Memories of Venice

Getting repeatedly and happily lost in the maze of alleyways
The privilege of watching cellist, Davide Amadio, play Vivaldi
Torcello - the island of cats
Venetian pistachio cake
The (many) dogs of Venice
Sitting on a terrace, under the stars, watching late night life on the Grand Canal

The Magic Of Venice

Sunset over the lagoon.

Venice is every bit as magical as expected. And a whole lot more.

Buon Natale!

Midnight mass in St. Mark's Basilica. A very happy Christmas from Venice!

The Lenticular Cloud

No, it's not a UFO. Nor a spaceship made of meringue. It is, apparently, a lenticular cloud - a rather rare phenomenon most frequently seen over high mountain ranges such as the Himalayas or Andes.

But this one seemed to have lost its way. Because it turned up not far from Dixon Hill this afternoon, where it was snapped by my husband. In fact, it was seen floating all over West Yorkshire and snapped by quite a few people if the BBC website is anything to go by.

Hope it enjoyed its jaunt about the Pennines....its little Christmas detour. It certainly caused a stir in these parts (and is welcome to come back anytime).

Eat Weeds and Vegetables

Here are two books I’m really enjoying dipping into at the moment.

Robin Harford’s Eatweeds may be a plain little tome on the outside but inside it’s delightful.  The text is scattered with wonderful quotations about nature; and there are botanical illustrations of every plant included in the book.  The recipes cover 34 different wild plants and include Sea Plantain Risotto, White Dead-Nettle Frittata, Autumn Sorrel Soup and Gorse Flower Cordial.

Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall is trying to start a revolution with Veg Everyday!  He wants folk to make vegetables the main focus of their meals.  And he writes very persuasively.  This is a gorgeous book that I know I’ll be referring to time and again.  The food is beautifully photographed (by Simon Wheeler) and illustrated (by Mariko Jesse); and the recipes are straightforward, accessible and seriously tempting.

Both books would make fantastic Christmas presents!