A derelict shop, Tunbridge Wells

Viktor Yushchenko's face

Viktor Yushchenko, the pro-Western opposition leader who is currently fighting the Ukraine election has seen much media focus not on his policies, but on his face. He claims that he's been poisoned. The suspects (the Ukrainian authorities) say he's eaten some bad sushi...

A tree, Churches Green (East Sussex)

Photo taken 05/12/04

Paul Burrell auditions for Hulk II

So, I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here has come to an end and Joe Pasquale has been crowned king of the jungle. In my mind, this was the worst series. I probably watched about five episodes, but last night's contained by far the funniest TV moment of the year -- Paul Burrell's 'banquet' bushtucker trial. Watching him eating grubs, worms and vomit fruit was good enough. But watching him squirm, kick his feet and -- best of all -- rip his shirt off Incredible Hulk-style whilst chewing on a poor kangaroo's testicle was TV of extreme high quality.

IACGMOOH winners
Tony Blackburn
Phil Tufnell
Kerry McFadden/Katona
Joe Pasquale

Are there anymore? Feel free to comment.

A bench, Tunbridge Wells Common

Photo taken 06/12/04

The language of dried fuit

What makes a dried plum turn into a prune? Or a partially-dried grape transform into a raisin or sultana?* A dried fig is confusingly called a dried fig. If you want to dry an apricot, it’s still an apricot. It's clear that the simplistic language of dried fruit needs to be expanded to help people distinguish between dry and wet fruit. It is a problem that affects thousands of people every day, causing untold shopping embarrassment.

miscellanean humbly presents the beginnings of the ‘Fruit: Dried fruit table’, see below. This extensive project will be build up over time and once completed will be sent to the Food Standards Agency for their pleasure.

* To be precise, all sultanas are seedless grapes in previous lifetimes

Fruit: Dried fruit table
Apricot: Prichet
Fig: Frig
Peach: Cheab

All comments for new terms that can apply to dried fruit are gratefully accepted.

This is miscellanean.