Apples
Seasons of mist and mellow fruitfulness. The apples are ripe and ready for eating.
Côtes de Gascogne
Newspapers have made a big deal about this wine. It’s fine but not exceptional.
Latest wines
My latest 5 wines are all red, including a Ribera del Duero, Bordeaux, Gamay from Cotes Lyonnais, a Cotes du Rhone and a South African Pinot Noir
Shiitake mushrooms
Shiitake mushrooms are wildly popular in Japan where they are said to have medicinal properties
Daumas Gassac
Borough Food Market
The best fish and chips in town
Firefighters
The Firefighters statue near St Pauls Cathedral is a moving tribute to the bravery of this emergency service
Lewes Castle
Lewes Castle is a striking reminder of the town’s medieval heritage
Chinese New Year: Hins
We celebrated Chinese New Year at Hins in Hove. The Year of the Rabbit has arrived
Winter Frost
The delicate frost covered all the plants in our garden. Snow followed hours after I took these photo.
Not so Smart City
Getting around Riyadh without a car is all but impossible
Saudi Here We Go
Riyadh turned out to be much more interesting than expected.
Back in Austria after far too long
It’s been a long time since I visited but it was wonderful to see my home village Bischofstetten after so many years
Touraine SB
Sauvignon Blanc from the Loire Valley
Chanterelles on Toast
Chanterelles are in season. We bought these at the Food Market in Lewes
Easywheeling®
Easywheeling® is a UK registered trademark owned by Peter Stewart of Resource Economist Ltd Easywheeling®
Halloween
The Celtic festival of Samhain is a highlight of the pagan year
Shiraz (Syrah) Wine Tasting
Shiraz, or Syrah as it’s known in France, is a grape that produces an exceptional variety of wines
Sauvignon Blanc Tasting
We tried three very different Sauvignon Blanc wines. It’s not all sharp acidity and citrus fruits
South African Tasting
A brilliant wine tasting at Lewes Depot cinema on black-owned wineries in South Africa
Cigar Box
Old vine Pinot Noir from South Africa
Julienas
Beaujolais from Francois Dubessy. This is a soft red from Julienas, all the usual red fruit flavours of Gamay. This bottle is from Lidl. http://www.vivino.com/wines/164255337?utm_source=app
Bekaa valley rouge
Interesting Lebanese wine from the Bekaa valley from Aldi. It had flavours of cherry and raspberry, but also liquorice, herbs and smoke. http://www.vivino.com/wines/169238905?utm_source=app
Quinces
Quinces. Jam or jelly. On the horizon.
Imperial War Museum
Check out this review of Imperial War Museum on Google Maps https://goo.gl/maps/LBLFW5V2xtd6GHcv8
Visited the Oxford Wine Company in Turl Street. Fabulous wine shop, we came away with an Austrian Zweigelt, a delicious Montsant and a white Cotes de Rhone. #oxford https://www.instagram.com/p/Cjd_W2UoHK6/?igshid=MDJmNzVkMjY=
South African wine at the Depot, Lewes
Lewes Depot cinema will hold a South African wine evening on 27th October
Hungary Profile
Hungary is legendary for its Aszu and Eszencia wines, but its reputation for dry wines is growing
Oxford Wine Company
In the heart of Oxford, this atmospheric wine stores offers an eclectic range of reasonably priced wines
Visiting London
After the Courtauld Gallery we visited the Imperial War Museum for a video wargames exhibition.
Pinocchio Brighton
Good value, generous portions, this Italian restaurant is in the heart of the Lanes near Brighton’s Royal Pavillion
Preparing for Next Year
2022 was a difficult year on the allotment. Now we are preparing for next spring.
Smollett’s Travels
From the 18th century, a cantankerous account of Smollett’s travels in France and Italy. I am loving it!
Back on the Ferry
The Canadian memorial beach at Dieppe
Menetou-Salon
Fresh Pinot Noir and an amuse-bouche from heaven
La Borne Pottery Village
Wood-fired kilns fed by the local forest
Wine Drinking
Rose, and more rose, and some very good reds
Daumas Gassac
Last time they thought we were farm-hands. All is forgiven
St Jean de Fos pottery
A pottery village breaking with tradition
Vendange at Montpeyroux
The town was buzzing with tractors and smelt musty as an old barrel
Pont Du Diable
One of many Devil’s Bridges around the Languedoc
Car Travails
French garages are so good with French cars
South African Wines
South Africa has a growing reputation for Sauvignon Blanc and premium red wines
Sad But True
We spent more time than expected at les Supermarches
St Michel de Grandmont
An ancient Priory in the hills outside Lodeve
Pezenas
Flipo Chic and a Glass Fish
Autumn Rumbles
The weather gets cooler as the calendar turns a page
Painting the Garden Red
A new palette for the South
Clermont l’Herault
The book quest stalls, but a good market
Treves and Nant
Wild swimming under dolomitic rocks