After the slight disappointment of my Thai Green Curry at the Sukhothai restaurant over the weekend, I was in the mood for another one and wanted to make it myself. I got to Aldi but they did have the sauce so I opted for a jar of Korma instead. I put in a fresh chilli to spice it up and it was nice enough but I still haven't got rid of my craving.

Kathryn is down at her flat for the week and she is making a curry for Wednesday as well.

I have a strong feeling that Friday night will see me going to Thai's Smile after a 3 year break for my favourite dishes there. Hopefully that craving will pass after then or then again, it might be restored as a permanent fixture!

Oceanarium commerce website is pants

The Saturday just gone, as it was a bit wet we had to find a rainy day option and decided that the Oceanarium in Bournemouth would be ideal. Went online to their web site and found they had some offers on to save a few more pennies, 25% it shouts out loud.

A quick click on the link brings up a Spanish web site. Hmm, strange I thought but then I recall that it was part of a larger group of leisure businesses.

On trying to pay, the site went to that blasted Barclaycard ePDQ service. My client's from work have complained about that service in the past. So, I clicked the button and waited, and waited and waited. the thing timed out and I was left with the forlorn web browser window.

Oceanarium Trapped Turtle

We still went there in the end and they were doing some discount on two adults together but not as much as the online price. Not impressed. Pants.

Going around the tanks we spotted this turtle (or whatever) seemingly stuck underneath a tree root thing in the tank. There was skin coming away form its legs but we didn't know if the poor thing was trapped and had been trying to scrape its way out and ended up peeling its skin away or if it was just natural moulting.

We eventually found a member of staff and informed them. Hope it is OK now. All I can remember was looking at its face and it then closed its eyes. I thought, oh no, that was its last moment, but its spooky eyes opened again.

I've got the taste for Korean food in Bournemouth now.

Just went to Korean Grill restaurant yesterday. Makes me want to try Maru in Charminster and others now.

Arborcare

The horse chestnut had sprouted a huge canopy which meant we lost about three hours of decent sunlight at the end of the day.

The neighbours had used a company called Arbocare so we gave them a try. Job done in about two and a half hours. They tidied up after themsleves and also the neighbours garden where the tree overhanged. Now there is light.

In actual fact I really wasn't looking forward to another autumn or raking up all those leaves. It was just a back breaking nightmare.

So, Arborcare - Tel: 01202 582 410. Just mention you found out through me in Southbourne. He then might do my bush for free!

Been trying to get a table for 6 people around some restaurants in town and Christchurch without much luck, although 8pm is peak time I guess.

Things must still be booming down here. What recession?

Had to get a 9pm table at the Urban Reef down by Boscombe Pier. Hopefully the rain clouds will keep away.

We've had a beer down in the very small bar downstairs. At least this is a new review for fong.co.uk/efnic.co.uk

A quick thought over coffee

A shame that some of the niche and interesting places have gone.

Take Zafari that was in Boscombe. Where else are we to eat crocodile steaks, kangaroo and ostrich?

We went to Nippon Inn which is on what I have seen called the Gaza Strip on the internet to mean Charminster. Very affectionate I must say. It was good to see Nippon Inn was full and we enjoyed our food yet again. There menu has grown and I suspect their client base has grown and I wish them the best of luck. My previous favourite, Tokyo Sushi, had closed down years ago and not too long after starting up as well.

It is great to see Bournemouth has a diverse range of eateries and great to see the good people of Bournemouth checking them all out. I can quite easily and happily go from the Harvester to Gary Rhodes and back again without too much thought.

At the Mexican Grill

Oh yes, we were back at the Mexican Grill. Whelks, oysters and more whelks. Yum yum.

Wasn't too sure about the Sterling Euro exchange rate. Very poor indeed.

Brussels 2009 Photos

After two months of 0% interest on my tracker, I have to start paying now.

So unfair, ah well a good thing doesn't last.

Scorchio, hot damn hot.

Weather reports have been a bit off so hope that the sun is really coming.

No BBQ

Too much has been happening and weather is probably not great, not that it has stopped us before but I think we should leave it for another time.

It will be a scorchio summer this year. It will, it will, it will. Plenty time left for a swim and BBQ.

It's BBQ-time

The South-Vegas night might have been a bit blowy and a bit chilly but that is part of the fun. Also like wondering where the firelighters are and then realising that we had those handy small bags of charcoal where you light the wrappers themselves. Panic over.

Ange picked up a couple of packets of 'kwalitee' beefburgers, 50p for two quarterpounders. Nice. Skank sausages and some cook-from-frozen ribs topped off the menu.

This was just a practice run. Off to Argos for my Deluxe Trolley BBQ in readiness for the summer at Hotel Fong.