Boat trip and Gin tasting

Mom and Dad came to visit this weekend and I took a few days holiday to make it a long weekend. They didn't pick the best weekend weatherise (we are Harris' - we have a weather talent) but we managed to miss most of the rain. 

On the Friday we got the river boat from Hampton Court up to Richmond. The trip was lovely though busier than I expected. It is a beautiful journey even when raining.

A little soggy on the boat

Our river boat

We had a lovely lunch in Richmond by the river. And then sat with a coffee watching it pour down. It slowed when we left and we wondered through the town and did a little shopping. 

On the evening (well late afternoon) we went to the Sipsmith Gin Distillery near Stamford Brook tube station. We had to stop halfway for a coffee due to rain and mom's foot (she is still waling with a stick). The distillery is on a residential street so a bit odd and hard to find. 

But it was probably the best tour I have been on. We got a very nice G&T as sooner as we entered. Which was appreciated. It was all in the distillery room but mom got a seat so we were good.

Inside Sipsmiths.

Welcome drink

We had a talk on the history of gin and the Sipsmith name, followed by a tasting of 4 different gins and an explanation of how gin is made.

Very happy tasting

We all really enjoyed it, and we got a little gin gift at the end.
We spent the evening back at mine watching films and sampling a few more gins. :)

post-Christmas

On Boxing day, we went for our usual walk. This year was Hawkbatch wood near Arley and the weather was much nicer than last year. I didn't take many photos but did get a few selfies. 

View over the reservoir.

Most of the period between Christmas and New Year was quiet, just relaxing and doing a little shopping. On the Friday night we had a gin tasting. (I was hoping my Aunt and Uncle could come, as were they, but they got the sickness bug and colds.)

I had been collecting a bunch of gins, small bottles and tasters, and picked up some of the cheap gins from Lidl and Aldi. Surprisingly one of the Aldi ones (Topaz Blue) was very tasting and only £15.  I also got a bunch of different tonics and garnishes to see what differences these made. (The tonic really does make a huge difference.) 

It was a very good night. :) Mom isn't a great fan of gin but we convinced her to try some. And she liked them. A little too much in one case. (She was not feeling great the next day.)

Gin!

On the Saturday night, dad and I did a pamper session. He does like a good face mask. Again, mom just decided to laugh at us.

Masks.

Mom really enjoyed this bit!

Celia Brooks Food Tour

Last weekend I went on a food tour around the Belgravia and South Kensington area, with a chef/author Celia Brooks the tour started in a chocolate shop called Rococo which some very tasty chocolates. 

Over the road, the second stop was a cheese shop for a short cheese tasting. I did think about getting one cheese but s I am away next week, didn't seem like a good plan however tasty.

Lunch was at a Lebanese restaurant and then to Harrods food hall for a quick trip around and to pick up some macaroons. The food hall is very impressive but after seeing some the prices I wasn't so impressed. £5 for a punt of Strawberries. Insane. 

Harrods macaroons.

They do impressive cakes

Only for the rich

 The last stop was wine tasting. The shop was very cool with a lot of variety.

And they cater to some very rich clients apparently.  This Cristal is worth over £8000. I dared not get any closer, but the feet give some perspective.

After we grabs some bottles and went to a cook shop for a drink and chat. I was very restrained and did not purchase any cooking gadgets. (I refused too look - my kitchen is way too small for anything else and I am saving the last little bit of room for a blender.)

The tour came with some discounts at the shops so I got some chocolate and some gin. They didn't have the one I have been looking for but this one was intriguing. 

new bottle in my gin collection.