When we purchased our ex Evansville, Indiana USA fire truck, it came with a name proudly emblazoned upon the side. This was John W. Sanders II.
I did some research and actually made contact with the deputy fire chief of the department the truck had served in. He explained that in the US they name their appliances after deceased fire fighters. (Or local dignitaries or long serving fire chiefs if they are lucky enough not to have any deceased fire fighters when they buy a new truck).
We decided to keep the name the same, we felt that a bit like buying a boat, it might be bad luck to change it.
On the side of the fire truck are four holes where a plaque would have been mounted. This is usually along the lines of thanking the local mayor, council etc for raising the funds to buy the truck. This was obviously missing on ours so we had a replacement plate made. This is pictured below and carries the fireman’s prayer.
The Fire Fighters Prayer.
Written by Alvin William “Smokey” Linn, a fire fighter in Brunswick Maine. A man who’s life story is worth a read.
It is often accompanied by the Fire Fighters “Wife’s” prayer;
“The table’s set, the meal’s prepared, our guests will soon arrive My husband once more disappears with a hope of keeping a child alive.
While waiting at home alone, our plans having gone awry My first impulse is merely to sit right down and cry.
But soon again I realise the importance of my life When I agreed to take on the duties of being a fireman’s wife.
While there are many drawbacks, I’ll take them in my stride Knowing “My Daddy saved a life” our children can say with pride.
The gusting winds and raging flames may be his final fate But with God’s help I can remain my fireman’s faithful mate.”
We have spent the last 12 months or so working on converting our US Spartan firetruck into a street food unit. We are getting near to launch date and hope to have some exciting news shortly.
We like to thoroughly go through anything we acquire, and this has been no different. Having refurbed it mechanically, cleaned, polished and painted the engine, had a full service and added multiple food unit systems, we finally turned our attention to the cab area. As this is where i will be spending a large amount of time during the transport phase (we are driving it to events rather than trailering it), I decided that I would like it to be a little less utilitarian, and have some comforts such as cooling fans, good music, nicer upholstery etc. Oh and some drivers aid system wouldn’t go amiss such as help reversing etc. Our fire truck food truck is going to be one fabulous piece of kit.
Nicer Upholstery
I’ve always liked the diamond style stitching found on certain high end automobiles. To this end we had the roof and drivers seat recovered in black with red piping and red stitched diamonds. The dash and door panels have also been re trimmed but without the padded diamonds.
High End Music And Navigation
We started off with the installation of an Alpine Halo 11 inch media receiver. This takes care of the music playing, and adds Android auto to allow for satellite navigation. It also has the added bonus of connecting to our Amazon fire stuck, allowing movies to be played to ease our way through those long waits for site access etc.
Audison Audio tweeters mounted in the A pillars, and 4 Audison full range speakers mounted in the roof corners added a fabulous sound. Backed up by a large subwoofer mounted under the dash in a custom built diamond plate covered enclosure. Overall the cab is a much more pleasant environment with good music.
Drivers Aids
Being as big as it is, with poor visibility, left hand drive and a long front overhang, it was felt that anything to assist the driver was a worthwhile endeavour.
The first option we added was a 360 degree camera system. This filmed all around the truck, recording to an SSD. The system is quite clever in that putting the gearbox into reverse switches to an enlarged rear view. Similarly indicating either side switches to a side view. The Alpine music system is also connected to a low level reversing camera with a hitch guide, this similarly switches to a rear display on reverse.
A radar operated blind spot system was added that flashes a small but highly visible light in the A pillars when anything is overtaking either side. If you indicate to swap lanes and something is detected in overtaking it also pulses an alarm.
A Tyre Pal TPMS system takes care of tyre pressures and temps, handy considering fire trucks don’t come equipped with spare wheel carriers.
If we can find a reversing sensor system that integrates with the Alpine screen (they usually need CAN Bus systems which 1992 motors tend not to have), then we will look at adding that.
A pair of front mounted bumper poles help judge where the huge front bumper is sticking out to, and electronic tannoys that announce “This vehicle is reversing/Turning Left/ Turning Right” complete our current safety systems. The updated London regs require a front moving off alarm, so we might look at adding that at some point, even though we are exempt from the London regs.
As well as our fire truck food truck we have a range of classic and quirky vehicles for hire, from a Del Boy Trotter 3 wheel van coffee service to a classic Citroen HY churros unit.
Its been a long project. Longer than our usual food truck builds, but hey, its a lot bigger than our usual food trucks.
Our ex USA fire truck is almost ready for launch. We are trying it out at one of our regular jobs soon, and then might have some exciting news about a possible tour in conjunction with a quirky restaurant chain.
The first of the major funfair holiday events has just kicked off.
Easter Eggs
Of course everyone is aware of the tradition of giving eggs for Easter. But have you ever thought why?
Easter is a Christian festival, and for Christians giving eggs symbolises new life. It is claimed this practice started with the early Christians of Mesopotamia who stained birds eggs red in memory of the blood of Christ.
There is also an association in Western Christians not being allowed to eat eggs during Lent, but allowed them at Easter.
A common practice in medieval England was for children to go door to door begging for eggs on the Saturday before Lent. These were handed out as special treats.
I remember during my youth going door to door. Many of the elder generation would give us hard boiled eggs that had been painted. The better of neighbours actually gave us chocolate. Many would also press a few coppers on us, when you were five or six years old, the few pounds you accrued made you think you were rich.
Antiquity
It wasn’t an exclusively Christian thing though. London’s British Museum contains some large ostrich eggs that have been carved and painted. These have been found in tombs. After investigation it is believed that eggs like this can date back up to 5000 years, well before the Christian religion. And decorated eggs up to 60,000 years old have been discovered in Africa.
Chocolate Eggs
J.S. Fry and sons of England introduced their first chocolate egg in 1873, closely followed by Cadbury’s in 1875. Cadbury’s created the modern egg with the introduction of pure cocoa butter that could be moulded into hollow egg shapes. Now up to 80 million chocolate eggs are consumed in the UK alone. It’s nice to see the steady move away from plastic packaging to more environmentally friendly alternatives.
Faberge Eggs
Personally my favourite eggs are those produced by the Russian craftsman at Faberge for the last two Russian Tsars. Masterpieces of decorative art, many contain hidden surprises such as clockwork birds or miniature toys.
International Waffle Day: A Global Celebration of Fluffy Delights
March 25th is a day that brings joy to breakfast lovers around the world – International Waffle Day. This delightful holiday celebrates the beloved waffle in all its crispy, golden glory. From classic Belgian waffles to creative interpretations from every corner of the globe, International Waffle Day is a time to indulge in one of the most versatile and delicious breakfast foods known to humanity.
Embracing Waffles Across Cultures: What makes International Waffle Day truly special is its celebration of waffles in all their diverse forms. While the waffle may have originated in Europe, its popularity has spread far and wide, with each culture adding its own unique twist to this beloved treat. From the sweet, syrup-drenched waffles of North America to the savory gaufres enjoyed in France, waffles come in countless variations, each more delicious than the last.
A Rich History: The history of the waffle is as rich and varied as its toppings. Waffles have been enjoyed by people around the world for centuries, with evidence of their existence dating back to ancient Greece. Over the years, waffle-making techniques have evolved, leading to the creation of different styles and varieties of waffles. Today, waffles are enjoyed by millions of people worldwide, making International Waffle Day a truly global celebration.
Waffles Unite Us: One of the most beautiful things about International Waffle Day is its ability to bring people together. Whether you’re sharing a plate of waffles with friends and family at home or indulging in a delicious waffle breakfast at your favorite cafe, there’s something special about coming together to enjoy this beloved breakfast treat. Waffles have a way of transcending cultural boundaries and uniting people from all walks of life in a shared appreciation for good food and good company.
Celebrating International Waffle Day: There are countless ways to celebrate International Waffle Day, no matter where you are in the world. You could start your day with a stack of classic buttermilk waffles topped with fresh berries and whipped cream, or you could get creative in the kitchen and experiment with new and exciting waffle recipes. Whether you prefer sweet or savory, there’s a waffle out there to satisfy every craving.
Spread the Waffle Love: International Waffle Day is also a great opportunity to spread the love by sharing waffles with others. Host a waffle brunch for your friends and family, organize a waffle-making competition with your coworkers, or simply surprise a loved one with a homemade batch of waffles. However you choose to celebrate, sharing the joy of waffles with others is sure to make International Waffle Day a day to remember.
In Conclusion: International Waffle Day is a time to celebrate one of the world’s most beloved breakfast foods in all its delicious glory. Whether you prefer your waffles sweet or savory, crispy or fluffy, there’s no denying the universal appeal of this humble yet oh-so-delicious treat. So grab your waffle iron, whip up a batch of batter, and join people around the world in celebrating International Waffle Day in style.
Cabbages and condoms, as restaurants go, this one not only has an unusual name, it had an unusual beginning. Originally a small vegetable stall in Bangkok on some office premises of the PDA, a community development association concerned with family planning.
The outfit used to sell vegetables, lace panties, t-shirts, condoms and oral contraceptives! Somehow I doubt we will ever see a similar portfolio in Burger King or McDonalds.
The chairman of the PDA Mechai Viravaidya called the shop cabbages and condoms. The catchy sobriquet it seemed tended to amuse passers by, and drew people into the shop. In the seventies, a small restaurant was added serving Thai dishes.
The cuisine gained a following due to its quality, and eventually it developed into a full restaurant.
Expansion Abroad
The chain now has restaurants in Japan and England. More precisely Bicester in Oxfordshire, though I don’t think the decor etc is quite the same, being more of a vanilla style Thai eatery.
We offer a range of noodles and such like, though sadly without the condoms, for that you need to stick with cabbages and condoms.
Ever fancied a stroll down Soho. That side of London that was renowned for its seediness, that eventually morphed into a sort of coolness.
Whilst you are there, what about popping into the establishment below!
No, we haven’t just turned into some sort of cheap Only Fans knock off. This fine frontage is actually the entrance to one of London’s best Mexican restaurants. Oh and they make a fabulous tequila cocktail.
You walk in only to be met with a an interior exactly like you would expect a sex show to present. I have to admit, it is quite daunting, trying to figure out if you have just brought the wife to an actual Mexican restaurant. Or if you are going to have to spend the night convincing her you weren’t actually trying to drag her into a peep show.
Happily, once through the next door, you do actually find yourself in an actual purveyor of food and drink, rather than pleasures of the flesh.
We have just finished a complete refurbishment and overhaul of one of our compact generator systems. TBF, this one is a bit special, in that it was gifted to me by my late Father in Law. I wanted to keep it working as it provides a connection to him. It has actually turned out a bit like Triggers broom in Only Fools and Horses. It has had a new cabinet, radiator, alternator and control systems. If the engine blows then there really isn’t much left of the original.
We actually ended up using this one much more than we expected, due to its low running costs, making it perfect for smaller events such as a coffee cart hire, etc.
What happened was the unit we were using was designed to demount from its transport trailer into the back of one of our vans. This worked great, up until the original casing fell apart due to corrosion. Being a Kubota engine there was plenty of life left in the actual unit itself.
The Original Rotted Apart Casing
It was built on four castors, up until one corner fell off and it came back on three wheels. Luckily whilst obtaining a new generator to build into the rear of our fire engine, we noticed that the dealer we were dealing with had a large supply of new cases for compact generators.
We obtained one of these, which were priced at a really keen price point, and set about the construction. The cases were pretty complete except for things like control panels, door locks, etc. We managed to track these down, with a delay on waiting for a delivery from China for some parts unobtainable over here.
The Final Construction
The unit when it was constructed looked superb. Unfortunately following the advice of some experts to bond the Earth line to the Neutral, a requirement in most generators, the unit went bang. Seems that on centre tapped alternators this is a big no no.
So back to our supplier for a new alternator. Unfortunately when we removed the case to wire the new one up, we found that it also was a centre tapped alternator. Cue another trip up north to obtain a non centre tapped version.
So far so good. Except when we came to assemble it, the coupling system didn’t meet up. Seems our original unit had a recessed flywheel, which left the tapered shaft mount about 5 mmm short.
Cue yet another trip to swap flywheels for the correct one. This one happily did fit, and everything went together perfectly.
Well almost. Whilst screwing in the Earth point connection, the end fell off my screwdriver, and into the alternator internals. Meaning another complete strip down of the cabinet, to then strip the alternator down to retrieve said fallen off bit.
Happily this time everything did go together properly. We dropped the unit onto its original trailer, necessitating a few minor alterations to the fastening system and Bob’s your Uncle.
We are fast approaching pancake day, or Shrove Tuesday as the more religious would have it. We are now undergoing our annual avalanche of last minute enquiries for a pancake or mobile crepe cart . Companies suddenly decide that it would make a good treat for their staff. Problem is they seem to come to this conclusion about a week before the actual day. The smart companies have already booked up all of our crepe carts a couple of months in front.
Delicious Hot Fresh French Crepes
French Crepes
Truth be told we provide crepes rather than pancakes. Whats the difference I hear you ask? Basically just the consistency. Crepes are much thinner than the traditional British pancake. Legend claims that a good French crepe is sos thin, you can read a love letter placed underneath it. The actual ingredients we use are virtually identical except for the crepe having more water, to make it thinner
Originating from the Brittany region in North West France, crepes are now considered a national dish, though most countries have similar dishes with a variety of names. There is a tale that a housewife in Brittany accidentally spilled some thin porridge on a hot flat stove and through this mistake the crispy pancake was invented, could it be true? Possibly, many other foods have been discovered by accident.
Jour Des Crepes
So popular are these crispy delights in France, that they have a religious holiday named in their favour. Also known as La Chandeleur (The return of light), it symbolises the approach of Spring.
Yet another legend (gee just how many legends are there about crepes) has it that if you toss a crepe from a pan, with your right hand, catching it whilst holding a coin in your left, you would become rich that year
A “Galettes ” or Savoury Crepe
Although it is the sweet dessert crepe that most of us are familiar with, there is also the Galette, which is made with a less sweet mix, and meant to be served with cheese, meats, mushrooms etc, to make a filling savoury meal.
To be honest we all prefer the sweet version in the office, and this outsells the savoury probably 99 to 1.
The world is currently in a state. The Middle East is in the middle of one of its endless cycles of violence. Russia and Ukraine are still going at it hammer and tongs. The Houthis are trying their best to sink any passing ships. The economy is in the doldrums. Prices are up, fuel is up, food is up. Middlesbrough don’t look like achieving promotion this year.
And now, PETA the animal rights organisation is calling upon Carousel manufacturers to stop using fibreglass horses on their rides, as evidently “Animal-themed carousels unintentionally celebrate the exploitation of sentient beings,”
FFS, just when you think people cannot be any more crackers than some of the fruit loop examples we have seen popping up over the last few years, we have this. What’s next, an amnesty for little girls to hand in their My Little Pony Dolls. Perhaps stuffed teddy bears will be in their sights, I mean, all that cruel exploitation of the poor little stuffed dears.
More worrying is the fact that going by some of PETA’s past campaigns, the said little girls might find themselves being smacked in the mouth by tofu pies. Or even being drenched in paint! Perhaps they will skin the carousel horses and hold the bodies up, presumably dripping in resin.
What about your local funfair. You might turn up to find that PETA have descended through the night and released all the carousel horses. Bit far fetched? No more than the bloody stupidity emanating from PETA.
