The Eiffel Tower

The Eiffel Tower went into champagne mode every hour for about five minutes. It was wonderful to see. It was the only 'fireworks' in Paris at New Year as the big firework display was cancelled. :-(
There was rather low cloud when we were in Paris, so the top of the tower disappeared into the mist!

With thanks to Free Video Flip and Rotate from DVDVideoSoft.com for the rotating of this video.

Tartiflette Savoyarde

Tonight D&S cooked this delicious supper for us. We had it with a green salad and some cherry tomatoes. It was scrumptious. It is traditional alpine recipe, especially delicious aprés-ski or any outdoor winter sport.

Ingredients

1 kg potatoes

1 packet lardons

2 small/1 large onions

1 small glass of wine

1 small tub of cream

1 reblochon cheese


Method

Pre-heat the oven to about 180C.

Peel and cook the potatoes. Let them cool and then slice them about a pound coin thick.

Slice the onions thinly and put them in a frying pan with a bit of oil. Soften the onions, and half way through, add the lardons.

When the mixture is ready, add a small glass of wine and continue cooking until it has evaporated.

Butter or oil an oven dish. Add a row of potatoes, then some onion and lardon mixture, continuing until the mixture is used up.

Then pour over the cream. (We didn't do this bit!)

Slice a reblochon cheese in half so you have two large round pieces. Place cheese, rind up, on top of the layers.

Place in oven until the cheese melts taking care that the rind does not burn.

Serve with a green salad. It is very filling!

 Ready to go in the oven

The finished article.

Dancing for joy!

Glad she's not a turkey/goose!

Hibiscus at the Botanical Gardens

The tram drivers view, going down.

Two Lisbon windows - poinsettia window boxes for Christmas

Famous Lisbon Café

Lanterns down the steep streets of Lisbon

Christmas delicacies

Patisserie window

Empty arches

Crumbly architecture

Man gets in elephant's way!

Hedgehog handbag

Red Trams

Contemporary Café

Light Trail at RHS Garden Wisley

Tonight we have been to see the light trail they have put on this week at Wisley. It is magical and although it was pretty cold, there were plenty of families walking round and enjoying the beautifully lit trees, the amazing kaleidoscope of lights playing across the Glasshouse and the ice sculptures.Hot chocolate, among other hot drinks was on offer at the Glasshouse Cafe, which was very welcome after an hour of taking photos!

More photos later - but for now just this one.
Here they are:

Revolvers, pistols and ice-cream

Guildford - Coffee and FM

Today is Farmer's Market in Guildford; a bustling affair with lots of local produce on sale despite the sub zero temperatures. We stopped by Steamer Trading and visited the new coffee shop and deli at the top - Caracoli. They sell wonderful goods and delicious coffee and cakes. Here we sat with the view of the High Street and all the market stalls.

Steamer Trading
Caracoli
Guildford Farmer's Market

'Deco' clock

Wisley at Sinterklaas

 We went to the Craft and Design fair at RHS Garden Wisley. It was pretty busy after not being open on Thursday - good for the exhibitors.The Garden was looking very good despite all the snow and freezing temperatures. From Monday there will be the Light Trail for a week, so evening visits with camera and tripod are on the cards.

A general view of the Garden - and some in the Alpine House.

Little elephant tile

Watery red tower

A stroll down town