A Merry Christmas from up North

Ey oop and ee bah gum tha knows,

We've had so many of you lovely people dropping in to our friendly little Pennine Massive site of late that it seemed only fair to repay the courtesy by popping dahn sarrf. So here I am (excuse me for calling in unannounced).

Although we are now well into our Winter season up North, global warming means that the thermometer is really only hovering around a balmy minus 35 degrees (that's at mid-day of course). The Barnoldswick Glacier is looking bright and shiny (when there is any daylight to see it, that is) although the polar bears are a slight nuisance on the roads these days. And the penguin droppings! Oh, SO very slippery! Still, only another 14 months and it will be our spring.

Several of the lads and lasses are looking forward to the long three day break that most of the mills are giving this year, and are preparing sumptuous traditional northern feasts - first a little amuse-bouche of Tripe with Sage and Onion Stuffing and gravy; next a starter of Stew and 'Ard with mushy peas and gravy; then a main course of Pork Pie with Roast Potatoes, Chips, Mash and gravy; the traditional Northern Christmas Black Pudding with equally traditional Brown Ale Butter and gravy; Mince pies and custard (gravy optional). Myself, I like a bit of Wensleydale cheese then, often with a glass of pudding gravy.

We aren't sure what you chaps eat down here - will it be a Marks and Spencer Turkey Foccaccia with a lightly whipped Caramelofrappomoccachini Latte or something....gosh, you are so sophisticated down here (did you know that M & S started in the Penny Market in Leeds not that the posh gits would be welcome back these days?)

Well, must dash as the whippets need their weekly feed of boiled flat-cap, but from the Pennine Massive: A Reet Gradely Christmas to you all, and Safe Riding in 2006.

good post. I always knew it was like that North of Watford. Merry Xmas to y'all too

[Viney]

Hairy Crispymouse to you to Mr Boc

[Sid Squid]

Originally Posted by El Boccadillo

first a little amuse-bouche of Tripe with Sage and Onion Stuffing and gravy; next a starter of Stew and 'Ard with mushy peas and gravy; then a main course of Pork Pie with Roast Potatoes, Chips, Mash and gravy; the traditional Northern Christmas Black Pudding with equally traditional Brown Ale Butter and gravy; Mince pies and custard (gravy optional). Myself, I like a bit of Wensleydale cheese then, often with a glass of pudding gravy.

That sounds very tempting for poor persons food, although I would add a little Châteauneuf du Pape to the gravy for a little extra flavour.

Shame about the weather up your way though - as it's still summer down this end of our green and pleasant land we'll all be lying on the beach or perhaps surfing after Christmas dinner - isn't global warming a lovely thing? I think I'll pop out and fire up the Range Rover this afternoon - we wouldn't want to lose that effect would we. Shame there isn't enough of it to let it a bit stray Oop North*, but then it'd be awful warm for you with those flat caps on all the time.


*That's your actual Northern dontcha know?

On Boxing day I will popping round to see Old Joe with a 6 pack of stout which I know he still enjoys despite now being in his 80's. Joe is something of a hero in my home town due to his heroics one dreadfull day.
Joe worked down the pit all of his working life and on the day mentioned he along with 20 work mates were caught in a tunnel collapse. Without hesitation Joe placed himself in position and held a section of roof by forcing his back and shoulders up against the fragile surface acting as a human support prop.This allowed all of his mates to escape.
Unfortunately Joe's face is terribly disfigured now as a result of him having to be hammered securely in to place.