Norn Iron

Merry Christmas from today's newly tapped Wishlist Red Ale. Exceptional beer. Nice touch of Cinnamon.

Except certain Robins at Ashton Gate!

I hope Russia knows the difference between Santa and a Ukrainian missile.

What was Santa's joke?

Even better. If you have Sky Q, just push and hold the blue talk button and say, "Where's Santa?" Also say,"Santa tell me a joke." Apparently, he will.

Thanks PSR. I've boiled meat before, a long time ago mind, when I cooked Vietnamese Pork. Loads of Garlic and fish Source! I'll bring the Gammon to the boil and then simmer with lid definitely on. 20 mins per pound plus 25 mins.

I have a decent gammon that needs to be steeped and then cooked. Boiling is easiest. I know people have used Cola and even Irn Bru (I have done the former). Ham in Cider has been recommended throughout the ages but is Thatcher's Gold too good for the ham? Culinary thoughts please!

What's The Footballer?

Use the free Microsoft version that comes with Windows 10 or download able from their website. Windows Security. I have been using this and previous incarnation ever since the head lecturer at uni for computer sciences told me about it. This is all he uses. He gave me other reasons but in Janet and John speak, it's free, it's good for everyday folk and recommended by him! https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/windows/comprehensive-security

Regarding bottling before or after maximum conditioning.... Having tried both versions, I think for easiness I'll drink from the Pinter but the remaining beer will be bottled the following day. Here is the Stars and Stripes beer that I've just put into the fridge having already been carb dropped and bottled 5 days ago. I'll drink it tomorrow night. The extra day in the fridge will kill off any secondary fermentation etc.. However, look at how clear the beer is now. The sediment can be seen at the bottom of the bottle. Dead chuffed! Don't forget to check the rubber seals on the flip tops. Apparently they should be changed every 5 uses. Plenty available on Ebay. I haven't bought any yet!

I'll keep it as is then! Don't forget Milton Steriliser for your flip too bottles etc. I use 3ml per 500ml

I use a jug and then pour the beer into the bottles. I have found that the process works well but that it takes up to 30 minutes in order for the beer to settle in the bottles. I pour to within an inch of the top. How long did it take you to pour?

Get you! Not only do you get a beer that you like (I haven't tried this one) but you bottled it at your first attempt with the Pinter. Major respect! How did you get the beer from the Pinter into the fliptops?

Yertiz! The Red Ale was brewed for the maximum days recommended, followed by 2 days cold crash. It's not even ready for tapping! Cold Crashing is optional by the way. Before moving to the Conditioning stage, the brew dock (filter) has to be removed. The beer contents inside the dock is called Trub. Most of it is beer looking with the rest being the yeast etc in the form of a liquid sausage! I couldn't/didn't want to waste the beer already made. The photo shows what it looks like. However, what the photo doesn't show is how great it already tastes! It is slightly fruity but so well balanced It is already THAT good. Roll on Christmas Day when it'll be tapped and drunk!

Courtesy of Adam Ant.. Sweeney, Merrick, Trevor T, Jantzen Derrick and Sir Gerry

Wasn't Harold Wilson a Huddersfield fan?

The electronic scoreboard showing us 0-1 at 81 mins has never been erased from my brain. I must watch just in case there was a different outcome to the one I remember!

Maybe you were a Human League fan?

Wow! I don't think people have fully grasped what Ernest and a few explorers did when fleeing the Antarctic in a small wooden boat leaving the others behind. A full rescue was needed. To get to South Georgia without Satellite Navigation was one thing. To land on the island was another but to then climb the mountain and glacier before reaching the whaling station was something else. Thanks for sharing.

You beat me to a similar post!

He used to live in Nailsea. One of my heroes is Phil Crump of Bristol Bulldogs speedway fame. His son Jason became World Speedway Champion. Phil either rented Mervyn's house or lived next door to him for a while.

Elephant Seal. Not as fast as David Seal. South Georgia? Did you see the memorial to Ernest Shackleton?

Just checked the surname in this book. No Bristol City player was mentioned. There were only 2 with the name of Ainsley.

There is a professional ice hockey team based in the USA, the Pittsburgh Penguins. I don't think they're actual penguins though. Maybe their keeper if he flaps a lot in his area?

This advert takes me back. Even Morecambe and Wise mentioned it! For the record, I think the music is called The Peanut Vendor. A musical number popular in the Swing Band era.