The last week in King's Lynn

The last weekend in King's Lynn. The girl travelling with me went to spend the weekend in London, while I stayed "home". Saturday was dedicated to watching TV and crochetting.

Saturday night's supper, salmon with rice, a salad and a bowl of steamed broccoli and a slice of heated cheese bread. We ate it in front of the telly, on trays, while watching a film.

Sunday morning I was determined to get up early. Which I did, seeing it was my last chance. I went downstairs to make breakfast, ate quickly and poured my coffee into a thermo mug. While the parents of my host family were doing their Sunday morning chores and getting ready for work, I left the house after 7 am and walked leisurely down to the community centre.

The weekly car boot sale that was on my to-do-list.

There weren't many people selling their old things yet, when I arrived, some were still setting up. I walked around, looking at the things people were selling. Old knick-knacks, books, toys and baby stuff, bedlinen, curtains, table cloths, video tapes, CDs, DVDs, jars, dishes, even old computers, computer screens, cables... most seemed, to me, like things most people just take to the recycling centre back home, to be honest. So I didn't really find anything worth buying.

After walking around, looking at things, watching people, observing their interactions, I decided that it was too early to go back home. The weather was nice (it wasn't raining, the sun made an appearance every now and then), so I went for a walk.

There is a gorgeous church not far from the community centre. It was built around the Norman period, 1060s-1100s, I couldn't find a specific year when I searched for some history on the church (even the church's own website has no info on the building's history!). The grave yard looked absolutely gorgeous to me, but because there were no pathways between the head stones, I didn't dare to walk over the grass to go and take a closer look at them. I'm not religious in any way, but I find old buildings and church yards quite beautiful. They have this special kind of atmosphere, even to someone like me.

I strolled down the street to the nearest shopping area. At first I thought I'd do some grocery shopping, but because it was so early, and a Sunday, grocery shops didn't open in a few hours yet. So I found my way to the public library (also closed, but found out what times it's open on weekdays) and the nearest laundrette. The last one merely out of interest because had we not been able to use the host family's washing machine, this is where we would had needed to haul our laundry.

Sunday morning was lovely. I enjoyed walking around in the occasional sunshine, sipping my morning coffee and listening to music. It was lovely to be all by myself, doing something I absolutely love, exploring a beautiful town without any hurry.

The rest of Sunday was spent enjoying some films on TV and another delicious dinner with the hosts.

Monday we got the day off. I watched a bunch of movies in my room on Netflix, to get some off of my watch list. Best to try and watch as many, before I have to return home and I can't keep the British Netflix selection anymore.

Tuesday morning it was raining heavily. First time in the past three weeks I'd been here. Good thing I had an umbrella with me!

Back to college and back to work! Tuesday I helped the level 3 students with a menu created by one of the students. I was shown what they do to pig trotters, I boiled ham hock with vegetables and then fried chicken livers with raisins, thyme and breadcrumbs. I have to say, chicken liver doesn't seem as nearly disgusting as cow liver (the latter smells and tastes absolutely horrible).

After finishing with the level 3s, I got to have a lunch break and the lecturer responsible for us told me I could join his pastry class after the break. Which I was very happy to do.

First I got to make praline for the first time ever. Molten sugar and pistachio nuts.

I also made tuille biscuits, not as great a success as I hoped, the pastry was just a minute overtime in the oven.

Lastly, got to make strawberry-passionfruit sauce. The lecturer praised my work, which was great :)

A little snack before going home. I have tried to remember why did I go and get this salad after being dismissed for the day...

Because of the good feedback I got, I decided to treat myself to a bottle of Pinot Grigio. It was absolutely delicious.

A random familiar thing; they sell the exact same Whiskas cat food bags here as they sell back home. The packets include the description in Finnish.

Wednesday morning. Could not get to change into my work clothes, because the storage room was locked. Wondered where everyone was. Apparently they all were having a meeting in the school restaurant.

The day's menu. I helped with the main fish dish.

I poached eggs for the first time ever. They use duck's eggs, another first for me. They feel very different from hen's eggs.
Before this I thought poaching would be quite difficult, but turns out it's anything but difficult. Got some praise again for making near perfect poached eggs on my very first try!

The eggs were served with smoked cod, mash and a spinach cream sauce.

The lunch service just flew by again. Got to go home around two and the rest of the day I kicked back.

Thursday, the last day at the college. My morning turned into a bit of a cluster-fuck, so I had to take my morning coffee with me. It was such a lovely, sunny morning.

I went to work in the pastry kitchen. The pastry chef lecturer was very thankful, because half of her class was absent!

I was asked, along with the younger student, to make 50+ bread rolls.

While the bread dough was proofing, I made some chocolate chip brownies. Still trying to fìgure out gas ovens, they don't bake as quickly as electric ovens.

Bread dough had prooved and was worked into rolls, which got a Superman stamp on them. Why? The evening's dinner service was Superhero night. Which is why there were also some Superman and Batman biscuits made.

After getting everything done, the lecturer gave me some very good feedback, praising how hard working I am. She also asked me go keep contact and tell her how I'm doing after I get back home. Which I will definitely do!

After working in the pastry kitchen I got a 4-hour break. I went to have my very last school lunch at the college cafeteria. Chicken and chips with some lettuce. I added the ketchup and mayonnaise, because chips need them.

After lunch I went to see the lecturer, who's responsible for me and the younger student. He had to finish some paper work with me, and give feedback. I was delightfully surprised, when he told me that he thought that my performance had made great progress. Apparently during the first week I had seemed quite unsure and timid, and now that wasn't the case at all. According to him I'd gained huge amounts of confidence which was visible in the food I cooked and plated. I was blown away with this feedback and felt so great. Still do!

I still had about 2,5 hours to kill before dinner service. The lecturer suggested that I should go to the Walks, an urban park not far from the college. I decided that I have plenty of time, I should go there. It was on my to-do-list!

I walked around and across the park, watched some water fowl, went to see the beautiful church and chapel a little closer... the sun shone so nicely for the most part of my stroll.

A bit over an hour later I had walked around the entire park. I bet it looks even lovelier in summer!

Then I went back to the college, had a coffee at the college café and waited for it to be 4 pm.

The menu of Superhero Night.

The younger student and I were given the dessert section. We were responsible for it without anyone really supervising us. They did arrange a waitress to help us out, if necessary. I did need her help a few times to ensure we all remembered what went on which dessert.

We had four desserts; tarte tatin, a mousse and jelly "sundae", a triple chocolate mousse and banoffee pie. I was responsible for plating the banoffee pie and designed what it should look like. It got some blackberries on it, too. The banoffee was the only dessert we sold every piece of!

During service the lecturer responsible for us came to see us and say goodbye as he was leaving for the day. After service a third lecturer came to ask us how we liked the exchange, what did we learn and what are some of the differences between Finnish and British professional kitchens. And asked us to keep contact. Will do!

Walking to the bus stop it finally hit me; I won't be back here tomorrow! I'm off home on Saturday!

Today I slept until 7 am and started packing my bags. I have to leave the fun fair winnings here, I can't fit them in my bags. Pity, but what can you do?

I'm quite excited to be going back home, and then on the other hand it sucks that I have to go back home. This is such a beautiful city, the people are so very nice and it has been so much fun staying here. I really hope I will get a chance to come back sometime soon again!