Weekly Musings

2015- Week 4

'We could find comfort in debauchery'

(Alvvays - Party Police)

I have been playing Alvvays self-titled album on repeat this week, obsessed! It's a really cool mixture of 90s grunge guitars and girly vocals, and on Wednesday I went to watch them play at Deaf Institute with Timna. They were very good live, and the lead singer looks like a male Kurt Cobain; uber cool. I particularly like the song the above lyrics are from, as it is all about sticking two fingers up to the rules, enjoying the company of others and having a good time - three things I am a definite advocate of!

As well as the gig this week, on Tuesday I ate at the Country Club, sampling another of the new specials - avocado, chicken and sesame seed lettuce wraps, a lighter meal which was perfect as I had eaten a large lunch. On Saturday I continued the healthy trend after Kettlercise and Body Combat classes this week and did a yoga session, which properly chilled me out for the weekend.

On Saturday evening I donned my gladrags and headed into Manchester for a night at Sakura on Deansgate Locks with Kelly and James and a couple that they know from university. We hit the fishbowls, and I can't remember getting home! Luckily I didn't feel too bad by this evening; I met Amanda in Altrincham to watch the ice hockey, as a friend of mine plays as netminder for Guildford Flames and got us free tickets. It was a really tense match, going to extra time, penalties and then sudden death! Guildford Flames won 6-5 in the end, which was great for my mate, but I did feel a little like a traitor going against my home team!

Weekly Update!

Pancakes, Strolls & Halloween!

I did yoga again on Monday - the Yoga & Meditation variation I have tried before, but this time with the usual teacher. I didn't like it as much as Hatha, as I felt the instructor was quite nonchalant with regards to if we were doing the positions correctly, and she also didn't really explain things very clearly; there were a number of times I got quite frustrated during the class, which sort of defeats the purpose. Afterwards I bashed out a quick article and then met Tasha and Abi for lunch in Cafe Gourmand, where I had a big emmental and ham panini with chips - I was feeling indulgent!

Nothing eventful happened on Tuesday, and Wednesday I wrote another article (see next post) and babysat in the evening, as well as Thursday evening. Luckily the pretty boring week was uplifted with a nice weekend! On Friday I made myself some pretty near perfect pancakes for breakfast, and then did a Body Combat class. Mo eventually managed to pass his bike test, so I saw him briefly in the evening before eating at Mudcrab with people (see previous post) and staying at his, followed by more pancakes for breakfast the next day, this time at Varsity with raspberries and fresh yoghurt. 

Once home again, I met up with Lydia, and we went for a walk around Dunham Massey and a good old chat. We stopped at The Swan With Two Nicks for a dessert and some cider - I went for an amazingly rich sticky toffee pudding with extra sauce and gorgeous smooth Cheshire ice cream - and then Mo came round on his bike for the first time which was quite exciting!

That evening I went to a fancy dress Halloween party. I attempted to go as Morticia Addams, complete with black straight hair, long flowing dress and gothic makeup; but despite buying two black hairspray cans it didn't quite cover all the red, and went everywhere, and I overdid the white face paint, so it was a bit of a disaster! I soon forgot about it once I arrived though, and had a really fun night. It was a shame that we weren't allowed into Dogbowl even though we had booked and paid, as they have a 'no fancy dress' policy which is a bit of a joke. We all just went to Poptastic instead, which is much cheaper so fine by me!

Today after an early start to take Mo to his motorbike meet (7am!!), I slept again, lounged around, went shopping for a bit with mum and then got a Chinese and am currently eating it at Mo's. Nice bit of everything to keep me entertained!

Weekly Update!

Pet Hens & an Edinburgh Hen Party!

This week has been pretty placid to be honest, mainly as I was gearing myself up for my friend Laura's hen party this weekend. On Monday we got some pet chickens! It's been a seriously long time coming, but we are now the proud owners of Mildred, Daphne, Fifty Something and Little Poppy! In the evening I went to see Kings Of Leon with my friend Rick (see previous post) and on Tuesday I did a spinning class and then had dinner at the Country Club in the evening. This week I was a little naughty and went for the club sandwich, which had chicken, bacon and salad in it on ciabatta bread, with a side order of chunky chips! Aum has had it before and it looked so good I had to try it myself, and to be fair I shared the sandwich with him this time so it wasn't a huge portion. It comes with a gorgeous paprika mayonnaise dressing that really adds to the flavour of the meats.

On Wednesday I did a Body Pump class and ran a few errands, then Mo came around in the evening. It was payday so I finally paid off all my debts and booked a bag for our flight to Mallorca which is coming up soon! On Thursday I collected Aum early from school and drove him to his grandparents in Pontefract for the weekend, meaning I had Friday off work which was a nice bonus. I didn't do much, had a lie in, did a Body Combat class and then popped to Stockport to pick up some bits for the hen party, the weather was awful so I got drenched despite having an umbrella!

It was Emily's birthday so I went round to hers with a card and to say hello, as I missed her party with being away this weekend. I packed my bag, had fish and chips for tea and then went to Mos for the evening. He left early on Saturday to do his CBT test (which he passed!) so I went home and got ready to catch my train at 10.20am to Edinburgh. When I arrived I shopped for a bit until the rest of the girls got into the city centre, I bought an amazing dress in the Topshop sale for just £10! At 4pm we went for afternoon tea at the Caledonian Hotel (see next week's post).

Afterwards we headed back to the house we were staying at, and got ready for a night out in formal evening dresses! We had a toast to the bride-to-be and a few predrinks and nibbles before getting taxis in to the city at 10pm. We started in a bar called Dragonfly where we had some very tasty and unusual cocktails, mine had basil, pepper and raspberries in with gin, and I bought Laura one that had egg white, elderflower syrup and gin. They both tasted amazing and it's always nice having something a bit different. We moved on to the next place after a while, called Lulu's, where we had tequila shots and skittle bombs to get the night going! We ended in a club called Opal Lounge that was underground, it played some good tunes and we were lucky enough to be on the VIP list so got entry into a separate room with tables and a different DJ. We only stayed in there for a while though, as the main room was more atmospheric and had better music on! We eventually got home and had a feast of cheese and bread before bed at 4.30am.

This morning we were up surprisingly early, and dressed in a Secret Garden theme for a beautiful brunch that Laura's sister and mum made. We started with fresh fruit with yoghurt and granola, followed by poached eggs with asparagus and sourdough bread, and finally homemade cinnamon buns that were incredible! It was lovely to all sit around recounting the night, and then we all gave Laura a few presents and a scrapbook for her to make with letters from us all (including some who couldn't make it) and some bits and bobs to remember the occasion. Then we all packed up and headed off in our separate directions to go home!

I got back just before six, and got a lift home from Mo, who then stayed for a Sunday roast with everyone, including my Grandpa who has been to stay for a few days. I am so tired after the weekend's activities that I feel I will crash into bed fairly soon!

Weekly Update! (part 1)

Summer Days, Patisseries and Primark!

This week has been a busy one, and because of this I've decided to split it up into two parts (also because I am lacking something to write about next week!). Monday was quite quiet, but on Tuesday I went to the gym and then for lunch at Abi's. She made us a lovely salad with avocado, emmental and peppers, and then we had some of her homemade summer berry New York cheesecake for dessert. It was a gorgeous day so we sat outside to eat; it felt like summer! 

In the evening I went to the Country Club for dinner and had the prawn crunch roll, which was incredible, and really filling. It was a bit of a mad rush after work to get ready for the Bastille gig I went to with Lydia and Lizzie, but I managed to sneak a quick meet up with Mo in whilst I was in town so he could have a break from working late. I met the girls afterwards and had a quick drink with them in Font before we headed to the venue, the gig was awesome!

On Wednesday I wrote an article on the gig for Candid, and then went for lunch with Emily in Altrincham and we had a wander around the shops. We ate in a new cafe called The Fab Patisserie that has opened on The Downs, where I had a pesto and mozzerella toastie and we shared a rainbow cupcake and a pot of tea. The food was nice and it was very reasonably priced, but it was a bit thrown together (empty shelves, bad paint jobs, cardboard price labels etc) so I don't think it will be competing with the likes of Hale for a tea room!

That evening Abi and I went to see a band called Tokolosh at Soup Kitchen in the Northern Quarter; I had been given free tickets, and they were really good. We both said we'd be interested in going to Soup Kitchen for a night out after going there for a gig as well. 

On Thursday I did a monster cycle in the morning, then met Mo for lunch in Manchester. We went to a place on Oxford Road called Alibi, where I had a really tasty jacket potato that was filled with chicken and bacon in a creamy barbecue sauce. I went to Primark quickly afterwards to pick up a few bits, including some really nice quilted studded pumps for £10! After I had got Aum from school I went for a coffee with Abi at the Country Club whilst he had his boxing lesson which was nice. On Friday I did my usual Body Combat class and then in the evening I dyed my hair, had a lovely red Thai curry for tea and then Mo came round. (see next post for continuation). 

Weekly Update!

Trof, Hale Country Club, Cake Gallery & Gastronomy - a week of eating!

This week has been a really good one, Aum was back at school so I relished having my days free again, and I found plenty to keep myself occupied. On Monday I went into Manchester for lunch with Mo at Trof, which was really nice. I had broccoli and feta soup with sourdough bread which was off the specials menu, and was tasty. It was also good to do something a bit different whilst Aum was at school, and broke the day up by having something to look forward to.

On Tuesday I did a gym workout and swim, and had tea at the country club. I had a sort of deconstructed sushi dish called Kabachi - it was a bowl of diced raw salmon with avocado, sugar snap peas and chilli in a lime and sesame dressing. As it was so low calorie I treated myself to a dessert called Paris Mess, basically a variation on Eton Mess. It had broken macaroons, toasted almonds, caramel, chantilly cream and apricots in it and was amazing!

Wednesday was payday finally, so I filled my car up with petrol, bought my Parklife ticket, and paid to enter the triathlon I am competing in, as well as paying off various debts - it is gradually disappearing already! That evening I went to see Reel Big Fish with Mo, Dom and Kirsty (see previous post). On Thursday I met Hannah and Abi at the Cake Gallery for a catch up, where I had a pecan pie that was delicious, and totally took me back to my childhood when we used to have it all the time. Afterwards I did a 40 minute bike ride in the cinema room at the gym whilst watching Interview with a Vampire, and then had a fairly quiet evening.

On Friday I did a Body Combat class again which was fun, and then was told that I wasn't needed to pick Aum up, so spent the afternoon catching up with some reading and blogging. Mo came round in the evening, and we had pork meatballs with vegetable risotto for tea, and then had a few drinks and chilled out. We went out for lunch at Gastronomy on Saturday, which was really nice, I had a ham and cheese panini with chips, and Mo got a chorizo and cheese omelette. The weather was gorgeous so we sat in the garden for a while when we got back soaking up the rays, and then I got a lift to the airport to catch a train to Northampton to visit Geoff and see Timna.

I started on the gin as soon as I arrived, which coupled with a lack of any tea meant that I got ridiculously drunk and only just made it out of the taxi into town before falling over, so it was decided we would go back home. At least it was a cheap night! Today I journeyed home feeling very tired and sorry for myself, and then Mo came round for a Sunday roast and to officially 'meet the parents' haha. It went well, but I am so tired I will be glad when I can just collapse into bed!

Weekly Update

Caviar, Buckets & Piercings!

This week has been another good one! On Monday the pub was dead so I finished at 9pm which was appreciated as I was really tired after the weekend. On Tuesday I went to the gym and for a swim in the evening, and got some gorgeous sushi for tea at the country club - king crab and asparagus roll with scallop cerviche and caviar. I had a chilled one that night and on Wednesday did Body Pump and tried hot yoga for the first time. It was good, but was a lot faster than any yoga I've done before so not sure I benefited as much. Also the heat made me feel a little woozy, so not my favourite class! That evening I went out for drinks in town with Phil which was nice, although I completely bailed at one point - rather embarrassing... (pretty funny though!)

On Thursday I did Bokwa again, though I was disappointed to learn that it is being cancelled due to unpopularity which is a shame, it's one of the only quasi dance classes that I am coordinated enough to do! In the evening I went out with Abi and her sister Anna (see previous post). On Friday I did a Body Combat class that was ridiculously draining, but at least I felt like I had properly worked out. In the evening Mo came round and I made us some nachos and fajitas which was tasty, and then we got drunk! It was cool just to chat and have a few bevvies without spending loads by going out.

On Saturday evening I got ready and got a lift to Emily and Smeed's with Tasha and we had a few drinks before going into town for a night out. We were going to go back to Revolucion de Cuba, but the queue was huge so we went to Liars Club instead. Tasha and I scored a £30 bucket cocktail for £20 because someone had changed their order, and luckily it was delicious. It was meant for upto six people so lasted us the entire night, and got us pretty hammered, and the music being played was a proper blend, so we all had a really fun night. We headed home at 2.30am falling asleep in the taxi! Annoyingly I caught one of my bellybutton microdermal piercings when I was getting into bed, and it half came out, luckily it didn't hurt though.

The following day once I was up and ready I went into Manchester to try and get my piercing sorted. Unfortunately they were fully booked up for the day, and also said I would have to have it removed and re-pierced, so that's £40 wasted! In an attempt to make my journey more worthwhile/ cheer myself up, I stopped in Costa Coffee for a lemonade and to read my book, and then met up with Mo for a hot chocolate as he was working in town. Afterwards I drove home and had a quiet evening with an early-ish night as I was knackered!