Snow Line-up

Calton Hill, Edinburgh at 11am. Arthur's Seat and Holyrood to the right, East Lothian to the left. We were in town to see TinTin at the Filmhouse and it got snowier as we headed inland on the unbelievably over-crowded train. When we got to Edinburgh, we headed up Calton Hill in unsuitable footwear and ended up in the Filmhouse for the new TinTin film wet and weary.

Large snow.

We failed to buy Gordon shoes, but got 4 (fake) buffs, 2 snowball makers (I bid the children down from a snowball catapult) and a stack of comics.

As we got into the Filmhouse cafe we spotted a table in the corner with space for 5 and a couch. I watched in disbelief as 2 arty wimmin basically pushed past my children to get there first. Before our food arrived we managed to land on the table next to them, squelchily and noisily. Perhaps I shouldn't have been surprised to hear them wax lyrical about children's education, but I was surprised when they attempted to be all coo-ee when I took the children's picture for our Facebook check-in. Witches I say.

Then after missing the train (we didn't try - TinTin turns out to be nearly 2 hours long) we ended up in the Chambers Street museum to visit the roof terrace - and be denied access due to the weather. The usual museum charm was on display - "Excuse me, we're trying to find the lift to the roof" - "Yer no goin'" - "Oh, we were looking forward to it" - "It's been shut these last 3 days" - "Oh, the weather I suppose" - "Aye, and today it's icy so health and safety blah blah". Which is rubbish but there you go. Thankyou so much for your assistance you miserable git.

And home in the dark by bike, well lit and well practised. They watched the original version of the TinTin story (Secret of the Unicorn) whilst I cooked dinner and having inherited my reverence for original versions of everything, pronounced the new film "quite good".

"What's for dinner Dad?"
"Chicken curry."
"Oh."
But it's all gone, so that's good.

Chicken Curry Chez Nous
Put on some good music
Pour a glass of wine
Soften some chopped onions in olive oil
Throw in legs and thighs, slice them to the bone first
Add some cumin seeds
Mix a bit
Fry on low heat with lid on for a while
- Glass of wine
Throw in quite a lot of red lentils
Pour in quite a lot of boiling water
Add a carton of Passata
Add a can of chopped tomatoes
Mix a bit
Boil for a while
- Glass of wine
Change the music
Add some Korma paste
Mix a bit
- Glass of wine

Serve with basmati rice, yoghurt and naan.