Category Archives: Cooking
It has been a week of climbing hills, giggling dogs, sunshine and smiles washed down with delicious produce from the Taste Islay and Jura food festival. If you passed the pottery yesterday and it was closed it was because I was AWOL in Bowmore Square enjoying the celebrations and feast of flavours that the Taste [...]
It has reached that time of year when life has been getting firmly in the way of blogging. Days seem to be flying by and with so much sunshine it has been a time for happy island adventures. The ‘sun bursting out of the skies’ weather, has led to opportunities for hikes across the wilderness [...]
The ‘Persabus Breakfast Kitchen’ has been working overtime. It started last month. Having just finished clearing away the guests’ dishes, we were sat enjoying a morning coffee when a car rolled into the yard. Out stepped a couple and when the Happy Farmer went out to greet them he found they were from Germany and [...]
The festive season is here. I love the glitter and sparkle of all it brings. Getting shopping done, presents wrapped, Christmas cards posted, mince pies, cakes and puddings baked. Christmas parties and nights out are in order with visits to pantomimes and shows. Carols, concerts, Christmas fayres and festive lunches are hosted as the Islay [...]
I always refer to the Happy Farmer as part of the fixtures and fittings of Islay. He is from one of the oldest families on the island. The Fletchers have been farming on Islay close on 500 years. If you have ever had the pleasure of meeting him, you will know what a character he [...]
I exit to the mainland, leaving the Happy Farmer to ‘sail the good ship Persabus’. There are the usual tasks, changeovers to be organised. Breakfasts to be cooked. Pottery orders to be posted out. Kiln firings to be completed, together with farming duties, oh and a shelter to be built for the horses. In my [...]
I have been having the most incredibly spicy times with the Happy Farmer recently. His favourite national dish is curry. He was the first person to introduce me to the delights of a Glasgow curry, many years ago. Such was his love of a good Indian meal, when visiting the city, he could quite easily [...]
We have been thoroughly spoilt this past week. Lovely guests, hearty craic and the most amazing local produce. The Happy Farmer has been on his ‘adopt a tourist’ scheme. Thursday evening saw a gathering of friends grow into a larger party when our lovely guests were able to join us for an absolute banquet of [...]
Yesterday the sea was calling. Island living is at its very best when we have seemingly endless days of sunshine and hot weather. I suggested to the Happy Farmer and his cousin that we head to the beach and try our hand at ‘cockling’. Ever since I was treated to steamed cockles on hot buttered [...]
The heat is on at Persabus. Temperatures have been soaring and the island has been bathed in golden sunshine and boasting the most amazing vibrant sunsets. When the pottery closes, the car is packed with dogs and beach bag, and we head for the sea. An after-work swim in the cool ocean waters is just [...]
