Christmas Catch-Up

It's been a while since I've sat down and done a proper post so I thought it was about time! Warning - this is going to be a long, and very photo heavy one!

So Christmas is over, just the New Year to get through and then life will go back to normal. I do love Christmas, but this is the time where I start to miss my routine, and the endless food is getting a little boring..

We spent Christmas in Venice, I've been many times before and it was as beautiful as ever - because there are no roads and you have to walk (or swim! not likely!) everywhere there is a certain peacefulness that I haven't witnessed in any other country in the world, I think that's why I love it so much. I have taken thousands of pictures of Venice but it's always the more everyday things that are so special, such as the rubbish boats, fire engine boats etc that are the most interesting.. here are a few of my favourite pictures from this time out;

Furs are obligatory in Venice - it's cold!

Look at the size of those meringues!

Christmas Eve post!

I can't resist a Disney store...

I have no shame in admitting that I had my eye on this man for quite some time...

We had Christmas Day lunch in the hotel we were staying in and this is what we had;

Peach Bellini with Canapés

Corn Millefeuille stuffed with Porcini Mushrooms over melted Asiago Cheese

Risotto with Treviso's (Treviso is an area of Venice) Chicory and Venison

Valeggio's Tortellini in Capon Consommé

Yuletide Turkey and Chesnuts with Glazed Baby Onions and Duchess Potatoes

Yule Log with Egg-Nog

Coffee and Confection

It was absolutely delicious at the time, if a little filling! But the morning after when we came down for breakfast one by one we all gradually admitted that we had been violently sick during the night - so looking at these photo's now is making my stomach turn a little! Oh well, maybe next year will be better! At least none of the calories will count!

As you may have seen in a previous post, I am taking part in the Rory Gilmore book challenge. I finished my first one (before 2013 has even started!) whilst I was in Venice. 1984 by George Orwell. It's crazy that a book that was first published in 1949 is so extremely relevant to modern life. It's a great story and really makes you think about the control of everything around us. Onto Huckleberry Finn now!

Also - my sister asked me what I was doing when I wrote my name in the book once I had finished it. I didn't have an answer! I've always done this for as long as I can remember! Do you do anything strange with your books?

How was your Christmas?

Lunch

Visited my local (although I live nowhere near it) The Royal Oak at Bishopstone for lunch today. I had two Gin and Lemonades, BBQ & Mustard short ribs with blue cheese dressing and triple cooked potato wedges. Followed by Poppyseed Cake with Lemon Curd which was DELICIOUS and I really want to try and make it at home, luckily my sisters boyfriend is the pastry chef so I might be allowed the recipe! :)

The Vineyard at Stockcross

A couple of weeks ago I went for a work dinner at The Vineyard at Stockcross followed by an overnight stay at their sister hotel Donnington Valley, I thought I would share some photos and the menu that we ate..

 

We arrived at Donnington Valley after work and checked in to our rooms to freshen up and change for dinner. We were all in Deluxe rooms which is the third category at the hotel, this was ideal for me because when I'm travelling the most important part of my room is the bathroom and this one was massive with a bath and power shower so I was happy straightaway.

 

 

 

 

 

Once we had all changed and were suitable for dinner we made our way out to the bar and onto the small terrace area at the back of the hotel to have Tattinger and Canapés

 

 

 

After we'd finised our drinks and nibbles we went for a quick tour around the hotel and then got into taxis for the 10 minute journey to The Vineyard.

Once we arrived at The Vineyard we had a tour around the meeting space, spa, and amazing wine cellar

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We took our seats for dinner and the food was absolutely to die for, this is what we ate;

 

Confit of Duck Foie Gras, Poached Peach, Red Chilli

with a glass of Louis Guntrum, Reisling, Rheinessen, Germany, 2011

 

 

Diver Caught Orkney Scallops, Apple, Radish

with a glass of Rias Baixas Albarino, Pazo Senoran, Galicia, Spain, 2011

 

 

Pan fried Red Mullet, Pink Grapefruit, Coriander

with a glass of Waterstone, Pinot Noir, Los Carneros, California, 2007

 

 

Scottish Fillet of Beef, Braised Oxtail, Carrot and Horseradish

with a glass of Bolgheri, Tenuta dell'Ornellaia, Le Volte, Tuscany, Italy 2010

 

 

Strawberry Clafoutis, Lime and Strawberry, Straccieatella Cone

with a glass of Familia Deicas, Licor De Tannat, Juanico Valley Uruguay, 2008

 

 

 

 

Tea and Coffee with Peach Maccarons, Crystalised Ginger, Praline Truffles

 

 

 

The above led to crys of either - 'oh my god, yum, amazing, delicious, I want more'

 

Or

 

'Eww foie gras, I don't eat that, what is that, gross'

 

I suppose you can't win them all!

Had I been in charge of the bill for this evening it would have been £110 per person including the wines, for me that is amazing value for money, the service was impeccable, right down to the teddy bear seated at place number 13 (the house rules apparently) I will certainly be back for more..