A Loch Monster Feast

Not Nessie or the Loch Lomond Monster but a Seafood feast.

Seafood chowder from MHORFish in Callander Scotland. The fish:broth ratio is like 8:2. And it has a yummy smoky aroma and flavor (smoked salmon kind of smoky).

Speaking of smoked salmon, one of my new favorite breakfast dishes is eggs with smoked salmon and toast. Really, it's yu-ummy!

Then I heard about this place: Loch Fyne Oyster Bar

There's just a 2 lane road separating the restaurant from the lake.

It's all about the fish, the interior is minimalist and bright.

And when they brought my order I, as well as the Scottish couple sitting next to me, had a really good laugh.

INSTRUCTION MANUAL PLEASE
You get a gold star if you can name everything (and you're getting off easy, 3 things are missing).

I really had no idea what I was getting myself into when I ordered the "West Coast Fruits of the Sea" but it was delightful. No, I could not eat it all, best to bring a friend or 3 to enjoy this feast.

Gent-chanted

I have some catching up to do. When I travel with friends (which is wonderful) I neglect my blog, plus I've had limited Internet access. With that said, here is a flashback to my magical visit to Gent Belgium

Take 3 fabulous nights with this view

Add buckets-full of romantic lighting (the city has an official lighting plan, well done Gent)

Add heaps of beautiful architecture.

Mix well with a canal cruise

Season with chocolates of choice (we are in Belgium after all)

Voila, the spell is cast!

Go home with Bonnie Jean

I have been in Scotland for 6 days and this is the song I've been singing since day one...everywhere. Here's a little link to the video:Go Home with Bonnie Jean

The song is from one of my all time favorite movies BRIGADOON. Doesn't everyone dream of seeing dancing men in kilts making new friends in Scotland. While I haven't seen any dancing or singing I did see 7 men in kilts my first day. 5 men and a wee one rushed by me on a blustery day on their way to a wedding. My stealthy attempt to catch them on film.

And the 7th served me lunch in the little village of Luss. Be still my beating heart.
There is plaid everywhere (which I love almost as much as polka dots) even carpeting a boat floor.

I did make new friends on the boat, a lively group of senior citizens from a local church. They wished me well on my journey, said "aye" a lot, and when I got off the boat I turned around and waved and there they all were at the window waving back as they sailed off into the mist.

Not as mysterious as the movie, but there is a bridge 2 minutes from my place.

It's not All Daffodils and Roses in the Lake District

I've had my accommodations in the Lake District booked for over a month (the most advanced planning I've done for the trip). It has been at the top of my "must do" list with Prague and Italy. I wish I could say I've been off the grid because my every waking moment has been consumed with the atmosphere, but alas, I hit a snag, in the form of a wretched stomache bug that kept me in bed the better part of 4 days. The kind that colors everything around you putrid even the most beautiful of surroundings and experiences. So bad that I was ready to throw in the towel, come home early. The thought of getting on the airplane sick was about the only thing stopping me. Enough of that....

Here are some good things

1. The Old Rectory in Bootle, my home base for 6 nights

2. Sheep and lambies prancing and sunning themselves everywhere. I prefer to think #4 is the entry number for the local beauty contest.

3. The flowers and benches nestled in the Old Rectory garden

Manchester with Books

My plane arrived 30 minutes early in Manchester. I didn't know that was possible. So I peeked into an airport shop, scored 3 books for the price of 2 and now have 2 weeks to finish them before I return my rental car (aka extra luggage space).

And this is how I make them portable, tearing into sections. Some may think it's sacrilege, I call it being prepared. You never know when the urge to pop into a cafe or onto a park bench to read for a while will hit.

Then I happened upon this gem: Magma Books.

When I told the cashier I wanted 7 others but was limited due to travel he whipped out a card and said "let us do the heavy lifting, shop on our website," which is: Magmabooks. Here's my beauty. It's big!

Last but not least I went to the John Ryland library. It may look like a place of worship and it is, for books. And I'm a believer.

Brings back memories of my French lit class.

Mirrors are available to view the ceiling without straining your neck. Brilliant.

The subject of a current exhibit is: Al Mutanabbi Street. If you don't know about it look it up and be prepared to get emotional, I did.

Looking for Mr Darcy in Lyme Park

I looked

And looked

And Looked

He was not in the pond

He was not in the lake, those white haired volunteers didn't fool me

He was not on yonder side of the wall

So I did the next best thing. I went to Rams Head, a pub in the neighboring village of Disley. There I had the most amazing Lamb-burger with yogurt mint sauce and a rich treacle tart with lemon curd while cozied up in my own little alcove just big enough for 2. He really did miss out.

Maybe Mr Darcy was hiding in the house. It was closed to the public today, but I'm now a card carrying member of the National Trust, which means I've paid for the right to stalk him, I mean visit as many national trust locations in England as I can, for one whole year.

Schenkstroop and Stubborn Spring Flowers

I love Dutch pancakes!

...and the amber molassesy sugar syrup drizzled on top, Schenkstroop. The pancakes are like a thicker version of a crepe. We picked up a mix and a bottle of Schenstroop at the market for our own little feast.

And for the table...this is what you can get for €5 in the Netherlands

And when in the Netherlands in April it's mandatory to visit the tulip fields, however, stubborn spring will not open it's sleepy eyes. So the fields of tulips are still blanketed in green rather than awake and costumed with the multicolor stripes you expect.

I find myself whispering "come on little flowers you can do it you're so close".

But thanks to the greenhouses at Kuekenhof and a few brave little buds we were able to see these...

My favorite: Salmon van Eijk