31 October
Wow... what a birthday week!
Its going to be hard to describe the week because there was just so much to it! Put it this way... it started like this....
and ended with this:
Lets try doing it in approximate date order.
On Sunday morning, Vicki arrived. I picked her up from the airport and whisked her off to the Divonne markets. We had a lovely wander, and bought ourselves some smelly cheeses, a chook and some bread. Then it was over the mountain to have a late lunch at Morez.
On the way back to Geneva, Vicki and I took a bit of a wandering route, picking up a cute Swiss hitchhiker on the way. We got to see the essential things too; cows with bells.
Monday, Vicki headed off to Berne for the day, and I worked. Blech. In the evening we picked up Maria and Jenny. Tuesday morning Vicki caught the train to Paris, and Maria, Jenny and I started our adventure. The plan was to get to Stein am Rhein; a bit of a road test for the grand Christmas adventure. We stopped for a wee breakfast/morning tea outside the chateau in Rolle.
Then it was on the road again. But we couldn't resist being drawn off the road once more, this time to visit Avenches and the Roman amphitheatre. I couldn't resist singing a quick snatch fo melody, which seemed to amuse the visiting korean tourists no end.
On the road again... we reached Schaffhausen and the edge of Stein am Rhein as it got dark. We stopped at a caravan park to stay the night, but they were full. Darn. We hit the road once more and headed in the direction of Schaffhausen. Jenny spotted a tiny dark sign for a hotel and we decided to follow it. Down a back street, then under a tiny overpass, then around a field only to stumble across.... "Shäferhüsli". Walking into this hotel was a revelation. Its hard to describe the experience really; to, in the middle of the countryside, find an absolutely spotlessly clean, and immaculately maintained hotel. You could see immediately that the owners had invested all their energy and thought in the hotel. We were met by Ruth, one of the owners and after welcoming us and offering us a room, she told us firmly that we really must go see the fountain. "Fountain?". We followed her outside and waited... next thing, the music starts... the blue Danube, and a huge fountain lights up and starts dancing in time. (you can download a short, but hefty, video clip. 3mb) We laughed aloud; we could NOT believe it! I ended up grabbing Jenny and we waltzed around together, crowing with laughter all the way.
Ruth directed us around the corner for dinner at a local restaurant. Even though there were some people smoking, we enjoyed our rather immense meals.
In the morning we enjoyed a truly lovely breakfast, and then went in to Stein am Rhein. Our timing was perfect as there was a market on. We had a wonderful time wandering around and bought all sorts of little bits and pieces. After the market we hit the road and drove pretty solidly from then on till we got back to Geneva.
I didn't get a lot of sleep that night... partly because that sister of mine and Maria fought like sisters, and once I had counted to three at least once, and jumped on top of them as punishment, they waited till after midnight and raced into my bedroom and leapt on to me to wish me a happy birthday. Cheeky things.
In the morning Vicki arrived and we hit the road (before midday for a change!). We stopped in Nyon at the chateau, where we enjoyed some very pretty views, and some lovely pastries before heading up to Montreux.
En route, Maria and Jenny told me that they had met some friends of my relatives in London, and that they would be in Geneva on that night. They asked, could these friends come to my birthday dinner? I said ok. When we got home, we dressed up and headed out. When we got to the restaurant and saw the menu, I asked if they would be ok with the fact that this was a pretty expensive restaurant, and said that although I was happy to pay for Maria, Jenny and Vicki, I wasn't going to pay for complete strangers. They said they thought it wouldn't be a problem, and a few minutes later they walked in the door...
I looked up... and it was my brother David and niece Kai! I leapt to my feet and squealed out loud. What an unbelievable birthday surprise!
A perfect touch to a fantastic birthday. I then spent some time getting hold of my boss to say "I want tomorrow off!". She was very kind and said yes. The next day, I took David, Kai and Vicki to Yvoire and in the evening we sat down to a meal of Vacherin d'or - thats a special cheese which comes in a cane box. You prick it, put pieces of garlic in the top and pour wine on top. This then goes in the oven where it cooks away until the centre is totally gooey. Then you dip bread into it.
Saturday I took them to Annecy and arrived in time for the antiques market.
Sadly we had to go straight from Annecy to the airport to drop off Dave and Kai. That night was my other birthday celebration; a black tie dinner at my fave restaurant Le Chante Clair.
Some of my friends had found out it was my birthday (I didn't advertise the dinner as such) and conspired to do this:
The motto is what I use on my GenevaOnline profile. It was such a sweet gesture.
12 October
What a lovely evening at home for once. I made a scrummy dinner; champagne and three cheese risotto. I can't give you a recipe because I didn't have one. I just used chicken stock, left over champagne, a few herbs and three italian pecorinos. Very very tasty I must say! I didn't take a photo.. one risotto looks like another, lets face it!
10 October
Check this out!
8 October 2006
A busy weekend indeed! Friday night was a "moon cake festival" dinner. After a 11 course meal we all went together to thrown an orange in the river to make a wish. Menu:
- Sea food Soup
- Entree mixed Dim Sum platter
- Duck Special
- Chicken with ginger
- Hot pot of pork meatballs
- Steamed turbot
- Spicy king prawns
- Stuffed 3 treasures - Tofu, Aubergine & Bitter goud (stuffed with prawn)
- Chinese broccoli in oyster sauce
- Fried Noodles & Fried Rice
- Dessert: Mooncake
- An orange to throw into the river and make a love wish
Saturday night was my friend Kola's birthday. Dinner at a restaurant called "Heaven" and then dancing till 4am. Menu:
- Thai style beef salad
- Barramundi (yes Aussie fish!) with a coriander crust
accompanied by Australian red and chardonnay.
Tonight was a challenge dinner party. Theme: Orange. Menu:
- Thai Pumpkin and Coconut Soup
- Salad with an orange miso dressing
- Malay chicken curry
- Pad Thai
- Duck a l'orange
- Mandarin and champagne sorbet
- Chocolate coated candied peel
Accompanied by Mimosas and good red wine.
