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http://toulousearlydays.blogspot.com/
Been a while since I updated this, and might have some pics to upload later, after todays 3 hour yomp.
Anyway, went back to the UK for a weekend, and what a great weekend it was. Friday got back in the afternoon and tried out the new recipe for Yorkshire puddings at Sal's - Wow! does that work or what, all done on volume - take a cup (measure or actual cup) and fill with flour, then with eggs, then with milk and whisk - it looks a lot thinner than I would normally have done, but my god do they rise!
Had a great evening with Sal, Al, Steve and Angie and a great joint of beef, rosties, butternut squash, yorkshires and gravy, followed by a fantastic apple and fresh blackberry crumble and custard - or cream and custard if you are Al - then a great smelly selection of cheeses from France.
Saturday, was out and about in Chesham, Wycombe, Berkhamsted and Northchurch... Nice coffee and lunch in Wycombe with friends, then later a beer in Northchurch at the George and Dragon. Saturday evening was Matt and Teresas "UK" reception, great to catch up with friends and people I haven't seen for almost a year... great beer - thanks Matt - great company thanks to everyone...
Sunday... Cricket, in the beautiful english countryside in the beautiful warm english summer, with a picnic and good company - that would be the ideal...
Sunday... Cricket, in the beautiful english countryside, however, the weather... cold, spots of rain, really cold... Picnic, sweaters, raincoats, fleeces, and did I mention it was COLD... watched the first innings outside, but admitted defeat and retreated to the clubhouse for the second innings, at least it was out the wind and warm...
The day itself was great fun, and the music from the crown was great - chill rock, floydesque all really good - went slightly downhill with the screeching - singing(?) - girl but on the whole really good afternoon.
Come Monday and I didnt really want to return to France, all very strange and somewhat confusing for the mind to be honest, but back I came and back to the semi grindstone of work, still quiet as not everyone back from their holidays.
Strange week to say the least and the weekend has been spent cleaning, mopping and finaly sorting out the office/study on Saturday - Sunday went out for a 3 hour walk around the forest, took some pictures, but suprisingly little wildlife on show - also failed to find the lake - it's a lake how can you miss it!!!! Checked the map at the base and could see where I went wrong - pretty much on the wrong direction - better luck next week maybe...
Finally after making a great dinner of Entrecote, roasties and some yorkshires I didn't quite wrap the cloth all the way around the handle of the cast iron pan out the oven and have branded myself! A very shiny sore patch on the palm of the left hand, and after an hour of ice still throbs like someone has a small iron pressed onto it.
Oh well, that's life and things go on, so onwards and upwards and hoping that things continue to improve.
Note to self - No Bakewell! To be rectified next visit...!
Showing posts with label Food. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Food. Show all posts
Sunday, 6 September 2009
Wednesday, 5 August 2009
Blighty, reunions and good times
Had a great week back in the UK - the training went well and I even got a rather "snazzy" Indonesian batik shirt as a present - pics to follow, maybe!
Good to catch up with so many friends who made the time back in the UK great fun, have to admit it was a little wierd being back and not being in my house, but at least I have (probably) got tenants in there now, so onwards and upwards in the landlord world. A huge thanks to "he who shall not be named" for all the work that he did to get things spic and span, and also to his little house elf helper!
Managed to get to the get out for the Pepper Show and catch up with everyone, sorry it wasnt longer or that I could have got there earlier and seen what the show was like. Also fitted in a 60th birthday and to be honest he doesnt look a day over 65...
Still enjoying the golf, even after playing a "proper" course, at Chartridge with hills and ponds and narrow fairways, a bit of a difference to the wide open plains of Wexham! Thanks Mr T and Mr H, hopefully we will do it again end of the month?
Friday had a great evening out for a Thai, beer and a catch up with Mr R, to say there was a lot of 'Casualty' talk would be doing the evening a disservice - however, it was fantastic and a great evening, and I hope that Mr R got home ok...
Saturday, busy, busy, busy, over to Little Chalfont to see Mr & Mrs S and their fantastic lovely new house, what a great AWNING!
Then shot over to Harrow - sorry for running out R&B! - to meet up with Aunt and Cousin for a Dim Sum luncheon, had a great couple of hours and at least it is breaking the 16 year meeting interval previously experienced between me and S!!!
Did a little shopping then and picked up Wii Sports Resort and Tiger Woods (got to improve the golf!!!) complete with 2x Wii motion plus - (already tried them out "brilliant"!)
Got back for Mr H's birthday bash, another fun evening and another international menu - Indian this time - great laughs and too much to eat but that is the way to celebrate!
Sadly had to leave Sunday before there was time to enjoy and english roast - manged Thai, Chinese, Indian but not an english roast!!! - must try harder next time.
Good to catch up with so many friends who made the time back in the UK great fun, have to admit it was a little wierd being back and not being in my house, but at least I have (probably) got tenants in there now, so onwards and upwards in the landlord world. A huge thanks to "he who shall not be named" for all the work that he did to get things spic and span, and also to his little house elf helper!
Managed to get to the get out for the Pepper Show and catch up with everyone, sorry it wasnt longer or that I could have got there earlier and seen what the show was like. Also fitted in a 60th birthday and to be honest he doesnt look a day over 65...
Still enjoying the golf, even after playing a "proper" course, at Chartridge with hills and ponds and narrow fairways, a bit of a difference to the wide open plains of Wexham! Thanks Mr T and Mr H, hopefully we will do it again end of the month?
Friday had a great evening out for a Thai, beer and a catch up with Mr R, to say there was a lot of 'Casualty' talk would be doing the evening a disservice - however, it was fantastic and a great evening, and I hope that Mr R got home ok...
Saturday, busy, busy, busy, over to Little Chalfont to see Mr & Mrs S and their fantastic lovely new house, what a great AWNING!
Then shot over to Harrow - sorry for running out R&B! - to meet up with Aunt and Cousin for a Dim Sum luncheon, had a great couple of hours and at least it is breaking the 16 year meeting interval previously experienced between me and S!!!
Did a little shopping then and picked up Wii Sports Resort and Tiger Woods (got to improve the golf!!!) complete with 2x Wii motion plus - (already tried them out "brilliant"!)
Got back for Mr H's birthday bash, another fun evening and another international menu - Indian this time - great laughs and too much to eat but that is the way to celebrate!
Sadly had to leave Sunday before there was time to enjoy and english roast - manged Thai, Chinese, Indian but not an english roast!!! - must try harder next time.
Wednesday, 15 July 2009
Golf day pictures - deserved their own comments...
Indian(s), Golf and missing belly buttons
Well what a great weekend, got back to the UK on Friday and after paying a trip to Hings for Haddock, Chips and Mushy Peas - cant get anything like that here - spent an afternoon at the house and meeting the agent to discuss what needed to be done to bring it up to rental standard.
Then ventured up to the golf range for a first swing at a ball in anger, 60 balls £3 or 59.5 if you are Mr H... - I later realised that having said I never played I wasn't including time on the Wii, does that count... - After the range a little putting practice and then back to Chez H for a shower and get ready to go out. Half an eye on the Ashes test as well, was looking to be slightly disappointing after such a strong looking start.
Went out and had a wholly enjoyable evening in the company of Mr T; Mss B and Mr H; venue the Rajhastan - and my what a fab meal that was. It has been at least two months since Indian food has passed my lips and it was a joy to again taste the peshwari nan, Tamarind chicken and sundries.
Saturday met a friend over coffee in the morning and then the afternoon was the start of Mr Smiths Stag... Mr H and myself met up with Mr T; Mr F and drove (courtesy of Mr F) over to Wexham park club.
Found most of the other participants already onto their first/second drink and first/second meal by the time we got there. So ordered a beer - nothing "proper" on the pump, grrrr - and then a Roast Beef sandwich and fat chips, something else France lacks - Beer; roast beef sarnie and fat chips!
After some of the guys had hired clubs and we all payed our green fees, we headed off to the range or putting greens for some pre-match warm up. 20 Balls a £1 and not to many wasted ones!
Off to the course - after what seemed like a walk to the next county... we all arrived at the first tee, so the first group lined themselves up and started to swing at the ball, there was a lot of swinging and not a lot of hitting at various times in the day, but eventually they made it away, followed by the second group and then finally our four.
Well first clatter went fairly well with it staying on the fairway - not overly distant but at least it was playable. So ensued a very enjoyable 2 1/2 hours of 9 holes of golf, a little drizzle on the 6th - unless you Mr T who had a little drizzle on the 1st, 3rd, 4th 6th etc, etc. - but other than that a thoroughly enjoyable time.
Once we had all gathered at the 9th it was back to return clubs, make sure the beer was still okay and then plan to retire to Amersham for the evening.
Got to Amersham about 6.30 and went to the lovely Elephant and Castle, great pub and actually had people in it who could communicate and were not slumped over bags of post benefit cheque shopping, unlike Chesham at the moment.
Well a few well deserved libations and conversation - at least on our side of the bar - turned to the location of the barmaids belly button or even the existence of one, low slung jeans and a top rolled up, showing off an extremely flat and toned tummy if we are fair, and yet no sign of a belly button - inny or outy - so was it very high, very low or could she be a test tube clone...
After contemplating and deciding that it may well result in a slap if broached we moved of to the Indian restaurant that was booked... the numbers it was booked for seems to have gone astray during the booking process was it 8 at 10 or 10 at 8... whatever we all eventually made it around the table - Second Indian in two days and the opportunity to have the other favourite dishes, fantastic.
Food was great, company entertaining and a great evening was had by all, eventually replete and happy we made our way back to the Elephant and Castle - still no sign of it... - and had a further round or two of libations.
Then a weird thing happened a bell rang at just before 11... had we inadvertently stepped through a rift in the space time continuum? No Old Amersham has Old Licencing - to be fair it is very residential, so drinking up time and last orders were still going strong.
We then made our way home - again courtesy of Mr F. What a star!
A big thanks to all the organising committee and good luck to Matt - you surely won't need it... - and see you next as Mr Smith - no change there other than you might not be allowed out I guess...
Apparently the complex scoring, handicapping and general convoluted rules used means it could be several more days before the overall finishing positions are revealed... There may also be some pictures posted here if Mr T official snapper manages to download off his camera - hint, hint!
Then ventured up to the golf range for a first swing at a ball in anger, 60 balls £3 or 59.5 if you are Mr H... - I later realised that having said I never played I wasn't including time on the Wii, does that count... - After the range a little putting practice and then back to Chez H for a shower and get ready to go out. Half an eye on the Ashes test as well, was looking to be slightly disappointing after such a strong looking start.
Went out and had a wholly enjoyable evening in the company of Mr T; Mss B and Mr H; venue the Rajhastan - and my what a fab meal that was. It has been at least two months since Indian food has passed my lips and it was a joy to again taste the peshwari nan, Tamarind chicken and sundries.
Saturday met a friend over coffee in the morning and then the afternoon was the start of Mr Smiths Stag... Mr H and myself met up with Mr T; Mr F and drove (courtesy of Mr F) over to Wexham park club.
Found most of the other participants already onto their first/second drink and first/second meal by the time we got there. So ordered a beer - nothing "proper" on the pump, grrrr - and then a Roast Beef sandwich and fat chips, something else France lacks - Beer; roast beef sarnie and fat chips!
After some of the guys had hired clubs and we all payed our green fees, we headed off to the range or putting greens for some pre-match warm up. 20 Balls a £1 and not to many wasted ones!
Off to the course - after what seemed like a walk to the next county... we all arrived at the first tee, so the first group lined themselves up and started to swing at the ball, there was a lot of swinging and not a lot of hitting at various times in the day, but eventually they made it away, followed by the second group and then finally our four.
Well first clatter went fairly well with it staying on the fairway - not overly distant but at least it was playable. So ensued a very enjoyable 2 1/2 hours of 9 holes of golf, a little drizzle on the 6th - unless you Mr T who had a little drizzle on the 1st, 3rd, 4th 6th etc, etc. - but other than that a thoroughly enjoyable time.
Once we had all gathered at the 9th it was back to return clubs, make sure the beer was still okay and then plan to retire to Amersham for the evening.
Got to Amersham about 6.30 and went to the lovely Elephant and Castle, great pub and actually had people in it who could communicate and were not slumped over bags of post benefit cheque shopping, unlike Chesham at the moment.
Well a few well deserved libations and conversation - at least on our side of the bar - turned to the location of the barmaids belly button or even the existence of one, low slung jeans and a top rolled up, showing off an extremely flat and toned tummy if we are fair, and yet no sign of a belly button - inny or outy - so was it very high, very low or could she be a test tube clone...
After contemplating and deciding that it may well result in a slap if broached we moved of to the Indian restaurant that was booked... the numbers it was booked for seems to have gone astray during the booking process was it 8 at 10 or 10 at 8... whatever we all eventually made it around the table - Second Indian in two days and the opportunity to have the other favourite dishes, fantastic.
Food was great, company entertaining and a great evening was had by all, eventually replete and happy we made our way back to the Elephant and Castle - still no sign of it... - and had a further round or two of libations.
Then a weird thing happened a bell rang at just before 11... had we inadvertently stepped through a rift in the space time continuum? No Old Amersham has Old Licencing - to be fair it is very residential, so drinking up time and last orders were still going strong.
We then made our way home - again courtesy of Mr F. What a star!
A big thanks to all the organising committee and good luck to Matt - you surely won't need it... - and see you next as Mr Smith - no change there other than you might not be allowed out I guess...
Apparently the complex scoring, handicapping and general convoluted rules used means it could be several more days before the overall finishing positions are revealed... There may also be some pictures posted here if Mr T official snapper manages to download off his camera - hint, hint!
Sunday, 14 June 2009
Toulouse Markets and Art
An early start and made our way into Toulouse - starting at the Capitole, we walked down to the covered market at Place Victor Hugo - an amazing array of food and drink on display. Everything from Lapin to Cheval on the meat counters, and Angler fish to Turbot, langoustine the size of small lobsters and a myriad of shell fish and small fish the majority that I have not seen before.
Cheese, bread, wine and coffee were available and for a Sunday morning it was amazingly busy.
We then took a walk across to the Eglise St Auban, where there is a fantastic market around the outside of the Basilica, with everything from food, drink, materials, crafts and potteries. Too much to take in on a first visit - will be going back - no doubt with the original house elf...!
Once we had our fill of the market and all it had to offer, we found a lovely little bistro for a spot of lunch - lovely little place with great artwork over the walls, shame it wasnt busier as it certainly deserved to be - maybe it is a later afternoon/evening place we were early birds I suppose.
After having our fill of great homemade food, it was time to wander back towards the Captiole - on the way wandered through the little parks with the merry go rounds, water features and lots and lots of people sitting and chatting to while away the time - obviously we need to get the hang of this sitting doing nothing of an afternoon, and people watching.
Once we got back to the Capitole, there was a wing of it open that you could go and look around and what a good job we did, fantastic art and sculpture and amazing rooms that are obvioulsy still used for official functions and ceremonies.
After a pleasant 45 minutes wandering the corridoors it was time to head back home - hopefully with some sun and the opportunity to get a refresher in the pool.
Spent the afternoon, reading, floating and chilling out by the pool.
After a great day, we were just out by the pool at 1030 and found a glow worm with the brightest green glow I have seen, the only one we could see but hopefully he will find what he is looking for tonight.
Back to work tomorrow, Hamburg via Munich on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday in Hamburg taxiing around Finkenwerder airport doing some testing, and then hopefully back Friday afternoon for the weekend.
Hopefully the garden elves will cope on their own!!!
Cheese, bread, wine and coffee were available and for a Sunday morning it was amazingly busy.We then took a walk across to the Eglise St Auban, where there is a fantastic market around the outside of the Basilica, with everything from food, drink, materials, crafts and potteries. Too much to take in on a first visit - will be going back - no doubt with the original house elf...!
Once we had our fill of the market and all it had to offer, we found a lovely little bistro for a spot of lunch - lovely little place with great artwork over the walls, shame it wasnt busier as it certainly deserved to be - maybe it is a later afternoon/evening place we were early birds I suppose.
After having our fill of great homemade food, it was time to wander back towards the Captiole - on the way wandered through the little parks with the merry go rounds, water features and lots and lots of people sitting and chatting to while away the time - obviously we need to get the hang of this sitting doing nothing of an afternoon, and people watching.
Once we got back to the Capitole, there was a wing of it open that you could go and look around and what a good job we did, fantastic art and sculpture and amazing rooms that are obvioulsy still used for official functions and ceremonies.
After a pleasant 45 minutes wandering the corridoors it was time to head back home - hopefully with some sun and the opportunity to get a refresher in the pool.
Spent the afternoon, reading, floating and chilling out by the pool.
After a great day, we were just out by the pool at 1030 and found a glow worm with the brightest green glow I have seen, the only one we could see but hopefully he will find what he is looking for tonight.Back to work tomorrow, Hamburg via Munich on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday in Hamburg taxiing around Finkenwerder airport doing some testing, and then hopefully back Friday afternoon for the weekend.
Hopefully the garden elves will cope on their own!!!
Here are a few pictures taken in and around the Capitole 
Sunday, 7 June 2009
Cherries and Rain and old photos
Well not even got a decent picture to post today, rain and overcast for the weekend, which has pretty much matched my mood.
However, the cherry trees branches are brushing the grass with the weight of fruit on them, almost but not quite ready to pick, have had the odd one here and there, but I think another few days of sun should do it.
It feels like one step forward and two steps back at times here, just when you think everything is straightened out in your head, it does a complete u-turn on you and gives you some nasty suprises, all part of the process I think and just have to push on through.
Preparing for the first visitors - excluding house elfs... - this week so should be a fun ten days coming up - although I am keeping the sanctity of work available in case it gets to be too much of a strain.
Been a very busy week with lots of work on the A380 certification, and in a couple of weeks a day taxiing around an airport in Germany to look forward to... maybe not though!
As I dont have any new pictures to post, will put one up from Kenya from a couple of years ago....
However, the cherry trees branches are brushing the grass with the weight of fruit on them, almost but not quite ready to pick, have had the odd one here and there, but I think another few days of sun should do it.
It feels like one step forward and two steps back at times here, just when you think everything is straightened out in your head, it does a complete u-turn on you and gives you some nasty suprises, all part of the process I think and just have to push on through.
Preparing for the first visitors - excluding house elfs... - this week so should be a fun ten days coming up - although I am keeping the sanctity of work available in case it gets to be too much of a strain.
Been a very busy week with lots of work on the A380 certification, and in a couple of weeks a day taxiing around an airport in Germany to look forward to... maybe not though!
As I dont have any new pictures to post, will put one up from Kenya from a couple of years ago....
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