The most memorable day in England (Summer 2011)

Speechless. That would be the best word to describe my situation when H told me there's a field of red poppies on our left (it was hidden by some trees and I have fallen asleep  while H was driving). We were driving back from Oxford, already exited the motorway and driving through Cotswold to our next destination Bourton on the Water. I always seen picture of beautiful poppy field in Spain on flickr and I always dream of seeing poppy field while holiday in Spain. Alas it never comes true  . It never occurs to me that my dream would be fulfilled in England

This is what we saw from far

 

 

A dream comes true ......

Thank you to my driver cum the love of my life for not falling asleep while driving, otherwise we would have missed the poppy field

Another holiday in the Lake District

My recent 2 and half week holidays in the UK was spent 10D 9N camping in the Lake District. We got few days rain and several days sunny , I supposed that's the best way to describe the weather in Lake District. Our first camp site was Coniston Hall (Coniston), followed by Side Farm (Patterdal village) and Syke Farm, Buttermere. That was my FIRST camping experience (never gone camping before even in my country. lol), but despites of few nights of heavy rain and wind, I enjoyed it very much.

We managed several hikes/walks but stilll missed Striding Edge which was one of my original plan . But never mind, that just meant that I have to come back to the Lake District. Here, I am sharing with you our walk/hike to the Red Pike.

 

1. We started our walk from our camp site and passing the fell nearby Crumock Water.

2. Panorama view of Crumock Water. If you click at the photo and open the original size, you can see Buttermere at the far right end.

3. Yes, that's me listening to the nature :)

4. We passed by a waterfall,Scale Force.

5. Breathtaking view - Crumock Water in the middle.

6. Yes, that's my tour guide cum my walking partner cum the love of my life :)

 

7. That's how far I was left behind by my tour guide. Next walk, I shall fire him!

8. Another waterfall from where we took a rest.

9. I was exhausted! We have NOT reached Red Pike!

10. But we have to continue our walk. Herb looking towards Red Pike.

11. Red Pike, so close yet so far :)

12. Still can't resist taking photos :)

13. Finally, we reached the peak of Red Pike after dragging my feet and lots of encouragement that Herb has to give me. lol

14. H resting and eating cheese.

15. Me, resting

16. Looking down, the Buttermere and Bleaberry Tarn.

17. Of course we have to leave, before it started raining. Herb decending Red Pike.

18. Negotiating my steps while decending Red Pike.

19. Leaving Red Pike behind.  

 

Blueberry Clafoutis

Time for dessert! For those who has sweet tooth, Blueberry Clafoutis - a French cuisine traditionally made with cherry.



 
 

Sunset - my favorite moment of the day

Hola! Sorry that I have not been here much. Anyway, let me share with you some sunset moments during my recent trip to Madrid.

1. Sunset at Parque del Oeste

Above: What left of sunset at Templo de Debod

Above: Waiting for sunset - water fountain at Templo de Debod

2. Sunset at Jardines de las Vistillas.

Happy Friday!!

Love - Larra

Strawberries anyone?

Help yourself ;)

 

Mistress of Spices

Once you get a spice in your home, you have it forever.

Women never throw out spices.

The Egyptians were buried with their spices.

I know which one I'm taking with me when I go.

(Erma Bombeck)

-Star anise.

. Cinnamon . Star anise. Clove.

 

Escalivada anyone?

Hi guys!

I have been down with sore throat, cough .... etc. It seems like it comes in a package.  I have no appetite to eat, but last night I cooked Escalivada, which I enjoyed very much  

Escalivada is a typical preparation of Catalan (Spanish) cuisine that consists of several types of grilled vegetables, such as eggplants (genus Solanum), sweet red peppers (genus Capsicum), red tomatoes (Solanum esculentum), and sweet onions. Once well cooked on the grill, those vegetables are peeled and sliced in strips, the seeds removed, and seasoned with olive oil and salt, and sometimes with garlic as well. Escalivar means to cook in hot ashes. Typically the vegetables in an escalivada are grilled, and the dish is served with grilled meats. Mountain shepherds were adept at packing their rucksacks with some cheese and wine and building a hardwood fire near a revetment of their sheep's pasture where they could grill a medley of vegetables. (Source Wikipedia)

Last night I used aubergine, pumpkin, bellpepper (capcicum), tomatoes, garlic , and of course olive oil to brush the vegetables and finaly sprinkle some cumin.

This is how it looks like after the vegetable are cooked and before I peeled the skin of the vegetables:

 And, this is after the skin been taken out and it's ready! Yum yum ... You can add more olive oil, black pepper and salt.

Sometimes I replaced pumpkin with potatoes. You can just use any vegetables that you like. I tried using fennel bulb once (as suggested by the original recipe) but I don't quite like it, I don't know what such a big deal about fennel bulb. Maybe I haven't acquired the taste :)