Sunday 21 December 2014

A misunderstanding about pancakes


A picture appeared on the BBC Scotland news website a couple of days ago, showing what they said were 'ice pancakes' on the River Dee, about 30 miles or so inland from Aberdeen.

Pancakes. Mmmm. Interesting. We all trust the BBC don't we?

You know, I am not a big fan of venturing into any sort of water, especially not the icy sort, but the weather here in the city has been relatively mild of late, and, there being foodables involved, I took the trouble to make some calculations.

According to my analysis, involving average flow rate, air and water temperature and latent heat of pancakes, any pancake that was in a frozen state in the river in our chilly hinterland would have melted to a nicely palatable texture by the time it had floated downstream to besides Duthie Park.

Why did Gail laugh when I insisted on a small extension to our usual walk this morning, to check out the options for a free second breakfast? And then suggest that my equations were probably wrong because I had not allowed for the effects of currants in  currents on the pancakes? (I think that last comment was supposed to be a joke…)

So where are all the pancakes then?

PS from Gail: Bertie and I are heading down south today to stay with Human Granny over Christmas, and the blog will be relatively quiet for a week or so (although we will definitely be FFHT'ing on Christmas Eve). 

24 comments:

  1. Have a very Merry Christmas Bertie...and we hope you found those pancakes!!
    Smileys!
    Dory, Jakey, Arty & Bilbo

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  2. Travel safely Bertie, no excursions at Newcastle! and have a wonderful Christmas in Nottingham
    Loves and licky kisses
    Princess Leah xxx

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  3. Safe travels Bertie and I hope there are real pancakes at Granny's!

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  4. Yes safe trip Bertie and hope you get some edible pancakes over the holidays. Have a serene and easy Sunday.
    Best wishes Molly

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  5. Have a fun Christmas Bertie! See you when you get back. Gail and Willow

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  6. Bertie and Gail have a lovely Christmas with HGma and
    please give her a nose tap from Madi and a hug from Mom. As soon as we get some syrup we'll want to try the pancakes
    madi your bfff

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  7. Sorry the pancakes weren't what you were expecting! Travel safely and have a wonderful Christmas!

    Your Pals,

    Murphy & Stanley

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  8. What a fascinating ice formation. Never even heard of it....not that we hear everything. Just incredible. Thanks for sharing.

    Have a wonderful time with Human Granny.

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  9. Safe travels to Nottingham, and Bertie, no running around in Edinburgh!!

    Bart

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  10. BTW, those pancake thingys are very cool. I wonder what causes them to form...

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  11. We want to Wish YOU and Miss Gail and HGM a Wonderful and MERRY CHRISTMAS...

    Now none of your shenanigans on the train or at the stations... Santa Paws WILL be watching..

    OMD PAN CAKES ON THE RIVER??? OMD...how Delicicious... Ooooops... we mean INTERESTING.
    We are SURE that there was NOTHING amiss with your calculations... Pawhaps Squirrels Hoovered them all up before they had a chance to make it to you.

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  12. frozen pancake would not of been all that tasty - but we sure do you wish you, gail and granny a wonderful christmas

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  13. Hari OM
    Oh yes Bertie - I saw them on the telly news last week and I immediately thought that our Blogville Boffin would be onto that..... but clearly the same freakiness which made them ensured they were gobbled by they time you could get to site...

    Now you and Gail have a safe and happy time down in Notts, enjoy all the foodables and HGM and all the different sniffs.... and if you see any badgers, stomp your paws as hard as you can!!! Hugs and wags, YAM-aunty xxx

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  14. Have a good visit, and treasure the time with HG. We will be here when you return, still wondering about the pancakes. Our love to all

    Gus n Teka

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  15. Crikey Bertie ...... that sure was fascinating about those pancake things, aye?? They certainly look like pancakes. I would have liked to see that. Have a great time at human Granny's house. I do hope you, Gail and Granny have a truly wonderful Christmas. Take care Bertie and look after those two humans, aye?? Can't wait to hear about all the happenings on your return. Your train trips are ALWAYS extremely interesting. Not to mention action packed!!

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  16. Safe travels and warm wishes to you, Gail and HGM. Maybe Santa will bring you some REAL pancakes, not the disappearing floating (what the heck????) kind.

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  17. Ohhh pancakes we'd have extended our walk too and those ice pancakes are most interesting looking even if perhaps not tasty. Have a lovely holiday

    retro rover

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  18. I'm thinking those ice pancakes don't come with butter and syrup?

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  19. Ice pancakes! How neat is that. Cocco wishes he could have some of those. (And thanks for your comment today, I am checking into it as we speak!). Have a wonderful Christmas.

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  20. Pancakes in the USA are tastier Bertie
    Lily & Edward

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  21. How could you possibly turn down the chance to have pancakes floating right to you??

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  22. I would check your river for pancakes. Probably it's a pancake-soup what comes to you, butt my dad said that's tasty too. You need just some parsley... or grass. Have a good time with you Granny and I hope you get tons of treats.
    Easy Rider

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  23. Bertie - Maybe they were tatty scones ....

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