Gluestick

Has anyone else who regularly travel backwards and forwards to and from la belle France considered the sheer nonsense of the UK government's introduction of APNs (Advanced Passenger Notices)? Surely, the main preoccupation of the Border Agency ought to be in keeping undesirables out! No APN necessary for coming into the UK; just going out; yet, every time one leaves, the same sleepy fonctionares, scan one's passport and check it against their computer records; online, on screen and in front of their noses... Checking the back window and ignoring the stable door when the horse bolted weeks ago and is now sitting in delicious hamburgers... [+o(] What's next? A charming person from the Border Agency, opening up trucks crammed with illegal migrants and requesting their passports, please? [Www]

[quote user="Pierre ZFP"] Anyway, a secondary question please.  What type of mincer/stuffer do you use?  I've seen manual and electric ones.  I think I even have an attachment for a Kenwood Chef but goodness knows where it might be, not having been used since we got the mixer over 30 years ago! [/quote] At the moment, Pierre, none! [:'(] The mincer/sausage stuffer our son gave as a present, died rather quickly. Plastic gears and gearbox. Having looked at quite a few, it seems they are all made in China. Motor power is always quoted as stall speed; i.e. the damned things seized up, making a violent 50 cycle hum and ready to burn out the windings! I am probably going to buy this one:  Here: Grunt? 0.938715 HP. Enough. Steel gears. Might even invest rather more. No substitute for grunt! Kenwood should do. Kenwood still supply most parts. British company, you know. Which these days is a rare beast.... BTW: Carrefour in your and my canton town has excellent porc often on promo and far better flavour and taste; plus all necessary cuts including leg, shoulder and belly.

[quote user="Rabbie"]Gluestock, Ken Clarke tonight stated he thought it extremely unlikely that Parliament would block the invocation of Article 50. I suspect that he knows more about the mood at Westminster than you do[/quote] Really? "But the uncertainty created by the High Court judgment was underlined by Tory former chancellor and ardent pro-European Ken Clarke, who told BBC Newsnight he would move to block invoking Article 50, saying: "I will vote against it. I shall stick to my guns. I'm not going to cast a hypocritical vote."" Here: "Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon says the High Court judgement on Article 50 is "hugely significant" and underlines "the total chaos and confusion at the heart of the UK government". She says the government's refusal to allow a vote in the Commons exposes the fact it does "not have a coherent position". Ms Sturgeon argued that as Scotland voted to remain in the EU, her job is "to protect our place in Europe and the single market as far as I possibly can". SNP MPs "will not vote for anything that undermines the will of the Scottish people", she added." Here: Clarke always was and always will be a Eurofile; he was the clown who demanded Britain join the Euro - at the worst possible time, too... he is also an arch federalist and therefore not a patriot. Sturgeon? Well she and her motley crew will always vote against the government as she has little else to offer her voters than the illusory dreams of an independent Scotland and a continuance of EU membership.

[quote user="Rabbie"]The court decision was not about whether we implement Brexit or not. It was about how we implement Brexit. In the unlikely event that Parliament decides not to invoke Article 50 then there would be a General Election and the new Parliament would consider the matter again. That way we would know the irrevocable decision was indeed the will of the British People.[/quote] Not quite, actually, Rabbie. If May's government lost the vote (which I believe they must, logically and numerically, as already stated), then it would take a further proposal of a "Vote of No Confidence" in the present government. Upon which all MPs would have to vote again. In which case the anti-Brexit Tory MPs and others, would vote against the proposition. Worth remembering, May only enjoys a majority of just 15. Of course, there may be Tory MPs who wish to destroy their political career and be consigned to the back benches forever (or at least as long as they might have until either the local party honchos kick 'em out, or the next GE); highly doubtful I suggest.

[quote user="Pierre ZFP"]Getting back to the original thread, can someone be so kind as to explain the difference between 'natural hog casings' and 'Collagen Sausage Casing Skins' ?  I'm thinking that the latter are the artificial 'cling film' like casings? [/quote] Correct, Pierre. We use natural sheep intestine; one can use hog and others. Today, they even make glue from collagen and other nasty products of the rendering plants, used to stick bits and pieces of odd meat together! Then sold as steaks and even joints. Giveaway is the regular shape, all the way along.

Apols, lindal. I missed this somehow. Couldn't agree more! All Western financial and particularly, monetary systems are indeed broke beyond measure. The only reason the monetary crash has not happened is since they are all in the same boat! Interesting item here, addled with classic conspiracy theory, but some germs of truth. Here: The very worst being the USA. [quote]Better to keep money in cash under the bed! [/quote] Gold and silver, rather. Otherwise, as with the Weimar Republic, any paper money will be utterly worthless.

[quote user="idun"]IF we give the power to the MP's to do everything on our behalf, why the referendum?????? [/quote] It was a sop to the electors, where Dave and his gang were pretending the collective and majority will and view of the people would be abided by... Anyone who actually believed this in the first place, needs urgently to consult a good analyst! It is on a similar level to believing funds managers act in the very best interests of the investors... However, all that said, this, I believe is put up or shut time for the professional self-interested political class. Why? Since whilst the Tory party hold a slender majority (15) when it comes to a vote, many Tory remainers will vote against the whips orders; plus most Labour MPs, all SNP; and the rest of the motley crew of assorted misfits. Including the nasty little worm, Carswell, nominally UKIP. The Government could well fall on its sword on this issue. At which point, the problems start! In that event, it is a gift out of the blue for UKIP; which is an interesting small thought? Mainly since a majority of voters have been suffering political fatigue, growing distrust in he supposed democratic system, and, in many case, total apathy.

[quote user="crabtree"]The decision of the High Court is not about Brexit, it is about the sovereignty of parliament – the very institution that the Brexiteers claim has been debased by the EU.[/quote] Excepting, of course, the core reality, of the judiciary being stuffed to the gills by Lefty-Liberal judges from 1997 onwards...... The day of such luminaries  as the late great jurist, one time Master of the Rolls, Baron Alfred Thompson (Tom) Denning, are, so sadly, gone and passed. Denning's awesome grasp of both statute and precedent, plus his exemplarly prescient judgements are gone, forever...

The man is a buffoon!

Well, it was precisely what I suggested some time back, on these postings re Brexit. BTW, Idun; it actually IS democracy, since citizens cede power to elected MPs. In order for May to act outside parliament, she would have to try to use the devolved power of delegated authority under a Royal Prerogative: usually only used in serious circumstances if, where and when Britain faces imminent danger. I would therefore posit any such action by May, or indeed any other PM would be ultra vires. (outside the power). Here problem after a vote, would be of course, the Lords: however after three attempts then she can invoke the Parliament Act as a guillotine and ramrod the legislation through.

[quote] The 'forensic' accountant established that his lifestyle did not match his alleged income which is done mostly in cash.[/quote] So, report him to the Serious Crimes Squad, since from what you say he is committing serious offences under both Proceeds of Crime Act and is money laundering, both offences all accountants in public practice are bounden to report; My institute, for example, are authorised under this legislation for what is called AML (Anti-Money Laundering) regime and I can be fined huge amounts (£50K >) and imprisoned for failing to notify, in writing. Surprised the forensic accountant failed to do so....... Since what this errant man is doing, clearly, is not pay income tax etc. And in all probability, false accounting. Dodgy barsteward: I hate them with a passion. [:@]

Bearing in mind I am a qualified accountant, then I would have fought that one in tribunal, pro bono, and billed  HMRC for fees post a win result.

Interestingly, Pat, a few years ago, a group of dedicated bakers banded together and persuaded the French Institute who maintain a collection of old food plant varieties, to supply them some ancient French wheat seeds.. strange thing about wheat. It can germinate after many a long year. I remember reading somewhere about ancient Egyptian or Roman (can't remember) which germinated. Anyway, these people planted this wheat and grew it wholly organically. as it was harvested, each season, they saved the grains and continued until they had enough for milling and baking. Even those diagnosed as Celiacs could eat it with no problem; which surely makes one think? Here is an excellent analysis: Here: The second reference concerns the French Paysan Boulangers.

Could not agree more, Hoddy! Seems today, the feckless are unable to keep the old "Trouser Snake" (to use Oz strine), under control. And thereafter, expect the hard working taxpaying moral majority to pay for their louche and socially destructive behaviour. [:@]

My bread research commenced, after far too many years of suffering what was - wrongly! - diagnosed as IBS... Baker's bread in the UK - and I mean "proper" bread caused me to bloat every time I ate it. French bead didn't: problem is a love bread. Which, after all was called "The Staff of Life" and a main dietary component of the average person's daily food intake at all meals. Strange, I thought, farmworkers, factory workers and the rest were not collapsing all over the place with Celiac Disease! Ergo: something or things had changed........... what was it/were they? There were mainly three: 1.    Instead of Stone Mill Grinding, flour was milled using high speed steel rollers which heated the grain/flour and changes the enzyme structure: 2.    Modern wheat had undergone crossing, to produce higher crop yields; greater resistance to plant disease; and increased self-fertilisation. The pea plant is self-fertilising for example and creates its own nitrogen: 3.    Modern agriculture, drenches plants with a cocktail of chemical nasties. To add to this (as it were not enough already!) the Chorleywood Baking Process, introduced 1961 on, changed "Bread" as we knew it; rendering a tasteless unwholesome end product. Finally, large millers, (RHM et al), add various "improving" chemicals to bread "flour", exacerbating all the above. We only use stone ground organic flour. Our most usual daily loaf is a mix of wholemeal bread flour; plain flour (to lighten the dough and bread), plus Rye and sometimes, Spelt. Great tasting; good for digestion and bowels! Bake three or four and into freezer.

This will amuse, I hope... Way back when Mrs G and I started going to Andalusia, we once holidayed in a quaint little village just outside Puerto Jose Banus. The "Fag Shop" as you delightfully describe it, was run by a crusty old Spaniard, whom by his accent, was probably Madrileños. He took great pleasure in excoriating my Spanish at each and every opportunity. One morning my chum and I went in for some stamps, and he was serving a pretty Anglo and demonstrated his English as he drooled all over here. Next time we went in, I said to chum in loud upper class English: " Look at that silly old geriatric fool! Ignorant peasant and very nasty and unpleasant too!" He changed after this....... [Www]

[quote user="lindal1000"]It's very sad when this happens but not a new or one off occurrence. In fact when I worked in elderly care there was absolutely no obligation for couples to be cared for together and this was much more common.[/quote] Even Victorian workhouses, outside cities such as London, Manchester etc, tried to keep families together. [quote] Fortunately attitudes have moved on. As far as I know there are no council funded care homes in the UK now..or very few. Care homes are privately run................[/quote] Another masterstroke  from the Wicked Witch of The West; AKA Thatcher. That delightful specimen, Duncan Bannatyne, made his first pile in setting up a care home and then a chain of same. I have known quite a number and have refused to act for all. The formula was: Find a dilapidated  old drum; shove up thin partition walls and create tiny cells. Recruit unqualified minimum wage staff. Feed the old dodderers slops. Fill 'em full of tranquillizing meds to keep 'em quiet, supplied by a friendly GP. All that was needed to "prove" compliance, medically, was a retired staff nurse or similar, to pop in occasionally to say all was OK and, of course, to pick up a wedge. The scandals and failures of various chains of these despicable places has been, repeatedly in the news, thus no more needs stating.  [quote]The work is very hard, requires a lot of skill, dedication, willingness to work anti social hours for no extra money and pays little more than the minimum wage.[/quote] Which makes them automatically, benefit-dependent. Also; were do they train for these "Skills"? Care home proprietors certainly don't train them! Costs money!

Andy and Lindell: Sadly, you have both rather conflated and clearly not understood my earlier comment reference immigration. I am a Fair Do's advocate. Our state and society is the worst in Europe for its treatment and financial support of the elderly and infirm. Further more, I believe passionately, in the twin dictums, "First Come; First Served!" and "Charity Begins At Home!" The Liberal-Left, and Vanessa and all the other motley gang of silk-knickered champagne socialists would, given their head, throw the doors of  Britain wide and advocate taking in every waif and stray from all over the World. Surely, rather than throwing vast sums of State money at liberty-taking incomers, we suffer a duty to firstly, take care of our own? Which we are singularly failing dismally so to do. When the elderly and infirm face the prospect of either heating or eating, then something has gone awfully wrong. The classic riposte of defenders of this inequity  is "Without the immigrants the health service would collapse!" etc, etc, etc. Well, if the endless rafts of "Managers", recruited by Thatcher onwards, were fired ignominiously, and properly trained medical staff trained and paid reasonably, then the problem would not exist. Ceylon as was "Solved" their labour problem on tea plantations, by importing hordes of Tamals to work at slave labour rates and live in appalling accommodation: because it was far cheaper.......that all worked out rather well, then didn't it? Government and London Transport, also "Solved" their labour problem, post-WWII; fact was they were not willing to pay a decent wage and value staff. Enter the Windrush... France, Spain and most other sensible countries recognised the criticality of transport infrastructure; Britain didn't. Since which point it has struggled, immensely and the Final Solution, was to throw it open to that wondrous caring, responsible "Market".

I'm a funny old cove, I suppose, Idun. Very much accord to W Somerset-Maugham's suggestion, that: "To eat well in England, eat breakfast three times a day!" The last decent breakfast I enjoyed, was staying at the Old Bell Hotel, in Malmesbury, Wilts, overnight, for a business meeting in circa 1986. Breakfast was an utter delight! Porridge made with Wiltshire milk and I guess a dollop of cream; divine. Well cooked Wilts back bacon; local breakfast banger; mushrooms; two wondrous fried eggs; grilled tomatoes; well-filled toast rack; Wiltshire butter. Bottomless silver service coffee pot and more toast and excellent marmalade; and a morning complimentary newspaper. I have searched for a proper English breakfast banger ever since and finally decided, well the only way is clearly to make 'em ourselves. Same with our bread; Mrs G and I make all of it. Thus, as with my copious researches into bread and flour, I researched sausage making. The very best reference is an English Butcher's Bible and I am trying to source a copy; published in the late 1940s. Luckily, in France, we can buy wonderful pork cuts, shoulder, belly etc, at far better prices than UK and all perfect for bangers, at our local Carrefour; seems the meat section is a franchise and local abattoirs supply much of the meat.

[quote user="idun"]I have made them over the years. I love a little mace in mine, macis in french. Gives the taste of sausage I am so fond of. I use some bread crumbs, not too much though, and a good mix of lean and fat meat, shake of mace, salt, pepper and then maybe  a little thyme or sage and sometimes a little grated lemon rind. [/quote] Never use breadcrumbs, apparently. They soak up too little moisture and swell up dreadfully. I use rusk which I make, Easy; simply bread flour, a little bicarb as a mild leven and water. Bake in a shallow tray until browning and then turn over. Leave for a day or so; break up like slab toffee or peanut brittle then stick the bits in the liquidiser until nice and crumby. (This is identical to ship's biscuits - Hard Tack. Still used in lifeboat rations today apparently.) [quote]Also, once made, I used to like drying them a little, hanging them for a few hours before using or freezing them. [/quote] Hanging is apparently, essential, Idun; allows  certain essential micro biological processes to create the proper "sausage" flavour. Excellent site here where I found the Cambridge banger. See here:

[quote user="Patf"] It doesn't tell you how to get the skins and actually make the sausages though. I think you need some kind of machine? [/quote] Don't know where one might buy the skins in France: I order them online, in UK. Only use sheep's natural skins. They come packed in brine and last quite well in the fridge. Hate the nasty collagen skins! Might as well use clingfilm! [:-))] You can use a reasonable mincer; most these days come with a sausage stuffing attachment.  See here: DO NOT buy a cheap Mincer/Stuffer! Waste of money. Our first mincer/ stuffer was a gift from our son. Lovely kind idea. However, made in China (what isn't these days?) and the gears are plastic and it is pretty damned useless. Soon to sport out on a proper jobbie; steel gears. When the first one went duff, with a batch of filling waiting, patiently, we filled the skins by hand, using the funnel thing from the duff mincer. Not a job I would recommend...

I have been steaming about this all day........ Please See: Surely, instead of handing vast sums to idle, non-working incomers, many with oodles of children, British society - if it enjoys any moral compass and compassion - could find its way to assist this devoted couple? "Charity begins at home", goes the old saw. Mrs Gluey and I have experience of the dire state of care at home...

[quote user="Hoddy"] To me now Hallowe'en seems a bit like Father's Day: just another device for business to extract money from people.[/quote] And to cause criminal damage then bleat "We wos only 'aving a bit of fun, Guv.  After all it is Halloween...".

Anyone on here make their own sausages? I have just discovered a recipe for Cambridge Sausages. A couple of thousand apparently sank with the Titanic as they were then the favourite British breakfast banger.

We both love Endives! Anyone tried this? On the BBQ (or in the oven), top and tail them; pull off the outer leaves; add a skinned clove of garlic. Butter or Olive Oil. Wrap in a double layer of ally foil: stick on BBQ or roast in oven; and serve as as a veggie with anything else. Wonderful! [:D]