Sunday nights will never be the same for me! In the past, come 4:30 pm on a Sunday and I could feel that horrible feeling in my stomach in anticipation of the week ahead. However, last Sunday, for the first time, I was persuaded by the boys to go to a music festival in the east-end of London. The Summer rites festival is an annual east-end extravaganza that marks the end of the summer party season. So we set off after lunch and all met up at the Old Street underground ready for a good party, after all Sunday is thew new Friday (or so they say). A shortish walk and we found ourselves in a Shoreditch park where we were greeted by some surprisingly friendly bouncers. After a quick frisk and search we were free to explore the delights that the park had for us.
There were several tents, sponsored by different clubs in London. It was a bit bizarre as there was hardcore club music pumping out of these tents and it was only 3pm in the afternoon but that was just a taste of the bizarreness that was about to hit us. We got ourselves some very expensive pints and went for a stroll. There were food stalls with the usual festival fare of sausages, Mexican food, a curry stall and other bits and bobs. In the middle of the park was a huge stage with a tranny with enormous eyelashes throwing cheap sketch pens at the crowd. They were getting ready for a round of ‘gay bingo’, which is really just bingo, but hosted by a bunch of champagne soaked trannys. It was incredible fun, the sloshed hosts were screaming x-rated rhymes to get the crowd in the mood. I don’t think any one won anything, I don’t even think anyone knew what was happening. My friend B and I were on the floor with our marker pens trying to keep up with all the number calling and in the excitement I think I lost my pint to the grass!
We then walked along to another surreal part of the park which was full of fairground rides. Hoards of crazy queens squealed as they were hurtled up in the air in one of those mad catapult type rides while butch women bumped each other on the dodgems. Our gang had a go on the dodgems while they belted out Mariah Carey’s All I want for Christmas! A bizzare tune for the middle of summer but hey, it worked and we all sang along as we sped around. We ended up in a part of the park called the tranny detention centre. Through a small curtained door emerged trannys in various states of dress and undress sporting spectacular makeup and enormous high heels.
The evening was getting on, so after a few drinks on and a bit of dancing in one of the tents we went to see the headline act. Boy George came on being his usual ethereal karma chameleon self and the crowd burst into ‘Hare Rama Hare Rama’. The sun had set and there we were under the stars, listening to Boy George’s tunes in an open field! Surreal as it was, it was truly amazing. A great way to end the weekend.
As it was Sunday, we had decided to have brunch instead of a heavy lunch before going to the festival. I wanted to make us something that would be filling but not that full that we were bursting out of our party gear. I loved this creation and am so proud of it as it is super easy and comes out so yummy. It is also accidental as I used bits and bobs that I had in the fridge.
Spanish Omelet with smoked salmon and thyme
You will need (for 2 people)
5 Eggs
2 tablespoons of Milk
Thyme
Smoked salmon (flaked) 200 gms
2 potatoes (peeled and thinly sliced)
1 white onion finely diced
3 cloves of garlic chopped fine
2 tablespoon of fresh thyme leaves
Salt and pepper to taste
1 red chilly finely chopped (you can add more if you want it spicy)
4 tablespoons of oil
To make
Heat your oil in a frying pan. When the oil is hot add the onion, chilly, garlic and potatoes and fry. Your potatoes should be really thinly sliced so they can fry easily. When the potatoes are almost done, reduce heat and add the thyme and the smoked salmon. Your kitchen should be filled with amazing aromas by now. Spread this mixture around the frying pan evenly so its coating the base of the pan.
Whisk your eggs with the milk and add the seasoning. Pour the eggs into the frying pan and turn your gas on simmer, cover the pan and cook for about 10 – 15 mins. Once your omelet is cooked, turn it over onto a carving board or a large plate ready to serve.
