4th July, Hallaton Hoard, Queen Elizabeth, Pomp and Circumstance.

Happy 4th of July to all my American friends, have a wonderful time celebrating your independence.

Everyone is talking about taking time off and relaxing – we still have a couple of months before we go on vacation, not that we have a lot of stresses in our lives these days, but it is still nice to get away. One can get awfully tired of the same old walls.

Last night we watched Michael Wood’s Story of England, Romans to Normans, on public TV. The first part was about a small village in the dead centre of England called Kibworth in Leicestershire which has been there since way before the Romans conquered Britain. They did planned digs all over the village area in peoples gardens (yards) and found shards from some of the earliest times as well as Roman relics and artifacts. They did more digging in the area outside the village which led to the discovery of one of the Hallaton Hoard which is one of the earliest collections of Iron Age and Roman coins and unusual artifacts ever found. The digs done by the locals were supervised by professional archeologists. The programme aimed to show the development of England through the lives of its ordinary people rather than its kings and queens. It was a captivating programme. More about Kibworth. 

The story of Kibworth was followed by a story about the reign of Queen Elizabeth II with film from her accession to the throne in 1952 through her Coronation and then Silver and Gold Jubilees until today. I hadn’t realised that Queen Elizabeth was the 38th sovereign to be crowned at Westminster Abbey with William the Conqueror being the first in 1066. The programme showed the return of the Queen after the death of her father, her coronation a year later (she was crowned in 1953) then her Silver Jubilee 25 years later and pictures of the tours of the Commonwealth she undertook at that time, followed by her Golden Jubilee and film of that occasion as well. This was the first time William and Harry were part of the procession. It was lovely to watch especially as I was alive for all of it and remembered so much of the coronation itself. I hadn’t remembered that on the same day as the coronation, Sir Edmond Hillary and Sherpa Tensing conquered Everest. I also hadn’t remembered that the actual anointing of the Queen was carried out in relative privacy. Every time they played Land of Hope and Glory, which they did a lot, I got teary eyed. This is a video from the Royal Albert Hall in London where they are playing Elgar’s Pomp and Circumstance from which Land of Hope and Glory is taken.

This is always played on the last night of the Proms which is a series of concerts at the Royal Albert Hall. When I lived in London I used to go with friends to many of the concerts, but the best nights were always the first and especially the last night. That night was such fun, the first half was serious and then the latter part was devoted to things like the video above.

Here is the latest from Mushrooms Canada. Sounds like it would taste pretty good. We only eat whole wheat spaghetti anyway these days, better for us.

Spaghetti with Mushrooms, Garlic, Chili and Lime
Mushroom Lovers Club

12 oz (375 g) whole wheat spaghetti

1/3 cup (75 mL) extra virgin olive oil

1 lb. (500 g) thinly sliced fresh mushrooms

4 garlic cloves, crushed

½ -1 tsp (2-5 mL) hot red pepper flakes

1/2 cup (125 mL) thinly sliced green onions

1 tbsp (15 mL) finely grated lime rind

1/2 cup (125 mL) fresh lime juice

1/2 tsp (2 mL) salt

2/3 cup (175 mL) minced cilantro

Method
Cook the spaghetti in a large saucepan of salted boiling water according to package directions until al dente drain
reserving some of the pasta water.
Meanwhile, in large skillet heat the oil over medium heat. Add the mushrooms and sauté 3-4 minutes or until
starting to brown; add garlic, red pepper flakes and onion, cook stirring constantly, for 30 –60 seconds. Remove
from heat and mix lime juice, rind and salt. Pour over hot drained spaghetti; toss to coat well. If upon standing it
seems too dry gradually add a little pasta water. Taste and add freshly ground pepper if desired. Stir in cilantro.
Makes 4 servings
Variation
Stir-fry or boil shrimp and asparagus pieces and toss in at the end.
Try substituting parsley or basil for the cilantro.

Have a great day