Nigel makes some pathetic excuses why his weekly blog missed out this week.

Full confession: Apart from the weeks when informative and entertaining contributions from colleagues David and Jim, and now my own Megan, appear, I’ve kept up a weekly posting since the summer of 2012 – over 400 posts. This week was one of my rare absences.

This week, I was going to do a paean to peach blossom time here in Niagara on the Lake, but cool weather followed a few glorious spring teasers. I’m told the blossoms may be out on the weekend. Finger’s crossed that a nasty frost warning or strong winds don’t spoil  the beauty.

Also, I was going to write about how I’m a lousy pastry cook, but a neighbour’s hazelnut crust was a sublime replacement. I followed her directions to the ounce, but it didn’t turn out somehow. I’m sure it’s my error, but I’m waiting to take a quick cooking lesson before I share a sure-fire recipe.

Then, I was going to write a story about packing for a trip that involves three countries, four flights, a tall ship sail down the Amalfi Coast and a hot air balloon ride, while only taking enough for carry on. But the cute nautical T-shirts I ordered online haven’t arrived so that messed up my photo concepts.

I was going to write about the next episode of Escapes with Nigel, featuring an interview with NOTL Museum MD/Curator Sarah Kaufman and the story of Colonel Butler, after whom NOTL was originally named, but my dear friend, cameraman and video editor decided to renovate his entire house, which of course takes priority.

Oh well, perhaps the weekend will bring better luck and I’ll have something to say next week.

This is Nigel’s 412th blog on Gentleman’s Portion. The SEARCH function at the top works really well if you want to look back and see some of his previous stories, or check under CATEGORIES.