All posts by Armin Grewe

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Pictures, Thoughts

Birds and more from my windows

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During the first several weeks of the Coronavirus lockdown I wasn’t able to go out with my camera. As I live in a flat and therefore don’t have a garden I couldn’t even go out into the garden and take pictures there. Still, I did have my windows (including the door of my “fake balcony”) and I managed to take a few pictures from there. Here are some of the better ones:

  • Fluffy Blue Tit
    Fluffy Blue Tit
  • Great Tit above some fresh leaves
    Great Tit above some fresh leaves
  • Sparrow balancing on a vertical branch
    Sparrow balancing on a vertical branch
  • Sparrow among fresh shoots on a tree
    Sparrow among fresh shoots on a tree
  • Heron in (and behind) distant trees
    Heron in (and behind) distant trees
  • Insect on some tree buds (1)
    Insect on some tree buds (1)
  • Insect on some tree buds (2)
    Insect on some tree buds (2)
  • Beautiful Moon in the afternoon light
    Beautiful Moon in the afternoon light
Birds and more from my windows, click on the picture for the large version in a gallery

Nothing spectacular, Blue Tits, Great Tits and Sparrows are what I mainly see from my window. But also a distant Heron at the top of some trees around a nearby pond. Also some insects collecting pollen. And a beautiful clear Moon in the afternoon light.

Thoughts, Video

My New Year’s Eve 2019 Playlist

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So that’s another year and a decade coming to an end. Having a relaxing evening at home, probably aiming for a reasonably early night so that I can be ready for the New Year’s Day concert from Vienna tomorrow (same as this year). Currently baking an improvised garlic and onion bread, which I’ll enjoy with a beef steak with black garlic butter soon. And while that’s going on I’m listening to one of my favourite playlists I’ve built up this year. Some is from bands/artists I discovered this year, some is from bands/artists I’ve known for a while. Some I’ve mentioned on this blog before, some will be new. They all have something in common though, I’ll let you figure out what that might be. Thought I’d share that playlist, where I’ve found a YouTube video I’ve linked it so you can listen if you’re interested:

Sorry, no YouTube playlist (I exported the list from my Google Play Music playlists and looked up the videos, picking live alternatives in some cases where studio versions were not available). You’ll have to pick the individual songs you’re interested in. Hope you find something you’ll like.

Pictures, Thoughts

Steam Train passing Aldermaston Station

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After the (luckily short) heat wave this week it was pleasantly cool this Saturday morning, also a bit damp as it had rained most of the night and still hadn’t fully stopped by the time I decided to leave for the train station. For it was time to watch and photograph another steam train passing Aldermaston Station.

  • Picture of a steam train approaching behind a bridge
    (1) Steam train approaching from Reading
  • Picture of a steam train passing under a road bridge
    (2) Steam train under the A340 road bridge
  • Picture of a steam train passing under a road bridge
    (3) Steam train clearing the A340 road bridge
  • Picture of a steam train passing a rural train station
    (4) Steam train passing through Aldermaston station
  • Picture of a steam train passing close up
    (5) Steam train close up
  • Picture of a steam train from behind, steaming away into the distance
    (6) Steam train has passed on its way to Newbury

Since the electrification of the line watching steam trains passing through isn’t the same any more, but then again some progress is necessary and I certainly prefer the electric trains over the old stinking and noisy Diesels we had before.

I haven’t bothered looking up the details of the steam engine pulling the train today, I hope you’ll still enjoy the pictures without that information. If you do know more about the locomotive feel free to leave the information in the comments.

Pictures, Snippets, Thoughts

Blueberry & Dark Chocolate Chip Muffins

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As promised yesterday, today I made the third batch/version of muffins. After the Cherries & Dark Chocolate Chip Muffins and the Dark Chocolate & Almond Muffins it was time for Blueberries and Dark Chocolate Chips today.

Picture of Blueberry & Dark Chocolate Chip Muffins (before baking)
Blueberry & Dark Chocolate Chip Muffins (before)

The ingredients were essentially the same as for the Cherries & Dark Chocolate ones, replacing the cherries with blueberries:

  • 250g self-raising flour
  • 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
  • 150g fresh blueberries, washed
  • 200g dark (70%) chocolate chips
  • 100g golden caster sugar
  • 2 eggs, beaten
  • 150ml pot natural yoghurt
  • 100g butter, melted

Making them was also very similar:

  • Preheat oven to fan assisted 180°C, (200°C, gas 6)
  • paper cases in 12 hole muffin tin
  • sift flour and bicarbonate of soda into large bowl, stir in chocolate and sugar
  • beat eggs, add yoghurt, then molten butter. Add this mixture to the flour etc
  • add in the washed blueberries
  • stir to combine, but do not “overmix” (it’s fine if it’s a bit lumpy. Apparently if you “overmix” the muffins will turn out tough)
  • fill the mixture into the papercases and then bake for 20-25 minutes until risen and golden brown

Same as before the whole process took just over an hour. Again some will go into the freezer, some will be eaten over the next few days. And one I’ve eaten just now while writing this. Tasted very nice.

Picture of Blueberry & Dark Chocolate Chip Muffins (after baking)
Blueberry & Dark Chocolate Chip Muffins (after)

I’ll take a break from them now, I’ve got enough in the freezer for a while. But I’m sure I’ll be making some again. For now I’ve got two breads in the oven, baking away.