Celebrating World Gin Day!

June 17, 2014 by TartanJogger ♥ 19 Comments

I mentioned yesterday that @TheWelshWookie and I had been to one of our very favourite places on Saturday: Portavadie Marina.

We were looking for any excuse, really, to take a trip on the new hybrid ferry, MV Lochinvar 😉 What better excuse than to go for lunch – and celebrate World Gin Day – at Portavadie!

The weather was absolutely beautiful: it was gloriously sunny as we strolled down to the ferry terminal. We popped into a few shops on the way, buying bottle of white grape & elderflower presse for adding to gin later on in the evening.

The first thing we noticed about the new ferry was how quiet she was! The engine, being a hybrid, merely purred, making for such a pleasant journey. The interior lounge has much more seating than before, and there are two observation areas with seating on the upper decks. Impressive!

We arrived at Portavadie, and walked around to the marina. We saw that construction is now under way on the leisure complex: I can’t wait until the pool and its facilities are built!

As we entered the restaurant, we were greeted by Chris, who’s service is always fantastic. We took a seat on the sofas while we perused the lunch menu, and ordered a Botanist gin each. Oh, my. It’s definitely my absolute favourite gin of the moment: it’s from Islay, which is much more famous for its whisky. We had a chat with Ian, the General Manager, and it was so great to hear of the future plans for Portavadie: it’s exciting times ahead!

When we were ready we were seated for lunch. Most of the other guests had opted to sit outside, but I much prefer to eat indoors (I’m weird, I know). I had the smoked haddock with mustard potato salad and pancetta crisp; @TheWelshWookie had Tarbert scallops with black pudding and roasted potatoes. Both were -ma-zing!

Of course, we also had dessert. I had a white chocolate mousse with mini toffee apples and raspberry sorbet; @TheWookie had pineapple crumble with coconut ice cream. Yum.

After taking a stroll around the marina, having a look in the shop (of course), we had another G&T before heading home on the ferry.

We had a fabulous day, as ever!

Did you celebrate World Gin Day on Saturday? Do you prefer to eat indoors or outdoors?

Cleanin’, Eatin’, Readin’

February 1, 2014 by TartanJogger ♥ 26 Comments

That just about sums up my Saturday!

@TheWelshWookie and I got stuck in to domestic duties this morning, with a spring clean of the living room and bathroom. I’m pleased to report that I have sparking surfaces, and TheWookie managed, at long last, to rid the carpet of the large wax stain caused by a slight candle meltdown incident a while back 😉

We were finished in time to enjoy some lunch before the beginning of the Six Nations rugby. I had some vegetable biryani: delish!

As I’m sure you can tell by his twitter handle, @TheWelshWookie feels rather strongly about Welsh rugby 😉 So, while he was glued to the TV, I half watched, and spent the afternoon catching up on the past couple of month’s Women’s Running and Women’s Health magazines. I had already had a quick scan through these, but it’s lovely to have time to sit, mug of tea in hand, and really read them.

I also had a slice of my grandma’s Jock’s Loaf:

It is amazing!

There’s a couple of interesting articles in them, I thought I’d share:

Tonight, we’re having some lovely salmon for dinner, and perhaps a glass of vino. Well, a girl’s got to fortify herself to finish the spring cleaning: tomorrow, it’s the turn of the bedrooms 😉

When was the last time you had some quiet reading time? What did you read?

Tasty Tuesday

January 28, 2014 by TartanJogger ♥ 13 Comments

I’m still trying to keep on top of my eating, and yesterday I shared a pic of the sea bass I had at The Sister’s restaurant.

Here’s some more of my yummy recent treats!

Yes, I think I AM addicted to these Food Doctor pots:

Yet more yummy salmon salad:

A mid week, home made turkey and mushroom curry with wholegrain rice:

A ‘good girl’ dessert:

Here’s the fillet steak I had recently at The Grill on the Corner. We had it with a side of brussel sprouts. Yummy, yum!

What have you been eating recently?

A Day of Deliciousness

January 18, 2014 by TartanJogger ♥ 22 Comments

Although this is mainly a running blog, and I try to keep it focussed on running and eating well, ~~sometimes~~ lots of times, my life creeps in!

I’m sure that might bore some of you, and I’m sorry about that, but hey- it’s my blog 😉

So, after that intro, I think I’d better warn you. In twelve week’s time, I’ll be married. And so, that means some of my posts might include wedding talk over the coming couple of months (yawn, I hear you say!).

Today has been a day of getting organised. We only set the date back in late October, and although we have booked the main things, not many of the details have been ironed out. Hence, today is planning day! 😮

I’m trying not to turn into Bridezilla!

Of course, it also means that I have a fancy frock to fit into. And so, the healthy eating has been moved right back to the top of my agenda, where it should be! Last night I had a fab salmon salad for dinner. It was amazing! I had it with a couple of new potatoes, some chilli beetroot and light coleslaw.

So far today, I’ve had a breakfast smoothie, with strawberries, raspberries, yoghurt, chia, flax and protein powder:

Followed by another delicious Food Doctor pot for lunch:

And we have a lean pork casserole in the slow cooker for dinner. It’s smelling yummy!

What’s on your menu today? Any wedding tips you’d like to share?

Festive Food

January 1, 2014 by TartanJogger ♥ 10 Comments

Ok, so I’ve eaten well over the past couple of weeks. Very well, actually.

Wanna see?

Season’s Eatings!

December 12, 2013 by TartanJogger ♥ 15 Comments

Happy mic check day!

1-2; 1-2: get it?

no, not that….. never mind…..

I’m sorry, I seem to be overdosing on Christmas posts: I promise I’ll do my best to throw some running into the blog mix soon! 😮

Tonight, we had our first festive dinner. It was delish. I tried my best to fill my plate with veggies, and I limited my pigs-in-blanket to two, and I only had one stuffing ball. Sprouts are my absolute favourite. I’d happily eat them all the time.

I did add gravy after this, though 😉

I was stuffed. It was a big plate! But still, that didn’t stop me from polishing off this too:

White chocolate, raspberry & marshmallow cheesecake. Just a small slice!

Now I plan to be good. Ish. Until I hit Glasgow for lunch with my mum tomorrow, that is……

Have you begun your Christmas feasting early?

Almost St. Andrew’s

November 24, 2013November 24, 2013 by TartanJogger ♥ 16 Comments

On our drive home today, I was thinking about the coming week: with Thanksgiving, followed by St. Andrew’s day on Saturday. As @TheWelshWookie and I will be in Coventry this weekend, I thought we’d better have haggis at some point this week, since we won’t have it on Saturday.
And so, we stopped off at the George Hotel in Inveraray for dinner. And what did I have? Oh, there was only one thing on my mind: haggis, neeps ‘n’ tatties, with a green peppercorn sauce. Yummy. Very winter-warming!

In keeping with foods with an ‘n’ in the name, @TheWelshWookie has fish ‘n’ chips:

We’re now home. And I’m road testing my new slipper socks…

I hope you’re having a comfy, cozy Sunday. Did you have a busy weekend or a quiet one?

Bangers ‘n’ Beans

November 3, 2013 by TartanJogger ♥ 13 Comments

It’s that time of year: midway between Hallowe’en and Guy Fawkes Night, where the dark, cold sky seems to be filled with the scent of woodburing stoves, coal fires and fireworks.

Tarbert Youth Group had their fireworks display on Friday night, and Lochgilphead’s Lantern Parade and bonfire was last night.

Here, @TheWelshWookie and I always celebrate with a bowl of amazing Bangers ‘n’ Beans soup:

Ingredients:

4 or 6 sausages (we used mexican chilli sausages this year)

4 or 6 new potatoes- just leave the skin on- chopped

A can of haricot beans

A pint of chicken stock

A carton of passata

Smoked paprika

Dried oregano

Worcestershire sauce

As @TheWelshWookie doesn’t measure, I’m afraid I can’t be specific about quantities. Let’s say ‘to taste’ 🙂

Grill the sausages. Cool slightly and cut into chunks.

In a large pot, add the stock, passata, haricot beans and potatoes and bring to the boil for a minute or two.

Add the paprika, oregano and worcestershire sauce.

Add the sausages. Bring back to the boil.

Simmer for 30 minutes or so.

Enjoy with homemade wholemeal bread.

Delish!

Today’s stats:

Run: 5k

Time: 30:20

Weather: cold and wet, I ran on the treadmill again

Trainers: Nike FreeRun +5

Pile on the Miles so far: 17k

Yum!

October 26, 2013 by TartanJogger ♥ 10 Comments

Last night, as I was making dinner, I realised that it has been a looooong time since I last did a food related post.

And then I realised that I hadn’t really taken many foodie pictures recently. Hmmm. I’ll need to rectify that!

Last night, I had a gorgeous stir fry with zero noodles and honey smoked salmon flakes. It was delicious!

And during a recent visit to the cafe, I had chilli nachos. The portion was massive, but that was not a problem for me 😉

The only other foodie pics I have to share are of a recent pit stop at Subway, where I had a steak ‘n’ cheese on seven grain oat bread. It tasted better than it looked:

And of some pigs ‘n’ blanket crisps. They lasted all of five minutes!

I’ll try to remember to do some better foodie posts, promise!

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Adventures in living well, quotes and very slow running

Tag: yum

Celebrating World Gin Day!

Cleanin’, Eatin’, Readin’

Tasty Tuesday

A Day of Deliciousness

Festive Food

Season’s Eatings!

Almost St. Andrew’s

Bangers ‘n’ Beans

Yum!

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