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:
Tuesday, 22 November 2011
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.
Sunday, 27 March 2011
Dream job...
When I was at school I wanted nothing more than to be a vet, I was totally committed to the idea, spending time helping at a vets and then going and studying the correct A levels to try and get into vet school. It was hugely disappointing not to make it.
Today I read a superb article about the equine hospital at Newmarket. That is the kind of place I would have loved to work in!
Today I read a superb article about the equine hospital at Newmarket. That is the kind of place I would have loved to work in!
Saturday, 19 March 2011
Trip to York
We had a trip to York yesterday, after cancelling an earlier trip there because of bad weather. It was a nice, sunny day, perfect for visiting Clifford's Tower and getting photos and video of the view from the top (a panoramic view of York, with nice views of the Minster). Clifford's Tower is all that remains of York Castle and is now part of English Heritage.
Clifford's Tower
York is one of my favourite cities in England, as well as being one of the most historic, with Roman (Eboracum) and Viking (Jorvik) history, there is the old area round The Shambles. There are also some excellent museums - York Castle Museum, Jorvik, National Railway Museum are some of the best known ones.
We had an excellent meal in 31 Castlegate. We both had rump steak with hand cut chips and mushrooms, the price was good, the service very efficient, pleasant and professional and the food superb. When in York give this place a try!
York is one of my favourite cities in England, as well as being one of the most historic, with Roman (Eboracum) and Viking (Jorvik) history, there is the old area round The Shambles. There are also some excellent museums - York Castle Museum, Jorvik, National Railway Museum are some of the best known ones.
We had an excellent meal in 31 Castlegate. We both had rump steak with hand cut chips and mushrooms, the price was good, the service very efficient, pleasant and professional and the food superb. When in York give this place a try!
Tuesday, 8 March 2011
An old favourite
When I was a kid I always enjoyed watching "Flambards" on TV. It was the story of orphan Christina, who is a heiress sent to live with her crippled Uncle and two cousins on a country estate in Essex (although filmed in Yorkshire). Elder cousin Mark was mad on hunting and didn't want things to move on, and younger cousin William was keen on the new flying machines (the story is set at the turn of the 20th century). Christina was destined to marry Mark so her money could be used to save and restore the crumbling Flambards house and estate. However, Christina had other ideas and runs away to London with Will, eventually marries him, is widowed a short time after and then returns to Flambards. I won't recite the whole story here, suffice to say that the series was based on the "Flambards Trilogy" by K.M. Peyton and never featured the fourth book, written sometime later, called "Flambards Divided".
As a kid mad on the story, I had all the books (I have read them lots of times over the years!) and went to the Flambards Village in Cornwall while on holiday there. The only thing I never wanted was the soundtrack album, as the only thing I disliked about the series was the awful, irritating music it featured. Mark was my favourite character, both in the books and the TV series.
After buying the complete series on VHS years ago, it was nice to get the complete series on DVD last week and it is good to wallow in nostalgia again and remember one of my favourite ever stories in its TV adaptation.
For those who want a shot of nostalgia, here is a clip from episode 2 of the TV series.
As a kid mad on the story, I had all the books (I have read them lots of times over the years!) and went to the Flambards Village in Cornwall while on holiday there. The only thing I never wanted was the soundtrack album, as the only thing I disliked about the series was the awful, irritating music it featured. Mark was my favourite character, both in the books and the TV series.
After buying the complete series on VHS years ago, it was nice to get the complete series on DVD last week and it is good to wallow in nostalgia again and remember one of my favourite ever stories in its TV adaptation.
For those who want a shot of nostalgia, here is a clip from episode 2 of the TV series.
Thursday, 3 March 2011
Too good to be true?
On a recent visit to Cornwall, a tourist took a photo of the rocks on Western Beach, Newquay, and when the picture was studied closely, an "apparition" resembling the Virgin Mary could be seen. Looking at the photo, the apparition shows clearly, maybe a little too clearly?
I am someone who loves a good ghost story, and always has (every holiday when I was a kid I would get an "Armada Ghost Book" to read while I was away) I was interested to read this story, but think it just might not be what it seems!
I am someone who loves a good ghost story, and always has (every holiday when I was a kid I would get an "Armada Ghost Book" to read while I was away) I was interested to read this story, but think it just might not be what it seems!
Wednesday, 2 March 2011
At last - a positive story about Rottweilers
The Rottweiler must be one of Britain's most maligned dogs. All too often we hear people calling for them to be banned on account of them being vicious, large, black and tan and other such pathetic reasons.
How nice, therefore, to read about Dave from Blackpool, whose owner runs a pet shop. Dave has "adopted" many different animals, ranging from kittens to rabbits and even birds. Dave is proof that, if treated and trained well, the Rottie can be a superb dog and a good family pet.
Any breed of dog can be dangerous in the wrong hands, and if incorrectly approached or handled (some adults should be ashamed for letting their children run up and grab strange dogs for example!)
Read Dave's story here.
Visit the Rottweiler Welfare Association here.
How nice, therefore, to read about Dave from Blackpool, whose owner runs a pet shop. Dave has "adopted" many different animals, ranging from kittens to rabbits and even birds. Dave is proof that, if treated and trained well, the Rottie can be a superb dog and a good family pet.
Any breed of dog can be dangerous in the wrong hands, and if incorrectly approached or handled (some adults should be ashamed for letting their children run up and grab strange dogs for example!)
Read Dave's story here.
Visit the Rottweiler Welfare Association here.
Saturday, 12 February 2011
Finally got Linux to work properly!
After several failed attempts to use Linux on my PC, I have finally got it working properly.
My original attempts via Virtualbox, a live disc and then WUBI installer all failed miserably (WUBI had seemed most promising but after installing without any problem it turned out my modem was not compatible with Linux (contrary to what it said on the modem box!)
After getting a new modem I tried again with WUBI and this time success - Ubuntu 10.4 (Lucid Lynx) runs on my PC without any problems at all, and I have to say I am quite a fan of the free operating system.
My original attempts via Virtualbox, a live disc and then WUBI installer all failed miserably (WUBI had seemed most promising but after installing without any problem it turned out my modem was not compatible with Linux (contrary to what it said on the modem box!)
After getting a new modem I tried again with WUBI and this time success - Ubuntu 10.4 (Lucid Lynx) runs on my PC without any problems at all, and I have to say I am quite a fan of the free operating system.
Saturday, 15 January 2011
The best pork pies
After reading this article about a butcher's in North Yorkshire, we decided we must go out there one day to sample some of these delicious-sounding pies. So yesterday we had a trip to Brompton specially to go to Glaves Butchers and try one of the pies for ourselves (and also to stock up on some meat and sausages).
We bought a couple of Barnsley chops (not often seen around here) and some pork and red onion marmalade sausages, but the highlight was the pork pie! We bought one pie each, initially to take home and have with mustard for tea, but, as they were still hot, we decided we would eat them outside the shop. A good decision!
This was the first time I'd eaten hot pork pie, I usually have them cold from the supermarket, with their rubbery, gristly fillings! But this was something else! Lovely, golden perfect pastry encasing delicious, hot pink chunks of pork and oozing liquid jelly. I have never tasted a pork pie as good as this!
This is one shop we will definitely visit again!
We bought a couple of Barnsley chops (not often seen around here) and some pork and red onion marmalade sausages, but the highlight was the pork pie! We bought one pie each, initially to take home and have with mustard for tea, but, as they were still hot, we decided we would eat them outside the shop. A good decision!
This was the first time I'd eaten hot pork pie, I usually have them cold from the supermarket, with their rubbery, gristly fillings! But this was something else! Lovely, golden perfect pastry encasing delicious, hot pink chunks of pork and oozing liquid jelly. I have never tasted a pork pie as good as this!
This is one shop we will definitely visit again!
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