoy it with asparagus in all it's melted glory. Sometimes you just have to go for it!