Our latest trip to Zeebrugge was on 7th September 2011, a very windy day, though thankfully it didn't rain while we were in Zeebrugge!
That was the windiest I had seen Zeebrugge, and the kites were up! I made a video but the bits with the strong zoom are very shaky, you can still see the waves crashing up, the kites and a big ship coming in to port.
It was much more sheltered near the West Hinder boat.
We had ribs and chips for dinner in our favourite Old Barrel and then a nice cold glass of Hoegaarden in our other favourite Old Steamer.
I hope to see Zeebrugge again this year, I love it there!
Friday, 6 January 2012
Sunday, 1 January 2012
Roast grouse for New Year
Our first Sunday dinner of 2012 was something I had wanted to try for years, but had never been able to get hold of - grouse.
We went to a food lovers market in Malton last November, and we were pleased to see a stall selling game, including the elusive grouse. We just had to buy some, and so we bought two.
Although some recipes suggest one grouse per person, we cut one in half, meaning that we have one left for another time. It was just the right size.
The grouse, with a few game chips and the bacon it had been topped with
We served the grouse with game chips, bread sauce and steamed cabbage, which were perfect accompaniments.
I always enjoy game, I only ever eat free range meat, and grouse is the ultimate free range bird.
We went to a food lovers market in Malton last November, and we were pleased to see a stall selling game, including the elusive grouse. We just had to buy some, and so we bought two.
Although some recipes suggest one grouse per person, we cut one in half, meaning that we have one left for another time. It was just the right size.
We served the grouse with game chips, bread sauce and steamed cabbage, which were perfect accompaniments.
I always enjoy game, I only ever eat free range meat, and grouse is the ultimate free range bird.
Tuesday, 22 November 2011
Lissewege
On our last holiday in Belgium we visited the pretty white village of Lissewege, located between Brugge and Zeebrugge. I had always liked pictures I'd seen of Lissewege and it was nice to finally go and see the village.
When we were there, a sculpture trail had been set up round the village in various locations, including outside the railway station, in the canal and behind the church.
We had a nice meal at Huyze Saeftinghe (we had spaghetti carbonara) and would certainly like to go there again.
The video of our trip to Lissewege:
When we were there, a sculpture trail had been set up round the village in various locations, including outside the railway station, in the canal and behind the church.
We had a nice meal at Huyze Saeftinghe (we had spaghetti carbonara) and would certainly like to go there again.
The video of our trip to Lissewege:
Thursday, 14 July 2011
Ampleforth
Yesterday we had a trip to Ampleforth Abbey - catching the bus to Helmsley and then another one to Ampleforth (it would have been much handier if the Scarborough-Ampleforth bus still operated!)
The weather could have been better, as it was overcast and quite cold for July, and there was a bit of rain. Ampleforth Abbey is known for its school (Ampleforth College) and its cider, produced from the apples grown in the Abbey orchard. We had become quite keen on the cider, and so that it what inspired us to visit the Abbey - to buy some of the cider (unobtainable where we live!) and also to try the tearoom and the renowned cider apple cake!
Ampleforth Abbey
When we arrived it was shortly after 10am, and the shop did not open until 10:30. We seemed to be the only people around, and our footsteps echoed in the hallway. We went outside for a walk and a look round the grounds, which are beautiful, giving excellent views of the surrounding countryside. I would have loved to have gone to school in a place like this!
We had a nice meal in the Abbey Tearoom - Wensleydale cheese on wholemeal bread with salad and crisps, followed by Father Rainer's Apple Cake - which was superb -moist and tangy. After buying our cider we returned to Helmsley. The weather could have been better but I would love to go there again!
The weather could have been better, as it was overcast and quite cold for July, and there was a bit of rain. Ampleforth Abbey is known for its school (Ampleforth College) and its cider, produced from the apples grown in the Abbey orchard. We had become quite keen on the cider, and so that it what inspired us to visit the Abbey - to buy some of the cider (unobtainable where we live!) and also to try the tearoom and the renowned cider apple cake!
When we arrived it was shortly after 10am, and the shop did not open until 10:30. We seemed to be the only people around, and our footsteps echoed in the hallway. We went outside for a walk and a look round the grounds, which are beautiful, giving excellent views of the surrounding countryside. I would have loved to have gone to school in a place like this!
We had a nice meal in the Abbey Tearoom - Wensleydale cheese on wholemeal bread with salad and crisps, followed by Father Rainer's Apple Cake - which was superb -moist and tangy. After buying our cider we returned to Helmsley. The weather could have been better but I would love to go there again!
Sunday, 19 June 2011
Uniondale Ghost
When I was younger I remember seeing a TV programme about supernatural and unexplained stuff. One of the things I remember most was the story of Maria Roux from South Africa who was killed in a car crash near Uniondale as she was going to tell her family that she had just got engaged. the car was being driven by her boyfriend, who survived. But several people in the years that followed encountered Maria Roux and gave her a lift, only to find that she disappeared after a while...
Below you will see the TV footage of the story of the Uniondale Ghost.
Below you will see the TV footage of the story of the Uniondale Ghost.
Tuesday, 5 April 2011
Food ratings - they should be compulsory
The Food Standards Agency has started to publish hygiene ratings for restaurants on its website. The ratings range from 0 (urgent improvement necessary) to 5 (very good). This is a step in the right direction.
However, for the scheme to be fully effective, premises should be required by law to display the ratings in their windows. It is no good making the display of ratings optional, this defeats the object. These places rely on customers to keep them in business, therefore customers have the right to know that the place they are patronising is actually fit to eat in. There is no excuse for any food establishment to score less than 5, and those who are too idle to ensure that their premises come up to scratch should be named and shamed.
The ratings website is here.
However, for the scheme to be fully effective, premises should be required by law to display the ratings in their windows. It is no good making the display of ratings optional, this defeats the object. These places rely on customers to keep them in business, therefore customers have the right to know that the place they are patronising is actually fit to eat in. There is no excuse for any food establishment to score less than 5, and those who are too idle to ensure that their premises come up to scratch should be named and shamed.
The ratings website is here.
Sunday, 3 April 2011
Goldfinches
A few weeks ago we put some bird feeders out - two containing mealworms which have been enjoyed by the local starlings (and nothing else!) and one containing niger.
For ages the niger went untouched, but in the past couple of days we have seen increasing numbers of goldfinches coming to feed. Today I had the opportunity to capture them on video and also take a couple of photos. See them below.
For ages the niger went untouched, but in the past couple of days we have seen increasing numbers of goldfinches coming to feed. Today I had the opportunity to capture them on video and also take a couple of photos. See them below.
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