I discovered Wild Asparagus last year thanks to our mates Anja and Micha (you can meet them in the post...) and now I'm hooked. I had no idea such a beast existed and now I can't bear to be without it. I found other types of wild asparagus on the net, but not this type. It grows in between really prickly bushes and blood stained arms are the pride of every spear picker.

We discovered this beautiful place after meeting the 2 beautiful people, Ute and Roland (who I called Ronald for the first week...sorry Roland!). We spent several evenings sitting with them playing cards, drinking and just having a blast. They have promised to visit us in France, so you will get to see more of them too.

Today's recipe: Creme Catalan
Catalan Custard with burnt sugar topping

Greetings from a sunny and warm place in Andalucia, Spain. We are once again underway in our camper van and are lapping up the sunshine in our European “down under”. It's been slightly more breezy (up to 60 knots of wind...that's 100km for you non-sailors) and rainy at times, but otherwise sunshine and blue skies. What more can you ask for? A recipe you say. Cheeky monkey.

I wish everyone a fantastic Christmas and festive season and all the best for 2014. May all your dreams and wishes come true. xxx

I continue with the previously mentioned wonderful aunt and uncle and a wonderful meal we had at a little pub restaurant in their hometown of Littlehampton. It's downtown on the banks of the Arun River and is really super. English pubs have so much atmosphere – it's like being at home, but with staff. I love it.

My wonderful aunty Wendles and uncle Peter stayed with us this last week for another memorable holiday – we definitely won’t forget The Energiser Bunny dancing at The Husbands 50th birthday party! Thank you Peter for getting everyone onto the dance floor. My great mate, Deirdre, said the dancing looked like a scene from Jungle Book…I think you had to have been there.

This is a wonderful brasserie in Place Wilson, Toulouse, which I visited in May with my mates Debs, Sal and Lynn. Lynn, an old friend (time not age you cheeky buggers) from America spent two fun-filled weeks (or at least I think so!) with me in May of this year –and yes, I know that's 3 months ago. Don't get me going on the Snail Trail again...

I am absolutely serious. There is really such a thing as a Snail Facial. And it costs $100 plus. What will they think of next? Bird poo facials? Actually...more about that later. I happened upon an article in the Telegraph which featured this sticky story. (Photo by: viewthevibe.com/big-in-japan-snail-facials )

23531 snails for 480 people. That's 49 snails per person. I ate 50 so someone got 1 too few. Sorry. Welcome to the St. Elix d'Astarac Escargolade. Allow me to embellish but at a slightly faster rate than said (deelicious) animal. Oh come on, you didn't really expect to get away with no snail jokes now did you.

This recipe falls into the totally easy and magnificently impressive section. Three ingredients, 10 minutes tops of work and you have a starter that will knock the socks off your friends. If this is a good thing or a bad thing depends entirely on the foot hygiene level of your friends…