Building a meditation garden


On Sunday the community was licking stamps and stuffing envelopes, sending out the New Year card and Hilltop to the network of friends and supporters across the country and continent. The Christmas Eve Children's Event was well attended, with several clans gathering from all over Northumbria, culminating in Tan Hiriko's candlelit circumambulation. On Boxing Day and Thursday guests began to gather, everyone a different nationality: Thai, Malaysian, Italian, Dutch and even someone from Tottenham, proclaiming that the Northumbrian weather is very "potatoes". (As in "potatoes in mold"which means "cold" in Cockney ryhming slang.)
Those living up here will know that, in fact, the weather has taken a very mild turn. So much so that the ice on Bolam lake has now melted, and the frost covering Harnham hill disappeared.

Helpful Herman from Holland

On Friday our hardy Scottish treasurer, Clive drove south over the freezing border to spend the day working on the monastery accounts with Penny, the Trust's secretary. It was the quarterly reckoning. Saturday saw Ajahn Abhinando winging his way back from Italy, and on Monday Anagarika Trevor migrated North for our winter retreat. He joins us having originally taken the eight precepts with Ajahn Sucitto at Chithurst monastery in October 2006.

Although we don't have a resident caretaker, our good friend Herman from Holland has been diligently tidying up various untidy corners of the monastery, for which we are very grateful.
On Wednesday Ruth Thompson dropped in to do some gardening and to organise the annual Xmas Eve children's events. Children and helpers of all ages are welcome to the gathering,which will begin after the meal and continue through until a small circumambulation, mid afternoon.

Ajahn Chandapalo visiting

Ajahns Sucitto and Munindo

Ajahn Suriyo at Bolam Lake

Moving on

Ajahn Go leaning on his newly completed meditation garden wall.

Our Kitchen Manager developed strong feelings of fondness for Italy (as you might have noticed) to the extent that he plans to move there. Meanwhile he has already moved on from the monastery. His service to the monastery is greatly appreciated and we wish him every happiness for whatever lies ahead. Buona fortuna .

As he would say, the kitchen needs continue and this is what would be very much welcomed at Kathina.

• long-life semi-skimmed milk
• long-life whole milk
• dried skimmed milk powder
• soya-milk
• sea-salt
• honey
• eggs

And non-food items

• high-value stamps (£1 and above)
• ear plugs
• long shrine matches
• ecover cleaning materials
• toilet rolls
• 100 gsm A4 white paper
• man-sized tissues
• jay cloths
  

Friary Flapjacks

Whilst England dominated the sport scene last weekend, Sri Lanka held sway in the monastery. Venerable Bhante Dhammavihara, who was with us Friday through Monday, drew a significant crowd of his fellow countrymen and women here for the meal offering on the Saturday. In the kitchen, that meant less cooking for Anagarika David, Seb and I, and clear proof of why the French are surpassed at Potato Dauphinoise, as well as rugby.

...On the other hand they probably make better crepes than anyone else. Certainly better than the Teflon-coated ones I trialled on Tuesday. Luckily, Wednesday came, and saw us back in safe hands with our regulars Sompong and Hall. They unfailingly bring the sunshine with them. Very welcome too – since many in the community these last days have been struggling to fend off the lurgy. That means we're down on Vitamin C powder and paracetamol, and whilst the honey stocks are too large to be noticeably dinted and on Saturday we received a trailer-load of medicinal firewood, we're nevertheless running short on lemons. That's a rare thing. Enough to give the kitchen manager the jitters. And so, yesterday, mid-afternoon, it was nice to receive a box of comforting Franciscan flapjacks, from a fellow friar on a flying foray to the forest sangha. Here's hoping that David serves one or two today as he prepares the midday meal. If not and you'll soon be making a Harnham foray of your own, perhaps you could help settle my nerves with the following offering. They would be gratefully recieved by all:

• lemons

Whilst at the stores Ajahn Go might appreciate:

• high value stamps: £1 and above

• brasso
• man-size tissues
• large non-stick frying pan for non-stick pancakes
  

Kartoffelpuffers

If the blogmaster's not yet firing on all cylinders, he soon will be with the arrival of that motorbike. Meanwhile, other aspects of the repatriation process take precedence: kitchen duties extending beyond sidewalk latte, cultivating the upper body strength necessary for preparing polenta, not just eating it; wondering what to do with the sunglasses. Actually, that last point isn't true. It's also been glorious here these last days. Something I attribute to the recent influx of Scottish raiders who tell me they've been having an Indian summer north of the border. Amongst them, Martin and Jane, our Perthshire stonemason and ?stonemasonette who've been setting beautifully grained capping stones on the walls outside the guesthouse.

Less refined and lower down, but with the speed and clean lines of an Italian motor, Ajahn Go has been building breeze block boundaries. While even less refined and lower down still, our new caretaker Kosta (also likes coffee), has been making tracings so we can get the right size of toilet seats in the guest house.

Which brings us to Sebastian; the latest German arrival and anagarika-in-the-making, who today is in the kitchen. With Ajahn Munindo heading off to the Leeds group, he's got free rein to skip the rice if he wishes. Maybe –like Ajahn Abhinando’s mother Renate who was here recently- he'll make some kartoffelpuffers instead. Something for which we have all the necessary ingredients. Therefore, the following alternative items would be gratefully recieved:

• tomatoes
• sunflower oil
• bouillon powder
• sea salt

Whilst in the stores our Italian motor would appreciate the following:

• wood for wood-burning stoves
• high value stamps (£1 and above)
• earplugs (for sleep not work)
• wood/bark chippings

Thanks also but we've plenty of olive oil and onions, juice and toothbrushes, towels and coffee, spices and biscuits, cake and honey.

The 8th Harnham Abbot

This week the kitchen news begins with Sunday’s annual Sangha picnic at Micky and Trudys place near Bellingham. An enjoyable day and dry too. Though not warm: Except by the Aga, which exerted a magnetic pull on most. But not on little Leo Dower, who instead was drawn to the sacred belongings of Ajahn Munindo – thereby confirming himself as the 8th incarnation of the Harnham Abbot, before returning to his books.

On Monday and Tuesday there were two new kitchen acquisitions: Another silver bin (though admittedly this time for the retreat house), and a red motorbike for the kitchen manager to quickly access last minute baking ingredients from the local store (money for the bike and ingredients coming out of his own pocket).

Wednesday, Anagarika David and I handed that chefs toque to Chris, and instead competed for the chauffeurs cap/tour guides parasol, to introduce Tan Nyanamoli’s relatives to the other kinds of Sage, Basil (Hume) and Tyne to be found peppered amongst the attractions of the North East.

Which brings us to Thursday and Friday, when many long-forgotten esoteric marvels were brought to light during the attic sort-out; included amongst them one antique garlic press the size of an orange squeezer and a few rather excellent cookery books: Together with the following helpful ingredients they should see the grateful cooks well on their way:

• vegetables
• fruit
• long-life semi-skimmed milk
• dried skimmed milk powder
• tahini
• cheese
• butter
• soya-milk

Whilst the storesmaster would be glad of the following:

• wood for wood-burning stoves
• high value stamps: £1 and above
• earplugs (for sleep not work)

Thanks also but we've plenty of olive oil and juice, onions and toothbrushes, biscuits and towels, tea bags and pasta, cakes and spices.

The Art of Dying

After their two birthdays back-to-back last week, Tan Nyanamoli and Anagarika David were this week schooled by Ajahn Munindo in the art of dying; though I don’t think it was the Ajahn who taught them to clean the kitchen floor with hot, tub-shaped imprints: An effective technique, which I’m sure Maureen will appreciate, when she arrives this morning to offer the meal before collecting Mame at the airport. Mame indeed, is not the only one who’s been moving about. In fact there have been quite a few comings and goings lately. Yesterday, Ajahn Abhinando headed north to visit the Glasgow and Edinburgh groups, whist at the monastery we received an email from Jay to say he’s safely back in Minnesota where the weather is somewhat warmer. For Tan Nyanamoli’s mother and brother however, that won’t be the case, when they arrive tonight from a Serbian Summer hot enough to fry eggs in the street: So, would anyone out there like to help warm them up, with some north-eastern hospitality and by showing them about the area? Or, if you prefer plants to people, perhaps you’d be willing to lend a hand looking after the ones here, which no longer have Jays’ careful attention? Failing that, and in response to your own requests, the following things would also be helpful and gratefully received:

• fruit
• vegetables
• long-life semi-skimmed milk
• dried skimmed-milk powder
• tahini

• wood for wood-burning stoves
• high value stamps: £1 and above
• earplugs (for sleep not work)

Thanks too but we've plenty of olive oil and onions, toothbrushes and towels, instant coffee and tea bags, pasta and juice, cakes and biscuits and spices.

Eleventh Plague of Harnham

…And the Lord spake unto the Milanese, Go to Harnham, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord, Let Cesare go, that he may serve his patients. But Harnham hearkened not unto them; as the Lord had said.

…And so the Lord said unto the Milanese, stretch out thy rod and smite the compost bin of the land, that it may become flies throughout all of Harnham; and the flies came up and covered the land of Harnham.

…And at Harnham they could harden their hearts no longer; and they cried unto the Lord, because of the flies which he had brought against them; and they gathered together the compost and the land stank.

…And Harnham called for Cesare in haste; and said, “we have sinned against the Milanese and against you; Go, ye, and serve your patients.” And he went; and a strong wind took away the compost bin and cast it in the Municipal Sea; and for three days there was a thick darkness.

...And when the darkness passed, the Lord said unto the cook, Where is Cesare thy brother? And he said, I know not, Am I my brothers keeper? But he hung his head in shame, for his burnt offerings could not compare with all the glories his brother had brought amongst them.

…Then the people of the land cried out, asking how they also could bring such glories in that land of plenty, and he spake unto them in low and grateful tones of the fruits of the land:

• milk and honey
• tahini
• fruit
• wood for wood-burning stoves

...and of the hand:

• normal 2nd class stamps
• high value stamps: £1 and above
• earplugs (for sleep not work)

...and of their lack of want for olive oil and toothbrushes, towels and coffee, tea bags and pasta, lentils and biscuits, spices and cakes.

Sit on your Cushion

Last Friday I left the chefs toque on the peg and took the chauffeurs cap instead: It was Nick and Penny’s house-blessing at their sunny and spacious new place, away through the lanes in Longhorsley. This Tuesday coming, with another house-blessing in Redcar, I might need it again. But meanwhile, sandwiched in-between, the community is on silent retreat: No guests; an empty week; the demands of the kitchen light and shared. It sounds blissful. It can be blissful. But the art of ‘doing nothing’ is not easily mastered. And so, this week, as well as indulging some of my usual distractions, I found myself chewing over Ajahn Munindo’s Hilltop request for a Buddhist equivalent to ‘Trust in God and keep your gunpowder dry.’ He suggested it might begin ‘Sit on your cushion and………’ So, to get the ball rolling here’s a few possibilities that sprang to mind:

‘Sit on your cushion and update your Firewall’
or
‘Sit on your cushion and weigh your lawyer wisely’
or
‘Sit on your cushion and trust in the Bupa.’

That last one kept me going for quite a while, until I bored of resting on my own self-amused, self-congratulatory laurels, and decided we needed a quote themed for the kitchen. The best I could do was ‘Sit on your cushion and keep your larder stocked.’ Not very good, but perhaps you could help us with it nonetheless, the following items being gratefully received:

• red lentils
• honey
• cheese
  
• onions
• fruit
• tahini
• long-life semi-skimmed milk
• decaff tea

The storesmaster, rising from his cushion tomorrow, would also appreciate:

• wood for wood-burning stoves
• normal 2nd class stamps
• high value stamps: £1 and above
• ecover cleaning materials
• earplugs (for when our guests return)

And thanks too but we've plenty of olive oil, cakes and biscuits, toothbrushes and towels, instant coffee, pasta and spices.

Energy in Spades

With the A-level results out yesterday, our young neighbours threw a hilltop party and at 5 this morning they were still going strong as the rest of us creaked into action. For better or worse none of us got an invite and Anagarika Chris curbed his gatecrashing impulses, but by breakfast this morning it was becoming apparent what an interesting effect it had had on the dream-lives of some community members – plenty of life left in the dancing shoes of those hearts.

…In the case of our resident green-keeper however, you don’t have to look that deep for signs of life. He’s got energy in spades. Like the one he lent our Italian friend last week, as well as his new, narrow, slightly-angled planting tool you see in the photo. It proved an indispensable piece of kit this week; for whilst Cesare turned his light touch to the raw materials in the kitchen, Anagarika David and his minions at the sewage works, used it to plant 350 reeds for refining the final product.

Meantime, the rest of us were variously picking up threads of work, planning projects, looking after new guests and in my own case (along with the washing machine) reeling from the retreat. Downstairs, the larder also briefly felt the pinch, but by now has regained its usual state of plenitude - without compromising in expansiveness. Therefore, it could still gratefully accommodate the following items…

• onions
• fruit
• tahini
  
• juice
• decaff tea

As the stores could these ones:

• wood for wood-burning stoves
• normal 2nd class stamps
• high value stamps: £1 and above
• ecover cleaning materials
• ear plugs
• travel alarm clocks for retreat house

Thanks also but we've plenty of salad items, olive oil, instant coffee, honey, pasta, lentils, spices, cakes and biscuits.

Inglenook Maestros

The retreat that was impending last week is today nearing its close. Outside, we’re into our fifth day of sunshine, contrary to my pessimistic predictions; and also those of our Italian friend who dug a protective moat for his tent in the manicured lawn of the walled garden: When our resident greenkeeper finds out, ‘il signor’ could be the first casualty of the week.

That is, if you don’t count the spectacular demise of the best porcelain cups (which shattered yesterday’s silence and for which I offer further apologies to Meme and Drew); or the following list of minor battle wounds thus far accrued:

One sprained shoulder (yoga teacher)
One twisted ankle (yoga student?)
One bee sting to the nose
One case of constipation (set free with prunes)
One case of earache (unrelated to the comfort of the new Dhamma seat)
Numerous minor kitchen burns.

…This last item being the small price our retreat chefs have paid for their phenomenal performance; competently and harmoniously flowing around each other in our inglenook of a kitchen, to conjure dishes fit for forty kings and queens. Bravissimo!

How did they do it, you ask? With the following ingredients, which are now in short supply and would be gratefully recieved:

• fruit
• green vegetables
• eggs
• juice
• tahini
• herbal teas
• dark chocolate

Whilst down at the stores the following would also be appreciated:

• wood for wood-burning stoves
• normal 2nd class stamps
• higher value stamps (£1 and above)
• toilet, surface and cream cleaners
• toilet roll

Thanks too but we've plenty of olive oil, toothbrushes and towels, instant coffee, regular tea, honey, spices, cakes and biscuits.

The Rolling Stones

Rolling stones gather no moss. That’s how life in the monastery feels just now. Moving, moving, moving, we’ve reached our peak velocity for the annual round; the impending quiet stop of the retreat not yet here. The weather too seems in its usual state of flux, with the sunshine brought by our Italian friends (perhaps in a special suitcase, like the cheeses) also moving quickly on.

As I remember it, this current pace began last weekend. Friday and Saturday, folks racked their brains in trust and committee meetings. Sunday, we were inundated by the generosity of the Thai community who turned up to celebrate Asalha Puja and the beginning of the Vassa. Whilst down at the Retreat House, our friend Martin (stonemason, dyker, all-round-good-guy and poetic artisan of the solid stuff) put his finishing touches to a new wall, before co-ordinating the palaeolithic efforts seen in the photo. Whether we’ll be painting that stone with porridge I don’t know. But if so, Kath’s new trolley (no she’s not the dolly) now makes it easier to take the porridge to the stone, than the stone to the porridge.

Today the big news is Abramina’s departure. We miss her already. But she didn’t leave us empty-handed; instead, a sack of presents and a long list of retreat house recommendations. God bless her left(L) and right(R) woollen socks – she is irreplaceable. The literal gap she leaves will, however, be quickly filled as the rest of the 30 retreatants arrive today and tomorrow. I’m glad I’m not cooking. For those that are, the following might be helpful, even after yesterday’s mammoth shop:

• fresh juice
• tahini
• dark chocolate
• herbal teas
  

And in the stores:

• wood for wood-burning stoves
• kitchen sponges
• ordinary 2nd class stamps
• high value stamps (£1 and above)
  

Thanks also but we’ve got plenty of most other things.

Power Porridge

With the Aston Martin parked in the driveway this Monday, some folks wondered whether 007 had arrived to offer Dana. It was better than that: more old friends who know The World is Not Enough, hungry like us to Live and Let Die.

Sadly, that’s also what happened to the horse mushroom I found and picked this week. A real hidden beauty: Fresh, white, harmless and wide, left to languish in the fridge, bereft of a daring cook. This morning I had to toss it over the back wall.

Not so, the left-over porridge. Anagarika David, as well as being a dab hand with a pen, also has imaginative green fingers that are currently fiddling it into a strange organic concoction. This is to be pasted on some stone walls down at the retreat house, where legend has it that the mosses will be magically drawn – a strange and esoteric practice.

…Somewhat like the recent kitchen clean-up, which does at least have potential for becoming more mainstream. Just now though, I’m content that we’ve cleared and sparkled the decks ready for the three cooks of the summer retreat (not without daring, these ones), who arrive for its beginning a week on Saturday.

Before then the following items would be gratefully received:

• fruit
• eggs
• honey

And down at the stores:

• wood for wood-burning stoves
• kitchen sponges

Thanks too but we have plenty of olive oil, toothbrushes and towels, instant coffee, tea bags, pasta, lentils, spices and juice

News in Brief

‘Minister for Food’s absence leaves kitchen power vacuum’
Mr Holt’s Dutch visit exposed underlying tension in kitchen government this week, as various members competed for culinary dominance. Sauces close to the dispute were unwilling to disclose further information, but assure constituents that a resolution is likely to be reached before the opening of Vassa on the 29th.

‘New cabinet appointments in Harnham re-shuffle’
In a recent ceremony at Chithurst Buddhist monastery, Samanera Nyanamoli gained full Bhikkhu status, beginning a five year training contract with HBM. The timing, which coincides with the temporary departure of Tan Hiriko, is not thought to indicate a shift in policy.
In the department of Thai affairs, the short-term loss of Ajahn Sawaeng is being felt as a heavy blow. Ajahn Go, in a sideways move from Santacittarama, is considered a safe replacement for the ‘summer’. Whilst David Greybe, recently appointed anagarika and former correspondent for South Africa’s Business Day, is the latest coup for the Press Office.

‘Sri Lankan dignitaries pay state visit’
Last weekends’ joint visit of Bhantes’ Seelagawesi and Dhammiko, was hailed as an outstanding example of international co-operation. With most of the resident community in attendance at Chithurst, observers nevertheless reported the accommodation and sustenance of more than 30 individuals, with frequent outbreaks of good-will.

‘Anti-smoking legislation fans the flames’
In the absence of community leaders, protesters gathered in the Dhamma hall vestibule last Sunday to object to the defacing of religious sites by anti-smoking extremists. New legislation, which came into force on July 1^st now requires all places of worship to display no-smoking signs.

‘Coffee imports reach all-time high’
Recent Italian imports mean the expanding Harnham market is now flooded. Elsewhere, the larder100index has shown steady growth, with only the following products demonstrating a marginal down-turn:

• lemons and limes
• green vegetables
• honey

Together with the following utilities:

• bottle brush
• wood for wood-burning stoves

National reserves include: toothbrushes and towels, instant coffee and tea, cakes and biscuits, juice and spices, lentils and pasta

Artichoke Conversion

Somebody out there clearly understands the headache of weight conversions (or is it volume?), that comes with our array of international recipe books: Last Sunday they kindly gifted us a metric chart which includes the following entries helpful to our situation:

10 mentals = 1 centimental

10 rations = 1 decoration

2 wharves = 1 paradox

2000 mockingbirds = 2 kilomockingbirds

There are 21 further entries, which you shall be spared. But I will mention, that on the same day there arrived a single artichoke, followed the next day by an email with the following negative conversions:

1 artichoke ≠ a summer

1 artichoke ≠ the feeding of a monastery

1 aritchoke ≠ easy handling in the bowl

Therefore the artichoke now sits in the wee decorative niche outside the Dhamma Hall, where it has served, this week, as a talisman in the apocalyptic weather - guarding us from the thunderbolt that nearly hit the hill, and the flood waters that swept the lane.

…Looking at the forecast, things aren’t likely to improve over the next week. Therefore, it is with much regret that myself and Ajahn Abhinando leave in the next few days for Holland and Switzerland respectively, whilst Ajahn Munindo returns to take over the brolley, so to speak.

What does that mean practically?- Amongst other things, the short term loss of our able work monk; that next week instead of a blogger with no censor, we have a censor with no blogger; and that Jay takes charge of the kitchen, which, with the help of Maureen, Lisa and Chan, now has a renewed compost system and more bins than ever: They would gratefully receive the following kinds of peelings:

• potato
• onion
• vegetable
  

not for the bin, but also helpful would be:

• long-life whole/semi-skimmed milk
• dried milk powder
• cheese
• soya milk
• tamari/shoyu soya sauce
• de-caff coffee

whilst down at the stores the following would be useful:

• wood for wood-burning stoves
• bottle brush
• Large Letter stamps (2nd class)
• kettle
• mansize tissues

thanks also, but we've plenty of olive oil, kitchen utensils, toothbrushes, instant coffee, tea bags, towels, honey, pasta, lentils, spices, cakes and biscuits, juice

Fire and Water

…With the continuation of last Monday’s deluge, it’s been a good week for Lovers of the Great Indoors. Here at the monastery, cooking in the kitchen has been the plum job for the morning work period, whilst outside the less fortunate have been shovelling sand, cutting back the greenery and glazing the greenhouse to afford themselves some shelter. For a time, there was concern for the fish; too wet for the cat to be prowling, but would the golden beauties be floating free of the pond at feeding time? Each morning Ajahn Abhinando had to relinquish his bonfire plans, and for Saturday’s guided ‘Bolam Lake and Ratanagiri Walk’ he had more need of aqualung than megaphone.

All that changed yesterday with a windy dispersal of clouds that showed no sign of re-appearing this morning. Instead, it was a peaceful and sunny dawn, on the longest day of the year. Perfect for a bonfire. Less perfect for working in the kitchen - where the only news of note is yesterdays’ arrival of olive oil from Italy. At first I thought “ah-ha, a peace offering for Milan’s defeat of Liverpool.” Until I noticed that the box was marked with the chemical warning symbol “Corrosive”…… G&G, we look forward to seeing how it cooks. Anumodana!

Actually, there is one other piece of news. That Italian delivery reminds me that yesterday was Jay’s birthday, for which he baked his own biscotti (unparalleled in all of Europe) and extinguished too many candles in one breath. Too many, because it doesn’t leave us much for lighting the stove with - all our cooker ignition thingies being kaput, and therefore one item amongst many that would be gratefully received:

• green vegetables
• garlic
• cheese
• long-life whole/semi-skimmed milk
• milk powder
• mustard/mustard powder
• butter
  

and amongst the non-edibles:

• 'lighter gun'
• holster (just kidding)
• bottle brush
• wood for wood-burning stoves
• 40W/60W screw-in energy saving bulbs
• kettle(s)
• mansize tissues
• jay cloths

thanks too but we've now plenty of olive oil, kitchen utensils, toothbrushes, instant coffee and tea bags, towels, honey, pasta, lentils, spices, cakes and biscuits and juice.

Boule or Bouffant?

Now then, where were we? Ah yes, the silent week. With its close, Ajahn Munindo and Tan Hiriko both took off to different destinations, whilst in the community (with a touch of ironic humour) we opened the following week with a quiet day. Quiet, that is, with the exception of the morning noises now routinely coming from the front of the house, which suggest that cat food bills on the hill are currently down; the rabbit population under control; and the birds outside the Ajahn’s kuti getting a little respite. If I might say so, I think he would be glad about that. But perhaps not so happy to hear of the sweet-black-daft-one’s now frequent appearance behind the kitchen. Like everyone else, I think she’s got a whiff of the Camembert round coming from the outside fridge.

Talking of rounds, Jay is certainly lending a touch of refinement inside the kitchen with his freshly baked French boules – which to me, whilst having that “chewy crust, open crumb and moderately moist interior,” still look more like his bouffant than boules. I wonder if they will fail to rise when he shaves his head? Or burn on top? Something that’s a monastic occupational hazard in the kind of Australian sunshine we had earlier this week. But of which there’s been no danger since the deluge began on Monday night: Perfect weather though for our greenhouse-without-glass, which now stands half constructed behind the meditation hall. And for those fish whose vista we’ve been trying to improve with Hermann’s new pond pump. Hopefully it won’t back fire with that cat around. Which reminds me of a slightly surreal kitchen conversation that took place recently: “Did we like sole?” someone was asked, to which another replied that here soul was not only a fishy problem, but a thorny one as well. Best left off the dana list I reckon. Which this week includes the following items that would be gratefully received:

• long-life milk
• skimmed milk powder
• eggs
• cheese
  

and in the stores:

• small bread baskets
• wood for wood-burning stoves
• Large Letter stamps (1st or 2nd class)
• White spirit (any kind)
• 40W/60W screw-in energy saving bulbs
• mansize tissues
• jay cloths (for him to clean, not wear)
• nailbrushes
• kettle(s)
• kitchen sponges
• cooker lighter thingies
  

thanks also but we've plenty of honey, kitchen utensils, toothbrushes, instant coffee, tea bags, towels, pasta, lentils, cakes and biscuits, juice.

Sweet and Sour

Now that the week’s getting on it looks like Mr Brown got last weeks’ forecast wrong – we are somewhat short of fruit and veg. I can only guess that Sunday’s Wesak guests overdid it with the clean-up. Certainly on Monday morning the fridge was sparkling and spacious, with clean decks and a fresh breeze; which, post-festival, is unusual weather, but actually just how the kitchen manager likes it when he’s taking the helm. This time though, my cooking stint was short, and with the silent week in full swing, and the heat up on the sweet-and-sour, I’m very much appreciating Chris, Kath and Jay's superior captaincy. And that’s not the only thing; there's also the newly re-jigged dishes rota on which I seem to be faring rather well. Too well I fear - I sense a washing-up squall heading my way.

Outside however, no squalls but plenty of blanket cloud and rain, together with the odd surprise: like yesterday in the garden, coming-to at the end of the walking path, and there not twenty yards away, Mr Fox and his wind-flattened ears, perusing the sheep. Then today, waking up to a new blue sky and back at the same spot finding it silently still, with the barley below frozen quiet like a green Arctic dream - nice discoveries and good grist for the silent weeks’ contemplative mill.

…Ah, thank you, that’s a kind offer, but no we’ve got plenty of corn for it. On the other hand, as mentioned, yes, we really would appreciate some:

• fruit and vegetables
• soya milk
• tahini
• tinned tomatoes
• sesame oil

Whilst some useful non-food items would be:

• small bread baskets
• wood for wood-burning stoves
• Large Letter stamps (1st or 2nd class)
• small denomination stamps (eg.2p,5p,1p)
• larger denomination stamps (eg.£1)
• plastic rake
• Ecover toilet/multi-surface/cream cleaners
• rubber marigolds (hands not garden)
• white spirit (non-numinous variety please)
• 40W/60W screw-in energy-saving light bulbs

Thank you but as well as having plenty of corn we also have plenty of kitchen utensils and towels, toothbrushes and eggs, lentils and instant coffee, juice and onions, cakes and pasta, tea bags and spices.

Silvio's treacle

Wednesdays' final saw the loyalty of our Italian friends divided between Berlusconi’s ACMilan and the Harnham Kitchen. But for the manager of the latter it was a straightforward affair: Merseyside Misery: Assuaged only by the fact that the following day was Bob Dylan’s birthday. Which, being my own as well, Jay-in-the-kitchen helped celebrate. Hailing also from Minnesota, and therefore sympathetic to my suppressed musical tastes (if not my football ones), he set his culinary heart on the task and conjured a Hurricane that would've made Delia proud.

...Whilst out the back, with ‘Tom’s Roof’ now on the hut - sorry, now on Penny's new office - I was called upon to stick the felt down with thick black treacle. Nasty stuff, which does however seem to work better there than in the bread; though either way it’s tricky to get off your hands, so many thanks to the person who brought the steel pan scourers (and the hand-cream). They keep things delicate. As they are now on the front of hill, what with the lilac fading and the hawthorn in full blossom, and my word the wind on that barley is quite a sight. Hermann reckoned it would be an early harvest with all the sun and the recent rain, and with things growing quickly into their fullness I think he might be right.

…For some reason this situation is mirrored in the larder - there’s been steady growth since April. Mr Brown would approve. Were he to visit before his forthcoming candidacy and in time for Wesak on Sunday, he might only suggest that we'd benefit from:

• green vegetables
• soya milk
• tahini

And in the stores from:

• small bread baskets
• firewood
• Large Letter stamps (1st or 2nd class)
• small denomination stamps (eg.2p,5p,1p)
• larger denomination stamps (eg.£1)
• plastic rake
• Ecover toilet and multi-surface cleaners
• rubber gloves
• white spirit
  

But that otherwise there is no shortfall and we are fortunate to be amply supported and have plenty of the following reserves: kitchen utensils, toothbrushes, instant coffee, tea bags, towels, onions, pasta, lentils, spices, oranges, eggs, fruit juice, cakes and biscuits.

Chestnuts

Quote of the week in my WHSmith diary: “Gluttony is an emotional escape, a signal that something is eating us.” Whether this applies to the not-so-coy carp in the Ajahns’ pond I’m not sure, but for some of us it was certainly worth bearing in mind when the Leeds group were here – one might say they appoint themselves very well in the kitchen.

…Whilst at the retreat house they were squeezing their cars into any available space between breeze blocks and mounds of earth. With their departure however, and Mondays’ arrival of our tea-spurning builders things have changed; there’s now acres of space down there on nicely graded gravel. Please use it for parking your wheels when you come to Wesak on Sunday the 27th. And if it’s full, then carry on down the lane to the first field after the cattle grid – without trying that lazy old chestnut of sneaking back round to the front of the hill for a shorter walk.

Before that though two events of note: Next Wednesday, the Champions League final, where the Merseyside kitchen manager wishes all of the Ratanagiri-Milan-Branch a friendly defeat. And more importantly, this Sunday, the first meeting of our newly formed retreat house committee, where there will be tea but no special biscuits – which went as a gift to the two builders who finished today. As for the photo, well that’s the one other piece of news: The hut behind the kitchen is on its way back up. Although, alas, not to serve as additional kitchen storage - so please take a moment to look at those bottom items which we have in excess. Without perhaps overlooking those which we don’t:

• honey
• long-life milk
• tahini
• eggs
• soya milk
• baking powder

And of the non-food items:

• small bread baskets
• firewood
• Large Letter stamps (1st or 2nd class)
• small denomination stamps (eg.2p,5p,1p)
• larger denomination stamps (eg.£1)
• plastic rake
• pastry brush
• Ecover toilet and multi-surface cleaners
• toilet roll!
  

Finally, thank you, but we do have plenty of the following: kitchen utensils, toothbrushes, instant coffee, tea bags, towels, onions, pasta, lentils, spices.

April All-Stars

Not only hands and dishes, and hands-that-do-dishes, but this week a wider, more inclusive cleansing - April has arrived in May. The fields are being sprinkled and swept, windows opened to a cool and clear air, grasses brought to life as velvet green rivers. The walled garden is scented with lilac. Overhead, the sky is a continually changing landscape of its own.

Early today the waning half-moon stood full in the middle of a blue southern sky. It is a lunar observance day. Only, as with April and May we took things the other way round and devoted yesterday to quiet reflection instead. Something I was rudely reminded of, when I woke this morning to the repeated thud of our porridge master butchering palm sugar in the kitchen.

He’s down there again just now; one half of a North American All-Star team, that we trialled on Tuesday in Ajahn Munindo’s absence. They Super-Sized everything; an understandable mistake that I had not accounted for, fearing instead that they’d dial in pizza or take the monastery car to the drive-thru: All unwarranted prejudice on my part, for which I eat humble pie and give them free rein this time round.

After they’ve finished, and the meal is offered and eaten, Abramina (who has the freest kitchen rein of all), has to leave us. Whilst Jay, Minnesota-man from Minneapolis, has just arrived. Over breakfast he thought all his Christmases had come at once when he mistakenly heard me ask “Would you like to be an ex-cook?” He should be so lucky. Next week he’ll be joining the All-Stars. But before that, the Leeds group will be with us. Perhaps they’ll be logging-on first to find out some helpful food items. So here they are:

• honey
• long-life milk
• normal milk
• dried semi-skimmed milk powder
• cheese
• lemons
• mayonnaise

Whilst helpful non-food items include:

• small bread baskets
• fire wood
• Large Letter stamps (1st or 2nd class)
• small denomination stamps (eg.2p,5p,1p)
• larger denomination stamps (eg. £1)
• plastic rake
• pastry brush
• Ecover toilet and multi-surface cleaners
• small hoover
• toilet roll
  

Thanks also, but we've plenty of toothbrushes, instant coffee, tea bags, towels, onions, pasta, lentils and spices.

Pa-Bah

No chariots of fire this week. Only British Airways, which delivered Ajahn Abhinando back into our midst. He doesn’t waste any time either. Seven hours after touch-down and with a full-day Trust Meeting about to start I spotted him in the kitchen holding a paint tin to the light and reading off instructions for his workshop minions. That said, it’s not been all work that’s landed on his plate. On Tuesday we celebrated his birthday. Mame came along with Maureen bearing all sorts of gifts and to offer the meal, whilst the next day an ‘anonymous’ but belated brown box came through the post causing a little perplexity and the faintest of smiles on the face of the kitchen manager, who knows something more than he’s telling...

It was a moment of quiet amusement in what’s been a generally busy and active week. Not just with birthdays, Trust meetings and building committees, but also with the Pa-Bah offered by Noi and friends on Sunday; an alms giving festival enjoyed by about seventy people, that roughly coincided with the Thai new year and saw the ritual cleansing of hands in the temple and much cleansing of dishes in the kitchen. It was a warm-handed, warm-hearted celebration.

Today, Abramina is downstairs baking her legendary specolaas and putting together some signature dishes for the meal. Whilst outside I can hear the mini-dumper loading gravel into the soakaway, driven by the only builder I’ve ever known to refuse tea (on his colleagues’ behalf as well as his own). Behind them, in my minds eye are the sycamores, one shade of spring green amongst many now on the hill.

Spring greens?? Well yes, they are always appreciated. But just now the following would be the most helpful food items:

• honey
• tahini
• cheese
  
• long-life milk
• semi-skimmed milk powder

Helpful non-food items would be:

• small bread baskets
• fire wood
• Large Letter stamps (1st or 2nd class)
• small denomination stamps (eg.2p,5p,1p)
• larger denomination stamps (eg.£1)
• plastic rake

Thank you also, but we have plenty of toothbrushes, towels, instant coffee, tea bags, onions, pasta, lentils and spices.

Jerusalem

In the office here is a blank screen, a dried up empty pomegranate and a head with a dearth of inspiration. Outside, the ground is dried hard. Or at least it was. But with the newborns rain-dancing in the fields, water fell through the early dark of Wednesday, replenishing the fish and giving a last sparkle to the faded chandelier of cherry. Good for those lambs too, whose mothers can get on with eating, and give over chasing the sheepdog.

For a moment however, it put the success of Ajahn Sawaengs’ Sun-Chant to the Digging Gods in doubt (he’s been hoping for dry, as the sewage surgeons stand poised and ready to carve through the memorial garden). But by eleven of the same day, with the skin of the path carefully prepared, the sun shone and his efforts were vindicated – it’s been fine overhead ever since.

Two days earlier and down in the kitchen, we celebrated St George’s day in style and transferred the porridge making from Serbian hands to a citizen of the Queen’s Commonwealth. That was the best we could do, there being a paucity of Englishmen (and no Scot). At a similar time, Marion’s magic mop-holder was fixed to the back wall; a simple and pleasing device which one wants to use more than is necessary. Perfect for St George’s day too - having cleaned the windows onto England’s green and pleasant land, I stepped out the back door, seized my bow of burning gold and took to the larder. Fleetingly it became a chariot of fire...

Before I realised it might benefit from the following:

• fruit
• green veg
• honey
• long-life milk

Riding down to the stores, I learnt that the following non-food items would also be helpful:

• small bread baskets
• fire wood
• mopheads (for the bows of burning gold)
• stamps (eg. Large Letter, £1, 2p, 5p, 1p)
• superglue

Returning, I concluded that gratefully we have plenty of toothbrushes, instant coffee, towels, pasta, lentils, spices, onions.