What kind of wine are you?

I took this test a couple of days before Christmas and I was really disappointed to be a Chardonnay.
I took it again a few minutes ago and I am now a Pinot Noir, which I much prefer to the lemony taste of Chardonnay. Yes, of course, Pinot is red and yes, I love red.

You Are Pinot Noir

Sophisticated and worldly, you probably know more about wine than most drinkers. Ish... You have great taste, and you approach all aspects of life with a gourmet attitude. Taste in food and wine, yep! You believe that the little things in life should be cherished and enjoyed... and of the best quality possible. Definitely. Life is too short to drink bad wine. And while you may take more time to eat a meal or tour a city, it's always time well spent. Absolument! Deep down you are: A seductive charmer Bull! Your partying style: Refined. And you would never call it "partying" Yes, I bloody would! Your company is enjoyed best with: Stinky expensive cheese. Yep, a slab of Camembert anyday

What Kind of Wine Are You?

A Tasty Yorkshire Blonde on Sunday...

On Sunday we drove to a little North Yorkshire village for lunch at a friend's pub.
Sunny Sunday.
Beautiful autumn colours.
I decided to take a few photos of this peaceful place.

















For a fiver, I would!
Wouldn't you?

































On Sunday most English villages never come alive till after midday. This Sunday everyone was granted an extra hour's sleep, the clock having been put back for the winter.

















The Black Horse is a typical village pub which the locals visit when there is nothing on the telly worth watching.
Some kind of a social club. The people are so friendly that before you finish your first pint, you know just about everything there is to know about them, the pub, the village and the rest of North Yorkshire.
















Then out of the corner of my eye I spied this tasty blonde. She had a bit of a Belgian accent about her. Not as genuine as a Leffe maybe but she did win Miss Yorkshire 2007...
Tasty, very, very tasty!!









...

Fairytale Belgian Wedding...

A beautiful wedding in magical Antwerp.
The groom was Belgian.
The bride... Well, the bride, such a marvelous concoction. Originally Romanian, grew up in Sweden with her mother and Syrian stepfather. Moved to Spain where she met her husband to be.
So you can imagine the international guest list! People from Sweden, Romania, Belgium, Chile, Norway, England, Syria, Spain, Algeria...

My foreign languages had never been so extensively used. The groom's 93-year-old grandmother did not need me to translate into French the Spanish conversation I had with the bride's mother in the back of one of the wedding cars. "J'ai tout compris..." she said.


















Saturday, the civil ceremony at Antwerp Town Hall was in Flemish. Only the groom and his family laughed at the registrar's jokes.











































Sunday, the religious service was held in Romanian at a beautiful Antwerp chapel.



























A beautiful castle on the outskirts of Antwerp was the venue for the most lavish reception I have attended.

























Gorgeous Venitian masks awaited the guests.
Every table was called after a masked character. Ours was Harlequin.

















The menu was written in many languages telling the guests about the warm goat's cheese salad wrapped in smoked salmon, the marriage of veal and crayfish tails, mascarpone with red berries among other things... Champagne flowed and flowed.

The cake was out of this world!

We partied to live music into the early hours of Monday morning.















One of the highlights of this perfect weekend was meeting Daphnée for a beautiful meal on Friday night. She came all the way from Brussels for this long-awaited blogmeet.

Still dreaming...

Saturday night my friend Didier and I were invited to a party celebrating (!) the last night in business of a local restaurant. The departing owner decided to call on a few friends to help him use up the remaining stock of food and wine. So a few of us were treated to a sumptious late supper of lobster, mussels and risotto all washed down with a selection of wines.
I got home well past one o'clock. Karen is away in Scotland visiting friends.

Sunday, I worked at our main restaurant as we were a bit short-staffed. (Summer holidays.)
The convection oven packed up fifteen minutes before service. After a few attempts to fix, the chef and and I decided to use the main oven for everything. Despite a few mishaps, the lunch service went ok and we ended up serving 72 people.

Just after two o'clock I went over to our tapas bar, borrowed a bottle of Spanish Rose and headed to Didier's restaurant for a chill-out. He had just finished his service and was chatting to a few customer friends who had just arrived back from France with a bootful of wines.
We tried a couple of glasses of Blanquette de Limoux, a delightful sparkling wine with a slice or two of cheese.

An hour-long siesta helped restore me for yet another evening with friends, at our tapas bar. A guitarist plays there every Sunday night. A few tapas, a couple of drinks and a Spanish sing-song. A welcome early night brought an end to another busy weekend.

It has not been easy to stay away from Blogland and so, during this Blogging Silence, I have been reading most of your blogs and even accepted a Blog Prize.


I am still alive and dreaming...

The photo is from a local August folklore festival.

Two Blogging Years...

Two years on and this blog has been rated for general audiences.



Does this mean that people between 7 and 77 can log on without fear of having their minds warped by the content of my posts?

I started blogging because it was a novel way of wasting time. Most of you faithful blogfriends have been there for the ups, the not-so-ups and the downs...
You see, I often make the running of three restaurants sound like a walk in the park and it would be if I did not have to employ staff, feed customers, or just get back to work after my holidays.

When I started over 22 years ago, it was a challenge, a way of looking after myself, Karen and the kids. The first restaurant came at a time when the town was devoid of decent ons, so what I had learnt in a couple of pizzerias, came in handy. I began aiming for the stars and improving, got rid of the pizzas within a month of opening and got the place noticed by a few guides.
What does one do after such a cushy start?
Simply look for the next challenge.

Today, after a few moves and openings, financially it can be attractive to have three restaurants, ego boosting too, because of the recognition.

But I did not really mean for life to go so fast! And that's when the dreamer in me rises to the top.

Travel lifts my spirits and liberates me. Spain is exciting, the South of France, enchanting, Marrakesh, magical... And every time I go somewhere I want to stay for ever.
Art fascinates and transports me... I want to do everything, from mosaics to drawing, sculpture to painting...
Reading enchants me and tempts me to write in a language that is not mine, even though it is the only language I feel comfortable with.

















If this blog goes slightly quiet it is because this dreamer is dreaming of turning his dreams into reality, one at a time...
.

Pottering fever...

What is it about this Harry Potter fever?

I know I haven't caught it but my son has. At midnight last Saturday, he joined a 200m queue outside Asda to get the latest-no idea what it's called- of JK Rowling's books.
In Pakistan a car bomb was defused outside a bookshop where the book went on sale. Do not panic, I have a watertight alibi. At no time did I leave the country in the last seven days.
How do you say Harry Potter in Urdu?

Don't get me wrong but I say good luck to Ms Rowling for coming up with such a "brilliant?" idea to become a multi-millionaire.

It's just that from Day One I did not get carried away by Harry’s wizardry. I remember going to the pictures to see the first film but I also remember falling asleep half way through it.

I personally prefer to be “Far from the madding crowd.”

Do I sound like a rebel?
I'm off for a few days to see if Harry Potter has reached Marrakesh...

Cartoon courtesy of tabtoons@telus / Cagle Cartoons

Blogfriend to Friend in Four Short Hours...

Andrea, you were right!!!

Saturday night I met Cherrypie!!!

She and a friend came up North to race a SAAB at a nearby circuit on Sunday. Cherrypie had often threatened promised to visit our Mediterranean restaurant if she ever found herself in the area. So I booked her a table.

I made sure she and her friend were well taken care of, as I was helping out at the pizzeria half a mile away. It was heaving but I managed to sneak out for ten minutes at around 8pm to meet Cherrypie in the flesh. I had a fair idea what she looked like from her blog photos. As soon as I saw her it felt as if I had known her for ages. I suggested we could meet up later for a drink, then I went back to work.

At 9.30 I found them relaxing over a glass of wine in the restaurant bar. We soon made our way to the tapas bar past the bustling marina pubs, cafés and restaurants.

Over cocktails and glasses of rosé we chatted about blogging, real life, jobs, family, food, wines and holidays.

Cherrypie is exactly how I imagined her to be. Really interesting, tremendously bubbly and totally cool.
The evening started with meeting a Blogfriend. When it ended I found I had made a great friend.

As we parted after midnight, I wished them luck on the circuit which, I am told turned out to be very wet, and promised to keep in touch.

They walked back to their hotel. I found myself sharing a few more glasses of wine and some crispy duck with my Chinese restaurant-owner friend, Tony.

Cherrypie left me a kind comment in our visitors' book. (Click to enlarge.)

Seeds of change...

I have been playing truant from work…
Actually, Wednesday evenings, I do not usually go down to the restaurants. My bookkeeper hogs my office so I often venture in later. But for the last two weeks, I have been skiving.
And I have discovered The Apprentice!

It is such a good laugh! It started about six weeks ago with sixteen hopefuls. The purpose of the program is to end up with one Apprentice who is given a job in Alan Sugar’s business. At the end of each episode, Alan Sugar sacks one of the young contestants.

Last week the task was to sell British produce in Arras Market (France). The guy who got the sack, an ex-army lieutenant had made the stupidest decision of buying massive slabs of Cheddar cheese from a cash and carry and trying to flog it in France, a country that boasts more than 400 regional cheeses. He then tried to cook some sausages on a hopeless scout contraption he made out of a tin of beans.

This week, the task was to buy ten items for less than the asking price. Among other things to purchase were Nigella seeds. I do agree that these may not be the most obvious things to know. None of the contestants had any idea what they were.
They ended up running around London streets, scouring ethnic shops and cash and carries for these elusive seeds.

I may sound a bit smug but could they not have used the internet to find out what the bloody things were before they even got into the car?

A little common sense goes a long way!

Seven random things about me...

Spanish Goth has tagged me even though he knows that, just like him I am not that keen on these memes...

1-I have been trying to learn to play the guitar since the age of 12. I am still crap! I try for a little while and then give up because my fingers hurt. The only thing I can "play" very badly is a little bit of El Concierto de Aranjuez.

2-I can live on salads for weeks on end. A massive bowlful of lettuce, fennel, celery, apple, tomatoes, grilled peppers, olives, radish, etc... with grilled chicken, smoked mackerel, or tuna...

3-I cannot do just one thing at a time. I have to be active because I worry I am wasting time even when I am wasting time. I can watch the telly, doodle, listen to music and drink tea all at the same time. When I go to the loo, I always read something or do a sudoku... Tick-tock-tick-tock....

4-Although I hate cleaning my car, I did just that for the first time in two years this Sunday because I was bored out my brains. I found £4.75 in change, 7 pens, a packet of chewing gum and 4 pairs of sunglasses...

5-I am forever daydreaming. Even at very important meetings I doodle and look out of the window in the same way I used to do when I was at school.

6- I celebrated 22 years in business last Friday. "May the fourth be with you!" has always been my motto since 1985.

7-I would love to sell the lot and head back to the Med, buy a country house in France, become a real artist (rather than the "peace artist" I am) and learn to play the guitar properly.

As per usual, I do not tag people so, anyone who wants to reveal seven random things about themselves, please feel free to be tagged.

...

Doodling away...

Akelamalu tagged me to do a Jackson Pollock doodle.

So I decided to give it the Cream treatment and turn out something complicated. Only because I have a very complicated mind.

I will not tag anyone but go on have half an hour of fun.

When you've finished your masterpiece, print the screen then paste it on a painting program. I messed about with mine then uploaded it.

Can you see what it represents?

HINT: I think it comes from my student days.

Cock a doodle doo...

The last post gave rise to many different takes on the subject.
Sorry, I did not answer your comments but here is a thought.
I still insist that the heart does rule most of our decisions.
You may not realise it but even in the most banal of cases of day to day decisions, it is invariably the heart that wins over the head...
Let's say for instance, you get up, shower and then stand in front of the wardrobe for ten minutes, (less than 10 seconds in my case) wondering what to wear...

Of course it will depend whether you are going to work, play or dance... But in each case it will be your heart that will rule the choice.

Can you think of any instances where you heart has won over your head or vice-versa?

This doodle is really a doodle...


Akelamalu tagged me for my five favourite blogs:

Hayden for her thoughts on life and the living...
Daphnée and her really amusing stories...
Lettuce for her great variety of writings and photos...
Merisi and her amazing Viennese photos...
Homoescapeons to provide a gender balance...

All the above are now tagged...

Shaggy Blog Stories...

It arrived this morning.

It feels like the first grouse to touch my plate...

The first drop of Beaujolais Nouveau to wet my palate...

Right I am off to the loo for a couple of hours!

Blogging...

Tired of running...














In need of a good drink...

I might head for the bush...

Or just try to stay on my feet!

...

One year of blogging...

I have now been Blogging for a year!
Many things have happened over the last twelve months but most significant of all was the getting to “know” so many bloggers.

I discovered Vit’s blog on the BBC website just after the London Bombs in July 05. I was very interested in her digital art and even got myself a version of Painter 9. I have drawn a few things whenever the mood has taken me but not as much as I would have liked.

As I started visiting and commenting on Vit’s blog, other bloggers came to visit my blog and the first one was DCver from Portugal.

09 September, 2005 DCver
12 September, 2005 Gigi (Guyana)
13 September, 2005 Vit (Portugal)
13 September, 2005 Carribean Colours (Caye Caulker, Belize)
18 September, 2005 Viking (US)
10 October, 2005 Ale (US)
12 October, 2005 Caroline (UK)
13 October, 2005 Shyha (Poland)
17 October, 2005 Julie Oakley (UK)
27 October, 2005 Chill Daddy (US)
01 November, 2005 Christine (Canada)
03 November, 2005 Hobbes (Carribbean)
04 November, 2005 Andrea (Canada)
04 November, 2005 Annie (UK)
06 November, 2005 Val (US)
14 November, 2005 L Dahl (US)
15 November, 2005 Iluvnyc (US)
19 November, 2005 Hayden (US)
22 November, 2005 Janet (US)
23 November, 2005 Kingston Girl (Jamaica)
23 November, 2005 Juliana (US)
08 December, 2005 Carla (US)
18 December, 2005 Cave Renovator (Spain)
20 December, 2005 Brian the Mennonite (Canada)
02 January, 2006 Wendy (France)
15 January, 2006 Euro Trac (UK)
14 March, 2006 Cherrypie (UK)
28 March, 2006 Mary (US)
18 April, 2006 Calamity Tat (France)
20 April, 2006 Homo Escapeons (Canada)
21 April, 2006 Le Chat (UK)
25 April, 2006 Rambling Woman (UK)
25 April, 2006 Lettuce (UK)
06 June, 2006 Dons (UK)
04 July, 2006 Daphnée (Belgium)
06 July, 2006 Dizzy (Jersey)

I "talk" to you all as if I know you as real friends. I have emailed many and many have emailed me.
A few of you have elected to remain anonymous (no photo) that is your prerogative.
I have made up a mental picture of you. For example, DCver, I imagine him tall, dark and handsome (I'm not gay, don't worry) as any Portuguese chemist would be. The rest of you have your photo on show and it is nice when reading comments, to associate your face with your thoughts.

As I said to Trac one day "one little comment on your blog can make all the difference!!"
And it is very true that most of us are just seeking an ear to listen to our Life and remind us that we aren't alone.

This year has taught me lots of things and most of all the determination to seek real happiness even at the detriment of a well-settled life. Though it was hard to make the change and still is hard, I have learnt to take one day at a time. Enjoy the good things that one single day offers me and tackle the problems the next day may bring.

At this moment in time I am happy for my blog to take over my life to some extent. The day I give up blogging will be the day when I'll have decided that I no longer need to.
But I have a feeling that by then I will find it very hard to "lose" all the "blogfriends" I have made on the way.

How long have you been blogging and why do you do it?

Glorious Estivation....

This blog has decided to estivate for a while!
Could be hibernate cos up here it is not so hot!

Nearly a year has gone by since I started it and a lot of water has flowed under troubled bridges, lots of great blogfriends, lots of fun, reflections, rantings...

I have loved just about every minute of it.
Totally addictive, I am sure you will all agree!

Very often I neglected my real work in favour of looking for the right YouTube video...

I need to get my business head back on to remain on track because bread and butter don't grow on trees unless they are bread-and-butter trees!

I often imagined the restaurants running themselves while I sat sipping rosé with my friends.
But the reality is that you can only pour yourself so many glasses before the cup overflows and the camel breaks the last drinking straw...

Remain loyal my blogfriends because I estimate my estivation will not last very long!

Kisses!



.

Eye spy with my little eye...

Tat asked her regular blogging friends to provide a self-portrait...
This is the nearest thing I got to one. Tat, I hope you don't mind.

I have been told that I have smiley eyes... I need reading glasses nowadays!
My moustache is getting greyer by the day...I have had it since June 1974...Student protest!
The laughter lines are growing in number and depth... What the hell!!!

The King at Home...

The King overlooks our restaurant's operation...

This is part of the tourism improvements as suggested by Trac!

"I reckon Pie, Mash and Jellied Eels would go down well.
Warm, Flat English Ale...
And life size card board cut outs of the King dotted around the entire area!"
















Marilyn tries to attract the King's attention with a bit of hot air...

The Great Blog Story goes on...

Yes!

I finished my chapter yesterday and Vit has published it in the
Great Blogstory...

Don't expect any bloody Shakespeare... it's more like Dan Brown on a bad day...

After all I am not a native English speaker and living in Geordieland doesn't give one the chance to speak it propa, ye kna man!