Sunday, March 30, 2025

Three Nights in Oxford, UK

 

The Bridge of Sighs, named after the one inVenice


Took a three night trip to Oxford, and I don’t mean Mississippi, although they both have something in common. Oxford, Mississippi and Oxford, England both are college towns. 

 

Maybe one day I’ll write about Miss-iss-ippi, but this time I’m talking about pubs, fish and chips and a university that’s got 36 colleges, one of which, Balliol College (Ba-lee-aal) dates back to 1263, founded by a nobleman, John I de Balliol and is the oldest. Are there some young ones?  Yes, but I won’t get into youth and perhaps embarrassments. Read on.

 

An interesting spot, Oxford, and not just the University. Downtown Oxford is all stone buildings and museums and excellent restaurants and pubs as old as Shakespeare’s plays.  Matter of fact it’s said William visited The Crown pub (itself dating back to 1364). 



At Shakespeare’s time it was an inn, with drink and rooms for overnight travelers. No longer an abode for dusty pilgrims, but The Crown does have great food and Doom Bar, my favorite beer. Old style, pulled from the keg. You’ll find the pub down an alley, but no worries. A huge sign over the entry gives you a clue.  The Crown is now nestled in what was once the stables and outhouses. Careful where you step!

 

But by the way, English beer/ale/bitter, sometimes gets a bad rap from Americans, with unkind slander: It’s warm! It’s flat. 



The slanders are dead wrong.  Kegs are kept in the cellar, which is 55 to 60 degrees cool and instead of being pumped with carbon dioxide (CO2), British keg beer (often called Real Ale) gets a lighter touch of fizz from natural yeast.  For my taste buds, real ale is softer and tastier, and like a first kiss it’s surprisingly wonderful.



Ok, out of the pub and back to the 36 colleges at the University of Oxford. All 36 are autonomous, self-governing corporations within the University. There are other autonomous corporations within the University, all of which tend to be academic.

 

Yes, you can visit some colleges, but be sure the one you want to visit is open to visitors. Days and times vary. We visited Christ Church College, still a functioning church, as well as a college, and the seat of the Bishop of Oxford.






I could go on about things to see and do in Oxford, so I will! Another treasure is the Bodleian Library, begun in 1320 in the University Church of St Mary the Virgin. The church is still used for meetings, and over the centuries the library has expanded again and again. The original books are still there and are still in use by scholars since 1602. These days the library accepts every book printed in the UK and has for several centuries. At present, the library holds 13 million printed items. Besides the books, the architecture is magnificent, and something to see, inside and out. Also of note is the Divinity School is a part of the library.








 

Time to talk about a couple of museums, of which the Ashmolean is the most noted and most popular.  There you’ll find both an astounding array of art and archaeology. Surprised you’ll find the Ashmolean was founded by Elias Ashmole and donated to the University of Oxford in 1677? As you know by now, like Rome, Oxford University was not built in a day! Let me give you a taste of what you’ll find in this museum: The death mask of Oliver Cromwell and an Arab ceremonial robe owned by Lawrence of Arbia. The museum is right across the street from the Randolph Hotel.


From the front of the Ashmolean looking toward the Randolph Hotel

 

Another museum you don’t want to miss is the Pitt Rivers Museum. Filled with curiosities from countries and civilizations around the world.  You’ll find arts, crafts, weapons, ships and other startling things from tribes and areas of the world you never knew existed.  Take my word for it, this is not a hurry-up situation! I was astounded by the unique ways people have found to murder and slaughter fellow humans! Also, if you think tribes of Native Americans and those on every other continent lived quietly and in peace, think again.



 

After a day of walking, exploring and visiting pubs, it’s time to sit and rest in comfort. You’ll want to settle in at the five star Randolph Hotel. I just showed you a picture above. 


Too expensive? We paid $250 per night for a lovely room and a wonderful bar called The Morse Bar, from the Morse novels by Norman Colin Dexter and the TV series.  I could spend every evening in that bar, whether or not I chose to try out quality alcohol of every persuasion, served by wonderfully dressed bartenders, who treat you as though you were of the rich and famous.


 



The hotel opened in 1866 and has been refurbished along the many years, but still manages to keep the feel of elegance.  Your mission, should you decide to accept it, is to pull yourself away from the fantastic bar long enough to treat yourself and your loved one or at least someone to a high tea in one of the hotel’s lovely dining rooms. “Would you care to have another cup of glorious tea My Lady, or perhaps some dainty finger sandwiches and macaroons and other splendid sweets?”

 

Yes, I’m sure you would say yes, and then perhaps a flute of champagne? 

 

You’ll find there is more to England than London, although that too is special. Wonderful cities and ancient villages call the traveler and among the best of the best is the ancient university of Oxford.  Don’t race through it. Give yourself time to settle in and make yourself a slave to elegance and history and a new way of life. Oxford!

 

 

Things I didn’t mention that are worth a mention:

 

How to get there?  Ask at any kiosk or at the Heathrow Airport bus terminal for the bus to Oxford. Tickets cost about $30 to $40.  There is a bus that leaves every 20 minutes and in about 1 hour and 30 minutes drops you off in downtown Oxford.


If you're going from Oxford to London, there's another bus.

 

The Martyrs Monument (across the street from the Randolph Hotel):  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martyrs%27_Memorial,_Oxford

 

The Ivy, splendid for breakfast, lunch, or dinner








The Eagle and Child, the most famous pub in Oxford will reopen in 2027. 




 






Monday, March 24, 2025

Lovely Lunch at the Yellow Deli and Bakery

 



 

Across the huge Sidney Lanier Bridge, tucked away on a side street at the edge of Brunswick Georgia, you’ll find a truly rare treat, The Yellow Deli and Bakery.

 

Surely, you’ve been to any number of cafes and sandwich shops.  Forget ‘em! This one is special. Maybe more than special.  A semi-large, shaded parking lot, gives you the effortlessly feeling that you have indeed reached the right spot to settle in for lunch or breakfast. 

 

Politely rustic, with a beautiful patio, surrounded by flowers, the Yellow Deli and Bakery is as welcoming as your grandmother’s garden, and the food may be even better. Better keep that a secret.



 

Sit inside if you wish and enjoy the dark wood interior, watch the kitchen in action, and settle into a very comfortable booth.




 

But, as for me and my very close, intimate friend, we opted for the outside, the flowers, and the sweet sound of trickling water. But, wait a sec. Georgia in the Springtime? Bugs? 

 

No worries. On every table there’s a small, lemon scented, plastic spray bottle to allay your fears and send gnats and such searching for another spot.

 

Am I ever going to get to the food?  Well, yes, in due time. Don’t rush me!

 

The servers are polite and come to you with wonderful smiles and a solid knowledge of what’s on the menu.  I’ll tell you right now, everything on the menu is wonderful, serving the best lunch I’ve tasted since lunching in Europe.

 

We ordered a corn beef sandwich on house made sourdough bread….after all, this is a bakery!  Along with the beef, the sandwich has a wonderfully generous smear of delicious coleslaw.

 

As if that wasn’t enough, we ordered a delicious salad of greens, toasted pecans, blueberries, and bite sized white cheese, tossed with the house made vinaigrette. To top it off, the salad comes with heavy, dark raisin and nut bread from the Yellow bakery.





 

We shared the sandwich and salad and found it was more than enough for hungry,  

gluttonous travelers. 

 

What about drinks?  Delicious coffee and teas, plus water.

 

Nor did we escape the Cream Cheese Pie, with a topping of sweet blueberry sauce. 



I have barely scratched the wonders that are on the menu.  For more ideas, opening hours and so forth, go to 

https://yellowdeli.com/brunswick

 

Something else that puts this delightful spot on the map is that all the servers, bakers, and cooks live together in a large home down the way. It’s a Christian commune, living the Christian life.  But, should you think these folks are from another planet, you’re wrong. Very nice people! They will not bring up religion unless you do. Their aim is to offer the best food to all their customers in the most polite ways.

 

I like nice people, who care for their customers and serve healthy food made from scratch! We found it right there in the Yellow Deli and Bakery.

 

Of course we’ll go back!






 

 

Friday, January 10, 2025

Negroni For You by the Careless Drinker

 



Negroni For You

 

There are too many cocktails to count and new ones keep popping up.  I usually stick with the tried and true, but there are exceptions. Lately, I came across one that attracted me. Maybe it was the way she held her glass, or the sweet smile and the color of her eyes……no, wait a second, that must have been after my second cocktail. But, that doesn’t really matter because she sure as hell wasn’t smiling at me. She must have been old enough to drink, maybe. At least I thought so, and the four guys surrounding her, who could have been male models straight out of GQ, thought so.

 

But, let me step out of my dreams of long ago and get to telling you about my new favorite cocktail, the Negroni.  Best I’ve been able to find out, the Negroni came from Florence, Italy and got popular in the 1940s or 50s.  But, others swear it came from France in the 1920s. 

 

Who cares?  What’s important is it’s very popular in my house, as of last night.

 

Easy to make. Hard to resist.

 

Simple: Equal parts gin, red vermouth, and Campari, tossed in an ice shaker,  poured in your favorite cocktail glass, and then add a twist of your favorite citrus.  I favor orange peel, squeezed.  

 

I’m also particular about which gin (Plymouth, the best gin since 1793, England) and which vermouth (Martini & Rossi, 1863, Italy), not to forget the world’s best aperitivo (Campari, 1860, by Gaspare Campari, Milan, Italy).

 

See, the Careless Drinker likes to know what he’s drinking and where it came from and why he’s drinking…..although he sometimes forgets the latter. Still, he always remembers the smiles and the eyes, and the long gone years when they were directed at him.

 

Cheers! Prost! Salut! Chin-Chin! À votre santé!




 

 

Wednesday, January 8, 2025



 



Beans and Fennel and Sardines

 

Sound delectable?  Well it should because The Careless Cook is making it. But, my three longtime fans also know, that with any recipe from The Careless Cook, you’re encouraged to make your own changes from a of this to a little of that, on the journey to satisfying your own tastebuds. Allow whatever you fancy or don’t  fancy lead you to the culinary Valhalla of your dreams. 

 

Let’s take sardines for example. Some folks just don’t like ‘em. So, if you’re one of those unfortunates, change the recipe! 

 

Don’t toss the whole recipe!  Are you mad? Toss one heck of a recipe? 

 

Leave out the sardines, or use another fish or shellfish or meat, or go vegan and disappoint everyone in your family above the age of thirty-five.

 

But, I’m telling you, this simple soup or stew, depending on how soupy you make it, is filled with flavor that will haunt your dreams and make you yearn for just one more bowl full. 

 

Let me see…..where was I…..oh yea, it goes well with white wine, which is also in the recipe. And remember, even if you’re not an alcohol fan, the alcohol disappears in the cooking, but the flavor hangs on!

 

Beans and Fennel with Sardines

 

Ingredients

 

1 fennel bulb (cut off the stalks and fronds or use them. I don’t use ‘em.)

 

1 Lemon halved, with one half sliced thinly, seeds discarded. Save the other half.

 

¼ cup olive oil (extra-virgin? Never met one of those.)

 

2 medium shallots, thinly sliced.

 

6 garlic (or more) peeled and thinly sliced, or just bash the hell out of them.

 

Italian spice to taste (I use The Spice Lab Italian Rustico, a couple of tablespoons)

Any other fresh spices your tastebuds yearn for (I used chopped fresh rosemary from my garden)

 

2 or more chicken Andouille sausages sliced (I used two)

 

½ teaspoon (or more) crushed red pepper flakes

 

¼ cup dry white wine (I didn’t measure, just sloshed some.)

 

6 cups low sodium chicken broth

 

 15.5 oz cans cannellini beans, drained and rinsed

 

1 4.4-oz tin of sardines

 

Chopped parsley or cilantro  (I use cilantro…always)

 

Puttin’ It Together

 

1. Slice the fennel into bite sized slivers


2. Heat the oil to medium hot in a large pot. Toss in fennel, shallots, garlic, all the herbs, lemon slices, sliced sausage, and red pepper flakes. Cook for 5-7 minutes or until the lemon slices are soft or have brown spots. Remove them, but save them.


3. Add wine and cook until partially reduced, a minute or two.


4. Add the broth and bring to a boil.


5. Reduce heat to medium.


6. Simmer and stir occasionally until fennel is soft.


7. Add the beans and simmer about 10 minutes.


8. Open and drain the sardines and squeeze the juice from the remaining half of lemon over the sardines. Give them a few. Minutes.

  

9. Meanwhile, Stir in the parsley/cilantro.


10. Serve topped with the saved lemon slices.

 

Now it’s time to put the rest of the bottle of white wine to good use. Cheers!











Thursday, December 26, 2024

Ashes in the Dust

 



Ashes in the Dust

 

The Sun long lost its luster

A cold and faded yellow orb.

 

Mornings creep too soon

Bearing witness to the dark

 

Words crumble in the mist

And quickly float away.

 

Bleak trees dot my forest now

Crumbled bark and shadows.

 

Dog eared calendars

Witness times long lost.

 

Meanings dried and cracked

Wander with my ghosts

 

I skirt the edge of joy 

Leaving laughter slain.

 

A world that I once knew

Mere ashes in the dust.