Halfway out of the dark (and coffee porn)

The Dr Who phrase about Christmas seems to have settled into the popular culture vernacular rather well and, this particular year, it seemed to sum up the cold, dark end of 2010 and the somewhat drighter start of 2011.

Struggling into work just before Christmas wasn't much fun but we settled down over the lengthy Christmas/New Year holiday to log fires, good food and a decent rest. The pipes outside froze, because of the rather complicated set of joints the plumber put in, blocking the bath and shower outlets. It took me a couple of hours to thaw them out. Fortunately, the important bits were plastic so no bursts.

We've burned a fair bit of our stock of logs but that's OK; there are still some that need cutting up so we should get through the Winter.

The main 'tragedy' over the holiday was that the thermostat on my prized Gaggia espresso maker died so I couldn't make decent coffee. I've ordered a new thermostat but am still waiting for it to arrive. I used to think that I was obsessed with good coffee but while looking for advice on fitting the new thermostat, I came across a number of coffee forums and was astounded by the seriousness with which the contributors consider their coffee-making:

Frinstance...

Q. " have been having problems with getting a good microfoam lately from my Dalla Corte Mini. I am not new to this and normally get a good microfoam (as good as any I can get out).

I normally steam about 8 oz in a 20 oz pitcher, and stretch for 2-3 seconds and steam for a total of about 15 seconds. The Dalla Corte has no problem producing steam from its dedicated boiler.

I normally use low fat milk or half full fat."

A. "I'm guessing it is the milk. In winter the cows get different feed, often resulting in milk with very different frothing properties. All brands and areas seem to be affected by this."

Another A. "We, here in Estonia, do get the "this-time-of-year" syndrome aswell and for us unfortunately the only choice is to use UHT milk for a month or two, then everything will be ok again."

http://www.toomuchcoffee.com/index.php?name=PNphpBB2&file=viewtopic&t=8336

Or
"In a pinch, pulling a single from a double basket will work, but it takes some finesse to get the pull right, still working with that myself. I pulled a couple of singles yesterday, all I have is a double basket w/ bottomless portafilter. 8 g., Ground finer than I would when dosing a double, did light taps on the counter to level, and nutation at half dose and again at full dose, . Then firm tamp ~20 lbs and it pulled a pretty good shot, no channeling. Blonded early, but I expected that. Crema was sparse,but there, and the shot tasted ok, not bitter or sour, just light in body. Nothing to write home about."
http://coffeegeek.com/forums/espresso/questions/510318

And just for more coffee porn, have a look at these tampers (just for pressing down the coffee into the portafilter before espressing the water through). £52 each!

http://www.coffeehit.co.uk/CAT_ListCategories.aspx?cid=28&category=Coffee-Tampers-and-Mats

I could go on about all this - you probably think I already have - but all I want is a decent espresso, not a love affair.
Anyhow, things have started to brighten up, though there's more snow on the way, hopefully just a temporary drop.

The leaves are beginning to green up, buds are fattening and catkins are shyly starting to drop.

I have a major project to start this weekend but I think I'll save that for later.

Happy random calendar turnover period