Category Archives: June 2014

Food, June 2014, Restaurant, Travel

Outlaws, Poets and High Flying Birds

Leave a comment

IMG_0705

When I met up with my friend Marmoset the other day, she reminded me that it has been a year since she left Robben Island (our former place of employment). Meaning that is has been over a year ago since we took ourselves on a girls weekend to celebrate her escape. We visited The St Enodoc Hotel for dinner at ‘Nathan Outlaw’. A reminder of the year gone past spurred me to write about it before the memory fades too much further, because it is very worthy of a post. Continue reading Outlaws, Poets and High Flying Birds →

Food, June 2014, Recipe

Mackerel Sky, Sunshine Chutney

Leave a comment

IMG_1433

The issue with Mackerel is that it seems to go on and off the list of fish you can eat guiltlessly to the extent where I have become baffled. I think I’m right in saying it’s ok to eat it at the moment but we shouldn’t be eating it all the time.

As a source of protein Mackerel is full of omega 3, so great health wise, and it’s so tasty and economical. What I really like about it though, is that it can take spice… Continue reading Mackerel Sky, Sunshine Chutney →

Food, June 2014, Restaurant

Pub Lunch?

Leave a comment

IMG_1412

We know how to go out for lunch – mob handed….

There is a pub near where my family live the ‘silver’ lunchers always use it for their regular get togethers.

We had occasion to meet up there yesterday and to the credit of the staff they cope with a table of 22 people with aplomb. The team were outstanding at guiding our large group through really efficiently. Continue reading Pub Lunch? →

Family, Food, June 2014, Recipe

Simple Salmon met a Pie Man…

1 Comment

IMG_1410

My cousin Petal, her husband The Banker and their lovely kids are visiting us from the States. They have been out and about doing their thang and we have been away at a wedding so last night we had a relaxing meal at home together. Continue reading Simple Salmon met a Pie Man… →

Family, Food, June 2014, Lifestyle, Music

When I wake up, well I know I’m gonna be, I’m gonna be the man who wakes up next to you

Leave a comment

IMG_0526

When I go out, yeah, I know I’m gonna be
I’m gonna be the man who goes along with you
If I get drunk, well, I know I’m gonna be
I’m gonna be the man who gets drunk next to you
And if I haver, hey, I know I’m gonna be
I’m gonna be the man who’s havering to you

But I would walk five hundred miles
And I would walk five hundred more
Just to be the man who walked a thousand miles
To fall down at your door…

So the deed is done, the families have gathered and joined for better or for worse – better, we know. Continue reading When I wake up, well I know I’m gonna be, I’m gonna be the man who wakes up next to you →

Food, June 2014, Lifestyle, Restaurant

Memories of Lahore…

4 Comments

In my spotty youth my ‘boyfriend’ for a few years was of Pakinstani origins, his father having been born in Lahore and his mother being from south London.

As you do in your teens, we spent time just loitering, and often around and about his father’s business premises. Masood, would often finish his work, load his workers and ourselves into some battered old vehicle and cart us off to the east…..that is the east end of London. Aldgate to be precise. He liked a taste of home and the Lahore Kebab house in Umberston street, E1 was just the thing. Continue reading Memories of Lahore… →

Food, June 2014, Lifestyle

Love X Love

Leave a comment

IMG_0519

We have a family wedding this week, preceded by cousins arriving from the US who we haven’t seen in a while.

Apart from all the mania that goes with wedding plans, and visiting loved ones, we have a brief moment of calm and solitude to ‘stand and stare’. Continue reading Love X Love →

Food, June 2014, Lifestyle, Recipe, Travel

Breakfast in London, Drinks in Africa, Supper in Bangkok, Cocktails in the sky

2 Comments

IMG_1138

After months of anticipation we had finally arrived in Thailand and our first stop – Bangkok. Although shattered we had our priorities well and truly in order and following a quick survey of our rooms and a shower, we agreed to meet in reception to step out on the town.

Continue reading Breakfast in London, Drinks in Africa, Supper in Bangkok, Cocktails in the sky →

Food, June 2014, Recipe

Somewhere, over the mystic rainbow trout, summer solstice is here…

Leave a comment

IMG_0510

Some would say a magical time – I’d be one of them. Today in London we will enjoy 16 hours and 38 minutes of daylight…..we plan to spend the evening outside.

IMG_1348

When I was a child and we were driving to our Devon holidays, my dad would always stop the car as we crossed Salisbury plain, so we could get a good look at Stonehenge. In those days you could park nearby and walk right up to the stones unimpeded – we loved it. I was always so excited about it and would weave stories about ancient times in my mind. Continue reading Somewhere, over the mystic rainbow trout, summer solstice is here… →

Family, Food, June 2014, Lifestyle

un œuf is un œuf !

Leave a comment

IMG_0502

We are in the midst of  feverish activity, family arriving from the States, No2’s wedding, I hate my hair – my suck it in pants aren’t working, the house is a mess, the garden is a tip, things to prepare, work is manic – STOP!!!!! Continue reading un œuf is un œuf ! →

Food, June 2014, Recipe

Curry in a hurry?

2 Comments

IMG_0496

So a dish in a hurry, with some comfort to it was what I was after when I raided the kitchen after work on Wednesday. Rocket was due to be working late so it was just a case of something quick for me. After I had started prepping, Rocket arrived home, so I just threw in some more potatoes, added some extra bread and eggs….

Continue reading Curry in a hurry? →

Food, June 2014, Travel

A curly tale of Provence

2 Comments

Once upon a time, Rocket and I were on holiday in Provence. We had rented what turned out to be a ramshackle farmhouse in the hills above Nice, it’s crowning glory being a stepped garden with a pool terrace hanging on to the edge of a precipice from which there was a stunning view across the landscape.

The house was set in a sort of pine forest, along a track, there were a few other old stone houses dotted around but no immediate neighbours – lovely. Continue reading A curly tale of Provence →

Food, June 2014, Recipe

Every day I look at the world from my window, but chilly, chilly is the evening time

2 Comments

IMG_1322

When down at the shack in France we enjoy making recipes using the local white beans – these same beans are used in the traditional Cassoulet.

Often we have the luxury of having time to use the dried beans, soaking them in advance and cooking slowly to allow the flavours to be absorbed. They are a traditional option in our region, and very economical and when catering for large groups which is not to be sniffed at. Continue reading Every day I look at the world from my window, but chilly, chilly is the evening time →

Food, June 2014, Restaurant

Here’s to you Mr Robinson

Leave a comment

IMG_1267 The Harwood Arms – London SW6

I’ve been to the Harwood many times and based on previous experiences, we looked forward to Saturday’s lunch with great anticipation. Mike Robinson the chef who also owns the Pot Kiln Pub in Berkshire is one of the owners. The pub is located in Fulham, I used to work just around the corner, which was highly dangerous but now, I go there much more rarely. Continue reading Here’s to you Mr Robinson →

June 2014, Shopping

Give as you live – it costs you nothing……

3 Comments

If you sign up to ‘give as you live’, when you shop online, the participating retailers, of which there are huge numbers like amazon etc, will make donations to charity on your behalf. I found out about give as you live through this blog;http://thejellychronicles.net/ you can choose any charity listed. It’s easy to set up and if you buy online anyway, it seems rude not to sign up.

You can rotate your chosen charities at will, I’m currently supporting Parkinson’s – you choose who you would like the contribution to go to.

So you shop, and they pay….once signed up you can see your total mounting up and IT HAS COST YOU NOTHING.

Visit their site at http://www.giveasyoulive.com/

Food, June 2014, Restaurant, Travel

Starry Starry Night…

Leave a comment

restaurant5-big

Paint your palette blue and grey
Look out on a summer’s day…

The tree lined footpath shades them from the heat of the evening  sun, they are lost in a comfortable chatter about the evening to come. The ground is uneven, she carries her heels in hand. Continue reading Starry Starry Night… →

Food, June 2014, Recipe

“Girls & Boys” supper for two

2 Comments

IMG_0449

This has been a funny week fraught with duty and domestic tasks. The first part of the week meant I could indulge myself in some leisurely cooking and the second half of the week has been exactly the opposite. Rocket arrived home from working abroad and so we were both shattered. Continue reading “Girls & Boys” supper for two →

Food, June 2014, Recipe

World Cup Chicken from Little Brazil

Leave a comment

IMG_1227

The green and yellow Brazilian flags are fluttering proudly in our local area, a carnival atmosphere in the warm sunshine. In a part of London with a significant South American population, expectation is building. Continue reading World Cup Chicken from Little Brazil →