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
