Feb 13
India has been on my bucket list for many years, primarily as a food destination. I watched Rick Stein and Gordon Ramsay travel around India in search of authentic Indian dishes. I was enchanted by the diversity of both the food and the landscape. I felt I would never get true Indian food anywhere except in India, no matter how many cookbooks I bought or restaurants I visited. I would have to go there myself. Read more
This is not strictly speaking a food word – it could be used to describe anything. However, it satisfies two of my criteria – it’s a lovely-sounding word and it’s evocative. So I will leave you for the weekend with the image of a burning orange sunset being enjoyed with a delicious cocktail in hand. Read more
Winter has been brief in Lithuania this year. We had unseasonably balmy temperatures in December and didn’t get any real snow until after Christmas. We had two or three weeks of what I consider a typical Lithuanian winter, with snowy fields, clear skies and a low sun that highlights the stunning scenery. Fearing it would not last, I got myself stuck in the snow trying to take photos while I could. Read more
They say the camera doesn’t lie. I disagree. Sometimes I capture a scorching sunset only to find later that the photos don’t show the vibrancy and range of colour that my eyes saw. So I’ll admit it – I have boosted the colour in these photos, if only to better reflect my wine-tinted memory of the most romantic sunset I have ever witnessed. Photos taken at Budgewoi Lake, Jervis Bay, NSW (Australia) in the summer of 2012. Read more
It’s been a difficult week. A number of things went wrong in quick succession that have left me a little out-of-sorts. Firstly, my favourite jeans died. You know, that perfect pair you’ve had for years, that fit perfectly and that, between the patches and the fading, are like a diary of your life. If those jeans could talk, what a story they’d have to tell. They’ve been patched and repatched and now the material is so worn that the patches won’t hold. I have to accept that they are no more. I would love to go out and buy an identical pair, but given that they’re nearly 10 years old it’s unlikely they’re still available. Which brings me to problem No. 2 – shopping. Read more
Lithuania is truly beautiful at this time of year. The ground is covered with a fine layer of snow, the skies are clear and the sunsets are magnificent. We can watch the sun setting from the warmth of our conservatory. It happens to coincide with our afternoon coffee and we are both drawn to the rapidly descending circle as it approaches the horizon, steaming mugs keeping our hands warm. Read more
One of the things I most looked forward to about moving to Lithuania was a white Christmas. The Lithuanian countryside is stunning when it is covered in snow – vast open fields surrounded by forests and dotted with deer. It doesn’t get more picture-perfect. This year, though, the weather has decided not to play ball. It was a balmy 9 ˚ C (48 ˚ F) here today – about 15 degrees above what would be expected in mid December. Read more
I’ve never been good at sticking to the rules. Maybe I have a rebellious streak or maybe I simply have a logical mind and just can’t bring myself to slavishly follow rules I find to be arbitrary. And a lot of them seem to be arbitrary! Read more
But certainly not forgotten. This photo was taken on our epic road trip round Europe last summer. We set out with a plan and a map, but got so sucked in by the beauty of Spain that we ended up spending most of our time there. We were enjoying the road so much we always left it quite late to find somewhere to park for the night. This had its advantages – no one really minds if you park in a forest or supermarket car park for just a few hours after dark. It also meant we saw numerous glorious sunsets, such as this one near the town of Jerez in southern Spain. I had spent a few happy hours earlier in the day sampling sherry at Tio Pepe (to ease the pain of the 22 mosquito bites I got the night before, you understand). This sky was so captivating we pulled over to take photos and ended up staying for the night. The memories from this trip will stay with us for a long time. Read more
We’re off on our travels again. The car is packed with sleeping bags, food for the journey and a month’s worth of clothes, books and DVDs. We’re making what is becoming an annual trip to Denmark where we will work for a family that grows Christmas trees and runs a Christmas shop. Arūnas will be working in the fields, cutting and collecting the trees, while I will be working in the shop and hopefully doing some cooking for the family. It’s an intensive month but one we’re very much looking forward to. A change is as good as a rest, as they say. This photo was taken from our bedroom window during last year’s trip. We were both tired from a day’s work and watching the sun’s slow descent over the horizon was very soporific. We both slept well. Read more
The evenings are getting shorter, there is a distinct chill in the air and golden trees are rapidly giving way to bare branches. After a mild and sunny September winter is suddenly closing in here in Lithuania. Much as I love warmth and sunshine I am very much looking forward to winter. We have a warm and cosy home. We have a wonderful new kitchen where I will make comforting stews and slow roasts. We have a stock of homemade wine and beer which we will sip curled up in our panoramic conservatory, looking out at the dreamy winter landscape. We will read, write, savour, enjoy. We are ready. Bring it on. Read more
There’s something calming about silhouettes. I can’t quite explain it but the lack of detail in the foreground contrasted with a softly light background makes a scene look peaceful. Perhaps it is the lack of facial features or expressions. These photos were taken of the pier in Palanga, where couples & families come to watch the slowly setting sun. Some just sit quietly, some walk gently along the boardwalk. I think the silhouettes really reflect the calm & relaxed atmosphere. Read more
My Food Odyssey 