erica graham

oh well, what else are new credit cards for?

This is not very accurate. Haake, Lauda and Julabo are all German brands, with products manufactured in Germany as far as I know. Sorry, I didn't make myself clear, I meant the cheap kit on ebay generally comes from USA!!

Most of the kit tends to come from the USA- so don't forget that you will have to buy a transformer too!! (I forgot that so had quite a few pieces of very useless equipment sitting around for far too long!!)

Is this to try out at home, or for commercial use? If you just want to play with the method and experiment without commiting a shed load of cash then a search on ebay scientific instruments will get you started for relatively little ( and you'll be amazed at what scientific kit you can actually buy!!)

Yes, there are about 20 varieties of cepes around to pick. The truffles, well dogs, luck and abit of knowing where to look!! (I'm not allowed to say any more than that!!)

Thought you all might like to see the first of our wild mushrooms Included in the picture are Beef Steak, Cepes and Honey Fungus!! We have also had Pufball, chicken of the woods, and fairy ring!! And one beautiful black truffle! (we used it all before I could get a photo!!) Yum...

Pigs cheeks work well too.....

Taking a largish group to maze next tuesday, and was wondering if anyone knows how much the wine flights are, as we are treating them all, and trying to work out what the damage is. We're going to have a set tasting menu, so I thought that it might be nice to have wine flights to match, but can't find a mention of price anywhere!

I know that I would much rather have LCS as it is (and IMHO I think it is stylish, comfortable and welcoming, and that was before the refurb, can't wait for my lunch later this month) rather than have a legion of needless waiters, one to pick up my napkin and one to walk with me to the toilet. Helen with her knowledge has no need for a sommelier, and the pace of service is just right for me. And of course to top it all off is the Amazing Food.

Just to say that I had a very relaxing day out in Cardiff whilst I waited for my new biometric passport. I ended up at Woods Brasserie in Cardiff Bay, and completely freaked out the staff by eating on my own!! Will post later with details.. but have made a mental note to revisit Cardiff another time.

Wish I could but funnily enough its my only day off!!! (and the holiday without passports loomes ever closer!!) Erica

thanks!! That four hour wait for a passport will give me enough time to go to any of the above- I'll let you know how I get on!!

I hope so!!

I have a four hour wait in Newport this coming Monday (forgot to renew the families passports so I'm paying outrageous amounts for the superfast service )) I was wondering if anyone knew anywhere to eat in the centre. Not really bothered about cuisine or style, quite happy to go on anyones recomendations, and keep me out of the shops for a while Thanks in advance Erica

For pickling and also good for wasp stings!!

I grew up with egg and salad cream sandwiches. Also YUM

We've had two from them in the past month- one general, and one they said was aimed at high achieving restaurants!! My daughter used the paper for cut and stick!!!!

we had a problem with a ghost this year, but it only took one nights work to sort it out- dread to think how bad theirs must have been!!

There are a number of books on the market that specialise in edible wildflowers/plants- I can lend you one if you need, as we take them out with us alot (mainly to make sure I don't poison half the population when I'm picking) There's also a book out there called "Food for Free" which is v. useful for flower uses!

They aren't ready yet, but elderflowers make great custard and custard type deserts (brule etc) can do same with wild roses, lavender and hibiscus but not for another few months yet!

http://www.wildharvestuk.com/ Your best bet- they are in New Covent Garden

My Grandad used to have 3 potato scallops and chips for supper every Friday!! And, yes it was many years until I too realised there was any other!!

Last girls night out, we went to Quaglinos for Martinis- Fun!! (Don't remember much about dinner, although the stairs were quite scarey!!!)

Is there a quod in LOndon now?

I think he mentioned his feelings again in his review this week (and if I could only learn how to insert a hyperlink I would do about here!!)