New Year's Day with one Flemish Family.

We gathered together at Gert's parents place and began with snacks and champagne, before moving into the routine of courses that rotate on a roster each year.

Gert's brother made a stunning Thai soup that was a little too piquant for me but was clever in the way it kind of exploded inside your mouth. The ingredients were stunningly delicious too ... lemon grass, shrimps, exotic mushrooms (writes the girl from Mosgiel), some herb root he made me taste and half the recommended amount of chilli.

His sister and her husband made this delicate little goat cheese and honey on lightly toasted bread dish, served with a salad and tiny tomatoes stuffed with the smallest of shrimps. Beautiful!

Next came this fish casserole that was loaded with the most delicious of fish and instantly became one of those, 'ohmygoodness, I must have this recipe' experiences. I can see it becoming a favourite comfort food on cold winter days.

Finally we reached the dessert ... by Gert and Di. The big pavlova (a new recipe) with ice cream, profiteroles, covered in Gert's real chocolate sauce and this ice cream cake-thing.

White wine accompanied us throughout the journey, with Sambuca and/or coffee to finish.

We rolled home late in the evening, labouring with a full belly of food and me, once again a victim (a happy victim) of my father-in-law's most generous hand with the alcohol.

It was a good day here in the flatlands.