Lunch guests

And guess whose birthday it was? My FFL and I don't bother with fancy wrapping these days. As with all things in life, it is what's on the inside that matters, not what it looks like on the outside.

Inside his box were two second hand books about NZ high country stations and one about the Himalayas; three jars of chutney and relish; and four chunks of cheese. He was delighted.

He, his wife and his mother came for lunch, following a two hour visit to revisit the house they are in the process of buying, and to discuss chattels with R. 

They are within a gnat's crotchet of the sale going through, which is wonderful news.

We had barleymeal bannocks, cheese and chutney for lunch. The cheeses were Orkney (of course - to accompany the bannocks), Lancashire, Gruyere and the first cut of Blue Vinny.

Oh my goodness it's a cracker. Similar to Stilton. Rich, strong, creamy and unctuous. 

When I started making cheese the pinnacle of my ambition was to make really good blue cheese. In just under three years I have achieved it. 

Not only have I got the Farmhouse Blue under my belt - a delicious firm semi-strong blue - but now the much richer Blue Vinny as well. I gave myself a rosette today. And at last I feel I can call myself a cheesemaker (or a Curd Nerd).