The END!
Full circle.
East coast to West coast and back–three weeks “on the road” and here we are in Washington DC about to fly back home.
It has ended brilliantly with two memorable meals–both cooked by others.
For three weeks I’ve stayed out of the kitchen–apart from making four omelets in Palo Alto.
JOY!
We have relied on the kindness of friends for places to stay–without their generosity this trip would not have been affordable.
New York City was the US launch and a lively pop-up event at a Scottish bar and restaurant called St. Andrews in the heart of the theatre district.
Enthusiastic POLDARK fans in the pub snug
An American version of Demelza!
Our friends Melanie and Bruce kindly lent us an apartment on West 22nd Street–a long stone’s throw from where the bomb went off last week.
Melanie sent us photos of the Malibu Diner where we had lunch together–now a crime scene.
Then on to Dallas–hosted by our friends Cindi and Jay.
It’s hot in Dallas–every day! Close to 100F–we duck in and out of air-conditioned buildings and cars.
Screening of the first episode of season two of POLDARK at a local cinema–over 200 in the audience and it looked fabulous up there on the BIG SCREEN.
Q & A afterwards with Bill Young–the Vice President in charge of programming at KERA, Dallas’ excellent PBS station.
Thanks, Bill, for your creativity, perseverance and organization.
Some of the Dallas folks had scrapbooks of my FIRST visit to Dallas with Angharad 39 years ago!
Poignant visit to Dealey Plaza and the Sixth Floor Museum in the Texas Book Depository, kindly hosted by the museum’s British executive director, Nicola Longford.
With Nicola Longford
The Texas School Book Depository on Dealey Plaza. The museum inside is the second most-visited site in Texas after the Alamo.
Brilliant audio tour helps bring some understanding to the tragedy.
Breathless we fly to Los Angeles and arrive late at the lovely little house in Los Feliz of Christy, widow of TV director brother Peter–who died suddenly ten years ago of a heart attack.
Christy helped make the original contact with the flourishing bookstore in Larchmont Village, Chevaliers, where LA Times TV critic Robert Lloyd moderates beautifully the next evening.
With Robert Lloyd, TV critic for The Los Angeles Times
Sold out of books!
The following day a visit SoCal (KOCE), the PBS station for Los Angeles to record some pledge material with Maura Phinney.
A short flight to San Francisco and on to Palo Alto I visit the Gates of Hell (!) in the Rodin Sculpture Garden on the Stanford University campus with our local host, Holly Brady.
Big turn-out at Books Inc— our third visit to this remarkable bookstore opposite the Stanford campus.
They’ve hosted us for all three cookbook tours.
I demonstrate that a diagnosis of Diabetes is not the end of convivial eating and drinking–in moderation, of course!
We sell out of books again.
We fit in a private tour of LucasFilms HQ in the Presidio quarter of San Francisco, close to the Golden Gate Bridge, thanks to Hilary and Yves.
It’s here that cutting edge special effects in films and animation are created. The halls are lined with artifacts at every turn.
We head back east for the final event at Arlington Library last Sunday.
We stay with our friends, Irv and Iris. Irv, retired Washington correspondent for The New York Times, agreed to moderate the event at Arlington’s Central Library. A double act is born!
The sell-out audience (over 180) enjoyed it enough to buy us out of cookbooks.
A good finish to a whistle-stop, heads down, no-time-for-shopping tour.
We spend a blessed 24 hours with our friends Ray and Ann in their waterside house on Chesapeake Bay–where I learn to breathe again.
Ray cooks a delicious meal of crab cakes with the local catch and pork fillet with clams–bliss it is.
Back in the D.C. last night Iris cooks up a storm for us.
Salmon marinated in soy, ginger and garlic preceded by an intriguing cantaloupe melon soup served chilled.
First day of autumn passes.
The prospect of walnuts and wood fires.
A bientôt, America and thanks!
Robin Ellis 
I’d like to say that I was desolate I was not able to come to the Arlington Library presentation. I had booked a seat weeks in advance and was very much looking forward to it. At the last moment a yearly picnic my Aspergers daughter goes to was switched to that aftenoon, and as it is so important for her to attend these and I must drive her, I couldn’t make it. This is the second time I’ve missed your tour. I still hope I may make it yet. i have my Making Poldark all ready 🙂 Ellen
You made the right call, Ellen. See you next time!
How beautifully you write Robin, I almost felt I was there with you! Now you can relax a bit, maybe!
Looks like a wonderful visit which I am sure the Americans will have thoroughly enjoyed. They will have marvelled at your fabulous recipes and your helpful hints & advice but also to have met the ONE and ONLY and TRUE Captain Poldark.
exactly! Mr. Quinn is not my type–I’ve never cared for the 3-day beard, and they are hard on one’s skin! I dread any time my husband trims his beard due to the fresh bristling.
Marina
It was such a thrill for all your fans and glad you got to see the country!!! Waiting to see you on the new season. You and Meredith did good!!
So great to see that the two of you had such a nice time. Wish we here in the Midwest could have seen you but so appreciative of your visit. The new cookbook is wonderful and am using it often. Traveling around the US can be exhausting, so rest up. Looking forward to you and the new season of Poldark.I’m so lucky to have the original DVDs and watch them often. Have a wonderful fall there in the south of France.
SO HAPPY YOU HAD A GRAND TIME!!!!
Thank you for your travelogue Robin. I love to read about your ‘doings’ !! You write with such style! Fran. Shaw
What a great article. Glad I got to be part of your US tour. Envious of the Lucas Films tour. I’m loving your recipes and so glad you sold a lot of books. Hope you have a wonderful Leutrec Fall. I look forward to more stories.
Vicki, Tulsa
Looks like it was a fab tour. Thanks for sharing the wonderful photos.
Hip Hip Hooray for your successful book tour Robin! I was exhausted just reading about it but delighted for you and Meredith that it came off without a hitch. I’m not at all surprised that you and your books were a sell out wherever you stopped. Traveling is exciting and adventurous but it is always such a blessed relief to return to the comfort of one’s own home. My only regret is that I didn’t get to attend one of your book signings.
Well done Robin! You and your better half do us proud. Now it is time to come back sown to earth & get back to the kitchen.
Thank you for sharing.
Hi Robin.
I so enjoyed your visit to Arlington, and the cookbook is fabulous!
For me, the third time meeting you and Meredith here. You both are the loveliest people, and I’m so honored to have enjoyed your stories, and recipes over the years.
Thanks for coming once again, and I look forward to more wonderful stories, recipes and another visit to D.C.!
With appreciation,
Genie
Bellissimo tour americano, Robin! I hope Meredith enjoyed it, too! Bien retournés chez vous en France!
So glad you got a little rest before your long flight home. Sorry the weather here wasn’t better for the beach, but it was fine for napping! It was such a pleasure to see you and Meredith again.
Your whirlwind USA tour in a nutshell. What an adventure! I enjoyed seeing you again in Palo Alto! However, I always seem to have a little adventure of my own while in Palo Alto! The first time I attended your Palo Alto event, I drove the 30 minutes by myself, my husband not in attendance, sad but true. I am not familiar with the area, and finding Books, Inc. was no problem, but getting home was another story. Not being able to see well at night, I got lost trying to drive home. My 30 minute drive turned into 1 hr. and 30 minutes. But I made it! Yep, no GPS, or IPhone for that matter. This time, I had the bright idea that I would get a hotel, take a cab to the event, and safely back to the hotel when the event was over…nope! After the fun, lovely book signing, Books, Inc. called a cab for me and I then sat outside to wait, thinking maybe a 10 minute wait. Books, Inc. was all vacuumed, lights off, and dark and there I sat, in front, alone, waiting for my cab. No cab! With my measly little no app no text no IPhone, phone, I was able to reach the cab company 1 hr. and 30 minutes later, who then informed me there was NO cab! I immediately started to cry, and worked my way into the only open restaurant I saw and asked the kind person behind the counter what can I do? 5 minutes later, my saving grace called “The Lift” arrived for me with door wide open….ahhh, thank-you! I cried all the way back to the hotel, got safely inside, settled in, and started looking at my new signed cookbook….which said, “For Susan”…I am Anne! (You did, however, correct that for me before I left) Oh well, third time’s a charm! Here’s hoping great success on your 5th cookbook, Robin, and another trip to Palo Alto. Me, well, I should have an IPhone, GPS, and any other defenses I might need to get me to and from your event in Palo Alto, next time!
As long as it’s not on a weekend, I would like you to arrange with me to take you back to the hotel. I don’t know where you live (I’m in San Jose near the Campbell border), but I may be able to transport you to and from.
I was 29 before I had a car and a driver’s license, and I feel that I’ve accumulated a fair amount of ride karma. I went for a few months between cars earlier this year, and piled up some more to repay, and now, again on a dark, well-shaded, poorly lit and unfamiliar street, also three counties & their transportation systems away on a *Saturday night (no out-of-town tows available)*, I’ve done it again, but it’s the cost of repairs to pass the smog-test that makes the elderly car a total loss. I expect I’ll have a job, and thus a car, before Robin & Meredith come this way again on tour: meanwhile, piling up ride-karma again.
I’ve been turned-around lost before and I hate it, and am happy to help someone else avoid this. 90 minutes for a cab! Horrific, and I’d have been in a full-blown panic attack by then.
Folks in the South Bay reading this: I love carpooling, and long drives alone are not the fun they once were. Let’s see what we can do next time R&M come through.
My wife Susan and I really enjoyed listening to you speak at the Arlington Library this past Sunday.It was also great to meet with you briefly afterwards. The new cookbook looks very good,and we look forward to trying it out.
As we told you then,it was a thrill for us to meet you in person after so many years of watching the fantastic Poldark series ourselves, and then introducing it to our children, who by now know some of the dialogue by heart !
I stumbled onto Poldark as a teenager in Canada back when it originally aired there in 1976 (?), so it was almost surreal to encounter you in the flesh all these years later,so gracious and good humored.
All the best.
Thanks, Richard–it was good to meet you both.
The cats must have missed you and vice versa!
They were well looked after.
St. Andrews in NYC was the best book signing I’ve ever been to! Thank you so much Robin for your kind words about my Demelza costume! I’ll definitely be making more in case you come back to the US on another tour!
that was you in the photo above? You’re beautiful, and so is the costume.
What fun! I am so happy that I was able to get in on the fun at your Larchmont stop. What a pleasure to meet you and Meredith after having been a fan of your work on Poldark (then and now) and your cookbooks! My mother is gone but I just wish she could have been there. She was one of your biggest fans when the original series ran, and she would have loved the cookbooks, too.
Poldark and reading Du Maurier made me want to visit Cornwall, and I want to see those wilder areas that you mentioned. They sound like a dream.
Wonderful that it all went so well and I’m sure the cats are happy to be reunited with you!
Take care and my very best wishes for record sales with the new book. And thank you for coming to visit us over here and for being so accessible to your fans.
Sorry to have missed this joyous trip! My folks, too, would’ve loved hearing you talk! You never saw older people (and I am one now) move so quickly as back in the 1970s when 8:00 rolled around on Sunday nights and you heard those crashing waves and crashing Poldark chords from their Houston PBS station! You have brought a lot of joy to our lives,
Best always,
Nancy N
Like, like, and like! You’ve earned a brief respite from all these adventures! As always, looking forward to more recipes and insights!
So glad you both had a favorable visit to the US, and I’m so glad that you two had left New York City by the time of the bombing, but I had no idea you had come so close to that location. I thought of you when I heard the news. We all hope for better times!
My daughter has a disability as well — and travel can sometimes present a challenge, so we missed your New York stop. Hopefully another time.
Reading about your journey was most enjoyable, thank you for writing the account. A good friend lives in the Hell’s Kitchen section of NYC, near the theater district, and he commented that the St. Andrew’s Restaurant is a fine place. Everyone looked like they were having a marvelous time!
Home to the kitties and quiet and get rested.
Just great to see where you’ve both been. Looks like you have had a wonderful but very busy time. Hope you get the chance to relax and put your feet up back at home.
We are on episode 4 of Poldark 2 this coming Sunday Robin. Just wondered if you are to make another appearance soon as the cold, unfeeling Reverend?
All good wishes, Heidi
Yes–episodes 5 and 8 I think.
Thanks for the quick reply Robin. I wasn’t expecting that. I will look forward to your appearances then. Hope you and Meredith have the chance to relax now and enjoy seeing the cats again. Bet they’ve missed you 😀
Hello from Palo Alto Robin and Meredith! I am so very happy that I could finally meet my hero Captain Ross Poldark and his real wife Meredith!! I am the person that was surprised to hear wine is allowed when you are a diabetic and said I had a lot of catching up to do that night. Have already tried 2 of your recipes from your Mediterranean cook book, and plan to try more in the coming days – many are quick to make and yummy to eat . I hope to have the chance to see you both again if you are ever in the San Francisco Bay area. All my best, Dellilah
Lovely to meet you Dellilah and glad you are enjoying the book.
I remember reading in the 70’s or thereabouts that diabetics cannot have alcohol, but that ‘wisdom’ has changed, hurrah!
Hi Robin
Sounds like a whirlwind tour, but a joyous amount of fun. You must be very proud of your achievements and the hard work over the years. It really must warm your heart to have wonderful friends and adoring fans. Congratulations!!!
A fan from Australia. Teena.
We had fun, Teena–greetings!
Well done. Your tour has been a great success and we have enjoyed the photos which gave us a lovely insight into how hard you have worked. I’m sure you are glad to be home,to breathe the fresh Lautrec air and to put your feet up for a while.
Best wishes
Arlene and Sandy
Thanks, Arlene–we did have a lovely though bust time. Just about to start the workshop!
I had forgotten how lovely September evenings can be in Palo Alto. But none other than Thursday evening September 15, 2016 where I got to meet and talk with two of the loveliest people you could ever want to meet: the still terribly attractive and handsome, Robin Ellis and his equally lovely wife, Meredith. I enjoyed your talk and it was nice that you could enjoy a glass of wine too🍷 Thank you for taking the time to chat with everyone while signing your books. I bought two for my sister Patti and her husband Ralph ( also a diabetic). They were thrilled to receive but even more so when they saw that you had autographed both. ( I bought one for myself and a friend Michelle (also a diabetic) Thank you for autographing those as well.
Lots of lovely fans to meet and talk with while enjoying some wine and healthy snacks. Very thoughtful of you both.
It was a lovely night and one I won’t forget any time soon. Thank you Robin and Meredith.
I’m glad your trip was a great success. I look forward to your next trip to Palo Alto. The 3 hours round trip from and back to San Francisco was worth it❤️
PS: Maybe you could come to Books, Inc in San Francisco 😂😂
Thanks Kathi–we enjoyed it too. We have been to Books Inc twice–but they passed this time.
Congratulations on a great tour! You’re probably glad to be home and to see your kitties. Re the pic of the lady who was a Demelza look-a-like: During the run of the first Poldark series, I imitated Angharad’s hair style as I also have curly red hair. Some people would joke that I was wearing a wig! Take care, Robin. I enjoy your posts! Karen in Wisconsin USA.
In the Seventies, suddenly there were a lot of women in the Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA) who had personas named from the Poldark novels–and well should they have as many of them were found in “period”.
We even have a Chynoweth St. in San Jose.
My nuclear family of birth were all mad for redheads, and I tried, without bleaching, dyeing my very black untreated hair red in the early 80’s. It was NOT a success. I’ll just have to go for a wig, darn it.
Funny, how life is….as a teenager, I started watching Poldark along with my parents. I was watching Dynasty while babysitting kids and Poldark on Sunday nights w/parents. Had a DVD marathon during a week long snow storm and introduced my husband to series (he’s hooked now too). To this day, I am a MPT fan (and donator). Anyways, just yesterday, got dx w/”pre diabetes”. Found this blog. Will have to get your cookbook! Love the new Poldark series but not as good as 1970’s version. Less character development but faster paced suiting more modern generations. So bummed I missed you in VA!!! Ah well, enjoy that beautiful countryside in France. VA countryside is very similar to France’s but our wine can’t compare!
Welcome Jeanine–sorry to have missed you. We had a good event. Not the end of the world this diagnosis!
Marina from San Jose here.
I started out the event by having some healthy food at PokéLOVE at the north end of the center. First experience, and very tasty. I’d happily become pescatarian: it’s what I crave most days.
There is some contention as to when Nat’l Chocolate Day is, but I was told 19th September, your day at the Palo Alto Books Inc, was It. I brought Meredith some choco-covered caramels (likely with sea-salt), and a box of butter biscuits with chocolate tablets on top (Le Petit Écolier) for the staff, to acknowledge their work and not to leave them out. The two varieties of dried mushrooms were from me, chosen because they were light, easily tucked, and still usable if crushed.
I did get photos of you and of Meredith, and if you would like me to send them along, let me know how best to get them to you, at saffronrose@me.com.
I saw my back in one of the Books Inc photos, in the yellow dress with bees and gingko leaves on the borders.
I had a lot of fun that night, and when I was able to look over the recipes and photos, I found most recipes I liked as written, and some where I would have left out, or substituted a like ingredient, for one that I will not eat.
I think I floated home on my return trip.
When I stopped by the bookstore again, with some English IT journalist friends, I asked whether a book was in stock, and another staffer asked if I’d brought chocolate again for them. Didn’t think they’d remember who brought it!
I love seeing all the other places you visited, and hearing about them. As someone above said, may you need a couple more print runs for this book.