10 Days in May (in London) -- Day 1 (sort of)

Ah, yes, great reader, we are back, Bob & Dorothy, Bing, and...well, the analogy breaks down right off...but we are all in London.

I am working.  Do not dare laugh!  I am.  I really am!  By definition, if you are getting paid, you are working.  I am supposedly getting paid.  So there!

I am here with 8 Lock Haven students.  We are doing "experiential learning" (you cannot explain this to someone who isn't an academic) to support reading the students have done this spring semester, or semesters before.  Or, as I found out at lunch, not at all.  ):

First, the student part (then the food porn): the short version -- it's our first day and only 1 of the 8 has ever been here before, and not with time to spend touristing, so we are started at Parliament Square.  A look at Westminster Bridge (reminding them of the terrorist drivers there the past few years), then at Big Ben's tower (one of them kept saying "you're not supposed to call it Big Ben"), then Westminster Abbey (there were lots of shots).  Then we went east, first by bus (a mess, though with some sites involved) then from St. Paul's by Tube, to Liverpool St., where I walked outside and got lost.  Well, went the wrong way (is it the same thing?).  We ended up in the right place, Brick Lane.

We then ate at an Indian restaurant -- none of them had eaten curry before!  We had maybe 6 different sauces, from korma to vindaloo, with various meats and non-meats.  Chicken, prawns, and lamb.  It was pretty good Indian food.

Then I gave them time to explore, and six of them wanted to go to the National Gallery, so I took them back and left them there.  Here's today's favorite pic from there -- a Gainsborough. I don't know if it's the hair, the hat, or the style, or the the woman's features, but I have always found this striking (I guess first because Gainsborough isn't famous for his portraits).

M&B arrived this morning -- tired, as you'd expect from the overnight flight.  They napped.  K & EH went to Kew Gardens (it was sunny and 72 here -- typical May weather here), which I was told was in full bloom.

Now for the food porn (one of the famous features of this blog).

Everyone except me was hungry for dinner, so we found a Peruvian tapas place (what the f is Peruvian tapas?)  in downtown Marylebone.  We asked the waiter to just pick for us and she brought us 12 items.  This my highlight -- pork belly.  Everything is better with upper grade bacon on it. :)

This is the most unusual...octopus on a bed of comfit potatoes and baby greens.  Octopus.  [insert arm jokes here]

And that's day one.  Tomorrow the students go to Hampton Court Palace and to the Globe for a play -- As You Like It.  Big day.  Knock on wood, it's supposed to be nice, too.

Until then...

Fall break in the Desert

Oh Great Readers!  We are on the road again, this time with the bro-laws (and a new golf foursome addition) AND our significant others.  We are in Scottsdale, having arrived Thursday night, and are settled in a four-bedroom house..."bonding."  (cough cough)

Yesterday, four of us went to the Grand Canyon.  No, it's not really nearby.  But it is worth seeing.  Here's one money shot --

Funny thing:  we were NOT alone!  middle of, as my kid said, "Bumblef**k", there were 3 huge parking lots and there wasn't an empty spot when we got there at 3 o'clock -- Mountain Standard Time (yes, Arizona is now the only state that stays on standard time year round) -- who knew?

Do you see the people out on those rocks?!?!  You know, like miles up?!?!?!?  And the one was jumping up and down!  Crazy shit.

Friday night we went out for tacos and tequila.  Here's the mango margarita.   The highlight of a blah evening. Though bro law John decided to make friends with people on the street in Old Town Scottsdale.  Except for the one guy.  "Hey, nice beard," he says...and the guy gets almost past him and he says "but not the pony-tail!"  The guy doesn't break stride but says "tough guy" and flips him off.    John also (if you can't tell, he'd had a drink or two) made friends with waiter.  You know the kind of thing "you're doing a great job" (at least 3 times).  LOL.  The waiter was NOT amused.

Then back to the house for chatter.

Bro law Butch, when told there was a pool, "bring your suit" said "no suit, I only swim naked."  Fortunately he was kidding.  So far. :)

Saturday was day two and the guys went to play golf.  We played on the Saguaro course at We-ko-pa -- one of many Native lands with golf courses and casinos.  It had a great reputation and lived up to it.  We had a great time, with great views.

As you can see, the desert is beautiful and the mountains in the background.

It was a long day, 4 hours and 45 minutes for the round (if you are quick, you can do this in less than 4), which finished with this classic -- that's Ian in front of his ball in the desert on that last hole!  Fun stuff.

Then home, only to find that the significant others had spent the time doing yoga.  Here's a pic of their instructor on the back pool deck.

(the picture is from sis law Lanissa -- FYI)

And that's all we got.  It's not been a food porn trip...

One more day of golf.  John has beaten us like burros for two days, so maybe tomorrow we can find a way to have him hit the ball into the desert more (from experience I can tell you that it's not that much fun -- see today's sign here).

Wine is the Elixir of Life. And other cliched sayings

The plan all along for today was "wineries."  The implied contract was that I didn't whine about it. (I've got a million of 'em, so don't flinch).

I am afraid I was ruined years ago for wine tastings by the movie Sideways.  That Miles thinks he can get that last note of broccoli in that pinot is...well, fucking funny.  So is his sidekick Jack's tasting: "yup, wine." Gulp gulp.

It didn't help that we started Sunday night at Belhurst Castle with a server who made Sideways seem real:  he did the description -- "a cheeky little wine with buttery notes with hints of lemon and grass" -- in a dead monotone.  Think the teacher in the Wonder Years.  This might not have been bad, but I got to hear him to do it three times.  In monotone.

But our full day started better at Ravines, where we are club members.  Judy, the pourer, was very chatty.  It's always good to know a lot about the biography of someone you will never meet again.  But this running monologue, interrupted by mentions of the wine, included her overpouring the glasses and giving more tastes than the standard 5.  In fact, there had been extra already when she realized that the sparkling had been opened and we must taste that!

This stop included tasting next to a very nice young couple from Philly.  They just got married on Friday.  He is a CPA, she a doctoral student in history.  Since it's our anniversary trip, there was kizmet.

I was "promised" we wouldn't go far from Geneva -- Ravines was actually almost in sight of our house (here's a pic to show the view from the portico, Ravines is just over the grape fields to the right)

So, a handful of miles down the road.  Most notable here was that the staff all seemed to be college students.  They were mildly chirpy and did a good job of explaining and pouring.  There was, oC, a view of the lake.  (more on this later)

Our newlywed friends recommended Weimer, another 10 miles down the lake.  Here I saw a phenomenon I'd never seen before: my wife used the spit bucket.  I asked if she was filling it for Miles for later (again, a Sideways reference) but she just wasn't a fan of their wine or the server.

We went back through Geneva, stopped for a healthy lunch of ice cream and donut holes, and continued to V-something.  Again, disappointment with the wine and server, but the view right on the lake was great.  And watching the sparrows eat cracker crumbs on the back porch was amusing.

Finally, as 4 o'clock neared we ended at Zugribe.  Named after the founder and owner.  Whose name is Fred.  Whose son, the wine maker's name is Fred.  They have a wine called 4 Freds.  so, OC, I called the pourer Fred.  :). Small amusements.

Fred did a good job.  K ended up buying 3 different varietals (see,I pay attention!) there.  Making a total of 8 for the day.

Then, after going back to the room and changing (okay, there was a nap in there, watching so much wine tasting is tiring), we went to this place for dinner.

The two of us often wonder on these trips how crazy people with money are.  You know, I
ve got lots of money, so lets build a mock Italian villa on the shore of Lake Seneca.  Built in 1910, that's what Geneva on the Lake is.

The restaurant specializes, as so many do these days, in local ingredients.  Like wine pourers, this is imminently mockable.  "Hand-picked corn from the field nearby...". The filet walked in this afternoon...etc.

We shared the caprese salad ("local fresh tomatoes")

 There was a peach sorbet for amuse bouche between (hand picked locally)

Then K had the filet, but I had the scallops ("fresh from the lake outside")

Then a walk outside in the dusk to see the back garden (the "cement pond") --

And I didn't even mention the obnoxious guy at the next table who everyone in the tiny restaurant could here actually read the two women at his table the history of the building, as well as tour guide for the rest of the area.  ):  ah, well...

In all, a good day.  No crashes, good food, & it seems we made it to our anniversary another year. :)

The World Turned Upside Down. And Brunch.

Day 2 started with Sunday brunch in Albany.  After some searching, we landed at the Cafe Madison, which rather tellingly, doesn't take reservations.  The wait was supposed to be 45 minutes but was only 25 (rah!).

CM's motto is "brunch without booze is just breakfast."  Their drink menu lived up to it; I had the strawberry lemonade (it had vodka in it, duh) & K had the cranberry ginger.  Pictured. For the bright color.

Then off to the National Historic Park at Saratoga.This was a last minute selection -- something different.

It is beautiful ground.  As you can see here from the visitor center:

That's Vermont across the Hudson on the horizon, BTW. 

The park has a nice one-way, 9-mile drive, with 9 stops to give you local knowledge.  There's not much reconstructed.  There was a house, which was the headquarters for General Gates. We wondered what Chip and Joanna could do with it. 

The Battle of Saratoga is full of legendary moments and monuments.  General Arnold (he who shall not be named) was shot in the leg during the battle and there's a boot statute denoting the spot, though not mentioning who the two star general was.  Clever.  

British General Simon Fraser was shot there, too, and is buried there on the battlefield.  

BTW, the audio tour did not make fall weather in that part of New York sound pleasant.  OC, it is different if you are in a tent all the time.  

One selling point was that there was an 18th c fair on the grounds where General Burgoyne actually surrendered days after the battle.  There we learned that churning butter is hard (who knew?) and it's easier to make it in a mayonaisse jar and shaking.  And whey tastes awful.  

We learned that beer was food back then, with low alcohol content.   I know several people (who are reading this in fact) who believe that.  

And there was this Punch and Judy show, replete with a sign warning that it was an 18th c show and not PC.  Who knew?

Then a long drive to Geneva, where we are staying in a restored/renovated old mansion, with almost a view of Lake Seneca.  

Dinner in Geneva was a disappointment.  K had the pizza du jour which was white pizza with duck and brussel sprouts.  I wondered why.  & there was a discussion of whether it was pizza without red sauce (no!)

And then back to the room,to watch GoT on HBo Go (the wonders of modern tech) & act surprised Jaime is still alive.  & Little Finger is a sneaky prick.  Who knew?

A Day at the Races

It's time for our annual August vacation trip -- this time to upstate New York (which, to the uninitiated means "anywhere north of New York City").

Last night and tonight we are staying on Mansion Row in Albany, in a place on the historic site index, built in the late 19th century for a woman who became a famous suffragete.  And here's the view from the room -- the capitol and east beyond to the mountains, and Massachusetts (right?)

Probably the highlight of dinner, at the Ginger Man (named, it said, after the Donleavy novel), was this -- for those of you too old or too young, this is fondue!

It was fun.  And the other food was good, too.

***
We started the day with breakfast. We hit a place a short walk from the hotel. Nothing special.

Then we went to "the Spa" to the races.   The big concession to MY addiction (hint: tomorrow night we are actually staying in the guest house of a winery).

Despite warnings all week about the day's weather, it started beautifully!  The race track at Saratoga is famous for its grove of trees, where people picnic and watch the races on TV.  And there are lots of vendors.

To my shock, Mrs H bought a hat!!!! I've been known to buy hats to commemorate trips, but here she is, stopping at the vendor, looking at the tag and not passing out, then actually trying on a straw hat in the "Slavin style."  She also kept singing, which made me wonder...

We had good seats in the grandstand (photo here) and spent most of the day pissing away money -- unable to sustain even a show parley (where you pick a horse to show in the race and bet the winnings on the next race to do the same -- it can add up if you can pick horses to show).

But near the end of the day it darkened, then rain.  Then, with all the customers under the stands (there were about 30,000) it lightninged!  NBD, but the crowd oooh-ed and aaaah-ed --I told K it was like a fireworks display.

After a 25 minute delay, they ran the big race, the fourstardave (I guess it's a NY sports bar?), on soft turf.  I ended the day hitting the Grand Slam (Josh will know), which paid $30 for my $1 bet.  Salved a pretty bad day.

Then back to Albany (about 40 miles) for Italian for dinner.  It was not clear who chose the Italian (she called!) -- the papardelle bolognesse was excellent.  Mio Posto.  I guess there's one in Saratoga, too.

Day one down...later I'll write up day 2.

Last day in Stratford, or what did you say HMS stands for, or what's a pinafore?

The last day in Stratford was a pretty day; sunny and 75ish.

Breakfast was a frittata served with salsa.  And peameal bacon.  I didn't have it.  Look it up.  (bacon rolled in corn meal, I guess)

K, EH and I ended up in town center (a controversy as Walmart funded the paving over a parking lot next to town hall), ending up in the coffee and crepe place.  I don't know why they had savory crepes -- I had this apple cinnamon one, which tasted like apple pie.  :)

There was some shopping (since some readers here might be getting something, I won't tell what for) and then back to prep for dinner.

In case you are wondering about the almost constant eating, an oft repeated line by Michael was "I'm going to gain back those 15 pounds in a week"...(I expect a comment at the end of this reporting that he DID! :)).

Dinner was on Main St at a place called Mercer Hall, where 3 years ago we all remembered having a good lunch.

Michael rapturously ate an asparagus and carrot salad (here's the link to the pics, again). Yes, asparagus, again!  (he likes asparagus...)

Then he had the mussels dinner.  (you'll recognize them in the pics)

EH and I both had the curry vegetable bowl.  Thus.

Barb had their signature chicken & K and unpictured burger.

Then dessert -- they had a series of crumbles.  EH and I agreed to share the peanut butter and banana one.  You can see the rhubarb cheesecake and the brownie one in the pics, too.

EH did not understand that "sharing" with me meant you didn't linger over a spoonful OR have a drink of coffee.  She got 1, 2, 3 spoonfuls behind...and I had to pause.  Okay, I might have tapped on the glass once or twice.  :)

Then off to see HMS Pinafore.

Gilbert & Sullivan is...well, light.  Lots and lots of songs.

This production did a lot of...production.  You know, big numbers in their numbers.  Like 10 sailors singing and dancing (I'm sure they did scissor kicks at various times in their dances).  Like 10 sailors singing love songs to mops turned mop-side up.  Right.

Let me say that coming back to the B&B and watching the end of the hockey game was a good antidote. :)

It was good.  Fun.  The tunes got in your ear.  The social satire of the Lord of the Admiralty claiming the best strategy was to stay at your desk and away from the sea and you'd head the Admiralty (rhymes, you see) -- which reminds me of the qualifications of much of the current administration.

And then back for cards and hockey and the death of a bottle of Saturday's wine (it was Riesling, I think).  EH & I won at cards, trash was talked, with barnyard noises with them up 9-8 in game 1 but we took all the tricks in the next hand and...it was over.

So was the trip.  Consensus was that the Chinese place on Sunday was the best meal and probably our first play, School for Scandal, was the best.  Although Pinafore was not a bore (rhymes, you see).

So, we are home.  It was great fun, another quality Road movie with Bob, Bing & accompaniment.

Cheers, fine Readers.  Till next time.

All Bard, all the time, or if food be the music of love, eat on!

Wednesday was a 2-play day for all of us.  Two Shakespeares for the 3 of us.  Even as much of a fan of this as I am, let me say you probably shouldn't try this at home.  Not only is Willy Shakes dense, giving you lots to think about, but his plays are on the long side for the current norm.  But, it was a pleasant enough day.

We started day one with the breakfast part of "bed and breakfast."  Our host, Terry, served us bacon, eggs, and waffles, with a side order of muffins or coffee cake if you wanted it.  A nice light repast to start your day.  It was very good.

It was not long before the four of us, the old folks, as it were, were off to the first play of the day (I momentarily forgot that EH refused to go see Twelfth Night because she dislikes Shakespeare's comedies AND she is particularly not fond of this one.  In fact, she was not fond of this production WITHOUT having seen it! :)).  We walked in the park next to the theatre, had the traditional vacation lunch of chocolate ice cream (famous line from this trip from Michael, "I've eaten more ice cream on this trip than I've eaten in the last year." That was Sunday, at least one ice cream ago :)). Then the gift shop, where I bought a new deck of cards, and then the play.

K and I enjoyed the play.  M & B did not.  Now for English major/theatre person stuff; skip if you want to the next bold.  This version of the play began with Feste (the play's fool) onstage, singing.  As the actor, Brent Carver, has the voice for it, well, okay.  Carver is on the publicity for the play, with a guitar (which he never plays, BTW).  The director, or whomever made it Feste's play -- had several songs, sometimes alone onstage.  This perturbed EH quite a bit, as she said the sexual politics of it was...well, I think she went with "wrong" a lot over dinner.  In fact, for those of you who don't know the play, they reversed the first two scenes: it's supposed to start with a shipwreck, where the brother and sister are separated and the sister, Viola (named, OC, for the character played by Gwyneth Paltrow in Shakespeare in Love) is washed ashore and thinks her brother, who is her twin, his drowned at sea.

The actor playing Viola/Cesario was okay, but she wasn't strong enough, or wasn't directed, to take over the play that is HER play.

And the actor playing Duke Orsino came out in the new opening scene with the "if music be the food of love" line, spitting it like he was seriously pissed off.  Not melancholy, but mad.  He did this throughout, making his transition to love for Cesario/Viola harder to grasp.

Those are the big flaws.  Oh, yeah.  The picture.  (you can't take them here with actors on stage, OC):

Yes, those are fake trees.  The balcony, requisite in so many Shakespeare plays, is in the top of the center tree.  But this looks, on the face of it, like a set for As You Like It.  !!!  And the trees, seen above as silver, folded out to make them more golden at the beginning of the second act.  Michael explained this was symbolic of Olivia's blossoming through her love for Cesario.  Uh huh.

(For those of you who skipped, you can come back now).  We had enough time to go back to the B&B and change and go to dinner.   We ate at The (Old) Prune.  No, I don't get the ( ) thing, either, but I didn't put it on the sign.  We have eaten there before and they have a pretty high end chef.

It was a pre fixe menu, with four categories (apps, mid, mains, desserts) and you could get 2, 3, or 4 for a fixed price.  Only EH went for 3.

I took pictures.  They are in the Stratford file again, but here's the link, again.

Here's my first course, a "mid" (as you can see, not large), which was tortellini with a light cheese sauce:

Rather than figure out how to caption, the other items are K & Barb's potato & herb soup with a ball of gruyere, EH's squid and kale.  M had unpictured pate (blah!)

For main courses, I'll picture the twofer -- both EH and M had the seared salmon with Japanese style broth and wasabi.

Barb had skate wing, Karen had game hen (already off the bone, which I'd never seen before), and I had the risotto with tomatoes.

We were all pleased with dinner.  EH & M were disappointed the salmon didn't have more sear to it.

And then EH had the rhubarb with strawberry sorbet dessert (pictured).

Sated, we went our separate ways:  remember Barb refused to see a 3rd production of Timon of Athens (I have killed that horse many times over with Timon & Pumba jokes), so they went to see something new called The Virgin Trial.  They said it was quite good.

Timon was in the Patterson Theatre, which is usually a small thrust, with like 5 rows of seats in risers all around, but last night was a stage in theatre in the round.  Here's the opening set.

Very modern.  Timon is rich and a couple opening scenes are banquet or partying scenes.

In Act 2, the gray modern floor, is changed with lighting and there's a trapdoor that serves as his cave, where Timon "lives" throughout.

It was good.  They did a good job of pacing, and the series of scenes where his servants go to his "friends" (turns out he has only 2, neither with money) to ask for money were well done.

At the end, we enjoyed it.  Some of it was quality poetry -- this guy Shakespeare might have had talent.  If he hadn't written a bunch of the greatest plays ever, this one would be considered quality stuff.

It was a rather late night and everyone was tired, so no card game to report on.  I got to watch the NBA game, which was amazing as the Warriors came from 6 down in the last minute and a half with 11 consecutive points.