It was fantastic to have the Dampney's in my home once again, but in addition to Hugh & Janet there was a first visitation of their son Daryl and his lady Cath. I felt that the whole evening went swimmingly well, but for me the highlight of the whole proceedings was just how much we all LAUGHED!
It will also give me great pleasure to recommend a couple of wines which in everyone's opinion complimented the food to the full. Both were bought on a trial basis, with the first also being of novelty value. A label with a picture of a Southern Right Whale was always going to attract, but given the grape was Sauvignon Blanc thought to be a perfect tipple to serve with the Tuna Mediterranean Salad. No question, it was certainly the 2007 Charlie Herring Tau Syrah with the Beef Wellington a la Bagsy complete with Dorset course pate, shiitake mushrooms and shallots, but the pudding was the pièce de résistance.
The Cassata, which I have only attempted twice before, was greeted with a little bewilderment, and as I'd made a right royal hash of the Belgian Chocolate Sauce decoration it was total reliance on the taste. Chateau Jolys (2008) a completely new vineyard to me, not quite as unctuous and sweet as Sauternes, but nevertheless perfect with the soft ice cream and candied fruits within. Hugh also observed that it would be ideal with Foie Gras - unanimously agreed and due for trial very soon!Not surprisingly, a little late to rise this morning it was 08:00 before I left the house for a direct ride to Portland Bill. The weather now seems to have broken for at least the next few days, with wind speed increasing to 'gale force', sky completely obscured and a continuous threat of rain.
At the Bill, almost immediately this Purple Sandpiper appeared from nowhere
and by the fact it was unsettled, kind of gave the feeling it may well have just arrived from an Icelandic breeding ground. My first of the Autumn.
Otherwise, there was precious little else except for a few Pied Wagtails on the ground and even fewer Swallows passing overhead.
At the Observatory there were 2 very interesting Moths on show, neither of which had I seen before, but then came my second cock up in as many days. Even with the assistance of those around me, I still managed to make a complete disaster of photographing each with my images being unprintable. Therefore, with permission. I have 'borrowed' those of The Warden, Martin Cade to illustrate these little beauties.
Golden Twin-spot
and Hymenia recurvalis a 'rare' Moth that comes from the Tropical climbs.Finally, after exactly one full calender month, we can welcome our next and 153rd country to the readership, by way of Monaco. One of only 5 countries I have yet to visit in Europe, it is only a matter of time before this is rectified. However you came by the 'link', it would be greatly appreciated if you would pass it on to all and any of your county-folk.
WELCOME & THANK YOU!
 | 2 | 0.01% | Monaco |  | |
| 2 | 0.01% | Malawi |  | |
| 2 | 0.01% | Nepal |  | |
| 2 | 0.01% | Gabon |  | |
| 2 | 0.01% | Uganda |  | |
| 2 | 0.01% | Luxembourg |  | |
| 1 | 0.00% | Brunei Darussalam | ||
| 1 | 0.00% | Tanzania, United Republic Of |  | |
| 1 | 0.00% | Macao |  | |
| 1 | 0.00% | Bolivia |  | |
| 1 | 0.00% | Maldives |  | |
| 1 | 0.00% | Gibraltar |  | |
| 1 | 0.00% | Ghana |  | |
| 1 | 0.00% | Morocco |  | |
| 1 | 0.00% | Isle Of Man |  | |
| 1 | 0.00% | Cameroon |  | |
| 1 | 0.00% | Albania |  |
