That’s the 2009 Michelin guide out and as well as being delighted to gain entry for the first time, we’re over the moon that they’ve given us a red symbol which indicates, warm pleasant service and surroundings. We are also pleased for the ‘Albannach’ in Lochinver, and ‘Sangsters’ in Fife to get their first, highly coveted Michelin star, I say well done them.

Our son Ashley’s latest book ‘The Knight Templar’ will be launched around Easter this year, it’s always nice to have something to look forward to, especially when we’re in the midst of so much doom and gloom,

It was a great night in the Galley when we welcomed “Colin Mackenzie and Andrew (big Andy) Sutherland from Helmsdale, It was only after being reminded by Colin the fact that when I joined them at the table, there was three Chieftain’s (Helmsdale Highland Games) sitting around the table, it is perhaps an indication that we are all getting older because I remember a day, the bottle of whisky would be plonked in the middle of the table, and not one of us would have remember even sitting together.

What a fantastic end to a fantastic year, I said in September how pleased we were to welcome our first wedding at the Galley, and as 2009 goes out we have welcomed an engagement party, not to mention the numerous anniversaries, birthday’s and peoples other important milestones.

Quota talks in Brussels were the usual horse trading session, I feel so sorry for fishermen whose livelihoods and worldly investments are decided annually by the whim of a Politician, (what a scary thought) the most important aspect is to conserve stocks, and that fact gets side line. I fail to understand why cannot the Icelandic approach of 10 year cycles, allowing long term planning for all affected parties.

I was so impressed with the high quality of food throughout each region of Italy that we visited. Never should anyone imagine Italian cuisine is only about pasta, their variety of cheeses, salamis, prosciutto plethora of various hams, parma being only one, has left me more than impressed, I will most certainly be spend more time there wherever the chance opportunity arises.

Well folks the occasion was the ‘Terra Madre’ (Latin words meaning Mother Earth) World Conference for Food Communities, organised by the Slow Food Organisation, the venue was Turin Italy, I found it a life changing experience.