Our favourite restaurant

So lucky to pay another visit to one of our favourite restaurants in the world.  La Petite Ferme.

 

"The Little Farm" is situated high above Franschhoek in South Africa with a breathtaking view of the valley.

 

 

The freshly smoked trout which I had is a speciality not to be missed and the wine is pretty special too.

                                             The smile says it all.  Petite prices too!!

                                           A wonderful table in the shade, it was hot, with a delicious chilled wine.

                                          and my favourite dessert to follow.  A Don Pedro
                                          (see my blog dated Thursday, 20th December, 2012                        
                                            for recipe).

Arabba

This idyllic destination is nestled in the heart of the Dolomites surrounded by the Livinallongo valley in Ladin - speaking Veneto.  With the striking Sella Massif and Portavesco mountain ranges on either side and the Marmolada mountain (fondly known as the 'Queen of  the Dolomites') Arabba's beautiful landscape forms part of a UNESCO World heritage site. The road to Arabba:-

One of the highest resorts in Italy, Arabba is small and cosy with traditional mountain architecture housing quaint bars, restaurants and a pretty village church.  Despite the stunning scenery and mountain charm oozing from every nook and cranny (did I mention it has some of the best snow in the area too?) Arabba remains somewhat of a hidden gem in the ski world, a well kept secret often overshadowed by the more commercial European resorts.  We flew into Innsbruck a 145 km drive (about 2 hours depending on traffic and snow conditions) from the resort.

The view from our balcony on arrival:-

 
The Dolomiti Superski Area (1,220 km) is the world's biggest ski network, in arguably the world's most beautiful mountains.  If you love to eat up the ski-miles, like the boys, and want to do so on snow-sure slopes in simply glorious scenery then you would love it here.

The Monastery at San Croce

One of the highlights of the week for the boys was joining the rep. Elaine for some social ski-ing and being guided to some interesting locations such as the Monastery.  She was excellent both on skis and off.

The food in the mountain huts in Italy is also very good.

Massive craggy peaks of sheer rock dominate the skyline, rising seemingly impossibly from lower gentle foothills, the Dolomite mountain range is like nothing else in the Alps.  Later in the day when villages below are cast in shade, the peaks catch the last of the sun's rays giving off a warm pinky glow.  One of the largest and most impressive hunks of Dolomite rock is the Sella Massif.  The ski route round, known as the Sellaronda is one of the most famous ski safaris in the world, perhaps what makes it so popular is that you do not need to be an expert skier to enjoy it.  The runs total 26 km of skiing and takes you past the beautiful alpine towns of Arabba, Selva, Colfosco, Corvara and Canazei
and will take about five hours with a good lunch stop naturally built-in to the day.

The next choice you need to make is which way to travel.  The clockwise route signposted orange, is generally considered quicker with more challenging slopes, but the green anti-clockwise route, offers some stunning views and is often quieter.  Just be careful you do not get a stiff neck from gazing upward too much when riding the chairlifts!          


  

 

The view from our balcony before setting out for the day.  Favourite runs:  We

all have them but a "must do" descent is the 5 km of the Armentarola valley in the Lagazuoi ski area.  The so-called "Hidden Valley" drops down from the top of the Lagazuoi cable-car into a narrow cleft with characteristic, two-tone brown Dolomite rocks.  The piste twists and turns for much of its length; and throughout it is enclosed by the valley walls.

 

                                                                       

 

 

What a stunning experience.

 

We all met up at the bottom at the restaurant called two dogs.  The dogs sit on the roof.

 

  

After a lovely lunch at the bottom the drag-lift to the nearest chair is quite slow.

It is a two-horsepower device: the  horses trot up the gradual incline, dragging two lines of skiers hanging on to ropes for 2   Euros each.

 

 

Whilst the boys were skiing their little socks off.  Pauline and I had lessons with Alan Denicolo from Scuola Ski.  The lessons w ere a memorable experience ending with us carving the black runs without realising it.  You don't have to be a beginner to have lessons.   Remember even world-cup racers have tuition....they just call it training.  Our lift  pass computer read out at the end of the holiday said you are a   professional but Alan said we couldn't wear his jacket yet.....perhaps next year!!!!!!

 

  

Thank you group.  Tony, Pauline, Clive and Rosie.  We had a wonderful time.

 

  

Richard's 75th Birthday Celebrations

Celebrating birthdays is always fun and on Wednesday 26th February, 2014 Richard hosted a party at The Highwayman in Yateley.  Thank you Richard we all had a wonderful evening.

                                                The birthday boy with Joan, his wife.

                                                    Sylvia and Ron

                                                      Geoff and Jackie

 

 

John and Julia  who travelled up from Somerset to be with us.  Lovely to catch up with their news.

Richard's present was a driving experience so, of course, his cake had to have a car on it....

Time for Tea

With Stuart and Phil away skiing.  Tina decided to celebrate her birthday with a girlie Vintage Tea Party exceptional.  A traditional English afternoon tea doesn't get more luxurious than when Tina serves it on her collection of elegant vintage china.  A glamorous hostess serving a refined and decadent afternoon tea complete with champagne.  What more could one want...yes a camera...I forgot to take it so sorry no photographs.  But try to imagine the perfect scones, dainty sandwiches and wonderful cakes.

My contribution was some mini tartes aux fruits and here is the recipe.  So easy.

Cheat's Pastry Cream

I first used this short cut when I had to fill 150 strawberry tartlets for a party.  Purists will scream in horror - but why make life difficult for yourself?

75 ml double cream
200 ml ready-made thick custard
Cointreau

Whip the cream until stiff, then gently fold in the custard until the two are well mixed.  Carefully stir in Cointreau to taste (start with about 1/2 tbsp; don't overdo it or the cream will be watery).

Buy the mini pastry tartlets from the Tesco finest range or make your own.

Decorate with slice of strawberry, three blueberries and half a grape.

Enjoy.

Happy Birthday Tina.   

St. Valentine's Day Storms

The great Valentine's Night storm left Milford-on-Sea's beach looking like a war zone after an 80 mph storm left a trail of destruction.

Diners at the Marine Café, including our neighbours, Richard and Sue, had to be rescued by soldiers and firefighters after rocks crashed through the windows and a huge tidal surge flooded the ground floor.

Cars parked nearby were picked up and tossed on to the beach, including Richard's new car which was written off, as ferocious winds battered the coastline.

Many beach huts were also wrecked by the storm.

                                                    The debris and what is left of some beach huts.

The coastal pathway just down from our home was also washed away.

Shhhhhh! It's time to celebrate......and it's a surprise

Gemma and Hayley organised a great romantic, unforgettable, surprise 35th wedding anniversary celebration for Dianne and |Nigel.

The guests waiting for Di and Nigel to arrive.

We had the honour of attending this secret party.

The house was decorated with hearts and lights to mimic a lavish wedding, hosted by their loving daughters.  Elegance at every turn!

Gemma had decorated the table in warm coral colours.

Di and Nigel arriving

Gemma and Hayley had prepared a beautiful speech

and Di and Nigel were obviously touched

35 years of marriage are known as The Coral Wedding Anniversary.

This is because coral organisms grow close together just like a good marriage, built and developed over many years and Alun had prepared a slide show on TV for guests to watch.

The photos were a great success with the guests.

After the walk down memory lane the next stop was to Gemma's delicious buffet.

The food and drink was so yummy.  You'd have been disappointed if you didn't come on an empty stomach!

Two small guests enjoying Tina's famous pannacotta!

And from Gemma's kitchen, another spectacular cake.

and Signature drinks.  Big glass, little glass.  Guess who had a hangover the next morning?

The youngest guest

The official photographer having a cuddle earlier in the day.

Lovely photographs Doug and Sofia.  Thank you.

It was a total blast, and it was great to party with all of Di and Nigel's friends and relatives.

It was eventually just too much for some

We also sang Happy Birthday to Gemma for the following Wednesday.

Treating Di and Nigel to this surprise anniversary party was a wonderful generous gift that will create memories they will always cherish.  There's nothing more beautiful in life than lasting love and reaching a milestone anniversary is worthy of a celebration with family and friends.

Together Di and Nigel have found a friendship, raised a family and built a beautiful marriage.