As part of our time of extra consumption, we try to corner the market on cheese. I think we have about ten types of cheese in the house. We are lucky around here as we have a small producer of fine cornerstone cheeses, Wilton, makers of an excellent extra old white cheddar, and also perhaps a slight upgrade to the interesting work of the cheesemen of Black River. Yesterday I added three more from the good folk of Back Forty Sheep Camp in nearby Lanark County: Dalhousie, Madawaska and Highland Blue. Interestingly, all the names of these ewe's milk cheeses could have been selected for the same operation in Pictou Co., Nova Scotia or northern New Brunswick. Not an insignificant expense at $7.50 for 100g but, like a decent bottle of wine, worth it if you have a gathering gathering soon. And like you would milk a ewe. Be honest.

Astute readers will know there is a separate secret life of cheese being recorded in its own category here at GX40. If the worries of the day - say, the new knowledge that your government has been spying on you without the honouring the requirement for a warrant as provided for in law - then why not try a local cheese this week and report back.