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Costoluto Fiorentino , the huge befsteak tomatoes are not really bush types but actually vine tomatoes that could extend for up to 4 feet.

Gulp

A delicious Italian variety ideal for salads or cooking.

Tall, vigorous plants start to fruit early, and it’s a steady producer, cropping over a long period. Gives a heavy yield of huge, juicy, ribbed red fruit over a long season.

Brought to you from the gardeners of Florence.

Fat, red & ribbed, tall vine.

Note: This really is a very good tomato, with high yields of very big fruit. And others agree. In fact, those of you who read ‘Garden Answers’ Magazine may have seen a full page advert for a new ‘Miracle’ tomato last year, at the outrageous price of almost £4 a packet. If you read the small print you’ll see that the variety they were offering was actually ‘Costoluto Fiorentino’

Indie meets techno meets Fatboy Mad and new software.

Regards to Fee , The Bros Denning & Smiley & TSL [ USA ] For being my test audience.

One Of Two I have managed to finish today.

This is the smaller of the two. 11:54 minutes

powered by ODEO

Before I forget Hippy Burpday Matron

Whilst I was travelling I encountered many styles and flavours from all my hosts.

Japanese / Thai / Chinese / German / Aussie ???

But the wonderful sea food restaurant owned and managed by a friend of HKH called Martin was without doubt the tops.

Something I’m never likely to experience again.

So it got me thinking what can I come up with for a soup that will suit the palettes of my hosts.

Butternut Squash, Crab & Chilli is the result.

Serves 4

1 1/2 tablespoons Olive Oil
1 Medium Onion , finely chopped
1 Clove Garlic , Crushed
1 Medium Butternut Squash , roughly chopped
1 Stick Lemongrass
Pinch of Chilli Flakes
500ml veggie Stock
140ml Coconut Milk
120g ( 4 1/4 oz.. ) White Crab plus brine if using tinned
1 Tablespoon Fresh Coriander , chopped

Freshly Cracked Black Pepper

Squeeze Of Lime

Heat oil in the pan , add onion , garlic , butternut squash , cook gently approx. 10 mins.

Peel the tough outer skins of the lemongrass , bash and bruise to release the oils then add this with the chilli flakes to the pan and fry approx. 10 mins

Add the stock , bring to boil , cover and simmer gently until squash is cooked.

Cool a little and remove the lemon grass.

Blend until smooth.

Add coconut milk, crab meat and most of the coriander.

Season to taste , reheat for approx. 5 mins.

Add a squeeze of lime to taste , sprinkle with remainder of coriander and serve.

Consume.

FAO : Junya & Thomas : Maybe Kaffir Lime leaves could be added with the lemon grass.

FAO : HKH : It’s something different for you to try out on Martin when you next host him.

A HDR version of Katoomba : Kato San , this is why I take 3 shots at the same time so when they are all blended they give you a HD version of an otherwise standard photo.

It’s a shock to the system to say the least.

Returning from the Sun in Sydney and Australia and the erratic sunshine in Hong Kong.

I returned to a glorious day , I thought wrongly heralding the start of Spring and then overnight , snow.

What’s that all about ?

All good things come to an end and I would like to say thanks to all my wonderful hosts throughout this whole journey. In no particular order.

Dave Ward & Family

HKH & Family – After many years of badgering I made it.
If I ever win the lottery , I want a coffee machine like yours.
Cheers Big Guy , good luck with the next step of the journey. I’ve never been to India.

Guy – The Third Brother

The DYRMS Class Of 1985 Sydney Massive.
Lawrence , Julie & Max K
Kevin & The Family S

Kato San – The Scuba Ninja – The Legend

Alex B – The God That Started It All Off – Nic & Finn

Thomas K – The Funniest German I’ve Ever Met – Fact

Other mentions must go to HKLand for hosting me at the HK7′s , CBRE for ‘ The Naive Zebra Jungle Theme Party ‘ , KPMG , Gavin Hastings , Victor Ebugu and numerous other Rugby celebs who took the time to say hi.

Martin for hosting the best seafood party @ his magnificent restaurants on Jumbo.

Cathy F , all too brief.

Peace Out.

 

 

For Jason And Family

The Monastery was initially a small temple constructed by three buddhists in 1924.

Tian Tan Buddha is a large bronze statue of the Buddha, completed in 1993, and located at Ngong Ping, Lantau Island, in Hong Kong.

Also known as the Big Buddha, it is the world’s tallest outdoor seated bronze Buddha.

The statue is located near Po Lin Monastery and symbolizes the harmonious relationship between man and nature, people and religion.

It is a major center of Buddhism in Hong Kong, and is also a popular tourist attraction.

The statue is named Tian Tan Buddha because its base is a model of the Altar of Heaven or Earthly Mount of Tian Tan, the Temple of Heaven in Beijing.

It is one of the five large Buddha statues in China.

The Buddha statue sits on a lotus throne on top of a three-platform altar.

It is surrounded by eight smaller bronze statues representing gods or immortals.

The Buddha is 34 meters high, weighs 250 tonnes, and was the world’s tallest outdoor bronze seated Buddha prior to 2007.

It reputedly can even be seen as far away as Macau on a clear day.

visitors have to climb 268 steps in order to reach the Buddha, though the site also features a small winding road to the Buddha for vehicles to accommodate the handicapped.

The Tian Tan Buddha appears serene and dignified.

His right hand is raised, representing the removal of affliction.

His left hand rests on his lap in a gesture of giving (dhana).

The Buddha faces north which is unique among the great Buddha statues. (All others face South.)

In addition there are 3 floors at the bottom of Buddha: The Hall of Universe, The Hall of Benevolent Merit and The Hall of Remembrance.

One of the most renowned features inside is a relic of Sakyamuni, consisting of some of his alleged cremated remains.

There is a huge carved bell inscribed with images of Buddhas in the show room.

It was designed to ring every seven minutes, 108 times a day, symbolizing the release of 108 kinds of human vexations.

For Jason And Family