Pure Swiss Delight

Läderach is a Swiss chocolatier that makes the most amazing hand-made fresh chocolate. A family-owned, second-generation business it was founded in 1962 and now employs approximately 250 employees. Located at the foot of the Glarner Alps in Ennenda, a factory tour can be taken to witness the creation of their delicious Swiss confectionery specialities. Just a perfect treat for those who love chocolate over the holiday break... 
My three favourite chocolate delights from Läderach are (in no particular order):

Raspberry-Blackberry

Swiss white chocolate with fruity raspberry and blackberry pieces.

Hazelnut

Swiss dark chocolate with whole roasted and caramelised hazelnuts from the Piedmont region.

Florentine Bar

Swiss dark chocolate with an entire florentine bar.

Muttrah Fish Market

Muttrah is the historical and cultural heart of Muscat, the capital of Oman. According to fable, it was from this country that the original Sinbad the sailor set forth on his journeys. These days the harbour of Muscat is a circular, deep water, natural anchorage, where oil tankers, barges, Japanese car ferries and even the world's third largest super-yacht "Al Said" (owned by the Sultan Qaboos of Oman) mingle with traditional Arab dhows.

From 4am to 3pm each day, the harbour is home to a bustling fish market where locals can barter for the catch of the day from the rich marine life of the Arabian Sea. Fresh fish such as tuna and sardine is available to be bought by piece or whole from the numerous Oman fishermen and then prepared for a small fee by the in-house poissonniers.

Bourgogne Wedding

July this year was the month that Sabine and Matt tied the knot

again, this time in Burgundy with French friends and family present. The happy couple were married in the abbey of St Philibert (Église Saint-Philibert), a former monastery located at Tournus (early 11th century). Many parts of this monastery including the refectory, cellar, cloister, and chapter house are very well preserved and the abbey church is one of the largest Romanesque monuments in the whole of France.

The lovely reception and brunch were held at the beautiful Le Clos des Tourelles, Sennecey-le-Grand, where some guests were lucky to stay overnight.

A Left and A Right

I don't know how and where it all started but I have an undeniable love for men's shoes. Three of my most cherished shoe and boot makers are Church (UK), John Lobb (UK/France) and RM Williams (Australia).

Church Shoes
Church’s was founded in 1873 by Thomas Church and his three sons Alfred, William and Thomas Jr. in Northampton. Completely hand made by specialized craftsmen, it still takes up to eight weeks to produce a pair of Church’s shoes, each undergoing over 250 detailed manual operations before they leave the factory. Possibly only trumphed by John Lobb, makers of gentlemens shoes and boots since 1866 in London and 1902 in Paris (owned now by the Hermès Group). They have a store very conveniently close to the Hermès flagship store in central Paris and have featured in several James Bond movies. John Lobb began as a young man as an apprentice bootmaker and following a successful period in Australia making boots for the miners of the gold rush, returned to London to where he set up his first shop on Regent Street in 1866.
RM Williams
Reginald Murray Williams was an Australian bushman and entrepreneur who rose from a swagman, to a millionaire and became best known for creating an Australian style of bushwear recognised world wide. I did get the chance to meet him many years ago before he passed away in November 2003. His most successful products were handcrafted (mostly elastic side) riding boots, with the unique feature of all being one piece of leather and stitched up the back. With autumn in full swing, there is nothing more comfortable than throwing on a pair of RM's with your favourite pair of jeans. Plus it always makes me feel slightly less home-sick.

Repubblica Italiana

Some more pictures that I took while visiting Italy this autumn.

 

Left to Right:

The iconic Vespa is the Italian brand of scooter manufactured by Piaggio. Born out of Italy's post World War II need for a modern and affordable mode of transportation for the masses, it fast became an international success and today is instantly recognisable in any city street. Although true to its origin, Vespa's largest market today by all measures, still remains to be Italy....

A must place to eat is the well-known Antica Drogheria in Lucca, a hundred plus year old shop and recent pizzeria with its original interior that serves up typical dishes from the area that are prepared along with tastings of local cured meats and cheeses. I could not go pass the wood-fired calzone with fresh ricotta, local ham and homemade pizza dough....

Above:

Buonconvento is a comune (municipality) in the Province of Siena, still enclosed by the walls built by the Sienese in 1371. There are plenty of gastronomic delights to try in this small town but it is locally reknown for the white truffles from the Sienese clay hills....

Left to Right:

The Basilica of Superga was built to commemorate the liberation of Turin from the French but now makes for a delightful picnic spot for lunch, overlooking the city of Turin and the surrounding Alps....

Two local fisherman captured on Lake Como, fishing just north of 'Villa Oleandra' in the small and peaceful village of Laglio. This luxurious waterfront property was once owned by the Heinz family but became infamous in 2001 when George Clooney became the new owner and infrequent resident. In the window of the local village store, hangs a proud collection of magazines with the Hollywood actor on each of the covers....

Above:

One of the highlights of my trip back to the Italian Republic, was an afternoon at the open (and completely free) cascade of Terme di Saturnia where the water is a constant 37.5C (99.5F). According to local legend, the hot springs of Saturnia were created when the Roman god of agriculture and harvest, Saturn, threw his staff into the earth in a rage. You just have to love a little wrath and fury from time-to-time!

Tuscan Doorways

A few pictures from my recent visit to the delightful and picturesque landscapes of Tuscany. This region of Italy has a unique culinary tradition, and is famous for its red wines such as Chianti and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano.
Top/Left to Right:
A doorway opposite the original spa baths, forming the piazza of mineral-rich and steamy (49C - 120F) waters, of beautiful Bagno Vignoni.

The front door of a resident of the UNESCO World Heritage site of Pienza; the global centre of Pecorino production, a hard and textured Italian cheese made from ewe's (sheep) milk. A good Pecorino Stagionato is often the finish of a Tuscan meal, served with pears and walnuts or drizzled with strong chestnut honey (very delicious).
Bottom/Left to Right:
Another amazing doorway of Pienza; this tiny town was an architectural marvel of its time, heralding the advent of Renaissance and still remains so, although these days it is slightly overrun with tourists.

Semproniano is an untouched comune in the Province of Grosseto in the Italian region Tuscany, located about 120 km south of Florence. Climbing to the top of this municipality a visitor will find the tiny Church of Santa Croce, faced by the remains of the Aldobrandeschi castle and this 3-wheeler parked outside the doorways of this Tucan village.

Lazy Sundays

From top:
Dark chocolate fondue bought from the owners of Aux Anysetiers du Roy, sellers of ready-to-serve fondue in stoneware tumblers.... simply yummy!
A wonderful soft cheese from the fromagerie Cremerie des Carmes, on Boulevard Saint-Germain....
Le Moulin de la Vierge is an old Parisian bakery which surprisingly makes a delicious selection of cup-cakes, in addition to the typical French boulangerie offerings such as this rhubarb tart and raspberry meringue.