Friday 23 February 2007

Shut-down

Looked at backwards or forwards there’s no shortage of news this week. The winter retreat is at a close. Three of the four of us are on the verge of departure. ‘Theodolite Bill’ has settled his final levels, with work on the sewage system about to commence. And I’ve nearly squeezed the last of the juice from the oranges. Which, given the influx of visitors (perhaps sensing the imminent shut-down) has been about the only kitchen work left to me this week. Though of course I didn’t miss the opportunity to make pancakes on Tuesday and suggest tongue-in-cheek to the monks that, since it was the beginning of Lent, they really ought to give something up. At any rate, Ajahn Sawaeng, Ajahn Abhinando and I must give up Harnham for a while; the two Ajahns to join the last month of winter retreats at Santacittarama and Dhammapala respectively and myself for the hardship of a ‘work-related study-tour’ to contemplate the kitchens of northern Italy.

That will leave Radek solo on the hill, bathing out of a bucket and strolling to and from the portaloo: Which will also be the only facility available to you should you wish to visit the Dhamma hall, or out of compassion check on our anagarika’s well-being. As things stand though, he looks pretty well set up. There is plenty in the larder. And just the right amount of fresh stuff hanging in the baskets by the window. With also one or two offers in the pipeline should he find himself in-extremis. Come the 27th March he will be joined again by Ajahn Sawaeng for a few days, until he and I travel to Amaravati on the 4th April, returning with Ajahn Munindo and Samanera Nanamoli on the 8th. By that time, all being well, the sewage installation will be nearing completion and you’ll be ready for another dose of the blog. Meantime, if you do find yourself coming by and would like to bring something, then the following would be gratefully received for use at a later date:

  • firewood
  • stamps
  • danish oil

Ciao a tutti!

Friday 16 February 2007

Lovesick Retreatants

The good snow of last week was a transient joy. In its wake followed a full two days of Northumbrian foulness, giving way to sunlight on Sunday evening as myself and John (aforementioned strong arm of the law and the library) trotted across Shaftoe Crags. Back in the kitchen Radek opened the week with a three day culinary stint that was sandwiched at either end by visiting contributors: Amongst them my bio-ethical friend Callum who came by to scrub potatoes, argue about their dignity, and fill us in on the latest in animal-human hybrids. Whilst downstairs, this morning, Kath is working miracles turning the kitchen into a sauna whilst generously preparing the midday meal. The only other news to report is that no one received a Valentines card this week. Which in the case of one community member is definitely not surprising: “Isn’t that the day you’re supposed to be nice to your mother?”


Outside in the larder we are feeling a lot less deprived, although the following would be helpful in taking us toward the end of February and in sustaining Radek through his solitary month of March:

  • lettuce
  • tomatoes
  • onions
  • mushrooms
  • peppers

In the stores the following would be gratefully received:

  • stamps (any value)
  • firewood
  • danish oil
  • ecover washing powder

And thank you but we’ve plenty of fruit, salt, toothbrushes, instant coffee, towels, tins and rice.

Friday 9 February 2007

For Whom the Bell Tolls

Horror and beauty on the hill. First the horror; which reminds me of a story once told by Ajahn Munindo of a Chinese masters’ advice to his monks. He said that should one of them die on retreat, then the others should slot him under the bed to be dealt with later. Well…no monks have died but the bell has tolled, lending a gruesome twist to the tail of the mouse. As the kitchen manager I don’t feel good about it, but sometime back the ‘humane’ trap we’ve got was moved from the place we no longer needed it. And yes, you can guess the rest. Someone, probably me, should’ve been more careful and attentive.

I don’t know if it leaves the community undeserving in any way. Certainly no one threatened to throw me overboard like Jonah. And in the days since we’ve had some beautiful weather: Two mornings of snow – the good stuff – the sort to bring a smile to your face as you hear and feel it squeak underfoot. Even British Rail would approve. Though alas, maybe the wrong kind of sun - too brilliant, too perfectly judged to bring each crystal of ice to life. By contrast, to step outside this morning was to step into a black and white photograph, the grain of the landscape so unusually marked.

Meanwhile, Radek was stepping into the larder with intent. His discovery of the morning (as well as finding a radical –no pun intended- new use for ice cream) was to notice we are running short of onions, which in this case was something I’d also observed myself. Additionally, we both concur that there’s more than enough fruit to last until the end of the retreat when the monastery closes down for a month, and that the most helpful items at the moment would be salad ingredients or non-perishables. So for those who wish not to wade through the waffle, here it is again in list form:

  • onions
  • lettuce
  • tomatoes
  • peppers
  • mushrooms

Down at the stores the following would also be beneficial:

  • stamps (any value)
  • firewood
  • danish oil
  • ecover washing powder

Thanks also but we have plenty of fruit, tins, soya milk, biscuits, toothbrushes, cooking salt, instant coffee, towels and rice.

Friday 2 February 2007

The Bells, The Bells

One month on from the New Year and halfway through the retreat the moon is full again, pouring through the roof-lights at night and hanging large in the north-west by breakfast. As I write, the monastics are renewing their precepts, whilst outside in the garden, rabbits scratch for daffodil bulbs, following down the shoots already through. Jack Frost has headed north. All is mild and calm and the sky as clear as a bell. Clear, that is, as most bells; though not this mornings’ – which, intended as quiet enough not to rouse the neighbours, also failed to rouse the porridge master.

That may or may not be explained by my absence over the last weekend, which left Radek with the bulk of the kitchen duties. Not that they are ordinarily onerous and weighty, but by all accounts it was a busy Sunday. Maybe he got hit by a mammoth session, washing up at the Sink of Sighs. Not that I’m suggesting our guests are Shy of Sink (on the contrary), merely that monastery wash-ups can take some time – a small price, I should say, for upholding the sacred maxim “the cook doesn’t wash.”

…The dishes that is. Thank you, but along with the other members of the community he has plenty of soap. Though we do seem to be running out of washing powder for our clothes, which can take pride of place at the top of this weeks dana list:

  • ecover washing powder
  • stamps (any value)
  • firewood
  • danish oil

Up in the kitchen our needs remain few: Still we have plenty of fruit and a fair amount of vegetables. Also, more than four pulses between us. Nor are we lacking salt, instant coffee, rice, towels and toothbrushes. Though now that the slush has gone the following would be useful:

  • potatoes and gravy granules