by Caspar Bowes

I headed off to La Mission Haut Brion mid-morning fully realising that my timing would make me early for my appointment there, but also mindful of the fact that a solo taster such as myself can often wangle an off-the-cuff slot at the drop of a hat. So it was that, in short order, I found myself bef…

Substituting a roof for a snowy slope: a St Bernard at LamarqueMy third day in Bordeaux has dawned bright: a pleasant change from the dank clouds that have overhung the region since my arrival. There will be better opportunities for photography today, I feel.Yesterday saw continued frenetic activity…

I have completed day one. I must say that I am pretty much tuckered out. A late flight from Gatwick; a long wait at an Avis car hire desk; a belated bedside light snuffing out at gone midnight: all have contrived to make my current state one of physical depletion.There's most likely a touch of menta…

A Worcs walk the morning after a fine mealWe drove, two days ago, up to a fine old rectory near Pershore for dinner-and-the-night with friends from the Borders. The rectory - his parents' house - located in the Vale of Evesham with the far hedge of the Malvern Hills clearly visible in the distance.D…

I have omitted to write up a couple of exceptionally fine meals that I enjoyed during my recent stay in Singapore.I had never been to Sentosa before, but the removal of St Pierre, one of Singapore's finer and longest-standing eating establishments, to Ocean Way on the island gave cause for a visit, …