Afternoon Bloggers,
Another brilliant two weeks on along the Cádiz journey guys :) Last time we left each other on a rather soppy, rather brilliant point. And since then ALMOST everything has gone swimmingly....
Themes often run throughout the blogs, films, music, books, tales of romance, tales of torture, comedy and endless gaffs. However, very few hae featured one of the things i love the most in this world, the thing that i hold so close to my heart, and one of the things that on a down day, on days where id wish to be anywhere but here, makes me feel better.... FOOOOOOOOOOD!!!!!!
It has been a great two weeks in all senses of the word, great weather, great times, and great, great food! It has been a culinary whirlwind, In just under two weeks i have managed to devour (in every sense of the fatty word), around 8 different cuisines, some better than others, but all, sending my taste buds on a different ride:
As every other week eating Spanish, American, Italian and Mexican came as normal; Ribs and Steaks being our meat fuel whilst playing Max Payne and Splinter Cell with Matty, beautiful Tapas with Spud, Katie and Matty, watching the Barca first leg with a lovely Mexican with Ash, Mike and Kellie and of course the same old crappy oven pizzas to fill the gaps!!
But nothing could compare to the food i woud have on a little trip back to England, a fantastic trip, with fantastic grub. But It wasn't just all about the food, it was a trip back to see the missus, see her family, see mine and enjoy my time back in England, for the last time before the Summer.
Arriving at Stanstead Airport late Friday night, the Pilot telling us there was a 'Warm Summery Breeze', was awful, tired and cold, i was sooo happy to see the smiling faces of Claire and her Parents, and get into the warmth of their house, a short car ride after being re-united with the Bilton Clan!
After a luuuush tea of Jacket potato, beans and cheese, a film and bed was enough for a very tired me after a long day! An earlyish night perfect before another long day on Saturday...
Saturday would see myself and the missus train it to London, (getting off at Westfields, although the totally wrong Westfields!!!) to have a lovely day in the Capital and introduce Claire to my Uncle and Daniel. After a wondeful afternoon in the Camden Town sun, browsing the stalls and sampling more cuisine from around the world; Turkish Kebab for myself and a lush Chicken Fajita for Claire who instead of eating it, thouht spilling it down her white top was a better option! We spent the early afternoon strolling around the shops, brushng past THE Pixie Lott, (looking not all that sensational if i may say so!!!), and then braving the hustle and bustle of the weekend tube.
After having arriving back at my Uncle's apartment for a short rest and chat, we headed to the correct Westfields in Shepherd's Bush. The look in Claire's eyes when we walked in through the 'Village' entrance making my wallet shiver in fear as he stare was drawn towards the well dressed windows of Gucci, Mulberry, Burberry, Prada, Tiffany's and Dolce and Gabbana among others. But a brief browse among the shelves of Topshop, New Look, Boots and H'n'M was all there was time for before we headed back to Holland Park to get changed into our posh stuff as we were heading to the celebrity hot spot Nobu for Japenese.
A feast for the eyes, the missus looking top dollar in her dress and wedges, and a true feast for the stomach. Dishes that not only had i never tried, but that had never come across either my mind or my eyes, culinary masterpieces that tittilated the taste buds. Lobster Salad, Tempura Vegestables, Soft Shell Crab Sushi Rolls, Raw Tuna and Salmon, Seafood Paella, and of course the Legendary Black Cod!!!!! Delicious, Delectable, Dreamy, all are too little to describe the amazing meal we had. But the show was only just starting, the mains, the beautifully presented drinks, both just appearing as a cameo to, what could only be desrcibed as, the 'World Cup Final' of the meal.... Although i love lots of foods, savory or sweet, foreign or domestic, hot or cold, there is little that can fill me, make me feel as good, and as happy as a great desert. And when Daniel's 'Chocolate Tart' came, we didn't expect the spectacle that was about to occur... what appeared to just be a Chocolate ball on a bed of oatmeal, turned, much like the Ugly Duckling, into an art, a masterpiece, the Eiffel Tower of Deserts, witht he addition of Hot Chocolate sauce on top of the ball, we watched in amazement as the ball began to melt away, a shell melting away uncovering a hidden secret, a small ball of cake/ice cream to steal the show.
A great but long day in the Capital was to be just one of the highlights of a brilliant weekend in Blighty. Sunday brought more culinary escapades, having the opportunity to taste the infamous Bilton Sunday Roast; Hung Shou Shi being the main event of the dinner, 5 yorkshire puddings and 3 plates later and i was ready for a relax after a busy of meeting the family and family friends, a late morning drink in the garden with Nana, Auntie Jo and Uncle Tony, David and of course Mike, Linda, and the missus, and then heading off to the pub, for the baptism of fire, dropped amongst family friends, all lovely, but all intimidating, kids galore, and although at first seemingly a daunting experience, a great afternoon amongst great people :)
Monday came too soon, having to leave Essex was horrible after such a fantastic weekend, and fate told me i should have stayed! A nightmare of a day, firstly having to have my bag fully searched, all clothes out all checked, after the fine art of packing it that morning had taken around half an hour, so a 30 minute delay there before i could head to my gate, which on arrivaal provided me wih a lovely gift..... a reciept for checking in my bag as it had to be weighed for the first time ever and was over the limit :( Then discovering that i could have stayed longer as the short, flabby, wrinkly old Dragon Lady had put our presentation back from the 11th to the 30th, just adding to my nightmare, but they do say bad luck comes in three's ey?!
SO a great two weeks it had almost been, monday ruining a seemingly endless run of good luck and good times. Fear not though, wether it be good luck or bad, you can be sure that you will find out about every last bit right here :)
Happy Blogging :)
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