In praise of cheeses

Not one to generalise but to me Spain is a pretty macho country. So to meet a revered (by her male colleagues) female cheese maker was not only a delight but extremely (extrema) educational. After a long lunch that almost overlapped dinner in Trujillo, one of the medieval towns of the Extremadura region, we took a gentle, digestive stroll around the square then to bed to dream of more jamon! We hadn't reached the realm of cheese yet. So, on to a cheese factory next day that was a filling, fun, fulfilling experience. We are heading to the World Heritage city, Caceres, and making a pre emptive strike for cheese beforehand at Casar de Caceres to watch the process of making a local, legendary cheese called Torta del Casar. 

Because of import laws in Australia we can’t get this raw milk cheese to eat! So here we were ready to see how this slice of heaven is made and by whom.

Only two brands of this cheese is made in Spain. Happy sheep send their milk here and the 72 hour process of turning milk into a raw milk, unpasturised cheese begins – and it’s all down to step-by-step tradition, a clean and perfectly timed process and all at the hand of the master (mistress) cheesemaker – Narcisia Municio. Narcisia (above) is a rarity in the business and one of a handful of female cheesemakers. And what cheese she makes.
We tried the end product and if a little tear of pleasure was spilt – I’m not ashamed.

Blessed are the cheesemakers . . .

Visit: www.spain.info

and the writer Bev Malzard was a guest of the Spain Tourism Board.

Quirky Facts about British Food

1.           There’s a pub in Britain that holds two Michelin stars

Pub food at Michelin star level? SHOCKING. After we all saw the film ‘burnt’ starring everyone’s favourite Bradley Cooper, it gave us a glimpse into the immense amount of pressure that is involved in becoming a Michelin star restaurant. Britain’s Pub The Sportsman located in Kent, Southeast England, has managed to achieve just that. The hyper-local ingredients take pride in provenance to a new level. With vegetables from the garden, and pork and lamb from the farms next door, you’d be crazy not to taste the finest quality pub food in history.

2.           Afternoon Tea was known as ‘Scandal Water’ in the 19^th Century

It may have been the 19^th Century, however some things just don’t change. Getting your girlfriends together and spending a few hours gossiping over a cup of English breakfast tea used to be referred to as ‘Scandal Water’. As time went on it was referred to as afternoon tea. What better way to catch up on the latest goss whilst sipping on a fragrant cuppa and nibbling on the daintiest little sweet treats. You can take a sip of ‘scandal water’ at super cool hotel The London EDITION, where the specialised tea pairs with different sweet or savory dishes.

3.           Kate Moss makes an exception to her rule “nothing tastes as good as skinny feels”… only because she’s in her hometown.

That’s right everyone, Kate Moss does eat! The English born supermodel helped launch a fish and chip bar, with the help of good friends Anna Wintour and Lindsey Lohan. Sexy Fish, located in London provides a theatrical atmosphere, with interior best described as mid century glamour and Europe’s largest Japanese Whiskey collection. Sexy Fish is just one of Britain’s many stylish and delicious Chinese and pan-Asian restaurants. For Michelin-starred Chinese try Hakkasan Hanway Place, you’d be crazy not to try its Peking duck with caviar, and grilled wagyu with king soy sauce.

4.           Despite myths, the Brits do eat more than Cornish Pastries.  

From vegan to Halal, Britain has a wealth of restaurants, cafés and bars that cater for everyone. A common misconception made by many is that Britain is extremely limited in their cuisine options, however we have proven this to be incorrect. For your finest organic food being healthy, ethical and flavoursome try Kitch, Canterbury, southeast England. Those looking for a Vegetarian experience should make their way to Primrose Hill. While Primrose Hill hosts Britain’s largest selection of vegetarian restaurants, you can’t go past Manna, the capital city’s oldest Vegetarian restaurant. With a menu that has been fine-tuned over the years, dishes will take you on a round-the-world trip without having to leave your table (and for a slither of the price).

5.       There are more than 700 cheeses produced in Britain.

Britain’s love of cheese is thought to date back to Roman times and was even mentioned in a book dated back to 1086, written for King William the Conqueror. According to The British Cheese Board,  (yes there’s a Board dedicated to cheese – where do I sign up?) today there are more than 700 different cheeses produced in the UK, including several varieties of Cheddar, Caerphilly, Double Gloucester plus all the delicious varieties. You’ll be rolling around Britain like a cheese wheel! 

6.           Love Oysters? There is an entire festival dedicated to the seafood itself.

If you’re after fresh fish Selsey and Shoreham in West Sussex are your go-to areas. With two of the few remaining fishing fleets on the south coast, you won’t get fresher fish anywhere! Lovers, you heard it here first - if you’re looking to shake things up and love oysters, you cannot go past the Whitstable Oyster Festival that takes place every summer and takes over the town…Did someone say “aphrodisiac”?

7.           Think of your two favourite foods. Now combine them together. Chocolate and booze you say? #STOPIT

Chocolate is thought to have come to Britain from Europe in the 17th century and started being sold in London’s elite chocolate houses first as a luxury drink. Combining chocolate and alcohol – absolute genius! The British didn’t stop there, they took it one step further and have integrated it into a number of meals – to taste-test, head to Cocoa Ooze in Aberdeen and order a chocolate taco! How did we not think of this sooner?

8.           Britain holds the smallest pub on the planet

This may have not been a major surprise to you…. But you will be shocked at just HOW small The Signal Box Inn actually is. This tiny timber structure is a former railway signal box. You read correctly. As the ultimate mini-bar, it can seat just four customers plus two standing at an absolute squeeze. Despite the diminutive size, it serves a large choice of cask ales, lager, bitter, spirits, wine and cider, an absolute must go to British pub! After a few drinks you’ll get very friendly with the other patrons, no doubt!

For your chance to try any of the above classics, book your holiday NOW to Britain through STA Travel. Lay-by your flights for just $99 – your stomach will be thanking you for it.

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To book your next adventure, visit an STA Travel store, www.statravel.com.au or call 134 782.

SPANISH CHURCH 144 YEARS IN THE MAKING

When members of Spain’s Spiritual Association of Devotees of St Joseph conceived the idea in his honour of a massive church whose tallest of eighteen spires would make it the highest religious building in Europe, they had little idea just how long their dream would take to fulfil.

For it was started 135 years ago, and it will be another nine before it is finally completed in 2026.

 

 

 

Still under construction 135 years on, and with nine still to go before it is officially completed, Barcelona’s basilica of La Sagrada Familia.  (Wikimedia)

 

The Basilica of La Sagrada Familia ("Holy Family") was begun in Barcelona in March of 1882 and by the time it is finished it will have taken longer to build than all of Egypt’s pyramids, and just 50 years less than the 8,852km Great Wall of China.

And will justify what its pious architect, Antoni Gaudi when asked why it was taking so long to complete, replied simply: “My client is not in a hurry.”  His ‘client,’  of course, being God.

Gaudi died at 74 years of age when hit by a tram in 1926, his Sagrada Familia far from completed. Many critics say builders have strayed widely from his original masterful concept, but as most of his plans were destroyed during the 1930s Spanish Civil War, today’s work relies largely on guesswork as to what Gaudi had in mind.

The huge centre-piece of the church will be eighteen massive spires: one for each evangelist, one for every apostle, and one each for The Virgin Mary and Jesus, His being the highest and central spire and 170m tall.

 Today 3,000,000 people a year visit Sagrada Familia as work goes on around them, contributing E25,000,000 in entrance fees towards its completion in 2026 – the centenary of architect Gaudi’s death.

Supplied by guest writer David Ellis.

 

                                                                 

 

Samoa soooo good

A short few days on an island that should be mandatory to be the place that you have a holiday after a holiday. Get me?
Most holidays include activities such as: going to museums, having adventures, taking long walks around cities, exploring temples, cathedrals, castles and grand homes. We have holidays that are busy, intense, full of meeting new people and generally enjoying time out from the 'normal' life.

The over water fales - that's my little house on the water in the foreground.

But when you need a holiday of the old-fashioned sort - one where you sleep when the urge comes on, eat whenever you feel like it and swim because there's a perfect beach underfoot.
That's Samoa. I headed there for a few days and suddenly became a vegetable. I arrived at 6am after the overnight flight from Sydney. Checked in to Coconuts Resort
http://www.samoa.travel/accommodation/a2/Coconuts-Beach-Club--Resort-and-Spa
has an early breakfast and went to sleep for four hours. Woke in a daze, and went walking on a palm-tree fringed beach, then walked into the sea - perfect aquamarine colour and clear to the sandy bottom. Dinner, sleepy again and back to bed.
Next day drove the island to see the pretty villages that would put any "Tidy Town' show off to shame. Clipped gardens, tropical plants and colourful painted village meeting houses.
Back to Coconuts for an afternoon nap, swim and then dinner . . .

Last day - visit to Apia, the big smoke, and a meander through Robert Louis Stevenson's home.
A few snaps of the the crazily coloured buses - they are tops, and back to eat, sleep and swim.
It's all about having a holiday after a holiday.

Spring fever

It's all happening – the new travel brochures are being launched for 2010. Yesterday I joined the Insight Vacations people to have a lovely lunch at Pier Restaurant in Sydney's Rose Bay (divine seafood) and to hear what's on the menu for next year. Top news is the 'Select' program for independent minded travellers. Choose an orientation tour in each city or a range of 'Experience' packages. This is flexible and fun. More information from www.insightvacations.com

The picture here is of Brian and Wynne Eldridge, winners of the 2008 Get Up & Go award for most the adventurous traveller (60 years and over). Brian and Wynne are enjoying their prize trip to India. In the summer edition of the magazine (out end of December) we'll publish Brian's memories of this fantastic trip. What super troupers they are.

And something to ponder on this week: the Aussie dollar against the US$, buy a few bucks now - it's at an excellent rate. Buy while high, I say! And a trip to the US will be cheap, cheap, cheap.

This takes the cake!

I've been sorting through some photographs I've taken on my travels and came across his cake one. I have happy memories of these cakes. I was in Adelaide and had a day to spare before going off on a Captain Cook cruise on the Murray last November. I wandered around town to see what was new since my last visit. Saldechin is a splendid old bank building that has been converted into something special in the cafe/restaurant bar area. You can eat breakfast, lunch, cafe snacks, yum cha and an Asian Cajun dinner here. And in the afternoon enjoy these splendid little morsels with a choice of a sophisticated selection of tea available.

Adelaide is a foodie kind of town isn't it.

Saldechin is at 21 King William Street and you can see what's on offer at www.saldechin.com – and did I mention the martini bar there?