I have nipped across the sea to do a little reconnaissance for my upcoming projects, and to plot, plan and peruse what I can be doing at Claddagh Farms this coming year. I have moored myself by the canal at Camont while I explore Gascony.  Yesterday Kate Hill & I went to the Wednesday market at Lavardac to see, shop and taste our way through cheeses & charcuterie. We came away with quite a basket full of goodies and have plans on cooking up a few regional dishes for you. We also sampled some amazing vintage Armagnac, witnessed the bottling of an amazing white wine for the American market, and has a quiet lunch in a sleepy village. What is most memorable about that lunch is not only the great company and atmosphere, but the quality and pride with wich it was served…. There are expensive restaurants out there who could well take away a lesson from such a place–quality ingredients, simply prepared, served with pride at a fair price. It was really some of the best food I have dined out on in quite a while. In the mean time, while I’m away, be sure to catch up on past episodes of The Gastrocast. Figure out how & when you’re going to come by for a visit to learn something new or just pick up something from the farm. Or sit back and enjoy the photos I’ve been posting on Twitter or in this slide show:

Technorati Tags: France, Gascony, Camont, Kate Hill, Lavardac, market, food, cooking, farming