On the news yesterday re smoking,drinking and drugs affecting sperm DNA.The public are so gullible and the fear factor used by the media is ridiculous.Just a statement with no data---men have been smoking for so many years and before contraception 100s of normal babies have been born.Impression given that if you want to produce a child you must give up---does that mean that the day after you give up you are A O.K. ?? I do not condone smoking or excessive drinking and drugs,believe me.Isn't it time the government banned the import of tobacco ?? So it will become another "underground" drug but it's availibilty to 10yr old and up will not be so easy.

I have often wondered what the Americas and Caribbean would be like today if there was no slavery of the African peoples.On research of the subject of slavery in the Caribbean--all the islands had African slaves.The people living there before the various islands were discovered in the 1700s were the Amerindian arriving from north America.But as they were not good workers the Spanish got rid of them and preferred the African slaves.Imagine North America with no slaves ??? Any comments will be welcomed.

This recipe,my own,is not for "cook a 3 course meal in 20 minutes" person.:.Please follow absolutely otherwise you may be disappointed with result.
500 grm stewing beef--trim off fat and gristle.
2 big potatoes--- cut into big squares.
2 big onions---sliced.
6 mushrooms-or 2 big black--sliced coarsely.
2 big garlic cloves--cut in half.
2 bayleaf,6 peppercorns,4 cloves.
300ml red wine.
Pkt of dumpling mix.Follow directions to mix.
Cut beef into +- 1" squares--DRY very well with paper towels--very important.Large lidded pot.Oil to cover bottom of pot on HOT plate.Wait to heat to HOT and add meat to fry on ALL sides until nice and brown.Add sliced onion and garlic and spices.Stir well until onions have also turned a good colour.Add potatoes and mushrooms.Mix adding wine and 500 ml water.When it boils again turn heat down,give a good stir about every 15 minutes,when water reduces add 1/2 cup at a time.Simmer until meat is tender about an hour.Meanwhile cook some rice,when cooked put in colander,top of pot with boiling water, and keep warm.Mix the dumpling mix and leave.When meat is cooked,add water--a cup.,bring to the boil.Now,ignore recipe on box,take a teaspoon,big scoop of mixture,and drop--about 7-8--around pot and centre.Do not stir or cover JUST PUT ON THE LID AND DO NOT OPEN FOR 15 MINUTES.VOILA--a meal to really enjoy.It also freezes well depending on how many,about 4,people you are serving.Please feel free if you need to ask me anything.E N J O Y.

WHAT is happening ?? Is it my imagination but in the last months so many in trouble.Incompetence,overloading,ignoring weather forcasts--or blame it all in GLOBAL WARMIMG ??