Some light relief after last week’s tough news.
https://njbrannigan-zvxuy.wordpress.com/2026/02/19/diary-of-a-lump-16/
Diary of a Lump Pt. 16
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Musings on the byways of popular culture
I love that approach – be the best possible patient you can be and trust the process. Well played.
70 in September? I wouldn’t have guessed that (although the early 70’s Civic Hall gigs should have given me a clue).
@Leedsboy, thanks. That’s a nice thing to say about my age.🙏
I need to know whether it was jam or cream first on the scones?
Your attitude is exemplary and I am sure it will help
@dai Jam first, obviously. I’m not a heathan. Thank you 🙏
🙂
The jam first, then the clotted cream, is correct. The clotted arteries come later!
This is why the South West tour of Jam and Cream tribute acts was cancelled. They couldn’t agree who was going on first
@Rigid-Digit Boom tish.
@fentonsteve Exactly.
Whispers:
“Cream first then jam. Cream is effectively the butter in the sandwich”
Hides.
Surely this is logical and sensible…?
You can argue that of course. But it’s wrong.
Niall is correct, as 20,000 Cornishmen know.
As a Scot, I wouldn’t presume to argue with the Cornish – but from a materials science/rheology perspective, jam first just seems…unstable.
I think it’s better to be logical and sensible than to rely on quirky folklore.
Fitz as a scot you could perhaps help which goes on first on the Stone of Scone?
Hard surface, rigid substrate – probably matters less.
Also you’re going to be licking it off rather than biting into it – so, again, less of an issue…
(Where is that confounded Moose?
I’ve tried spreading jam on cream, which is a far lighter softer texture than butter, even clotted. Does not work as well as cream on jam.
Surely science and logic say the thicker, more viscous material goes first.
It could depend on the quality and fruit content of the jam. I’m very much of the high fruit conserve persuasion. Which is always softer than the clotted cream for me.
This ⬆️
I love how this, a sobering thread that is genuinely moving, still has the capacity to look into the small culinary issues of the day.
Something in the nature of this site – it’s partly why I like it so much here.
Completely agree. Jam first then cream. Every time.
Informative as usual Niall and a struggle to read, must be hard for you to write let alone go through. I’m not into racing but live 8 miles north of Cheltenham in a little town called Winchcombe . This place becomes alive during the festival so I’ll be thinking of you and raising a glass in you & Janet .
@Bejesus Thank you 🙏
Brilliant as always and of course you have to focus on the things you love. That is your motivator and I hope your horse comes in at Cheltenham
@SteveT Thanks, Steve 🤞🙏
The why you write @niallb draws me in, you seem resolute in your battle, what can I say other than to wish you well P
@Pyramid Thank you 🙏
I had scones with clotted cream and jam once in England. I confess I didn’t understand what all the fuss was about… 🙂
Good to hear that your body seems to (mostly) tolerate what it’s being put through, fingers crossed that it stays that way!
Good ones are heavenly. They need to be fresh and warm. The cream needs to be clotted and the strawberry jam needs to be decent. If any of these aspects aren’t met, then it is a bit like eating a dry old sponge cake.
@Leedsboy These were brilliant. Soft, light and moist.
I had a very good savoury cream tea in the excellent cafe at Cardinham Woods in Cornwall. Cheese scones, cream cheese, cheddar and a lovely chutney. Bloody lovely.
@Leedsboy Ooh, that sounds good.
No doubt you put the chutney on the cracker first then the cheese second?
That would equate with “jam on first”, yes?
No, other way round.
But chutney’s a kinda savoury jam, isn’t it?
Cream cheese on, the cheddar next and chutney last.
Logical and sensible layering of the comestibles, IMHO…
Like jam then cream.
No.
Yum
@Locust Each to his own, my friend. Thanks for the support, as always 🙏
When you come to Australia give us notice and we can have a down-under mingle (TMFTL). There are outposts in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne(ish) and, er, in the sticks.
Seconded
@Mousey 👍
And if you transit in Singapore on your way to Oz, there are at least a couple of us here, so give us a shout.
And tell that nice Mr Spawton that we have some great concert venues – if Public Service Broadcasting can make it here (in May) then no excuses – just saying 🙂
@Chrisf A BBT gig in Singapore sounds perfect 🙏
@mikethep Will do 🙏
Down Under Mingle sounds like a porn film.
The thought did occur – although you might need to leave the l out for maximum impact.
Losing the L definitely increase the porn.