Elizabeth Gaskell and Shepherd’s Pie

4 October
We’re off to the library in a bit to get a couple more books, AND to check out the media room, where apparently there are hundreds of DVDs to be checked out for “free” (if you think of £9,000 tuition as free?). In fact, a little bird told me that they have the entire 7 seasons of Buffy the Vampire Slayer … and all 5 of Angel …. WHAT!!!? (And for those relatives and friends to whom I’ve just outed us, yes, we are die-hard BTVS fans. What can I say?)
Yesterday was a nice day of alternating rain and sun. We visited a Charity Shop (ie Thrift Store) right down the street and I found a casserole dish and a very tiny tortish type pan for baking (I’m thinking miniature apple cake …). And a copy of Elizabeth Gaskell’s, Cranford. Another shopper saw my Gaskell and asked if I’d read Cranford. “No, but I love North & South and Wives & Daughters.” “Oh, you’ll love it!” And when I passed the casserole over I was telling Christien, “Now we can make Shepherd’s Pie!” (Meaning of course our vegan version, Lentil Shepherd’s Pie, which, by the way, is scrumptious!) and the woman behind the counter said—“Ahh! Shepherd’s Pie--my kids love it--but I’d need a much bigger pan than that!” -- Of course you have to imagine all this in a Welsh accent …
Anyway, what is this place where shoppers on the street know about 19th century women authors and everyone loves a good potato mash??? Why, we’re in Britain!