Home Again!

Notice the new photo of me in the upper left hand corner of this blog site? No, I haven't become a rabbi, though admitedly it does look a bit like I may have made the conversion. It is a recent photo of me taken by my beautiful wife while I ate a delicious meat pie at the Pieminister's pie shop in Bristol, England during our recent trip to see our daughter, her boyfriend, Nick and many of his friends and family. What a trip! We look forward to our new family to come visit us. First up, Kate and Nick will be here in March and April. Nick's folks have let us know they will try to visit us before the end of the year. We certainly hope so and look forward to showing them as much hospitality as they showed us. The welcome mat is out!

So we are home again in our beloved Bellingham and back in our usual routine--school, church, etc. Along with that I will return to my Chef Michael blog entries. So stay tuned and let's cook something up!

Bristol & Back Home

On our return trip through the brilliant green hills and winding roads of Wales to Bristol, we stopped at the Cistercian Tinturn Abbey. This abbey ruin is stunning and worth a stop. It is famous to many American poetry lovers as one of William Wordsworth's poems. We also spotted and stopped by a farmer's stand where we purchased some amazing local cheddar cheese that we took back to the flat and nibbled on for the next few days.

Returning to Bristol, Nick was needed back at his office in Bath, a 15 minute train ride away. So he headed back to work and Kate took us on a day-long tour of her newly adopted city. We lef the house and began the walk arounf town in very cold weather. We hiked past the University of Bristol where she attends as a grad student in International Development. She showed us her primary classroom building and the music building where she is part of the choir. We wandered through some very cute neighborhoods and the shops.

We walked through Clifton and the Westend and over to the Clifton Suspension Bridge towering over the Avon River gorge. Leslie and Kate walked across. It had a stunning view but I don't do heights well so I stayed behind and watched them walk the span.

We had a fantastic lunch at the Pieminister, a meat pie shop located in an historic market place. The meatpies were just scrumptious! They come served on a bed of mashed potatoes and topped with minty peas and groovy. The last two ingredients need some explanation. The traditionally cooked to mush peas were cooked with mint which gave them a fresh taste and they were prepared in a way so that they were not mushed entirely and were a bright green color. The groovy is actually gravy but pronounced and spelled in the west country accent so it comes out groovy! Delicious and cheap.

We walked down into the harbor area and over to St. Mary, Redcliff, a beautiful church overlooking the harbor area. By this time I had about had it and was ready to relax. Lealis and Kate dropped me by the Contemporary Art museum on the harbor and headed off for a couple of other sites. I sat with a cup of tea, then wandered into the free museum and had a look around. It was all very experimental. There were a few exhibits that were interesting. It had become dark and I wandered outside along the quay where I found a bench overlooking some barges tied up. I sat and watched one barge in particular with windows along it's side and where a family were living there lives. I could look in on their lives as if they were on a TV without sound. I love people watching and found this spot extraordinarily fun.

A while later, Kate and Leslie returned to fetch me and we headed over to a very cute pub called the Shakespeare for a drink before heading to our dinner spot. We had given Kate and Nick a Christmas gift of dinner at Bordeaux Quay, a restaurant we had seen and read about in Gourmet Magazine. It is a two-story place along the quay over-looking the water. Lots of windows, amd a beatiful view. We met Nick there after he arrived from work and had a quick drink before going upstairs for dinner. We received great service and a very nice meal, we were also about the only people there. Nick said that it was almost impossible to get in on the weekends. It was nearly empty the night we we were there.

The next day we had dinner at Kate and Nick's flat. Andy and Kate also came over. Nick prepared a "roast", an English tradition with beef and plenty of roasted vegetables. Delicious!

Our final day in Bristol was spent in Bath, a nearby ancient city dating back at least to Roman times as evidenced by the Roman bathes, hence the name. It was just perfect! Picturesque! We met Nick and his boss, Tony, at the White Hart for one of our best meals of the trip. Few travelers would ever have found this place since it was on the other side of the railway station and the river from the part of town tourists would visit.

After lunch we wandered into the central part of Bath and to the square where the abbey, quaint shopping and the bathes are to be found. We toured the abbey and the bathes. Incredible! Kate had been feeling a little under the weather since dinner at the Bordeaux Quay, though she had been doing a good job of hiding it. It was getting dark and had started raining, the only rain of any consequence the entire trip. We decided to head back to catch the train back to Bristol. When we got to the Bristol station the rain really started in. So, we caught a cab with a crazy Cornish driver who swore a blue streak telling us all about his miserable family. It was worth it though as he dropped us off right in front of the flat.

We hustled into the flat and began drying off. Kate laid down for a nap while Mom and I got started on our birthday dinner for Nick--my famous Baked Zitti. We had a frustrating time trying to locate all the correct ingredients so I was convinced it would not turn out right. In fact I had no idea how it would turn out. We made a huge pan of it hoping we'd leave behind some leftovers for Nick and Kate's dinner the following day after we had left. Turns out the Zitti wasn't anything like my recipe, but it did turn out great. Anyway, Nick ate it like it was great which was the goal after all. I'll try it again when they come visit us using the correct ingredients. We gave Nick his birthday presents, a bit ahead of time, and toasted his 30th.
Another great night's sleep. Got up the next morning, finished last minute packing and pointed the car towards Heathrow and home. We gave the kids big hugs before hauling the luggade down the front steps to the car. The bags were considerably lighter on the homeward journey having eliminated the gifts we had brought for everone.

The trip to the airport was uneventful. We dropped off the car and caught the shuttle to our flight. The security checks were easy as the lines moved along smoothly. We had time for a quick bite before boarding our flight back to Seattle. The flight was a bit bumpy at times but otherwise no problems.

We arrived in Seattle about 8 pm, shuttled over to the hotel where we had left our car and headed home. We arrived back in god old Bellingham about 10 and almost immediately headed for bed. Our own bed never felt so good.

It was so good to see the kids, where they live, meet family and friends. It was interesting to see that part of the world in a season other than summer, when most travelers see these places. But best of all, it was so wonderful to be able to see Kate and Nick, to get to know Nick better, and to see how great they are together.

Happy New Year!

We returned to Erw Fair, our B & B in Abbeycwmhir and a short nap before the evening festivities began.

The photo at the left is of Andy, Nick's sister's significant other, Kate, Nick's sister, our Kate and Nick.

We were invited to a dinner buffet at the house several of Nick's friends were staying in. We were plied with drink and a great dinner. Crackers were passed around and we were shown how to pull the ends off of them by crossing arms, grabbing the end of our neighbor's cracker and at the count of three we pulled. Out came prizes and the traditional colorful crown-shaped hats. We played a game of dice to earn the priviledge of selecting a wrapped gift. Most were gag gifts which were traded as the game went along.

At left, in the pub several ciders later and feeling the effects very nicely thank you. You mean to tell me that stuff is "hard" cider?

The Happy Union Pub was only a few steps away so after a while we wandered over to find the place quickly filing up with the locals. We were handed drinks which never seemed to empty all night. We weren't allowed to buy any rounds though it was traditional. A few locals came dressed in costumes but most were in regular clothes. A small pool table was kept busy all evening in a side room where we sat. We had lots of opportunities to talk and get to know many of Nick and Kate's friends. At the stroke of midnight a bell rang behind the bar and everyone locked arms to sing Auld Lang Syne, kiss, hug and drink to the new year. One of the locals, an older lady dressed to the nines, went from person to person kissing them. These are great people!

The characters at left were locals dressed up as Scooby-Doo characters. The cute on in the orange top and I flirted from across the room.

About 12:30 we all wandered back over to the house where the dinner was held. Champagne glasses were filled and handed out and Ben, Nick's best friend and a birthday boy (his 30th) was toasted and we all sang happy birthday. Next, Ben opened gifts and Esther, his wife, brought in a birthday cake and passed pieces around.

We were winding down by about 1 am. We said our goodbyes and thanks and slowly meandered down the lane under a blanket of stars to our Erw Fair and our waiting beds. Sweet dreams waited after an evening we will never forget.

The West Country

Day 4--

Today, after a shaky start due to the rental car agency, we headed out west in our Citroen Picasso (that is our silver car their second on the left in the photo). It was perfect for the number of passengers and the extra luggage we were carrying.

Past Windsor Castle, on into the West Country as it is known here. Destination, Bristol. Arrived without incident though I may have made Nick somewhat nervous due to my overconfident driving but nevertheless, we arrived unscathed. Took a short motor tour through the downtown area of Bristol and then turned up Nick and Kate's street parking nearly in front of their flat.

After taking a look around we went out to a local pub and then to have 'a curry' as it is said here (Indian food). Great food, fun evening with Nick and Kate.

Day 5--Heading for Wales and Abbeycwmhir

Our drive into Wales took us over a massive bridge and once across, we were officially in Wales. Everything was green. Overcast but little or no rain. Our drive took us through small villages and towns, quaint, picturesque, downright beautiful. It took us a couple of hours to arrive at the turn off for Abbeycwmhir. The road quickly narrowed to a single lane road lined by hedge rows and only occasional turn outs for oncoming traffic. Fortunately the traffic was light so there were few opportunities to have to turn out. Abbeycwmhir is a small village, an abbey ruin where the last Welsh born Prince of Wales is buried, a few cottages, a small church and a pub called The Happy Union. The pub would become our home away from home for the next three days. Our home, thanks to a wonderful gift from Nick for our anniversary and Mom's 50th birthday last summer, was a quaint brick cottage on the egde of the village. We all four stayed in the home of a wonderful local family. In fact the sister of the pub owner was the owner of our B & B.

Our first day, Nick had us out on a hike up into the hills around Abbeycwmhir. We walked uphill, up and over and through pastures and across streams. After a vigorous hike we headed for a pub where we would meet the rest of the group of Nick's friends. We ate and drank at a pub in Rhayader, a village quite a bit bigger than Abbeycwmhir and about a 7 mile drive through the hills and one lane lanes. A tall Christmas tree and creche scene sat in the middle of the town in the crossroads. Had dinner and a couple of pints before heading back to Abbeycwmhir for the night.

Day 6--New Year's Eve Day--The Big Hike

After a great English breakfast of corn flakes, eggs, two rashers of bacon, sausages, mushrooms, toast, marmelade and a pot of tea, we headed off up the valley to a location where Nick had planned a big hike. Up near a series of reservoirs, we parked the car and headed off down a trail along the water. About a mile and a half along, I decided I wanted to spend time sketching (a favorite passtime of mine) and Kate, Nick and Mom all headed up hill into the moors. We agreed to meet at the car in about two hours. I settled onto a bench that appeared to have been taken from a Tolkien novel--hand hewn of gnarled tree limbs. I happily sketched the pastoral scene in front of me and listened to 15th century English lute music. Wow!

Meanwhile, up in the hills, the rest of the party was having a great time finding their way using the ordinance map and compass Nick had brought. I finished up my sketching after about an hour and headed back up the trail towards the car. They hadn't arrived yet so I walked across the dam, got into a conversation with some folks and still no sign of them. I wandered up the trail in the direction I knew they would be coming, sat, listened to some more music and waited. No sign! Hummmmm. I wandered back down the hill and climbed into the car to get warm. After about another hour, a short while before it became dark, they came tromping down the trail.

They had become lost for a while, waded through an ankle-deep bog before spotting some bikers in the distance and realized where the trail was. All ended well though they were cold and tired. We pointed the car back towards Abbeycwmhir and a big evening of fun!

Home from the United Kingdom

Arrived safely home from our Christmas trip to England and Wales. What a wonderful adventure.

We landed at Heathrow and took the Tube to Paddington Station and the short walk to our hotel. The kids, Kate and Nick were sitting in the lobby playing Cribbage and waiting patiently for our arrival. After checking in and dropping off our luggage, we headed out for a twilight walk around Big Ben, Parliament, Westminster Abbey, Saint James Park, Buckingham Palace, Marble Arch and along Hyde Park before catching a double decker bus back to our hotel. Nick took us to a local pub where we had our first "pub grub" of the trip. We were starved not having eaten for about 10 hours. Had a pint and a bite. Then back to our room for a good night's rest.

The weather is overcast, cool, cold at times, but very tolerable when dressed warmly. We will be out and about much more than normally at home so being warm will be important this time of year.

Tomorrow we visit to Cambridge.

Day 2: Today we took the train from Paddington to Enfield station where Kate and Nick were waiting with Nick's parent's car. We drove out to Cambridge University where Nick attended Girton College. It was a day for going down memory lane for Nick and an opportunity for us to learn a bit about Nick's past--where he went to college, his pub, the place where he lived. It was fun and facinating. We, here in the states, have heard about this University, but few have walked through the town, and explored all the different colleges that make up this world famous university. We had a pint and lunch at "The Eagle" a famous pub in the center of Cambridge and operating for 500 years. We sat at the table in where Watson and Crick sat for months while sorting out the details and finally discovering the secrets of DNA leading to their Noble Prize. It was a great old pub with great food and drink.

We drove out to Girton and wandered around the campus grounds. Nick showed us the window of the room he stayed in as the organ scholar(the window above the arched doorway in the photo at right). Sadly, the campus was closed as were much of the University's grounds due to the holiday break. We had to make do with peering in windows and and at the grand facades of these centuries old buildings. The history that has been made within these old walls! We wandered through town, poked around in the shops and walked for hours.

Back to Enfield and onto the train for our return to London for one more night.

Day 3: We checked out of our hotel and boarded the train again for Enfield where Nick waited for us with his parent's car and the short drive over to their home. We piled out of the car, everyone probably a bit nervous, knowing the importance of this first meeting of "the parents." We needn't have been at all nervous. Liz and Ray were delightful people and wonderful hosts. We were shown to our room, a cozy upstairs spot just off the bathroom. Downstairs we were offered drinks, a delicious lunch and then we all sat down and began getting to know each other. One of Nick's grandmothers stopped by. We handed out small gifts we had brought from home all of which had something to do with Bellingham. Later in the day we headed out for a walk around Enfield. It was so picturesque! Lovely parks, lanes, perfect homes, and of course the requisite pubs. We stopped in at Ray's local and had a few pints before heading back to their house for a "roast" of lamb Liz had prepared. Delicious! Ray played host with wines and liquors from around the globe. Our 'lightweight' heads were spinning by the end of the evenng, but we enjoyed every minute. Ray, a retired BBC radio producer and American music expert, played music all evening and had us guess the composer. We got a few right, but missed many others. We discussed the fact that many Americans poo-poo American classical composers, preferring instead, the music of European composers. Ray loves American music and insisted it was every bit as good as European music. It was a wonderful evening!

Tomorrow we pick up our rental car and head for the "West Country"--Bristol, Summerset, Devon and Cornwall.

Reply to a Reader--Good sources for meat

Seafood Hound,

My best sources for good quality beef are all local sources--small farmers who raise a few head of cattle specifically for sale on a small scale. I buy a 1/4 or 1/2 a cow and they arrange to have it packaged according to my needs. I have a close enough relationship with my supplier that he is also willing to let my beef age significantly longer than is generally done in grocery stores (usually 5-7 days). Mine is aged for 3 weeks. The difference in taste is unbelieveable! I also have local sources for lamb and pork. Check your local newspaper or the internet for someone offering meat privately in your local area. If you don't want to buy a whole side of beef, ask a friend to go in with you on it--or two or three. Sadly, the days of the local butcher shop, the kind that were in every town when I was growing up, with sawdust floors and men behind a meat counter who will cut the meat to your specific needs, are about gone. If you are lucky enough to still have one where you live, and it sounds as if you don't, these can still be great places to buy your meat. Develop a relationship with them, bring them a gift at the holidays (a fifth of their favorite libation works well) and spend a little time schmoozing when in their shop. Ask for suggestions, give them a chance to offer advice. They love this and listen carefully so they know you are interested in learning. They really love that! Best of luck to you and happy holidays, Chef Michael

Chef Michael Will Be Away!

I am away just now. First, a new wireless system is being installed and so access to this site is difficult for the moment. Second, I will be visiting Bristol, England for two weeks to visit family. I will return in January if not sooner with more entries. I hope to be able to send greetings from England and Wales, where I will spend the new year. Perhaps a photo or two and some more foodie type news. I am anxious to find out about how great the food has become in England since my visit in 1972 (Okay, okay, I was there in 2002, but I did not eat at any of the posh new English eateries). I'll report to you and be back to more regular entries after the new year.

Have a safe and joyful holiday season.

Chef Michael