Category Archives: family

French Farce…

Posted on August 13, 2015 by

Stuffed peppers have steadfastly kept their place in my pantheon of “least favourite dishes” As I grow older I have found  so many “least favourite dishes” that I am searching for a new duo of comparative and superlative to replace “lesser” and “least”; I … Continue reading →

Posted in 2015, anchovies, Cookery Writers, Cooking, Digital photography, family, food, Food and Photography, Food photographer, France, Humour, Nigel Slater, peppers, Photography, Recipes, Shopping, summer, Supermarkets, Uncategorized, Vegetables, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 39 Comments

Cat under a hot tin roof…

Posted on September 5, 2014 by

The day before the one in question, we had become aware of another presence insinuating itself into the tranquil peace of our home. This is a rare period of the year when there are very few birds in the garden and so … Continue reading →

Posted in 2014, Digital photography, Emotion, family, Humour, Photography, photography course, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 48 Comments

A warm hand on your opening….

Posted on September 2, 2014 by

The old ones are always the best and so it turned out to be with this elegant bottle of  1984 Chateau de Rayne-Vigneau Sauternes that I could no longer resist opening. One Christmas, some fifteen years ago, my cousin, who is also partial … Continue reading →

Posted in Digital photography, Drinks, Excellence, family, Food and Photography, Food photographer, France, Miracle, Photography, photography course, Sauternes, Sauternes, summer, Sunday, Uncategorized, Wine, wine, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 44 Comments

I got the bleus..du ciel, de la mer..the summertime bleus.

Posted on July 15, 2014 by

It might surprise you to hear that I’ve been ranting quite a lot over the last day or two, although surprise may not be first among the emotions felt, by those of you who know me well, on hearing that unsurprising news. I’ve … Continue reading →

Posted in 2014, anchovies, Art photography, Chicken, Cooking, Cuisine bourgeoise, Digital photography, Emotion, family, food, Food and Photography, Food photographer, France, French countryside, gigot, harmony, Humour, Ile d'Oleron, Mediterranean food, Memory, Photography, photography course, summer, Uncategorized, Vendee, wine, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 46 Comments

I say tahmayto…and I would advise you to do the same…

Posted on December 15, 2013 by

It is well known that the tomato has a colourful history, filled with misunderstanding, suspicion and rumour. However, it has now not only found acceptance but has become so deeply ingrained in our food tradition that several highly seasoned purées of … Continue reading →

Posted in Cooking, Cutlery, Digital photography, family, food, Food and Photography, Food photographer, Humour, Italian food, lifestyle, Meat, Mediterranean food, Olive oil, pasta, Photography, Uncategorized, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 51 Comments

The letter “C” is wasted on custard…

Posted on November 27, 2013 by

The letter C has many good connotations, some of which Nigella has allegedly tried, but this normally optimistic initial is wasted on such a lumpen sauce as traditional custard. There is an element of the English psyche that is firmly … Continue reading →

Posted in 2013, apples, Baking, Childhood, Childhood memories, Cookery Writers, Cooking, Digital photography, Eggs, Emotion, Excellence, Expectation, family, food, Food and Photography, Food photographer, Humour, Memory, Photography, Prue Leith, Uncategorized, Writing, yolks | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 60 Comments

Last summer whine..

Posted on September 8, 2013 by

The silence after the hubbub of Sunday lunch is like the white noise that fills the brain as a general anaesthetic takes effect. There’s a mixture of narcotic pleasure in the cushioned lushness of the collapse from consciousness, combined with … Continue reading →

Posted in 2013, Apricot jam, apricots, Autumn, Baking, Cheese, Chicken, Cooking, Digital photography, Emotion, family, food, Food and Photography, Food photographer, France, French countryside, Fruit, Kitchens, Olive oil, Parmesan, Photography, Poultry, sea salt, Sunday, Sunday lunch, Uncategorized, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 41 Comments

There is a season……

Posted on August 30, 2013 by

A reputation in tatters is what you see before you. Years of studiously practising to be a grumpy Grandad has gone by the board. Be warned, this is what happens when you’re surrounded by the amazing children of your own … Continue reading →

Posted in 2013, Childhood, Digital photography, Emotion, Excellence, family, France, Good luck, harmony, lifestyle, Photography, summer | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 54 Comments

Looking back over my shoulder..

Posted on August 28, 2013 by

I’ve become conditioned to conjure words in the quiet of the early morning, confined within the four walls of my office where, with a cup of coffee in my hand, an idea is sparked by a thought, a picture, a … Continue reading →

Posted in 2013, Cooking, Digital photography, Emotion, Excellence, family, food, Food and Photography, Food photographer, France, harmony, Ile d'Oleron, Kitchens, Photography, summer, swimming pool, Uncategorized, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 48 Comments

Something in the air…

Posted on August 17, 2013 by

Standing in the garden, early this beautiful morning, there’s no question but that there’s change in the air. We’re enjoying an August the like of which I can’t remember for a good ten years. This is true, sulky, summer holiday … Continue reading →

Posted in 2013, Digital photography, Dreams, Emotion, Excellence, Expectation, family, Fish, fish cookery, food, Food and Photography, Food photographer, France, Fruit, harmony, Illusion, Memory, Photography, Photography holiday, Salmon, summer, Uncategorized, Weather, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 18 Comments