Meanderings … toward the kitchen

Back in March 2009 I launched ‘Meanderings through my cookbook’ as a place to keep the occasional recipes I posted on this site, plus the many more that needed to go on record before they were lost, forgotten, or their books returned to the library or a friend.  I have already transferred the recipes and other food related information from this site and have put in links on those pages.  

Lots of visitors have already ‘meandered’ across to my new site – please pay my kitchen a virtual visit if you have not done so already!  I am also posting a monthly update for the new site. (Read Meanderings ‘à la carte’) 

I will now be making occasional rather than regular posts here on the ‘narrow way’.  This explanatory note will stick at the top, with newer entries appearing below.  I will continue to moderate the site.

The Snowdrop – Alfred Lord Tennyson

The Snowdrop

Many, many welcomes,
February fair-maid,
Ever as of old time,
Solitary firstling,
Coming in the cold time,
Prophet of the gay time,
Prophet of the May time,
Prophet of the roses,
Many, many welcomes,
February fair-maid!

Alfred Lord Tennyson (1809-1892)

(Snowdrops are also sometimes known as Candlemas Bells.  The feast of Candlemas is celebrated on 2 February, marking the presentation of the infant Jesus at the Temple and also the purification of the Virgin Mary.)

On a Night of Snow

(Image: I can I has Cheezburger)

Cat, if you go outdoors you must walk in the snow.
You will come back with little white shoes on your feet,
Little white slippers of snow that have heels of sleet.
Stay by the fire, my Cat. Lie still, do not go.
See how the flames are leaping and hissing low,
I will bring you a saucer of milk like a Marguerite,
So white and smooth, so spherical and sweet -
Stay with me, Cat. Outdoors the wild winds blow.

Outdoors the wild winds blow, Mistress, and dark is the night.
Strange voices cry in the trees, intoning strange lore;
And more than cats move, lit by our eyes’ green light,
On silent feet where the meadow grasses hang hoar -
Mistress, there are portents abroad of magic and might,
And things that are yet to be done. Open the door!

Elizabeth Coatsworth (1893-1986)

Tour de France 2009 – Stage 21 (Montereau-Fault-Yonne – Paris Champs-Élysées)

Montereau-Fault-Yonne – Paris Champs-Élysées (164 km)

Today saw the final and most prestigious stage of the world’s greatest bike race after what has been a enjoyable, good humoured, scandal free and very watchable three weeks.  There was time for the usual fun and chatting, with time to drink champagne toasts during the early kilometres.  Everything changed as Paris was reached and we were being treated to great views of the riders along with the usual stunning views of Paris.  I particularly enjoyed the close up views of the obelisk decorated with hieroglyphics originally from Luxor in Ancient Egypt and now on the Place de la Concorde, not just once but every time the race went around the circuit of central Paris.  In my photo above, taken at just under 26 km to go, the serious racing was well underway.   

I have enjoyed recording the scenery and locations the Tour has passed this year.  The Vuelta d’Espana starts on 29th August and I may well do the same for that!

This just had to be the best finish of the entire tour, at least as far as final stage winner Mark Cavendish was concerned.  He had wanted this stage so badly, almost more than any of the others.  His determination showed as he won by a huge margin, aided by his team and in particular this time by Team Columbia-HTC team mate and lead out man Mark Renshaw who won himself second place.  In the end it wasn’t enough to reclaim the green jersey but without the points deduction earlier in the race it would probably have belonged to Cavendish.  It wasn’t just Cavendish who had huge success in this tour.  Bradley Wiggins held on to his 4th place overall, the best ever Tour ride by a Briton and was only 37 seconds behind 3rd placed Lance Armstrong.  Next year should be really worth watching!  In the end Alberto Contador was a worthy yellow jersey winner with a lead of more than 4 minutes over second placed Andy Schleck, who also won the white jersey awarded to the best rider under 25.  The Polka dot climber’s jersey and the super-combativity prize was won by Franco Pellizotti and the green jersey by Thor Hushovd.

Overall winners:
Yellow Jersey                     Alberto Contador
                     2nd                   Andy Schleck
                      3rd                   Lance Armstrong
                      4th                   Bradley Wiggins

Green Jersey                      Thor Hushovd
                     2nd                   Mark Cavendish
                      3rd                   Gerald Ciolek

Polka Dot Jersey                 Franco Pellizotti
                     2nd                    Egoi Martinez
                      3rd                    Alberto Contador

White Jersey                       Andy Schleck
                     2nd                    Vincenzo Nibali
                      3rd                    Gerald Ciolek

Super-Combative rider        Franco Pellizotti 

Best team                            Astana
                     2nd                     Garmin Slipstream
                      3rd                     Team Saxo Bank

Stage winners:
Stage 1 – Fabian Cancellara (to wear yellow for Stage 2) – 3rd Bradley Wiggins
Stage 2 – Mark Cavendish (will wear green for Stage 3)
Stage 3 – Mark Cavendish (will wear green for Stage 4)
Stage 4 – Team Astana
Stage 5 – Thomas Voeckler - 3rd Mark Cavendish
Stage 6 – Thor Hushovd
Stage 7 – Brice Feillu
Stage 8 – Luis León Sánchez
Stage 9 – Pierrick Fédrigo
Rest Day
Stage 10 – Mark Cavendish
Stage 11 – Mark Cavendish (regains green for Stage 12)
Stage 12 – Nicki Sørensen
Stage 13 – Heinrich Haussler
Stage 14 – Sergei Ivanov
Stage 15 – Alberto Contador (to wear yellow for Stage 16 onwards)
Rest Day
Stage 16 – Mikel Astarloza
Stage 17 – Frank Schleck
Stage 18 – Alberto Contador
Stage 19 – Mark Cavendish
Stage 20 – Juan Manuel Garate
Stage 21 – Mark Cavendish

(More cycling information from the official Tour de France website.)

Today’s pictures photographed from Eurosport coverage on Sky HD television.

Tour de France 2009 – Stage 20 (Montélimar – Mont Ventoux)

Montélimar – Mont Ventoux (167 km)

There was only one contender for picture of the day.  It had to be the imposing and arid slopes of Mont Ventoux, with its wonderful views across France.  The aerial perspective, receding bands of increasingly bluer terrain, seemed to go on for ever.  A truly amazing place for the penultimate finish of the 2009 tour.

The riders of todays gruelling stage were strung out along the long ascent with eventual winner Juan Manuel Garate just pipping Tony Martin, both being the last remaining riders of a breakaway group that had formed early in the race.  They finished 38 seconds behind Alberto Contador who was confirmed as yellow jersey tour winner, Andy Schleck who is likely to be second and best young rider and Lance Armstrong currently in third overall place.  Bradley Wiggins‘ determined ride won him 10th place in this stage, meaning he stays in 4th overall tour place.  A good ride in Paris could mean a podium place, but he will have to overtake Lance Armstrong who is 37 seconds ahead: attainable but not easy! Mark Cavendish came in well down the field, which is not surprising as a climb such as this is definitely not his discipline.  Let’s hope he was saving his energy for the race to the finish in Paris.Winners:
Stage 1 – Fabian Cancellara (to wear yellow for Stage 2) – 3rd Bradley Wiggins
Stage 2 – Mark Cavendish (will wear green for Stage 3)
Stage 3 – Mark Cavendish (will wear green for Stage 4)
Stage 4 – Team Astana
Stage 5 – Thomas Voeckler - 3rd Mark Cavendish
Stage 6 – Thor Hushovd
Stage 7 – Brice Feillu
Stage 8 – Luis León Sánchez
Stage 9 – Pierrick Fédrigo
Rest Day
Stage 10 – Mark Cavendish
Stage 11 – Mark Cavendish (regains green for Stage 12)
Stage 12 – Nicki Sørensen
Stage 13 – Heinrich Haussler
Stage 14 – Sergei Ivanov
Stage 15 – Alberto Contador (to wear yellow for Stage 16)
Rest Day
Stage 16 – Mikel Astarloza
Stage 17 – Frank Schleck
Stage 18 – Alberto Contador
Stage 19 – Mark Cavendish
Stage 20 – Juan Manuel Garate

(More cycling information from the official Tour de France website.)

Tour de France 2009 – Stage 19 (Bourgoin – Jallieu Aubenas)

Bourgoin-Jallieu – Aubenas (178 km)

Today was a tour of two halves, as far as scenery was concerned.  Firstly the riders rode through the flatter agricultural lands around the Rhone valley, with occasional glimpses of the famous sunflower fields.  Valences and La Vaulte sur Rhone looked particularly interesting with the river sparkling in the sunlight.    We saw several bastide style towns, among them Alixan, red roofed spirals around a central church or fortification.  Then, at Le Pouzain, the tour turned away from the river and uphill towards the major climb of the day.  I was spoiled for choice for views and towns to include today, but I chose the Ardeche town of Privas (above) with its arched bridge and tiled roofs on houses and chateau. 

It was wonderful to see Mark Cavendish victorious once more today, following the disaster of disqualification earlier in the tour.  This is his fifth win this year and ninth overall Tour de France win, the best ever by a British rider.  It will probably not be enough to overtake Thor Hushovd who seems secure in the green jersey for another year, but Cavendish’s tour is definitely not over yet.  A win in Paris, well within Cavendish’s abilities, beckons if the team strategies and his undoubted skill can work together once more. Bradley Wiggins 14th place means he keeps his 4th overall place in the main competition, still behind Alberto Contador, Andy Shleck and Lance Armstrong.

Winners:
Stage 1 – Fabian Cancellara (to wear yellow for Stage 2) – 3rd Bradley Wiggins
Stage 2 – Mark Cavendish (will wear green for Stage 3)
Stage 3 – Mark Cavendish (will wear green for Stage 4)
Stage 4 – Team Astana
Stage 5 – Thomas Voeckler - 3rd Mark Cavendish
Stage 6 – Thor Hushovd
Stage 7 – Brice Feillu
Stage 8 – Luis León Sánchez
Stage 9 – Pierrick Fédrigo
Rest Day
Stage 10 – Mark Cavendish
Stage 11 – Mark Cavendish (regains green for Stage 12)
Stage 12 – Nicki Sørensen
Stage 13 – Heinrich Haussler
Stage 14 – Sergei Ivanov
Stage 15 – Alberto Contador (to wear yellow for Stage 16)
Rest Day
Stage 16 – Mikel Astarloza
Stage 17 – Frank Schleck
Stage 18 – Alberto Contador
Stage 19 – Mark Cavendish

(More cycling information from the official Tour de France website.)

Tour de France 2009 – Stage 18 (Annecy Time Trial)

Annecy – Annecy Individual Time Trial (40.5 km)

Lots of views of beautiful Lake Annecy today, although mostly from the road rather than the helicopter, as the individual time trial followed a 40k (25mile) circuit mostly around the shores the lake.  We had several good views of the Chateau de Duingt on its peninsula sticking out into Lake Annecy (just visible in the picture) and Annecy town with its picturesque waterside and old Chateau.

Todays race was about calculating the intervals between the riders and how they would affect their overall race standings, although the race was actually won by current yellow jersey winner Alberto Contador.  David Millar crossed the line in 5th and Bradley Wiggins in 6th place, which means Wiggins goes up to 4th in the overall classification behind Alberto Contador, Andy Shleck and Lance Armstrong.

Winners:
Stage 1 – Fabian Cancellara (to wear yellow for Stage 2) – 3rd Bradley Wiggins
Stage 2 – Mark Cavendish (will wear green for Stage 3)
Stage 3 – Mark Cavendish (will wear green for Stage 4)
Stage 4 – Team Astana
Stage 5 – Thomas Voeckler - 3rd Mark Cavendish
Stage 6 – Thor Hushovd
Stage 7 – Brice Feillu
Stage 8 – Luis León Sánchez
Stage 9 – Pierrick Fédrigo
Rest Day
Stage 10 – Mark Cavendish
Stage 11 – Mark Cavendish (regains green for Stage 12)
Stage 12 – Nicki Sørensen
Stage 13 – Heinrich Haussler
Stage 14 – Sergei Ivanov
Stage 15 – Alberto Contador (to wear yellow for Stage 16)
Rest Day
Stage 16 – Mikel Astarloza
Stage 17 – Frank Schleck
Stage 18 – Alberto Contador

(More cycling information from the official Tour de France website.)

Tour de France 2009 – Stage 17 (Bourg-Saint-Maurice – Le Grand-Bornand)

Bourg-Saint-Maurice – Le Grand-Bornand (169.5 km)

More wonderful mountainous scenery today with a finish in the pretty chalet filled alpine town of Le Grand Bornand. 

After his bad accident yesterday, it was good to hear that Jens Voigt is recovering reasonably well in hospital.  Three riders finished the race together, Alberto Contador, who continues to wear the yellow jersey and looks unasailable for the top place on Sunday, sandwiched in second place between brothers from Luxembourg  Frank Schleck in first place and Andy Schleck, who looks to continue to wear the best young rider white jersey to the finish, in third.  Bradley Wiggins struggled today, finishing in 7th place and dropping to 5th overall, but still in touch with the leaders.

Winners:
Stage 1 – Fabian Cancellara (to wear yellow for Stage 2) – 3rd Bradley Wiggins
Stage 2 – Mark Cavendish (will wear green for Stage 3)
Stage 3 – Mark Cavendish (will wear green for Stage 4)
Stage 4 – Team Astana
Stage 5 – Thomas Voeckler - 3rd Mark Cavendish
Stage 6 – Thor Hushovd
Stage 7 – Brice Feillu
Stage 8 – Luis León Sánchez
Stage 9 – Pierrick Fédrigo
Rest Day
Stage 10 – Mark Cavendish
Stage 11 – Mark Cavendish (regains green for Stage 12)
Stage 12 – Nicki Sørensen
Stage 13 – Heinrich Haussler
Stage 14 – Sergei Ivanov
Stage 15 – Alberto Contador (to wear yellow for Stage 16)
Rest Day
Stage 16 – Mikel Astarloza
Stage 17 – Frank Schleck

(More cycling information from the official Tour de France website.)

Tour de France 2009 – Stage 16 (Martigny – Bourg-Saint-Maurice)

Martigny - Bourg-Saint-Maurice (159 km)

The Aiguille de Midi promise a wonderful view.  (Aiguille is French for Needle, which is very appropriate!)  There is a viewing platform perched very high up over a deep cleft between the pinnacles.  We saw some wonderful alpine views today as the riders ascended and then descended both the Grand St Bernard and Petit St Bernard passes, passing from Switzerland, through Italy and back into France once more.

Winner today was Mikel Astarloza part of a four man breakaway for much of the race, but surging ahead within the last 3km to ride solo across the line.  Bradley Wiggins continues to do well and is still third placed overall with the overall placings remaining mostly unchanged from yesterday.  The day, however, was marred by the horrific crash of Jens Voigt on the descent from the Col de Petit St Bernard incurring a fracture of his cheekbone and concussion, forcing him to withdraw.  Serious as this was it could have been so much worse.  A salutory reminder of the risks of this race.

Winners:
Stage 1 – Fabian Cancellara (to wear yellow for Stage 2) – 3rd Bradley Wiggins
Stage 2 – Mark Cavendish (will wear green for Stage 3)
Stage 3 – Mark Cavendish (will wear green for Stage 4)
Stage 4 – Team Astana
Stage 5 – Thomas Voeckler - 3rd Mark Cavendish
Stage 6 – Thor Hushovd
Stage 7 – Brice Feillu
Stage 8 – Luis León Sánchez
Stage 9 – Pierrick Fédrigo
Rest Day
Stage 10 – Mark Cavendish
Stage 11 – Mark Cavendish (regains green for Stage 12)
Stage 12 – Nicki Sørensen
Stage 13 – Heinrich Haussler
Stage 14 – Sergei Ivanov
Stage 15 – Alberto Contador (to wear yellow for Stage 16)
Rest Day
Stage 16 – Mikel Astarloza

(More cycling information from the official Tour de France website.)

Tour de France 2009 – Stage 15 (Pontarlier – Verbier)

Pontarlier – Verbier (207.5 km)

The tour rode across the border into Switzerland and we were treated to some stunning alpine views on the way to the finish at the ski resort of Verbier.  There is a rest day tomorrow, followed by another alpine stage across Switzerland and Italy before returning to France.

The riding today, especially on the final climb, was equally stunning.  Alberto Contador showed his stamina and superiority and could not be caught once he sped away from the pack on the way to the summit.  Several riders  rode almost as hard and it was great to see Bradley Wiggins not only staying with the pursuing group but coming across the line in 5th place several places ahead of Lance Armstrong who came in 9th.  This means that Wiggins is now placed 3rd in the yellow jersey competition behind Contador, who took the overall lead for the first time today, with Lance Armstrong in second place.  The standings for the green jersey remained unchanged at the end of today and following Mark Cavendish’s disqualification and points deduction yesterday it sadly looks as if his bid to win overall is probably now over.

Winners:
Stage 1 – Fabian Cancellara (to wear yellow for Stage 2) – 3rd Bradley Wiggins
Stage 2 – Mark Cavendish (will wear green for Stage 3)
Stage 3 – Mark Cavendish (will wear green for Stage 4)
Stage 4 – Team Astana
Stage 5 – Thomas Voeckler - 3rd Mark Cavendish
Stage 6 – Thor Hushovd
Stage 7 – Brice Feillu
Stage 8 – Luis León Sánchez
Stage 9 – Pierrick Fédrigo
Rest Day
Stage 10 – Mark Cavendish
Stage 11 – Mark Cavendish (regains green for Stage 12)
Stage 12 – Nicki Sørensen
Stage 13 – Heinrich Haussler
Stage 14 – Sergei Ivanov
Stage 15 – Alberto Contador (to wear yellow for Stage 16)

(More cycling information from the official Tour de France website.)

Tour de France 2009 – Stage 14 (Colmar – Besançon)

Colmar – Besançon (199 km)

A much better weather day today, though initially there were some very overcast skies.  We saw some beautiful views of the River Doubs, alongside which the tour rode for much of the race.  The finish was at Becançon, situated on a large bend in the river and overlooked by an impressive citadel built by Vauban.  I stayed here many years ago but remember very little and until seeing the aerial shots today I had no idea how worthy the town of Becançon is of a second visit.

The day was marred by two events.  Firstly there was tragedy with a race spectator losing her life following a collision with an outriding motorcycle.  There have been near misses before and this was an accident waiting to happen.  The organisers urgently need to look to see if there are any safety improvements that can be made. The race winner was Russian Sergei Ivanov. Irishman Nicolas Roche crossed the line in second place. The second event was that, following a bunch finish of a group of riders, Mark Cavendish was judged to have impeded green jersey holder Thor Hushovd on the line in a race for the valuable points. As a result Cavendish was disqualified from today’s race, losing all his points for the day. This could well be disasterous to his chance of being overall winner of the coveted green jersey at the finish of the Tour in Paris. He has a hard and uphill task ahead, quite literally in the next few days as the Tour moves into the Alpine stages.  We continue to watch Briton Bradley Wiggins with interest.  He is still doing well and is currently in 6th place in the yellow jersey competition and is being spoken of as a possible contender for a podium place in Paris, which would be terrific.

Winners:
Stage 1 – Fabian Cancellara (to wear yellow for Stage 2) – 3rd Bradley Wiggins
Stage 2 – Mark Cavendish (will wear green for Stage 3)
Stage 3 – Mark Cavendish (will wear green for Stage 4)
Stage 4 – Team Astana
Stage 5 – Thomas Voeckler - 3rd Mark Cavendish
Stage 6 – Thor Hushovd
Stage 7 – Brice Feillu
Stage 8 – Luis León Sánchez
Stage 9 – Pierrick Fédrigo
Rest Day
Stage 10 – Mark Cavendish
Stage 11 – Mark Cavendish (regains green for Stage 12)
Stage 12 – Nicki Sørensen
Stage 13 – Heinrich Haussler
Stage 14 – Sergei Ivanov

(More cycling information from the official Tour de France website.)