≡ Menu

UK

A-Z Guidebook: Newcastle, Angel Of The North

Welcome to the A-Z Guidebook Link Up. If you would like to join, read the A-Z Guidebook tab at the top of the blog and write a travel post relating to the letter of the month. * A tour of my photos showed me there are a lot of places and things that start with… Read more

6 comments
Filed in: A – Z Guidebook

The Kipper Smokehouse at Stone Farmer’s Market

And now a trip down memory lane*. Not only does Stone have a Food & Drink Festival, there’s also the Farmer’s Market. We didn’t see the best of the weather when we were visiting the markets, with the wind whistling down the pedestrian shopping precinct rivalling an Ekka wind down George St. Surprisingly, there wasn’t… Read more

2 comments
Filed in: Markets, Travel

It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas

It says ‘Choirboy Fancy’ 1.35 – cheap at half the price!I’m sure that line has never been used as the title to a post or article anywhere on the internet.  Anyway……I started a new job this week so I’m a bit short of time whilst I’m adjusting to a new routine.  I have some extra… Read more

1 comment
Filed in: Miscellaneous, Travel

A Few of My Favourite Things – Update!

And the good time just keep rolling.  Hot on the heels of the great news that Soreen is now available in Australia comes the fab news that Ryvita has started selling a number of flavours here, that I came to know and love in the UK.  Like most family businesses, Ryvita has been swallowed up… Read more

2 comments
Filed in: Product Review

A few of my favourite things – Update!

Just before I left the UK, I did a post about some of my favourite food items from local supermarkets that I would miss.  Well good news Anglophiles – Soreen has hit our shores!Just a reminder, Soreen is not a cold sore cream as I suggested or a brand of toilet paper as my mum… Read more

1 comment
Filed in: Product Review

Land of the Giants II

Ages ago, I wrote about the Giant Food of Switzerland.  As part of the same European holiday, we saw a variety of giant food props but ice cream reigned supreme.  As I am travelling this week and have limited access to the internet to write about my adventures, for your delectation, I present the Giant… Read more

0 comments
Filed in: Food Experiences, Travel

The Ultimate Goodie Bag

Finally, after 18 months of travelling and collecting like a magpie and 4 long months in transit, the boxes that we shipped from the UK have finally arrived.  After putting away the clothes and books, I couldn’t help but notice that a very large proportion of the items were food related.  The Op Shops were… Read more

0 comments
Filed in: Brisbane, Travel

I Heart Raymond Blanc

We all know what it’s like when you really, really want to visit a place that’s supposed to be fabulous but when you get there, it turns out to be a let down.  Raymond Blanc’s Le Manoir Aux Quat Saissons is not one of those places.Choosing to visit the 2 Michelin starred Le Manoir Aux… Read more

0 comments
Filed in: Restaurant Review, Travel

A few of my favourite things

It’s nearly time to to leave This Sceptered Isle and squeeze myself into a sardine tin for the long haul back to Australia.  This last week is a chance to re-visit some new favourites, before supply is cut off.Fig, date & grains bio yoghurt – the name says it all really.  This delicious Morrisons own… Read more

0 comments
Filed in: Food Experiences, Product Review, Travel

Black Friars Distillery – Plymouth

Last Monday I visited Blackfriars Distillery in Plymouth – as you do when you have a spare Monday morning.  It’s located in the ‘Barbican’, which is the old part of Plymouth.  When I say old, think of the Pilgrims heading the to New World.  The Barbican is where they jumped on board the Mayflower and… Read more

0 comments
Filed in: Food Experiences, Travel

The Horned Woman Restaurant @ The Greyhound Inn

Plans for the day were revised once we woke to a light dusting of snow and sought adventure closer to home, rather than drive on the icy roads.  Sunday lunch at The Greyhound Inn in Saughall was the choice, within walking distance of the house and recommended by several neighbours.  The pub was busy and… Read more

1 comment
Filed in: Restaurant Review, Travel

Chesire Cheese

I am installed in the village of Saughall, a few miles outside Chester, right on the Welsh border.  Although the village is small, they manage to hold a Farmer’s Market at the local hall every Friday morning.  I popped down this morning to see what was on offer.Thankfully, the stalls fit into the tiny hall… Read more

1 comment
Filed in: Food Experiences, Travel

Sloe Gin – Don’t Mind If I Do!

What do you do when the days start to shorten and there are many long winter nights ahead of you? Brew your own booze of course! Some may recall from earlier posts that in visiting a variety of National Trust properties, I was able to try locally grown farm shop produce as well as collect… Read more

4 comments
Filed in: Drinks, Travel

The Seafood Restaurant – Padstow, Cornwall

We drove down into Padstow, no doubt once a sleepy fishing village until Rick Stein came along and bought up the town. He owns The Seafood Restaurant, St Petrocs Bistro, Stein’s Patisseries, Rick Stein’s Café, Stein’s Fish & Chip shop, a Deli, a Gift Shop and a Seafood Cooking School. Add to that several B&Bs… Read more

1 comment
Filed in: Restaurant Review, Travel

Champagne Tastes on a Beer Budget

Who says you can’t eat and drink well on a budget?Exhibit a) – Morrisons Value Bitter 97p for a four-pack.Say no more……… Read more

0 comments
Filed in: Food Experiences, Travel

Plot to Plate

Properties in the care of the National Trust come in all shapes and sizes but many have a common denominator, being the kitchen or walled garden.Some have the original plantings, particularly the orchards where you can see espaliered pear trees and old fashioned apple varieties on trees that can be well over 100 years old… Read more

0 comments
Filed in: Food Experiences, Travel

Creation Hot

I like chocolate and will always say ‘yes’ to some if it’s offered but a chocolate cake or tart or icecream is never going to be my first choice from the dessert menu. I’m not in love with chocolate as much as some. It must be said though that I am a fan of dark… Read more

0 comments
Filed in: Product Review, Travel

Warning! May Contain Traces of Sparkling Red Wine

I’ve just finished watching the final episode of MasterChef: The Professionals. Although it’s presented here in quite a different format (my preference), the formula is still the same and once again, totally addictive A famous chef (Michel Roux Jnr) and a food professional (the unctuous Gregg Wallace -‘Yes Michel, no Michel, three nose bags full… Read more

0 comments
Filed in: Miscellaneous

The Real Ale Trail – Stone, Staffordshire

The Stone Food & Drink Festival is held in the canal town of Stone, in Staffordshire. Now in its 5th year, it attracts people from the district as well as the casual Antipodean interloper. There are festival activities all week, leading up to the official opening on the Friday.We arrived on Thursday afternoon with just… Read more

0 comments
Filed in: Food Experiences, Travel