Wizard of Earth - See???

Welcome to the Twilight Zone. There I was, about to watch Black Books and the phone rang. I answered it to find someone I hadn’t heard from for literally years. It wasn’t a call for me really, it was via her, from the Bolter. Too ashamed and cowardly to ring me himself!!! Are we divorced? Like, well, Yea-ah!!! For 10 years, and happily!!! The Bolter was such a moron, no, wait, that is being too kind to Morons. Did I have any divorce papers? I asked her to tell him to get in touch with his lawyer. Far from making me feel sad, cross, or distressed – I felt happy, free and infinitely better off, and basically indifferent. A good way to be now, I think.

On the knitting front I am on the downward slope to the end of the second sleeve. I have cast off for the underarm, and I am decreasing ( if only this were true). I am watching ‘Earthsea’, the miniseries from Ursula Le Guin’s Wizard of Earthsea trilogy, though now there is a fourth, and a fifth book. It is pretty much rubbish compared to the books, but it is keeping my mind off the mindless boredom of stocking stitch, so it isn’t all bad. I have even done the ribbing for the right front, the last piece to be finished. I am looking forward to finishing this over the weekend. I think I need to invest in some bamboo needles though. They are meant to be better for your arms and hands and I feel a little gyp in my elbow. Too much knitting – knitting overload. I am spending anticipatory happy hours looking at wool to order for a new project…..

I am still tired, we all slept in till 9 am this morning but we did go for a walk. It has been sunny and warm, not at all like Winter. So, a recipe that is not at all like Winter…

Chocolate Orange Syrup Cake

Cake

· 8 eggs

· 300 g caster sugar

· 75 g cocoa

· 150 g plain flour

· 75 g unsalted butter, melted

Syrup

· zested rind of 1 or 2 oranges

· 250 ml water

· 250 ml orange juice

· 330 g caster sugar

Preheat oven to 180 C ( 160 ff),and grease and line a 20 cm tin. Beat eggs and sugar for 8-10 minutes until light and creamy. I know it sounds like a lot of eggs, but I can buy a dozen free range eggs for $3-50 at the fruit and veggie shop, so 8 eggs only cost $2-33, not much really. Gently fold in the other ingredients, pour into tin and bake for 50-60 minutes , or until a skewer poked in the centre comes out clean. Cool in tin for 5 minutes then put on a rack over a pan, or the sink, as you are going to pour syrup over it!!! While the cake is baking make the syrup by putting all the ingredients into a saucepan over a low heat. Stir till sugar is dissolved and then bring to the boil and simmer for 5 minutes. You then pour it over the cake slowly, and serve warm or cold, with a dollop of cream.