Lesley

We met in the seventies, when we both trained to be teachers of Art.  Allan specialising in painting, and I focussed on handicrafts. Allan also trained to teach History and PE, whilst French was my other main subject.  After a brief spell travelling (working as a stewardess for Laker Airways), I entered a rewarding teaching career working with pupils with medical and psychological difficulties.   I also had regular opportunities to teach French.

My interest in food happened quite by accident on a trip to France when I was thirteen.  Our car broke down outside a little cottage on a quiet lane in Brittany and it changed my life.  The French family living there couldn’t have been more helpful.  It took five weeks for the car parts to arrive and in that time we were driven around the beautiful countryside and coastline and Monsieur took it upon himself to coordinate the import of car parts and liase with the garage.  Madame cooked us the most mouth-watering eight course banquets on very regular occasions.  I particularly remember her delectable “sorrel soup”.  She showed us her sorrel plant by means of explanation and I thought I was eating dock leaves.  It was delicious, however, and I looked forward, with relish, to every invitation.  Her range of jars and bottles fascinated me, each housing some tasty treat, and I was especially drawn to the fruits from the garden and hedgerows, steeping in Eau-de-Vie.  Even at thirteen, I was allowed this special treat at the end of a meal. Now my own guests are invited to try my homemade liqueurs, figs bottled in Muscat wine and next year, my own hand salted, air-dried ham (drying conditions permitting).