The move back to reality has been interesting, despite being sat a computer 24/7 typing up the treehouse diaries, I have been able to witness some appallingly shit TV, enjoy the freedom of a proper ‘house’, and yet find myself acting like a true eco-zealot, if not I spend the time by the log fire…reminds me of home I suppose (a house without a proper fireplace surely isn’t a home? When and why did people stop having them?!).
Last week I had to pop up to London to submit my photos to the publishers and have an important meeting about writing do’s and don’t’s (use of profanity etc.), on the train back with the rest of the cattle I was forced to sit opposite some wideboy city trader sporting a fat pinstripe that clearly didn’t know the finer points of sneezing/coughing etiquette. This polished ‘knob’ happily spewed his germs about the carriage without so much as a second glance.
“Excuse me, could you perhaps cover your mouth and nose before you sneeze or cough?” I thought my request was fair?
“Piss of you twat.” Came the retort….nice!
All I can say is that I am glad I had taken the potential weaponry out of my bag since leaving the treehouse. things didn’t get any better until a couple of city boys joined in on my side and helped convinced the wideboy that actually, he was the ‘twat’ and that he should perhaps ’fornicate off’.
Anywho, enough of such rubbish, the crux of that story is that 2 days later, here I am with Mr Wideboy’s cough and cold. The worst part is knowing its coming. No illness from 6 months in a tree, yet one trip to London and the immune system takes a day off! What can you do to combat such fierce infection…what ailment can restore you to your former self? Well, despite what people might think in this day and age a little alcohol can work wonders, perhaps a page from the late, great Keith Floyd school of thought is not so bad after all?
For a drink that has such a ridiculous name, it is extremely fortunate that it has the ferocious ability to make even the most horrendous cold, feel like nothing more than a bout of hiccups, which is exactly the result if you have one too many.
The hot toddy was apparently developed to make whisky more palatable for the fairer sex. The combination of the sharp hit of Vitamin C and medicinal properties of whisky are most welcome. Germs hate whisky, fact. Google it if you don’t believe me!
So, with much writing to do I have been hitting the hot toddies to provide me with comfort. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not on the sauce all day..no alcohol till the hand is past the yardarm! The restorative properties of this drink are applicable to anything that involves a cold or getiing cold, thus the perfect winter warmer.
Whisky choice is important…no single malts. It’s not worth wasting expensive stuff on a mixed drink, plus a peaty Laphroig won’t taste quite so good as opposed to its blended cousins. I always use, as standard, Famous Grouse. Although you could reach for the Teacher’s or Bell’s in this case.
Juice of half a lemon (or whole if you feel brave)
50ml of Whisky (Famous Grouse as standard)
2-3 tablespoons of Honey (depending on how sweet you like it)
Everyone has different tastes (which is why I think restaurant critics are a MASSIVE waste of space), so mix it to your desired specification.
Right, speaking of which, it’s about that time of day again*…
*(Only applicable if suffering a cold)
Oh and the treehouse has become a shadow of it's former self...no more than an empty shell these days.
The tree house looks so sad :-(
Cool cup, and get better soon!
Posted by: ErikaJean | November 09, 2009 at 08:14 PM
I bet there will be many days when you long for the civilized life left back in the tree house.
Hope you kick that cold quick.
Posted by: Michael Janzen | November 09, 2009 at 10:30 PM
Shame about the tube experience. What a knob! Thats so typical. Probably if you'd belted him one, that would have silenced him nicely ;-)
Treehouse looks bare. So you didn't take up my challenge to cook Christmas lunch there for your family? I knew it could not be done!! ;-)
Enjoy the good life. I bet ur secretly loving it.
Posted by: Giles | November 09, 2009 at 11:00 PM
Oh I hope you feel better soon...it is sad to see the tree house like that...and that cityboy...idiot...why do people have to be like that?! xxx
Posted by: The Curious Cat | November 10, 2009 at 11:35 AM
Would have been so funny if you had gotten your Crocodile Dundee sized knife out!! Your story wound me up (like it did you I suppose). Ive loved you tree house stories.
Posted by: Diane | November 11, 2009 at 02:26 PM
The hot toddy gives the most incredible warm feeling, such a wonderful drink. And I totally agree with you re whiskey choice - it would be sacrilage to use a single malt.
Get well soon!
Posted by: Alex | November 12, 2009 at 09:42 AM
Nick.. we went to Spain yesterday to a Spanish Hyper Market and I saw the biggest bottle of famous grouse whiskey I have EVER seen..would have been perfect for this blog!!-i took a photo4 u.
The treehouse looks so sad now ..I can't bear it!! xx
Posted by: clare | November 12, 2009 at 08:39 PM
What a great find your website is!
Have been sat here reading for far too long now - the joys of having a bad cold too!
I like the hot toddy idea, but prefer brandy to whisky, unless of course it's a Bowmore, but like you say that would be a waste! Would love to follow your site but no "follow" button to be found, and have therefore added you to my bloglist!
Carry on the good work! I look forward to perhaps getting your book and having a thorough read - Christmas is coming and all that,
Take care and enjoy your toddies!
TTFN
Posted by: gary | November 18, 2009 at 10:25 AM
Love that you actually asked the guy on the train to cover his mouth - so many people who must think about saying it and never do.
Have you tried orange in the hot toddy instead of lemon? Controversial deviation from the original I know, but is surprisingly good.
Posted by: Kat | December 01, 2009 at 05:39 PM
I adore a decent hot toddy! Yeesh, welcome back to London life. Sounds as though you're experiencing immediate frustration and some culture shock.
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