Wow. It’s been nearly 2 months since I’ve posted anything on here. Its not that I’ve haven’t had the time – after all, I should have much more free time now – since I finally submitted my dissertation. Eight years of working and studying and being stressed with all the work I had to do for what seemed like every minute of every day. It feels very weird to have to remind myself that I needn’t feel guilty if I’m not reading something academic. But I really wasn't in the mood for Blogging much....



Over the summer I’ve read some brilliant books. Most memorably: Khaled Hosseini’s ‘A thousand Splendid Suns’ (scary to think that a guy could write so well from a female perspective – I’d love to meet him) and Sheila Hancock’s autobiographical ‘The Two of Us’ detailing her life with Inspector Morse actor John Shaw. A bit over the top and soppy in places I thought – but well-written and insightful. I also discovered Gillian White, and although her writing is no-where near the level of many quality writers (this is solid chic-lit type stuff), it was thoroughly enjoyable and cleverly funny. Holiday reading at its best.




Now it’s back to the never-ending lesson-planning and now (a new past-time) dog-walking. Despite the rain, rain, rain since we got back from Crete, it’s been rejuvenating to have the incentive of soppy-looking dog’s eyes as motivation for getting out and about.
Some of the public footpaths and reservoirs we explore we never knew existed until recently – and we’ve lived here for years now. We also discovered Holdenby Hall who held their second Food Festival a couple of weeks ago. Luckily the rain held off for long enough so that we could see the eagles flying from their Falconry and (of course) buy some olives and spices…






J spoilt us with a trip to the famous Waterside at Bray (regrettably, Dizzy was not allowed).
And the sun really did shine that day! It was fabulous to sit looking out to the Thames and enjoy the happiest service that I think I’ve ever experienced at a Michelin-starred place. The food wasn’t too bad either;)

The 'F' word..."fantastic!"

Remember the Ramsay Kitchen Nightmare episode where the multi-Michelin-star accruing controversial Gordon visited a small restaurant in Norfolk called "Rococo's"? Chef Nick Anderson had a Michelin star from a previous role and had won lots of awards after set up his own place in unpretentious King's Lynn. Trouble was, his menu was pretentious and didn't really match the local customer's needs. (Read the report from back then in Lynn's News). Luckily for Nick, Ramsay used his experience and skill and waved his magic spell on the atmosphere, menu and staff, including changing its name to a more friendly-sounding Maggie's (The restaurant falls under the shadow of St Margaret's church, opposite). See below..

This (above) is the ancient medieval building next-door to Maggie's. All around is wonderful architecture!

We thought we'd give Maggie's restaurant a try whilst staying in the city over the Easter break. Norfolk is excellent cycling-path country and the estuary is punctuated by nice, friendly, down-to-earth pubs like the Crown and Mitre. (Many of which seem to be owned by Londoners 'done good'..)

Surprisingly, there was availability at the last minute (oh dear, I thought) and at 8pm on the Saturday, we sat down to eat. But I needn't have worried, the whole place was absolutely frantic. Most tables were full and the four or five waiting staff seemed to be dashing about, but not really accomplishing much. For instance, despite having the menus to study for 10-15 mins, no-one asked what we wanted to drink; we had to wave-down a dazed-looking young lady and made an order. ..A few minutes later we were told that unfortunately the prosecco wasn't cold and did we mind waiting for it to cool down?! Needless to say we didn't bother and went straight to the wine-list instead. But the very kind (reassuringly, French) sommelier offered J's cold beer on the house. A bit strange, though, I thought - to have Prosecco on the drinks menu when it's not in the fridge (?)

Another strange thing happened when we ordered the food. The menu was straight-forward and varied, with the odd "fancy" thing here and there (e.g. fois gras with a starter) (see their rather strange and amateurish web-site for an example). J decided on the game terrine to start with and I went for the 'shrimp and mushy-pea fritters' (!) (Just out of interest more than anything else really)! The waiter informed us that there had been a "complaint" this evening about the game terrine: apparently it was very "gamey" (!!!) Not sure how to react to this statement - we just looked at the apologetic-looking waiter with raised-eyebrows...."And..?"!!!
I wasn't sure what the point was of mentioning this. Perhaps he would've been better advised to offer it as a complement, rather than as a complaint. Anyway, as it turns out, it was very, very good and much more exciting than my (rather bland) "fritters" - which, (sorry, Nick) were crying-out for a sweet chilli sauce to spice them up a bit. The mains were better - and by this time, thankfully the atmosphere in the restaurant had relaxed quite a bit (but there was still no sign of the staff pouring any wines at any of the tables (despite a large table of 8 behind us). The happy chattering from customers in the quite spacey, but still cosy rooms was interspersed with the occasional clattering and shouting from the kitchen (the door was wedged open). I caught glimpses of Nick and his colleagues sweating their guts out. For some reason many people had arrived at about the same time - leaving alot of orders going in together...

Service was good - their was just enough of a wait between courses. And each plate was well-presented, but not over-the-top. J had the steak (of course) which was cooked to perfection (or so he said) and I had the salmon (the only other options were Ox tongue (yuck), Grey Mullet (who on earth serves that nowadays, rather than its so much better tasting red brother) or Brill - which I can never get enthusiastic about. The salmon was nice, but served on a mountain of raw celeriac and cabbage (inedible) which I had naively expected to be blanched or served with something else..luckily the steak came with a marvellous bubble and squeak mixture which saved the day.

Puddings were lovely with lots of flavours and Eastertime chocolate. Shame about the Stinking Bishop cheese on the board. We had been warned about the diminishing quality of this cheese on our food tour at Winteringham Fields, and the other cheeses served were not particularly local or inspiring - a bit of a wasted opportunity. (We feel a bit like cheese experts after our visit to Lincoln's Cheese Society)!!

However, overall it was very, very nice. And not particularly expensive. There is something quite 'homely' about the atmosphere and service at Maggie's. Like the coat-hooks by the glazed front-door, the pine furniture and the magazines on the side-tables. I was quite surprised, for instance, to find in the (single) ladies' loo, a washing machine, semi-hidden by a white linen table-cloth!

Judging by our experience, the feedback from the locals and the bustling atmosphere that we witnessed - looks like Maggie's is a real success. Can't help thinking that King's Lynn is another of those places that has relatively undiscovered potential.

From Yorkshire Scupltures to ones slightly further afield in Barcelona. This was one on the beach near to to the Michelin-starred restaurant at the top of a cable car tower (!) You would never guess to look at the surrounding area. It's strange to have a sprawling massive city right next to a sandy beach - and the sea breeze made the heat much more bearable..






There was all sorts of weird and wonderful sculptures and buildings. But the Gaudi Cathedral and Park were definitely the highlights. As K said - it was like being in a fairy tale! A bit of research revealed that before he was tragically run over by a local tram in his seventies (apparently he dressed so humbly, no-one realised that it was him until some days later - he looked like a tramp!) he regularly took some magic mushrooms to ease the symptoms of his arthritis. Hence the fantasy-like buildings and colours. Walt Disney eat your heart out!








This is a city you could walk around for hours. Hop on the bus for 20euros and jump off for a few minutes when you get bored of listening to the Spanish guy harping on about the wonderful shopping opportunities in the area - much better to look at the architecture instead!

I must've passed the Yorkshire Sculpture Park a million times on the motorway, on my way to or from somewhere or other... So while we had a few hours to spare in (awful) Wakefield the other day (necessary to collect the new BMW), we decided to stop in and have a walk round with the dog we had visiting (I hoped it would tire her out on the way back - but no such luck - she's inexhaustible)!



The park is alot less formal than I anticipated. Not many proper paths - just footpaths through fields. I was glad to have my proper walking boots.



Every so often you come across weird and wonderful sculptures like these. It's a bit spooky to be honest. Especially approaching dusk when there's no too many people around.



The Henry Moore is the highlight of course. The surrounding landscape and quietly munching sheep certainly add to the contemplative mood of the scupltures. Well worth a visit - especially as the famous Three Acres isn't very far away for a delicious lunch...

Funny how it's always those places that you live nearest to, that you somehow never seem to get round to visiting. We've known about Ravensthorpe Reservoir since we moved here over seven years ago - but for some reason J's been all over the country with his fly-fishing rod, but never managed to go 5 miles down the road! Anyway - we found the time to stop by yesterday - and even though we weren't there at the crack of dawn (as many were apparently) we didn't come back empty handed (although it wasn't the 11 lb wopper that someone pulled out last week - and it didn't get a fly either (long story)).



Bryher and I walked all the way around the hundred acres of clear blue water and another halfway round to meet the fisherman. It was so peaceful - and the sun was lovely and warm, especially on the south bank where the dam is. It was great to escape the blasted dissertation for a day or two at last. This place is full of interesting original Victorian machinery and architecture. And the village is only a short walk away...(where maybe we'll live one day)


She is a mischievous little tinker - into everything and full of energy and particularly enjoyed running through all the muddy paths under the trees of the wood on the far side...


Lots of people were out in boats - but J never has any luck on boats so he stayed on the bank while I surreptitiously tried sketching them (not easy with an energetic little dog beside you)...



Nearby the well-worn Chequers pub was unfortunately closed (again)so it was back to our local for a quick pint. Needless to say Bryher needed a bath as soon as she got home - which she didn't particularly like - but it was worth it for all the mad running about the house that inevitably follows any doggie-bath... Why do they all do that I wonder???

If my group of Beteckers are reading this again - a big THANK YOU for your lovely card and comments. I miss you too!!! Hope all the interviews and stuff are going well. Sorry I accidentally deleted your comments - so you'll have to send me some new ones to add to this post:)

Here are some pictures from last weekend and our visit to my home county - yes - I'm an ESSEX GIRL at heart;)

We were there to see 'ol' blue eyes' on tour
(and please don't go telling me he's dead - coz I've seen him - full size, in colour and walking on the stage):)

The Cliffs Pavillion - at Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex - a brilliant venue - especially on a wonderful sunny day like we had on Saturday.



Looking out onto the big, blue Thames estuary with a cold glass of white wine? Yep - very 'us' ;)



Unfortunately, the first performance was cancelled due to a technical hitch - but I managed to run to the box office (when all the oldies were reaching for their walking sticks) and got the last few tickets for the evening performance. Luckily we were there early as the stupid man had written 8.15pm on the tickets when actually it was an 8pm start. It was an excellent show - and I'm not even a particular lover of Sinatra-stuff (J is of course - born in the wrong decade)- but his story was really well told and the technology they use was amazing - he really came alive - so much so, that the dancers on stage we actually a bit of a distraction to watching him sing! fantastic choreograpy....



So, anyway, we had an unexpected afternoon walk along the seafront - along the pier (the longest in the world you know - 1.33 miles) - we took the train back as the wind was blowing a hoooley!
After a wonderful lunch (plus two bottles of wine) at the
Fisherman's Wharf restaurant we ended up at Leigh-on-Sea (which is slightly more upmarket that the amusement-park, candyflossy "saaffend"...



We found a good and friendly fishmonger cooperative (Mmmmm.. wild sea bass: mental note to stop there before we headed home) and stopped for a drink at the seafront bars. Shame that we would have to miss the reservation at the Boatyard restaurant (voted the best fish restaurant in the area) - but actually it didn't look that brilliant a place after all. And the reviews aren't very good. The woman at the reception was not at all friendly:( somaybe it was just aswell we weren't eating there. Its a bit of a Michelin food desert round here:(



Little did we know (and much to J's excitement) the international annual airshow was on and during Saturday there was lots of rehearsing in the skies above the cliffs and the seafront was beginning to fill up with all kinds of RAF and Army lads on roadshow-type lorries with banners. Shame the weather closed in on Sunday - but that's England for you (it was a bank holiday after all):)








Does he think he's in Crete or something? This is the Thames - not the Med' you know!!







Nice hat Dad;)

>

Last week my friend K and I treated ourselves to a mid-week day out in scenic Rutland. As it was a special occasion we decided we deserved a Michelin-starred venue for lunch and Hambleton Hall’s ‘Lunch 4 Less’ deal was irresistible!
It's grand Victorian architecture looks over the huge reservoir and even though it was midweek they were fully booked and the dining room had (as always) an excellent atmosphere. The hotel is more like a rustic home than a posh hotel. Hidden away down a wooded gravelled driveway. Apparently the Latin above the front door says ‘ do as you want’ and they certainly are keen on their guests taking part in fishing, cycling or walking around the Water’s paths.




But we were here for Aaron’s famous food. In a recent review "Hambleton Hall stands at the forefront of that dying breed of quintessential, personally run, unmucked-about luxury country-house hotels". And has been known for some time as 'best restaurant outside London'..
So after the obligatory glass of champers;) K had the Beetroot assiete to start (Mmmmm interesting – not as good as a rhubarb favourite of mine from a certain other Michelin place) and I had the ravioli mushroom thingy (very mushroomy) and for our mains we had veal bolognaise (not too rich and served in a separate little pot to go over the pasta – very stylish) and the organic wild salmon (lovely and the mushed peas it was served on even better). We especially enjoyed earwigging others conversations “would you believe – the new vicar is a woman!” And laughing at the walking party who left all their muddy boots and Barbours in the porch, as the head of the group discreetly handed the sommelier two (duck or pheasant)? eggs saying (in his middle class accent): “would you ask the chef to poach one and fry the other – we’ll have them before the starters”.


Eccentric bunch these middle-of-week- Michelin-star-lunchers. The rain outside was pouring down. We enjoyed the relaxed, comfortable lounge, warm from the open log fire, full of plump feather cushions and the scent of its enormous vase of lilies.

Fortunately the rain held off when we left, and the spring-time sun appeared. Hambleton Hall is just down the road from the late BBC gardener Geoff Hamilton’s ‘Barnsdale’ – which is a maze of little gardens all with an individual theme. It held a special significance for K, so I was glad to walk around and enjoy learning a few new names for all the plants. Each garden has a seat to sit and enjoy the plants and we had the place virtually to ourselves apart from the few staff busy weeding away. The peace was only shattered occassionally by the aircraft from the local MOD site. After a cream tea in the café, we walked around the shop and each bought a new colourful addition (or two) for our gardens. Ladies who do lunch? We must do this more often!

Bradford - home of cheap and cheerful bingo halls, shell suites and famous for its curries....MMMmmm not the best venue for an annual corporate charity do. The Hilton here has to be THE worst I have ever stayed at. We parked at the ugly, smelly, concrete NCP next door and I had a foreboding of what the hotel was going to be like. And Yep- very old and tired and dark rooms where the windows were literally falling out if the frames, clean but very small, well-worn rooms full with out of date stuff and uncomfortably hard beds. Can you believe not even one room donated to a treadmill or two - let alone a proper gym or a swimming pool "Oh, yes madam - there is a leisure centre available to guests. It's about a ten minute drive away" Stuff that. Anxiously driving around Bradford looking for a sports centre with your doors locked first thing in the morning. Definitely not my idea of fun.

Rooms: awful.
Service: bearable.
Food: inedible.
Music: fair
Company: great;)
Another annual duty? Done!

Another trip to one of my favourite cities....
The contro versial Birmingham architecture...with rain fast approaching...


before lunch we visited the famous fish markets and were amazed at the different strange things on offer...not only the fish...


and the fresh crabs (my favourite). We had some little tubs of crayfish and welks to "keep us going til lunch" whilst we ambled round...



but what about this.............



at the back of this cabinet is....yes that's right...anyone for goats head stew????!!!.....(yuk)!!!!



and then there's the nasty stuff...(Not that High F-W would agree of course)


Some of the quality of the fish was a bit disappointing,
but there was a massive choice - meat and fish and frozen stuff...


But this was why we were here....there was even grouper!!


Anyway, when we'd had enough of walking around this smelly place, we headed outside to the open air market to buy (the biggest) stuffed olives you'd ever seen. And the woman selling them was so obsessive about them (understandably) she wouldn't allow them to be mixed together when they were sold - so we ended up £16 worth of half a dozen bags of various varieties (which inevitably ended up all in the same bowl in the fridge when we got home (well, all the ones that were left, that is;) there was a long train journey remember)!

On the basis that the wonderful, marvellous Teppanyaki is closed for lunch (why oh why?) and that shockingly, Le Blancs place has now closed (why oh why? - one of my favourites!), we headed to the next best... The Bank. Inevitably, it was very busy, but at least the menu is good. There wasn't too many screaming kids (thank God).



Unfortunately, despite it's friendly but corporate atmosphere, the food was a bit disappointing. We've been there a few times and this was by far the worst. L is allergic to coriander (poor love) so I made a point of telling the waiter. But... you guessed it, the chef just couldn't help himself, could he? There on top of the starter was a giant sprig of (to L was..) "the evil-looking green stuff". Did he not understand? The other starters were fine. Mains weren't...J had steak (of course) which was fine, L&C had the veal (too much sauce I think - not particularly appetizing-looking). I had the roasted halibut - which had been so over cooked it had gone completely dry and lost all taste. It was sitting on some asparagus which (a bit too early in the season for UK stuff) when questioned had apparently come from the same place my (lovely) new bear originates from...



We decided to share the "puddings for 2" (x2 of course) and they went down very well.
Later, I had a chat with the manager, Brett - lovely guy from South Africa. I think they just had a bad day. And the menu is desperate for a change - he agreed.

Next weekend we're off to the wonderful city of .....Bradford (!!) Oh, I can't wait!!