Gluten free Lebkuchen Christmas Biscuits

Baking some treats from the Gluten-free Baking at Christmas book by Samantha Stein.

One of the Christmas food items I've missed most since being diagnosed with Coeliac Disease is Lebkuchen. They are a tasty glazed - and sometimes chocolate-coated - gingerbread biscuit from Germany.

With my German-heritage I remember receiving hampers from relations in Germany and my favourite item was always Lebkuchen.

As there are no commercially available gluten free Lebkuchen in the shops I haven't eaten any since Christmas 2007.

I heard via twitter that fellow coeliac Samantha Stein (aka The Happy Coeliac) had included a recipe for gluten free Lebkuchen in her 'Gluten-free Baking at Christmas' book! As an early Christmas present I bought the book and it was delivered in time to get baking before the big day.

The Gluten-free Baking at Christmas book by 'The Happy Coeliac' Samantha Stein. The book contains 20 festive recipes

Emily is a great cook and budding baker and looked forward to cooking the Lebkuchen. As recommended in the recipe the dough mix was prepared 24-hours in advance an left overnight in the fridge so that the flavour could intensify.

We had to hunt for some Christmas-shaped cake cutters, but managed to track down a set in M&S so we could make the Lebkuchen festive.

The end result was a batch of very nice Lebkuchen and a very happy coeliac. As well as the glaze we topped some of them with melted dark chocolate. They really tasted of Christmas.

Gluten free Lebkuchen biscuits

You can buy the 'Gluten-free Baking at Christmas' book by Samantha Stein on The Happy Coeliac website. Check out the gluten free Lebkuchen recipe on the site too.

If you sign-up for free updates from The Happy Coeliac you will also receive a free 40-page eBook 'Gluten Free For Beginners'.

Related blog posts:
- Coeliac
- Gluten Free

Links:
- The Happy Coeliac website
- The Happy Coeliac on Twitter
- The Happy Coeliac on Facebook
- The Happy Coeliac on YouTube

New Glutafin gluten free pizza bases

Trying out some of the new gluten free pizza bases from Glutafin.

I recently received a 'Sorry you were out' card in my letterbox and so headed down to my local sorting office to collect my large item. When the postman brought out the parcel it was a surprise!

The bright 'takeaway' pizza box I collected from the Royal Mail sorting office surprised me and I got some funny looks from the other people waiting to collect their packages. It's not often you go to a Post Office for pizza!

Glutafin was one of the first gluten free brands I heard of when I was diagnosed with Coeliac Disease in 2008 when I first saw my Consultant and Dietitian at the L&D Hospital. I was given details of the products, information on how to order on prescription and some coupons for free sample products. I've been buying their products ever since and I've also received Glutafin products on prescription over the years.

The new pizza bases from Glutafin are very good. They are nice and thin, with a slightly raised edge so you can fill it up with tasty toppings. The pizzas we made were so good that we scoffed them before we had a chance to take any photos.

The Glutafin pizza bases came with a movie themed pizza ideas leaflet and details of a contest

Find out more about the Glutafin range on the website, follow them on Twitter and Facebook and sign-up for the newsletter. If you're a newly diagnosed Coeliac you can sign-up to receive a free hamper of Glutafin goodies on the website too.

A slice of very nice gluten free pizza cooked by Emily. The Glutafin Pizza Bases are great. They hold up well, are nice and thin, with a good crust. This pizza was topped with some of the tasty Kelkin Tomato & Basil Pasta Sauce (that we bought in our haul from Lidl recently), some excellent Chorizo from The Bath Pig and Mozzarella

Related blog posts:
- Coeliac
- Gluten Free
- Glutafin
- Gluten free surprise at Lidl

Links:
- Glutafin website
- Glutafin on Twitter
- Glutafin on Facebook
- Kelkin
- The Bath Pig

Free From Coeliacs

Some interesting labeling on a crisp packet.

+Emily recently got some Convivial Yorkshire Crisps and I was pleased to see they were 'Free From' Gluten.

I did laugh when I saw they were also 'Free From' Coeliacs!

Good to know these crisps do not contain any Coeliacs. I draw the line at eating fellow gluten free people!

Being on a lifelong medically approved diet to treat my Coeliac Disease I am forever poring over labels on food and drink before I'll dare consume it.

The Yorkshire Crisps website also details the allergy information and states the lightly sea salted flavour crisps are suitable for Coeliacs and Vegetarians. They are Free From nuts, soya, milk, egg, gluten, MSG and GM.

The 'Convivial' crisps

I'm looking forward to eating them.

Take a look at my blog series on Funny things about being a Coeliac for more menu and label fails.

Links:
- Yorkshire Crisps
- Coeliac UK

Related blog posts:
- Coeliac-related blog posts
- Gluten Free-related blog posts
- Funny things about being a Coeliac

Star Command Laser Tag in London

New London laser tag battleground is open.

While recently walking from Oxford Circus to Tottenham Court Road my eye was taken by an interesting sight - a new Laser Tag arena!

I popped in and the two staff members gave me a run through on the laser guns, game modes and a walk round the battle zone. It looks great.

We played Star Command Laser Tag when it was based at the Trocadero. It's great to know the centre has reopened elsewhere.

Me and Emily at Star Command Laser Tag in 2011

The new venue opened on the 15 December and is located in the Old Foyles Bookshop on Charing Cross Road, between Leicester Square and Tottenham Court Road.

For more information on opening times, game options and prices visit the Star Command Laser Tag website, Facebook page and Twitter.

It might be time to get a group together for a match-up and dust off the Laser Tag Rankings.

Related blog posts:
- Laser Tag
- Laser Tag in Birmingham and London

Links:
- Star Command Laser Tag
- Laser Tag and Paintball in London

Blogging for eight years today

As of today I've been blogging for eight years!

Richard Gottfried, veteran blogger

I've written 1,931 blog posts.

The blog has received almost 700,000 page views.

With readers from over 100 countries.

In that time Emily and I have travelled to 193 seasides.

We've played more than 30 different sports and games.

And visited 588 minigolf, crazy golf, putting and adventure golf courses.

Plus, I've found, tried and reviewed lots of gluten free food & drink.

Thank you all for reading, liking, commenting, tweeting, RT'ing, sharing and +1'ing :-)

Related blog posts:
- My first blog post "The Ham & Egger Files – An Introduction"
- My most viewed blog post "Minigolf and Crazy Golf courses in and around London"
- Behold...

World of Bun Throwing: Abingdon County Hall Museum

World of Bun Throwing: Abingdon County Hall Museum: A visit to Abingdon-on-Thames.

On a recent visit to my old home town of Abingdon-on-Thames I was very pleased to see that the roof of the County Hall Museum is now open to visitors...

Crazy Golf in Abingdon's Abbey Meadows

A revisit to the first miniature golf course I ever played.

The Crazy Golf course at the Abbey Meadows in Abingdon-on-Thames

At the weekend I visited my home town of Abingdon-on-Thames in Oxfordshire. While there I had to go and have a look at the Crazy Golf course that was the first-ever minigolf course I played.

At the first minigolf course I ever played

On our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour the Abbey Meadows Crazy Golf course became the 31st played in August 2007.

When we first walked up to the out-of season minigolf course we thought it had been felted, but no, it was a build-up of moss on holes one and two!

I last played the course in June 2012 in match-up against my brother Jon. That visit saw a rematch following our game in April 2012.

One of the tricky minigolf holes at the Abbey Meadows Crazy Golf course in Abingdon-on-Thames

Related Blog Posts:
- A Gottfried vs. Gottfried Crazy Golf Match in Abingdon-on-Thames
- A day out of Bun Throwing, Crazy Golf and Bar Billiards in Abingdon-on-Thames
- Abingdon Abbey Meadows Crazy Golf Course Replay on a Crazy World of Minigolf Tour Revisit
- Crazy Golf in Abingdon, Oxfordshire
- Abingdon
- Abingdon-on-Thames
- World of Bun Throwing blog
- Crazy World of Minigolf Tour

Link:
- Abbey Meadows, Abingdon on the Vale of White Horse District Council website

London Skittles at the Hampstead Lawn Billiard and Skittle Club

Report from the Minigolfer's Christmas 'Do' 2014.

Crazy Skittlers

This year our annual festive jaunt took us to The Freemasons Arms, home to London's last remaining Skittle Alley and the historic Hampstead Lawn Billiard and Skittle Club.

Emily playing London Skittles

After reading about the game some years ago and a visit to the pub after a Hopping tournament in 2012 we made the booking to play a game of London Skittles in the basement alley for our Christmas tournament.

Brad 'The Fist' Shepherd launches into action

With reigning champion Emily leading one team and multiple-time former winner of Christmas shenanigans Brad captaining the other the other players were picked by number before we got straight into playing.

'Squire' Richard throwing a little off course

Emily led the proceedings and with a choice of three different 'cheeses' stepped up and scored an end of 5 with her three goes to get the competition underway.

A pair of 'Cheeses'

The winner's of the team tournament were 'Lemony's Lobbers' who defeated 'Team Frugal' with a scoreline of 178 to 176!

Lemony's Lobbers - 2014 Christmas 'Do' Champions. From l-r Jon Angel, Steve Gow, Alan Norman, John Moore, Emily Gottfried, Richard Gottfried

This year's losers and runners-up, Team Frugal. From l-r Paul O'Connor, Chris Jones, Brad Shepherd, Trevor 'Lord of Smeeth' Robertson, Richard Linden, Seth Thomas

The overall individual was once again Brad 'The Fist' Shepherd with a total of 44, having been the only player to score a double-digit end in the two-hour tournament. Newcastle's John Moore and Surrey's Steve Gow tied for second.

The Big Cheese - Brad 'The Fist' Shepherd

Baby Bel - Alan 'Stormin' Norman

Our instructor for the evening, Pete, was a great coach and referee giving us plenty of hints & tips and history of the game and venue. We also learned some of the terminology of the game for good shots, bad shots, pin layouts and more.

The final scores

We'd definitely play again and recommend London Skittles at the Freemasons Arms as a great night out.

The Freemasons Arms, Hampstead

Check out the Hampstead Lawn Billiard and Skittle Club website for more information on London Skittles and for booking enquiries, as well as some videos showing the game as it was in the 1930's and as it is now.

The Lawn Billiards game that forms part of the club's name is a long extinct sport, but you can still view Lawn Billiards artifacts in the club's alley.

While one team is throwing, two of the opposing team's players act as pin setters and cheese returners

Emily readying herself for a lob

Richard preparing for a shot

John Moore getting in the swing

Five scored

Pin setting and cheese rolling

Chris 'Stretch' Jones on a leisurely stroll up the alley

Trevino in action

Big Al in full flight

Jon Angel with a great shot up the middle

  

Alan 'Stormin' Norman throwing a cheese

London Skittles team competition results

London Skittles individual competition results

Minigolfer's Christmas Shenanigans Hall of Fame
2014 - Brad 'The Fist' Shepherd - London Skittles Individual Championship
2014 - Lemony's Lobbers (Emily 'Lemony' Gottfried, 'Squire' Richard Gottfried, Alan 'Stormin' Norman, John 'Big Al' Moore, Jon 'Occasional' Angel, 'Big' Stevie Gow) - London Skittles Team Championship
2013 – Emily ‘Lemony’ Gottfried – World Boules Le Noël Champignonship
2012 – Brad ‘The Fist’ Shepherd – Riverclose Worlds UnProfessional Minigolfer's Darts Championship
2011 – Brad ‘The Fist’ Shepherd – Rivernear Worlds Professional Crazy Golfers Darts Championships
2010 – Brad ‘The Fist’ Shepherd – Christmas Minigolf 9-Hole Putting Green Sudden Death Challenge
2010 – Keith 'Doc' Kellard & Jon 'El Pato' Angel (Team KJ Choice) – Sim BIG Golf Par-3's of the World Doubles Challenge
2009 – Brad ‘The Fist’ Shepherd – Christmas-themed Crazy Golf at Devonshire Square
Before Records Began – Lionel ‘The Spoon’ Bender – Crazy Golf Contest

Links
- London Skittles at the Hampstead Lawn Billiard and Skittle Club
- London Skittles on Facebook
- The Freemasons Arms, Hampstead

Related blog posts:
- Report from the Minigolfer’s Annual Christmas Shenanigans ‘Do’ in London 2013
- The Minigolfer’s Annual Christmas Darts ‘Do’ 2012 in London
- Crazy Golfers Christmas 'Do' in London 2011 - Darts Tournament at Rileys Victoria!
- The Minigolfers Christmas 'Do' 2010
- 2009 Christmas Crazy Golf Challenge at Devonshire Square
- A London Pub & Jumble Sale Crawl
- Another New Game Played - Northamptonshire Skittles
- Behold...
- Tenpin Bowling

Gluten free beer at The King and Queen pub in Fitzrovia

Spotting gluten free beers available at The King & Queen pub in London.

While on a recent evening out in London Emily spotted that The King and Queen Pub in Fitzrovia serves gluten free beer.

Green's gluten free beers and Crop Circle by Hop Back Brewery are available at The King & Queen pub in Fitzrovia

After seeing the chalkboard advertising the beers Emily asked behind the bar and was shown the row of Green's Beers and Crop Circle by Hop Back Brewery.

The bar staff opened up the fridge so Emily could take this photo of the gluten free beers available. Green's beers and Crop Circle are on the bottom shelf

Great to know there's another pub serving gluten free beer.

Links:
- The King and Queen Pub
- Green's Beers
- Crop Circle

Related blog posts:
- Gluten free Ale, Beer and Lager

- Coeliac

- Gluten Free

End of minigolf season report for 2014

Details of Richard and Emily Gottfried's participation in the 2014 minigolf season.

Luton Minigolfers Emily and Richard Gottfried completed the 2014 minigolf season with a visit to the Dunton Hills Family Golf Centre in West Horndon for the CEMGC Invitational Tournament on Saturday 6 December.

Luton minigolfers Richard and Emily Gottfried at the Dunton Hills miniature golf course in Essex

In the five-player event Emily scored rounds of 50 and 49 to tie with local competitor Chris Wood on a score of 99. In the four-hole cumulative score play-off Emily won with a score of 9 to Wood’s 13. Richard had led the contest after round one, but a round of 59 saw him finish in fourth place.

Emily putting on her way to victory in the season-ending CEMGC Invitational Tournament in Essex

Richard completed the British Minigolf Association’s season with an 11th place finish in the Planet Hastings Crazy Golf Club Open that saw 26-players compete on the 18-hole Adventure Golf course in Hastings. Richard scored rounds of 40 and 42 for a total of 82(+10).

Richard in action at the CEMGC Invitational in Essex

The pair also recently participated in the Surrey Invitational Tournament played at Hoebridge Golf Centre in Woking and Horton Park Golf Club in Epsom. The 36-hole event was won by Woking’s Matt Dodd. Richard was the runner-up, with Emily in third-place.

Richard at the Jungle Island Adventure Golf course in Epsom

Richard said “It’s been a good minigolf season and we’ve played some fun events. Emily has had a very strong year and won some great titles. I’m happy to have finished ranked 12th in the UK and I’m looking forward to competing as part of the rejuvenated Midlands Minigolf Club in the 2015 season.”

Richard playing the Strokes Adventure Golf course in Margate

Emily said “It has been an interesting season. I have won some brilliant titles and taken part in some amazing tournaments. I’ve had a lot of fun along the way and hope to keep it up during 2015.”

Emily in action at the Midlands Open at Dorridge

Richard once again ended the year inside the top-16 in the country with a 12th place ranking of 105 places (161 players) in the BMGA Strokeplay Order of Merit. Emily reached a career-high end of season ranking, finishing 29th.

Richard at the World Crazy Golf Championships in Hastings

In the BMGA Matchplay Order of Merit Rankings Emily finished in tied 20th place of 55 players, Richard was 38th.

Emily playing hole 17 at Strokes Adventure Golf in Margate

In the BMGA Season Only Rankings Emily finished 21st of 91 players, Richard was ranked in 25th position.

Richard at the BMGA British Masters at Splash Point Mini Golf in Worthing

The BMGA Season Only Rankings also contained a team listing. Richard is a member of the Midlands Minigolf Club that was ranked 2nd of five clubs. Emily and her Cambridgeshire & Essex Mini Golf Club team-mates finished the year in 4th place.

Emily won The Gommery trophy for most aces at this year's World Crazy Golf Championships in Hastings

Richard and Emily are both listed in the World Minigolf Sport Federation's General Class rankings. In the women's rankings Emily is in tied 120th position of 128 places (132 players). In the men's rankings Richard is ranked in tied 397th place of 413 places (419 players).

International Minigolfers Emily and Richard Gottfried on GB duty in Sweden in 2011

Worldwide the WMF has 46 member nations, with over 38,000 Minigolf players, 1,000 courses approved for competitions, 900 clubs and over 1,500 Minigolf tournaments held each year.