tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2600501486096427872024-02-07T07:32:10.143+00:00Just The Two of USUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger31125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-260050148609642787.post-79947247158897505452011-10-22T20:52:00.002+01:002011-10-22T20:56:08.436+01:00Hello..?Again, life gets in the way of doing the things I want to. A move, enforced, I add has scuppered baking for the time being although I did manage a cracking Victoria sponge last week.<br /><br />Trying to get things back on track without worrying about Michael's job (long story) so watch this space for more cakes...The Great British Bake Off? Not quite.<br /><br />Claire.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-260050148609642787.post-67684427082467414912011-03-12T09:26:00.003+00:002011-03-12T09:39:03.639+00:00To Bake or Not to Bake<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVFtbxX2QhRnmo4z0Qyy2Xqp_1edEfjlY80Tf6jb20ro_jXFMii1PFWrbePG7X7n9GaFHF8JsAX5NG2UQfCs9M2jreCBpvruFdNDnIhzRxwoVjHCwlhaO0D684DBMHkzugV-t1Ku9kKinK/s1600/IMG_0225.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVFtbxX2QhRnmo4z0Qyy2Xqp_1edEfjlY80Tf6jb20ro_jXFMii1PFWrbePG7X7n9GaFHF8JsAX5NG2UQfCs9M2jreCBpvruFdNDnIhzRxwoVjHCwlhaO0D684DBMHkzugV-t1Ku9kKinK/s320/IMG_0225.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583124745938387138" /></a>First attempt at carrot cake. Great taste but the pan I used was too small and it turned out a bit compacted.<br /><br />Today I think lemon drizzle cake. Or, chocolate sheet cake...Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-260050148609642787.post-16381258623537783242011-02-23T16:12:00.003+00:002011-02-23T16:31:07.622+00:0080's Skeggy Weekend<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEg6eXQIOoyqiDtX-2L9RQvPe2ZoVydila8HZEQbVaaP1hiprdf_Ln5gzRpVkg7b7y2LUq6pLsaGKCzVY3AuDJDKc39mq7F5OXafXEMAkoRZv7nDJKvgNlGGz2r0NQCcm8ZbtBLdzvUD_M/s1600/184913_152041548188111_100001468017789_284212_21310_n.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEg6eXQIOoyqiDtX-2L9RQvPe2ZoVydila8HZEQbVaaP1hiprdf_Ln5gzRpVkg7b7y2LUq6pLsaGKCzVY3AuDJDKc39mq7F5OXafXEMAkoRZv7nDJKvgNlGGz2r0NQCcm8ZbtBLdzvUD_M/s320/184913_152041548188111_100001468017789_284212_21310_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576923293611670850" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVykQBE6_cXXPKJhEAD46c5FvQDlRdwY1bzD0w5FhV7hyOnR52zA0lsgAarEFL3bI2fqacJx-YO5SuBDvaMJa-vgij1AKczB5qd0gCf0L2wo1OdVdSVaZA3rGuo0bx9exqRsiq2nc9UPqb/s1600/Mea.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVykQBE6_cXXPKJhEAD46c5FvQDlRdwY1bzD0w5FhV7hyOnR52zA0lsgAarEFL3bI2fqacJx-YO5SuBDvaMJa-vgij1AKczB5qd0gCf0L2wo1OdVdSVaZA3rGuo0bx9exqRsiq2nc9UPqb/s320/Mea.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576921148190644882" />Oh dear...</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-260050148609642787.post-69334396107347961482011-02-19T20:46:00.002+00:002011-02-19T20:50:26.559+00:00Oh DearSo it has been a long time since my last post. Time is flying past and I never seem to have enough time to finish and sort those little odds and sods that I want to do.<br /><br />Last year I finally signed on and have almost completed course in proof-reading, just have the final exam to take. Hopefully I can start to take in work 'on the side' and work towards my goal of working for myself.<br /><br />I'll also try to write on here a little more often, although I have said that in the past!<br /><br />Anyway, a belated Happy new Year to you all.<br /><br />CxUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-260050148609642787.post-2961426184577898492010-01-09T10:22:00.005+00:002010-01-09T10:52:29.967+00:00Happy New YearA few days late, I know but I really wanted to wish all my friends, family and occasional visitors to my blog a very HNY!<br /><br />We had a lovely and busy Christmas this year. We went to Michael's parents Christmas eve and stayed over for Christmas morning, where we were very spoilt. Back to ours for the arrival of my family. The rest of the day was very chaotic but very enjoyable. My 33 year old Brother becomes 10 again at christmas. New Year was almost magical. We went to <a href="http://www.chillingham-castle.com/"> Chillingham Castle</a>. We have been there several times but not with the amount of snow we got at New Year. See my <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bellaclaire/">FlickR</a> pages for photos. At one point we thought we may actually be snowed in as we had problems getting the car out of the grounds! New Year consisted of a bottle of something fizzy and cosying up in our fantastic Lookout apartment with a long walk in the snowy grounds the next morning. Unfortunately we managed to get the car out of the snow and onto the A1 and back to reality...sigh.<br /><br />I have plans for this year. One is to move on with my photography (luckily I have an in-house instructor - <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/michaelwardphotos/">Michael Ward</a>). I would like to upgrade my Nikon D100, it has served me well and I have learnt a lot with it as it is very intuitive but I would like a D200 now and a couple of new lenses. Although all this will take cash that i don't have at the moment! The other plans I will reveal at a later date!<br /><br />I'm off to enjoy a nice quiet weekend, well with the exception of a visit from the whirlwind Nephews!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-260050148609642787.post-89432902474839237002009-11-22T20:09:00.003+00:002009-11-22T20:24:31.604+00:0010 Random Things About Me...1. I read far too much - Michael removes the book from underneath my face EVERY night when he comes to bed.<br />2. I love French Martinis - but am tipsy after two.<br />3. I love Italy and would like the chance to live there for a time.<br />4. I can't sing in tune although I was in the choir at school and once sang a solo from Guys and Dolls!<br />5. I long to work for myself.<br />6. I call my ponytail my 'squirrel!'<br />7. I Believe by Joe Satriani is one of my all time fav songs<br />8. I love Rallying and have a crush on Petter Solberg.<br />9. I know Lewis Hamiltons Mum.<br />10. I once held Tony Hadley's suede coat when I worked at Thorpe Park.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-260050148609642787.post-6521913142715360192009-09-13T10:29:00.005+01:002009-09-13T10:42:52.411+01:00'Stranded at the Drive-in...'<a href="http://www.hatfield-house.co.uk/Ticketing/EventsView.asp?Event=153&v=1&s=7">Hatfield House</a> has been holding Drive in movies all weekend. We went on Friday night and watched <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0064505/">the Italian Job</a>, it was good fun. The sound was received through our car stereo. Luckily the weather held and we had a little picnic whilst watching. It's not something that we have here in the UK as we'd never be able to watch much through all the drizzle but it was a fun experience all the same.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-260050148609642787.post-74770393279355075792009-09-02T19:59:00.002+01:002009-09-02T20:05:54.764+01:00We had a lovely, if busy, Bank Holiday weekend. We had Michael's Nephews for Saturday and took them to <a href="http://www.woburn.co.uk/safari/">Woburn Safari Park</a> and had a lovely day. We saw the sealion display, parrots and he beautiful Lemurs (Jake's favourites). Sunday was Michael's parents 40th Wedding anniversary and they had a Hog roast in the garden. Lots of friends and family, a very good day.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCwRrTYtgN2aqPRl1_0Uq3K6diWplyNpop_qv6Ijs1Fv17nsw7O8C1KxVIEgCwIoMlvh3WJW7lGBQc_OD31-IjIDTC-glUAcvyLnV48bNaelaXVIdhRIx55brGduRzeF3Xql82DmM8jm6k/s1600-h/mumdad.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCwRrTYtgN2aqPRl1_0Uq3K6diWplyNpop_qv6Ijs1Fv17nsw7O8C1KxVIEgCwIoMlvh3WJW7lGBQc_OD31-IjIDTC-glUAcvyLnV48bNaelaXVIdhRIx55brGduRzeF3Xql82DmM8jm6k/s320/mumdad.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376948189156241058" />Phil & Josie</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-260050148609642787.post-84436019250195587282009-08-25T20:11:00.006+01:002009-08-25T20:15:14.144+01:00New Car<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL7UY6GQnMo6ICvVqtzsmcc9iwsWdppdFgMyisopO1eEJu9q7ohhRyXsS3ZdrJvI4fDYPB0nRFK_gITPEQH0iYoqrFpBwdM1DBpppEId_KN2YWWk8Q_6furJwx-SkJqaGjZ_pR2ABLYJsK/s1600-h/100_0175.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL7UY6GQnMo6ICvVqtzsmcc9iwsWdppdFgMyisopO1eEJu9q7ohhRyXsS3ZdrJvI4fDYPB0nRFK_gITPEQH0iYoqrFpBwdM1DBpppEId_KN2YWWk8Q_6furJwx-SkJqaGjZ_pR2ABLYJsK/s320/100_0175.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373981569271514594" /></a><br />We decided to take advantage of the scrappage scheme (using the <br />Jeep). We picked it up this evening. I have never had a Brand. New. Car before. It was the longest twelve weeks!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-260050148609642787.post-62821811891278067282009-08-22T19:58:00.006+01:002009-08-22T20:06:14.117+01:00The GirlsI've just realised that I didn't post any photos of our annual girls night in. It was great fun and lovely to catch up with everyone.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOhNv-RZxu5qqMTExTB1ht6zUBg1-dnyVgNk0bxlYk4vSvmStdTSssh-OtEJnBCcE5S7UrITWxXKzNj8ZqeFF_bKKE96WEJ_me-LcUQ4GcHWnkgYhnRbKyQzDG7srV5C8u8ElLn-zpx4jt/s1600-h/dancing.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOhNv-RZxu5qqMTExTB1ht6zUBg1-dnyVgNk0bxlYk4vSvmStdTSssh-OtEJnBCcE5S7UrITWxXKzNj8ZqeFF_bKKE96WEJ_me-LcUQ4GcHWnkgYhnRbKyQzDG7srV5C8u8ElLn-zpx4jt/s320/dancing.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372865295649913538" /></a> There was dancing...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC2Ycb4Xs3isYWwSBt8B-1t_8NGKLst4HKGwYdfUlUWlMzDBs1_hNJvthEDagiRzbJjf7CpboMCG6e0kmcdSadJr1skE6bHynLc2EX4ioisIatLcTrASl1Pns7zAOvgSmLbJSf0K8siLoV/s1600-h/pud.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 182px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC2Ycb4Xs3isYWwSBt8B-1t_8NGKLst4HKGwYdfUlUWlMzDBs1_hNJvthEDagiRzbJjf7CpboMCG6e0kmcdSadJr1skE6bHynLc2EX4ioisIatLcTrASl1Pns7zAOvgSmLbJSf0K8siLoV/s320/pud.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372865623345489090" /></a> pudding<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrEwYTcTADPUmj_PrCdE3CGCJXYWWp1Bj6XrB7hJgfS_w_qSpgc05MPCJi-vHKc5FquPTY3Zy7ePdpXj3_fX75VuczSEWYn4GgwrLYYsmvE6q99iaG4ZZlJInf_A6_nD2LSCR8ncdE7UMs/s1600-h/lisa.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrEwYTcTADPUmj_PrCdE3CGCJXYWWp1Bj6XrB7hJgfS_w_qSpgc05MPCJi-vHKc5FquPTY3Zy7ePdpXj3_fX75VuczSEWYn4GgwrLYYsmvE6q99iaG4ZZlJInf_A6_nD2LSCR8ncdE7UMs/s320/lisa.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372865892360936898" /></a> photography<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNMNHv5_ZJwV8yw5w5z6i5Hr8WYwyXKKhGvYF85ATUHoupwWe2gZ-o4ZlTGoDTHpAouik9FaV6AB7M_AS6Y5RCw8eiGK4tlYNN3cVH1FR9R-h3ISovfG0hwCo4CXElP9NaJvagG5OzHTbm/s1600-h/girls3.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNMNHv5_ZJwV8yw5w5z6i5Hr8WYwyXKKhGvYF85ATUHoupwWe2gZ-o4ZlTGoDTHpAouik9FaV6AB7M_AS6Y5RCw8eiGK4tlYNN3cVH1FR9R-h3ISovfG0hwCo4CXElP9NaJvagG5OzHTbm/s320/girls3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372866204995806850" /></a> and friends.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-260050148609642787.post-19977323832265138602009-08-22T19:45:00.006+01:002009-08-22T19:57:17.371+01:00Green Fingers<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsYTsgPTsn0aktvR1epyBob8nEr6SDofP_n5wTwhE5Re22er3ljlWAjMRJGggOPbedIRDnO_fTjbw2gzfi4QMWSK20swH_JYwoZCtodRvzGPfdTiVYZ2Vz-9zBXG7SN_yLzVxXYdev3zb0/s1600-h/tomatoes.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsYTsgPTsn0aktvR1epyBob8nEr6SDofP_n5wTwhE5Re22er3ljlWAjMRJGggOPbedIRDnO_fTjbw2gzfi4QMWSK20swH_JYwoZCtodRvzGPfdTiVYZ2Vz-9zBXG7SN_yLzVxXYdev3zb0/s320/tomatoes.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372861669774334146" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4PZ1pDID6cn-eRtIBlxaxB4jRWGxQAAl49o2bpbCj5SJC6Jf9xf8_Z-wSv3gU_xUYlwtwBVDlJmkgytwAT8vCLRfcJuokDYpaqnQdFQSNu3vPhS2aPS5NNq76HnIz0AfXw0gIaWmes0oF/s1600-h/squash.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4PZ1pDID6cn-eRtIBlxaxB4jRWGxQAAl49o2bpbCj5SJC6Jf9xf8_Z-wSv3gU_xUYlwtwBVDlJmkgytwAT8vCLRfcJuokDYpaqnQdFQSNu3vPhS2aPS5NNq76HnIz0AfXw0gIaWmes0oF/s320/squash.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372861502124818594" /></a>Things went well this year in the garden.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-260050148609642787.post-61060360190259096302009-08-21T19:33:00.006+01:002009-08-21T19:44:12.581+01:00Tired......oh so tired. It's been a week, slightly stressful but mostly enjoyable. <br /><br />We have no plans this weekend other than photographing the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BR_standard_class_7_70013_Oliver_Cromwell">Oliver Cromwell</a> as it comes past our house (yes, I am a secret steam train lover, but not anoraky (sp) at all). There will be coffee and cake in town and I suspect a little bit of shopping but mostly relaxing. I may find my inner goddess and bake.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-260050148609642787.post-1408527238119771812009-06-17T09:48:00.003+01:002009-10-07T14:30:27.625+01:00Hello. It's been a while, my birthday in fact, since I last posted. I've wanted to, honestly, on many occassions but I just haven't had (made) the time.<br /><br />I now have a small raised vegetable patch in the garden and have been having radishes and rocket fresh in the evening. The butternut squash and courgette plants are lovely, green and leafy and the tomatoes and beans are coming on leaps and bounds!<br /><br />I have my lovely friends coming over on Saturday for our yearly get together (we are scattered around the country these days) and it's my turn to be host. I'm really looking forward to it. We have a nice big house and it will be fun to fill it with my favourite people. I just have to finalise the menu; it's weather dependant you see.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-260050148609642787.post-79509241517156216522008-11-28T16:09:00.005+00:002008-11-28T16:16:00.069+00:00"Happy Birthday to me""It's my party and i'll get drunk if I want toooo" Except there is no party..sob... I did get a very nice Le Crueset Tagine though. <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/LE-CREUSET-UK-LTD-L7473-00-67/dp/B00004SBKK">In blue.</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-260050148609642787.post-65713320675427693962008-10-04T10:03:00.016+01:002008-10-04T10:42:37.615+01:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_zVk5ZSQjf6V2sNvwgzQ24LAaVHQPyovJOFZER3NTibKfCJ4Dc31BVWUT3etr5x0eYWp9jptnCca79aC6ublTNPHoaN9Nxhp55SwLsMnx-fgYus87avcbp2Y0WmoZkQReDmm8OmBk43ky/s1600-h/camp.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_zVk5ZSQjf6V2sNvwgzQ24LAaVHQPyovJOFZER3NTibKfCJ4Dc31BVWUT3etr5x0eYWp9jptnCca79aC6ublTNPHoaN9Nxhp55SwLsMnx-fgYus87avcbp2Y0WmoZkQReDmm8OmBk43ky/s320/camp.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253231211099899586" /></a><br /><br /><br />It's been a while since I last posted and i've been busy.<br /><br />My eye has now healed nicely although it did look like i'd had an argument with a door for about a week. I'm just waiting for a follow up appointment with the consultant to see if the injection did any good.<br /><br />Our trip to cornwall was great. We had the best weather and spent all of our time in shorts. We stopped off on our way down at <a href="http://www.jamaicainn.co.uk/">Jamaica Inn</a> for a drink and got to the campsite at lunchtime. <a href="http://www.penhale-fowey.co.uk/">Penhale</a> was a really nice site and you could see the sea from the field. Our new tent was superb, lots of space and we could actually stand upright in it. We cycled to the <a href="http://www.edenproject.com/">Eden Project</a> which was fantastic. I went the year it opened and it has changed so much. We went to the <a href="http://www.heligan.com/">Lost gardens of Heligan</a> which were also fantastic, it helped being warm and sunny. Visits to Meveagissy, Padstow (with an unfortunate incident), we cycled along the <a href="http://www.chycor.co.uk/holidays/cycling-in-cornwall/camel-trail/camel-trail.htm">Camel Trail</a> and went to the Lobster Hatchery. We went to <a href="http://www.cornwall-online.co.uk/restormel/charlestown.htm">Charlestown </a> of an evening for a drink on the harbour and cooked each evening (except one) on our little red bucket bbq at the campsite. It was lovely.<br /><br />Our next trip away is in December to Wales (mad, I know) to the <a href="http://www.walesrallygb.com/">WRC Wales Rally</a>.<br /><br />Work is still really buy at the moment but we're taking on as much as we can in this climate. I'm sure Classic Cars will eventually feel the pinch, just as they did in the late 80's. So, while people want us to work on their cars, we will!<br /><br />Michael is still very busy with freelance work, I have to send off his tax return this weekend- I prepared it weeks ago.<br /><br />We are looking after Michael's Nephew's <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/90323831@N00/1408329847/in/set-72157594513790585/">Jake</a> and <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/90323831@N00/1409213190/in/set-72157594513790585/">Sam</a> luckily, we bought a Wii last weekend, so that should keep them occupied as it's supposed to be a crappy weekend weatherwise.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-260050148609642787.post-44898673746084936472008-09-16T11:22:00.003+01:002008-09-16T11:36:36.509+01:00Eurgh, what a crappy couple of days. Firstly our dishwasher went 'bang' on Saturday morning and as it was out of warranty and old we went and bought a new one (cough, they're not cheap are they!?). Yesterday I went off to the QEII hospital in Welwyn Garden City for another injection in my eye for this Uveitis I have. I understood it to be a routine quick injection and then i'd be sent on my way. It was not. I had the full eye clamp, that's not a pleasant experience, always reminds me of A Clockwork Orange, the surgeon then cut around the eye and shoved a HUGE needle in full with a shedload of steroids and injected the back of my eyeball. They then eyepatched me up, with instructions for no tv, computer or driving for a couple of days. So with Michael in Itay, I had to ask his very nice Dad to come and take me home. Then he and Josie (Michael's Mum) had to go back to the hospital and collect my car. I'm sorry to be graffic but there was a lot of blood and gunge last night when I finally took the patch off and this morning, the eye is all swollen and sticky. So no work for me today. Luckily I have a very nice and understanding boss. So, i'm feeling a bit crap (shouldn't really be using the computer but i'll go out of my mind if I don't do something) and working my way through a packet of biscuits. Sigh. <br /><br />Off to Cornwall on Thursday for a long weekend, just hope i'll be able to see enough to enjoy it.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-260050148609642787.post-30472784483426430462008-08-31T19:51:00.008+01:002008-08-31T20:23:59.737+01:00The Girls Night In...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2iNH6RWgcpwdr7A2-6TiTrtdTmnaU3m44xmFCs5O29dRSMJ95ul5Sukc8fmb_3pOoXELCPwOXJCX37oT_eneyaXRA2rDY142Wg1gd3FTeWqx56ZwzwhX0MY56xaVjqLPSCwkWnvJF9dRb/s1600-h/fizz.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2iNH6RWgcpwdr7A2-6TiTrtdTmnaU3m44xmFCs5O29dRSMJ95ul5Sukc8fmb_3pOoXELCPwOXJCX37oT_eneyaXRA2rDY142Wg1gd3FTeWqx56ZwzwhX0MY56xaVjqLPSCwkWnvJF9dRb/s320/fizz.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240764091969727762" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaHc9wl21j1zH4IFlH_qj5qaQx_6A3UqsWWoH3HhVC57Iojv7HM88gXgmlJ4Nv0mj2lzvhlSQdlaCCF92UWuXyKV8LpglJAm_7qmNeiHJpIV2cSJ58JH8DzqMu6sAHhzh0xOE_J-6pwvSk/s1600-h/cls.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaHc9wl21j1zH4IFlH_qj5qaQx_6A3UqsWWoH3HhVC57Iojv7HM88gXgmlJ4Nv0mj2lzvhlSQdlaCCF92UWuXyKV8LpglJAm_7qmNeiHJpIV2cSJ58JH8DzqMu6sAHhzh0xOE_J-6pwvSk/s320/cls.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240763418772942034" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3q8QjWKUms762peaYcp10HVjATOyJ2yFIu5diF2td7Hl15CL_fySoxNHn3gLuXhi0tV5ynjvR7bvTGhJLtP7IjbvjenjVODpw-zxSSqcjOQCz5YXqM4c9cq43p4f8R-tvxHvh7LnmIvVy/s1600-h/sisters.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3q8QjWKUms762peaYcp10HVjATOyJ2yFIu5diF2td7Hl15CL_fySoxNHn3gLuXhi0tV5ynjvR7bvTGhJLtP7IjbvjenjVODpw-zxSSqcjOQCz5YXqM4c9cq43p4f8R-tvxHvh7LnmIvVy/s320/sisters.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240763146422710082" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc2ARa6XKd48Hbl0dGih4Xs_40z2skRRATpTszjoZvG7IcoY0vWN-lZbxRd1cezI6-USrwEvzZw4BOyF_eM_G3ZsZ1ccE1Np0VKAMtb2cSxTDj3lbBufmIaIgk80JvqUzQANbgyr6iuUPp/s1600-h/lisa2.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc2ARa6XKd48Hbl0dGih4Xs_40z2skRRATpTszjoZvG7IcoY0vWN-lZbxRd1cezI6-USrwEvzZw4BOyF_eM_G3ZsZ1ccE1Np0VKAMtb2cSxTDj3lbBufmIaIgk80JvqUzQANbgyr6iuUPp/s320/lisa2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240762844787432402" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimEPg_ak4DWKgr0qYjLGCLCKxBAstOd1TEn4GmWiOQyd4P8rEm-4YYGyYkFZWfiwmL0HdXzcpXdbxcuaGE2xrGVyPbL9F3UaXJnd3Pj4NWjShZv2PjoftkaNIaczUE4J0qcbjvejVefoAi/s1600-h/surfin.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimEPg_ak4DWKgr0qYjLGCLCKxBAstOd1TEn4GmWiOQyd4P8rEm-4YYGyYkFZWfiwmL0HdXzcpXdbxcuaGE2xrGVyPbL9F3UaXJnd3Pj4NWjShZv2PjoftkaNIaczUE4J0qcbjvejVefoAi/s320/surfin.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240762337990042226" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0DKljs065e-Xqb96CxX5Apb2jWmJna4QueL1w0P09LcJIILW8S7Dkloqp2SwlnEs0G-Qg3BFZRorKl0RppQXTwzPHrSmLGlMnwC0-g2NSgHZQHUMKdrTDRrgbMRz_PrBozZ7R2bYs9tXh/s1600-h/claireh.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0DKljs065e-Xqb96CxX5Apb2jWmJna4QueL1w0P09LcJIILW8S7Dkloqp2SwlnEs0G-Qg3BFZRorKl0RppQXTwzPHrSmLGlMnwC0-g2NSgHZQHUMKdrTDRrgbMRz_PrBozZ7R2bYs9tXh/s320/claireh.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240762138414608770" /></a><br /><br />...Was excellent! It's been a year since we were all together and it felt (as always) that we'd only seen each other last week. The cast of characters: Me, Lisa (<a href="http://www.turquoise.me.uk/">Turquoise</a>), Katy (<a href="http://www.themillpond.co.uk/">The Millpond</a>), Claire H (mine host), Caroline and Suzanne. Claire H kindly lent us her house for the evening and even volunteered to cook. <br /><br />It was lovely seeing everyone again, considering we used to see each other on a weekly basis until we got all grown up and spread ourselves across the country getting married and having babies. I know that our friendship is real because it never seems strained when we have our 'reunion'. Sorry, bit sappy I know.<br /><br />So, in a very civilised, grown-up fashion, we started with drinks and antipasti on the terrace. All very glamorous until Lisa decided that we needed a group shot and the only item of garden furniture high enough to position the camera on was a bird table, full of bird..., well, poo. Things kind of slid downhill rapidly after that.<br /><br />So, first course was a lovely salad, followed by palate cleansing home-made lemon sorbet, chicken with a leek sauce and vegetables (very nice), a selection of puddings, tiramisu and jelly and cream (with a serious amount of wine to accompany the courses), cheese, coffee, liquors, possibly more wine and .... my memory fails me there. I have to admit that I cannot do justice to the food, it was wonderful. Claire said that it was her first dinner party but I bet she had practised 'a la master chef style' many times it was just yummy!<br /><br />After dinner entertainment (and during actually, see pictures of Claire singing and Caroline chair dancing) was Madonna karaoke, needless to say I just gave encouragement. <br /><br />So, after all of us saying that as we were so old and tired we would all be in bed just after 10pm, we finally called it a night gone midnight. It was a lovely night. I believe that we may have agreed that it's my turn to host it next year. We did discuss getting together before Christmas but considering how difficult it was to arrange this date, I don't think we will.<br /><br />Anyway, lots of love to all my girly friends. See you in 2009! xxUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-260050148609642787.post-34262274647308601892008-08-17T16:38:00.002+01:002008-08-17T17:04:14.012+01:00PerfectWe have had a lovely lazy weekend (yes, i'm aware it's not quite over yet). I'm in the perfect mood. I'm sitting here typing away on our new laptop (MacBook Pro) which I love and we've gone wireless, so I am also watching the athletics from the Olympics (and feeling like I should really get off my large bum and do some exercise).<br /><br />We had a yummy coffee and cake at <a href="http://www.theoldmaltings.co.uk/">The Old Maltings</a> yesterday before going to the little hidden bookstore at the back of the market square and buying up most of the 50% discounted stock. I love books, I have a serious habit, I've read 29 books so far this year! We bought a new lamp for the living room and just generally strolled where our fancy took us. Michael's sister came round for dinner (chicken fajitas) and several vodka and cokes and stayed the night. Our first guest.<br /><br />Today we had a nice lie-in. We took Sarah to the DIY store to choose the paint for her new house (she gets the keys tomorrow but it needs painting and carpeting first) and I bought some more picture frames. We are working on covering the downstairs loo walls with lots of pictures of family, sounds odd but it's looking good but we need more of Michael and Sarah, there's a couple of me and Steve as children which are quite funny.<br /><br />So, next weekend is the girls get together which i'm looking forward to. It's been a while (a year I guess) since we were all last together. On the Sunday is Michael's parents anniversary BBQ and then Bank Holiday Monday, excellent.<br /><br />I've booked us a long weekend in Cornwall in September once the kids are back at school (not ours, just kids in general). We are staying at <a href="http://www.penhale-fowey.co.uk/">Penhale</a> to try out our lovely new tent and on the itinerary is <a href="http://www.edenproject.com/">The Eden Project</a>, <a href="http://www.heligan.com/flash_index.html">The Lost Gardens of Heligan</a>, and possibly a visit to Padstow for lunch (depending on how rich we are feeling).Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-260050148609642787.post-55704336999773253842008-07-22T19:07:00.000+01:002008-07-22T19:09:59.961+01:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRWQ2GQUx6EqmmcPrIECrExrnIQIxvz-C09I8d1Ee9LWOAbzEAEEY2CMqjr73-GcudiLj3oFlHLLROu7gnpM4UkSfZfcuGlsF81LaLbqD3a4-fIFFJJsEz_ZI5HYhQJuVFSJ2VgOpb9kbn/s1600-h/tomatoes.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRWQ2GQUx6EqmmcPrIECrExrnIQIxvz-C09I8d1Ee9LWOAbzEAEEY2CMqjr73-GcudiLj3oFlHLLROu7gnpM4UkSfZfcuGlsF81LaLbqD3a4-fIFFJJsEz_ZI5HYhQJuVFSJ2VgOpb9kbn/s320/tomatoes.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5225902159595646354" /></a> Roasted tomatoes to accompany dinner last night. Very tasty.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-260050148609642787.post-79012741720732183042008-07-11T09:12:00.005+01:002008-07-11T09:58:55.632+01:00Busy BeesIt's been a really busy month or so. We finally moved into our new house and it's huge. Our furniture looks very lost, so tomorrow we are off to Ikea to buy stuff.<br /><br />We had our holiday less than a week after moving. Unpacking boxes just to repack things into cases wasn't much fun but the trip was fantastic. Pictures on Flickr soon.<br /><br />We started off on the Friday in <a href="http://www.borghitalia.it/html/borgo_en.php?codice_borgo=386">Castell Arquato</a> for a hillclimb. Lots of lovely old cars and lots of socialising with friends. Dinner was up in the castle courtyard again with plenty off cold fizzy red wine which is delicious. On the Monday we drove to Lago D'iseo to The <a href="http://www.relaismirabella.it/">Hotel Relais Mirabella</a> which was absolutely fantastic. Very quiet, up in the hills above the lake. Fab pool to which we decamped every afternoon with books and i-pods. I haven't had a holiday like that for a very long time. We took a ferry out on the lake to Monte Isola, the largest island lake in Europe, we drove around the whole lake, which didn't take as long as we thought it would so we just had to stop for lunch up by Riva. We spent a morning trying to find <a href="http://www.lamontina.it/eng/vigneti-g.html">La Montina Vineyard</a> where Michael had been last year and had brought home some fantastic Rose prosecco. We found it and bought two cases! We also had a couple of days just wondering round the markets in Iseo and eating ice-cream in Sarnico and as I said, afternoons by the pool. Fan. bloody. tastic.<br /><br />The second weekend we were in Borno in the mountains for the second hillclimb. Again many cars and much socialising. <br /><br />But, now we are home and slowly getting sorted. We also have a house guest at the moment, Kimi, Sarah's (Michaels' sister) cat. She is also in the process of moving and so we are looking after him for a bit. It's lovely to have a cat again, even when he does meow loudly in your ear at 4 o'clock in the morning!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-260050148609642787.post-18442441749393709752008-05-28T16:35:00.004+01:002008-05-28T17:21:14.594+01:00Hypocrite!Me, I mean.<br /><br />I've just been through all the blogs I read, and there's a fair few. Regular blogs, friends blogs, food blogs, a very funny blog by a waiter etc, and have deleted the ones that haven't blogged for a while (giving me nothing new to read!). After completing this task I realised that *cough* I haven't blogged for well over a month. Oops!<br /><br />So, just for you:<br /><br />* We are still moving but it has been put back to the 20th June (the week before our holiday, eek!)<br />* Michael spent £1,000 on a camera lens and it's only about 6 inches long. WTF!<br />* I had an opticians appointment and it cost £150!?! <br />* Michael is staying at the very nice <a href="http://www.hotelduvin.com/hotellanding.aspx?HotelId=12">Hotel Du Vin</a> in Henley on Thames tonight. And I. Am. Not.<br />* It's been raining constantly for nearly a week and i am Very. Fed. Up.<br />* I've not been doing any gardening due to the move and only have my herbs to potter about with.<br />* I bought a very nice pair of girly shoes for my holiday. (they have sparkles on and everything!)<br />* I've just spent a fortune on books from Amazon.<br />* I plan to cook rissotto for my tea unless I find something yummy at Sainsburys on my way home.<br /><br />Not <em>very</em> interesting, but I feel better for having put something on paper.(read: 'puter)<br />TTFN CxUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-260050148609642787.post-62972340049302378762008-04-18T12:11:00.005+01:002008-04-18T14:51:19.838+01:00Catch up...It's been a busy couple of weeks but now i've come to blog about them, I can't remember what's been taking up my time!<br /><br />Michael got to drive a <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/michaelwardphotos/2415885045/">Ferrari 599</a> from England to Italy via France, stopping in Monte Carlo (as one does). He has had a few more freelance jobs lately and the lovely Tax man has just sent us our Tax Return Form, Oh joy! We went to Hayley and Dave's wedding last weekend at <a href="http://www.chartridge.co.uk/default.asp?PageID=47">Hitchin Priory</a> which was a lovely, even the weather held out for them and everything was perfect. Michael was their photographer as well as a guest; it's strange watching him work as he usually only photographs cars and motorsport. He's very good with people though, especially, as everyone knows, people at weddings are very difficult to herd around, especially when there is Pimms on over. Some pictures on <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/90323831@N00/">Flickr</a>. <br /><br />Work is busy as it is the end of the financial year and also the Maserati International Rally next week so we have a dozen or so cars that need to be prepared and out of the door by Thursday afternoon. That means a whole load of typing and talking on the telephone for yours truly!!<br /><br />Ooh, some news! (I <em>knew</em> I had something exciting to tell you) We are moving. Not far and we are still going to rent for a while, but we are moving to a four bed detached with, wait for it...a garage! Also the garden is at my disposal so I can finally plant veg in the ground and not just in pots! We don't have an exact moving date yet but it is likely to be in the next couple of months. Yay!!<br /><br />Having answered <a href="http://www.turquoise.me.uk/">Turquoise Lisa's</a> blog today, I came across <a href="http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/food/2008/04/quirks_at_table.html">this</a> at The Guardian online. I don't have many habits involving eating (other than getting it down my neck as quickly as possible) but when it comes to biscuits or sweets, boy! If eating some kind of chocolate biscuit, I MUST eat all the chocolate off first and nibble the remaining 'biscuit' as in the case of kit-kats. With jaffa cakes I eat the slightly stale tasting base then nibble away at the chocolate until I am left with the yummy orangey disc, which I will then leave on my tongue and suck away! Sweets that come in may colours i.e. smarties, midget gems, jelly tots (my faves) etc, must be emptied out onto lap/cushion and put into groups according to colour. Then there must be the same amount of each colour in a group, any uneven ones are eaten first and then one of each colour at a time until they are all gone!! Lord, i'm a freak!!!!!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-260050148609642787.post-72550047330629434232008-04-04T11:46:00.002+01:002008-04-04T12:21:45.006+01:00Sick!Eurgh! I've just had a couple of days off with a nasty cold. I rarely get ill and this time I got the full works! I've only come into work today because I felt guilty about lying in bed doing nothing for two days, other than sleeping and drinking copious amounts of orange juice! I've felt very sorry for myself as Michael is away and I had to get my body out of bed on Wednesday evening and drive to the supermarket <em>myself</em> to get migraine tablets. Huh!<br /><br />On other news, my Brother picks up his new car on Saturday after his Polo died on him a couple of weeks ago and i'm off to Mum's for some tlc and to take her to see <a href="http://www.sonypictures.com/movies/theotherboleyngirl/">The Other Boleyn Girl</a>. It's one of my favourite books (historically inaccurate I know but a good read). The only place it seems to still be on is Esher, I haven't been there for years!<br /><br />We went to Brands Hatch last weekend for the first race in the BTCC. Brilliant sunshine and some good racing. A friend of ours, Freddie Nordstrom, is in the Seat Cupra Chamionship, which is one of the support races, and Michael is one of his offical photographers. <br /><br />Reading a really good book at the moment <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Surgeon-Crowthorne-Madness-English-Dictionary/dp/0140271287/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1207308035&sr=8-1">The Surgeon of Crowthorne</a>. It's all about the creation of the OED (don't yawn) and one of it's most prolific contributors. Fascinating.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-260050148609642787.post-60466845821291196542008-03-27T11:07:00.003+00:002008-03-27T11:50:26.316+00:00I love the Easter Bank Holiday, four days off without using any of my holiday entitlement. <br /><br />We did very little. Nice coffee and sandwich in our fav coffee shop on Friday with a detour to pick up my new car (not brand new). Saturday apart from popping out for some food shopping we didn't leave home. Sunday I cooked a 3-course meal with a nice Italian flavour. Used some of my nice home grown Basil. On Monday, after feeling cabin fever starting to set in we decided to leave the confines of the house and went to <a href="http://www.woburnsafari.co.uk/">Woburn Safari Park</a>. It's a cracking day out and we were quite lucky with the weather, it only snowed for an hour! We did the drive round route three times (each time with less and less traffic) and then wondered around the foot safari (Lemurs, Lynx, Penquins, Wallabys) and watched a Bird of Prey demo in which I got to hold a Buzzard! Very exciting, pictures on <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/90323831@N00/">Flickr</a>.<br /><br />Michael is off to Mugello next week from Wednesday to Sunday. He is driving a Ferrari across Europe though so it's not planes this time. <br /><br />We are possibly going to see the first BTCC race of the year on Sunday (depends if we can get out of bed early enough) but no real plans other than that. I now have a Costco card and have heard that there is a new store in Milton Keynes so i may pay that a visit. On the whole, all very boring at the mo!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-260050148609642787.post-86540265238021886132008-03-10T20:38:00.003+00:002008-03-10T20:41:35.234+00:00Domestic Goddess, me?I've just done on of those silly 'Which celeb chef are you?' quizzes and apparently i'm Nigella! I think that's ok (though <span style="font-style:italic;">I</span> tend to keep my breasts restrained whilst cooking!)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0