Saint Nicholas?

Fri 12 May.

Superimposing the Wanadoo browser over the existing Bigpond, has created anomolies in the day-to-day operation of the computer. Certain programs no longer work and the machine infuriatingly closes down with no notice, resulting in the loss of whatever I am working on...the 'blog' for example. An Australian working in web-site design has referred me to '@ Computers', a business with technical expertise in downtown Carcassone. Our car is going to know its own way into Carcassone I'm sure! Our contact is to be an English speaking Nicholas. Nicholas is the quintessential computer expert...young and hyperactive. His English is beautiful without the slightest hint of accent. His father was French and his mother English. In around 20 minutes he completely re-organised my computer and for all intents and purposes it appears as Bigpond but operated through Wanadoo..clever really. He really is a Saint.

We spoke with Donna's cousin Judy in Newcastle by way of Skype this morning. Donna got a real buzz out of this and I think it helped a lot in taking her mind off her eye which she is still adjusting too.

Donna put her mind to using the wonderful cast iron pots in the kitchen and came up with a delicious 'daube'. A daube is a 'ragout' (stew) of meat braised in stock and a wine marinade and it takes its name from 'daubiere' -- a tall, fat-bellied earthenware casserole with a concave lid. The secret is to keep the temperature as low as possible so as to cook it over a long period of time. The concave lid was used to put cold water into to assist this process. Our pots are OK as they are heavy and the lids are tight fitting and do not allow evaporation which is important for a tender result. We also cook with gas which gives good heat control. Donna used beef for the meat and the marinade was a Bourdeau red. The vegetables for the sauce can be pureed to thicken it. We ate it accompanied by a syrah/grenache blend red from the Minervois appellation....how good is that?