Leo & Karen’s California View – February 2012

RETURNING from the UK, sailing tall ships, and driving all over Southern California, basically leading a very active life, I came to a swift, sudden, and abrupt stop when a 23-year-old man ran a red light at great speed, driving through an intersection, plowing into my vehicle one sunny afternoon on December 13. The crash sent me to hospital with four broken back ribs, a bruised kidney, and numerous other injuries which have only come to light as time goes by! Lesson learned: if you think it can’t happen to you, think again. One moment of distraction, being on the cell, not paying attention, or day dreaming can end your way of life as you know it.

I tried everything I knew to carry on: just strap me up, inject me with pain killers … instant relief. I’ll be fine! Wrong!! I lasted less than 24 hours when the body told me otherwise, forcing myself to cancel plans and commitments for the holidays and New Years Eve. I went from being very active to home bound, make that couch bound. And I don’t like it.

I cannot tell you how uncomfortable it’s been since the accident. When not in dire pain, I’m vomiting on a daily basis from the pain pills! No happy pills for me!! Another lesson learned: I thought we were fully covered on car insurance. Far from it. Our medical insurance was sadly lacking as we only had $1,000 coverage. Now, was this our fault for not reading the policy thoroughly, or our agent not giving us better advice? Check your coverage quickly as that amount doesn’t begin to cover the emergency room, ambulance, and doctors visits, or hospital stay if necessary.

Neither Karen nor I have supplemental insurance as we don’t have illnesses or diseases requiring frequent doctors’ visits. Medicare covers only so much. And you know how expensive medical care and hospital stays can be in this country. Fortunately the offending driver is insured.

Even the compensation on our car isn’t adequate. It’s an older model but very well maintained, worth more to us than blue book value, and going to cost us much more to replace than insurance will pay.

A word to the wise: when you marry, make sure you marry a nurse, or someone with plenty of patience. Since the accident I’ve been able to do very little for myself. Nurse Karen has been unbelievable. Normally I never whinge? Now I’m sighing or moaning more than I care to. And yes, there are people far worse off than me, but at the moment, that doesn’t seem to help much, even though I thank all our friends that have given their support. Now over to Karen.

Courtney, Brendan, and Ben Searles of Brendan’s Irish Pub in Camarillo. Photo: Leo Lewis

Brendan’s Irish Pub in Camarillo is celebrating its first anniversary. We’ve been watching this pub and restaurant grow since its opening. Brendan Searles has created a fabulous Pub from an old steak house, importing two containers of authentic Irish pieces for this, his latest venture. It’s magnificent, a work of art!

If you’ve followed him, you’ll know Brendan also was co-owner of the Dargan’s Pubs of Ventura and Santa Barbara. He’s always updating his menu to suit his customer’s tastes, runs a very professional business, and treats his employees as family. So when you walk into Brendan’s Irish Pub, expect to have a good time!! You really have to experience this pub, from the master stone work to the yards of photos that grace the walls. Every nook and cranny is unique and private, and the menu is extensive. 1755 E Daily Drive in Camarillo 93010, (888) 811-5818. PS … numerous times Pam and Mike Bennett of the Torrance British Connection (310) 214-1790 have driven out and joined us for dinner here.

Ranbir Shergill of Ventura Fusion, took a break from arranging his Ventura County football schedule, going with us to Santa Barbara for dinner at a wonderful Indian restaurant we found … India House owned by Krishan Gupta. The spicy smells greet you on the sidewalk, beckoning you inside for a tasty meal seated on large pillows at low tables, with colorful cloth and musical instruments draping the walls, and elephants stand guard.

Taking a table with regular chairs we pored over the menu, finally deciding on Chicken Tikka Marsala, Bombay Thali, and Matter Paneer. We want to go back, as the food was excellent! We’ve been there during the day and seen their buffet luncheon, always so fresh and enticing.

Karen Lewis, Krishan Gupta, and Ranbir Shergill at the India House in Santa Barbara. Photo: Leo Lewis

Krishan left Delhi in 1978, attending school in Berlin. He became a culinary chef with three restaurants in the 24 hour “fun city” of Berlin He’s been in Santa Barbara since 1989 dealing mainly in textiles, a family run business since 1910 in Lahore. He imports entire containers from his brothers in Delhi as a wholesaler to 30+ corporate outlets, traveling back and forth many times throughout the year to India. His textile outlet is 518 State Street in downtown Santa Barbara. Great scarves!

Cooking has always been a hobby with him so two years ago he opened yet another restaurant, India House 418 State Street in Santa Barbara just a block south (805) 962-5070. Take a day trip to Santa Barbara and enjoy their food and atmosphere. You won’t be sorry.

Just up the street half a block is Mac’s Fish and Chips at 503 State Street (805) 897-1160. In October, Guy Fiori of the Food Network, spent three days with Mac and Kate learning about cooking British food. So when the network notified them of airing the show, Mac threw together a “viewing party” offering samples of their British food for their regular customers, while watching the new show. Tons of cheers were heard and toasts to Chef Mac for a job well done!! The fish is exceptional. We passed on the Haggis. Our compliments to Mr and Mrs Mac!!!!

February Birthdays: David Jason 71; Les Dawson 77; James Joyce 129; Dave Davies 64; Michael Sheen 42; Alex Harvey 76; Charles Dickens 199; Brendan Behan 88; Charles Darwin 202; Jane Seymour 60; Alan Bates 77; Gordon Brown 60; Charlotte Church 26; Jen Frost 33; John Mills 103; Lord Baden-Powell 154; Lady Baden-Powell 122; Lee Evans 47; George Harrison 68; Anthony Burgess 94; Madeleine Carroll 105; Elizabeth Taylor 79; Henry Wadsworth Longfellow 204; Brian Jones 69.