Monday, February 28, 2011
Sunday
Poured with rain, so not much doing today. New things were travelling in the boot of Mr M's car holding a couple of horrible doors that we took to the tip, and then later in the day wasting two hours of my life watching 'the Terminal'...
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Saturday
A quick visit to the Carrington Arms in Moulsoe to see if I could book a table for dinner. It was empty, and the music was on so loud that they didn't notice me there for 15 minutes, although it looked quite nice inside, so instead, after collecting Mr M, we had a simple, but elegant meal at the Glaze Restaurant in the Crowne Plaza in Marlow which was on our way home.
Tomato and mozarella salad for me, followed by salmon with rosti and vegetables, and liver pate and wild mushroom risotto for Mr M. The service was impeccable, but when I tried to let them know how good it was, sadly they wouldn't give me a feedback form as we weren't guests of the hotel.
www.crowneplazamarlow.co.uk/restaurant-bar/restaurant/
Tomato and mozarella salad for me, followed by salmon with rosti and vegetables, and liver pate and wild mushroom risotto for Mr M. The service was impeccable, but when I tried to let them know how good it was, sadly they wouldn't give me a feedback form as we weren't guests of the hotel.
www.crowneplazamarlow.co.uk/restaurant-bar/restaurant/
Friday, February 25, 2011
Friday
Up at 5am, at Cranfield at 7am where I helped carry Mr M's folders, books and notes into his new room for the weekend. It reminded me of my first day at University when I wound my way around the halls of residence, carrying my stereo and a suitcase and into a tiny, tiny room that already had someone in it. No one told me I was going to have to share! Fortunately Nr M has a single room, so I left him to settle in and was back at my desk by 9am.
Thursday, February 24, 2011
The last few days...
....have seen me reach new lows in my new things including reversing out of a driveway in Brimpton and buying some sort of strawberry thing that only partially tasted on strawberries....
Monday, February 21, 2011
Domingo
Last night when we were eating I started feeling very sorry for the four different rose sellers that came into the restaurant selling (or not selling, it appeared to me) flowers to the diners. Similarly, during the day, I noticed a few people trying to sell weird blue things that you throw into the air that spin down to the floor emitting a blue light and a bird tweeter. I'm no expert on commerce, but I felt desperately sorry for them. However, at 6am this morning when I left the hotel for the airport, it seemed that these guys had found something a lot more popular; beer. They'd bought six packs and were selling them individually to people on La Rambla; I think I was the exception as I'd actually been to bed and got up again.
So I said farewell to this lovely city and got on the wrong bus to the airport. When I finally got there, my new thing was my last cafe con leche at the Dehesa Santa Maria (Especialistas en productos iberico) before flying back to London.
So I said farewell to this lovely city and got on the wrong bus to the airport. When I finally got there, my new thing was my last cafe con leche at the Dehesa Santa Maria (Especialistas en productos iberico) before flying back to London.
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Saturday
Joan Miro! WOW! He IS Barcelona, so we were very excited to go to the Joan Miro Foundation in the Parc de Montjuic where his work was showcased, sculpture, paintings, textiles and preliminary sketches. Very inspirational!
www.flickr.com/photos/56851262@N05/5462320294/
Been to the Sagrada Familia before, so onto the food! We went to a vibrant place called Origens for a wonderful dinner topping off a muy bueno time!
www.flickr.com/photos/56851262@N05/5462320294/
Been to the Sagrada Familia before, so onto the food! We went to a vibrant place called Origens for a wonderful dinner topping off a muy bueno time!
Viernes
I challenged myself not to buy any new clothes in 2011 and this was severely tested today when Pilar* took us to a fabulous clothes shop called Skunkfunk (skunkfunk.com)
before we headed to the Travelbar for a walking tour which didn't end up taking place in the end. This allowed us to visit the Mercat de Bocqueria which I remember from my previous visit to the city.
We then did a brilliant walking tour in the afternoon with a young man called Oliver who was enthusiastic and knowledgable guide who had a passion for "art nouveau" and whose tour revealed such treasures as the 4 Gatos, the Palau de la musica Catalana by Lluis Domenech i Montaner in the early 20th century and the block of discord, which brings together three examples of modern architecture; Casa Battlo by Gaudi (didn't notice that the bottom of the building is constructed out of people yawning before today!)
; Casa Amatller by Josep Puig i Cadafalch and the Casa Albert Lleo Morera by Lluis Domenech i Montaner.
As if that weren't enough exercise, we then walked to the Museu de la Xocolata which was a tad disappointing, although quite interesting, and I was very taken with the Sagrada Familia made of chocolate and the sculpture in Parc Guell
Perhaps I was just upset that we didn't get to see the Ooompah Loompahs...
After a spell on the hotel's beautiful rooftop trying to stop myself from howling at the moon, we headed for the "Tapas WOrkshop" - Taller de Tapas http://www.tallerdetapas.com/ for another very Spanish, but salty meal. I could get used to this!
*Names have been changed to Spanish names to protect the innocent!
before we headed to the Travelbar for a walking tour which didn't end up taking place in the end. This allowed us to visit the Mercat de Bocqueria which I remember from my previous visit to the city.
We then did a brilliant walking tour in the afternoon with a young man called Oliver who was enthusiastic and knowledgable guide who had a passion for "art nouveau" and whose tour revealed such treasures as the 4 Gatos, the Palau de la musica Catalana by Lluis Domenech i Montaner in the early 20th century and the block of discord, which brings together three examples of modern architecture; Casa Battlo by Gaudi (didn't notice that the bottom of the building is constructed out of people yawning before today!)
; Casa Amatller by Josep Puig i Cadafalch and the Casa Albert Lleo Morera by Lluis Domenech i Montaner.
As if that weren't enough exercise, we then walked to the Museu de la Xocolata which was a tad disappointing, although quite interesting, and I was very taken with the Sagrada Familia made of chocolate and the sculpture in Parc Guell
Perhaps I was just upset that we didn't get to see the Ooompah Loompahs...
After a spell on the hotel's beautiful rooftop trying to stop myself from howling at the moon, we headed for the "Tapas WOrkshop" - Taller de Tapas http://www.tallerdetapas.com/ for another very Spanish, but salty meal. I could get used to this!
*Names have been changed to Spanish names to protect the innocent!
Thursday
I came to Barcelona in 1997, but my new thing was returning here and meeting some very special friends at the Hotel Duquesa de Cardona by the port in Barcelona www.hduquesadecardona.com before heading to a cute tapas bar called Bubo for croquettes, bacolao, patatas bravas and beer, beer, beer! Then a stroll around the old town before heading to a pub called Port next to the hotel. What a great city this is!
We didn't order the bread 2005...
We didn't order the bread 2005...
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Tuesday
New thing today was popping into Shoemakers Christian bookshop and cafe after having my hair cut here: www.duohair.co.uk
The other new thing was finishing this book:
Simon and his wife were friends of mine at university so it is a huge thrill to have read this book, which easily lives up to the expectations after having read his first. This is the faced paced story of a facility that's been set up by the government in response to a new virus. I read the whole lot in one go. Great stuff.
The other new thing was finishing this book:
Simon and his wife were friends of mine at university so it is a huge thrill to have read this book, which easily lives up to the expectations after having read his first. This is the faced paced story of a facility that's been set up by the government in response to a new virus. I read the whole lot in one go. Great stuff.
Monday, February 14, 2011
Valentine's Day
Went into a hairdresser's in Newbury that I'd not been into before to make an appointment to do something - ANYTHING - about my unruly hair!
The other new thing I did today was to ponder this classic 1970s cookery book called "Simple Freezer Cookery" which I think will be making its way to a charity shop soon. Having a look through it, it's like a history book! It opens with the phrase "Do you see freezers as a kind of status symbol or do you think you really need one? No-one actually NEEDS a freezer, but properly used, what a difference it makes to our lives....."
I have been thinking A LOT recently about what I need in my life. I have been trying to live relatively simply and trying to devote resources to things that are important. For example, I've decided that although I have fewer clothes and shoes than the average person, I still have too many and I won't be buying any more this year. Had I not made this decision, I would have already bought a new coat (my boss told me mine was scruffy), new jeans (my only pair were in the wash), and a new suit jacket (as mine needed dry cleaning).
We'll also be trying to be as self sufficient as possible. No more 70p potatoes for us (that's for ONE potato from M&S).
So back to the book. Check out this picture of lamb noodles! Is that what they ate in the 1970s?
Yum, beef in ale and spotted dick with custard. Just loving these pics!:
PART-A-Y!!
The other new thing I did today was to ponder this classic 1970s cookery book called "Simple Freezer Cookery" which I think will be making its way to a charity shop soon. Having a look through it, it's like a history book! It opens with the phrase "Do you see freezers as a kind of status symbol or do you think you really need one? No-one actually NEEDS a freezer, but properly used, what a difference it makes to our lives....."
I have been thinking A LOT recently about what I need in my life. I have been trying to live relatively simply and trying to devote resources to things that are important. For example, I've decided that although I have fewer clothes and shoes than the average person, I still have too many and I won't be buying any more this year. Had I not made this decision, I would have already bought a new coat (my boss told me mine was scruffy), new jeans (my only pair were in the wash), and a new suit jacket (as mine needed dry cleaning).
We'll also be trying to be as self sufficient as possible. No more 70p potatoes for us (that's for ONE potato from M&S).
So back to the book. Check out this picture of lamb noodles! Is that what they ate in the 1970s?
Yum, beef in ale and spotted dick with custard. Just loving these pics!:
PART-A-Y!!
Sunday - The Wrong Man (1956)
Feeling terrible today so just stayed on the sofa for most of the day! As well as reading a book which I hope to polish off today, my new thing was watching Alfred Hitchcock's "The Wrong Man" starring Henry Fonda, which is a simple film about mistaken identity. It didn't feel terribly Hitchcockian but was almost a relief to see that my fears over our CCTV society existed in the 1950s in their own way. The crux of the story revolves around the mis-spelling of the word "drawer" which was worthy of comment back then. Just have a look on eBay for "chest of drawers" now and you'll see that the incorrect spelling appears 10 times more often than the correct spelling!
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Saturday
New thing was the Riverside Centre in Turnpike for a very interesting talk on geology before a walk through Shaw to see this in action on the River Lambourn.
Do they?
This bit of land here is where the trainline from Oxford to Newbury to Southampton used to travel. There's absolutely no trace of it now.
Pretty eh? This is less than half a mile from my house and I didn't even know it was here until last week. Shameful!
The traffic in Newbury was abysmal today owing to the races, and more specifically to the races being abandoned as two horses died. This is horrible and is literally a stone's throw from my house: www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2011/feb/12/newbury-abandoned-two-horses-die
Do they?
This bit of land here is where the trainline from Oxford to Newbury to Southampton used to travel. There's absolutely no trace of it now.
Pretty eh? This is less than half a mile from my house and I didn't even know it was here until last week. Shameful!
The traffic in Newbury was abysmal today owing to the races, and more specifically to the races being abandoned as two horses died. This is horrible and is literally a stone's throw from my house: www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2011/feb/12/newbury-abandoned-two-horses-die
Friday, February 11, 2011
Friday
New thing today was a tour of new parts of Thatcham, near the train station, while trying to take a short cut from the swimming pool to see the lady that I befriend. My other new thing was cut short by my OCD (which if I really had Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, I would call CDO so that the letters are nicely alphabeticised). I recently picked up a book called "Cityboy" from the charity shop and lo - page 24 bears a grammatical mistake which means I can't read any further! The last time this happened was Eva Rice's Lost Art of Keeping Secret which spelt my hometown wrongly on about the 2nd page! It's "Sherborne" without a "U"!!!
Thursday
What I had taken to be a solicitor's office called Pralibel actually turned out to be a card shop and Belgian chocolatier! I went in to get Mr M a Valentine's card, but literally saw 'red' while I was in there, and after too many chocolates, cards and cuddly toys, panicked and came out, deciding that Valentine's Day is an expensive folly - I love Mr M every day, not just the 14th February, so will make my own card and biscuits for him!
The other new thing today was reading the whole of "Battle hymn of the tiger mother" in almost one sitting. Though this book has caused some controversy and won't be to everyone's taste, to me it was very carthatic to read. With the exception of the huge success of the two girls in the book, a lot of it was very familiar to me: No sleepovers, no playdates, no TV or computer games, and punishments such as standing outside in the freezing cold, or being threatened with all our belongings being thrown away.
The premise of the book doesn't just apply to CHinese mothers though, but anyone who equates happiness with success. And while you might not agree with her, who could not share her anxiety at children spending all of their time playing with computers, computer games, and mobile phones. She also refers to attention spans becoming shorter, childhood obesity, lack of respect for others. An interesting read.
The other new thing today was reading the whole of "Battle hymn of the tiger mother" in almost one sitting. Though this book has caused some controversy and won't be to everyone's taste, to me it was very carthatic to read. With the exception of the huge success of the two girls in the book, a lot of it was very familiar to me: No sleepovers, no playdates, no TV or computer games, and punishments such as standing outside in the freezing cold, or being threatened with all our belongings being thrown away.
The premise of the book doesn't just apply to CHinese mothers though, but anyone who equates happiness with success. And while you might not agree with her, who could not share her anxiety at children spending all of their time playing with computers, computer games, and mobile phones. She also refers to attention spans becoming shorter, childhood obesity, lack of respect for others. An interesting read.
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Wednesday, February 09, 2011
Tuesday
Picture the scene, eight nervous women are standing in wayward stirrups attached to purple hammocks trying to hold themselves up straight. Though the hammocks are deceptively strong, it's like balancing on a trapeze and even standing still while holding yourself up two feet from the floor is a challenge. After mastering the art of a standing pose, the next challenge was to hang upside down for a few minutes which I found hellish.
Welcome to aerial yoga!
Today's new thing was a taster session of this hybrid between yoga and circus skills! The hammock is there to help you go further in certain poses and even the most basic exercise can use more muscles that you would ever imagine. I thought I was rubbish at it, but found it very satisfying and can definitely feel it today whenever I laugh! Will be back next week - but might avoid the upside down poses!
Monday, February 07, 2011
Monday
Sometimes I frighten myself with how adventurous I am. Today's new thing was buying a 12 spice korma sauce from M&S.
Sunday
The today was a bit of a write-off as I drank far too much at a friend's surprise party, so I'm going to count the taxi that took us home at 3am. (Embarrassed face).
Saturday
New thing was a tour of Turnpike trying to find the river! After spending the morning doing a bit of conservation work:
, we headed to St Barts for the Chinese New Year celebration.
, we headed to St Barts for the Chinese New Year celebration.
Friday
Today's new thing was heading to Stoke for a visit to Michelin's UK headquarters. As well as visiting Bibendum,
our boss bought us a Stoke staple - Staffordshire oatcakes!
our boss bought us a Stoke staple - Staffordshire oatcakes!
Thursday, February 03, 2011
Gung hei fa choi!
New thing today was nipping into the Peace Hospice shop in Rickmansworth before a meeting.
http://grovewoodpr.blogspot.com/2011/02/gung-hei-fa-choi.html
http://grovewoodpr.blogspot.com/2011/02/gung-hei-fa-choi.html
Wednesday
An Inconvenient Truth; the most disturbing PowerPoint presentation I have ever sat through and should be made compulsory viewing. Mr SN and I try very hard to be green, but it's clear from this film that we - and everyone else - needs to do more.
Wednesday, February 02, 2011
Tuesday
New thing today was going to a yogalates class and not falling asleep in the warm down! The class was in Brimpton, and having not been to the village or to the Ruth Mills Therapy Centre were it took place, I thought I'd give it a go. The teacher is the one from Compton and is super nice, and also has the ultimate yoga body -just looking at her in her yoga poses makes me realise how much work I have to do!
Tuesday, February 01, 2011
Monday - can't believe we've finished January!
So we're already a 1/12th of our way around the sun. Today's new thing was going into a cafe in the Market Place which hitherto due to my myopia, I had believed to be an estate agent owing to the name "Silva Robinson" and the white and blue signage outside. But no, nothing in here cost £260,000, so I bought some crisps from Portugal which came with a hearty recommendation from the owner. About 10 minutes later they were gone....
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