Summer in the Alps... and a little bit of news

We have spent the last couple of weeks enjoying the calm of the Alps in the summertime. Flower-carpeted, snow-capped mountains, the sound of cow bells, village markets, scorching sunshine...

Tomorrow morning, we will be leaving for our summer adventure - with a backpack, tent and BBQ. And of course armed with my camera. We have a flight to Palermo in Sicily at 6am, and a flight back from Pula in the North of Croatia six weeks later.

Because of this, for the next few weeks, this blog is likely to be rather photo heavy, starting with a flavour of the Alps...

The flavours of Spring and a valley of snowdrops

Spring across England is beautiful and full of unexpected surprises. London lunch breaks amongst the daffodils in St James' Park; finding a new farm shop on the way down to Cornwall (in St Kew) that sells the most amazing sourdough bread, eggs from their own quail and Cornish rape seed oil; and in Devon, discovering a valley full of snowdrops in the middle of Exmoor...

For me, the smells and flavours that encapsulate Spring are floral. Roses, violets, bluebells, hyacinth and bridal crown narcissus. This salad sums up the taste of the season - light, fresh, tangy goat's cheese (from the cheese monger on Venn Street Market), crisp young pea shoots, the sweetness from baby figs and finished with a wonderful rose-scented olive oil. This oil (from Fortnum and Mason) is pretty pricey at £14 for a small bottle but the flavour is incredible - like eating a bouquet of roses!

Served on a rye and walnut toast and drizzled with a fig balsamic, this salad would work well as a starter or light lunch. A few pink rose petals would also be a perfect spring touch to finish it off. 

Columbia Road Flower Market...

I've lived in London for nearly seven years now but only made it to Columbia Road Flower Market recently. Bustling flower stalls, pots and plants stacked head high, flower sellers shouting bargains at you as you walk past. It's crazy, busy, noisy and vibrant.

 

There's also some great foodie finds. Fresh oysters shucked as you wait, french cheeses, pork rillettes,  croque monsieur, chocolate brownies, natural wines...

Look out for the friendly faces demanding to be fed... classic puppy eyes. We weren't allowed to share our charcuterie or pork rillette with him though...

There's a Lily Vanilli cafe too, tucked away on Ezra Street behind the market - sadly they serve their coffee in paper cups but still, it's a great spot to stop and take a break from the madness of Columbia Road (and warm up). Well worth a visit to East London...