I have a feeling that this gorgeous old man has been reading his morning paper in that exact same spot for the last fifty years. If only those old stone walls could speak. I wonder what they would say?

We were only in Nice for a couple of nights yet I had several things on my 'to- do-eat' list. High on the list was the Cours Saleya Market in the heart of Old Town. Hence, this popular meeting place and open-air market sells fresh flowers, outstanding produce, artisan products and live poultry sourced directly from neighboring farms.

I'm sure there were lots of lovely fresh flowers at this world famous market, but I was there for different reasons. I was on a mission for the perfect croissant to go with my café au lait. You'll be pleased to know that not only did I find the perfect croissant, but I also managed to find an abundance of cheese, freshly baked bread, locally cured olives, forest mushrooms, fruit confits and marzipan and a whole host of other utterly divine edible treats.

Last Sunday I decided to take the plunge and set up a flickr account. Yes I know, I procrastinate and dally about the obvious, but like I said to my dear friend Lenny 'I'm a slow learner, but my uptake is huge'. So here's a little slide show of a year in food at Gourmet Worrier, well almost a year.

I have said it before and I will say it again, I believe that the Italian's are some of the most convivial and passionate people out there. They have an intrinsic understanding of one of life's most vital tenets, and that is, that food is to be shared. Basic attributes such as bounty, openness, generosity, community and mutuality are the essential principles that should undergird both our kitchens and tables. Irrespective of where the exchange takes place, be it around an actual, physical table amongst family and friends or online via a social network, I have always found the Italian's to be consistently pleasant, amiable, genuine and extremely satisfying!

I recently gifted myself with my very own ice cream machine. The minute I walked out of the store I knew exactly what recipe I wanted to try first - Marcella Hazan's world famous 'Gelato di Cioccolato del Cipriani'. Hence, I first came across this recipe years ago in Nigella Lawson's book How to Eat where she rightly declared it to be  - 'the world's best chocolate ice cream'.

Barri Gòtic - the 'Gothic Quarter' is the centre of the old city of Barcelona. It stretches from La Rambla to Via Laietana, and from the Mediterranean seafront to Ronda de Sant Pere. Many of the buildings date back to the Medieval times and some as far back as the Roman settlement of Barcelona.

One of the first places I dragged Gillian to was Ta'Rikardu in Victoria, which is famous for serving delicious local Gozitan bread and fresh ġbejna. Ta'Rikardu is a rustic little place situated inside the old Cittadella, next to St Mary's Cathedral. They do a fabulous platter for two of sun-dried tomatoes, olives, capers, onions, fresh tomatoes and ġbejniet that you then drizzle with extra virgin olive oil. The peasant platter is served with a basket of crusty ħobża Maltija - Maltese bread. If you decide to have the platter, then do have a glass (or two) of some of the 'sturdy' local wine.

I find that the minute I board the ferry to the Isle of Calypso, Malta's sister island my heart begins to pound in my chest and I suddenly become charged with emotion. This tiny little island that is only 14 km long and 7.25 km wide has dominated my heart and influenced my life's choices since I first set foot on her soil in 1977 as a young and impressionable seven-year-old girl.

I clearly expressed to Huxley that I did not want a birthday party this year as I have just had three weeks of childfree, party time in Mediterranean. I should have known that he would ignore my wishes and do the complete opposite, but I thought that after sixteen years of marriage he would have realised that I loathe surprises and that I can't bear being the centre of attention.

So what did he do last night?  He organised a surprise birthday party at our house of course! What was even more frustrating was that I was clueless to the fact that both he and the children were up to something and consequently I was utterly duped!

I waved Hoover and Fussy off at the front door last night as they stood there bathed and clean and ready for bed in their flannelette pyjama's. Hence, the last thing I suspected upon my return home after a quiet dinner with my colluding girlfriends, was to be greeted at the door by my glamorous, frocked up four year old daughter who then led me by the hand into a house full of people ready to party!



So thanks Corrie, Jacqueline, Yolanda and Ava for conspiring with Huxley against me and for managing to pull the wool over the eyes of the most controlling of control freaks. I love each and all of you despite your power, corruption and lies. And I love all your gorgeous gifts - you really shouldn't have.

May the road ahead be paved with good Martinis!

We were fortunate enough to have had three weeks in three stunning countries, well four countries if you agree with the local distinction that Malta & Gozo are in fact two different countries. There were many magnificent meals, some incredible food experiences and I thoroughly enjoyed and savoured every mouth full and every last bite.

Before we left Melbourne I made a vow with my travelling companions that time was precious and we could not afford to have a bad food experience.  Malta, Spain and France did not disappoint us. There was only one slight hiccup, but you can read about that disastrous food experience here in your own leisure time.



As I flick through the four thousand odd photos that I took of my recent travels I am instantly flooded with countless food and travel memories. To my utter joy and delight I was fortunate enough to have connected with some wonderful people along the way. As a direct result, several unexpected friendships and alliances have since ensued.

I so wish that we could sit down over a cup of coffee and just chat for a couple of hours as I have so many things I want to share with you. Instead you have to bear with me as I attempt to resume life, as I knew it. Hence, as jet lag becomes a thing of the past and this weekend's birthday celebrations are well and truly over I will attempt to begin to chronicle and share with you in both word and image the amazing experiences I have had over the next little while.