Julia hit the big 40 on Friday 18th, so on Saturday 19th she had organised a dinner at River Cottage - home of the Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall food machine. Most people headed down on Friday night but as it was Jackie's birthday on Saturday, Simon and I drove down on Saturday. Well technically he drove...
After a bit of confusion we met up with them all in Seatown (note: Seaton is not the same as Seatown...). But getting there, and then finding them took us through a good few counties - Surrey, Wiltshire, (saw Stonehenge from the car!), Dorset, Somerset, Devon...
The meal was just lovely - we were in the farmhouse, so it was a bit like a private dining room. Gorgeous food, and great company. I think perhaps staying up really late and drinking whisky once we were back in our house was perhaps not the best idea. Def felt the worse for wear on Sunday! I don't think I was much company for Simon on the trip back...
I'm sure most of you will have seen the photos on fb, so won't repost any.
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Norman Rockwell
Saturday was a lovely spring day (as opposed to Scotland where it is still snowing!) and Jackie, Nicola and me headed off to Dulwich to visit the Dulwich Picture Gallery to check out the Norman Rockwell exhibition. We lunched first at the Crown & Greyhound - very nice 'fush & chups' with tasty minted peas :-).
The exhibition really very good - great history of America in lots of ways, and interesting to see some of the real paintings next to all of the covers as well. Lots of Dulwich is rather nice, so we had a nice time strolling around the streets admiring some of the beautiful houses. When I win the lottery I might move to Dulwich... :-)
The exhibition really very good - great history of America in lots of ways, and interesting to see some of the real paintings next to all of the covers as well. Lots of Dulwich is rather nice, so we had a nice time strolling around the streets admiring some of the beautiful houses. When I win the lottery I might move to Dulwich... :-)
Tuesday, March 08, 2011
Books what I have read...
How exciting! Another new feature on my blog... I'm sure all my readers will be thrilled...
So books I have read... Decided to keep a list for this year, so have started it off below. Will be interesting (well to me anyhow) to see what and how many I read, and what I think of them at the end of the year. This is partly inspired by a friend from work who does a fantastic blog on her book reading (and anything book related really). This won't reach the standards of hers, but what the heck - this blog is all about me after all!
So books I have read... Decided to keep a list for this year, so have started it off below. Will be interesting (well to me anyhow) to see what and how many I read, and what I think of them at the end of the year. This is partly inspired by a friend from work who does a fantastic blog on her book reading (and anything book related really). This won't reach the standards of hers, but what the heck - this blog is all about me after all!
Wednesday, March 02, 2011
Good but disturbing...
Just back from seeing 'Never Let Me Go' - very good, but quite disturbing. Without giving away the story (although it isn't really a 'twist' as such), what is still sort of hanging around for me is the complete and utter acceptance of the situation the characters are in. It really is what it is - and that for me was very unsettling.
I haven't read the book, and I know that people who have are disappointed with the film, but if you've not read it, I think it is definitely worth seeing.
Oh - and my Oscar pick was way off :-( . But I did love 'The King's Speech' so its not too disappointing!
I haven't read the book, and I know that people who have are disappointed with the film, but if you've not read it, I think it is definitely worth seeing.
Oh - and my Oscar pick was way off :-( . But I did love 'The King's Speech' so its not too disappointing!
Sunday, February 27, 2011
A difficult choice...
So having been to see True Grit today -
I think the Oscar for the best film should be True Grit or Inception...
I've seen 9/10 so lets see how my choice goes.
I think the Oscar for the best film should be True Grit or Inception...
I've seen 9/10 so lets see how my choice goes.
Mind your Ps and Qs...
Another two letters completed - although to be fair 'Q' didn't take very long as there was only one album!
Parachutes - Coldplay
Partie Traumatic - Black Kids
Penny Century - Clouds
Peoria - Future Clouds & Radar
Perfect from Now On - Built to Spill
Performance & Cocktails - Stereophonics
Pet - Fur Patrol
Phantom Phorce - Super Furry Animals
Phantom Power - Super Furry Animals
Picaresque - The Decemberists
Pieces in a Modern Style - William Orbit
Pink Moon - Nick Drake
The Place We Ran From - Tired Pony
Play - Moby
Playing with a Different Sex - The Au Pairs
Please Describe Yourself - Dogs Die in Hot Cars
Political Manifest - The Creekdippers
The Ponsonby DCs - The Ponsonby DCs
Porcupine - Echo & the Bunnymen
Portishead - Portishead
Poses - Rufus Wainwright
Positively George Street - Sneaky Feelings
Post to Wire - Richmond Fontaine
Postcards from a Young Man - Manic Street Preachers
Power, Corruption & Lies - New Order
A Product of the Ego Drain - The Leisure Society
Puzzle - Biffy Clyro
Queen of Denmark - John Grant
What did I think of these ones? Didn't like The Au Pairs - seemed dated and not my cup of tea at all. Sneaky Feelings are always good :-). Enjoyed more of Future Clouds & Radar and Built to Spill. Moby was tedious (goes on way too long - a couple of songs are good, but the whole album is just too much), and Richmond Fontaine was great as well.
Athough I'm realising I need to take notes as I'm listening as with some of these I can't really remember what I thought - and it wasn't that long ago!
Parachutes - Coldplay
Partie Traumatic - Black Kids
Penny Century - Clouds
Peoria - Future Clouds & Radar
Perfect from Now On - Built to Spill
Performance & Cocktails - Stereophonics
Pet - Fur Patrol
Phantom Phorce - Super Furry Animals
Phantom Power - Super Furry Animals
Picaresque - The Decemberists
Pieces in a Modern Style - William Orbit
Pink Moon - Nick Drake
The Place We Ran From - Tired Pony
Play - Moby
Playing with a Different Sex - The Au Pairs
Please Describe Yourself - Dogs Die in Hot Cars
Political Manifest - The Creekdippers
The Ponsonby DCs - The Ponsonby DCs
Porcupine - Echo & the Bunnymen
Portishead - Portishead
Poses - Rufus Wainwright
Positively George Street - Sneaky Feelings
Post to Wire - Richmond Fontaine
Postcards from a Young Man - Manic Street Preachers
Power, Corruption & Lies - New Order
A Product of the Ego Drain - The Leisure Society
Puzzle - Biffy Clyro
Queen of Denmark - John Grant
What did I think of these ones? Didn't like The Au Pairs - seemed dated and not my cup of tea at all. Sneaky Feelings are always good :-). Enjoyed more of Future Clouds & Radar and Built to Spill. Moby was tedious (goes on way too long - a couple of songs are good, but the whole album is just too much), and Richmond Fontaine was great as well.
Athough I'm realising I need to take notes as I'm listening as with some of these I can't really remember what I thought - and it wasn't that long ago!
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Another birthday and a few orchids...
Twas another weekend with a birthday theme as on Friday night I was out with Divya to celebrate her birthday - we went to the Salt Yard which I've been to a few times and really like. We were half an hour late for our table but fortunately they had kept it for us! It was another lovely meal, but not a late night for us - we were both exhausted!
Saturday I met up with David, Dominic, Chris and James at Kew for the 'Tropical Extravaganza' - the (annual I guess) display of the flowering orchids. Absolutely gorgeous flowers - really stunning. And both Chris and David were full of stories of having had orchids in the past and killing them. Reminded me of Leigh! Apparently James has the knack...
It was well worth the trip. Very cool. We also checked out the Marianne North Gallery as well - again just stunning. She had the most amazing life - travelled all over the world (including NZ) and painted the plants, landscapes etc. Didn't start until she was 40 and spent the next 14 years globe trotting. Really quite inspirational - and the newly revamped gallery was beautifully done, and really quite incredible.
Yet again, Kew has not failed to disappoint. Check out the orchid piccies on Flickr if you haven't already seen them on fb.
Saturday I met up with David, Dominic, Chris and James at Kew for the 'Tropical Extravaganza' - the (annual I guess) display of the flowering orchids. Absolutely gorgeous flowers - really stunning. And both Chris and David were full of stories of having had orchids in the past and killing them. Reminded me of Leigh! Apparently James has the knack...
It was well worth the trip. Very cool. We also checked out the Marianne North Gallery as well - again just stunning. She had the most amazing life - travelled all over the world (including NZ) and painted the plants, landscapes etc. Didn't start until she was 40 and spent the next 14 years globe trotting. Really quite inspirational - and the newly revamped gallery was beautifully done, and really quite incredible.
Yet again, Kew has not failed to disappoint. Check out the orchid piccies on Flickr if you haven't already seen them on fb.
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Birthday bashes and Paris...
So February started with a weekend of two birthday events. First up was Sarah's at the Alphabet Bar in Soho - I rarely go out in town on Saturday nights so it was both fun, and also a reminder of why I don't do it very often - loads of drunken young things and drunken tourists staggering around. Not always my idea of a good time!
Second up was lunch for Nicola's birthday at The White Hart - service left a little bit to be desired, but it was a lovely afternoon. Much red wine was drunk by all which is always fun I think!
And I'm just back from a quick visit to Paris for work - my second ever trip for work. The work stuff was so-so, but it was fun to go on the Eurostar again and I did have a lovely 'traditional' French dinner last night of steak with bearnaise sauce and an exquisite creme brulee!
Second up was lunch for Nicola's birthday at The White Hart - service left a little bit to be desired, but it was a lovely afternoon. Much red wine was drunk by all which is always fun I think!
And I'm just back from a quick visit to Paris for work - my second ever trip for work. The work stuff was so-so, but it was fun to go on the Eurostar again and I did have a lovely 'traditional' French dinner last night of steak with bearnaise sauce and an exquisite creme brulee!
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Oscar season
This year for the first time in ages I've almost seen all of the films nominated for the Best Film Oscar - unheard of for me!
Latest one I saw was 'Black Swan' which I went to last night. What a full on film - I came out of it still not sure what I thought, and I'm still a bit like that. Will definitely be watching it again on DVD. Natalie Portman was superb and I can see why its got the Oscar nominations it has.
Still to open here are True Grit and The Fighter - both of which I'm really looking forward to seeing. And Winters Bone (the only other nomination I've not seen) is on my DVD list! I really wanted to see that at the cinema when it came out and missed it - doubly cross about that now.
Having seen most of them I'm not sure which one I'd pick at the mo, as I have loved most of them. Probably Inception for its sheer brilliance and incredibly twisty turn plot and filming - but then again I did love The King's Speech and Toy Story 3...
Latest one I saw was 'Black Swan' which I went to last night. What a full on film - I came out of it still not sure what I thought, and I'm still a bit like that. Will definitely be watching it again on DVD. Natalie Portman was superb and I can see why its got the Oscar nominations it has.
Still to open here are True Grit and The Fighter - both of which I'm really looking forward to seeing. And Winters Bone (the only other nomination I've not seen) is on my DVD list! I really wanted to see that at the cinema when it came out and missed it - doubly cross about that now.
Having seen most of them I'm not sure which one I'd pick at the mo, as I have loved most of them. Probably Inception for its sheer brilliance and incredibly twisty turn plot and filming - but then again I did love The King's Speech and Toy Story 3...
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Ode to the O
Trotted through another letter on my ipod as well - racing along now!
O - Damien Rice
Ocean Rain - Echo & The Bunnymen
Oceans Apart - The Go-Betweens
Oh My God, Charlie Darwin - The Low Anthem
Okonokos (Live - Disk 1 & 2) - My Morning Jacket
Olympian - Gene
On and On - Jack Johnson
On The Outside - Starsailor
On The Sun - The Black Seeds
On Your Sleeve - Jessie Malin
Once - Glen Hansard & Marketa Irglova
Once Around - The Autumn Defense
One by One - Foo Fighters
One Drop East - Salmonella Dub
One Life Stand - Hot Chip
One Plus One is One - Badly Drawn Boy
Only By The Night - Kings of Leon
Open Season - British Sea Power
Oracular Spectacular - MGMT
Origin of Symmetry - Muse
Original Pirate Material - The Streets
Other Peoples Problems - Upper Room
Out of Nothing - Embrace
Out of Time - R.E.M.
Outside the Dubplates - Salmonella Dub
Overnight Success - Dave Dobbyn
Some old faves in this lot - Embrace, Starsailor, R.E.M... And two Salmonella Dub albums - bit like buses really. None for ages then two at once... Enjoyed Muse, The Streets, British Sea Power and Kings of Leon. And of course Hot Chip... Not many duds in this lot actually - except maybe Jack Johnson. He is definitely music for a time and a place - and I'm not sure its the UK in the middle of winter!
O - Damien Rice
Ocean Rain - Echo & The Bunnymen
Oceans Apart - The Go-Betweens
Oh My God, Charlie Darwin - The Low Anthem
Okonokos (Live - Disk 1 & 2) - My Morning Jacket
Olympian - Gene
On and On - Jack Johnson
On The Outside - Starsailor
On The Sun - The Black Seeds
On Your Sleeve - Jessie Malin
Once - Glen Hansard & Marketa Irglova
Once Around - The Autumn Defense
One by One - Foo Fighters
One Drop East - Salmonella Dub
One Life Stand - Hot Chip
One Plus One is One - Badly Drawn Boy
Only By The Night - Kings of Leon
Open Season - British Sea Power
Oracular Spectacular - MGMT
Origin of Symmetry - Muse
Original Pirate Material - The Streets
Other Peoples Problems - Upper Room
Out of Nothing - Embrace
Out of Time - R.E.M.
Outside the Dubplates - Salmonella Dub
Overnight Success - Dave Dobbyn
Some old faves in this lot - Embrace, Starsailor, R.E.M... And two Salmonella Dub albums - bit like buses really. None for ages then two at once... Enjoyed Muse, The Streets, British Sea Power and Kings of Leon. And of course Hot Chip... Not many duds in this lot actually - except maybe Jack Johnson. He is definitely music for a time and a place - and I'm not sure its the UK in the middle of winter!
Friday, January 21, 2011
Tragedy...
King Lear that is - which I went to see the Royal Shakespeare Company performing at The Roundhouse.
Absolutely loved it - its one of my favourite Shakespeare plays anyhow (somehow I'm more into the tragedies than the comedies...) and I thought this production was fantastic. I could pretty much remember what happened up to Lear going crazy, but couldn't remember how it finished (although I knew it wasn't a happy ending!) and I'd completely forgotten the sub-plot of Edmund and Edgar.
Seems to have been a few contentious reviews about this particular production - but I'll go with The Guardian's review :-). Although this is reviewing it at The Courtyard Theatre it was the same production we saw with the same cast etc. I'd probably give it 5/5 stars tho...
Absolutely loved it - its one of my favourite Shakespeare plays anyhow (somehow I'm more into the tragedies than the comedies...) and I thought this production was fantastic. I could pretty much remember what happened up to Lear going crazy, but couldn't remember how it finished (although I knew it wasn't a happy ending!) and I'd completely forgotten the sub-plot of Edmund and Edgar.
Seems to have been a few contentious reviews about this particular production - but I'll go with The Guardian's review :-). Although this is reviewing it at The Courtyard Theatre it was the same production we saw with the same cast etc. I'd probably give it 5/5 stars tho...
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Quality 'culcha'
Nice day spent seeing two very good cultural things...
First up was The Glasgow Boys at the Royal Academy with Nicola - very good and some great paintings. Very busy tho - but that does come of going the weekend before the exhibition ends...
Next up was The King's Speech with Jackie. Brilliant film - it has to be a shoe-in for an Oscar for Colin Firth, and Geoffrey Rush is also very good. Would absolutely recommend it - a fascinating story. I remember Mum talking about the abdication and how upset Nana was - that period has featured a lot in things I've seen recently so I might read a bit more about it.
Don't miss it!
First up was The Glasgow Boys at the Royal Academy with Nicola - very good and some great paintings. Very busy tho - but that does come of going the weekend before the exhibition ends...
Next up was The King's Speech with Jackie. Brilliant film - it has to be a shoe-in for an Oscar for Colin Firth, and Geoffrey Rush is also very good. Would absolutely recommend it - a fascinating story. I remember Mum talking about the abdication and how upset Nana was - that period has featured a lot in things I've seen recently so I might read a bit more about it.
Don't miss it!
Sunday, January 09, 2011
Astonishing human endeavour
This has been a weekend of films relating to extraordinary human endeavour - both of which I'd greatly recommend.
First up was 127 Hours - despite knowing what happens, and so waiting the whole film for the 'act' to happen, it was still very very good. Showing Aron reaching the point where he has to do what he does is so well done - does make you wonder how much you would do to survive.
And on that theme I then went to see The Way Back today - I hadn't planned to spend my weekend watching two such full on movies, but today's was already in the diary, and 127 Hours was a spur of the moment thing.
There has been a bit of controversy surrounding The Way Back - was the book it was based on really true etc. This is an interesting piece on the whether it is true or not... However I really enjoyed it, although it did feel long - a bit like their walk :-). But again, showing what people can do and will do to survive. Fascinating film viewing.
First up was 127 Hours - despite knowing what happens, and so waiting the whole film for the 'act' to happen, it was still very very good. Showing Aron reaching the point where he has to do what he does is so well done - does make you wonder how much you would do to survive.
And on that theme I then went to see The Way Back today - I hadn't planned to spend my weekend watching two such full on movies, but today's was already in the diary, and 127 Hours was a spur of the moment thing.
There has been a bit of controversy surrounding The Way Back - was the book it was based on really true etc. This is an interesting piece on the whether it is true or not... However I really enjoyed it, although it did feel long - a bit like their walk :-). But again, showing what people can do and will do to survive. Fascinating film viewing.
Tuesday, January 04, 2011
Starting 2011 in a busy-ish fashion
As I type the spectre of work again tomorrow is looming over me... But I have been fairly productive with the first few days of 2011 :-).
And I have many plans for the year as well - including blogging a bit more! 2010 was my lowest number of blog entries since I started... so I'll just have to make sure I have stuff to blog about!
And I have many plans for the year as well - including blogging a bit more! 2010 was my lowest number of blog entries since I started... so I'll just have to make sure I have stuff to blog about!
Monday, January 03, 2011
The Big Sleep
Met up with Julia for lunch and we then went to see 'The Big Sleep' at the BFI. It was great! I'd seen it before, years ago, but was wonderful to watch it again. The dialogue was great - and so fast! I also loved the bloodless shootings - so much nicer than the bloodbaths we get nowadays.
My favourite bit was when they both admit they love each other "I guess its because I'm in love with you". Brilliant :-).
And again - I hadn't been to a movie at the BFI for years. Rediscovering things on your doorstep - great cinema, nice bar and restaurant. Might be going back there methinks!
My favourite bit was when they both admit they love each other "I guess its because I'm in love with you". Brilliant :-).
And again - I hadn't been to a movie at the BFI for years. Rediscovering things on your doorstep - great cinema, nice bar and restaurant. Might be going back there methinks!
Sunday, January 02, 2011
First walk of 2011
Headed out with Jackie, Nicola and Sarah to do the first walk of the year - an easy 10 miles in Surrey, not far down the track from me.
This took us past Polesden Lacey where we had a very nice lunch. Didn't go into the house tho - wanted to make sure we could get the walk done while there was still enough light in the day. It was a nice walk - nothing really outstanding. As I've commented before, walking in Surrey often means you don't feel like you are getting that far away from civilization as you see the world out walking their dogs...
But it was great to get out, stretch the legs and get some fresh air and catch up with everyone about their Xmas and New Year!
This took us past Polesden Lacey where we had a very nice lunch. Didn't go into the house tho - wanted to make sure we could get the walk done while there was still enough light in the day. It was a nice walk - nothing really outstanding. As I've commented before, walking in Surrey often means you don't feel like you are getting that far away from civilization as you see the world out walking their dogs...
But it was great to get out, stretch the legs and get some fresh air and catch up with everyone about their Xmas and New Year!
Saturday, January 01, 2011
Finishing the trilogy
On New Year's Day I hauled my slightly sorry carcass to the cinema to see the final film in the Lisbeth Salander trilogy.
I had seen the first two at the cinema so really wanted to make sure I caught the last one as well. I thought 'Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest' was very good. Finished it nicely and didn't mess with the storyline too much. I did feel a sense of completion!
On a related note, Maya bought be a spoof book for Xmas - called 'The Dragon with the Girl Tattoo'... Lisbeth becomes 'Lizbreath Salamander' - it actually looks quite funny!
I had seen the first two at the cinema so really wanted to make sure I caught the last one as well. I thought 'Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest' was very good. Finished it nicely and didn't mess with the storyline too much. I did feel a sense of completion!
On a related note, Maya bought be a spoof book for Xmas - called 'The Dragon with the Girl Tattoo'... Lisbeth becomes 'Lizbreath Salamander' - it actually looks quite funny!
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