Your Pictures part one….
It’s your blog!
A few months ago I wrote about how nice it would be for anyone reading this blog to contribute photographs of people, places, food, anything really which was important to them or offered other readers a small insight into their lives, way of thinking etc.
You may recall Xenny sending a great photo of his favourite beach in South Africa, we weren’t jealous at all of him having that on his doorstep, anyway I did issue him with a banning order if he ever sent photos of sun and blue skies again 
We have some great comments on here now and your contributons are gratefully accepted, I know you are all busy making Sharon’s coconut tarts today so whilst you’re at it here’s a couple of photos from one of the blog’s first ever visitors, the lovely Cid.
Should any of you wish to contribute please contact me at miles@gourmetfoodsource.net with your photos and a little background info, I’d love to hear from you.
Back from a trip to London and more especially Chinatown she kindly sent me these great photographs. It’s Melissa’s turn next so come on boys, don’t be shy 
I’ll leave it to Cid to elaborate further on the photographs, thanks Cid. Over to you….
Cid,
You have no idea how close you are to becoming my new best friend. I read the link to your macaroon recipe that Miles provided here and was thrilled to find that it is naturally gluten-free. I immediately lifted it from the post and will try it soon. Then I had to figure out who Elizabeth David was and became fascinated with that thread.
Now — is the man in photo #1 yawning, singing opera, or did he catch a glimpse of you through the window wearing your yellow leggings and faux leopard all-terrain slippers?
:-)
Very interesting post, Miles and Cid. Thank you! Another wonderful start to my day.
Melissa
March 1, 2009 @ 12:25 pm
Cid,
. Trust you to spot those macaroons. Did you buy them just in case you get too hungry during your dieting and are on the point of collapse?
Great photos. No doubt you bought the lot to invite us all round
Elsie
March 1, 2009 @ 5:26 pm
Miles and the Gang…..
My trip to London was short and sweet, (like my beloved macaron!) but while I had time on my hands I took a walk through the Burlington Arcade (take a look on line, it’s a fine building). You never know what you are going to find there and I could fill a blog post with that alone…. suffice to say it held only the one English eccentric (plus me of course
) this time. He must have been well over six feet tall, skinny and wearing a truly unique tweed suit beautifully tailored, the trousers ending somewhere between knee and calf and presumably very long socks (please contact Rod for sock etiquette) …. pity he moved so swiftly, I could have done with taking a closer look, instead his round leather bag caught my eye just before he disappeared. Still, on with the tale…. at the Piccadilli end of the arcade is a tiny gilded Laduree complete with window full of macaron. I ventured in and purchased the box you see above, filled with treasure. Although I hate to admit it, they really do taste divine which has spurred me on to make another batch only this time with more attention to the filling.
Early evening and time to look for somewhere to eat and with China Town just round the corner, it seemed like the obvious choice…. and yes, I did have the roast duck! This photograph was taken a few doors down where the streets were full of people milling about enjoying a fine spring evening and some excellent Chinese food. For the benefit of Melissa, I can’t say it was the leggings or my all terrain faux leopard’s that led to our friend’s look of astonishment…. more likely he just spotted that tall guy with the crazy suit and bowling bag which had much the same effect of me
Moving on, it was time to drop in on James McAvoy at the theatre in Three Days of Rain. A real treat and the best seat I’ve ever had in a theatre…. lucky for Mr McAvoy that he was just out of reach
I must have walked for miles, my feet and legs ached and for some reason I never feel like I look my best in London…. no matter what I choose to wear, it’s never smart enough and my hair, by the end of it always looks like that scene in Bridget Jones after she’s been in that open top sports car
I could go on because there were other culinary delights but alas no photographic evidence which in retrospect was a mistake. The Italian joint on Wardour Street found by happy accident was a revelation and worthy of mention here. It had counters full of sweet and savoury dishes, every one a delight to the eye… so much so I held up traffic while I studied each tray. It was the only place on the street brimming with people, all queuing for a plate of fabulous food. The dessert end was more like a French patisserie and the interior very contemporary.
I could go on because there’s a chapter on Covent Garden, but that might have to wait because it’s getting late and I must have a quick word with Melissa about the technicalities of making macaron before she attempts a batch in the middle of the night
Cid
March 1, 2009 @ 9:58 pm
Melissa,
We covered macaron some time ago and I’ve since found out that the mixture should ‘puddle’ and relax on the baking parchment for thirty minutes or so before baking. The first batch I made was too stiff and subsquently formed peaks which didn’t look like the classic macaron shape.
If you look closely at the photograph above it shows the bubbly ‘feet’ as the French call it, of the base of each macaron. That’s important… without ‘feet’ they’re not macaron…. by the time I acheived ‘feet’ for the first time, I let out a scream of delight and relief
Happy baking and let us know how you get on. There’s lots of information available on flavours and techniques and I fancy having another go at Easter time when I can relax the diet just a little!
Cid
March 1, 2009 @ 10:08 pm
Elsie,
I was travelling on a London bus (a number 22 in fact
) when traffic caused us to halt outside the sparkling Laduree…. fate indeed. So when I had the chance to hop off and pop in, I grabbed it. Sadly I must admit to buying the matching bag as well which only fuels my obsession…. it now sits on the side in the kitchen taunting me which its giant macaron image. Any teeth marks on the bag are purely coin’cid’ental 
Cid
March 1, 2009 @ 10:20 pm
Cid,
An absolute joy to read, thank you.
You have managed to encapusulate all that I have hoped for in sharing my blog with all of you.
I think it’s great, I really do.
Miles
March 1, 2009 @ 10:36 pm
Thank you so much, Miles, for allowing us glimpses, through your blog, into other parts of this wide and wonderful world of ours. Cid, absolutely brilliant! I loved your commentary; your words have really painted the picture very well
In my mind’s eye i’m likening the tweed-clad chap in the Burlington Arcade to many a character penned by Dickens. Thank you for your excellent writing 
March 2, 2009 @ 4:13 pm
Cid,
A fabulous description of your latest excursion. I bet that you will hit that No. 22 bus again! Will your next macaroon fillings give them yellow socks on their ‘feet’?
I can’t get you and the Bridget Jones image out of my head
Elsie
March 2, 2009 @ 4:53 pm
Xenny,
It’s great isn’t it? I think it’s very important to get a glimpse of other countries from a ‘real’ person’s perspective and not what the media would have us believe.
Miles
March 2, 2009 @ 6:23 pm