Thursday, May 25, 2006

What is this Stovies?

Well the Ceilidh has passed and everyone appeared to have a great time. There will be other reports later on the proceedings.

However, Annemie sent a nice thank you letter to those involved in the organising and on the night. In it she mentioned I wrote a poem for the occasion. So I thought I would re-produce it here (with a translation for those who are Celtically challenged).

On Hearing of Stovies on the Menu

Weel kent, the haggis, bard renowned,
That Scots revere in pudden ranks.

But wait, men tak' yer fill
Fae luggies wi' a different bill.

Nae' gushin' entrails or reekin' swell
Jist tatties, an ingins an meat as well.

Fae a' the airts ye hear men's pleas
Gie us stovies.


Translation:

The haggis is well known and celebrated in a poem by Robert Burns
Also, Scots rate haggis highly compared with other similar foods

But hold on a moment. Come fill your stomachs
From cook pots containing something else

No gushing entrails (this is a metaphor so relax it's not really intestines), and spreading aroma

Only potatoes, onions and meat

From all around you can here men pleading

Give me stovies.



Why did we pick stovies? Well it's a traditional food and it's not a "special occasion" dish. Other traditional food is now mostly seen at special functions, like Burns Suppers. Nevertheless, in Scotland you can still get haggis and black pudding, in fish and chip shops, but they are nearly always served with chips. We call these "haggis suppers" or "black pudding suppers" (but served at any time of the day).

Someone may provide a more descriptive recipe for stovies later, with pictures.

One thing I really miss from Scotland in a "plain loaf " which I have never found reproduced in any other place. Ah well! Maybe my next poem will be where have all the plain loaves gone?

Thursday, May 04, 2006

Come and have fun at our Ceilidh - 19th May


with

Scottish Country Dancing


Friday, 19th of May, 2006 from 7 pm until midnight

At the Maadi British International School
Next to Wadi Degla Sporting Club
Zahraa el Maadi.

Donation:

50LE for adults and
25LE for children (8 years and older)

Tickets can be booked now (tel. 359 29 25)

We shall provide the food and water.

Please bring your own other drinks.

We're Having a Ceilidh!

People often wonder two things about Ceilidh - what it is and how to pronounce it.

Basically it's a traditional Scottish party with music and dancing. They are also traditional in Ireland.

You can see the Wikipedia page here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ceilidh which gives a modern (and slightly International) description.

How to pronounce it?

Kaylay (with the second syllable kept short).

For those interested in languages, in Gaelic the "dh" is silent. This is very confusing for those travelling in the North of Scotland trying to make sense of road signs and place names.

Come along and enjoy the party.

Tom