2007 in Review
A year in food and photography
I was going to write a list of the good and the bad of 2007 but as I am not one to dwell on negativity (such as BMW car repairs) this is all about the good things to have happened to me directly or indirectly, if I’ve forgotten something then I apologise.
The most interesting part of the year was the four months I spent photographing herbs for a forthcoming book to be published in the United States. Not only was it great to do from a photographic point of view but also because I was able to grow and visually document a large variety of herbs which proved to be a great learning curve. Despite the horrendous English summer I managed to grow and photograph most of the requested stock and now have a friend from the US to talk about all things herbal.
Talking of American friends, I have really enjoyed reading the accounts of Karen Coates and Jerry Redfearn at Rambling Spoon. Having left their home in Northern Thailand to relocate to the US and then set off to travel across India all in the same year is some achievement even by their standards. Their written and photographic accounts provide an invaluable source of information for anyone interested in this region of the world, and, all the more remarkable is that we get it for free.
It was a good year for cooking wild food, again the weather didn’t help but I learnt a lot and enjoyed putting on the menu among other things; wild garlic, leeks, sorrel, watercress, asparagus, sea purslane, hogweed, elder shoots, nettles, cow berries, hawthorn, samphire, sea lettuce, elderberry, alexanders etc, etc…
The British food guide, the AA Restaurant Guide awarded me with two AA rosettes for food quality this year, an enjoyable moment and a just reward for my staff.
A good year for photography in general, the Canon EOS 5D has proved to be a remarkable camera with the addition of some superb L-series lenses I am looking forward to using them in 2008.
The kitchen garden has taken a turn for the better with the addition of three polytunnels and a hot house which will be used for growing and photographing varietal, though mostly Asian herbs, salads and vegetables.
There were two birthdays of note this year, and at both ends of the scale with a wonderful lunch and get together to mark my father’s 80th birthday and later in the year the first birthday of my Godson, Taylor.
Finally, the start of this blog to run alongside my food website. It has been a truly rewarding experience, I have learnt a lot (thanks to my brother’s patience) and look forward to more interesting times and blog posts ahead as a result of it.
Not a bad year, all in all. Roll on 2008!
Let’s hope 2008 is as good for you
The kitchen garden has taken a turn for the better with the addition of three polytunnels and a hot house
That sounds more like a smallholding - I’m jealous !
December 29, 2007 @ 9:34 am
Miles,
I feel it’s just a matter of time before the humming birds start to appear in that hot house!
The work you put into your own garden will hopefully have a knock on affect for us all…. goodness knows my garden is due a make-over and I’ve got the designer wellies so no excuse really. This year for me it’s been about plumbing, electrics and building. Next year we look forward to pruning and planting which is so good for the soul and waist-line in equal proportions with any luck
Cid
December 29, 2007 @ 11:59 am
Miles,
There are no complaints from the Nean household about this year. We have enjoyed family, friends old and new and travel.
Coming across your blog has been a great inspiration and I look forward to more of your great stories, recipes and photographs.
The best of luck for the New Year to you and all your readers and happy cooking and gardening all round.
Elsie
December 29, 2007 @ 2:40 pm
Rod,
You wouldn’t be jealous if you had to dig it!
Miles
December 29, 2007 @ 5:11 pm
Cid,
The health police do reccomend gardening as a good form of excercise so you have no excuse now!
Miles
December 29, 2007 @ 5:12 pm
Elsie,
Glad to hear it’s been a good year for you also. Best wishes for 2008.
Miles
December 29, 2007 @ 5:13 pm
Miles,
It has been a funny sort of year one way or another. I shall approach the New Year with a fresh look and possibly surprise myself.
I wish you a good New Year with your photography. Who knows what you will find with your new probing lens-can’t wait.:)
Happy New Year to you and yours and all your blog participants.
Christine
December 29, 2007 @ 7:48 pm