I am so, so sorry to read that Rik has passed away. I have just found this site after searching for ages and his recipes and 'how to' is brilliant and the step by step way he did things was the best I have found. I really wish I had found the site earlier and got to know him.
His memory will definately live on in my cheese making.
I am making all sorts and up to now have used Danone natural yoghurt as a starter but a friend in the UK sent me a starter culture. I used it and today my cheddar although it set it went to slush when I started to heat it. It is in a bag at the moment draining but it isnt curds or anything like it. As I live in France I can get the AP stuff easily if I knew which one to order. It is not possible to buy buttermilk here I am afraid
Maybe I will order the lot and experiment.
You lot are great and I appreciate your help. I hope we get to know each other better in the future.
Gail xx