I'm aware that there is a lot of music on my ipod that I've never listened to... So today I started a project to listen to the all the albums A to Z. I'll update and republish this posting as I progress through the list, but currently I've listened to:
A.M - Wilco
Abbey Road - The Beatles
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Hatfield House - at last!
I have wanted to go to Hatfield House for years... And have made a few attempts in the past, each time foiled for differing reasons. Tried with Tracey - but we were too early and its season hadn't started yet, tried with Leigh & Maurie but it was shut on the day we wanted to go, tried with Nicola but its season had finished...
However, I was finally successful! Although the trip appeared to be in jeopardy yet again, when my temporary bridge came out on Saturday morning - at that point I truly did believe I was fated not to go... (I'm mid-way through dental work...). However I managed to wedge my tooth back in, and with fingers crossed I headed off to meet Nicola and Mhairi...
It was a lovely day. A stunning house (as you'll see from the photos - check out the rest on Flickr as well), and the grounds were just gorgeous. Interesting to compare it to Blenheim Palace (as the Duke of Marlborough was apparently great friends with the first Marquess of Salisbury as well) - they both have quite stunning grounds, and the houses were of course fab. No photos allowed in side the house, but it was quite amazing. Highlights of the house for me were the Marble Hall and the Library. I can't help it, it must be in my blood, but I just love a room lined with books!
We spent a lovely hour or so wandering around the grounds, admiring (or not) the sculptures which are currently dotted around, and also keeping an eye out for the two weddings which were on that day. Only saw one dress - bit too ruffly for my taste tho...
Mhairi and I also checked out the Model Soldiers gallery - couldn't help but think of Eryn as I looked at all the different displays! We ended the visit by tracking down the place where Elizabeth 1 was when she found out her sis had died and she was going to be Queen. There is now a commemorative oak planted on the spot (rather than the original one) and I was quite happy once we'd seen it. And there were some spectacularly old oaks dotted around as well - quite amazing.
And my tooth managed to stay in as well :-).
However, I was finally successful! Although the trip appeared to be in jeopardy yet again, when my temporary bridge came out on Saturday morning - at that point I truly did believe I was fated not to go... (I'm mid-way through dental work...). However I managed to wedge my tooth back in, and with fingers crossed I headed off to meet Nicola and Mhairi...
It was a lovely day. A stunning house (as you'll see from the photos - check out the rest on Flickr as well), and the grounds were just gorgeous. Interesting to compare it to Blenheim Palace (as the Duke of Marlborough was apparently great friends with the first Marquess of Salisbury as well) - they both have quite stunning grounds, and the houses were of course fab. No photos allowed in side the house, but it was quite amazing. Highlights of the house for me were the Marble Hall and the Library. I can't help it, it must be in my blood, but I just love a room lined with books!
We spent a lovely hour or so wandering around the grounds, admiring (or not) the sculptures which are currently dotted around, and also keeping an eye out for the two weddings which were on that day. Only saw one dress - bit too ruffly for my taste tho...
Mhairi and I also checked out the Model Soldiers gallery - couldn't help but think of Eryn as I looked at all the different displays! We ended the visit by tracking down the place where Elizabeth 1 was when she found out her sis had died and she was going to be Queen. There is now a commemorative oak planted on the spot (rather than the original one) and I was quite happy once we'd seen it. And there were some spectacularly old oaks dotted around as well - quite amazing.
And my tooth managed to stay in as well :-).
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Yet another delayed catch up...
But I do sort of have valid excuses... Wales, hayfever... I haven't loaded up my photos on to Flickr yet but will do so real soon...
Anyhow - read on :-)
Anyhow - read on :-)
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
A new venue for me
I went to see The Low Anthem at the Union Chapel - I'd never been to the venue but it was great! No alcohol allowed inside (as it is a church...), but the acoustics were stunning, and it is just lovely inside.
The band were great as well - I'd only heard one of their songs, but they were well worth going to see, even not knowing the others. I get the feeling they are probably on the cusp of making it much bigger, so it was good to see them while they are still in small venues.
The band were great as well - I'd only heard one of their songs, but they were well worth going to see, even not knowing the others. I get the feeling they are probably on the cusp of making it much bigger, so it was good to see them while they are still in small venues.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
A bit more of the Loop...
No rest for the wicked - Saturday morning I was up and out early to meet the Loop walkers to do another section. This section was from Hayes & Harlington to Uxbridge and as a lot of it was along the canal it was pretty good. We had a great picnic for lunch as well - courtesy of most of the others in terms of the home made food tho!
Monday, June 08, 2009
Rhossili Beach, looking down towards Llangennith
Rhossili Beach, looking down towards Llangennith
Originally uploaded by Megan Shields.
What a beach!!
The reclining monkey...
The reclining monkey... (2)
Originally uploaded by Megan Shields.
More surrealism - this used to stand on the pier with swings from each of its arms... I sent someone a postcard of it!!
Me on the Pier
Me on the Pier
Originally uploaded by Megan Shields.
Quite what this has to do with Wales I'm not sure...
Hanging out in Mumbles & exploring the Gower Peninsula
And that was my week really. It was a lovely chilled out week hanging out with Divya and her 10 month old, Tarun. Especially as he was just beginning to walk - I saw his first steps! And then we spent a lot of time trying to get him to recreate them :-).
Monday we walked from Langland Bay around the coast to Casswell Bay, which was great and has really made me want to look into doing a long distance coastal path next...
Tuesday we went over to Rhossili Bay and the Worms Head peninsula. Stunning scenery and very remniscent of NZ. We didn't go down to the beach on that day tho, as Divya was carrying Tarun in a back pack and didn't fancy going up and down the 200 steps to the beach! There is one house down on the beach which would just be amazing to stay in - and you can also see shipwreck ruins when the tide is low - very cool. On the way back we stopped at Casswell Bay for an icecream... Had to be done!
Wednesday was a Mumbles day - just strolled into the village, had some lunch and went for another wee walk along the coast. Mumbles is where Catherine Zeta Jones has a house - but there was no famous star spot for me I'm afraid! The pier was great - check out my photos on Flickr (when I've posted them...)
Thursday we walked along the promenade back into Swansea (about five miles), had lunch, dipped into a museum briefly and then went back and sat in the sun and read magazines. Bliss!
Friday morning was an early start as we headed off to Llangennith (which is actually the other end of Rhossil Bay) so Divya could go surfing. Very cool getting the thumbs up from surfers as we headed to the beach - telling us the surf was good! I got most excited by that!! So while Divya surfed I had a stroll along the beach - amusing myself by spotting all the dead jellyfish on the beach... Then in the afternoon it was back on the train to London.
A lovely wee break - and I had great weather as well!
Monday we walked from Langland Bay around the coast to Casswell Bay, which was great and has really made me want to look into doing a long distance coastal path next...
Tuesday we went over to Rhossili Bay and the Worms Head peninsula. Stunning scenery and very remniscent of NZ. We didn't go down to the beach on that day tho, as Divya was carrying Tarun in a back pack and didn't fancy going up and down the 200 steps to the beach! There is one house down on the beach which would just be amazing to stay in - and you can also see shipwreck ruins when the tide is low - very cool. On the way back we stopped at Casswell Bay for an icecream... Had to be done!
Wednesday was a Mumbles day - just strolled into the village, had some lunch and went for another wee walk along the coast. Mumbles is where Catherine Zeta Jones has a house - but there was no famous star spot for me I'm afraid! The pier was great - check out my photos on Flickr (when I've posted them...)
Thursday we walked along the promenade back into Swansea (about five miles), had lunch, dipped into a museum briefly and then went back and sat in the sun and read magazines. Bliss!
Friday morning was an early start as we headed off to Llangennith (which is actually the other end of Rhossil Bay) so Divya could go surfing. Very cool getting the thumbs up from surfers as we headed to the beach - telling us the surf was good! I got most excited by that!! So while Divya surfed I had a stroll along the beach - amusing myself by spotting all the dead jellyfish on the beach... Then in the afternoon it was back on the train to London.
A lovely wee break - and I had great weather as well!
Sunday, June 07, 2009
Another year older...
So I turned another year older - and a very quiet birthday it was too. I went out on the Saturday night to help Mhairi celebrate her birthday. She had several cake themed gifts which was quite funny (she is the cake baker extraordinaire...)!
Sunday I opened a few presents - despite not wanting to do anything for my birthday people still spent money on me, and I did get some lovely gifts. And they are still rolling in - which of course I'm enjoying :-). I headed up about lunchtime on the train to Swansea to start my next 'staycation' in Mumbles. Very interesting as once I got past Bristol Parkway it was all new territory for me... I had a wee doze on the way up, and managed to completely miss the Severn Tunnel - I didn't even realise I'd been through one until Divya's husband Lee mentioned it to me!
My birthday evening was low key but good - drank wine and watched the final of The Apprentice - just what I wanted to do!!
Sunday I opened a few presents - despite not wanting to do anything for my birthday people still spent money on me, and I did get some lovely gifts. And they are still rolling in - which of course I'm enjoying :-). I headed up about lunchtime on the train to Swansea to start my next 'staycation' in Mumbles. Very interesting as once I got past Bristol Parkway it was all new territory for me... I had a wee doze on the way up, and managed to completely miss the Severn Tunnel - I didn't even realise I'd been through one until Divya's husband Lee mentioned it to me!
My birthday evening was low key but good - drank wine and watched the final of The Apprentice - just what I wanted to do!!
Friday, June 05, 2009
This time one year ago...
Lindsey had just arrived down from Glasgow to help me celebrate my 40th, and Tracey had been here a few days already. Hard to believe that is a year ago now - I'm looking down the barrel of being 41 and I'm not sure where the last year has gone...
Anyhow, this year my birthday will be very different as I'm not doing anything. Just haven't had the energy or inclination to celebrate it at all. Weird - I thought I would feel like this last year, rather than two years on, but I'm just not bothered about doing anything for it. I am out tomorrow night to help Mhairi celebrate her birthday (which is today) and we're having our 4th annual 'June Babies' drinks for work on June 19th so that will be enough for me.
And on Sunday I'm heading back up to Wales to spend a few days with Divya and Tarun - I'm not sure exactly where I'm going tho - I get the train to Swansea, that much I do know! Somewhere around Mumbles I think... So I'll be off line until next Friday anyhow, but look out for updates and photos then.
Anyhow, this year my birthday will be very different as I'm not doing anything. Just haven't had the energy or inclination to celebrate it at all. Weird - I thought I would feel like this last year, rather than two years on, but I'm just not bothered about doing anything for it. I am out tomorrow night to help Mhairi celebrate her birthday (which is today) and we're having our 4th annual 'June Babies' drinks for work on June 19th so that will be enough for me.
And on Sunday I'm heading back up to Wales to spend a few days with Divya and Tarun - I'm not sure exactly where I'm going tho - I get the train to Swansea, that much I do know! Somewhere around Mumbles I think... So I'll be off line until next Friday anyhow, but look out for updates and photos then.
Tuesday, June 02, 2009
Cool cooking
The cooking class was great. Really good fun. Small group - only 10 of us around a table, sharing out the chopping/mixing etc. Jennifer (the instructor) did all the cooking, although Mhairi did get up and make the fish cakes. But the way the food was cooked was very straightforward - and obviously the salads didn't need any cooking!
The food was delicious - I just now need to be brave enough to try and make it myself! All very simple recipes - very tasty as well. I didn't realise until the end of the evening that the classes were actually held in the instructor's flat. She had made it anonymous enough that it was immediately obvious.
All in all, a very good present - even if it was taken up almost a year on!
The food was delicious - I just now need to be brave enough to try and make it myself! All very simple recipes - very tasty as well. I didn't realise until the end of the evening that the classes were actually held in the instructor's flat. She had made it anonymous enough that it was immediately obvious.
All in all, a very good present - even if it was taken up almost a year on!
Monday, June 01, 2009
Anyone for tennis? Or a bit of cooking?
So tonight I went for my first tennis lessons - I signed up ages ago for 5 group lessons which started tonight.
Great fun - I really enjoyed it! And I don't think I was the worst one there... Sadly I'll miss next week's lesson as I'll be in Wales - but I'm already looking forward to going back. Next week is backhand, so its a shame I'm missing that.
And tomorrow we are finally using the cooking voucher my friends got my for my birthday last year. We are cooking cuisine from Burma - here is some of the description below...
Great fun - I really enjoyed it! And I don't think I was the worst one there... Sadly I'll miss next week's lesson as I'll be in Wales - but I'm already looking forward to going back. Next week is backhand, so its a shame I'm missing that.
And tomorrow we are finally using the cooking voucher my friends got my for my birthday last year. We are cooking cuisine from Burma - here is some of the description below...
We’ll learn about some typical Burmese ingredients such as fresh turmeric, dried shrimp, balachaung, and toasted gram flour and make some characteristically tart, crunchy salads and tangy curries. We’ll finish our evening by making ‘Lephet-Thoke’ – a traditional Burmese salad of pickled tea leaves that is eaten at the end of a meal.
Some of the dishes we’ll learn include:
Fish Cake Salad with Lime Juice and Herbs
Ginger and Lemon Salad with Roasted Peanuts
Twice-cooked Snapper Curry with Fresh Turmeric and Bamboo Shoots
Hand-mixed Burmese Rice with Tamarind
This is also a fundraising class, so the money raised is going to a good cause :-).
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