Ah...the kitchen.. la cuisine. I keep you in waiting!
Before I comment, I would like to publicly thank my erstwhile and yet existing friend for all his skills, talents, labour, patience, fortitude, irritation, frustration, anger, guilt, commitment, display of concern or love or friendship or whatever one wants to call the inter relationship between two people who try to understand each other...
and ALL THE REST,
and honour him with Knighthood!
For rescuing me so many times!
For hanging about for six years
even though he had decided that we were not to be a couple anymore (MY DISBELIEF EVEN THOUGH I KNEW!).
In those six years, appearing from time to time, and for months on end to work with me, and for me, to get the renovation finished, he persevered on the house that I had bought in 2010.
a) as a project we could do together to save our relationship
b) knowing yet not even daring to think or acknowledge that by having my son involved at the beginning it would not work
c) not acknowledging my repeated fears and intuition between 2003 and 2006.
d) as a bolt hole to have somewhere to stay that was mine and yet still be a couple!
How I was blinkered and naive!
LOVE is blind!
I would also like to apologise for all my mental and emotional breakdowns which have caused me to write poetry and prose on this blog and to pour my heart out in anguish!
Also to friends and family who have supported me, protected me, done their best to advise me, endured me and my complications of heart and mind!
Fans, friends and family have waited to see the kitchen photos. Some had private pics some time ago! When those who do not live in France will ever come is not of consequence any more!
Tomorrow!
Sunday 21 August 2016
Saturday 20 August 2016
A Tower and a Castle
To unscramble my head I headed out to Monthoiron where there were guided visits in French. For years I have been fascinated by this tower, which a few years ago started to show signs of undergrowth being removed from it. VOILA it is being revealed in its ruined state and next year it may be possible to go inside.
I was particularly interested to go this weekend as medieval cannons were to be fired. A big bang! HOWEVER, nothing like the demonstration in Haut-Koenigsberg, Alsace in 2006 or 7 when my daughter lived there for a week in true re-enactment medieval style, in an attic, at an early Easter, with snow on the ground. She was ill before she went and ill when she went home! A straw bed in an attic aint much fun! The Burgundians were fighting!
http://www.haut-koenigsbourg.fr/en/
I digress as usual!
Today was a pleasant afternoon, extremely informative if one can understand French. I get some! For three euros it was good value. I received a French leaflet and an English one with different text content! Bizarre!
After twelve years of being mystified, it was very interesting to see it up close, to know about the "buttresses", to see the private chateau (exterior) and other buildings around it as well as to understand some of its history. ALSO that it is one of Leonardo da Vinci's designs. Interestingly has been cut by earthquakes. One visitor announced he used to scramble through the crack when he was a boy.
A peaceful afternoon to unscramble my head which returned when I got home.. so I am writing this!
The drive in the vehicle was hot (no windows open in my car!) despite the wonderful wind. Thank goodness they sold Magnums. I needed one as my freezer is empty of such delights! Wonderful architectural history.
http://www.vinci-monthoiron.com/?page_id=209&lang=en
Here are my photos:
I was particularly interested to go this weekend as medieval cannons were to be fired. A big bang! HOWEVER, nothing like the demonstration in Haut-Koenigsberg, Alsace in 2006 or 7 when my daughter lived there for a week in true re-enactment medieval style, in an attic, at an early Easter, with snow on the ground. She was ill before she went and ill when she went home! A straw bed in an attic aint much fun! The Burgundians were fighting!
http://www.haut-koenigsbourg.fr/en/
I digress as usual!
Today was a pleasant afternoon, extremely informative if one can understand French. I get some! For three euros it was good value. I received a French leaflet and an English one with different text content! Bizarre!
After twelve years of being mystified, it was very interesting to see it up close, to know about the "buttresses", to see the private chateau (exterior) and other buildings around it as well as to understand some of its history. ALSO that it is one of Leonardo da Vinci's designs. Interestingly has been cut by earthquakes. One visitor announced he used to scramble through the crack when he was a boy.
A peaceful afternoon to unscramble my head which returned when I got home.. so I am writing this!
The drive in the vehicle was hot (no windows open in my car!) despite the wonderful wind. Thank goodness they sold Magnums. I needed one as my freezer is empty of such delights! Wonderful architectural history.
http://www.vinci-monthoiron.com/?page_id=209&lang=en
Here are my photos:
 |
| This part was once built similar to the next building |
 |
| The private Chateau of Monthoiron |
 |
| All that is left of the buttresses |
Sunday 14 August 2016
My village
Today I discovered from two friends, one Italian who saw the announcement in the Press yesterday, that the Maire and four associates have resigned.
http://www.lanouvellerepublique.fr/Vienne/Actualite/Politique/n/Contenus/Articles/2016/08/17/Angles-sur-l-Anglin-le-maire-et-quatre-elus-demissionnent-2811528
I am not surprised. They have had a battle.
I THINK it is to do with the fact that the Management of the Chateau and the Centre d'Interpretation de Roc aux Sorciers has been taken over by a company from Dordogne and something about insufficient care about PATRIMOINE! This is only what I ahve been informed!
All this organised by higher authorities.
Ok, ticket prices are inexpensive for one but I think expensive for a family, and the guided visits are only open until the end of August. I must go next week!
I met people oit and about before July who were seriously upset that they had come to this plus beaux village only to find they could not acces the inside of either monument!
The grue ( crane) has been in place since about March...( what is THAT costing!?). I have only ever seen it work the once which was amazing but as I don't live in the Chateau I don't always know what goes on down there or even in the High Town. I must go and see what they have done inside. I am told they have made pathways and therefore ruined the natural grass of what was left on the ground floor plan!
MAYBE we need the ENGLISH to breach La Tranchée d'Anglais encore and give the French something to think about! JOKE!
I am sad because I think the new Maire and his team were doing their very best with the higher authorities where they have had no control of expenditure etc.
This is a tourist village and in the winter there are not enough people and in the summer it is heaving.
How can a village survive with such demands unless it is given support?
The Tourist Office has survived this year but next year there may be no money to employ anyone!
I have just been translating and reproducing the leaflets in English for tourists. Would you believe the Tourist Office did not have any?
SERIOUSLY, this village is too split with factions, organizations and associations and the different groups need to work together. We can't even get Credit Agricole to install 'un distributeur' (cash withdrawal machine and I witnessed over 20 inquiries, only for visitors at Book festivals and ordinary days to be told they have to go to the next town(s).
http://www.lanouvellerepublique.fr/Vienne/Actualite/Politique/n/Contenus/Articles/2016/08/17/Angles-sur-l-Anglin-le-maire-et-quatre-elus-demissionnent-2811528
I am not surprised. They have had a battle.
I THINK it is to do with the fact that the Management of the Chateau and the Centre d'Interpretation de Roc aux Sorciers has been taken over by a company from Dordogne and something about insufficient care about PATRIMOINE! This is only what I ahve been informed!
All this organised by higher authorities.
Ok, ticket prices are inexpensive for one but I think expensive for a family, and the guided visits are only open until the end of August. I must go next week!
I met people oit and about before July who were seriously upset that they had come to this plus beaux village only to find they could not acces the inside of either monument!
The grue ( crane) has been in place since about March...( what is THAT costing!?). I have only ever seen it work the once which was amazing but as I don't live in the Chateau I don't always know what goes on down there or even in the High Town. I must go and see what they have done inside. I am told they have made pathways and therefore ruined the natural grass of what was left on the ground floor plan!
MAYBE we need the ENGLISH to breach La Tranchée d'Anglais encore and give the French something to think about! JOKE!
I am sad because I think the new Maire and his team were doing their very best with the higher authorities where they have had no control of expenditure etc.
This is a tourist village and in the winter there are not enough people and in the summer it is heaving.
How can a village survive with such demands unless it is given support?
The Tourist Office has survived this year but next year there may be no money to employ anyone!
I have just been translating and reproducing the leaflets in English for tourists. Would you believe the Tourist Office did not have any?
SERIOUSLY, this village is too split with factions, organizations and associations and the different groups need to work together. We can't even get Credit Agricole to install 'un distributeur' (cash withdrawal machine and I witnessed over 20 inquiries, only for visitors at Book festivals and ordinary days to be told they have to go to the next town(s).
Arid August
which made it easy to lift not a good crop of potatoes.
Tomatoes, kale, carrots, clematis suffered!
Hopeless! I'm glad that Spring wet weather made planting seeds too tricky!
Saturday 13 August 2016
A friend's belated birthday fest in July
Champagne at my friend's house was informal and relaxed. A walk to the restaurant for lunch, then back to the garden for after lunch chat and an evening barbecue were all with good company, It was nice to eat out. I like the local restaurant. Some think it Michelin standard. The food was exquisitely presented, full of protein but no vegetables! Maybe I live in the dark ages... However, thank you to all those who invited me.
This was a starter but not mine: foie gras, onion chutney and ???
This my starter : a ball of salmon gravadlax with tomato and attention to presentation!
I break into it!
This my main course: I break into a sheet of pasta to reveal delicious fresh cod and more tomato!
This was a duck main entree: not mine!
There was local cheese goats cheese followed by birthday cake accompanied by fireworks which was whisked away and converted to desserts for everyone. Coffee or tea if one wished.
Here just one of the bottles of lovely Burgundian wines...
This was a starter but not mine: foie gras, onion chutney and ???
There was local cheese goats cheese followed by birthday cake accompanied by fireworks which was whisked away and converted to desserts for everyone. Coffee or tea if one wished.
Friday 12 August 2016
Un grand vin pour un grand pas.
About ten years ago or maybe more... we were given a MAGNUM (150cl) in gratitude for us teaching English to two children and because it was a Christmas gift! The bottle was laid horizontal in a variety of temperatures at the other French house where I lived.. it was either a hot or cold environment! ... and here where the temperature has been more stable!
Having no other wine in the house I thought it was time to TEST it, to TEST the new oven and to celebrate the new kitchen. Also to thank my former partner for 3 months work laying the floor tiles, installing the kitchen furniture, reconnecting the drainage system, several other minor but important tasks, not to mention four months last year prepping walls and ceilings and installing laundry / larder room furniture.
We were both exhausted by the turn of July into August.
He has been frustrated with my slow decision making.
My own slowness has definitely frustrated me!
However, working as a team we got to where we are now - the end of six rooms being renovated in six years!
.. as well as a marvellous kitchen where I have to re-hone my cooking skills!
I invited a friend and so we were three.
We opened a bottle of Vouvray, saving half which I drank two days later and it still had fizz!
I needed bubbly!
Lamb rôti (40% price reduction bought mid June waiting in the freezer for a special occasion) was slow roasted. I slashed the top with a knife. Then rubbed into the top and underside of meat 'a chopped, crushed, blended together mixture of rosemary leaves, garlic cloves, capers, anchovies, lots of lemon zest, lemon juice and olive oil'. Then I placed the meat onto sliced onions and sliced potatoes from my garden. I put it into a large oval pyrex dish which has its own lid as deep as the container. I used to have a wonderful enamelled metal one with dimples on the top but that died a few years ago!
The lamb which was more braised than roasted was served with four vegetables.
It wasn't the most amazing meal I have ever cooked but the lamb shredded off the bone after I let it rest out of the oven. I like that!
It was followed by local goats' cheese, batavia and walnut oil.
For dessert I made a blueberry / myrtille tart.. page 182...adapted to contain pears from THE FRENCH KITCHEN by Joanna Harris and Fran Warde. DELICIOUS!
ohgoodoh! My cookbooks can be found!
This wine really deserved a better meal but at least it wasn't served with a fried egg. That is another story from the long time past! Not sure how much this would have cost if I bought it in 2016! I had to not care! Delicious it was...
To be fair to this story.. we opened it the evening before this meal and drank one glass each! The cheeky monkey said it was nowhere near as good as half a bottle of St Emilion I once took home from a priest's house (with his permission!) to share with my friend!!!!! Talk about gratitude!!!!!! Maybe he does it to wind me up! Anyway I almost wish I hadn't opened it, especially when the first glassful disappeared from his glass whilst mine was still full!
GRUMBLE is my middle name!
https://www.vivino.com/wineries/bouteilley/wines/cotes-de-bordeaux-merlot-cabernet-sauvignon-2002
Having no other wine in the house I thought it was time to TEST it, to TEST the new oven and to celebrate the new kitchen. Also to thank my former partner for 3 months work laying the floor tiles, installing the kitchen furniture, reconnecting the drainage system, several other minor but important tasks, not to mention four months last year prepping walls and ceilings and installing laundry / larder room furniture.
We were both exhausted by the turn of July into August.
He has been frustrated with my slow decision making.
My own slowness has definitely frustrated me!
However, working as a team we got to where we are now - the end of six rooms being renovated in six years!
.. as well as a marvellous kitchen where I have to re-hone my cooking skills!
I invited a friend and so we were three.
We opened a bottle of Vouvray, saving half which I drank two days later and it still had fizz!
I needed bubbly!
Lamb rôti (40% price reduction bought mid June waiting in the freezer for a special occasion) was slow roasted. I slashed the top with a knife. Then rubbed into the top and underside of meat 'a chopped, crushed, blended together mixture of rosemary leaves, garlic cloves, capers, anchovies, lots of lemon zest, lemon juice and olive oil'. Then I placed the meat onto sliced onions and sliced potatoes from my garden. I put it into a large oval pyrex dish which has its own lid as deep as the container. I used to have a wonderful enamelled metal one with dimples on the top but that died a few years ago!
The lamb which was more braised than roasted was served with four vegetables.
It wasn't the most amazing meal I have ever cooked but the lamb shredded off the bone after I let it rest out of the oven. I like that!
It was followed by local goats' cheese, batavia and walnut oil.
For dessert I made a blueberry / myrtille tart.. page 182...adapted to contain pears from THE FRENCH KITCHEN by Joanna Harris and Fran Warde. DELICIOUS!
ohgoodoh! My cookbooks can be found!
This wine really deserved a better meal but at least it wasn't served with a fried egg. That is another story from the long time past! Not sure how much this would have cost if I bought it in 2016! I had to not care! Delicious it was...
To be fair to this story.. we opened it the evening before this meal and drank one glass each! The cheeky monkey said it was nowhere near as good as half a bottle of St Emilion I once took home from a priest's house (with his permission!) to share with my friend!!!!! Talk about gratitude!!!!!! Maybe he does it to wind me up! Anyway I almost wish I hadn't opened it, especially when the first glassful disappeared from his glass whilst mine was still full!
GRUMBLE is my middle name!
https://www.vivino.com/wineries/bouteilley/wines/cotes-de-bordeaux-merlot-cabernet-sauvignon-2002
YUM!
Thursday 11 August 2016
Before fireworks on the same day
"Oh how magazine" says a friend for morning coffee re the kitchen!
We sat for longer than I thought she had time yet I was pleased to chat.
Even though I'd forgotten about my intended trip to Le Blanc, where 350 stalls were showing ancient and modern ware in intense heat, I went with three hours to spare. It was worth the pistachio ice cream but I did not find what I was looking for. On the way I took a route that I was not familiar with (was thinking about something else, so travelled much further cross-country than I relished).
On the edge of one of the many woodlands a sleek, golden brown buck bolted across the road looking into my eyes as I approached at speed!
Then I thought of at least two friends who like sports vehicles!
The second one is for me!
Whizz home to leftover lamb (all leftover veg had been eaten in three days), quick shower, dress business-like for two hours voluntary work which made my head spin!
Whizz home to calm quiche making from THE FRENCH KITCHEN ... page 55 and my first pastry making session in three years, I am sure! Bit short but it yummy. Not enough tomatoes in the fridge so adapt with red peppers. No cream so add the festering feta cheese and left over cube of pokey Cantal diced small with Herbes du Provence. YUM. Any bacteria is blasted by the heat!
Gently stroll at twilight along places where people gather to watch fireworks as mist hovers above the river pressed down by colder air before the fun of the fair.
(Does that need commas? Perhaps or not?)
Not often are stages set with people cooking, eating, walking, searching, sitting, waiting for the best viewing place, whilst that grand chateau under repair and fortification has waited for 11 centuries for this day to look down upon us.
It is under new management by a company from Dordogneshire - a company that manages several National Monuments. Unfortunately, the Forteresse and the Roc aux Sorciers will, as far as I know be closed at the end of August, so come this month if you would like tickets for the two sites.
We sat for longer than I thought she had time yet I was pleased to chat.
Even though I'd forgotten about my intended trip to Le Blanc, where 350 stalls were showing ancient and modern ware in intense heat, I went with three hours to spare. It was worth the pistachio ice cream but I did not find what I was looking for. On the way I took a route that I was not familiar with (was thinking about something else, so travelled much further cross-country than I relished).
On the edge of one of the many woodlands a sleek, golden brown buck bolted across the road looking into my eyes as I approached at speed!
 |
| I rather like the fusion of wood and metal and thought of my son who could make something such as this or these. |
Whizz home to calm quiche making from THE FRENCH KITCHEN ... page 55 and my first pastry making session in three years, I am sure! Bit short but it yummy. Not enough tomatoes in the fridge so adapt with red peppers. No cream so add the festering feta cheese and left over cube of pokey Cantal diced small with Herbes du Provence. YUM. Any bacteria is blasted by the heat!
 |
| in the oven |
 | ||||
| out of the oven, on the new grill, on top of the new induction hob and the lovely silk print of frangipani flowers selected by me from Sri Lanka 20 years ago! |
 |
| a slice of! |
(Does that need commas? Perhaps or not?)
 |
| Three clicks of the camera and the theatrical stage view changes slightly! |
It is under new management by a company from Dordogneshire - a company that manages several National Monuments. Unfortunately, the Forteresse and the Roc aux Sorciers will, as far as I know be closed at the end of August, so come this month if you would like tickets for the two sites.
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