My Food Odyssey

Aug 7

Creating an Idyllic Life in Adakavas

We recently had an article featured in our local newspaper, Tauragės Žinios. We’ve done our best to translate it for you. Some phrases just don’t translate that well – I hope we haven’t lost any of the original content or sentiment with our translation. Enjoy!

From his native Adakavas a decade ago, like many Lithuanians at the time, Arūnas Vladička decided to go abroad to work. Although he planned to spend only a few months in Ireland, while there he met his future wife, June Molloy, and ended up staying for longer. Now they are creating their idyllic life back in Adakavas. June bravely, albeit with an accent, speaks some Lithuanian. They are about to finish completing their new home beside Arūnas’s parents’ house. It’s easy to sense from the couple how much it all means to them – the house renovation, the fresh Lithuanian air and life without constantly rushing. Read more

Aug 1

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Klaipėda Sea Festival

I grew up by the sea and wherever I am in the world I am always drawn back to the coast. So when our neighbours asked if we wanted to go with them to the Klaipėda Sea Festival we jumped at chance. Read more

Jul 30

Mont Blanc, Chamonix | www.myfoododyssey.com

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Summer Lovin’

Ah, summer. Long, sunny days. Beaches. Suntans. A bit of snow. I love this photo of Arūnas and me up Mont Blanc last summer. It looks like it has been photoshopped or taken in front of a poster, but those are real, live climbers behind us. It was about 28 degrees on the ground that day and about minus 3 at the top of the mountain – brrr! The only thing we could do to keep warm was huddle together. Summer lovin’, indeed! Read more

Jul 25

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Containers

I love portable food. I don’t mean fast food, but wholesome, tasty food, ideally in a portable container. Something a little more sophisticated and squish-proof than a sandwich but with similar versatility. Lithuania has lots of them, including kibinai & čeburekai, but my favourite has to be the classic Cornish pasty. This one is from Rick Stein’s deli in Padstow. Between the pasty & the view, it was a lunch made in heaven! Read more

Jul 23

32 Comments

Turning 40

It wasn’t as bad as I expected. Actually, I’m not sure what I expected. I’ve been doing a countdown to my 40th birthday for about 2 years, wondering what “luxury item” I’d treat myself to for the occasion. A car was top of the list for a while – either a BMW or a 4-wheel drive. A new watch also featured – one of those fancy ones you see the tennis stars modelling in the glossies. In the end I opted for something with far more longevity than any of those items – I chose this life. Read more

Jul 15

Old-fashioned Weighing Scales | www.myfoododyssey.com

8 Comments

Relic

After several months of rows and hard graft, our house renovations are almost complete. Once we’re safely installed I plan to bring you a series of before-and-after posts explaining the changes we’ve made. To whet your appetite I thought I’d share a few of the relics we found in the house when we first bought it. They don’t feature in the new house just yet, but I might restore them over time and use them as decorative pieces. Read more

Jul 9

22 Comments

Beelzebub, the Hero

Something is rotten in Toyland. I’m not getting any eggs. I haven’t quite figured out what’s happening but I suspect the hens might be suffering from post traumatic stress disorder after an intrusion incident. Read more

Jul 3

Lizard, Sydney Harbour National Park | www.myfoododyssey.com

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Contrasts

We spotted this guy on a walk through Sydney Harbour National Park on the north shore of the harbour. Arūnas walked right past him and it was only when he turned back to speak to me that he spotted him. He blends in very well with the path but stands out in contrast to the green ferns. I also love how the bush surroundings of the park contrast with downtown Sydney just across the harbour. Read more

Jun 26

Roquefort Village, France | www.myfoododyssey.com

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Between

The picturesque village of Roquefort in southern France, home to one of my favourite cheeses, is surrounded by the most stunning rocky mountains. I was very happy to see that the villagers had left decent gaps between buildings on the main street so that the view was not totally obscured. Read more

Jun 20

Friday Favourites | www.myfoododyssey.com

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Friday Favourites Hiatus

There may have been a row or two in the house this week. Or possibly even three. I know there was one about skirting board. And one about banisters. And a real humdinger about the cock (who is still alive, but on his absolute final warning). I can’t think of any others right now but I get the feeling I’m leaving something out. Read more

Jun 18

Baboon on car, South Africa | www.myfoododyssey.com

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Extra, Extra

While on our honeymoon in South Africa we went to visit the Cape of Good Hope, the most south-westerly point on the continent. In many ways it reminded me of the wilds of South West Ireland – parts of west Cork & Kerry look quite similar. With the glaring exception of the baboons, that is. We came back from our walk to find this guy resting on a car, taking in the view. Baboons can be quite vicious – I’m glad it wasn’t our car! Read more

Jun 13

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Friday Favourites: Cold Beer & Remote Control

Ok, so I’m knackered. My muscles ache, my leg is bruised, my fingernails are filthy and my hair is inexplicable. I really need to spend half an hour standing under a steady stream of hot water. Alas, our shower does not allow for such luxuries. For a start, it takes about three hours to heat the water. You then get about five minutes at a soft trickle before the water starts to run cold. Unless you move at lightning speed you will still be covered in suds by the time the hot water runs out, leaving you to dance about the bath as you do the final rinse with cold water. Read more

Jun 10

38 Comments

Cock Whacking

It appears I have been mollycoddling my cock. I need to treat it a bit more roughly, apparently. To keep it in its place. Easier said than done. My cock woes began the day the fucker arrived. (Sorry, but my thesaurus had no replacements for “fucker”.) He escaped from the run and Arūnas had to wrestle the poor dog to stop him from killing him. In retrospect we should have just let it play out. We spent the next half an hour running round after him like eejits, eventually getting him back, tailless but otherwise intact, into the run. Read more

Jun 6

No-Churn Chocolate Chip Ice Cream | www.myfoododyssey.com

23 Comments

Friday Favourites: 15 Minute Chocolate Chip Ice Cream [Recipe]

This ice cream is a cinch. An absolutely cinch. No cooking, no cooling, no churning, no icy lumps. It’s in the freezer within 15 minutes and ready to eat just two hours later. It’s incredibly soft and creamy while being rich and decadent from the dark chocolate. And all that with just four simple ingredients. This is a win-win ice cream. Read more

Jun 4

6 Comments

Split-Second Story

If looks could kill. I spotted this cat peering into some long grass, about to pounce on an unsuspecting mouse or frog. I tried to sneak a photo but she heard the shutter and spun round to give me her best cat glare. There was such evil in those eyes I actually felt happy for the mouse! Read more