Cowes Week Part 2

The sun finally came out, and Finn had some time off, so we decided to go out in the boat to see some of the sailing action up close.

Unfortunately even though the weather was glorious in our opinion, apparently not so great for the sailors as there wasn't enough wind, so the sailing got cancelled. 

So Finn gave Will and Emma a chance to drive the boat and mess around a little.

We then headed back to shore and headed to the racing village for a proper explore...

We couldn't help having a go on the harken machine to see how fast we could go...

(this is how fast Emma thinks she was... )

Emma and I actually made the leaders board for the women. I suspect however, that not many people had been yet...

Starting to feel slightly peckish we sniffed out the food stands and decided to try some of the local crab and lobster on chips...

You got a pretty hefty portion, so decided to share as dinner wasn't that far away.

We headed back to Finn's for dinner and afterwards witnessed one of the most beautiful sunsets I have ever seen... (how great is the view from Finn's house I must add?)

We then headed back to town for some live music and some drinks in the beer tents...

We didn't have as much of a wild night this time as Emma and Will had a super early ferry to catch the next day... Maybe next year they will make it for the whole week! 

Cowes Week Part 1

We left London on the Sunday evening after our gastronomic meal at Heston's for Mummy's birthday, Emma and I had arranged to meet Will at a convenient service station to head down to the Isle of Wight for Cowes Week. If you haven't heard of Cowes Week, it is one of the largest sailing regattas in the UK and generally just good fun for both sailors and spectators: Lots of boats, lots of drinking. Everything you need for a good UK break.

Emma and Will had never been to the island before, so it was up to me to attempt to explain what it was all about. Finn unfortunately had to work for the first day they were there, so I showed them around Cowes.

One of the most spectacular things about cowes week is how MANY boats there are, the magnitude is something that can't be captured on camera unfortunately...

We walked into town along the sea front to see the races, and some of them being started too from outside of the Royal Yacht Squadron.

Unfortunately the weather wasn't brilliant, and we got caught in a down pour so decided to warm ourselves up with a spot of afternoon tea. 

We then headed back to Finn's parents house for a nap before dinner and our first night out down at the beer tents. 

 We ended up in the Banyan Beach Bar, lots of cocktails and a dance floor, what more could you want!!

and that was just monday... 5 more days to go!! (am getting tired just thinking about it)

London Part 2

Mummy's Birthday had arrived on a glorious morning in London. After celebrations last night we took it easy at the hotel; present opening, a light breakfast, and a swim and steam in the spa. Before we knew it, it was time to check out and make our way out to the main event of the weekend, Lunch at Heston Blumenthal's restaurant Dinner.  

We started with some tasty cocktails to toast the birthday girl.

Whilst reading the menu to make the crucial decision of what to go for, and how adventurous we were willing to be.

We made a rule that we all had to order something different, and we all had to share... 

For starters we went for the: Meat Fruit, Roast Marrowbone, Salamugundy and Nettle Porridge.

Each dish was as delicious as the last, so many fantastic flavours that continued to develop even after you had swallowed, just amazing.

We continued to lick our plates clean of our main courses too...

Powdered Duck Breast, Spiced Pigeon, Black foot pork chop, and Fillet of Aberdeen Angus with mushroom ketchup.

And for desert: Tipsy Cake, Taffety Tart, Brown Bread Ice Cream, and a Summer fruits pudding i cannot remember the name of. With the sharing rule in place, we all got to try a bit of everything, and they were all fantastic!!  

This is the tipsy cake, you could see the pineapples being spit roasted through the kitchen windows. 

Daddy eyeing up the cognac cart...

and sweet tasting birthday wishes from the chef.

and that marks the end of our whirlwind weekend in London for Mummy's Birthday. 

A feast for our eyes and our belly's.

Just a gentle stroll back through the park on this sunny summers day.