On Friday, we headed to north to Stuart and Alison's and after getting dressed up, Stuart ran us through to The Edinburgh School of Food and Wine, for an evening of eating French food, and drinking French Wine. Stuart and Alison had given us a gift voucher for a food and wine evening for our birthdays last year, and we had decided to wait until the spring to book our places. The evening was co-hosted by Great Grog, and we were greeted by a rather handsome young man from the wine merchants. This is the menu and wine list
I don't have a photo of the canapes, as we had them when we were standing chatting with the other diners (there were fourteen of us) in the entrance hall, so first we have the scallop St Jacques
then the delicious coq au vin. This was such a generous helping that I couldn't finish mine, and even Malcolm, who would normally have eaten my leftovers, couldn't find room for any more!
next was cheese, with oatcakes and pear chutney (I was slightly critical of the chutney, which was more like stewed pear)
then ....... the most amazing tarte au citron. There was silence as we ate it, apart from occasional little sighs of pleasure!
before each course, young James the wine merchant described the wines, and we had to hold the glass up to the light to check the clarity, swirl the wine round the glass then sniff the bouquet ...... then finally we got to taste it! At the end of the meal he quite happily agreed to have his photo taken, but then went all shy!
Stuart came back for us, and on Saturday morning we had recovered enough from eating all that food to enjoy the breakfast which he cooked for us. On the way home, we decided to stop in South Queensferry, to have a stroll in the sunshine. I'm sure that I don't have to tell you that this is the Forth Bridge
although the sun was shining, the views over the river were hazy. This is Inchcolm Island, framed by the bridge
the tide was out!
I love the pirate flag (and the plastic seagull!)
blue sky and old chimneys - a great combination
when I saw the stretch limmo, I thought Malcolm had arranged a treat for me ..... sadly it drove on by!
I have lots more photos from South Queensferry, which I will keep for another day, as I also have photos from yesterday. We weren't able to go for our Sunday morning walk, as it was raining, so instead we headed here for a cuppa. The sconnage was of the highest quality ........
fruit, with jam and cream
cheese, with butter
out in the grounds of the visitor centre, a new children's play area has been built (we were very tempted to have a go!)
perhaps Malcolm could make me a wooden cart and horse?!