Mrs Foster turns 30 in style

Charlotte's birthday day was something else. I have been to day long parties before but waking to a hot Tuscan sun and heading out for a 20km cycle tour around the Medieval town of San Gimignana was something else. We took the winding back roads up to the township and took in a food break before heading down to continue the ride With 2km down hill many of the crew let rip and Mali came a cropper. Brave soldier, she she sat quietly and kept apologising as we chatted and Rodders and I did a crash investigation whilst the other cycled back up the same 2km hill and back to the cars. (I was relieved for the rest with my dicky heart on the verge of a spaz)

Magnum PI and Madonna -
Getting the party started

We headed back to the Villa in the Tuscan hills after the cycle and after a quick dip I went in and baked a chocolate cake (with no raising agent it transpired despite buying levitating flour. My Italian obviously needs work!). As the cake cooked the chef Mike and Charlotte had arranged for the night arrived. The feast Christiana presented to us after a few too many Prosecco’s by the pool and in 80’s costume made for a night to remember. 

80's boy styles

80's girls style - so hot!

Birthday Madonna

For first course we had a selection of starters including a very popular duck liver and sundried tomatoes on toast, sausage and parmesan on toast (which I had no idea had meat in it till the left overs!), bruschetta, Tuscan Bread Salad and melon with freshly killed and cured ham (by her Dad’s fair hand none the less). 

Primi course was Spinach and Ricotta Ravioli with a sage and butter sauce. I was in heaven.

As the wine flowed and the conversation centered around general noises of gastronomic pleasure so came Secondi. This consisted of Tuscan stew a peppery delight with slow cooked beef which fell apart. It was so delicious most people left the beans and cherry tomatoes included on the dish. 

Fit to bursting we passed on dessert for the night which was a Tuscan classic cream dish in Lemon and Strawberry flavours. 

We downed the cake with pleasure…I’d doubled the recipe and it had gone soft in the middle. A homemade crowd pleaser (but not what I had planned!).

The night spiralled into the wee hours with many happy memories of 80’s classics with a cast of flashbacks with rouge mou’s and plenty of elbow bending.

A brilliant way to bring in the next decade for Mrs Foster. Salute Signora