Day 1961 (Friday) 21st October 2022

It was a miserable day today and I felt really sorry for the cruise ship passengers

but at least it didn’t rain.

This beautiful yacht came into the bay again

 

About W Explorer

The elegant 36m Benetti Sail Division motor yacht W EXPLORER is an exciting addition to the charter fleet. Joining Burgess in 2018, she underwent an extensive refit in 2016 where both her exterior and interior were revamped. Emerging in excellent condition, she is an appealing prospect for a charter with family and friends.

A unique yacht on the charter circuit her sophisticated and timeless styling appeals to a wide audience. Perfectly created with social interaction in mind, guests will enjoy the spacious decks.

The newly refurbished sun deck now has the addition of a jacuzzi plus a bar with BBQ and dining area complete with a state-of-the-art surround system. Ideal for those lazy sea days. Forward of the bridge, also on the sun deck, an added relaxation area is present; guests can take in the idyllic scenery of the Mediterranean from this heightened position.

The main deck offers ample dining and relaxation areas. From the aft deck, guests can step aboard to be immediately welcomed by an intimate alfresco dining option flanked by a padded bench style seating area. Protected by windbreakers and the option of the infrared heating system allows this deck to be used whether at anchor or cruising. The aft main deck seamlessly flows into the main saloon eventually reaching the formal dining area, capable of seating eight guests.

Moving down the yacht on to the lower deck, four cabins can accommodate up to nine guests in a configuration of master and VIP (both full width) and a further two twin cabins. All guest cabins have en suite green marble bathrooms.

For those that enjoy getting out on the water to take advantage of the enviable selection of watertoys, a sizable swim platform which is easily accessible is present complete with shower and ladder. With an experienced crew of six, a charter on board W Explorer is sure to be an unforgettable experience.

Key features

Spacious sun deck with jacuzzi, bar and BBQ, dining area and day head/steam room/shower room and two forward pilot chairs and sunbeds

Al fresco dining with infrared heating, ventilation and windbreakers surround on the main deck

Swimming platform with shower and ladder

Unique full width master and VIP en suite cabins

Zero speed stabilisers to reduce any rolling motion while at anchor

Approved RYA training centre for personal watercraft

It is available at from 75,000 € per week

It brightened up in the afternoon but not much.

I have found yet another cheese story…

Grated Camembert! Who said the French were stuck in their ways?

A food company from Brittany has come up with an inventive product that gives a new twist to one of the country's most sacred cheeses. But will the French turn their noses up at it?

Photo: AFP/AB Technologies

It seems more like something you'd find on the shelves of a Tesco supermarket in the UK  – the home of the straight croissant – rather than something the French would actually invent themselves. 

But on Tuesday an industrial food company from Brittany, in northern France unveiled a new way of serving up one of France's softest and smelliest cheeses.

 

Grated Camembert. Will the French ever swallow it?

It took Breton company AB Technologies Alimentaires six months to come up with the winning formula before they succeeded.

The reason it took so long was that they needed to come up with a way of hardening the soft cheese to be able to grate it without ruining the flavour. 

But why do it all, you might ask. 

“Today, the range of grated cheese is quite limited,” the company's marketing manager Françoise Chauvel told French newspaper l'Ouest France. 

“Emmental, Cantal … We wanted to offer something else and thought about Camembert. “

And according to the company, the cheese has multiple uses and can be used to grate on pasta, pizza or in sauces. They want to initially aim it at companies and those working in the food industry but will also sell it to the public in supermarkets if there proves to be a demand.

But many French Twitter users turned their noses up at the thought of grated Camembert.

“I just don't know what use it would have,” said one while another said “only the industrially produced fake Camembert cheeses will be able to be grated”.

However one tweeter praised the inventiveness of those in Brittany.

“Bretons have invented grated Camembert. One day they will rule the world,” said the tweeter.

But no doubt there will be cries of heresy from the neighbouring region of Normandy, which is home of the original Camembert.

“The Normans have pinched the Mont-Saint-Michel, so today we are stealing Camembert from them – in a grated version,” she said, referring to the fact that the famous abbey has been officially deemed to be in Normandy, despite Brittany's claims that it belongs to them. 

While the cheese is aimed at industrial food producers, the firm is open to the idea of selling it to the public if there is demand.

We’re going to Le Phare this evening – I wonder if anyone will be out