Picpoul De Pinet , Pallets and a place in the sun

Spending Saturday in the garden creating a sun-downer seat underneath our Horse Chestnut tree, I was endeavouring to up-cycling a couple of broken pallets.

Breathing life into wood, that has been used multiple times before is both environmental and creative. I love the idea too, of making something from nothing. There is the added bonus, that if it goes wrong, it can be made into kindling. This is true, even if it goes right.

Happy with my creation, my wife brought out a bottle of Picpoul De Pinet from Aldi at £7.79.

She also made some cheese and red onion puffs to accompany the wine. The wine was delicate and fresh. It had a clean crisp nose, with hints of lemon peel, flint and gentle herbs. The initial taste was of fresh kiwi and limes. This changes to under ripe pineapple and lemon sherbet. The sherbet becomes dominant on the finish.

A perfect finish, enjoyed  on the brand new sun downer.

Planning to walk the Camino Way

 This Summer, I will be walking all 758km of the Camino Way, ticking something off my bucket list, trying wines along the way and to raise funds for the Angus Lawson Memorial Trust.

At a time when it is hard to find positives, the ALMT  stands like a beacon of light, helping projects that help children, not just in this country, but around the world.

Setting off late July, I have challenged myself to spend the summer walking across the Pyrenees and across Spain, to Santiago.

The walk will take 34 days and cover 758km, aiming to raise money for these projects and to remember my nephew Angus along the way.

All support is very gratefully received and you can donate here .

A map of the route

The Camino goes straight through the Rioja region, but there will be plenty of local wines too, so don't panic if wine is your thing.