That all singing, all dancing, sequin filled, key change time of the year again.... Eurovision!!!!

I know I am a bit late on this post, but it is still May after all, so quite relevant!!


If you know me, there's one thing you will probably know, and if you neither know me or knew of this, then now you will. When it comes to music, I am proud of what I like, whether it's the cheesy music, or the pop, musicals, classical, or indeed...Eurovision. To me, I have many thoughts about this annual event ranging from -England can never win..
-Neighbouring countries will always vote for each other, no matter how much they try to make it not so 
-Key changes are standard 
-I can never guess the winner 
-Awful can sometimes be amazing and so on 


Jedward were my favourites. The song is so catchy, and ever since they appeared on Celebrity Big Brother, I have gone from not being a fan, to actually liking them as personalities, and as Eurovision contestants. They do scream Eurovision to me. And this song is actually quite catchy!! Here are Jedward with their 2012 entry, along with one of my favourites from a previous contest, and of course the ESC 2012 winner. ( I actually like this song, so dancy and I was surprised dancy won!)


Eurovision: Cheese, Key Changes, Really....REALLY?!

Operation 'See more of France/Europe in 2012' continues with...Amsterdam!

I would guess that when you think of Amsterdam, two things come to mind, followed by a couple of other things. Would I be right in thinking that they would be "Weed" and "red light district" followed perhaps by images of Tulips, Clogs, Windmills and even Gouda cheese?! Despite all this, it is also famous for a number of museums. Plus it is also a Capital city, so there is much to see and do. 


I think I fell in love with this City.... It's quite relaxing to be there, and was perfect for a weekend break. I think this was a Bank holiday weekend well spent.


Take a look at this picture, and I dare you to tell me you think otherwise!


Amsterdam: Capital, Netherlands, Red Light District, Canals, Smoking

Oreo Milkshakes??

Alright folks, it looks like (for the zillionth time) that the weather has well and truly made up its mind. It's sunny! Which can only mean that ice-cream, frappacinos and cold milkshakes are needed to chill us down.

Does anyone know where in Paris you can find a decent Oreo Milkshake?? I tried HD Diner, but that has nothing compared to Tinseltown in London!

Saying that, HD diner will make a good substitute..for now. Anyway, I'd be going back from their burgers, that one with the Colorado Burger (Colorado Burger - Steak haché XL grillé à la demande, galette de pomme de terre, poitrine fumée, reblochon, cream cheese. Servi avec frites) is to die for.. or maybe thats because I miss Hash Browns and McDonalds in France doesn't serve them...who knows?!

Oreo Milkshake: Heavenly liquid.

Operation 'See more of France/Europe in 2012" has commenced - Dijon

For a brilliant €18, I took the TER from Paris-Bercy to Dijon for 24hrs in April. I think that's plenty of time to see the basics, and take a few hours to enjoy the wonderful cuisine, with no rush.


I booked a hotel near Gare SNCF Dijon, and the receptionist gave me a map with a planned walking route. So with that, as well as the Chouette Tour, combined with random straying off the map, I had a good (cheap) weekend in Dijon. 


I ate plenty of regional food (Jambon Persillé, Sorbet Cassis, Sauce a la moutarde et bien sur...Escargots de Bourgogne!), and saw the lovely Dijon style architecture, and museums.


I definitely recommend it, if not for the cheap price, but the fact that there are things to do here too. There are plenty of shops (Gal Laf, H&M, Mango etc), restaurants, streets to wander, Museums, and buildings to visit.


This trip has really kickstarted the European travelling bug, and I'm on the look out for more places to vist so if you have any ideas for me..do share!


(More photos will eventually crop up I am sure..but for now I am giving you THREE!)


Dijon: Moutarde, Bourgogne - Boeuf/Escargots, Cassis

Cheese and Bacon is a classic combo, but when you add in puff pastry..Totes Amaze!

Do you remember your school lunches? I would get excited whenever I saw Bacon Cheese Turnover's on the menu. It was by far one of the top 5 favourite school lunches. 

My school had quite enjoyable lunches, you had a choice of 2 meat/fish options, a vegetarian option, or the salad bar. Then a selection of desserts/yogurts/fruits. Not forgetting of course, that Friday was chip day! Chips, Cheese, and a roll - my standard Friday lunch. Yummmmy

Living in London with one of my best friends, we decided to recreate this. We bought puff pastry, bacon and cheese and made the fattest most unhealthy turnovers we could, and this was the result... PURE HEAVEN! 

This is actually making me want to create this...shame I don't have an oven in Paris :(. Anyone want to lend me one? I can pay you back in food??!

Bacon Cheese Turnovers: Not the most healthy dish, pure heaven, memories of school lunches

Recreating that one dish (and failing)

Living in University Halls, one of my best friends made a stir fry. It didn't particularly look appetising, nor did it look like anything special. However, it was. Totally special.

It became the "famous stir fry", the one stir fry all others would have to measure up against. Maybe because over time, we remember things in an exaggerated format, or maybe because it really was the best, it couldn't be re-created.

Some things in life you just have to enjoy for the moment, as you might not experience it again.

Here's a photo of one of the many attempts of trying to re create that. .. Damn, this photo makes me miss stir frys!

Cooking: An. Exact. Science. Unique.