Taste tests: Ebi-kun Eats 1 Year anniversay!

Can you believe it has been a year since he started this little venture?

Me neither, he has certainly tried some weird things over the year, some good, some bad and some just blah! I think the pickled squid episode is still my favourite, I nearly peed myself when we filmed that one! Although there might be another contender, we recorded and interesting new candy the other day...

So here is the one year anniversary show, bit longer than normal as he was trying chocolate from all over Europe, which is the best?

Remember to pop over and leave a comment and a thumbs up!

Europe By Train With A Kid In Tow

You probably know by now that Ebi-kun and I took an epic adventure around Europe this summer. I have been asked lost of questions about the trip so I thought it might be useful if I give you a breakdown...

Why?

Well, I live in Japan, most of my family are in the UK. I hate the heat of the summer in Japan and Ebi-kun gets six weeks off so that is a good enough excuse for me! But, going home doesn't cure my itchy feel, I still want to go travelling and exploring, it lights me up, it's my passion.

My cousin Kirsty happens to live in Vienna and invited us over to stay - or I might have just invited myself, if I'm to be perfectly honest. It's a city I haven't visited so checks the adventure box!

Why by train?

When I started researching prices of flights I was shocked at how much the flights were going to set me back so curiosity set me off looking at train prices and the actual logistics involved. When I started looking into it, well my feet got even itchier and so the flights got kicked to the curb and the train adventure began.

First thing I did was to clear some dates with Kirsty, she had a couple of weeks off work in the summer so it needed to coincide with her holidays.

Next, I got real friendly with google and the train times. I looked at getting a rail pass but because Ebi-kun was under 12, some of his tickets were free or at a reduced rate so it was cheaper at the end of the day to book the specific trains.

I used this website Seat61.com as a reference, he has a lot of good info on there and what I used was accurate.

Our journey was...

Congleton - London
London - Brussels
Brussels - Cologne
Cologne - Vienna (night train)
Vienna - Zurich
Zurich - Paris
Paris - London
London - Stoke

We also had a day trip form Vienna to Bratislava but bought the tickets on the day, I think we could have got them a bit cheaper if we had booked in advanced but we hadn't really got a set plan with Kirsty so we didn't by the tickets in advance.

I get a Family Saver card to use on the trains in the UK, this saves me money as soon as I use it, that combined with booking tickets in advance saves a lot of money.

All the trains were booked for specific times and dates, of course this runs the risk of something going pear shaped, illness, train strikes, missed train for whatever reason. I left a good bit of time between connections which may have made the journey time longer but it also reduced my stress levels! 

We didn't have any issues, my theory is to go for the cheap tickets and hope for the best and if something goes wrong, at least you haven't paid through the nose for you ticket!

I did screw up on the Vienna to Zurich train. I couldn't reserve a seat on the regular train but realised to upgrade to first class was only 20 euros more PLUS Ebi-kun travels free! That is what I did but I think somewhere in the booking I should have requested a reserved seat… you can see where this is going… we got on and didn't have a seat! 

The conductor was a total ass about it, not helpful in the slightest but thankful a chap stepped in and helped me figure out which seats were available. It was an 8 hour journey and Ebi-kun had to sit on my lap for about 40 minutes of it, the rest of the time we had our own seats and the scenery was magnificent - distracted us from the 40 minutes of discomfort.

How Did You Pack?

I would say I'm a pretty seasoned traveller and so is Ebi-kun now. I knew I wanted a backpack not a suitcase but our back packs are either big 80l packs - that we took around South America or a skaters day back pack. After a LOT of googling I decided on this bag, Cabin Max Backpack 44l Hand Luggage and wait for the rave review…. it has been brilliant. It's the right size to use as hand luggage (55x40x20cm) if you are flying but has loads of space. The downfall was that it doesn't have a padded laptop pocket, my skater bag does so my laptop went in there. It does come in a massive range of colours and designs! It's the bigger of the two in the picture.

We were away for two weeks, did a big wash in Vienna and a (mostly) undies wash in Brighton. For long journeys we had our comfy travel outfits, for rbi-kun he has a favourite track suit, I have a long tunic and leggings. We had undies for a week each and Ebi-kun had a couple of pairs of shorts and a pair of long trousers, his swimmers and rash guard, football shirt and shorts, a long sleeved T-shirt, a hoodie, 4 t-shirts and a spare paid of shoes.

I had a couple of pairs of jeans, 4 t-shirts, a couple of blouses (that I didn't wear), a hoodie, a light weight card, trainers and a pair of sandals - which I didn't really wear. I didn't pack anything that would need an iron and I roll all my clothes. 

I also packed a bag of toiletries/make-up, the laptop, the kindle, Ebi-kuns camera, his diary, a notebook, passports, tickets and documents, presents for our hosts, rain ponchos (we did use), pencil case, Ebi-kuns book that he is reading and the bag of cables for the electrical gubbins, a small towel and the best purchase of the holiday - a selfie stick (I kid you not, I am a convert!)

We could have lived with less in the way of tops, we both could have managed with one pair less of trousers, they were packed as 'spare' pairs really. I could have managed without my sandals and maybe used a pair of flip flops instead. There was nothing that we didn't have that we needed.

I always go with the expectation that if we desperately need something, we'll be able to buy it.

All that training walking to school with his randusal backpack meant that Ebi-kun had no problems at all carrying his bag. We both has a small bag that would fi into the bigger bags to use during the day.

What were your worries?

I suppose my biggest one was missing a train somewhere along the way, which would cock everything up. I know a number of friends and family were concerned about the recent spate of terrorist activities, I'll be sharing my thoughts about that soon. I did have the niggle in the back of my head about being robbed again, my last Euro-rail tour ended in disaster! This time was smooth sailing. 

I admit that usually my adventuring worries are connected to getting bitten by some nasty beastie and getting sick, mosquitoes seem to smell me for 500 miles away and I didm get badly bitten in Switzerland - I know, who knew that Zurich was a mozzie hangout, not me or I would have added deterrent to my packing list. 

Getting sick abroad is no fun, I got Amoebic dysentery in Peru and Ebi-kun had a high fever in Laos but both times, the hospitals have been great so my fears are somewhat unfounded! 

We also did a day trip when in Zurich to Liechtenstein and Heidiland (read about the day HERE), I'm not usually a guided tour kinda chick but we had very limited time and I was sold on the chance to go to Liechtenstein!

Keeping In Touch

Pretty much every we went had free wifi hotspots, both hotels claimed to have wifi but both were crappy connections - first world problems. I did a daily update on Facebook to keep everyone in the loop of where we were and that worked well, because the wifi wasn't great I didn't spend much time at all online for the whole two weeks - not a bad thing but it does explain why I am still playing catch up on the blog!

I think that is about all, if you have any questions let me know in the comments.

Taste Testing Pudding and Chips

[17th Aug]

I managed to sneak a day into town, on my own! Went to a lovely little cafe in Macclesfield, called Jack Sevens. I sat in the yard for lunch then nipped in to use the loo and discovered that it was also an art gallery! (totally forgot to take any photos!)

I had a lovely chat with a couple of ladies who were having a crafternoon, I had a couple more hours to mooch around the shops before meeting mom and Ebi-kun.

Mom had an appointment at the hospital so we looked to find somewhere for dinner, all the cafes were closed and the restaurants weren't open!  Luckily we found Pete's Chippy that was open which had seats in the back.

They had pudding with chips, a new delicacy for Ebi-kun. We couldn't record the experience because it was too noisy, and as you can see, he didn't look overly impressed...

Pudding (or babby's yed - baby's head) from my moms neck of the woods, in the midlands, is a type of pie but the pastry uses suet pastry and it's steamed usually. Inside is usually steak and kidney, the pastry is kind of stodgy, an interesting taste! It always reminds me of camping, when I was in the scouts it was always a back up meal because it's easy to cook!

After poking it a few times he got stuck in and demolished the whole thing, pudding and chips got a big thumbs up! Not the healthiest meal but what the heck, we are on holiday!

Euro Tour 2016 - draws to an end

Well, today sees the final train ride on our epic journey, a rather uneventful affair into London then onto to Stoke where my mom picked us up from the station and then it was round to my uncle and Aunts for Sunday lunch.

My uncle Gra AKA Hairy Scary, does amazing sunday roasts with loads of veg and all the trimmings and pudding too! I was full to bursting by the time we had done!

My cousin came round too with her kids, we missed them last year due to a clash of holidays so it was good to catch up this time. The boys had fun playing swing ball and football. M is nearly as tall as Ebi-kun now!

Ebi-kun also got to sit on Tez's bike, he thought that was rather cool.

It's great to see how Ebi-kun has been getting on so well with all the kids along the way, and he always says afterwards that he really enjoyed playing with them and wants another play date the next day! There is often a few minutes of awkwardness when they first get together and then they are off! Makes my heart swell.

I think all three of them will be heart breakers when they are older, such cute kids!

Driving back to moms the sun was setting so we took a wee detour up to the moor where I grew up, it really is a beautiful place!

We also spotted some lamas which were looking quite odd since they had recently be shorn! This one was quite the looker!

Euro Tour 2016 - Brighton BBQ with friends and family

[13th Aug]

Not only does my best mate live in Brighton, my uncle lives there too, he is just 4 years older than me, so he has always been more like a cousin or annoying older brother than an uncle. Di kindly offered to do a BBQ so we could invite uncle Si and the family around along with some other random friends.

But first the boys needed to burn off some energy so it was down the park for football training with Mark. This is the third year that Ebi-kun has joined, he really enjoys it, which baffles me because Mark is very old school in his coaching techniques. No pussy footing around, he bollocks the kids if they are getting it wrong and praises them when they get it right, his favourite phrase is ... you doughnut!

After training Ebi-kun came into the kitchen as said "Mark really likes his doughnuts doesn't he?" Mark is, shall we say, quite portly so Di was aghast and thought Ebi-kun was quite out of character being so rude! Ebi-kun was referring to Marks favourite phrase though, certainly made me laugh.

Annoyingly Ebi-kun has picked up the phrase and is now calling everyone a doughnut! gah!

Rob got his BBQ on, he did a great job, everything got demolished! I don't think there were any leftovers!

It was quite an eclectic mix of people, Rob's best mates, my uncle and family and the next door neighbours. The kids got on well and we didn't have any fights - which is always a good thing if you ask me! 

They were quite busy playing football, rugby sevens and shooting each other with nerf guns.

I think there was some team plotting going on here, Ebi-kun and my littlest cousin...

We had to get the family shot, this is actually the best one of the bunch, which doesn't say much for the rest really!

And Neil got the job of rescuing the balls that had gone over the fence, luckily Ry has about 15 footballs, so it takes them a while to run out of balls!

The drink flowed and the kids were still running around shooting each other quite late, it was a good job I had packed the bags before the madness began! Great day with old friends and new and lovely to catch up with family too!

Euro tour 2016 - Brighton i360

[12th Aug]

The 11th we had a pretty low key day, Ebi-kun had a bit of a dodgy tum so we hung around at home with a quick play in the park. And plenty of olympics watching, the boys really got into the rugby sevens!

The next day was a busy day which started with the boys making toblerone cheesecake...

And of course licking out the bowl/licking the spoons!

Then we headed down to the beach, we went along the coast a bit to find the "sandy!" beach. Next to the beach was a buttie shop, it made me laugh that the sandwiches were served on real plates with a side salad and crisps, which blew off due to the wind! People were also drinking cups of tea in proper cups on the beach too! How English.

This is our 3rd trip to Brighton and this was the first time it has been hot enough to venture into the sea, there were rock pools too which kept the boys busy.

And the water was lovely and clear too!

We arranged to meet Rob at the ice-crem shop but we ended up waiting over and hour for a bus so we had to skip the ice-cream shop we wanted to go to and just picked on up along the front, I paid a tenner for all our ice-creams and the Di spotted something on the floor - a ten pound note! Ice-creams paid for by the big U!

We met up with Di and Robs friend Merlin (yes, that's his real name) and waited for our turn for the Bright i360. It had only opened the week before, it's like a giant doughnut on a stick! 

It's actually a viewing platform, the ride takes about 30 minutes it rises slowly to the top of the stick and gives you time to wander around taking the view in from, you guessed it. 360 degrees! 

It was a beautifully clear day and we could se for miles. You do get a great view from the top but Brighton's landmarks can't really be seen from the top. I do think they could have done better by having info about the i360 and things that you can see from the top. There was a bar, we didn't venture to that though. I'm glad we went up but I doubt I'd go again.

After our viewing we headed into town, I had a couple of bits to pick up and Di and Rob wanted to get Ebi-kun a birthday present, Lego of course! Then we headed to Wahaca for dinner, which was delicious. We caught the bus back up to Di's, got the boys in the bath then Di and I headed out for the night.

It was, of course an occasion to get out.... I got this for Di years ago in Harajuku and it's still going strong!

We did a bit of a pub crawl, the prices for a round are not what they used to be, I used to have a bloody good night out and money left over for a curry - OK chicken omlette and a chapatti - don't judge it until you've tried it! From a tenner, not these days, small change from one round!

We went to a strange collection of pubs, one of Di's locals, a recommended pub which did have good music but only 2 people in it, including the barmaid, then a complete loonie came in and started ranting about Simon Cowell! So we moved onto the Revolator, not the best for a conversation, hardcore heavy metal was the name f the game! Our penultimate pub was a cozy little place, looked a bit like a cave, it wasn't until we were leaving that we realised it was a lesbian bar and then we found a place open until 2.00pm so we stayed there and caught up on the olympics - as you do on a night out!

Good night!

Euro Tour 2016 - Back to Blighty via Paris

[10th Aug]

We had an early start for our trip back to the UK. On the train to Paris, we had chance to catch up on our diary/blog posts. Each year we have been to the UK for the last few years, Ebi-kun has kept a diary, it's so much fun reading back over them. Plus it's a great excuse to get him writing in English.

In Paris we had lunch near the station and did some people watching.

I'm not sure when Ebi-kun puts it all, he demolished a huge plate of chicken, chips and salad! After lunch we went to find a supermarket to buy Di some stinky cheese, we didn't go for names, just the smell - I bet the people on our train were really happy about that!

At the supermarket there was a mad man shouting and causing havoc and hitting the store manager with a big block of cheese!

Eventually we made our way to Brighton, some of the trains were on strike but we were not really affected luckily. And here we are back with our best mates sporting stylish Japanese bandanas!

Euro Tour 2016 - two countries in one day

[9th Aug]

Normally I don't do organized tours, I much prefer to mooch and wander and discover things on my own but we only had one day in Zurich and I wanted to make the most of it. When I was researching what to do I came across a tour that went to both Heidiland and Liechtenstein - sold to the mama with pink hair!

The tour didn't start until 11am, we were up early so we had breakfast then headed out to the supermarket. We bought some sandwiches for lunch then went for a wander around the old town. This is my favourite thing to do, wander without an agenda, it's the best way to stumble upon hidden gems and special places.

Loved the crazy balconies....

Unfortunately the weather turned and the skies became dark and grey, we picked up a few souvenirs then made our way to the bus station. Switzerland uses Swiss francs, not Euros and when I asked around before we went, I got mixed answers about whether I could use Euros there or not.  I decided to just use my card, which worked well until we needed to toilet. You need to pay and of course in francs, that we didn't have! So we bought some chocolate, paid in euro then got the change in francs. By the time we had done all this is was getting close to the tour time and we hadn't actually made it to the bus station!

So we skipped the loo and went straight to the bus station, sorted out which bus we needed then the organizers told us the secret code to use in the Starbucks cafe toilet so we didn't need to change the money after all!! 

The first part of the tour was around the old town, we stopped at the Fraumunster church which is where there are 5 beautiful stained glassed windows created by Chargall. 

Then it was back on the coach and a quick drive around the city before heading to Rapperswil with it's famous rose garden. By this time the heavens had opened and Ebi-kuns expression says it all really....

We walked up the hill to see the old castle and church, it looked like a pretty little town but the weather wasn't helping the vibe!

Our guide advised that we went to a specific cafe to get their famous "cheesecake". It wasn't cheese cake as we know it, it had a crispy (somewhat like a thin crust pizza) base then the cheesy bit was a bit like Welsh Rarebit, a gooey, delicious cheesy yumminess. I'll be hunting out a recipe as soon as we get home!

After lunch we were off again, we should have been going to Liechtenstein first but the guide decided that due to the crappy weather it would be better to head to Heidiland first instead. On the way we passed through a town that has lots of storks nesting on the roofs of the houses, it looks like the locals build a special platform for the bird to roost on.

We finally made it to Heidiland, our guide kept us amused with daft jokes and stories, I think many of his jokes were wasted on the non native English speakers on the bus, Ebi-kun and I thought he was funny though.

I'm sure in the nice weather Heidiland would have ben beautiful, sadly much of it was shrouded in cloud.

There is a museum but we only had 30 minutes so we decided it was too expensive (9 euro each) for just 30 minutes, I would have paid to go in if we had longer there. Instead we got some food and fed the goats.

This is exactly what we thought of the miserable weather, it was the coldest day we had to date too!

We did have a poke around all the buildings, what's in here? You will have to go and check it out yourself to find out!

Then it was time to do the final leg of the tour, this was the real reason I signed up for the tour....Liechtenstein! Of course the rain was still pouring down when we arrived! We got our passports stamped, bought and wrote a postcard for Daddy the pottered around the town square.

It was raining quite hard so we actually spent most of our time n the gift shops, not my idea of fun but getting even wetter didn't seem like fun either.

From the town square you can see the castle...

That about wrapped it up, it was an hour or so back to Zurich, we arrived back to the hotel damp and cold! We hadn't eaten the sandwiches we had bought at the start of the day so we had those for tea and an early night!

If you are in the area and want to do the same tour - I hope you have better weather! We booked HERE