Fynbos Walk 2 - Fernkloof

The Western Cape appears well endowed with nature reserves one of which is right on our doorstep: http://www.fernkloof.com/. Following on from the success of our previous guided walk (Fynbos Walk 1 - Klem and the Three Sisters) we enquired of the local Tourist Information for a Hermanus-based guide to do the same here. Which is how we came to spend two hours will Billy learning a lot about local flora and fauna.


Billy
If you are interest in a guided tour contact Billy at
billy.hermanus@gmail.com, cell phone +27 (0) 769 673 606.


Tortoises have right of way


Mary at the crossroads


View down to the coast

We subsequently went back and walked most of the other paths ourselves and saw a fine variey of fynbos in bloom.

Seven Day Forecast

If anyone wondered why we bought an apartment in South Africa look at these weather forecasts:


London a week of rain every day; Hermanus a week of sunshine every day.

Eating the zoo

The first time we went to SA we saw "trio of venison" on the menu. Although we like game we gave it a miss thinking it was deer cooked for three different ways. Only afterwards did we discover it meant three different beasts. This trip I have dined on eland pie, kudu steak, ostrich burger and the best ever springbok steak not to mention carpaccio of warthog.


Carpaccio of Warthog

The food and wine is ludicrously good value. On our previous trip we saw a wine we knew and liked on a menu at 55 ZAR. A fair price for a glass (GBP 3.60) we thought until we realised it was for a bottle!

Between Christmas and New Year we went to the best hotel in town - the 5-star Marine Hotel and went for the tasting menu. Absolutely fantastic. Mary reckons the Springbok was the tastiest meat she has ever eaten. And all at a fraction of what is would cost in London.

TASTING MENU

Norwegian Salmon Tartare Coronet Caper Creme Fraiche, Cucumber Joup
- Villiera Tradition Brut NV

Tian of Prawn, Basil and Tomato Prawn Mousseline, Avocado Cream and Horseradish
- Southern Right Sauvignon Blanc 2008

Ballottine of Guinea Fowl and Foie Gras a la Grecque Vegetables, Pear Chutney and Brioche
- Paul Cluver Chardonnay 2007

Chicken and Shitake Mushroom Consomme Coriander Dumplings, ,Choy, Spring Onion
- Monis Medium Cream Sherry

Oven Roasted Loin of Springbok Pomme Fondant, Caramelised Onions and Cherry Venison Jus
- Beaumont Pinotage 2006

Passion Fruit Sorbet Rooibos Spoom, Lemon Jelly

Assiette of Pavilion Desserts
- Klein Constantia Vin de Constance 2004

ZAR 550 (GBP 36.67) for food and wine per person!

Fynbos Walk 1 - Klem and the Three Sisters

Just back from three weeks in South Africa and catching up on some retro-blogging. The main thing we did was get to know the locality: lots of walks along the beaches and in the local nature reserves plus trying some new restaurants and wineries. Dirty job but someone has to do it.

As part of the Kleinmond Fynbos Festival they advertised a walk in the Kogelberg Nature Reserve. So we turned up and were the only takers. We did a five hour walk up 634 m (2080 ft) to the Three Sisters ably guided by Klem Dunstan.


Klem and Mary


Flowers in the Fynbos

The flora was particularly amazing plus we had the added bonus of this lizard chap.


Lizard in the Fynbos


View of Sandown Beach

If you are interested in a local guide Klem's contact details are: klem@cybersmart.co.za, +27 (0) 832 980 654.

A weekend in Valencia

Some while back my Dad saw an item about the opera house in Valencia design by Santiago Calatrava. The end result was that we three siblings and Dad (and BIL Pete) went to Valencia for the weekend to visit the aforementioned building in the City of Arts and Sciences.


Valencia - opera house

The building, and the whole complex, was quite stunning. A building to rival the most dramatic in the world. It surpassed expectations; indeed the whole complex was quite extraordinary.


Valencia - Dolphinarium

The whole of Saturday was basically spent at the complex. Admiring the buildings, a film at the IMAX and a dolphin show.


Valencia - Irish pub

In between times we walked, talked, ate and drank. Saturday night we had a superb meal at Sagardi (brilliant restaurant, shame about the website).


Valencia - Sagardi restaurant

More pictures on Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/8179454@N02/sets/72157610589966699/

Valpolicella and Amarone Wine Tasting Dinner

Another enjoyable evening at Enoteca Turi in Putney. Guiseppi and Pam put on another of their regional wine dinners, this time from the Veneto.

My scrappy notes reveal that, for the Risotto course, I preferred the Ripasso to the Classico - no surprise there. However with the food my allegiances switched to the Classico. The Tedeschi amarone was so port like it was too powerful for the duck and would have made a better cheese accompaniment.

The prosecco was nicely Brut and the better for it than many other proseccos. I was surprised that they served a light red with the scallops - I think a white would have gone better; also it made the tasting a little heavy on the reds and a white there would have balanced it more.

As always Guiseppi gave a short talk on the region, its food and wines and a good time was had by all.

Cicchetti
Venetian canapes
Prosecco di Valdobbiadene Doe Col Vetoraz

Cappesante alia veneziana con pasta, radicchio e fagioli
Seared scallop on fresh pasta, with bean sauce, radicchio and crispy pancetta
Bardolino DOC2006 Giovanna Tantini

Risotto al Valpolicella e salsiccia
Risotto with Valpolicella wine and luganega sausage
Valpolicella Ripasso Seccal DOC 2005 Nicolis
Valpolicella CIassico Superiore DOC 2001 Marion

Petto d'anatra con peverada e verza, gamba ripiena con peara e sedanorapa
Duck breast with peverada and Savoy cabbage, and stuffed leg with pear and celeriac
Amarone della Valpolicella DOC 2001 Allegrini
Amarone della Valpolicella "Monte Olmi" DOC2004 Tedeschi

Torta di cioccolato
Venetian chocolate cake
Recioto della Valpolicella Le Torade 2004 Ca' La Bionda

Coffee

Olive Harvest in Puglia

Not just any old olives but our own olives off our own trees. A quick Sunday afternoon harvest using equipment kindly lent to us by our neighbour Mino Maggi. In a couple of hours we managed to harvest about 35 kilo which should give us around 3 litres of extra virgin olive oil.


The olives looking ripe


Spreading the net


Net, crate and rake


Raking the olives off the branch


The final haul
We dropped the crates round at Mino's and he will add them in to his crop for pressing. We'll collect our little contribution's output next visit.

Helene Darroze at The Connaught

Friday we went for one of those meals of which the Alitalia in-flight magazine rightly said to the effect of "you go for the experience and you do not look at the price". So it was with Pete and Amanda when we went to sample the delights of Helene Darroze at The Connaught.

The lady herself has twice been awarded two Michelin stars although I am not sure of this restaurant's current rating. Suffice it to say it was indeed an experience. The food was excellent but what struck us was that you could not move for flunkies. As soon as you wandered into the foyer someone would glide up to direct to you the loo even before you had a chance to look puzzled.

We went for the taster menu at GBP 95 per head but the wines bumped the total bill up to an obscene amount of money. The Condrieu was *absolutely* stunning; I wish I could afford to drink like that every day!

WINE:
Ruinart Brut NV
Condrieu, Mathilde & Yves Gangloff '06
Faugères "Le Sonje de l'Abbé", Abbaye Sylva Plana. 2004
Banyuls but which? My notes grow hazy

MENU:
LE CAVIAR D'AQUITAINE..
in a black jelly, Gillardeau oyster tartare, veloute of haricots mais from Beam poured over the top

LE FOIE GRAS DE CANARD DES LANDES.. cooked "au torchon" with mild spices, Sollies fig chutney

LES CHIPIRONS DE LlGNE..
cooked with chorizo and confit tomatoes, black and creamy "2006 vintage" Camaroli Acquarello rice, Reggiano parmesan foam

LA SAINT-JACQUES D'ECOSSE..
roasted with cepes and parmesan crust, pumpkin mousseline, Piedmont hazelnut infused chicken stock

LA GROUSE..
spit roasted and flambeed "au capucin", grilled duck foie gras, Brussels sprouts, "retnette" apples and "chasselas de Moissac" grapes simmered in a jus of yellow wine from Arbois

LA FIGUE DE SOLLlES.. compote with a 10 years old Maury caramel, Greek yoghurt sorbet, crispy fruit and nut bread

LE CHOCOLAT SA MARA DE REPUBLlQUE DOMINICAINE.. cream and sorbet, crystallised orange tulle with citrus fruit sorbet, "poached prune, Armagnac sauce

Friday 14th November 2008 Dinner

Company Christmas Party '08

The taxman allows a company to spend up to GBP 150 per annum on work do's for the staff. Since Mary and I are the workforce we decided that the office Christmas party would be a "Right Bank Stars Dinner" organised by The Wine Society Dining Club. A fine evening with some fine wines:

The Wine Society Dining Club
THE 236th DINNER

Wednesday 12th November 2008 at 7.00pm

Guest Speaker Mr David Peppercorn

In the Chair Patrick Karney

The Painters' and Stainers' Hall, 9 Little Trinity Lane, London EC4V 2AD

MENU

Smoked Chicken & Woodland Mushroom Terrine
Red Onion & Mustard Seed Relish
Kalamati Olive Biscottini & Fresh Chervil Pluches

Selection of Warm Organic Rolls

Loin of Lamb with Pinenut Rosemary & Parmesan Crust
Fondant Potatoes
Primo Cabbage & Chatenay Carrots Cumberland Sauce

Selection of Cheeses

Individual Spiced Apple Charlottes
Florentine Biscuit with Butterscotch Ice Cream

Tea and Coffee
Selection of Indian Teas and Herbal Infusions
Richly Roasted Arabica Coffee
Chocloate Mints and Truffles

WINE

Boizel Champagne

Chablis Les Clos 1996 Drouhin

Chateau Canon 1985

La Fleur-Petrus 1995

Cheval Blanc 1993

Warre 1983

Fifteenth Wedding Anniversary

Last weekend we went away to celebrate our fifteenth wedding anniversary (the actual day was Thu 30-Oct-08).

The first ten years we decided rather than buy each other presents we took it in turns to arrange mystery weekends away. For our tenth we went back to Egypt, our honeymoon destination. Since then we have made it a final trip to Italy to close down Trullo Azzurro.

Since fifteen years is more of a milestone Mary decided to reintroduce the mystery element. I was told to pack a bag, my passport and present myself at T2. It was only then that I knew our destination - standing at the Air Maroc check-in desk stating "Casablanca".

We *had* to have lunch in Rick's Cafe. The film may have been shot on a sound stage in Hollywood and this cafe was only opened recently but I don't care. I think is pretty cool to be able to say "I've dined in Rick's cafe in Casablanca". It is actually an old residence that has been tastefully renovated and converted into a restaurant.


Rick's Cafe outside


Rick's Cafe inside

Friday was mostly spent wandering around the city especially the souk and shopping areas.


Market pomegranates


Market olives

Saturday was mostly spent wandering around the streets admiring the art deco architecture of which there is plenty, a legacy of the country's time as a French protectorate which brought with it European influences.


Art deco Volubis Hotel


Art deco Guynemer Hotel

A Weekend of Culture

Last weekend was a weekend of culture.

Friday night we went to See "Love's Labours Lost" at The Rose Theatre in Kingston. An excellent production directed by Peter Hall. The costumes and set were particularly a visual delight. What the papers said:

"An absolute feast for the ear...Peter Bowles's Don Armado is a delight...a Shakespeare production of the highest calibre." The Guardian

"A production full of the ripe pleasures of a classic comedy" The London Paper

"William Chubb is both hilariously pompous and unexpectedly touching as the pedantic schoolmaster Holofernes, and Greg Haiste's Costard is a genuinely funny clown...this comedy may be demanding but it pays rich rewards." Telegraph

"An elegantly staged piece, and as with most Hall productions, beautifully spoken." What's On Stage

"Shakespeare as Shakespeare intended it." The Guardian

Saturday we went to a Festival New Orleans at The O2, mainly to see John Mooney. We saw his set and then went to eat at Los Iguanas. We sat outside and were able to watch Buckwheat Zydeco followed by Dr John from the comfort of our table. Excellent :-)



We are really looking forward to next year's jazz fest. We are going over to New Orleans for The French Quarter Festival and the first weekend of the Jazz and Heritage Fesitval.



Laissez les bon temps roulez!

Long time no blog

This is going to be to have to be a bit of a Portmanteau blog as it has been *shock, horror* over two weeks since I last put finger to keyboard...

Changing jobs: After four years and many contract extensions (I must have been doing something right) I finally left the client for whom I have been working since August '04. Odd feeling as it is the longest I have ever worked on any project, ever. Fortunately (in this current climate) I have picked up a new contract with one of the recipients of my former client's offerings - a veritable case of poacher turned gamekeeper.

My double crown fell off: A quick trip to Raj to have it temp-bonded back on revealed that the bone of the jaw underneath had healed so well that it had pushed up against the crown from below and eased it off the implants. So he got the technician to grind some porcelain off the underside of the bridge and popped it back on. It shows the wisdom of Raj using temporary cement - a deliberately designed point of failure to prevent stresses building up where they shouldn't.

Weekend in Scotland: Visiting the MIL as per usual. An opportunity to see Mary's sister and family as well as spend time with her Mum. This weekend Mary decided to kitchen cupboards needed a good clear out. Yellowing plastic containers out of the Ark and tins with a 'best before' date in the last century.

A week at home between contracts: Though not idle - I wish. General tidying and foutering and a visit to my Mum and Dad on Wednesday. Oh yes, and I painted the breakfast room and kitchen in my spare time.

London to Paris - Update

The final results are in. We have collected the last few dribbles of sponsorship money and just trickled over our target of GBP 1300 *each* set by The Stroke Association. I made 1,345 and Mary raised 1,445; a grand total of 2,790 pounds. Thank you to all our generous sponsors - family, friends and colleagues.


London to Paris - The Team

Bhavesh sent us certificates and the team photo taken right at York House, the start of the ride. The total is standing at 57,000 so if everybody sends in their last remaining contributions it looks like we will hit the 60k mark. Yippee - well done us!


London to Paris - My Certificate

We're not worthy, we're not worthy

I have known Catherine Bott since we were 5. We went to the same primary school. Now she is so famous she rates top slot in The Times birthday item above Brian de Palma and an ex-Governor of the Bank of England:

September 10, 2008
Birthdays: Catherine Bott

The soprano Catherine Bott says she is busy improving her organisational skills in what she describes as a portfolio career in singing and broadcasting. She presents The Early Music Show on Radio 3 and is preparing a duet recital programme, "almost a cabaret", with James Bowman. She is spending her birthday in Andalucia with her partner Stephen "enjoying a long lunch at our favourite local restaurant". Catherine Bott is 56 today. RGT

Other birthdays

Paul Cole, racehorse trainer, 67; Brian De Palma, film director, 68; Sir Bernard Feilden, architectural conservationist, 89; Lord George, Governor, Bank of England, 1993-2003, 70; Roger Uttley, international rugby player, 59.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/court_and_social/article4726256.ece

She is even in Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catherine_Bott

Next time we meet I am going to have to have a Wayne's World moment.

Another dinner party in Italy

This time indoors.

We have had a number of DP's in Italy but they have been outdoor BBQ's of a more casual nature. Because of the weather this trip just gone, we planned an interior repast. We had our friends Andrea and Geraldine & Alasdair staying with us; Chris & John had their friends John & Linda staying with them.

Our table could really only take eight so a quick trip to Conforama yielded a half round glass topped table of just the right dimensions to squeeze Mary and I on the end. It worked so well we went back and bought a second one for the other end ready for our next big social event.


Clockwise: Alasdair, Geraldine, Andrea, Chris, John, Linda, John

You can tell how well a dinner is going by the noise level. Out in the kitchen the decibels from the Italian-style multiple simultaneous conversations was deafening :-) We went on till one in the morning and quite a few bottles of wine were drunk including a couple of magnums of the block-buster Primitivo from Colavecchia.


Left to Right: John, Mary, Linda, me, Alasdair, Geraldine, Chris

Birthday Weekend in Stratford-upon-Avon

For my birthday we went to Stratford-upon-Avon to see an excellent production of "A Midsummer Night's Dream" at the Courtyard theatre.

On the Saturday we hired bikes and went out for a 40 mile cycle in glorious sunshine with stops for lunch at The Howard Arms (with a couple of pints of Hook Norton) and afternoon tea in a converted railway carriage.

I was amused by the pub's menu which warned "Fish may contain bones. Puddings contain calories".

Warwickshire country church

Cycling in the country

Ripe blackberries

Eating at the roadside

The Howard Arms for lunch

Railway cafe

Stratford Almshouses

Madonna - Sweet and Sticky Tour

After the various cock-ups administrative errors of the Kylie concert (late boat, missed pre-drinks, tickets for different dates!) the corporate entertainment company arranged a compensation event: Madonna at Wembley.


Now between you and me I wasn't exactly suffering Post traumatic stress disorder so I thought this was a gesture above and beyond the call of duty - but who am I to cavil.

The Chinese meal beforehand at Alisan was fine. Madge came on about 45m late at 9:00 and bashed out a fair number of greatest hits. Great to tick another cultural icon off the list but I have to say I think the visuals at Kylie's concerts, to supplement the dot on the stage, added greatly to the enjoyment of the spectacle.

Some of my colleagues had cameras so I will post a selection of photos later if I can.

London to Paris - We Made It!

Worst: Puncture in the English rain

The first day and a half was horrible - wet and strong headwinds. Then it cleared up Friday afternoon and we were cycling through little country lanes in the sunshine thinking "this is why we love cycling". It stayed like that to the end. It was great fun and we had no serious after effects from the cycling although on day three I did have to resort to two pairs of lycra shorts - neither the saddle nor my bum had much padding!


Best: Rolling French roads in the sunshine

Day 1: London / Portsmouth	72.6m	6:16h	11.6av
Day 2: Caen / Bernay	60.3m	4:38h	13.0av
Day 3: Bernay / Paris	102.4m	7:29h	13.6av
Total: London / Paris	235.3m	18.23h	12.8av

Team 1: the fastest


Mark and Mary at L'Arc de Triomphe

Photos:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/8179454@N02/sets/72157607161934026/

In total 40 people did the ride and the collective effort is expected to raise about £60K for The Stroke Association. Every extra donation helps.

http://www.justgiving.com/markmclellan
http://www.justgiving.com/marymgalashan

Charity Dinner in aid of The Stroke Association

New local restaurant Perché has kindly agreed to host a special charity dinner for us on Thursday 18th September 2008. It is a win-win-win situation - people get a chance to try lots of their lovely food at a special price, we raise some money for the Stroke Association and Giovanni from Perché gets free advertising. Tonight we posted around 450 flyers into the houses all around the area - avoiding those with the "no junk mail" notices. Those poor people will miss out!

Charity Dinner in aid of The Stroke Association.

Thursday 18 September 2008 at 8 pm.

Local Wandsworth couple Mark and Mary are cycling London to Paris in aid of The Stroke Association. Support their efforts and enjoy a chance to try some of Perché's fantastic dishes with a specially designed tasting menu.

Antipasti, trio of pasta, choice of lamb or sea bass (please specify when booking), dessert, coffee. £35 per person* including a £5 donation to The Stoke Association.
* does not include drinks or service.

Perché Restaurante Italiano, 3 Dolphin House, Smugglers Way, Wandsworth, SW18 1DE. Reservations required Tel: 020 8704 0888.

London to Paris - Training 10

Last weekend was the last cycling according to the training plan. A short ride on Saturday and another on Sunday. The latter was in Richmond Park and as we entered the park the heavens opened, thunder, lightning and flash floods. After one circuit we were completely sodden so we said "s*d this for a game of soldiers" and went home.

My lightweight rain jacket was about as much use as a chocolate teapot which prompted me to go out and buy a top-of-the-range GoreTex jacket yesterday. Looking at the forecast for tomorrow we added waterproof overshoes to the shopping list :-(

Tonight was a pasta supper with tw other entrants, Lynn, and Dave who are staying with us tonight. Now it is off to bed.

Well that's it for the training - tomorrow it's the real thing.

London to Paris - Training 09

Pump it up when you don't really need it.
Pump it up until you can feel it. *

We have been following the suggested training plan from The Stroke Association religiously thanks to Mary. Last Sunday morning before our BBQ we were out of the house at 07:40 to do 2 hours round Richmond Park before breakfast. Then the rides and gym during the week.

This weekend (Monday was a public holiday in the UK) we did 2, 3 and 5 hours - 30, 40 and 70 miles respectively. Cyling round the New Forest with fellow entrant Lynn it was a far more scenic ride that the environs of London. We were averaging 13-14 mph which we were pleased with, all the training has paid off. Honourable mention should go to Lynn who came with us on the latter two rides despite a raging sore throat which meant broken sleep and hardly any food.

A month back I treated us to a proper stirrup pump only to discover that my hand pumping had only inflated the tyres to about 3 bar (45 psi). At the recommended 6 bar (90 psi) for the hybrid it was like having cast iron tyres. You feel every bump and pot hole. On the road bike the pressure was 8 bar (120 psi)! Going over the cattle grid it was definitely as case of "Gentlemen please be upstanding" though Lynn said she quite enjoyed the rumble strips :-O

* Pump It Up - Elvis Costello

London to Paris - Training 08

It's training Jim but not as we know it.

A small group of us met up for a drink in the Crusting Pipe in Covent Garden on Tuesday evening. John A Hartley, Bhav, Chris (mrtee), Chris (bluedee79), myself and Mary.



We drank wine and talked of cycling stuff and a pleasant time was had by all.

London to Paris - Training 07

The training continues unabated according to the plan(-ish).

Saturday we drove down to Bob and Lynn's for a barbeque. On the way we stopped for an hour and a half loop up and down the Test Valley in the <expletive deleted> rain. A delightful circuit we will do again but hopefully in more clement conditions.

Sunday we met up with fellow L2P'er AlisonP at Brockenhurst and preceeded to do 3 ½ hours round the forest - ably navigated by Lynn.


Lunch at The Compasses, Winsor - AlisonP, Mary, Lynn and Mark

We did 48 to 50 miles but four cyclo-computers could not agree on the exact mileage. Alison would have done it faster but she very graciously waited for us three to catch up at appropriate junctions.


Consulting the map at Buckler's Hard (no tittering at the back there!)

Cycling round the Forest roads made a very pleasant change from London streets.

Kylie at the the O2

As previously mentioned ("Kylie Minogue in a Red Latex Dress") I was due to see Kylie *twice* at the O2.

The first time was a team outing where we met at a bar beforehand, had a boat ride to the O2, a rushed meal, the concert, more drinks and another ride back to Westminster pier. I may have had a glass or two of champagne (hic!)

The second time was a more subdued affair. A relaxed meal with Mary at Las Iguanas, the concert and tube and train home. I saw more that time because my eyes were better at focusing :-)

What can I say. A true professional. La la la!







Loads more photos at:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=51265&l=c0e6a&id=547102291
and:
http://seguima.jalbum.net/Kylie/