Dewberry Picking

Wild Dewberries

I'M ALL SET for the blackberry picking season next month, but I like to be one step ahead of those eagerly waiting to get first pickings. I've reported earlier in my blog the 'doorstep edibles' available to us locals here in Llandudno, to add to the list is 'Dewberries' which crop a little earlier than Blackberries and are presently available in small quantities on the West Shore. Not so far away is 'Sea Buckthorn' which produce yellow/orange berries with a distinctive orangey/peach cirtrus like aroma. Again I could divulge the locations, but the fun is really getting out and about, enjoying the flora and fauna around you, instead of being couch potatoes and watching it all on TV. Anyway, i've had my pickings so feel free to pick what remains :D either that or the birds will have them!

Mediocre Portions

LAST NIGHT I quite fancied some fish and chips for tea, it had been quite a while since I had them last, in fact I can't remember, which is probably why I couldn't wait to pop down to the chippy and go get some. I stopped by a takeout in town (not my usual), and asked the counter assistant for a large chips £1.70 (I think) cod £3.00 and a pot of gravy. They were all wrapped waiting for my arrival for when I got home. To my surprise I was a bit shocked, the large chips only just level-filled a small white tray with a piece of cod no longer than 5 to 6 inches sat on top, and the pot of gravy was only 2/3 filled. I'd of normally gone back and complained, but I was already home, almost starved, and no fuller after the meal either.

Well, I guess it serves me right for trying somewhere different, I should of gone to Becky's instead where your guaranteed a real value for money local size portion whatever the time of year, not some quick buck holiday maker portion!

We're Almost There

Homemade Black Cherry and Almond Tart with Homemade Panacotta.
(Full recipe/how to in the upcoming Mag!)

FIRSTLY apologies to my loyal readers for the lateness of the current issue of the Local magazine. It has presented a tremendous challenge this time round and it is very much a learning curve at the same time. The magazine is projected to be somewhere in the region of 40-pages, the increase in size is part of the setback and i've had many sleepless nights playing catchup and devising a new schedule for the issue to follow thereafter so that it runs as sweet as a nut. It is a complete change from the previous newsletter, and the new format is quite refreshing.

It's a real community effort with local people doing their bit for the mag. Local business couple Emma & Mark Baravelli (The Little Deli) are featured residents of our new Food & Drink section and have prepared this Homemade Black Cherry & Almond Tart served with Homemade Welsh Honey and Vanilla Panacotta, this has to be the best perk of the job yet and I got the full joy of devouring it all in front of them both, the verdict, top marks 10/10, folks try this one at home! I've never really liked Honey or Blackcherries, but everything Emma seems to make, I somehow end up liking, they practically convert me everytime, if they do read this, I challenge them to my fear of mushrooms!

Likewise we have local celebrity TV/Radio chef Peter Osborne doing the main course, some great features, then there's the puzzles and games and prizes too!

Further announcements to follow for the Llandudno Local magazine, it's not too late to place an ad or send something in!

Once again, a big thanks to Emma & Mark & Peter with the Food & Drink section! Look out for it!