Food, glorious food - Europe

Europe

Man versus goat
"Not long ago I visited the Dordogne region of France, a place with culinary specialties that include walnuts, wine and duck foie gras - it’s a great place for any food fan. We all have our comfort foods, for some it is the simple ham sandwich, others find a sense of security in Marmite on toast. I happen to find comfort in pizza, so after a long day on the Dordogne River I used my very limited French language skills to order the most pizza-like item on the menu. I was successful in ordering a pizza, but what was on it I did not know, probably duck or walnut or one of those specialities I mentioned earlier. Nevertheless, I enjoyed my pizza and I left the restaurant feeling satisfied with my choice, then started to head back to the campsite. At this point it was getting dark, my fellow travel companions and I were walking down a quiet country road when we realised something… we were being followed by a Goat. “Ooh, I don’t like goats”, I exclaimed. “Really? But you just ate one, Will”, one of the group replied. “What?! B…but I had pizza? Maybe it had Goat’s cheese on it?” I asked in surprise. “Yes, but it also had Goat’s meat”. Oh no. It seemed that the other members of the group had paid more attention in French class back in school and knew what I had on my pizza, but failed to let me in on the fact that I was eating chunks of Goat meat! Was I now an enemy of goat-kind after this blasphemy of pizza based dishes? The goat stared at me, it’s eyes dark like a silent pool in which I was drowning. As I felt a chill run down my spine I quickened my pace to put as big a gap possible between Mr Goat and myself.

I survived that frightful encounter with a Goat, but I must warn you – make sure you know what toppings are on your pizza!"
William Potter, Marketing Services Media Executive

A little warmth in the Siberian snow
“Having finished an exhilarating husky sled ride through the Siberian forest, our group gathered round a trestle table, which had appeared from nowhere, along with a pot of steaming hot potatoes, Siberian broth, grilled fish, bread and last but not least - vodka.  We toasted the forest spirits and demolished our Siberian picnic as the fat snowflakes fell around us.”
Melissa Garland, Customer Services Manager

Ducks and deluxe
“On a trip to Thailand I went for a beer with some of the guys at the agency we work with. A plate of snacks was ordered and out came a plate of crispy fried duck bills. From their size I expect they were ducklings. Very tasty, “quack quack!”

On the opposite end of the scale, while on the Amalfi Coast, Italy, I went for a ride on a friend’s boat. It was a perfect sunny day of cloudless skies and turquoise waters. We cruised around the island of Amalfi and along the coast to a small bay to a restaurant only accessible from the sea. A small boat came out to take us ashore and we dined amongst the beautiful people on the most exquisite clam linguine.”
Caroline Phillips, Product Manager