why wy?

Picture this: sunny yet cool, temp is 24, the grass is dry and fuzzy, no ants... it's perfect for a picnic except this: No alcohol allowed. Which is a bit of a pisser, considering that the music and entertainment is so wonderful. Finally, the city has come alive because of the Commonwealth Games. Public transport runs at decent intervals (10 min), there is so much to see and do, but alas everything reverts to normal this weekend. It is like Womad, with lots of world music and percussion groups, the Dohl Foundation (Punjabi drums - let's just say, Indian men are cute, Indian drummers with their well-cut biceps are heavenly) and Liam Teague and the renegades, with their steel drums, were amazing. We queued for over an hour to see les 7 doigts dela main and it was worth it - effortless circus cum physical theatre.

Security is so tight that they don't even allow you to bring in bottled water, unless it is still sealed. Thankfully, they made me empty the nalgene and so missed the thermos of mulled wine, for which we were grateful for since it started turning cold.

I'm feeling generous, so here is Wei's recipe for mulled wine
1 bottle cheap red plonk - you are going to cook it, after all
1 cinnamon stick
5 to 10 cloves
orange peel
I can't remember if I added a piece of star anise, but you can't go wrong
dash of whisky or brandy (some say to add only at the end)

simmer the above on a very tiny fire till it bubbles just so. In a covered saucepan, so we don't lose *too much* alcohol. When it is ready, add sugar to taste (I put about 3 tablespoons).

drink on a cold night.