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Thursday 21 June 2012

Beacon at Hurst Castle

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Hurst Castle was chosen to be one of the 2012 official sites countrywide to host a Beacon to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, and they were given a precise time of 10.26pm to light the Beacon.

The Beacon was arranged and constructed by ‘The Friends of Hurst Castle’ who are a volunteer support organisation to the Castle and have, over the years, arranged for many of the various exhibits in the castle to be opened up for visitors.

Members of the Friends’ arrived well before the Beacon lighting up time and held a celebratory BBQ in the Castle complete with community singing in the Garrison Theatre led by Milford resident Adrian Dence, who at the age of 13 was the Deputy Head Chorister at St George’s Chapel in Windsor and sang at the Queen’s Coronation. Adrian was ably assisted by Penny Tyas and Nicky Hok.

At about 10pm the Friends emerged from the Castle to be joined by many who had walked along the Spit for the occasion and swelled the gathering to around 200 to watch Sean and Mary Crane, the managers of Hurst Castle, the Ferries and the Lighthouse, light the Beacon promptly at 10.26pm.

The Beacon and the fire underneath very quickly started burning, such that it was easily sighted from Highcliffe, some 6 miles away.

For more details of the Friends of Hurst Castle, please see:
www.hurstcastle.co.uk or call 01590 674921


Gardens Beat Weather

The organisers of the Milford on Sea Open Gardens Weekend wanted to say a big thank you to all the supporters of the event over the weekend of 9th & 10th June 2012.

The weather could not have been more unkind, with constant rain across the village, especially on the Sunday.

Thankfully gardeners and garden lovers are a hardy bunch and many came out despite of the conditions.

The Milford on Sea Gardeners Club raised £3596 from the two days to add to the £1095 profit from the Plant Fair in May.

The combined total will be distributed to the Club's 3 designated charities: Lymington & District MS Society, Minstead Training Project & Barry Phillips' Youth Trust.

At the same time the Club was able to raise its profile and swell its membership numbers - all good for gardening & wildlife in Milford on Sea and beyond!

For more information please contact: Jenny 01590 644489


Friendly Litter Pickers

As well as organising events and activities to support Hurst Castle, the Friends of Hurst Castle are also happy to get their hands dirty.

Back in March an enthusiastic team collected litter along Hurst Spit, resulting 43 bags of litter.

Great to know that people are willing to keep everything looking great for others.

www.hurstcastle.co.uk

Friday 15 June 2012

Housing Objection Continues

The issue of the proposed green belt new housing development near Milford on Sea Primary School has developed into a clear disagreement between the Milford on Sea Parish Council and New Forest District Council.

The Parish Council have made their position clear at a recent meeting and in the letter below.  The committee have advised that they would welcome anyone who share their concerns or objections to contacts members of the New Forest District Council before their planned meeting this coming Monday evening.  (To be held at Appletree Court on Monday 18th June 2012)

Should you wish to register you own objection in support of the Parish Council’s plea, their is a list of NFDC contact e-mails at the foot of this article. 

The Parish Council are happy for you to use any of the content from their letter below should you wish.
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To all NFDC Councillors

(For the Council meeting to be held at Appletree Court on Monday 18th June 2012)

Core Strategy Policy – MoS1

The Parish Council asks the District Council to reduce the provision on this site to up to 10 dwellings. Reinstate the full earlier proposal for public open space and continue to work with the Parish Council to identify other sites to provide at least a further 20 units in small clusters, including the option of the Parish Council preparing a neighbourhood plan for that purpose.
Keith Metcalf  -  Parish Clerk - Milford on Sea Parish Council

For information, the following communication was sent to members of the Cabinet and explains in detail our earlier request:

I am writing on behalf of Milford on Sea Parish Council.
LOCAL PLAN PART 2 : SITES AND DEVELOPMENT

The Plan is flawed for the following reasons:

1 The District Council is about to renege on the District Local Plan Policy MS-2 Adopted in 1999, which allocated 2 hectares of land at School Lane to be laid out as public open space (F20/2). The Plan stated "there is currently a shortfall of nearly 6 hectares in the playing field provision and even with the allocation at School Lane, there will still remain a deficit of nearly 4 hectares of formal open space“

2 The Village Design Statement adopted by the District Council in 2002 restated that position.

3.The 2004 Public Inquiry into the District Plan stated; “The site (at School Lane) is allocated as formal open space. The local planning authority has argued that there is a shortage of playing field provision in the settlement. I have seen no evidence to contradict that view.”  That Inquiry also rejected a bid for residential development, setting out a number of reasons and concluding “Its development would therefore harm the Green Belt”

4. The District Council’s 2007 PPG17 assessment of open space concluded Milford on Sea “has a low level of outdoor sports provision compared to the District, and the playing pitch study supports bringing forward the 1.92 hectares site at School Lane allocated in the local Plan”. The assessment also supported the need for a multi-use games area as a priority particularly for youth activities, a small indoor sports facility, and allotments.

5. The current draft Sites Plan proposed building up to 30 homes on the School Lane site and the provision of an additional 2 hectares of formal public open space on land to the east of the School. This to include public playing fields, play space for the residential development on the School Lane site, and space for the provision of 5 full size allotments. The Parish Council has consistently pressed for at least 30 affordable homes in Milford on Sea but for these to be provided instead in small clusters including up to 10 at the School Lane site, and we supported the provision of at least 2 hectares of additional formal open space.

6. Councillors are now being asked to reject the District’s own proposal. The Cabinet and Council now face the following last minute revised proposal, “ that further consideration be given to reduce the number of dwellings to up to 20 units and that there should be a commensurate reduction in public open space”. The Chief Planning Officer has stated that the intention is to remove from the proposed Sites Plan all of the 2 hectares of public open space that had been proposed to the east of the School, and explained that the housing development will take up about half of the School Lane site, leaving just half for the public, contradicting the District Council’s long standing position on the need for additional formal public open space.

7. So the District intend to act contrary both to the earlier Public Inquiry and to the District Council’s own consultation proposal.  This has rendered the consultation meaningless.  No residents are aware of these proposed changes.  Neither they nor the Parish Council are apparently allowed to make further representations.

8. We urge the District Council to allow for views to be expressed on the latest proposal before decisions are taken.

Cllr. R Bishop

Vice-Chair Milford on Sea Parish Council

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If you do chose the send an e-mail to NFDC, the Parish Council have provide a list of relevant e-mails below.

To use, simply copy the list, and then paste it into the 'To' field on your e-mail. 

'alan.alvey@newforest.gov.uk'; 'diane.andrews@newforest.gov.uk'; 'goff.beck@newforest.gov.uk'; 'roxanne.bellows@newforest.gov.uk'; 'sue.bennison@newforest.gov.uk'; 'james.binns@newforest.gov.uk'; 'dean.britton@newforest.gov.uk'; 'di.brooks@newforest.gov.uk'; 'steve.clarke@newforest.gov.uk'; 'jill.cleary@newforest.gov.uk'; 'george.dart@newforest.gov.uk'; 'stevep.davies@newforest.gov.uk'; 'bill.dow@newforest.gov.uk'; 'christine.ford@newforest.gov.uk'; 'allan.glass@newforest.gov.uk'; 'michael.harris@newforest.gov.uk'; 'chris.harrison@newforest.gov.uk'; 'david.harrison@newforest.gov.uk'; 'edward.heron@newforest.gov.uk'; 'jeremy.heron@newforest.gov.uk'; 'ann.hickman@newforest.gov.uk'; 'alison.hoare@newforest.gov.uk'; 'maureen.holding@newforest.gov.uk'; 'penny.jackman@newforest.gov.uk'; 'melville.kendal@newforest.gov.uk'; 'alexander.kilgour@newforest.gov.uk'; 'chris.lagdon@newforest.gov.uk'; 'elizabeth.lewis@newforest.gov.uk'; 'penny.lovelace@newforest.gov.uk'; 'brian.lucas@newforest.gov.uk'; 'alexis.mcevoy@newforest.gov.uk'; 'maureen.mclean@newforest.gov.uk'; 'alan.osullivan@newforest.gov.uk'; 'michael.pemberton@newforest.gov.uk'; 'neville.penman@newforest.gov.uk'; 'john.penwarden@newforest.gov.uk'; 'leslie.puttock@newforest.gov.uk'; 'alan.rice@newforest.gov.uk'; 'barry.rickman@newforest.gov.uk'; 'steve.rippon-swaine@newforest.gov.uk'; 'maureen.robinson@newforest.gov.uk'; 'anna.rostand@newforest.gov.uk'; 'david.russell@newforest.gov.uk'; 'ron.scrivens@newforest.gov.uk'; 'ann.sevier@newforest.gov.uk'; 'michael.southgate@newforest.gov.uk'; 'tony.swain@newforest.gov.uk'; 'michael.thierry@newforest.gov.uk'; 'andrew.tinsley@newforest.gov.uk'; 'derek.tipp@newforest.gov.uk'; 'paul.vickers@newforest.gov.uk'; 'malcolm.wade@newforest.gov.uk'; 'stan.wade@newforest.gov.uk'; 'bob.wappet@newforest.gov.uk'; 'christine.ward@newforest.gov.uk'; 'johngward@newforest.gov.uk'; 'colin.wise@newforest.gov.uk'; 'barbara.woodifield@newforest.gov.uk'; 'paul.woods@newforest.gov.uk'; 'pat.wyeth@newforest.gov.uk'; ‘bob.bishop211@btinternet.com’;‘keithmetcalf@btinternet.com’





Beach Clean Success

One of the largest groups of volunteers to date came along to help with the latest Beach Clean and Litter Survey held on 12th June at Hurst Spit, Milford on Sea, organised by the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust.

Over 30 people attended from the local community, including brownies, their leaders, parents and local residents, including several who are regular volunteers.

The group were out litter picking and surveying for an hour and a half, covering an area of 120m x 60m, and during that time managed to collect 27.4kg of litter in 12 bags. The vast majority of litter collected was plastic, particularly bottle caps, straws and pieces of nylon rope.

Litter on our beaches is a big problem on our shores – it’s not only unsightly, but also harms wildlife through entanglement and ingestion, and can impact human health. There has been a 135% increase in plastic litter on our shores since 1994.  Hurst Spit has been adopted as part of the Marine Conservation Society’s Adopt-a-Beach Project. At first glance much of this beach appears clean but there is an abundance of small litter pieces that can prove fatal to wildlife.

Amy Dale, Marine Officer, Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust said, “We’re really grateful for the volunteers who support the conservation project. Our next beach clean is scheduled for the same place on Sunday 16th September. Its part of the Marine Conservation Society’s Big Beachwatch Weekend, so many other beach clean and litter surveys will be going on all over the UK. It will help us to get a snapshot of the state of the UK’s beaches nationwide.”

For more information about marine conservation or to find out about beach cleans, please contact Amy Dale on AmyD@hwt.org.uk or 01489 774444



Thursday 14 June 2012

40 B4 40-Terrace Restaurant at The Montagu Arms

No. 15: Terrace Restaurant at The Montagu Arms Hotel

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It is not every day that you have detailed printed recipes for a fine three course meal you have just eaten in a Michelin star restaurant.

Taking the opportunity to get in my wife’s good books, I had booked a ‘Chef's Masterclass’ at The Montagu Arms in Beaulieu.  The event not only involved the masterclass, but you were then served the meal which had been demonstrated.

Arriving with our friends around midday, Colin and I headed for the bar, whilst the girls took their seats in the lounge, which had been set up as a temporary ‘Cookery Demonstration Kitchen’.  The girls greeted us with their familiar look of distain when we arrived clutching pints of Ringwood 49 Niner.  Apparently, we were informed by our better halves, none of the other thirty or so people in the room had found the need to bring a drink into the room.  We could only deduce that no one else was thirsty.

The Montagu Arms Hotel in Beaulieu is a wonderful old building, set in a great location.  The place just oozes class, and the flower and kitchen gardens are worth a wander.  Even better, everyone we met was welcoming, and you were made to feel very relaxed to look around wherever you fancied.

Our class was hosted by The Terrace Restaurant’s Michelin starred Chef, Matthew Tomkinson, alongside his assistant, another Matthew.  Matthew soon demonstrated his obvious deep knowledge of food, and passion for cooking in a very eloquent, informative and easygoing style.

The audience was a mix of couples, families, ladies who lunch, and two big blokes with beer and their ladies.  To start with we were each given a folder with a printed copy of the full recipes of the days dishes to be demonstrated and then eaten.

The first course demonstrated was ‘English Pea Voluoté with Smoked Salmon, Lemon Oil and Creme Fraiche’.  This dish seemed pretty simple and certainly one that could be tried at home.

Next was ‘Escalope of line caught Hake with Parma Ham, Sauté Artichoke and Watercress’.  Matthew had bought in a whole (massive) Hake, head and all, and explained how this sustainable fish is a great alternative to more endangered species. 

It was then actually quite fascinating to see how a globe artichoke is prepared.  Starting from this pretty large vicious looking vegetable you finally end up with a small heart for eating.  Cooking the whole dish appeared quite straight forward, and as the hake sizzled in the pan the taste buds in the room could almost be heard jumping.

By the beginning of the sweet demonstration our glasses were empty, so we made a swift visit for refills at the bar.  I don’t think anyone noticed the two heavyweight adonises leaving and then swiftly returning to the third row.

Fortunately, we were back in time to see the preparation of the ‘Cherries Jubilee with Vanilla Cream and Oatmeal Biscuits’.

Demonstrations concluded, Matthew was then happy to answer any questions in a friendly and affable way.  Plenty of people asked some interesting questions, and after hearing some informative answers, I asked Colin if he wanted a quick one from the bar.

We then all moved through to The Terrace Restaurant overlooking the ornamental pond and garden.  The classic oak panelled dining room was sumptuously furnished, and the tables immaculately laid with crisp white linen and gleaming glasses and cutlery.

First to arrive at the table was a basket of delicious hot homemade breads, three flavours in all, and three or four small rolls each.  The accompanying real diary butter is always a guilty pleasure these days.  Next, we were each given a complimentary glass of wine.  Things were certainly looking good.

Soon the pea soup was served, it was amazing how something that had looked so simple to make could create such amazing flavour.  The attentive staff ensured we were keep fully stocked with bread and butter, and  they were constantly watching each table to see if anyone needed anything.

Sadly, neither of the girls were drinking, so we gallantly saved them from having the embarrassment of sitting with full glasses of wine in front of them.  Surprisingly, they were not as grateful as we had expected.

The hake looked mouth watering as the plates arrived, and the taste did not disappoint.  A simple wrap of Parma ham certainly enhanced the flavour of what is an already tasty fish.  Artichoke is not for all, but interesting to taste and a lot of work to prepare!  The drizzled sauce enhanced the dish, and we recalled how Matthew had earlier explained the massive complexity of ingredients and the exstremely lengthy process his team go through to make the base sauce, or jus, for his kitchen.

Topping up the girls water in a gentlemanly manner, we then ordered some more wine as we anticipated out dessert.

Pannacotta is one of my favourite sweets (I have around twenty five favourite sweets, mostly involving chocolate), so when it came, accompanied with sweet cherries, I was pretty happy.  Even better my wife had finished hers, so I was able to happily indulge a bit more.  I say ‘had finished hers’, she had actually left for the ladies room with some desert still on her plate, so I had just helped myself.  Fortunately, I was correct on this occasion and did not suffer any violent consequence for my action.  Finally, a cup of coffee rounded off a perfect lunch.

Before leaving, Colin and I were told off by our better halves for giggling, not that we cared much as whatever it was we were laughing at must have been funny.  If only we could remember what it was.

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The event was incredible value at just £31pp for the demonstration and lunch, and they are run four times a year.  So if you have the need to get into anyone’s good books, I reckon you would win plenty of brownie points booking one of their next ‘Chef’s Masterclasses’.
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If you are wondering what the 40 B4 40 Dining Challenge is all about, please click here and all will be explained.


Could you be Carnival Royalty?

This year the Carnival Parade is looking for a Carnival Queen or King with a difference.  The Committee have decided to step away from the traditional theme of beauty pageant and crown someone in line with this year’s Olympic theme.

They are looking for someone who has personally achieved something amazing or done something great for their community, another community or a charity.

Invitations are being made for you to nominate a person that you think deserves to be crowned and take away the £100 prize.

An awards night will be held on Friday 17th August 2012 in the Community Centre, Sea Road from 6pm with live entertainment, a bar and finger buffet where the winner will be announced.

There is no age limit for amyone you wish to nominate. The closing date for nominations is Friday 11th August.

If you would like to nominate someone you can pick up an entry form from Gwen’s in the High Street, or from Sean Reeve at Hugh Whitlock Solicitors, 44 High Street, Milford on Sea, or email:

(Entry forms are also available for floats and groups of individuals wishing to enter on foot.)



Methodist Morning Beats Weather


Despite gale force winds and atrocious weather deterring all but the strong hearted, the recent coffee morning at the Methodist church was hailed a success, especially by those sampling the delicious cakes.

The talented ladies (and men) of the Methodist Church are now organising a strawberry cream tea to tempt us where even more of their mouth-watering delicacies will be available. It will be held on Friday 22nd June in the church from 3pm and tickets cost £5, available from Gwen's or the Methodist church. So forget that diet and enjoy a lovely strawberry cream tea, hopefully on a nice summer's day.

Friday 8 June 2012

See Our Village Gardens

This weekend (Saturday 9th & Sunday 10th June 2012) is an opportunity to see some of the finest private gardens in Milford on Sea.

Milford on Sea Open Gardens has 22 village gardens for you to visit and admire.

To ensure you can find them, there will be signs across the village to give you directions, there is also transport between the gardens for those that need it.  Selected gardens will be serving tea & cake, and some will be selling plants.

Tickets will be on sale on the Village Green from 11.30am on both days, or at the gardens themselves from 1pm. All the net proceeds go to the Milford Gardener’s Club charities. (Tickets: Weekend £8 or Daily tickets £5.)

This is yet again one of those special Milford on Sea weekends, let’s hope the weather is kind, but if not, just wrap up well and still go along to see the creations in the hidden gardens across the village.

Organised by Milford Gardeners Club:


Housing Objection Continues

A proposed new development in Milford on Sea continues to receive local objection.

Land adjacent to Milford on Sea Primary School was previously earmarked for public open space, however New Forest District Council now plans to allow up to 20 dwellings on the land between the school and School Lane.  New Forest District Council have also withdrawn a proposal for a playing field to the east of the school.

Our local Parish Council had wished to limit the buildings to 10 affordable houses for local residents and had asked for much more extended playing fields.  Both have been rejected.  The Parish Council, backed by at least 150 local residents, continue to oppose the plans.

An open meeting has been organised for 6.30pm at the Community Centre Monday 11th June 2012.  Everyone is welcome to come and express their views, or to simply hear the discussions as the Parish Council decide their next steps.


Keely Jumps!

Keely Alexander, the Events Co-Ordinator at Shorefield Country Park completed a charity skydive on Saturday 26th May.

After arriving at Netheravon Airfield at 8am she completed her training, and then had to wait until 5.30pm to complete the actual jump due to the wind levels being too high.

Keely said; “I can say it was well worth the wait though as I was falling out of the airplane at 150mph with my cheeks wobbling in the wind for such a worthy cause. I have raised £700.00 for the Oakhaven Hospice with a few late sponsors still coming in. It was such a fantastic experience and I would definitely do it again!”

- Rather her than me!

Booster Classes for Kids

English, Maths and Science booster classes will soon be held in Milford on Sea Community Centre.  The classes will be for year 10, year 11, and retake students, and will include an interactive whiteboard, so the lessons will be a lot different from school!

Each class group will be limited to around 12 students, and held by two Ofsted teachers.

Plans are also in the pipeline to add classes for teenage children, plus GCSE Astronomy Class, delivered by an expert with a real passion for the heavens.

For more information please contact Helen White:


Wednesday 6 June 2012

Diamond Jubilee Success

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Milford on Sea’s very own Jubilee Picnic Party on the village green was a massive success.  As people across the entire country celebrated a magnificent Queen's Diamond Jubilee, the good people of Milford once again demonstrated their amazing community spirit.

Our local shops also celebrated, with the patriotic window displays by Irene in Ellis Hairdressers, and Sue in the Post Office really standing out.  The bunting across the village also ensured everyone was in no doubt that Milford on Sea was in a party atmosphere.

Whilst a tad chilly, the Monday afternoon remained dry for the Picnic Party, and young and old all had a fabulous time.  There was no shortage of music, entertainment and even free Diamond Jubilee Cake for everyone to enjoy.  Families in particular heaped great praise on the event, and the organisers, for the vast amount of children’s entertainment, most of which was free.

A big ‘hip, hip, hooray’ goes to the event organiser Ray Sales and his team from the Milford on Sea Village Community Committee, once again, they have done the village proud.


Friday 1 June 2012

40 B4 40-La Torre

No. 14: La Torre, Castello Del Nero

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Having fearlessly embarked upon the international leg of our challenge, we had one week to sample the culinary delights of Tuscany.  My wife and I had been joined on our adventure by my son and his girlfriend.

Our first restaurant visit was in the charming hilltop village of San Donato in Poggio, at La Toppa trattoria restaurant.  It took no time at all to establish that none of the waiting team spoke English, or indeed my second fluent language, French.  This did not hinder us tackling the local specialities, mainly because the owner had decided that as we couldn’t read Italian we had no need for a menu, and that he would just feed us what ever he fancied.  Novel, but fun.

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Our first course was four local pasta dishes, one with duck, another goats cheese and truffle ravioli, homemade pici pasta, and spaghetti with tomato and garlic.  As we enjoyed a fine bottle of local Chianti, we managed  to establish that the owners mum was in the kitchen doing the cooking.  Our main courses were three Beef in balsamic, and one of us had the Beef stew. 

Finally we topped this all off with a type of Strawberry sponge with chocolate sauce, and a Tiramisu, which was unlike any Tiramisu I had seen before, and more delicious too.  Mama had proved to be a pretty good cook.

Over the week we visited the supermarket at least six times, each time returning with copious amounts food, especially local breads, cold hams & meats, cheeses, and naturally, plenty of local wines. (NB: The Italian’s still have a lot to learn from my French brothers about chocolate, cakes and pastries.)

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Quattro Cantoni Pizzeria in Siena was our first day for pizza and ravioli.  The mixed toppings and giant calzone were a great re-fuelling for our journey around these wonderful streets. A few bottles of Peroni were also the call of the day. Before leaving, it was important that we sampled the local tiramisu and panna cotta, so we did, and it was certainly worthwhile. 

Later in the afternoon, We also had the first of very many Gelato’s, each of us with two scoops of varying flavours.  (Even my wife’s dismissed her healthy eating in favour of the true pleasures of the week!) The massive frozen displays were a sight to be seen, and our commitment to trying as many Italian ice cream flavours as possible was achieved with flying colours as we worked our way uncomplainingly throughout the week.

In Florence, the amazing sights and enthralling experience knocked us off our stride for planned eating.  I of course became a little light headed and wobbly when I realised this.  Fortunately before I collapsed, my wife spotted a great panini style takeaway and few yards away a gelateria, so disaster was averted until something more substantial could be found.

A visit to Greve in Chianti provided another opportunity for a scenic drive and this time a meal at Caffe Lepanto, on the outside terrace overlooking the picturesque village square.  Pasta and a bottle of Chianti was once again the order of the day, followed of course by a gelato.  The triple chocolate almost proved too much for a younger member of our able team, but after a desperate fight against the pure chocolate rush, the battle was won.

Our dining highlight was at the Ristorante la Torre in the fabulous Castello del Nero in Tavarnelle Val di Pesa.  Situated on the hilltop, opposite our own hilltop country house retreat, we had admired the splendid building for several days.  The rolling hills overlooked their own olive groves and vineyard. On arriving the eleven Ferrari’s in the car park indicated we were somewhere quite special.

As we took our table in the sumptuous restaurant  the staff were as attentive as they were plentiful.  In perfect English the menu was explained, and we did our best not to dribble.  Even as we were deciding, a plate of warm homemade speciality bread arrived, with six different rolls for each person.  It soon became clear that this taster menu was actually going to be quite a challenge!

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I ordered our Chianti wine (what else!) in my best French.  The sommelier was impressed with my multilingual skills, although a little confused.  Having all decided to go for the taster menu, we were all soon enjoying an amuse bouche of Porcini mushroom soup. 

Our first course was Prosciutto, the thickest hand cut grey ham I have ever had, with crispy Tuscan flatbread and an amazing Pecorino cheese crème brulee, To treat and surprise us yet again, another amuse bouche arrived, this time a homemade local pici pasta with beef ragout.   Soon we would get to our main course, but not before we were treated to a Ribollita della tradizone, a traditional Tuscan vegetable soup.

Our main courses were Baby cockerel from Chianti with potatoes and rosemary, which continued to keep the taste buds tingling.  Finishing our wine, our sweet of Zuppa Inglese was theatrically presented to our places.  Described as a ‘Trifle, the Italian way’, it was nothing like a trifle, but; Ice cream wrapped in sponge.   I was pleased that they had not tried to compete on the ‘English trifle front', as they would lose hands down to my Mum & Nan, however their version was a great end to a fabulous meal.

As we enjoyed a drink in the ancient brick lined walls of the bar, and discussed how close to heaven we were, the petit fours arrived.  My son’s taste buds almost exploded from the chocolate filled caramel, and it took a little while for his excitment to subside.  As we demolished the glorious selection of sweets treats, I was pleased to have discovered that there was someone in Italy who certainly did know how to make chocolate.

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The next day, needing something less filling, we found Il Caratello in the town square of Tavernelle.  Prior to this we had gone into other restaurant, but when we saw the woman owner looked like an axe murder, and her face looked like she was have a particularly bad day, we had made a hasty retreat. 

Our new host spoke perfect English, so my French skills were not called into action on this occasion.  Part wine shop, part restaurant, the menu was limited, but tasty.  I especially enjoyed the Crostini with homemade chicken liver pate.  He was proud to tell us that the complimentary bread was served with their own brand olive oil and balsamic vinegar for dipping.  For our main course a couple of us had Beef in balsamic with Tuscan salad, while a couple of us opted for the house pasta dish.  Still reeling from culinary banquet the night before, I was the only one who kept up the challenge, by enjoying a tiramisu for pudding.

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Our final stop was Pisa.  As we took our seats at the trattoria in the shadow of the seriously leaning edifice, we enjoyed yet another tasty meal.  It was no surprise that the food had been great everywhere, however it was surprising the great value prices we had enjoyed everywhere we had been.

I certainly get why people love Italian food, and I quite agree.  However, a man also needs curry, Chinese and a variety of other culinary delights, so whilst I will happily return, I shalln't be considering emigrating, just more holidays!

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www.sanfilippoexperience.com
www.castellodelnero.com
 
If you are wondering what the 40 B4 40 Dining Challenge is all about, please click here and all will be explained.

News on the Street

Our local newsagent Mark Cummings, and his son Jack, received a rude awakening early on Sunday morning, when they heard noises coming from their newsagent shop below.

On arriving downstairs, they discovered that most of the glass in the front door has been smashed, and that someone had been inside and helped themselves to cigarettes from the steel cabinet.

The police duly arrived and took away the footage from the shop’s newly installed video security camera, and the shop became a ‘no-go area’ with the recognisable ‘police blue & white tape’.

Wishing to ensure they could still serve their customers, later that morning Mark and his son Jack were selling Sunday newspapers from the pavement.  Thus ensuring locals still got their Sunday morning read.

The police have indicated that a quantity of cigarettes have been recovered and a man is helping with their enquiries over the incident.