Friday 27 November 2020

Escape to The Chateau- A Home in France……

I have talked about guilty pleasures and the importance of escaping once in a while and the TV series that’s combines both of these is Escape to The Chateau. For DIY fans, budding interior designers and Francophiles it makes for perfect viewing. The ever-practical Dick Strawbridge, with the best moustache on TV and fabulously creative Angel Strawbridge are a wonderful team. This capable couple swapped their two-bed home in East London after searching for the chateau for four years and then spent a further five years turning Chateau de la Motte Husson into a family home. It also became a successful business, when Channel 4 commissioned a TV series. The programme became surprisingly popular and the husband-and-wife duo recently explained why they wanted to get involved with the series We saw it as an adventure. TV presenter Dick and author Angel now employ a PR to market their thriving business empire which includes not just weddings, functions and housing B&B guests in their lovely home, but several books, homeware, gifts, soft furnishings, calendars, diaries and cards. The pair have also been seen a spin-off DIY series which shows them helping others to share the dream of restoring an old castle or house in France, to run as a business.

They have had quite a journey and we have been able to share this with them, they almost feel like old friends! They found the Chateau in 2014 and the purchase was completed 2015. Priced at £350,000, Chateau de la Motte Husson was an incredible bargain and their dream home except for the fact it had no sewerage, no electricity and no heating. Bringing a forty-five room, five storey house and its gardens, back to life after years of neglect takes hard work and dedication. Dick and Angel have proven to have these in abundance and the final result is well-worth their efforts. The couple have no plans to sell the chateau but could make a profit of around £1.5 million if they put it on the market. Dick has estimated that they have spent around £280,000 renovating the chateau. Their skills in re-making and re-designing must have saved them a small fortune, as well as showing us all how to give a new life to old furniture, attic and second-hand finds, which is so important for us all to start doing again.

I’ve dreamt for years about living a simple life with good food and wine, fresh air and two-hour lunches every day. So, when my partner Angela and I decided to start our French adventure, I could almost smell the roses    Dick Strawbridge

The History of the Chateau de la Motte Husson is a long and interesting one, so I’ll give you, a short version: It all dates back to English kings having possessions on the European mainland, as far back as 1066.  When William the Conqueror, then Duke of Normandy became the King of England. From the 12th to the 14th centuries the site of the chateau was in the parish of La Motte and was a fortified stronghold. It was not until 1406 that the Husson family, the Seigneurs of Montgiroux, named the castle Chateau de la Motte Husson, which remains its name today. In1600, the estate was acquired by the de Baglion family, who were descendants of the princes of Perugia.

The castle was rebuilt in the enclosure of the old square moat during the period of 1868-1874. This was the time of great wealth in the aristocracy.  The Countess Dorothée told her husband that she wanted a grand chateau on the site of the fort. Her main residence was near Nantes, a hundred miles to the South West, and the family decided to spend winters in the milder climate, and summers in the country at Chateau de la Motte Husson. They were privileged, didn’t work and were occupied with living life to the full, staying in their grand houses and those of their friends. It was important at the time to receive visitors in grandeur and to display the great wealth of the owners. It was passed down through the generations of the de Baglion family.  The last member of the family was Guy de Baglion de la Dufferie who owned the chateau until his death in 1999, when it passed to his wife and children. The château had remained unoccupied for nearly 40 years when it was put up for sale in 2015. By which time it had fallen into a very poor state of repair.

Dick was born in Burma, but raised and educated in Northern Ireland. Dick attended the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and in 1979, was commissioned into the Royal Corps of Signals. After serving in Germany, England, the Caribbean, the Middle East and Northern Ireland, he retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in 2001. He then had a successful career as a Programme Manager for a large multinational company before becoming a full-time television presenter and author. Dick is a man of many interests and talents. And first hit our television screens with Scrapheap Challenge.

Angela- known as Angel, is the founder of The Vintage Patisserie, a glamorous hospitality company and the author of the best-selling Vintage Tea Party books. Humble beginnings and hard work have secured Angel coverage in nearly every glossy and national newspaper. In 2011 she opened her first Vintage Patisserie in Hackney, East London. With eleven staff and ten events a week, business blossomed. A book deal followed and Angel’s books have sold copies all over the world.

This year as been a very different one for everyone and whilst Chateau de la Motte Husson was closed to guests, a new series called Make-do and Mend was filmed during lockdown. The 7th series of Escape to The Chateau is currently been filmed and is to be aired at the end of this year. I would love to restore an old property, a chateau is possibly to ambitious for me, but like Dick and Angel you can always have the dream, and you never know it might one day, like a true-life fairy-tale come true!

If you want more details, there is a website and a Facebook group which also shows the progress of the other  wonderful Chateau owners and their properties. You can catch up on Channel 4 or Netflix.

www. vintagepatisserie.co.uk/chateau-de-la-motte-husson




Wednesday 25 November 2020

Paris Flea-Markets- Marché aux Puces

I love the Paris flea- markets, and always plan a trip to Paris on the days the market takes place, as a trip to Paris would be incomplete without a day spent visiting the market. The diversity of personalities, stall keepers and products for sale, some more antique than others, makes it unmissable. The term flea market originated with the French marché aux puces. It translates as market of the fleas and refers to the flea-infested used clothing that was sold. Well, hopefully the fleas are a thing of the past but the markets still continue and are gaining in popularity as second-hand, vintage or pre-loved are totally on-trend. The weekend flea market Paris is one of the very best in France, in terms of the size and the eclectic nature of its wares. Its a little off the beaten track, which makes it even more worthwhile visiting. In my opinion, off- the beaten track is always the best way to see a city! 

The history of the flea market dates back over two centuries, when rag and bone men scoured through the garbage of Paris at night to find valuable junk to sell on. They were called crocheteurs or pickers. The romantic term was pêcheurs de lune'or fishermen for the moon. Many tried setting up temporary stalls within the Paris walls in sleazy neighbourhoods, but because these districts were full of pickpockets and thieves, they were chased out of the city walls to Clignancourt, Montreuil and Vanves. All of which continue to trade today.

The rag and bone men gathered outside the walls of Paris at the Porte de Clignancourt and set up temporary stalls. Eventually, they formed groups of stalls to attract more customers. The more enterprising traders began to trade up in terms of goods and eventually it became popular for Parisian collectors and antique dealers to shop there for bargains. 

In 1885, authorities in the town of Saint Ouen made a significant move to pave the streets and clean up the area, marking the official starting year of Les Puces. Several areas were designated as official market areas and a fee had to be paid to set up a stall there. The markets grew until Monsieur Romain Vernaison transformed the land, he owned into a series of covered huts which was to be called Marché Vernaison. This was followed by an Albanian named Malik who bought a restaurant on Rue Jules Vallès and transformed the building into 100 stalls which formed the Malik market. The Marché du Biron was formed in 1925, with two long rows of stalls and is known as one of the more expensive markets. Marché Jules Vallès was created in 1938 which is a smaller covered flea square market. Over time additional markets have been added including the Marché Dauphine, which is the largest covered market of the Saint-Ouen flea market. Now the market spans for miles and consists of 14 different markets.

On Saturday’s, Sunday’s and Monday mornings, Marché aux Puces de Clignancourt or Paris St-Ouen flea market is one of the most popular flea markets in the country with nearly a quarter of a million visitors annually. This market is well known for vendors that sell just about anything. The best way to get to the market is by metro on Line 4 the stop is the Porte de Clignancourt. The market and the neighbourhood are very colourful, don’t wear your best clothes, always wear comfortable shoes as you walk a lot and don't take valuables with you. The 18th arrondissement, where the market is located is in a less affluent part of Paris and the market gets very crowded. You can safely stroll around here during the day but you do need to watch your wallet and handbag. I prefer to go quite early in the morning. 

The Rue des Rosiers is the main street which you walk down in order to go into the separate markets. The individual markets tend to run into each other and there are also some Art Deco and antique shops, along the way. The various markets specialize in different items and I have listed these for you below. I enjoy browsing the markets which are more Bric-à-Brac and Marché Vernaison for textiles, paintings and furniture. You can get lost wandering down the alleyways so do try to remember landmarks. Marché Jules Vallès has the reputation of being the cheapest and the most picturesque market sells antiques postcards, posters and smaller items. Antique enthusiasts can rejoice in bargain-hunting without fuss in these iconic old- fashioned stalls and antiques shops. It promises countless surprises and unusual finds. The Paris market is more expensive than the other markets in France.

The different markets are below:

The Antica Market-Located in a stylish and elegant gallery, this market has a dozen stands and offers paintings, bronze, porcelain and Art Deco style goods.

The Biron Market-220 Antiques and Art dealers offer luxury goods, jewellery, furniture, paintings, mirrors, light fixtures.

The Cambo Market-A small market consisting of 20 different stands across two floors, where you’ll find high-quality restored furniture and works of art

The Dauphine Market-Inaugurated in 1991, this is the newest but also the largest market, with 180 merchants spread across two floors. You can find classic antiques dating back to the 18th and the 19th century as well as items from the 20th century. Its most eclectic market of the Flea market.

The Le Passage Market-Linking the Rue Lécuyer to Rue Jules Vallès. There are a variety of items available for sale antique, but this market is mainly geared towards vintage clothes.

The Malassis Market-This covered market will send you back in time with its original, innovative architecture. You can find antiques dealers, decorators, themed shops, collectors and jewellery.

The Malik Market-This market has sportswear and trendy clothing. Hipsters find trendy Parisian fashion, vintage and old uniforms, think Camden Market.

The Vernaison Market-It offers the largest number of stands: furniture, ancient toys, glassware and vintage clothing.

The Paul Bert Market-This market is popular with interior decorators across the world offering industrial and antique furniture.

The Serpette Market-This market has an upper-class clientele and offers high-end antiques like silverware and table decorations.

The Entrepôt Market-The market offers unique items such as staircases, bookcases, woodwork, castle gates.

The Rues Market-This is like a jumble sale, where people lay their goods out on the ground. You’ll also find some unusual items throughout these stands and boutiques with vintage clothes and furniture. It’s great for rummaging.

Maps are available and it is possible to take a tour of the markets with an experienced antique buyer if you are worried about exploring on your own. Various companies offer this service. Check out the website below, they also have some great advice about the market.

www.parisperfect.com/tour/paris-flea-market-tour

The markets have been closed but are due to re-open this weekend, if you need more details see the link below.

https://uk.tourisme93.com/saint-ouen-clignancourt-flea-market-access-and-opening-times.html





Monday 16 November 2020

Paris- A City for Lovers

I thought of this blog post a short while ago, and since then, like most people I have binge-watched Emily in Paris. Known as the City for Lovers, for me, it’s a city for; fashion lovers, food lovers, art lovers, architecture lovers, history lovers and simply lovers of life….

The Netflix series has come in for some criticism for using cliques of Parisians and their life’s, whilst I see this a little, it also does portray the Paris that I have seen with my own eyes. And after all it’s a light- hearted, series which offers escapism, (which we all need right now) not a gritty, realistic drama. I am sure when we can travel for freely, myself included, we will all be flocking to spent time in the beautiful city of Paris.

I have been to Paris, many times but not for several years, and I know that it has undergone some upheavals and changes, but like a fading beauty queen, she will never totally lose her true glamour. There is an under-side, as in all major cities and caution is required, particularly where muggings and pickpockets are concerned. But by using some common-sense, essential for all travellers it is still relatively safe. Leave your valuables in a safe place and pay attention when you are out and about if you a female solo traveller.

Parisians, it has to be said are a law to themselves, a bit like native New Yorkers, however their attitude is to envy, confident, arrogant and so very French, as a self-enfacing, English person it’s quite refreshing to see, well in small amounts.

Anyway, less of the people and more of the city, I love walking around Paris, as a poor student, I didn’t have any choice, but by exploring this way, you always find a wonderful little street or bistro and I discover something new, every time I visit. Walking is a very Parisian thing to do to. People- watching is one of by favourite things to do, and siting with un café et une croissant and watching the world go by is a Parisian tradition, I find, I can easily adopt.

A break in Paris, offers something for everyone, from wonderful shops, restaurants, galleries and museums, there is so much to see and do. I always think its best to see less and savour the experience, rather than trying to fit everything into a few days, as you totally lose the vibe of the city by doing this and its great to have a good excuse to return.

Guide books and maps are helpful particularly if it’s your first visit but by going off the beaten track you discover things yourself, so I make loose plans which I can then change easily. I prefer to eat in smaller local places, as sometimes the well-know destinations can be full of tourists and a bit disappointing. An open mind when traveling can give you a better experience. I learnt French at school and have been re-learning French in the lockdown, I always aim to speak French in Paris, sometimes you will not be understood (often on purpose), you may even be corrected but it’s just the Parisian way.

The blog the Every Day Parisian is very interesting with some great tips, as an American writes about her time living in Paris, the photos are lovely too. Paris is perfect for any time of year, as the seasons are quite different, just dress correctly. It can be cold and wet in Winter and very hot in Summer, pretty sun- dresses are great, in Paris, summer fashion is not too revealing and don’t forgot comfortable shoes for all the walking, the cobbled streets are not great for heels. An umbrella is often needed as it does rain quite a bit.

I can't wait to return, but in the meantime, I might just watch Emily in Paris again!




Monday 9 November 2020

Figs-The Tree of Life

I love figs these always seem like such a special treat and they always take be back to living in southern Spain. As I had a fig tree close to where I stayed and often picked these straight off the tree, although avoiding the wasps that live around fig trees is a challenge. Whilst figs can be grown in the UK, English figs are never quite as sweet and if we buy the imported ones, which are picked when not quite ripe, they rarely have the syrupy intensity of the ones we enjoy on holiday. One of life's finest fruity pleasures, sweet, fragrant, juicy figs sun-warmed and straight from the tree.

To eat figs off the tree in the very early morning, when they have been barely touched by the sun, is one of the exquisite pleasures of the Mediterranean.” Elizabeth David- Writer

Figs were a gift from the Romans (via Asia) which doesn’t surprise me at all, as I think of them as been slightly decadent and the Romans certainly loved and still love life! Since Biblical times figs have been associated with sin. Judas hung himself from a fig tree while Adam and Eve covered their private parts with fig leaves. Known as ‘The tree of life’ by the ancient Egyptians, they were much enjoyed by Cleopatra. Remnants of figs have been found in excavations of sites traced to at least 5,000 B.C. making the edible fig one of the first plants that was cultivated by humans.

They have a jewel- like appearance and are rich in minerals including: potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron and copper. As a good source of antioxidants, vitamins A, E and K that contribute to health and wellness, figs can be a useful food to include in the diet for those watching their weight. As they are high fibre foods provide feelings of fullness and can reduce hunger pangs. Figs also contain prebiotics, which helps support the pre-existing good bacteria in the gut. One more great reason to include these in your diet.

Spain is the largest producer of figs in Europe, with 25% of Europe's production, followed by Albania, Germany, Portugal, Italy, Greece, Montenegro, France and Croatia. Figs grow best and produce the best quality fruit in the Mediterranean and in dry, warmer climates Two crops of figs are potentially produced each year. The first, called the breba crop, develops in the spring on last year’s growth. The main fig season is between summer and autumn. Figs perish quickly, so are usually best eaten within one to two days.

The fig is called the higo, in Spain, and only the female fig trees deliver fruit. It’s part of the mulberry tree family. Although commonly referred to as a fruit, the fig fruit is actually the flower of the tree, known as an inflorescence (an arrangement of multiple flowers), a false fruit or multiple fruit, in which the flowers and seeds grow together to form a single mass.

There are numerous varieties and colours including green ones, in Mallorca alone there are actually 15 variations. I think that figs are lovely fresh in late summer, but they are very versatile and can be eaten fresh, peeled or un­peeled, cooked and dried. They partner very well with cheese and nuts and are perfect in salads with Spanish ham. Stuffed with goats’ cheese and walnuts with a drizzle of honey and balsamic vinegar, they make a wonderful starter or tapas. Baked and served with yoghurt or as the Spanish like them, dipped in chocolate they make a tasty dessert.

Pan de higo is a traditional way to preserve figs for the cold winter months. The artisanal fig cake is a specialty of Jaen in Andalusia, and as it contains no flour, the cake will last a long time.

Fig jam is also a real treat and an ideal way to enjoy figs all year round.

All in all, figs are just perfect, however you choose to eat them.




Friday 6 November 2020

Apricots- Persian Golden Eggs of the Sun

Apricots are one of the earliest summer fruits, its name comes from the Latin praecox which means precocious. They originate in the North East of China, very close to the Russian border. Prunus Armeniaca are descended from a wild Chinese variety and were cultivated more than 5,000 years ago. The Romans brought them to Europe around 70 BC. Nowadays, apricots are grown mainly in the South East of Spain and the rest of the Mediterranean countries. Apricots were first taken to England from Italy in 1542 by Henry VIII’s gardener, a French priest and horticultural expert called Jean Le Loup. By 1782 a Wigan nursery had published a catalogue with 14 varieties of apricots. 

Dried or fresh, Alberoc, as they are known, were introduced by the sweet-toothed Arabs to Spain. At first they weren’t very popular because of the various superstitions that surrounded them. It was said, for instance, that if an apricot tree leaf fell on one’s back it would cause incurable diseases. Although these were grown for centuries it was only in the 19th century that production prospered and it became an international rather than a local market. In the 1970s Spain, in particular Mallorca, began to rival the production in Morocco and Tunisia, which had always dominated the market. 

More apricots are grown in Murcia than anywhere else in Spain, followed by the Balearics and Valencia. Apricots are one of the traditional fruits of a Majorcan summer and are juicy, full of flavour and have a memorable perfume. The best apricots are ripe but firm, with plenty of colour and without blemishes. They can become overripe very quickly, so never buy large quantities unless you are going to be using them immediately. As a rule, those with the stronger brighter colours will be sweeter.

 Unlike most market fruits, the apricot is extremely fragile. It must be picked when completely ripe, for it won’t ripen further after picking. Because the fruit doesn’t travel well, it is found in the markets for only a short time. The bulk of the commercial crop is conserved or dried. Majorca’s dried apricots, known as Orejones, are more important to the local economy than the fresh ones. They are exported all over the world. Majorcan dried apricots aren’t as sweet as the Turkish varieties and because of that they have much more character. Their slightly acidic taste makes them ideal for use in Middle Eastern lamb stews and tajines. Spaniards usually prefer those from Turkey.

When the harvest is large, the women of the town, and sometimes others from nearby villages, do a shift of 10 hours per day so the fruit can be put through the drying process as soon as it is harvested. The apricots chosen for drying are always those that have fallen to the ground. The finest ones are collected in baskets and taken to the waiting army of women who slice them in two, extract the pits and place them on big wicker frames or trays, cut side up. The kernels in the pits are later sold for the making of turrón, Spain’s traditional nougat that is an essential part of the Christmas table. It is on sale all year long, but the vast majority of Spaniards eat it only over the 12 days of Christmas.

The Arabs introduced apricot's to Spain and their influence on Spanish cuisine is still very obvious, you find apricots in Spanish meat and tapas dishes. Capirotada, is a Majorcan rabbit dish for which apricots are cooked and then used in the sauce. More than 100 years ago, Majorcan housewives added apricots preserved in syrup to a greixonera of sopes mallorquines. And today, some Majorcans use fresh apricots instead of olives to accompany a sopes during the summer months. As so often happens in country cooking, one eats what is in season and plentiful.

Spanish cooks and housewives like to preserve apricots, in a thick syrup or in alcohol of some kind, usually brandy or aguardiente. Compotes of all kinds are popular. Cooks are also fond of dipping fruit in batter and frying it and there is an apricot version. In pastry shops, you will see that when apricots are in season, they are used on the surfaces of ensaimadas and on sweet cocas.

In 2019, February’s mild and sunny weather in Spain proved to be catastrophic for the apricot trees, reducing the crop by around 75%. The year’s gigantic plunge in the harvest means there will be fewer dried apricots. Which has meant a rise in prices, already Spanish apricots cost more than Turkish ones. The exceptional harvests from previous seasons also means the trees produce less the following year. After a rather abundant 2019, at least in terms of early-season varieties, the 2020 campaign will be marked by a substantial fall in apricot production. We actually need to go back to 2003, or even 1998, to find such a low production level. This bad news comes on the back of a 2019 apricot campaign which saw weak demand and poor prices in northern Europe.

This year they will be much rarer than usual. But I do hope that this will only be a temporary setback for the precocious apricot and one of my favourite summer fruits.