Everything in moderation, including moderation.

  It would be unimaginably hypocritical of me to tell you that you must eat healthily while I'm over here gorging myself of as much butter, flour, sugar, cheese etc. etc. as I can lay my hands on, yet this was part of one of our conversations and clarification is needed, especially as you stand to benefit. Bottom line is that as long as the majority of the food you eat, (let's say 80% as you're going to want a guide), is stuff you can be proud of then if you want to have a bit of a spurge then go for it, as I'm doing.

  Back to the trip and another place that once again defies description. This time a almost impossibly hidden nook of magic closer to the middle of nowhere than anywhere I've heard of. This place was so far beyond rustic that the word has a new meaning for me. Probably the most remarkable aspect of the place was how quiet it was, the only thing you could hear was the whisper of nature.

What to do when you're not fishing.

Good things come...

Well worth the wait.

  Meander down a tiny path and into a bowl shaped field where there are two buildings resembling long barns. One is the original family home, the second looked like it had been used variously as a playground/refuge for the kids as well as a music studio for someone who was an obviously accomplished classical pianist as well as a place where guests could have place of their own. Photos and knick knacks accumulated over countless years filled every wood and stone surface. Every crevice of the place was oozing with memories of all the endless enchanted childhoods that very obviously put the impish glint in the eyes of the whole eccentric family. 

  We were made to feel completely at home from the first moment we rolled into the field but before we melted completely into the scenery, we had three missions; get some groceries, visit a friend and cool off in the outdoor pool which I almost forgot to mention. One of the bike troupe has a friend who left the UK and ploughed everything into a site that offers fishing holidays. He has five lakes with all sorts of facilities and looked like a pretty idyllic lifestyle. One reason we had chosen the accommodation was of its proximity to the lakes but we couldn't have imagined how close it was. It was a two mile bike ride but only a stones throw if you wondered through the woods. Not only that but the fisherman knew our hosts as they were neighbours. We couldn't have planned it better, I'm more sure than ever that the place is enchanted.

  We ended up inviting him to dinner and I finally got put to good use. Not one, but two chickens got spatchcocked and the BBQ got fired up. Dinner was to be as rustic as the setting hence the menu couldn't have been simpler. Chicken, lettuce, tomato and walnut bread all followed by melon. That was not only the menu but, with the addition of salt and salad dressing, the very short list of ingredients too. In the welcome shade of a clump of trees, we patiently drank and chatted while the chicken VERY slowly reached a state of juicy, tender readiness. It was the perfect, tranquil end to a day of scenery rich riding and rekindled/new friendships. A real celebration of the gentle, calm embrace of nature and the sweet simplicity of life. Vive la difference!

Kirk out

Chefsebastian.com