An Edible Voyage

July 2021 Lost and Found Cafe is verging on perfection.  A short stroll along the beautiful north coast of Northern Ireland, a few minutes away from the hubbub of Portstewart Strand, nestles this friendly brew bar and eatery.   Enjoy expertly crafted espresso based coffee and innovative brunch at the stools in front of the enormous window overlooking the sea.  Salty feta, nutty tahini and the sweetness of honey, an inspired and utterly delicious toastie that I will definitely be recreating at home.    Don't leave without choosing one of their exciting homemade sweet treats (and maybe one to take home too!).  Bigger than your head cookie sandwiches are enough for several sittings, and cakes change with the seasons. Find Lost and Found Cafe on Berne Road, just east of Portstewart Strand.

June 2021 Rarely do I go anywhere without my bike.  People say I'm mad but I relish the flexibility to get off the beaten track (literally!), the extra time to savour the views as I plod my way up a hill or fly along country lanes, the opportunity to be at one with my surroundings.  If I didn't, I never would have come across Broughgammon Farm - a teeny tiny hedgerow sign spotted as I battled a blustery wind, committed to memory for further investigation. Having established the opening days (limited to Friday - Sunday at the time of writing), I decided to pop in on my way back to Belfast, to soften the blow of having to leave my beautiful campsite (which I'd had all to myself for the week). Some old-fashioned sign-following (Google Maps was a bit off) took me down a long and windy track, on and on it went, increasing the anticipation, but also having me wondering if I'd taken a wrong turn.  But a wrong turn I had not taken and soon I popped out in the farm.  The farm...

June 2021 When researching my Northern Ireland trip, I had no doubt I'd come across many a food and coffee place to add to my 'to try' list in Belfast, but I fully expected that once I was out in the 'wilds' of my campsite, any food and drink excitement would be limited by my (lack of) camping stove creativity.  To my delight, I was proved wrong.  Unexpectedly, the seaside town of Ballycastle harbours Ursa Minor, a sourdough bakery and treasure trove of local produce.  Sourdough loaves and seasonally flavoured buns and baked goods fill the window, whilst the rest of the shop bursts with locally made preserves and condiments in all manner of exciting flavours - lemon and fennel, strawberries preserved in acacia honey and rayu (Japanese chilli oil) jumped out at me, alongside delicious kombucha and all sorts of other delights. Sit in and enjoy a quality coffee - they offer all the espresso based staples, or take your haul down to the beach for a gourmet picnic. Find U...