Ilha Grande & Paraty - Brazil

Paraty is about four hours south of Rio de Janeiro by road and I would really recommend taking the trip. Far from the frenzy of Rio, Paraty's old Colonial centre is a wonderful place to while away a few days in peace. You could easily spend a weekend just strolling the cobble streets, which are pedestrian only, dipping in and out of of artisanal shops and eateries. I've heard it get's pretty busy in the summer, but when I was there it was very chilled. There's a bohemian vibe in the air and the town centre is a refuge for creatives of all sorts. Nearby there are beaches, waterfalls, jungles and plenty of places to go hiking. 

Paraty, RJ

Paraty, RJ

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Paraty, RJ

Lopes Mendes Beach, Ilha Grande, RJ

Lopes Mendes Beach, Ilha Grande, RJ

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Portugese colonial architecture - Paraty, RJ

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About half way between Rio and Paraty is Angra Dos Reis which is the drop off point for the boat to Ilha Grande. You know that feeling when you're walking home from work in the dark, in mid January, in the pouring rain and you fantasize about places you'd rather be? Yeah, this is that. 

Ilha Grande, RJ

Ilha Grande, RJ

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Put Your Phone Away Album Artwork

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Album Listing:

1. The Old Ones Are The Best

2. Milk, No Sugar

3. Put Your Phone Away

4. Can I Have The Key?

5. Femme Fatale

6. I Want To Fall In Love With A Marine

7. You Threw The Best Bit Away

8. Go To Hell

9. Champagne

This album is also available for digital download with 2 bonus tracks here

Silk screen printed CD with 8 page booklet in jewel case

Released November 26, 2015

Produced and Arranged by Louisa Revolta and Steve Christie
Engineered, Mixed and Mastered on a Studer B67 by Steve Christie at Vintage Keys Studio |  www.vintagekeysstudio.com 
Recorded at Hillside Studio, 51 Skin, Goose and Vintage Keys Studio, August - October 2015. Recorded using vintage AKG microphones D20, D19 and D190. 

Personnel: 
Louisa Revolta - Vocals, Alto Saxophone, Flute, Clarinet, Champagne
Hannah Castleman - Vocals, Alto Saxophone and Flute
Anna Harding - Vocals, Alto Saxophone and Flute
Steve Christie - Piano, Hammond Organ, Celeste, Strings, Double Bass solo, Aeoliphone
Doug Revolta - Double Bass
Joe Pickering - Drums and Percussion
Owen Feeney - Electric and Acoustic Guitars
Matthew Shenton and Neil Doherty - Trumpet
Simon Slater - Clarinet

Photography by Steven Moulster
Cover design by The Spitfire Sisters
Graphic design by Anna Harding

Gin, Gin, Gin!

It’s no great secret that I enjoy a gin & tonic (Hendricks, slimline Schweppes & a squeeze of lime) but it wasn’t until last Christmas that I started to take this fondness to the next level by getting experimental (or “fussy” so I’m told) with mixers and cocktail recipes. “What was the catalyst for this rather frivolous and entirely extravagant new hobby Anna?” I hear you ask. Well, it began with a rather splendid gift from my brother.  Wrapped under the Christmas tree last year was a bottle of Twisted Nose Gin, a local tipple that is distilled just up the road from me in Winchester. I knew it would be nice, it was recently voted 17th in a poll of the nation’s favourite gin’s and received rave reviews at the Gin Guild Ginposium (YES, a place where gin professionals get together solely to discuss gin…!).

I’m going to put my neck on the line here as a gin novice and say that it’s got quite a distinctive peppery taste, which is very refreshing! This might have something to do with it’s watercress infusion (a speciality of the area, thus lending its name to our wonderful steam line – The Watercress Line) or a combination of nine other botanicals of which you can read about on the website. Of course Twisted Nose makes for a wonderful G&T, but I also wanted to share with you a beautifully bitter gin cocktail that I’m becoming rather fond of (potentially sacrilege? I’m new to this!).

Gin Bramble

 

Bramble

Ingredients:

  • 45ml gin

  • 20ml lemon juice

  • 15ml sugar syrup

  • 20ml crème de mûre (Blackberry liquor is difficult to source – but you can also substitute this with Chambord)

  • Lots of ice

  • Blackberries or raspberries to garnish

Method:

MIX and enjoy!

N.B. I originally stumbled across this recipe on Honestly YUM, which is crammed full of good & drink related goodness! 

Bramble 2

I'd love to hear your thoughts & recommendations about gin, cocktails or this recipe so do leave comments!

Much love,

Anna xxx

P.s. Since we're on the topic...

Shape and number are not only the universal rules of measurement and logic; they are also cultural tools that can be used for expressing particular social ideas and linking different areas of life. The are, as Levi-Strauss would put it, ‘good to think with’.

- Ron Eglash