A couple of months ago, I spied a post on facebook putting out a call for volunteers to help on Bedfordshire’s newly established (and only) community farm, Treewell Farm. The idea appealed to me on several levels; firstly I know how spending time in nature has positive mental health benefits. Secondly, I liked the positivity in the idea of creating something...
I have long been a fan of Lebanese and “Middle Eastern” food in general. I would get my regular “fix” at the fabulous café/shisha bar, Reem in Bedford High Street. However, when, much to my dismay, this closed down, I realised I would have to take matters into my own hands and started to make my own falafel and houmous,...
A couple of weeks ago, at a loose end on a blustery Saturday afternoon during this somewhat elusive summer of ours, we enlisted our Spanish friend Carlos (from the renowned wine producing region of Valladolid) to accompany us on one of the Vineyard’s guided tours and here’s what happened… We were met by our knowledgeable guides at the entrance to the...
I am very lucky to have family who relocated to this small and friendly seaside town on the Northumberland heritage coast a few years ago…Although I miss them very much, it’s a perfect excuse to make the regular pilgrimage, not only to see them, but to dine heartily on the fantastic seafood bounty of this proud, seafaring town. Amble, recently voted...
When in Catalonia, Aperitvo (or perhaps more accurately, aperitiu in Catalan) time, is officially my favourite time of day. In common with their neighbours across the border, in France, the Catalans like to meet for a drink “to open up the appetite” before a large meal. Traditionally, this would have been after Mass and before lunch on a Sunday. However,...
Taste of a place – County Clare Brian has the great fortune of hailing from the fabulous County Clare (“God’s own county” – don’t you know!), on the west coast of Ireland. Having friends and family there, we are fortunate to make regular trips home and of course, sample all the best that the area has to offer…. Whenever we visit Brian’s...
I have a confession – For many years, I had heard about, read about and had seen with my own eyes, the popularity of the fish and seafood “Marisqueria/Freidura” eateries in Cadiz province. I learnt that fried fish is the speciality of Cadiz, but even so, it took me a long time to venture into one…. At this point, I must...