Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Monday
Just, JUST!, got to the charity shop before 5.30pm to drop off a bag of stuff which I thought could be my new thing today. Then realised the shop had closed at 5pm so had to go into the Chinese takeaway next door called Wing Wah. And then made a second realisation – no money. So backed out again feeling stupid.
Monday, March 30, 2009
G20
Friday
New thing was going to West Wycombe which is a beautiful village with three pubs that we intended to make our new things. The first was called the Swan which was lovely and like stepping back in time. However, the woman behind the bar was so rude it was almost funny! So we downed our pints and went to the next pub called the George and Dragon which was ok, but the first woman’s attitude had dampened our mood for drinking and we went home before we could experience the last one, the Old Plough.
Saturday
New things started with going to Chesham train station a totally new way which is quite impressive given that it’s only four minutes away! When we got there, we discovered that the trains weren’t running so new things continued with the landlord’s car to Uxbridge. So we got to the beginning of the G20 protests late, but they were kind enough to wait for us before they started! We thoroughly enjoyed the march which was extremely peaceful and went past Westminster, past Trafalgar Square, finishing up in Hyde Park. I got a couple of words with Mark Thomas, the political activist and campaigner, which was a huge thrill for me, before he handed me a card to be used in case you get stopped by the police! Despite the rain and wind, we stood through a number of very inspiring speeches ranging from Tony Robinson to Brendan Barber to Susan George, all with the message on how the global economy should concentrate on the poor rather than allowing bankers to cream the profits from our taxes. The whole affair was very inspiring and there was no trouble at all, even though there was a huge number of police enjoying a spot of overtime. Mabel couldn’t take any more of the cold and begged to be allowed a pint, so our new things continued with a pub in Mayfair of which I can’t remember the name, but there were lots of marchers inside. En route was the only trouble I encountered as two coppers chased a group of four youths who weren’t involved the protest. One of the policemen ran straight into me and tripped over. While he was rolling about on the floor, I had visions of being arrested, but it all turned out ok! We continued our new things with a meal at Haozhan in Chinatown, which was unusual and not your typical Chinese food. Very elaborate with prices to match.
Sunday
New thing today was a very quick visit to a really good boot sale in Ascot first thing in the morning. I then spent most of the rest of the day in bed and in the pub (the Royal Standard of England).
New thing was going to West Wycombe which is a beautiful village with three pubs that we intended to make our new things. The first was called the Swan which was lovely and like stepping back in time. However, the woman behind the bar was so rude it was almost funny! So we downed our pints and went to the next pub called the George and Dragon which was ok, but the first woman’s attitude had dampened our mood for drinking and we went home before we could experience the last one, the Old Plough.
Saturday
New things started with going to Chesham train station a totally new way which is quite impressive given that it’s only four minutes away! When we got there, we discovered that the trains weren’t running so new things continued with the landlord’s car to Uxbridge. So we got to the beginning of the G20 protests late, but they were kind enough to wait for us before they started! We thoroughly enjoyed the march which was extremely peaceful and went past Westminster, past Trafalgar Square, finishing up in Hyde Park. I got a couple of words with Mark Thomas, the political activist and campaigner, which was a huge thrill for me, before he handed me a card to be used in case you get stopped by the police! Despite the rain and wind, we stood through a number of very inspiring speeches ranging from Tony Robinson to Brendan Barber to Susan George, all with the message on how the global economy should concentrate on the poor rather than allowing bankers to cream the profits from our taxes. The whole affair was very inspiring and there was no trouble at all, even though there was a huge number of police enjoying a spot of overtime. Mabel couldn’t take any more of the cold and begged to be allowed a pint, so our new things continued with a pub in Mayfair of which I can’t remember the name, but there were lots of marchers inside. En route was the only trouble I encountered as two coppers chased a group of four youths who weren’t involved the protest. One of the policemen ran straight into me and tripped over. While he was rolling about on the floor, I had visions of being arrested, but it all turned out ok! We continued our new things with a meal at Haozhan in Chinatown, which was unusual and not your typical Chinese food. Very elaborate with prices to match.
Sunday
New thing today was a very quick visit to a really good boot sale in Ascot first thing in the morning. I then spent most of the rest of the day in bed and in the pub (the Royal Standard of England).
Friday, March 27, 2009
Thursday - mundanes
New thing today was watching a Japanese film called Cafe Lumiere which was an interesting watch. Quite a subtle storyline, but I was more into watching the Tokyo scenery. Lots of walking along streets and catching trains including the Yamanote sen and the Chuo sen, sending me into a wave of nostalgia about my days in Japan. Another new thing came later on when I decided that I couldn’t bear being without a blender after breaking mine at the weekend(and I always try to tell myself that I hate this consumer culture), so I headed to Tescon to buy one with a plastic jug! However, the road was closed and I had to take a detour through the back streets of Amersham.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Wednesday - Morrisons and Morrissett
Didn’t have much time to do something new today so decided I would head to Morrisons in High Wycombe as I’d never been there before, with the aim of buying a new blender after breaking mine at the weekend. So I headed there and felt a bit like I was in Alanis Morrissette's “Ironic” song upon finding about 17 different types of kettle, 20 toasters and water filters but not one blender.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Hot fuzz, hot date and hot irons
An abundance of new things today, although when it was heading to finishing time at work, I didn’t think it would be! First up was a Tesco box of tomato and oregano mini ciabattas. Ooops. Nothing special at all. The next was being early for my massage, so went for a little walk around White Hill in Chesham and up some stairs and along an alleyway –my this place is hilly! Last new thing was taking some books back to the library and seeing Hot Fuzz on the shelf and deciding to rent that and watch it with my dinner. It was quite funny and of course has the Royal Standard of England as a backdrop in the pub scenes – one of my locals and quite a long way from Sandford! Thought it was very well put together but not quite as sharp and witty as I thought it might be.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Monday
New thing today was going for a run through new parts of Chesham – along the railway line, through to the east side of town, through the park, back past the leisure centre and past houses and down lanes I’d never seen before.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Great Missenden and great news
Friday
New thing was Prezzo in Newbury, which I’d never been to in the two years I lived in the area! Had a nice meal in there, while Mabel reminisced about how it used to be the town’s library.
Saturday
Lots of new things today as was house hunting (didn’t manage to shoot anything though). However, the very first new thing we did was to go to the Empire Cafe in Newbury for a traditional breakfast. What a great place and a very nice, simple breakfast of two slices of toast with scrambled eggs for £2.10! Reminded me of my parents’ rest home where I spent a large number of my formative years, what with the ‘olde’ metal teapots (that I correctly predicted would drip all over the place), the prints, the dresser and the old folder menus – didn’t see any doilies though. Funnily enough, on the way in, we bumped into the estate agent who would end up showing us round the houses in the afternoon.
Sunday
New thing was the Roald Dahl museum and Story Centre in Great Missenden which was really good and highly imaginative. I am sure that my enjoyment would have doubled for every year you remove from my age! Funnily enough, when I got home I managed to read Anthony Buckeridge’s autobiography in one sitting and there seemed to be quite a few parallels with Roald Dahl’s childhood. Both were about the same age, both tragically lost their fathers at a young age, they both had great mothers with a fantastic sense of humour and coincidentally both had dealings with the bullying Mrs Pratchett in Roald Dahl’s novel “Boy”. I spent a very pleasant time here in the afternoon reliving Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, James and the Giant Peach and of course the Twits. There wasn’t much mention of the Someone Like You and Tales of the Unexpected, but no matter. The only downer was the fact that I hesitated when the admission staff asked me what my postcode was, and asked why they needed to know. I then heard the staff mocking me, saying to each other:“there’s about 20 other houses with your same postcode” and “we’re not really the Roald Dahl Museum, we’re the secret police” which I thought was rude and at best, naive. I can’t be the only person who doesn’t like giving out info unnecessarily?
New thing was Prezzo in Newbury, which I’d never been to in the two years I lived in the area! Had a nice meal in there, while Mabel reminisced about how it used to be the town’s library.
Saturday
Lots of new things today as was house hunting (didn’t manage to shoot anything though). However, the very first new thing we did was to go to the Empire Cafe in Newbury for a traditional breakfast. What a great place and a very nice, simple breakfast of two slices of toast with scrambled eggs for £2.10! Reminded me of my parents’ rest home where I spent a large number of my formative years, what with the ‘olde’ metal teapots (that I correctly predicted would drip all over the place), the prints, the dresser and the old folder menus – didn’t see any doilies though. Funnily enough, on the way in, we bumped into the estate agent who would end up showing us round the houses in the afternoon.
Sunday
New thing was the Roald Dahl museum and Story Centre in Great Missenden which was really good and highly imaginative. I am sure that my enjoyment would have doubled for every year you remove from my age! Funnily enough, when I got home I managed to read Anthony Buckeridge’s autobiography in one sitting and there seemed to be quite a few parallels with Roald Dahl’s childhood. Both were about the same age, both tragically lost their fathers at a young age, they both had great mothers with a fantastic sense of humour and coincidentally both had dealings with the bullying Mrs Pratchett in Roald Dahl’s novel “Boy”. I spent a very pleasant time here in the afternoon reliving Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, James and the Giant Peach and of course the Twits. There wasn’t much mention of the Someone Like You and Tales of the Unexpected, but no matter. The only downer was the fact that I hesitated when the admission staff asked me what my postcode was, and asked why they needed to know. I then heard the staff mocking me, saying to each other:“there’s about 20 other houses with your same postcode” and “we’re not really the Roald Dahl Museum, we’re the secret police” which I thought was rude and at best, naive. I can’t be the only person who doesn’t like giving out info unnecessarily?
Friday, March 20, 2009
Thursday - Hellfire Comedy Club
New parts of High Wycombe before heading to the Swan Theatre (even though I was told not to!) and then to the Town hall for the Hellfire Comedy Club. The gig was compered by Roger Monkhouse who I’d seen before. I quite like his rambling yet erudite style as it puts me in mind of Arthur Smith. He (Roger Monkhouse, not Arthur Smith) dealt really well with some chavs on a hen do at the front who "sat on their arses for a living", were facing the wrong way and filming each other, and also effectively humiliated a racist from Norfolk near the back talking shite about “Norfolk Nips” and other nonsense. The first act was called Matt Rudge who was likeable and cheerful and had a penchant, like myself, for “trying vinegar”. I loved his summing up of Weston-Super-Mare as being in “Jeremy Kyle the musical”. The headliner Jon Richardson was superb. More please! He’s from Lancashire and lives in Swindon, the poor sod, and had me (and the rest of the crowd except “the lady from Norfolk” in stitches about his life which largely involves “being p1ssed off by other people” and having his coffee jars facing the right way. You can tell he’s far too nice for that to be true....
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Wednesday
New thing was going into a corner shop I’d not been into before for the Guardian. Was already annoyed by the time I got to the station that the 1000 songs you must hear section on politics did not contain one Levellers song!
Monday and St Patrick's Day
Tired and didn’t want to use the car. So new thing was a weird tofu thing I got from Waitrose.
Tuesday
St Patrick’s Day! New thing was going into Clinton Cards in Chesham and seeing a mother’s day card for £3.95 and coming straight out again. Also some bits of New Greenham Park on my way to a picnic and then the movie My Sassy Girl. Had to watch the American version instead of the Korean version though.
Monday, March 16, 2009
Crying, trying, prying, buying, sighing but no lying.
Friday
New thing was a fancy dress shop called All dressed up in Chalfont St Giles. Saw an article about this in the paper, so thought it would be a bit of fun to check out what medieval outfits they had. Unfortunately, I must have interrupted the woman’s lunch or something as she seemed really annoyed to have to deal with a customer, so I made quite a hasty exit. Other new things included getting ambushed by 2 neighbours who told me to move my campervan because “it’s an ugly white blob and we don’t want to have to look at it all day”. Which I handled really well....by crying. Other new things inlcuded checking out Mabel’s new car, Jane Honda and after going to the Cock and Rabbit in The Lee (not new) and then going onto Pizza Express in Amersham.
Saturday
Went to a boot sale in Chalfont St Peter where we sold lots of fudge and some other bits and bobs. But true to form, I bought lots of books and other things I didn’t realise I needed J Also, much later in the day, new thing was going to a Chinese takeaway in Wellingborough.
Sunday
New thing was going to Dorney for a walk. Have been here before for the Race for Life, but this time went for a lovely walk in the summer sunshine along the Thames, almost as far as Eton Wick, before turning back and finishing up in the Pineapple Pub for a pint and then food after being tempted by the lovely treats going past us.
New thing was a fancy dress shop called All dressed up in Chalfont St Giles. Saw an article about this in the paper, so thought it would be a bit of fun to check out what medieval outfits they had. Unfortunately, I must have interrupted the woman’s lunch or something as she seemed really annoyed to have to deal with a customer, so I made quite a hasty exit. Other new things included getting ambushed by 2 neighbours who told me to move my campervan because “it’s an ugly white blob and we don’t want to have to look at it all day”. Which I handled really well....by crying. Other new things inlcuded checking out Mabel’s new car, Jane Honda and after going to the Cock and Rabbit in The Lee (not new) and then going onto Pizza Express in Amersham.
Saturday
Went to a boot sale in Chalfont St Peter where we sold lots of fudge and some other bits and bobs. But true to form, I bought lots of books and other things I didn’t realise I needed J Also, much later in the day, new thing was going to a Chinese takeaway in Wellingborough.
Sunday
New thing was going to Dorney for a walk. Have been here before for the Race for Life, but this time went for a lovely walk in the summer sunshine along the Thames, almost as far as Eton Wick, before turning back and finishing up in the Pineapple Pub for a pint and then food after being tempted by the lovely treats going past us.
Friday, March 13, 2009
Swishing Thursday - Frock swap rocks!
New thing was fabulous and frugal – went to the Church Hall behind the church in Rickmansworth for a swishing event. Took a very nice pair of trousers, a suit and a long dress, none of which I had worn in the last few years. I was a bit naughty in that I didn’t really get into the spirit because I went alone. Would have stayed longer if I’d known anyone or taken a friend, but I know not one female in the Ricky area! So, in the same way I do my shopping, I didn’t linger more than 10 minutes, saw three things I liked – a stunning dress, a really pretty top and a simple dress for work and went home very happy knowing that three people are enjoying the three items I was proud to hand on and none of us contributed to consumerism, landfill or consumption! Very frugal too, just a £5 donation to charity!
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Wednesday - going crackers again!
Didn’t drive to work and then had to pop out in the evening, so didn’t have time to do much except nip into the International Chinese Restaurant in Chesham which I passed on my way home from the station. It really smelt like Hong Kong in there, so I hope we’ll be able to go back at some point to enjoy a whole meal!
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Tuesday -Spice of Life
Despite going to Woking in the morning, it wasn’t until the evening that I managed to do something new which was my trip to a pub called the Red Lyon near Henley. What a lovely place with nice staff and a roaring fire, (although the other way round would have been quite fun). One in particular was very understanding as I thought I had ordered Guinness, forgetting that I’d changed my mind and ordered the local ale, and going back to the bar to ask her to taste my “fizzy Guinness”.
Also as it took me a lot less time than I thought to get to the village of Hurley – a beautiful village right by the Thames, I was quite early and so went into a pub called Ye Olde Bell. This is a fantastic building which dates back to 1135, although has fantastic modern touches. I suddenly had visions of getting married in the grounds due to the beautiful gardens and the innovative toilets which have a system that switches the light on and also a reading of a play when you open the door. I soon retained my sanity over getting married though and was enjoying half a Guinness with my novel (Love by Angela Carter since you ask) when I realised that I was on fire as one of the logs had shot sparks at my leg and my trousers were burnt.
Also as it took me a lot less time than I thought to get to the village of Hurley – a beautiful village right by the Thames, I was quite early and so went into a pub called Ye Olde Bell. This is a fantastic building which dates back to 1135, although has fantastic modern touches. I suddenly had visions of getting married in the grounds due to the beautiful gardens and the innovative toilets which have a system that switches the light on and also a reading of a play when you open the door. I soon retained my sanity over getting married though and was enjoying half a Guinness with my novel (Love by Angela Carter since you ask) when I realised that I was on fire as one of the logs had shot sparks at my leg and my trousers were burnt.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Monday - first the worst, second the best, third the one with the hairy chest, 4th the Golden Eagle
New thing today was the Golden Eagle Pub in Ashley Green for a swift half (and a packet of those very expensive crisps but my tummy asked if it could have one and it was so polite, I couldn’t say no. Nice, no-frills pub, and a very friendly and cute dog!
Monday, March 09, 2009
new things and Newbury
Thursday
Another rubbish one! This time it was buying edamame peas from Waitrose. Will have to count as my new thing!
Friday
Took Mabel to the Nag’s Head in Great Missenden for a couple of pints and those expensive crisps. Very quiet and the overwhelming smell of fish soup (presumably called bisque in these posh surroundings). Although quiet, this award-winning pub has recently been refurbished and used to count Roald Dahl and Lord Wilson as customers. There's a nice atmosphere and feeling of really being out in the countryside when you look out of the window at the rolling hills.
Saturday
Uxbridge shops and then Trade Sales and Ford in Slough. Did not find it easy to buy a car; I thought Trade Sales had massive stocks of all cars for all budgets. However, the moment we got out of the car, a bloke asked us what we wanted in a manner which made me think we had parked in the staff car park. When we told him our budget, he said: “Why would you only spend that on a car? You’re asking for trouble. Why buy trouble?” Before I could tell him to F*** off, he said that the cheapest car on offer was about £5000 because “all our cars are fully-serviced.” Despite the fact we were standing next to a car priced at £4,000 we decided to look elsewhere. Just looked at one more garage before I got bored and we went out.
Sunday
New bit of Chesham, but more excitingly, took Mabel to his new place in Newbury, near the racecourse..
Another rubbish one! This time it was buying edamame peas from Waitrose. Will have to count as my new thing!
Friday
Took Mabel to the Nag’s Head in Great Missenden for a couple of pints and those expensive crisps. Very quiet and the overwhelming smell of fish soup (presumably called bisque in these posh surroundings). Although quiet, this award-winning pub has recently been refurbished and used to count Roald Dahl and Lord Wilson as customers. There's a nice atmosphere and feeling of really being out in the countryside when you look out of the window at the rolling hills.
Saturday
Uxbridge shops and then Trade Sales and Ford in Slough. Did not find it easy to buy a car; I thought Trade Sales had massive stocks of all cars for all budgets. However, the moment we got out of the car, a bloke asked us what we wanted in a manner which made me think we had parked in the staff car park. When we told him our budget, he said: “Why would you only spend that on a car? You’re asking for trouble. Why buy trouble?” Before I could tell him to F*** off, he said that the cheapest car on offer was about £5000 because “all our cars are fully-serviced.” Despite the fact we were standing next to a car priced at £4,000 we decided to look elsewhere. Just looked at one more garage before I got bored and we went out.
Sunday
New bit of Chesham, but more excitingly, took Mabel to his new place in Newbury, near the racecourse..
Thursday, March 05, 2009
Wednesday - Holy Stone of Clonrichert has been upgraded to a class 2 relic
Thought I would use my newly-acquired M&S voucher to get a new lunch –namely seafood linguine. Except the guy in the shop barked that they don’t accept M&S vouchers in this particular branch of M&S, so my (2nd) lunch didn’t taste as good as it could have!
Wednesday, March 04, 2009
Tuesday - New thing was rubbish!
Went into Wine Rack in Amersham to get some champagne to celebrate some good news!
Tuesday, March 03, 2009
Tuesday - good news and good food!
Some really good news today, almost daren’t believe it’s true and have spent the day worrying that something bad was going to happen by way of compensation. So new thing was a celebratory meal at Man’s Oriental Chinese Restaurant in Amersham. We’ve walked past quite a few times and always thought it looked pretty and vibrant inside. Had a lovely meal (my 2nd of the evening thanks to hangover munchies!) and a nice chat with the owner. Loved some of the names on the menu “unusual prawns” or “the blaze of the ocean (for two)”?
Monday, March 02, 2009
New things and last things
Friday
New thing was the Portrait Cafe at the National Gallery for about 30 seconds because moments after I arrived, all the stewards starting shouting at people to ask them to leave. Either a power cut or a Thomas Crown Affair style heist. Other new thing was Samurai for sushi and then a walk around the streets of Covent Garden.
Saturday
St Peter’s Church hall in Chalfont for a very nice boot sale.
Sunday
Lots of pubs in the Tottenham Court Road area including most importantly the Bricklayers Arms for my colleague’s leaving do (after another new thing of playing Guitar Hero very, very, very badly). I don’t remember anything that happened after 7pm.
New thing was the Portrait Cafe at the National Gallery for about 30 seconds because moments after I arrived, all the stewards starting shouting at people to ask them to leave. Either a power cut or a Thomas Crown Affair style heist. Other new thing was Samurai for sushi and then a walk around the streets of Covent Garden.
Saturday
St Peter’s Church hall in Chalfont for a very nice boot sale.
Sunday
Lots of pubs in the Tottenham Court Road area including most importantly the Bricklayers Arms for my colleague’s leaving do (after another new thing of playing Guitar Hero very, very, very badly). I don’t remember anything that happened after 7pm.
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