21-Apr-2025
This week ended with Easter. Sadly, we missed the hot cross buns at Madeleine, which turned out to be available only until Easter Sunday. We tried today, but too late. "Easter Monday" is not a concept here. Everyone is back at work, and buns are off.
However, I did make some of my own low-carb hot cross buns. Well, they're pastries, really, rather than buns. But they have the characteristic cinnamon kick, and they're good slathered with butter.
I had to mess with the recipe because I have no almond flour. The only stuff I've been able to source in the shops comes from America, and I'm doing my utmost to buy American products ONLY when I absolutely have to, which I know will do no good in the great scheme of things, but makes me feel just that tiny bit better about the freaking fiasco that is unfolding in the world at the moment.
Anyway, no almond flour means you have to mess around with a coconut-flour and flaxmeal combo. Plus the fridge had over-enthusiastically frozen the eggs, which I didn't realize until I'd already cracked them, so I added an extra egg because some of the frozen egg wouldn't part from the shell, and coconut flour does need an awful lot of moisture.
Given the extent to which I'd messed with the recipe, it was quite astonishing that they turned out quite well. They wouldn't win any beauty contests, these things. But they tasted pretty damn good, and kept well in the fridge (now turned down) for a couple of days.
So that was the Easter eating. There was also some Easter reading. And there were a couple of modest little excursions.
We did an early-morning trip to Kenyalang market on Easter Saturday with a couple of friends. Coffee, breakfast, lots of talk, a touch of shopping... Simple, pleasant.
A nuts-and-sundries shop to which we will return
On the way back
And yesterday, Easter Day, we went down to the town centre to join in with Car-Free Sunday. It was the first one since before Ramadan, and Muslims had turned out in force in festive dress:
It was nice, actually. From where we stood, we could hear the Easter hymns from St Thomas's Cathedral, while watching the Hari Raya parade. And, of course, in getting there, you pass any number of Chinese shrines. Diversity in action:
Which just leaves us with the rest of the week's gallery:
This came from the New Happy Cafe. I don't know what it's called, but it's milky and fishy and delicious, so I'm going to call it eat-your-heart-out-chowder soup
You can never go wrong with a sleeping cat
Time stands still in Kuching's cafes
It seems to be standing still on Jalan Carpenter, too, where the ravages of last year's fire are still very visible...
All in a day's walk
Evenings at home...
Tomorrow: We're off to Miri.