Sunday, April 12, 2009

Day Seven - The Planter's Chair But No Beef And Potato Curry






Here we are then. The kitchen is now done, everything's unpacked, put away and now it's just a question of finding things as and when I need them.

A good supermarket session may be one of my forthcoming pleasures. I was quietly pleased to discover that I had every spice necessary to make just about any Sri Lankan dish you can imagine. There was Maldive fish, turmeric, dried chillies, you name it and there's a glass jar with a label saying that very thing in my cupboard, the one on the right.

But, I have no food. There are some Kit Kats, some Oreos and some crisps, some Coke Zeros and Fanta Zeros and water in the fridge but that's it. I had to buy those things as K turned up with her mate, C, to hang here for a while the other day. That was quite pleasant, they chilled around, ate things and K was visibly proud to show off her Dad's new pad to her friend.

Yesterday I went out and bought that too trendy for my own good oven glove. I think it was either the most expensive oven glove in the world, or they saw me approaching and hurriedly switched the price label. I followed up by buying the most expensive doormat in the world. It's high tech and specially designed for people to bring in their wet dog after a walk in the woods.

That wasn't a good sentence but I think you know what I meant. Another way of putting it is that it's the type of doormat they use on the space shuttle, that's how high tech and marvellous it is.

My bedroom has turned into a little Sri Lankan oasis. I'm sitting on the planter's chair now as I write this. To my right, just outside the window, is the Thames, some boats and a bridge and things. Just before the window are five pictures of Sri Lanka, taken by me. You may recognise them from my Flickr account or somewhere.

I'd wanted a planter's chair for about fifteen years and finally got this one about two years ago. The shipping cost far more than the actual chair but damn, it was worth every rupee. This is the first time I've had it somewhere where I can really sit, relax and dream and it feels good, it was worth the wait.

There has been one slight disaster so far. I've been unable to find my favourite Sri Lankan cookery book, that one by Channa Dassanayake, the Sri Lankan Aussie chef. I loved the beef and potato curry recipe in it and haven't got the vaguest memory of how to make the dish without the recipe.

All I can recall is that I need beef and potatoes.

Bugger.

Must go, there's more unpacking to be done.

It's Easter Sunday today, the day the Easter Bunny was crucified I believe.

Poor bloke.

18 comments:

Indyana said...

Love that chair! we have my grandad's back home in India! Amazed to see you got one out there!And your kitchen looks so neat! I shd be ashamed of myself!

David Blacker said...

I think a view of water's worth a lot of rent, so good pick. I've twice lived in places that had a view of a river or canal, and it's something worth having.

Dili said...

So THATS what you call that in English. Had no idea. Pads shaping up NICE RD, Kudos.

Anonymous said...

http://www.sbs.com.au/food/recipeindex/RecipeByTVShowMain/458/1/noperpage/15

Might be of some help about the cook book.

N said...

Nice...actually that chair is known as a Bombay fornicator.

PseudoRandom said...

Sigh...I'm in love with your kitchen :-)

Amila Salgado said...

Nice chair. I see that our bedrooms have at least one thing in common.

Anonymous said...

Cool pad RD! the view's amazing too... I guess the buggers on the other side are gonna have to get used to seeing a Sarong-clad RD eh? :D

Rhythmic Diaspora said...

Indyana - It looks neat now,but give it a few weeks and we'll see.

DB - Yes, there's something very calming about the water, I don't know why but it exists.

Dili - I think so but see N's comment too.

N - Is it my imagination or did I see a post about the subject somewhere recently?

PR - Thank you, I feel lucky to have found the place.

Amila - I can't claim to know your bedroom tht well so will take your word for it!

Chavie - Yes true, I'll have to walk around while holding my stomach in as well!

Sabby said...

oooooooooooh love the pad.
Now thats the perfect kitchen to cook in...if only they had those fancy Island's in the middle...

JP said...

Very airy and very neat (in both senses). And here's remembering the poor easter bunny.

Zephyr said...

Ooooooooh very nice RD!!!

Kalusudda said...

Looking Good! I want a Bombay fornicator!

Dee said...

my uncle has that chair! god i love it....lazyboys can never compare :D

Rhythmic Diaspora said...

Thank you, I thought it was the most comfortable type of chair ever...until I tried this one yesterday...more to follow!

Sachi said...

ok the chair by the window ...its perfect.

Rhythmic Diaspora said...

Middle C - Thank you, I think so too, it's very cool to just sit there and watch the river go by

Angel said...

That chair is perfectly placed... reminds me of my grandad's chair in Kaluthara. I love the new place, RD!