Friday photo - Snow on the Downs in Bristol

Although the brief cold snap in Bristol that we had over Christmas has now passed and we’re back to the usual grey skies and drizzle, I thought you might enjoy this snowy scene.

I took the photo on my way to work one morning (as I always walk to work, I didn’t have any transport problems like many people) On the Downs - the large open park in North Bristol - I passed this stand of trees. They’re a landmark beloved of teenagers in summer, who congregate under them to chat and have picnics, illegal barbeques and generally hang out. On this morning they were stark against the snowline, and I caught someone passing with walking poles who looked almost like a cross country skier.

What sort of weather are you having this weekend and what sort of weather are you wishing for?

This photo is posted as part of Photo Friday - hosted at Delicious Baby. Head over to Delicious Baby to see all the other Friday photos.

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The Banksy exhibition in Bristol

A while back I wrote a short piece about the Banksy Exhibition that took place back in July and August 2009 at the Bristol City Museum. You may never have heard of Banksy (until now), but here in Bristol he’s big news as the Bristol-born street-artist who made the big time. There are still a few pieces around town of his that I pass on my way to work every day although most of them have long ago been rollered over by the Bristol City Council. If ever Banksy had a major exhibition it was in Bristol that he was going to find an appreciative audience.

When the exhibition opened, the first thing I noticed were the long lines outside the City Museum which I pass on my wasy to work. Being a Banksy fan, I made a mental note to visit as soon as the crowds had died down after the first few days. But the crowds never did die down, bearing in mind that the Museum is free and so was this exhibition. Every day they got longer and longer until the side road was blocked by the queue and had to be closed and signs were put up showing how many hours you’d have to wait.

Banksy exhibition in Bristol Museum

Banksy exhibition in Bristol Museum

What you need to know about Banksy is that he carefully cultivates his anonymity and no-one knows who he really is (except the other street artists he used to hang out with and my son who apparently goes to the same school) The fact that he might be next to you in the queue always adds a little frisson of excitement. Banksy still comes up with the occasional piece of street art but he now seems to have moved on to collectable pieces. There was definitely a thing going on with the Old Masters theme in these Turner-esqe landscapes and the pieces in the gilt frames that were blended in with the other 19th century artwork on the first floor.

Banksy exhibition in Bristol Museum

Banksy exhibition in Bristol Museum

I just love the humour that you find in Banksy’s work, casting a slightly mocking eye over the ’serious’ art world, like this take on a Damien Hurst spotty picture that’s been rollered over, no doubt by one of those rats from Bristol City Council that are a real Banksy trademark.

There’s the patriotic ‘Best of British’ theme but then you realise that the little girl’s wearing a Flak Jacket and the kitchy Americana to the glory of the aerosol. Children often feature in Banksy’s street art when he uses them with irony to make a political or anti-war message.

Banksy exhibition in Bristol Museum

Banksy exhibition in Bristol Museum

I loved the exhibition when I finally visited and it was worth every minute of the wait and I even had to go around a second time to make sure I had all the pictures. It was also refreshing to be in an art exhibition where you could take as many pictures as you liked, as Banksy’s ethos is that art is for the people.

Take a look at the Banksy Website for more of his work.

Crab cakes fit for a Princess at the Mandarin Oriental in London

At the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in London, where I stayed this weekend, I learned that not all Thai Green curries are the same. I’d tried to make my own for my husband’s birthday party in the past and was quite pleased with my efforts - read about my culinary trip to Thailand here.

But the Thai Green curry I ate at the Park restaurant at the Mandarin Oriental, Hyde Park was out of this world with complex flavours of lemon grass,chilli and basil and all those other Thai spices that I don’t know the name of but love the taste. And the prawns in the curry were ginormous, practically lobsters!

As my starter I had crab cakes at the recommendation of the waiter, and they were meaty and flavoursome and seemed to be made almost entirely of crab meat with only some seasonings. Apparently, they were also the late Princess Diana’s favourite when she used to have lunch at the Mandarin Oriental, as she lived at Kensington Palace just across the park. She loved the crab cakes so much that she often had them as a starter and main course and I was also so keen on them that the waiter kindly brought me the recipe ;

Take 100g of finest blue fin crab meat, and season with worcester sauce, mayonnaise, spring onions, tabasco, lemon juice, salt and pepper, then roll in fine breadcrumbs and pan fry. Serve with wilted spinach leaves in a dressing of walnut oil and balsamic vinegar with a fine sprinkling of chopped walnuts.

There, now you can also enjoy crab cakes, fit for a princess!

If you want to eat top class Asian food in the Park restaurant at the Mandarin Oriental, Hyde Park, you’ll have to be quick because nothing stands still at the Mandarin Oriental. In May French chef Daniel Boulud is opening a new wine bar and bistro at Bar Boulud, featuring a modern take on French classics inspired by his culinary roots on the family farm near Lyon. Then the Park restaurant will close to be reborn in the autumn with that magician of the culinary world, Heston Blumenthal at the helm - I wonder how he’ll reinvent afternoon tea overlooking the park?

This was posted at part of Wanderfood Wednesday - head over to enjoy some indian Pizza and other foodie favourites.

P.S. You should know that I was a guest of the Mandarin Oriental as I was there to write an article about the hotel.

P.P.S - If you enjoy my travel tales, photos, videos and podcasts, please don’t forget to vote for me for best European blog over at the 2010 bloggies.

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