The Wonder of Oysters and New Life

It is an oddity to expect good, fresh seafood in inland England, so we thought it a joke when we heard about the Oyster Festival happening this weekend in the nearby village of Woburn. I checked the website and deciding that it was authentic enough, we got ready and drove our way there. By now, Mum is resigned that she cannot keep me locked up at home, especially in the weekends and there is no way we (except Mum) would have missed an oyster festival!

I'm a great lover of shellfish. Clams, winkles, whelks, cockles, mussels, oysters, abalone... You name it, I love it. The only one that I've not fallen for is the geoduck, which is a vulgar elephant-trunk-like thing sticking out of a giant clam shell; plus it's tough as tree bark (which makes it a wonder why it is so darn expensive...) But everything else I love.

Especially oysters.

I used to feel ambivalent about them. A bit disgusted even. How could anyone put this formless, gooey raw thing down his throat? But then, it being a high-class gourmet food, I decided I have to take the plunge, so that I can at least say I've tried them before.

Just listen to this introduction from the Shellfish Association of Great Britain:
"Eating raw oysters is a uniquely invigorating experience. No other food conjures up a taste sensation as strongly as an pyster the essence of the sea in edible form.  However, there are large differences among oysters with regard to taste, body and nose; the environmental conditions have a significant impact on flavours.  Tastes can range from some salty to floral, some have fruity notes, mineral flavour or even hints of spice.  Even oysters from the same estuary can vary in flavour depending upon exactly where they are grown." 

Sounds like wine and terroir to me!

So, I tried.  And I was surprised. They didn't taste half-bad. Admittedly, I wasn't bowled over by them, but I did find them an interesting taste, a nice, positive "interesting" (given that "interesting" can be a euphemism). And have subsequently gone on to "try" them again and again... Before finally falling hopelessly under their spell.

So, there we were, on a beautiful sunny Saturday afternoon, wandering the festival site in Woburn. It was a three-day affair, from Friday till Sunday, with live bands, food stalls, games stalls and antique stalls. Naturally, we made a beeline for the seafood when we arrived...

And were surprised that there was only one oyster stall! ONE?!

Well, beggars can't be choosers, so we queued up duely, crossed our fingers and bought a dozen plus some white wine.

And we had to eat our words besides the oysters. They were lovely! And this was a unanimous opinion. After the oysters, we moved on to mussels, fish cakes and prawns. Everything was just super. We walked around the festival, checking out the various stalls. I think it was a nice experience for Mum and Dad, who looked on in curiosity at the wares sold, bits and bobs and possibly not all too antique.

And the pictures! They loved taking pictures. Possibly infected by our love for photo-taking and photos. I want to take as many as I can, of my parents, of my baby, of us, so we can keep these happy memories with us.

And the one nice, new thing I noticed was how everyone is so enamored by small babies. As we walked about, we were stopped so many times by people wanting to have a look at Julien, asking how old he is, and just cooing away at Him. When we were in a restaurant for dinner later, it was the same story with the staff there. Everyone was so interested and had such kind comments. One girl even shared with us that she is trying for a baby herself and looked so wistfully at Julien.

And it's not just the adults who are thrilled, the little kids are too. A few times at the clinic, children waiting with their parents for their turn would stop their play and looked at us when we walked in, then would hover around us, saying to themselves or their parents, "It's a baby!" with a sort of awe in their voices. They were just too shy to come over; otherwise, I believe they would. I remember that we had a similar experience even when Baby was not out yet. We were in a sunglass shop, and while a very heavily pregnant me was trying on some pairs, two little girls, perhaps between the ages of 7 to 9, shyly observed me before approaching me to ask me all about Baby: Do I know if it is a boy or a girl? A girl is nicer, you know? Do you have a name for your baby already? ... before proceeding to share with me their recommendations for cool baby boy names.

It is a revelation for me. You know how people say you make frens easily when you go around with a baby (and the same case when you have a dog). You listen, but you don't really know how it will be like or how it feels. And when it happens, you get all warm and fuzzy inside. Because you don't know how or why it works, but you are just so grateful that the world seems to welcome and love your little one just like you do. And you feel the miracle and preciousness of life all over again, when even little children feel the wonder of it.

Julien, I am looking forward to the day when we will enjoy oysters and Prosecco together. But for now, Daddy and Mummy are just enjoying watching you grow everyday and happy to share the joy of your little life with everyone else.