Best Book

Flann O Brien’s ; The Third Policeman.
I originally read and enjoyed in 1968 when 19 years old.
I re-read and loved it this year.
A masterpiece.

Best Meal

While at the Terre Madre in Turin we went to La Betulla in S Bernardino Di Trana.
Our main course there, my undoubted culinary highlight of
the trip, was a pair of fried eggs on some thin mashed potato.
As soon as we were served these the Maitre grated a liberal
shaving of White Truffle on the eggs.

Totally Delicious

Best CD

Sanseverino’s Le Tango des Gens
Favourite track “ Mal o Mains”

Best Moment

When the notaire said “C’est Tout!” and we finally owned our own house in France.

Other Great Moments, in no particular order:

Meeting such terrific Foodies at the Terra Madre in Turin.

Euro-Toque Food awards, great winners and well presented by Rachel Allen.

The great pleasure of a young Waterford chef winning the Baileys Young Chef award, well done Peter Everett from Waterford Castle.

Revisiting the Alhambra in Granada with Sile and my best man;
Michael Healy.
Not just a building, a whole civilization.

To end on a slightly sour note.
Worst Book of the Year:

Without doubt; On Beauty by Zadie Smith.
Not one member of our book club could find a redeeming feature.

Just as 2005 was The Year of the Wedding
2006 was undoubtibly The Year of the New House in France.
I imagine that 2007 will also be obsessed with same house.
My prayer is that it doesn’t turn into a French version of
The Money Pit!

The two of us photographed last week
by brother in law Martin Lyes in front of
the new project.

Bonne Chance a Nous!