Travel 2008 – Spa-Francorchamps, Day 1

Thursday, 31st July 2008 – Spa-Francorchamps, Day 1 So… Belgium. What happened, and what didn’t? I’ll take it a day at a time, I think. And today I’ll deal with Thursday… Thursday started at what can only be called stupid-o’clock, because under normal circumstances 4.45 is not an hour of the morning I want to…

Food 2008 – Recipes (Ragu alla Bolognese)

26th Jul, 2008 – Recipes (Ragu alla Bolognese) I was going to do all sorts today but got sidetracked by friends asking if they could drop by… So we fed them lunch. Spaghetti Bolognese, with the best ragu alla bolognese I’ve ever managed to make. I used the recipe from one of my favourite cookbooks,…

Food 2008 – Recipes (Roast Quail with Chestnuts and Calvados)

Sunday, 22nd June 2008 – Recipes (Roast Quail with Chestnuts and Calvados) We just had dinner… It was damn good though I say it myself! Roast Quail with Chestnuts and Calvados Serves: 4 Preparation time: Less than 30 minutes Cooking time: 30 mins to 1 hour Ingredients: For the quail: 1 tbsp olive oil 2…

Food 2008 – Recipes (Lettuce Soup – for Lettuce Haters)

Saturday, 15th June 2008 – Recipes (Lettuce Soup – for Lettuce Haters) Lettuce Soup – for Lettuce Haters Preparation Time: 5 minutes Cooking Time: 20 minutes Serves: 4 Ingredients: 2 tbsp butter 1 large onion, chopped 1 clove garlic, chopped 250g (8oz) lettuce leaves and stalk, sliced 1 tbsp plain flour 1 litre light chicken…

Food 2008 – Recipes (Asparagus with Parmesan Crisps, Perfect Paella)

Saturday, 31st May 2008 – Recipes (Asparagus with Parmesan Crisps, Perfect Paella) It was quite a busy weekend – which wasn’t planned. We were supposed to go to Portishead to see Lynne’s parents, but then on Friday evening Lynne managed to trip over the back doorstep and sprained her ankle so badly she couldn’t walk…

Travel/Food 2008 – Monza, Day 4

Sunday, 18th May 2008 – Monza, Day 4 We woke up on Sunday to find that it was still raining the proverbial cats and dogs. I didn’t even want to think about the likely state of the car parks, and anyway Lynne and I had every intention of staying put at the hotel for the…

Travel/Food 2008 – Monza, Day 3

Saturday, 17th May 2008 – Monza, Day 3 Saturday was truly awful weather wise too… We woke up to torrential rain, and it just kept right on all the way through breakfast. By the time we got to the circuit it was starting to look as if Plan B might have to be put into…

Travel/Food 2008 – Monza, Day 2

Friday, 16th May 2008 – Monza, Day 2 Day 2 involved a hideously early start, with breakfast at 7 am, followed by a “stand by your bags” moment as we all pitched into the car at 7.45 and headed for the accreditation office. We must have been the first people there, because the girl in…

Travel/Food 2008 – Monza, Day 1

Thursday, 15th May 2008 – Monza, Day 1 We got off to a good start on the Thursday morning, even if a 6.45 flight is a lot too early for my liking. At least we were flying out of Birmingham, which isn’t too far away, and we were booked with flybe on a 49-seater Embraer…