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
