Like It? Just Yell!

Bermuda National Trust - Palm Sunday Walk 2007

Start location: Spice Valley Middle School, Warwick 2:00 p.m. start

This popular annual tradition is free and open to visitors and island residents alike. Each year the Trust organizes a route of 5 – 8 miles that wanders through a different section of the island, showcasing the scenery and the buildings and structures of historic importance.

This year’s route will take walkers through Warwick parish and is approximately 5 miles long. Walkers are advised that there could be lots of mud and that sensible shoes would be, well, sensible. The route is not suitable for children’s strollers. Dogs are not allowed out of courtesy to property owners.

Should you have any questions, please contact Dorcas Roberts at the Bermuda National Trust – telephone 236 6483 or visit the Trust’s website www.bnt.bm.

Thar She Blows!

With any luck, you could be uttering those same words as you cruise along Bermuda’s South Shore observing fabulous Humpback whales in their annual migration north. The Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute offers whale watching expeditions every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday from March 28th through April 29th.

To book your ticket, contact the Oceans Gift Shop at the BUEI – 441 297 7313. Tickets are $75 for BUEI members and $90 for non-members. Tickets must be reserved in advance with a credit card. Children under 14 are not allowed to participate.

When you reserve your ticket(s), you will be advised to meet on the BUEI dock at 9:00 a.m. on the day of your cruise. The cruise runs from 9:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. Please bring a windbreaker or jacket, a sweatshirt, lunch or a snack, sunscreen and a camera, of course.

Art & Faux

Looking to do something exceptional with the walls in your home or office? Speak to the ladies of Art & Faux. Alicia Lenson Robinson and Claire de ste Croix have teamed up to offer a fresh alternative.

A key facet of their success is their ability to work with clients to determine the desired look and effect. Art & Faux specializes in decorative painting using plasters, colour pigments, stonewashes, waxes, patinas and glazes. Whether your goal is to replicate the look of your favorite room in a smart, contemporary London B&B or the sun porch in an old Italian villa, Art & Faux can help you achieve the effect. In addition to wall treatments, they also design freehand murals and childrens’ theme rooms – a particular favorite.

For more information on Art & Faux, visit their website – www.artnfaux.com. When you’re ready to get started, simply contact Alicia 799-3289 / alicia@artnfaux.com or Claire 505-9463 / claire@artnfaux.com.

Farmer’s Market now the City Market

The Farmer’s Market has changed its name to the City Market. It’s back in its old location (Bull’s Head Car Park) and better than ever. Truck loads of fresh veggies from local gardens and farms (much of it organic) and flowers, homemade pastries, cookies, jams, jellies and other delectables (much of it beautifully packaged), free range chickens and their eggs, fresh fish, Bermuda honey packaged in some pretty glass bottles that would make lovely gifts, exquisite hand-made greeting cards, cozy hand-knitted slippers, scarves, hats for children and adults, hand-crafted jewelry, hand-made soaps, plants and seedlings are all for sale. There’s also an alfresco café with coffee, tea and fresh muffins – the perfect place for a pick-me-up. The atmosphere is lively and friendly – vendors are full of information on their produce and goods, there is an area set up especially for children where they can play and do crafts, a local artist was sketching and a pony and minder stood waiting for youthful riders. Rain for shine the market will run every Saturday, until June, from 8:00 until 1:00 p.m. It’s a great way to start a Saturday and a wonderful source of home-made holiday gifts.

Meyer Franklin Travel

It’s hard to think of a better gift than the gift of travel. Meyer Franklin Travel gift certificates are especially nice as they aren’t limited to set amounts – you can give a gift certificate in any amount. You can also make shopping easy for your family and friends by setting up a Gift Registry in your name. Anyone wanting to give you a gift can simply contribute to the Registry. Similar to a bridal registry, this option works beautifully in any gift giving situation…Christmas, birthday, graduation, wedding, etc.

Still want to get away for the holidays? Keep in mind it’s a very busy travel time and many flights to and from the island are filling up. So if you want to go, now’s the time to contact Travel Ambassadors Dwayne or Dianne at 295 4178 or etravel@meyer.bm. On their list:

Holland America is sailing the Caribbean departing out of Ft. Lauderdale and Tampa. Their 7-day holiday itineraries include holiday fare in the dining room along with caroling and other holiday music, a tree-lighting ceremony, Santa sightings, Royal Dutch high tea with Christmas cookies, religious services, special crafts, a New Year’s Eve Ball and more. Rates start at $899 per person, double occupancy.

If you’re looking for a traditional North American Christmas with falling snow and roaring fires, there’s still availability. Check with Meyer for special rates at some very special places in New Hampshire.

Website: http://www.meyer-franklintravel.bm

Marine Locker

Needlenose pliers, regular pliers, wire cutters, hard-wire cutters, clip-point knife, serrated knife, saw, scissors, wood/metal file, diamond-coated file, large bit driver, small bit driver, large screwdriver, ruler (8 inch/19 cm), bottle/can opener, wire stripper. lanyard attachment, two double-ended bits…now that’s a tool! The Leatherman Wave tool is loaded with handy features and is an essential piece of equipment for practically any job or adventure. Men love these things so you can’t go wrong wrapping one up for the special man or men on your list. What will this serious looking piece of kit run you? A mere $159.95.

Other can’t miss gift items include a great selection of Helly Hansen foul weather gear with complete suits starting at $150. Big favorites with boaters are the grills – perfect for boats without a galley or the first mate who just enjoys the outdoors. Size and features vary. Prices start at $340.

Bouquet Garni Baskets

Trust us, there are few things nicer than receiving a delicious and beautifully presented gift basket or crate from Bouquet Garni. Practically everything in it will have been made from scratch, often from local ingredients, and the quality and variety are superb. Case in point – the Decadent Dessert Basket that woos its recipient with Dark & Stormy trifle, miniature lemon-ricotta cheesecakes, Bermuda banana bread pudding with caramel sauce, eggnog or chocolate panna cotta cups, mincemeat or baklava filo triangles, double chocolate biscotti and truffles. You’ll find 10 delectable gift basket options on their website www.bouquetgarnicatering.com including the Gourmet Wine & Cheese Hamper, a Hors d’oeuvre Basket and a Holiday Cookie Crate. There are also three popular items that don’t appear on the site – a Jam/Cookie Crate, a Savory Crate and a Dressing/Marinade Basket. Custom baskets can be arranged as well. Prices range from $29 to $195 with free delivery to Hamilton and the central parishes. The BQ kitchen gets busy so order ahead of time to avoid disappointment. To place and order or for further information, call 335 7079 or send an email to bouquetgarni@northrock.bm.

Goslings

Talk about your holiday cheer…I counted 70 cocktail recipes for Black Seal alone on Goslings very current and informative website www.goslings.com. There’s even one called “New Years Revolution” that you might want to mix into your own holiday party planning. Wine lovers will want to join their Friends of Wine e-mail list that offers wine news and reviews, promotions including bin end specials, winemaker dinners, tastings, wine courses price lists and other information. To join please contact bgl@goslings.com.

Goslings recommends the following wines for drinking now and notes that both would be suitable for the Thanksgiving table. And remember to enjoy wine and spirits in moderation.

Belle Glos “Clarke & Telephone” Pinot Noir 2004, Santa Maria Valley, California
Perhaps you’re a fan of Caymus Cabernets and have wondered what Caymus Pinot Noir would taste like. Well, Caymus used to make Pinot Noir from Rutherford-grown fruit many years ago. They even made a Pinot Noir Blanc called “Eye of the Partridge”. What fruit they didn’t use themselves was sold off to Inglenook. This was back in the days when nobody paid too much attention to Pinot. Chuck Wagner, owner and winemaker at Caymus, has always maintained a quiet passion for this fickle grape variety. He currently has 150 acres in Santa Maria, just north of Santa Barbara, and is currently working on a Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir “project”. This wine appears not under his Caymus label but as “Belle Glos”, which is named after Chuck’s Mother, Lorna Belle Glos-Wagner. Deep garnet color. Aromas of ripe plums and cinnamon, with hints of caramel and smoke. This 2004 is silky and rich with plentiful berry fruit and spice aromas and a touch of pomegranate and cranberry on the palate along with subtle hints of toast. Perfect with poached salmon on a bed of red beets or roasted rack of lamb. Available at Gosling’s for $37.50 per bottle.

Concha y Toro, Casillero del Diablo Merlot 2005, Central Valley, Chile
Concha y Toro was founded in 1870 in Pirque, Maipo, by Don Melchor Conha y Toro. It became a public listed company in 1922 and began exporting in 1933. Huge growth in the 1980s resulted in a much-expanded winery, and today Concha y Toro has a presence in 110 countries. Other brands belonging to Conch y Toro are Amelia (Chardonnay) and Terrunyo (Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenere and Sauvignon Blanc). Grapes for this wine were selected from the Rapel, Maule and Maipo valleys and then fermented in stainless steel before 70% of the wine was aged in American oak barrels. According to Conch y Toro, ‘The aim was to bring together the best qualities of each of the sites and, through them, blend a wine that showcased the distinctive character of each variety. This wine was recently awarded the “international trophy winner” at the Decanter World Wine Awards held in the UK. Available at $12.25 per bottle.

Goslings offers a 10% discount on all wines purchased by the case. Island-wide delivery is available daily. These same wines can also be found in several local grocery stores. And many local grocers also offer a discount on case lots of wine. Be sure to enquire when doing your holiday shopping.

TEN Cafe & Bar

Finally – TEN, the handsome little cafe at 10 Dundonald Street has opened. Has it been worth the wait? Absolutely. Presently open from 7:00 a.m. to 4 p.m. serving breakfast, lunch and nibbles, the restaurant has also applied for a liquor license and will soon extend hours until 10:30 p.m. For now, the food, the casual yet sophisticated ambience and the coffee bar are well worth a visit. Their first Breakfast / Lunch Menu shows signs of fusion-inspired chefs in the kitchen. Italian, Mediterranean, Indian, Asian, Japanese and Cuban influences are all in evidence. The menu also leans to the lighter side in both ingredients and preparation. For breakfast there are frittatas, paninis, pizzas, waffles and scrambled indian spiced tofu. The lunch sandwich menu begins with Seared Sesame Tuna and ends with Cuban Pulled Pork. Yum. There are also seven must try salads, plus soups, sinful desserts, smoothies and other specials posted daily. Everything on the menu is available at tables (inside and out) or as take out. You can also sit at the swanky bar which is destined to become an after-work hot spot. For further information email ten@logic.bm.

Kafu

Look FABulous for all the holiday festivities when you book with one of the island’s most stylish salons – KAFU. Adding to the spirit of the season, KAFU is introducing their new U.K. stylist in November by offering a 10% discount on appointments made with the stylist from November 18th through December 14th. KAFU is also showing the work of owner/artist Glen Wilkes, painter Manuel Palacio and Trevor Todd. Any piece would make a stunning gift for someone special.

Website: http://www.kafu.bm