Friday, 28 September, 2018 – Nice Looking Day Loyal followers of this Blog. If you find yourself in a situation where you cannot see the photos and / or the captions or alignments are messed up, please go to http://www.beauperi.com directly and all those problems should go away.
It is our last full day in Oslo and the weather looks OK. We start with the usual breakfast.
Turkey, Mushrooms and eggs
Firstly, a couple of shots from Julie.
International bridge of the year, yes we do bridgesWhiskey without Alcohol???
So I go out on my own. I make a major move by crossing the street to the shopping centre opposite, waiting for the pedestrian signal, of course.
End up in a food courtMy ultimate destinationA Bacon Whopper with no sign of any bacon
After all that excitement and adventure, I decide I have had enough so aim to return home. I cross one street and proceed around but that was really the wrong way to go However, I kept going around and ended up at the back of the Hotel, phew! Now a couple more snaps from Julie.
Sweets GaloreColourful
Julie returned and it had started to rain, but she had planned for it. We go down for dinner, again a soup would have done me.
For those loyal readers who avidly follow this Blog, or anyone else interested at all, you may recall that we did a tour of Georgia with Andrew Villone in 2015, see Posts below. Our main Host was John Wurdeman, American born Georgian and Owner of Pheasant Tears winery. Sadly, late last year the Sighnaghi house of Pheasant’s Tears’s founder, American artist John H Wurdeman, burned to the ground. No one was in the house so there were no injuries but all of their possessions, including heirlooms, were lost.
Julie and I decided to attend and it was a very good day, other than the weather, on Sunday, 21 August, 2016. It was held at the Arbory Restaurant which is on the Yarra River at the back and bottom of Flinders Street Railway station. I must admit that I did not know that the place existed.
Julie Entering The Arbory
Note the raincoat that Julie is wearing which represents two things:
(1) The weather was rainy off and on all day.
(2) The rain coat is the one that Julie bought in Georgia when we were on Andrew’s tour last year. A little worse for wear over time but definitely appropriate.
As indicated in the link above to the event, it was being co-hosted by Alice Zaslavsky, Georgian born now living in Melbourne. A very lively, outgoing young girl. See:
The following is the flyer for the event and the menu. Note the very large Kvevri used to make and mature much of the Georgian wine.
The Georgian Menu
When we arrive, we discover that Julie is the first one on the attendees list. There are two areas and we select the one that has regular chairs, as opposed to stools. The Arbory is interesting because, at least where we were, it is totally outside without even a roof. However, there are a number of heaters, definitely needed, and there were large umbrellas to protect us, kind of, from the rain.
Flinders Street Station just behind us.
We are served our fist wine as the place starts to fill up. Our table had some nice people at it and the wine was good.
ChinuriStill a few seats left at our table, not for longKhachapuri to start, of course
Our hosts appear and shout out greetings etc. There is no PA for them so shout is definitely the order of the day.
Alice and RaulThe Second Wine is served
I do a bit of scouting around the restaurant to see what else is going on.
The Pork Mtsvadi for the last main courseThe DJThe Other End ParticipantsOur end – note Swanston Street Bridge in the backgroundThe WinesThe main smoker cooking the Lamb KupatiSalmon Kindzmari Terrine
It suddenly started pouring rain. The umbrellas did a good job of keeping it off of us except for one place, that’s right my seat had a major stream on top of me. I moved to the side next to Julie to get a dry spot.
Rain, Rain, Rain, RainSalmon on the BreadThese three Girls had flown down from Sydney for the eventMushroom Khinkali – Julie had helped to make these while we were in GeorgiaThe next wine – MTSvaneWhich is a famous “Orange wine”Mixed Grains etc.Lamb KupatiLast wine being pouredA Saperavi which was my favourite while in GeorgiaPork Mtsvadi – flavours good but the skin did not crackleSalad, Julie’s favourite naturallyDessert – Walnut Namtshvari
There was then an auction, the carte is in the back ground in the last photo. It was difficult with there being two sides of the restaurant, ours was spruiked by Alice, the other side by Raul. The other side won most of the lots but the bloke next to us did win one of them. All in all a very good day. We hope that lots of funds were raised, my analysis, probably hopelessly wrong, was there were around 100 participants there. Good onya Melbourne, you have done it again.
No, there is no bad luck on this day. In fact, it is a very good day. Julie decides to walk into town where we are to meet at Jan & Hugh’s Hotel, so off she goes. Edith shows up at the spa hotel and shortly thereafter our driver shows up. We drive into the city and to the Hotel and there are Julie and Hugh waiting out the front.
Our first stop is at the Citadel, a site on the Buda side of the river. From there you can get a panoramic view of the river and the Buda and Pest sides.
Walking to the viewOverlooking Budapest and the Danube
At this stage it is time to discuss the bridges of Budapest which link the Buda and the Pest sides. During World War 2, the Hungarians were originally on the Nazi side but toward the end of the war, one Hungarian politician declared they were no longer supporting the Germans. In retaliation, the Germans destroyed all nine of the birdges over the Danube which had to be rebuilt after the war ended.
The Green Bridge
After the Citadel, we went to a Brewery/Restaurant for a tour, tasting and lunch.
The Brewery RestaurantIt is quite a large placeThe girls settled inPretzels
We were promised a tour of the brewery and soon enough the third generation owner comes by to lead or tour. We are all given a glass of beer to assist the touring.
The Owner and Hugh
We complete the tour and go back to our table. We order some Hungarian wine while Hugh sticks to beer, getting one of the other of three beers they make. He does not like it as much as the first one and it is eventually replaced by the first one by the owner. We order our food.
Goulash SoupMeatball soupThe wine
Goose Leg
Our Guide, Edith
After lunch is finished, we go to the Budapest market. It is modern and clean and has a large variety of stalls. Jan buys her faourite Paprika to take home.
In the market
Jan and Paprika
We go upstairs in a corner for a bar area which is known as “The Library” as this is where the men typically go when they are tired of walking around the market with their wives. Julie continues on the prowl around the market.
Goulash in Bread looks like a great idea
A little crowdedOne thing I missed on this tour was Spicy FoodHad to have Salmon in a photoMore Salmon
Wooly PigEvery Town needs a steak shopWow!
How red is that fruitSmall chunks of PorkPork crackling?
Burgers anyone?
Very impressive market and great photos Julie. Any way, it is time to depart. We drive past some scenic sites although I fall asleep and miss most of them. When I wake up, we are back at the Spa hotel, they decided to go there first. So I hop out of the bus and say goodbye to our wonderful guide for the last two days, Edith. Julie, of course, goes back to the city so that she can walk back. The following are some of the photos she took while on the prance.
The Yellow Bridge for walking on/off the Island
The bus in the river. It operates on dry land too.
When Julie finally returns, I had been snoozing, we do not need a big dinner as the lunch had been huge. Edith had kindly done some baking and provided that and other snacks which was perfect for what we needed to eat. Thanks, Edith.
Edith’s snacks
I will add Edith’s contact details as soon as I can find them. Highly recommended.
Today we start out by bus to two Olive Oil factories. At the first, Oleum Viride, we have a minimalist breakfast.
Home Baked Bread, Olive Oil and JamonThe Group, a beautiful dayLooking towards Zahara de la Sierra.
As well as Olive Oil, these people also organise bicycle tours. Hence, the bikes in the last picture. They take us on a tour of the facilities which seem to be quite modern. For some reason I only took one photo that worked out.
It is a very old factory. We are given a tour by the owner, delightful Lady – picture later, and I take a couple of snaps.
Mats placed between layers of olives before going into the pressThe beautiful lake and mountains in the background
We go into the main shop / sales area. There is a “small snack” there, much more than the breakfast earlier.
Small snack???The Owner and her Daughter – absolutely wonderful peopleThe Shop part – note Tripadvisor rating 5
As the blurb above shows, they also do accommodation and are rated 5 #2 of Specialty Lodging in Zahara de la Sierra.
One of two tables for our groupThe Second tableHistoric photos. One can find two with Orson Wells in them and 1 with Papa Hemingway
Both olive oil places indicated that the price for olive oil had been dropping dramatically which made it hard to make a living purely on olive oil alone. Molino El Vinculo probably did better out of the tourist trade e.g. with the accommodation. If you are in the area, make a point to drop in and see them, they are very friendly and delightful people.
We take the bus back to The Lodge where Frank has stayed back to make us a nice lunch by the pool.
Observant readers may have noticed that Virginia and Anna were missing in this morning’s photos, along with Frank of course. They did this to provide Frank with assistance in preparing lunch which consisted of:
Killing a bottle of Rose and then opening another one
Sue and then Frank went for a swim and maybe others. The bus takes the Hotel group back to their Hotel and some are going to go into Ronda early. I find out, as she is leaving, that Julie is one of those going into town. We find out later that all of the group, except Julie, eventually came back to the Hotel but Julie pranced around Ronda all afternoon. The following are some of the photos that she took.
Looking down from the town to the people on the trail belowA small river at the bottomCrossing the new Bridge (more later) by Horse and Buggy
Julie then entered a local museum and took lots of photos of all kinds of interesting things. However, this is designed to be a food and wine Blog so I will not include any. Refer to:
Lots of Towers attached to home in this townand againJulie then went to the Bullfighting Ring in Ronda
There was a museum there too but Julie said it wasn’t as good as the other one and I am not going to include any of the photos any way.
The Bull Ringanother view of the Bull RingA Bar. In the Bullfight arena?CakesHow can anyone eat those big monsters?Great story, one of the few instances in this world where common sense has prevailed.Viva El ToroCarving JamonInteresting kind of Tapas
Meanwhile, back at The Lodge, we rested and then caught the bus to go into Ronda. We pick up the Hotel group and go in. I have been waiting a long time for this pun but “Help me Ronda, Help, Help me Ronda”.
The bus is not allowed to drive in the main town so we are dropped off at the bus station and then walk the rest of the way.
In RondaOutside the Bull RingThe Valley Below
We finally meet up with Julie at the “New Bridge”.
We walk around the old town for ages, looking primarily at doors and door knobs. Some of us were getting grumpy with Carlos as it was well past time for food and drink. We eventually get to our destination.
Entering Cafe Almocabar
After what seemed like ages, our, remote, end of the table was served with a Rose. I think I would have to say the worst wine I have ever tasted. Ridiculously sweet and with an off putting flavour. It wasn’t off, just terrible. We send it back and get it replaced with:
This Dainty Bottle of Rose, Much better
Sue had to maintain that bottle of Rose for the evening.
A magnum of red did not hurt eitherOlive Oil with Black Salt FlakesPateChicken SaladFishPrawns in BatterBeef with Foie GrasJamon, Cheese and Eggs with TrufflesIberian PorkIrish Coffee for Julie
The Bus Driver had to end his shift and so we were going to have to take a taxi back. Supposedly there was only one in town which probably meant 4 different trips spaced out over an hour or two. Fortunately, the restaurant was able to organise us a bus to take us all back in one trip. Much better. We collapsed for the night.
Today after breakfast, down in the bowels again, we get on the bus and travel to the seaside town of Cadiz.
Architecture
Our first stop is at the large Cadiz market where we will buy supplies for a Frank meal extravaganza to be cooked tomorrow.
Entering the MarketInside the Crowded MarketBeing near the Sea, seafood is the main specialtyAmazing Red Prawns – we had to get some
BTW: that was Suze in the previous photo taking a shot of these red prawns.
Around the outside was Poultryand Meats
Frank bought some naughty Chicharones which are deep fried Pork Skin bits.
ChicharonesMy absolute favourite
We leave the market and stop at one of the many crowded bars nearby for coffee.
Coffee with Churros, the latter not my favourite
We leave the market area and take a longish walk to one of Frank’s favourite Tapas Bars, Casa Manteca – arguably the oldest tapas bar in Cadiz and a
MUST stop for vino and tapas.
Along the way, which is the more hideousInside Casa Manteca
After this we are to have a big lunch at a multi Michelin Star restaurant in Cadiz so what do we need to eat here here?
More food of course
It really was a delightful Tapas Bar and it was a shame we could not spend more time there.
We then walk to meet the bus. There is a bit of a delay as Cadiz does not allow buses in the centre and there is a lot of traffic around the outside.
What’s this? A Moreton Bay Fig of course.
We get on the bus and travel over the new, famous Cadiz Bridge to our restaurant.
Onto the Cadiz BridgeThe Constitution of 1812 Bridge, also known like La Pepa Bridge, is a new bridge across the Bay of Cadiz, linking Cadiz with Puerto Real in mainland Spain. From Wikipedia
We drive to an industrial area full of old factories. One of these factories is our restaurant destination.
Entering the old factory
Entering through the big old door
Obviously the restaurant had a complete refit of the old factory and was very modern and up market inside.
The Restaurant FoyerThrough a port hole – reminding us of the area we are inMany busy Chefs
We were seated at four different tables, a large one and three smaller ones.
We were joined by Carlos our guideThe Main Table – clockwise: Elisabeth, Frank, Anna, Nora, Linda, Kerry and AlanSue, Virginia, John and DianneJosh, Andrew, Suze
We asked the restaurant for the menu of all that we were about to had. The following is what we were provided with at the end of the meal.
A bit mangled and not very helpfulFrank with the Michelin Award winning Chef
So off I go here with these many courses.
The Crab was really nice
Dessert – the Eyeball was apparently quite good
The courses were quite impressive in appearance and craftsmanship. The wine was good and the service impeccable. I was certainly glad of the experience but I think Julie summed it up after we left – “I am looking forward to some real food!”.
On the way out we took photos of the girls.
Kerry, Anna and Sue (hiding her moon boot)Nora, Julie and DianneThe Bunch of Flowers, sorry Virginia
At the end of the tour we asked the hypothetical about which of the Spanish towns we visited would we like most to live in. Many of us, myself included, voted for Cadiz. Any way, we get on the bus and head back to our Hotel for the last night in Vejer. Most of us do not feel like any more activities and certainly no more food. However, we eventually made the mistake again of joining Frank at the bar. Eventually most of the group joined us as well. The travails up and down the stairs were made worse by having to go all the way to the bottom and then to the top to go to the Loo.
Not too late a night, thankfully as we are on the road again tomorrow.
