A rebel without a clue.

2nd year of the Jones' Halloween was a good affair judging from all the many photos that have appeared on Facebook since last night. I thought it was a very Americanised product when I was a teenager and never ever had anything to do with it then. But now it gives free rein to self expression with a box of pastels and an afternoon. I went to the party as a green bloody mouthed Zombie ate loads of very good Stilton and Broccoli quiche and drank a fair quantity of cider. I crashed out around there and got back for about 10am this morning. I do hope this is a routine event, but Sarah and Dan both want it to elsewhere next year as it's not nice clearing up the day after a party. Today I've thrown away a load of Cassette tapes that were just getting dusty in the box they've been in the last dozen or so years. Couldn't quite throw all the original ones just the copied(dubbed) ones. I wonder if they get melted down or recycled? Recycle This Free Cycle I've also g...

I've had this feeling in the last year that my life is going full circle. I'm filling all the gaps from the past. I guess Facebook makes this very possible. But I has made me think I may only have another 16 years left if I keep filling all the past gaps in. How do I explain this simply? I had a job trial and I chopped parsley and peeled potatoes: which i last did on that scale in 1989 at the Linton Springs I hooked up with an girl I knew in Newcastle and haven't seen since 1995 who is in Canada now: Victoia Jolley . I went to Harrogate today looking for work and found the place very autumnal and most of the town had a power outage, but got a Job trial at the Old Swan ; I was very very drunk here in 1995 (I woke up in a room in the hotel without a clue where I was and remember the old radiators in the room were so so baking). I got so drunk with Richard Smith from ROCOM that night! Was a good laugh really. ROCOM had some fun times, apart from David Swinnerton being a TWAT...

I think media relies on new products to flog any old rubbish the latest fads are HD, 3D and bluray. Wow it's 3d. What next hologram projectors? Sometimes it's all about who you like and who you don't. How trivial to have these empty thoughts in your teens, through your twenties just to see it become nonexistent hatred from then or even more xenophobic turned against entire groups. Or who has stayed at the better holiday cottage. Girls stop this bollocks. I've been going to Leeds on the bus since it was a 799 or 798 at Deighton Bar in around 1984. My first bus journey out without mum I think was with John Naylor to the brand new Ridings in Wakefield. I bought a picture disc of the Reflex by Duran Duran ;12 inch.Pin It had a version of Make Me Smile (come up and see me some time) on the B-side. Jody. Bella Italia, possibly. Oracle, possibly. Print of your CV! Info@pinheads.co.uk attention Jon Tite. 1pm at Pin and Addlestones makes me feel warm and lo...

I picked up some Polenta ( Farina di mais cotta ) while in Leeds from Harvey Nichols: they also sell Nero Venere black rice, but its far too expensive at 5.95 for 500g, and both Sumac and Wild Rue from a market stall in Leeds that specialises in Middle eastern and Indian spices. I got back to home and ground up luxury dried fruit, caraway, juniper berries, walnuts, linseeds, nutmeg, sumac and rue and added the same quantity of cornmeal (polenta) with a little icing sugar. I boiled the kettle and made a brew of Jasmine scented green tea and made a dough which I then baked in a 180C oven for 20 minutes. I think that they could be baked like a wafer and presented with or in a cheese cake?

Today for total satisfaction I made both Pitta bread and Yorkshire pudding. In a preheated oven (220'C) I baked 4 pittas - strong flour, warm water and salt - until the steam inflated the core of the breads and produced the pockets that all really good pitta should have. Once they were out of the oven I then did some Yorkshire pudding. The best method for a successful YP is equal quantities of eggs, flour and milk (in this case 3 eggs ratio) and a very hot oven and a preheated tray with a high burning temperature oil in each section. These can be made well in advance and simply reheated again under a grill (watch they don't burn) I have also started to bake off the Pork joint. I scored the skin and rubbed salt into it, then I chopped some smallish onions into quarters and sat the joint on the onions. I put the seasoned meat (seasoned with sage, salt, pepper and a small amount of Jerk) into a preheated oven (120'C) for an hour to slowly cook the joint. I think the Pi...

So this morning I've checked the liquor I left at 10pm last night to see whether the fermentation had begun. It is nicely producing CO2 and I can clearly smell the pears in the brew. I simply don't want to throw away all of the vacuum packed hops that my Mum inadvertently left out after she chucked the faulty fridge. I've soaked the packet, simmered gently and then syphoned off the liquor to reduce in a pressure cooker. Maybe this is a pointless task, but I'd like to see. I'm easily confused these days - I realise the hops are Northdown with an alpha acid of 8.5% and thet're currently being reduced under pressure. I have tasted the reduction and its so so bitter! But hey that's concentrate! I want to increase the volume to put in to the demijohns so I'm going to get hold of some sweet apples from somewhere or get a nice organic apple juice from  Carey Organic , but this might increase the cost too much. I need to be on the look out for more windfal...

I've had enough malts left over to do a 5 gallon batch of ale since the last brew I made in the Spring and its was probably just at the end of its shelf life so it seemed a perfect day to get it used. Mum had returned from a dog walk with 3 or 4 russet like pears which having tried were very sweet if very small. So small they reminded me of the apple varieties used by the cider makers down at Broome Farm near Ross-on Wye in Herfordshire. I should ask if they're a variety used to make perry? Today we took a couple of carrier bags to collect the pears down on Scorebank. On the way down the Old Railway we came across some small cox like apples and purloined a few kilos of them. We continues on to the pear tree and eventually returned with about 5 kilos of fruit. I washed the fruit very quickly in cold water and used the Kenwood juicer I've got to extract the juice from both fruit. I've made a video: I hope this is a more fun and personal video than the very silent ...

On the coach from Birmingham( National Express) to Sheffield the girl behind me is empty. All she cares about it a status upset. How she's afraid of falling out with some one who hasn't read the update who must be shit for brains. Talking talking. 2 hours nearly. I could take her phone and smash it into a million little pieces and her too. On the way to Leeds briefly, to see Ben at Piazza by Anthony in the Corn Exchange. And then back. My ear has vanished. Or so it seems. Not a happy circumstance really, but must plod on. Only 2 Commis chef roles: nothing for me there then. Shame. Keep trying. My grand-dad James Sherburn sent my father 5 woodbines for his 21st. When they arrived: he was in Korea(1954), they all fell to pieces as it took so long to arrive (the war was over). I find now that the fob and chain I'd always been led to believe was my great-grandad's was actually stolen by my father from an previous employer when he thought he wouldn't miss...

After a fantastic trip to Italy, Slovenia and Croatia, with its accompanying ups and downs, I returned to Wetherby to search for another catering related role. I insinuated myself to Jason and Kate's on Saturday night one week and one day after stepping from the plane at Birmingham International Airport. It always feels nice to be the oulde towne  after long self imposed exile - 5 months. I went out on Friday in the decreasingly unimportant pub-life of Wetherby (The town lost its monthly cattle market long ago and Thursday Market hasn't any greengrocers, but numerous clothing vendors); the night left me still in high spirits. On Saturday night I saw both  Richard and Jason, and went back to Jason and Katherine 's to watch the Rugby, drink wine (a  Cono Sur Pinot Noir  and a  Wolf Blass Yellow Label Shiraz ) and consume cheese (boring Morrison's Gruyere and lovely creamy Saint Agur ) It doesn't surprise me at all that I had another dreadful han...

I have a very small chin; I had no idea it was always under many Chinese chins! Met Manoj and he seems young and vibrant; he is waiting for the chef to come on shift before he leaves the guy in there alone: I can work unsupervised, definitely. He has a subtle Irish accent, but I guess he is Indian. Good first impression. 10 minutes and counting. Numbers plus high level of consistencies with food.

Strange day. Not really got into it even though I was up for 7:30am. Got to Cafe Rouge just on time. Vijay made me wait 15 minutes. He confessed that recently they've been quiet. So won't have enough hours regularly for me. Kept emphasising 20 hours. Not helpful and it sounds like they microwave everything and I really had trouble understanding his accent. Called Franco and will trial on Saturday from 9:30am. Sold my great-grandad's chain for £220. Enough to repay Paul. Called Berkeley Scott to get interview rescheduled for Tuesday. Will be better by then? Popped into Piazza @ Corn Exchange will see chef, Ben, tomorrow lunch. Come along to see Manoj earlier as don't know how long ibuprofen and coffee will keep this at bay? Waiting in the Lobby. Daniel Sherburn

Out for a dog walk on the Old Railway after a lot of rain. It's quite pleasant for 6th October. Snoops knows the drill. Bears shit in the woods and so does he. Lively puppy jumps up. Oh no you shouldn't do that. Nice and calm day no wind and very few people. Parkforce are at the triangle doing what except discussing dogs. And now we are over the top with him crazy stick and mud time. Daniel Sherburn

Mr Grimsdale.

I've been motivated since my arrival back in Wetherby, but I feel pretty crap physically today. I think it is amazing the amount of adrendelin I must've used in the past week since I frantically camped in Opatija and got back to the Wetherby from Trieste on Sunday afternoon/evening. I need to catch up with folks and properly float back into Wetherby. I am happy to be here actually. Makes a change to feel I can work locally and chill out without that thing I try to find in the places I've worked recently. I've been active on the job front and have already got an interview on Friday. I saw Franco at Sant' Angelo yesterday, but I had a deaf ear and I look a little ragged with my wispy thinning hair. I explained I'd had a tough time getting back home so excuse my appearence. I think it went well and I hope I can work there into the New Year and beyond; the amount that can be learnt from Italian chef must be huge. I've actually made only Italian style food si...

I am a long standing fan of both Atlas Sound and Deerhunter so its good to see a new offering from him/them. On first listen it is very very good. Its rated highly on RYM and I'd accept that this is my favourite album other than Joanna Newsom's Have One On Me for 2010.

My Music on RYM I am a huge fan of RYM and the concept behind it.

Sardines, anchovies and calamari I recorded this video the day after the wine festival in Rovinj They provided free Sardines to go with the wine all night(until they and the wine had run dry) I really liked both the Teran variety(red) and the Malvasia Istriana(white) from the festival. One of my only souvenirs from my Holiday is the glass holder I was given form the celebration.

Well I am back...what a multiple journey. Not again for a while. It has really taken the wind out of my sails(I got into a warm bed at 00:23 and slept so snoringly soundly). Went for a short walk with Mister Dogg and played a while. He's so easy to reaquaint with. I've seen him once since May. Job interview tonight at Sant' Angelo hopefully I can say and do enough to fill a gap in their schedule up to and over the New Year. Fingers crossed. Need to cut my barnet fair tonight and have an early one. By tomorrow I won't be so knackered. Try boiling some sliced potatoes leaving to dry when they are just at the crumbly or breaking stage. add parsley, white wine vinegar, garlic. simple to accompany Sardines deep fried for a few minutes(salt pepper and a little flour). gobble and enjoy with a chilled Malvasia Like the very enjoyable Istrian variety produced by Vina Ritoša

The three of us left the hostel after shameful breadroll breakfast which only I ate. There were two jams: cherry or strawberry, but both looked and tasted of slightly fruity overly sugary dull redness. Coffee good which all three drank copiously. I was taken over by the coffee. Chattering too much and needed to cool off 'so see you outside'. Swiss guy. Starring over the room to me at 7am. Came in last late and went to bed in middle aged thermal vest and longish shorts. Zurich scary guy. Axe murderer or sexual pervert Herr Lipp in leather shorts and vest. Spat food in my general direction at breakfast: we both saw that didn't we. The tongue reached out and reclaimed it like the toad he was. Had the ear of two Australians who were visibly scared...terrified in fact. How can certain nations produce such stereotypes? I didn't try conversation there. He was too interested in my attire. Fritz in the making. Circumstance has made me a hermit for a month. Even now when I me...

7:07 and it's already too dark to read by natural light; shame the last chapter was interesting. I have managed to pack already for the off on the morrow: Saturday and decided what clothes to wear too. I have not touched the final allowance for the trip. Finished off the bread and cream cheese and some olive oil for my evening meal. Found a couple or three figs that were ripe for a delicious and very free dessert. Shame I didn't have any panacotta to go with it. Put some of the Rosemary that grows so well in Istra in the olive oil to add an extra dimension. I have learnt that there are two excellent pršut in Croatia. One from the area around the Dalmatian coast( dalmatinski pršut) and another from Istra( istarski pršut) , but I've only tried that one from around Rovinj. They are very proud of their natural produce in Croatia and it is quite rare to see foreign or out of season produce anywhere. I've noticed that finding figs is now quite difficult and that may b...

Trip to Rijeka on my last day in Croatia return trip 30kuna. Fantastic: a city. Free wifi in the main shopping area. Went to main cheese, meat and fish market and perused food sold therein. Ate at a local bar selling fish direct from the next door market: Konoba Fiume. Pišmolji Whiting. Inčuni Blue anchovies Blitva swiss chard. 35kuna. Yippee. Saw so many fishes in the Mrtvi Kanal on the way through to Titov Trg. Huge too. Walked up 450 steps; far too many and monotonous at the same time, up to Trsat which has Celtic roots. I was swearing and sweating at the conclusion. Met two obviously unCroatian girls from Nyborg in good old Denmark: body language, going to Split via same route I took to come here. Looked at the view and then descended for a n°32. Black cat slinking through a locked iron gate and old man to walk up 450 steps with shopping who can see the funny side of the task in hand! I claimed to gave seen the most attractive girl on all my travels in Croatia. W...

Month of September. Left Padstow lunchtime 1st for Glastonbury, via horrible bus station Taunton and nice but quaint Wells. Saw cathedral and springs and climbed the Tor. Ate very bad pizza in Glastonbury but met interesting Italian girl called Adrianne in the best herb and alternative medicine centre. Friday left Glastonbury for Ross cider festival. Bought lots of camping bits which have come in so useful. Had a great time with hem hem Shelley. Hitched from the cider festival to Ross for a long journey to Cambridge Sunday afternoon. Met Sallyann while in Ross in her Cafe, but I really have forgotten it's name. Getting on towards 50 but heavenly. Sent her a card from everywhere I've visited so far as she asked. Promised me a job for when I get back? We'll see? Arrived in Cambridge in the evening of the 5th. Nice few days. Hung out with Katy until she left for Ayr and the our Susannah. Found one or two great places to hang out when in Cambridge again, including the fitzwi...

Left the tent after a better nights sleep curtesy of a pillow extension, ie a pile of clothing rolled into a roughly pillowed shape. Had a night of candles, tea tree, camphor and large moth. But no problem. Had banana and bread breakfast. Worked my way to the plaža at Ičići and had only one cup of kava. On the chapter 'hollow men' and realise Fowles use of allusions to other texts and places. It's like gaps in knowledge sometimes. If you haven't seen that painting you don't really get the text. Is this what intertextuality meant all them years ago. If you needed to refer externally to understand the internal. Never sure what that post-modern concept meant. Stumbled slightly on page 275. Walked along Lungo to Slatina and found a good place to dip in the brine and sunbathe for a while - undisturbed. I thought the water was frigid with all the rain water that's been added to the sea since Monday. After a while I adjusted and felt the last few days troubles melt...

I wrote a good poem about loneliness yesterday, but it vanished and I was too lonely to write it again, obviously. I remember I thought it funny I was listening to 'all this and world war ii' in a campsite surrounded by retiree Germans from Bavaria. Mein Kampf anybody... Did the third reich put them in hotel dressing tables or bed side tables instead of the ubquious gideons bible I always found on my travels? The candle I was given yesterday splutters. It chokes. But it's peaceful. I really hate passionately the fifty million German pensioners thrown up around Slatina. I don't know what they think of while patrolling the perimeter of Europe. Here come mein Floffy pigeon or zwei. They come hoping for a crust. I thought at first that they had some radar but they don't. They have seen humans drop their food so the come to see a human hoping they're all dropping food. They wonder over quite rigid in their manner. The bob of their heads is comical and just ab...