Severe Jam Damage

So it really was a ’spoil ourselves rotten’ type of weekend. Myself and my travel companion decided - despite having both brought sensible footwear to deal with the cobbled streets - instead of doing the touristy things we would spend our time in the restaurants, cafes and pubs of the town. The crappy weather helped our decision, however due to some ill advised drinking on the Friday night, our Saturday was a bit of a shambles. The two of us were barely able to make it to the Farmer’s Market on Saturday morning, and the dolls room in the Museum of Childhood gave us both a case of the shivers - wait till you see the photo. But, our shambolic ways did not stop us from sampling the delights of a few hostelries.

Our meals included the already aforementioned Duck with Gratin dauphinoise, Venison with black pudding drizzled in chocolate sauce and lavender ice cream and chocolate torte for dessert. Adding to this list we also sampled warmed smoked salmon, Aberdeen Angus filet steak (guaranteed hung for at least 3 weeks), the loveliest lightest fish cakes, fresh scallops, goats cheese served with onion marmalade, fried camembert, flat topped mushrooms with raclette, pan fried chicken stuffed with brie, Toulouse sausages with herbed mash, tomato and pesto bread, fresh brown bread, onion bread, garlic and herb bread, a gentle carbonara with hand made pasta and a spicy beef sauce with papardelle. My companion also ate haggis (for her breakfast no less!) I, being of much more sound mind (and having tasted the vile concoction on previous visits) refused to go anywhere near it.

This gastronomique tour was washed down with bottles of red wine, ‘Moscow Mules’ cocktails, shots of Apple Sours, pints of Duechars, long vodkas and so many gin and tonics that I think my head exploded at one point.

We also stopped into Valvona and Crolla but due to time, money and waist size contraints managed to leave having sampled nothing heavier than a 10 year old balsamic vinegar.

The plethora of fudge and sweet shops tempted us time and again and we finally gave in on Sunday afternoon each buying a block of fudge from the Naffi shop on the HMS Britannia. We were also tempted to a slice of chocolate and orange cake along with the hot chocolate and chili in Plaisir du Chocolat.

I think I may have gained a few pounds.