Good Greek Times

Sunset at Stoupa

Kalimera (or Good Morning in Greek),
I’m not sure what time any of you will get this as you are spread across the world – so hello wherever you are. Apologies for not getting a newsletter out last week but I was having a wonderful time in Greece, a country close to my partner, John’s heart, and where we filmed with my late son, Blair. Blair’s cheerful sign-off was always “Good Times” and when he was in Greece “Good Greek Times” hence the title of this newsletter.  So it was fitting that, with close friends from Europe (and two from Australia) with whom we had a planned trip to Greece and some ancient sites in 2020, and who weren’t able to attend John’s farewell in Sydney due to Covid travel restrictions, we had another farewell to John. It was calm, peaceful, meaningful and just right.

After three days in the beautiful Venetian city of Napflion, visiting ancient sites including Epidavros and the Palamidi Fortress (where Blair ran up the 999 steps in 17 minutes), wining and dining, we went down to Stoupa to rest and relax in the glorious Greek sun with two of our friends who live there. Again we revisited some locations from filming Lyndey & Blair’s Taste of Greece and had a relaxing time. Incidentally, you can still see Lyndey & Blair’s Taste of Greece online in most parts of the world. Some of us went again to the stunning Diros Caves (see photo). It was all just perfect with lots of laughter along with the reminiscences. Very healing after a torrid 2 1/2 years.

I am off on my travels again as I write this. On to Morocco to host my tour there and then after a few days with a friend in Italy to Puglia to host that tour. Then I’ll head to the Dordogne in France with friends and finish up at Parabere in Mallorca – so I’m not sure when my next newsletter might come out. Trying to pack for different countries and purposes for a month while wanting to travel light was quite a challenge but I’m proud to say my bag weighs 18.2kg and my backpack 9kg. No room for any shopping though.

You can keep up-to-date with me on Facebook and Instagram or email me with any requests or comments. 

Please eat and drink well, travel with your tastebuds if not in person, and be happy and healthy – Lyndey x

Top: Epidavros amphitheatre; Below L: the wonderful clear waters in Greece and R: the dramatic Diros Caves

Recipes of the week

 
ZUCCHINI, DILL
& MINT FRITTERS
Vegetable fritters, or balls are popular all over Greece. These are a bit smaller
GET MY RECIPE HERE
 
GREEK CHEESECAKE
WITH MUSCATELS
Dried muscatels are glorious soaked in Samos (Greek) or any sweet wine.
GET MY RECIPE HERE

In the kitchen with Lyndey

 
Slow-roasted Lamb Ribs with Yoghurt & Feta Sauce

The printed recipe is here. If you would like to see more of my videos, subscribe to my YouTube channel HERE.

Back in London

L: floral tributes in Green Park the day after the funeral and R: floral tributes in Hyde Park two days after.

In many ways, I am sorry to have been away from London during all the pomp and ceremony for farewelling the Queen, though I did get to see quite a bit of coverage on BBC World News and also of the funeral itself while I was delayed in Athens airport. What a dignified, heartfelt and wonderfully executed spectacle it was and moving for so many people.

Our flight was delayed, though British Airways didn’t choose to advise us in advance. Apparently, the airspace over London was closed for three hours. It makes sense with so many of the world’s leaders in London. However, the courtesy of advice would have been good. Athens airport was in absolute chaos and once we landed a couple of hours late the Heathrow Express was not running so it was a long tube trip back.

I was amazed at how much cooler it was than when I had left London but while chilly morning and night the days are pleasant enough in the middle. Having missed so much, I went to Green Park where floral tributes had been laid, Buckingham Palace having been inundated and still cordoned off the next day I went for a walk with a friend in Hyde Park and there were more there. Lots of children and school groups had left tributes and there were lots of individual heartfelt messages too. It was all very moving.

It must have been a massive operation as there was a huge area in the middle of Hyde Park sectioned off with massive trailers and infrastructure being dismantled and going away on lorries. How wonderful that everything went off so smoothly. Well done to all the services.

Lifetime Achievement Award



I wasn’t able to say anything about this before I left Australia, but I was advised by the Restaurant & Catering Association that I was to be honoured at their Awards for Excellence with a Lifetime Achievement Award.

I was incredibly disappointed not to be able to be there last Monday night to receive this from my peers, but I recorded a video saying “I am overwhelmed at the honour of receiving this award, especially following in the footsteps of so many amazing previous winners. I started in this business nearly 40 years ago, first as a caterer and café owner and since then in all aspects of the media – food and hospitality are my life and it’s a privilege to have been able to forge a career in an industry I love.”

The National Chair of Judges and longtime friend and colleague Stewart White, accepted it and so very kindly said “Lyndey is a giant in the food and hospitality industry. She is an unstoppable force of nature. Without a doubt her public, media work has helped shape the Australian food psyche for almost four decades. BUT … BEHIND the scenes she is an indomitable mover and shaker… She gets it!”

It is gratifying to have received so many messages, emails and comments on social media (you can watch my acceptance speech HERE) about this award. Thank you.