Weekly Musings

2018 - Week Seventeen

'We never lose our demons... we only learn to live above them.'

(The Ancient One - Dr Strange)

Well, one word to sum up this week has to be stressful, as there have been yet more hurdles in my house buying process. The government Help to Buy scheme, whilst helping me to initially get onto the property ladder at 22 which was a godsend, has also proven to be the most frustrating and fruitless process to try and get out of/ speed up. This has not been helped by my solicitor's endless holidays and lack of communication, and an impatient vendor who has actually decided to put my little terrace back on the market on Friday to 'keep his options open' *eyerolls* - NIGHTMARE. 

Luckily I already had some fun events planned which have distracted me, and a shoutout to all my fab mates and Chris for the moral support which has stopped me acting like a raging dragon, and more of just a slightly grumpy lizard. I will get there eventually! New poetry up on Insta here, and track for this week is the coincidentally named new single from CHVRCHES, which has been my highly relatable jam.

On Tuesday I had a spontaneous afternoon off, so Jasmine and I went for a 2 for 1cocktail and brunch at The Elk in Chorlton. We both had the smashed avo and poached egg on toast, and also treated ourselves to a slice of cake to takeaway for dessert. Unfortunately the weather has taken a turn for the worst again, so we were holed up inside to shelter from the rain, but it was still good to get out of the house and make the most of some extra free time.

On Thursday it was mine and Chris's 100th date (my incessant diary symbols do come in useful sometimes!) and simultaneously our six month anniversary, which I know may be a little 'high school' to celebrate, but when you're happy who needs an excuse right? We went out for a posh tea on Friday to mark the occasion at 1847, a vegetarian restaurant I had spied online and fancied trying. It was a three course set menu that was very cryptic, but it was all incredibly tasty and looked so pretty on the plates I didn't want to tuck in.

For starters we got two dishes to share: yeasted cauliflower with red watercress, pickled grape, caperberries and mint oil, and spiced aubergine with miso butter, cashew crumb, coconut, lemon curd and curry foam. Mains were malt battered halloumi, pea hummus, tartare mousse, lemon air, black olive crumb and triple cooked chips for Chris and
crispy truffled gnocchi, ceps, girolle, tarragon, cashew, edamame bean and white truffle snow for moi. Our final course was dark chocolate, beetroot, olive oil snow, raspberry and viola (Chris) and rhubarb, cardamom, coconut, cashew, apple and rose water and pistachio dukka (me) - in layman's terms that was a chocolate brownie and a rhubarb cheesecake! Whilst hearty pub grub will always have a place in my heart, it was a cool change to sample some fancy nosh and made it feel like more of a special event; I even wore the booby dress I bought in Paris, which went down very well!

Yesterday I caught a train to London to visit my uni friend Claire as it was her birthday on Friday. We went for lunch at Crol and Co near her flat in Bermondsey, a cute little cafe where I had mushrooms and stilton on sourdough toast. In the evening some of her friends came 'round for a barbecue and beer pong - she had bought a gazebo for the balcony to combat the rain, and we decorated it with loads of fairy lights so it looked the part. I can't remember going to bed, but I did wake up this morning with a sore head and seven empty prosecco bottles on the kitchen side!

I powered through my hangover, as we had to catch a train to Oxford Parkway to meet our other old uni flatmate Laura, who drove us all to Soho Farmhouse. It is a private member's club set in gorgeous countryside that I have previously spied on Instagram, whilst following the blogging elite as they relax in the spa, take cookery classes, and cycle around on the customised bicycles. When Laura suggested a visit as her guests I was intrigued to have a nosy. We got quiche and salad with iced coffee for lunch and then went for a wander around the grounds and buildings. 

It was all beautiful, like being in a constant magazine shoot! We got some lovely pictures of us all sat outside the main barn, and worked out it is nearly a decade since we first met, crazy. We stopped again mid afternoon for a cake and cuppa before driving back to catch the train back to London, and for me to make my way back up north. Chris collected me from Stockport station and we have just demolished a Chinese, I am 100% ready for my bed now! 

Candid Article 33

Hackney WickEd Arts Festival

My latest Candid article is all about the arts festival I went to whilst in London. Check it out here:

http://candidonline.com/wicked-arts-festival/

Weekly Update!

Soft Shell Crab, Dim Sum & Banana Bread!

This week was the first week of the school holidays where I had some entertaining to do! On Monday we went to Sealife (see previous post) and in the evening I babysat so we got a Chinese takeaway from Man Zen. On Tuesday Aum was pretty tired so we had a chilled day before his swimming lesson in the evening, and then we ate at the country club. I tried a starter, which was actually big enough for a main! It was deep fried soft shell crab which was served with a wasabi slaw; the crab was beautiful but I wasn't a fan of the slaw - far too strong and spicy.

On the Friday after I finished work (an easy day spent watching Planes!) I drove to Wilmslow and caught a train to London to see Abi. She met me at the tube and we went to Hampstead to a restaurant called Dim T for some food. It was a really cute little restaurant, we were sat at a small table in the corner, and had some tasty cocktails whilst we perused the menu. I went for one with prosecco and apple, whilst Abi's was rum and coconut.

The restaurant is well known for its Dim Sum (hence the name) so I felt I had to try some, so went for the scallop and prawn dumplings which were amazing. You got 3 in a reed basket for £3.50 which I thought very reasonable, and I followed this with Nasi Goreng, a rice dish with chicken and prawn that I have had a few times at Wagamama so knew I liked it. We got the tube home afterwards and got an early night as we were both shattered from working all week!

The following day we went to a little cafe for brunch called Ginger & White, where I opted for the toasted banana bread with vanilla cream cheese and fresh raspberries, drizzled with honey. It was nice to have something a bit different for breakfast, and the flavours complimented each other gorgeously, I could have eaten another portion! 

Afterwards we went to an arts festival in Hackney (see next post) and after some really nice fish and chips for tea, Tasha arrived in the evening and we got ready for a night on the town. We had a few predrinks and then went to Electric Ballroom in Camden which was a really fun night, great dancey music which was perfect for a girly night.

Today we had a later start, packed and went for brunch again; this time to the cafe next door to the one we'd tried the previous day. I had poached eggs with toast and prawns - sounds like a weird combination but actually worked, and filled me up for the day. I took the chance whilst I was in London to catch up with Danielle from uni for a coffee before catching a train home this evening. Was such a fun weekend, and really nice to get away and do something rather than being stuck as home doing the usual!

Inspired by a friend

I wrote this as a thankyou to a friend as he helped broaden my musical horizons by making me a CD. He has recently moved to London from Leeds, so I wanted to write him something about it that felt personal but could be appreciated by others as well. I hope it is! 
Having taken the time to write this, I realised how much I miss writing poetry, so in theory you should see some more creative pieces on here throughout the year. That's the plan anyway!

The Big Smoke

A journey is taken from North to South,

from heart of the country to urban mouth.

An arduous passage of sixty leagues,

through midlands, motorways, borders and trees.

A city where gherkins are made of glass;

and girls are all ‘darlin’s’ no chance of a ‘lass’.

A place where two snakes roam freely around -

one flows below bridges, one’s underground.

Although it is change from what used to be,

It’s chance to explore and hopefully see;

strange become normal and normal is fine,

(but don’t let normal be boring in time).

So keep living your life with a smile on your face,

and if the worst happens? Kick it back into place.

Weekly Update!

Family, Friends & 2012 Begins!

This week has been very pleasant, as I am still housesitting so could fit my chores around all my other plans, so I didn't miss out on anything.

On Monday (Boxing Day) it was my mum's birthday, and so we went for a nice walk in Dunham during the day, followed by a meal at a family friend's house with cheese, wine and games. My sister came back to Millington with me for the night afterwards which was good, and then in the morning we got ready for our Christmas Day!

We drove back home, where my grandparents had just arrived, and Chris came shortly afterwards, followed my my auntie, uncle and two young cousins, Adam and Hannah. We opened our presents, ate a full Christmas dinner, and then played some games before Chris and I caught a taxi back to Millington.

The following day we had a lie-in, and then went sale shopping in Stockport with the remainder of the family. I got a lovely teal coat with a red fur trim from Primark, for just £15. Apart from that and a couple of little bits though I didn't get much, as all the good stuff appeared to have gone. That evening I went for a meal at Croma in Manchester with my girlfriends (see previous post).

On Friday I had my hair dyed with the silvery toner I have used before, and then actually got some work done. I went back home later on to stay over ready for an early start yesterday to go to London for New Year (see previous post). Happy 2012!

New Years Eve!

A Roadtrip To London!

This New Year's Eve, my friends and I had decided to travel to London to celebrate it as we did two years ago. My friend Hana's dad has an apartment in Canada Water, which has marvellous views of the London Bridge, The Gherkin and the Eye, so is a perfect pad for watching the fireworks at midnight.

We set off at 10am as we wanted to get there so that we had time to settle in before starting the festivities. Because there were 6 of us, we travelled in two cars, but coincidentally stopped at the same service station on the way there, so rendezvous-ed at Starbucks in Corley, near Birmingham. We finally arrived in London at about half two, as our brief stop turned into an hour long lunch-break due to our company!

After dumping our bags, we split into two groups, as a few of the girls wanted to go to Camden Market for a wander. I went with the other two to Tesco to get our supplies for the evening. We decided to do a Caesar salad for dinner, and then get some buffet style nibbles (spring rolls, onion bhajis, chicken skewers etc) for later on when we were a bit more peckish. We also got in the alcohol, although I had brought a bottle of Prosecco and a bottle of wine with me, so didn't need any more!

When we got home we started getting the food ready, in between getting changed and made-up for the evening to begin. Our salad was lovely, and we accompanied it with a glass of champagne each courtesy of Hana's dad. After the food we played some board games for quite a while, as we started the proper drinking! We played Rapidough, where you have to mould objects specified on a card, Articulate, the classic, and Scattergories where you have to write lists of things beginning with a designated letter. By this point we were all rather tipsy, so the final game was rather challenging for us!

As it neared midnight, we headed out onto the balcony to watch the fireworks, which were amazing! It was a gorgeous clear night, and the display went on for over half an hour. Afterwards, fuelled by alcohol we made the decision to try and go out for a drink somewhere, but after wandering for over an hour we gave up and came home, where we crashed into bed at 4.30am!

The following day, I felt especially worse for wear, but luckily I wasn't driving, so slept for the four hour drive home. I had a fabulous time though, and it was great to get all the girls together, as it doesn't happen very often. Happy New Year!

Traveller's Tales...

The Blitz Party, Shoreditch, London

Last weekend I went to London for my friend Charlotte's birthday (see previous post). One of the main reasons we went was to go to The Blitz Party, which I heard of through a friend and instantly wanted to go to. It takes place approximately every month in Shoreditch, in an old warehouse that is decked out to look like a 1940s air raid shelter.

This isn't just some random choice, the whole evening is themed in order to recreate the glamour and fun of life during the war in the 40s, and so everyone gets dressed up accordingly, and there was a swing band on, who were amazing. They played two sets, the first dressed in suits and braces, and the second in full marine uniform, which was so cool! Everyone was getting in the spirit, dancing away and enjoying themselves.

I think it was the little touches that made the night such a success; the drinks menus were printed on brown paper 'ration books' and contained cocktails such as a 'Gin Fizz', and a speciality called simply 'The Blitz' which was served in a champagne glass. All the bar staff were in fancy dress, and some had really made an effort to say it was just a job for them. There were old gas mask cases, and vintage cornflake boxes on shelves above the toilet doors, and sandbags were used to surround the benched seating areas as back rests.

The tickets were £20 which sounds like a lot, but for a night out in London that was so well planned and original I thought it was well worth it, and would definitely go again - even my parents want to go after seeing my pictures! The next event is on New Years Eve, which I think will be an incredible was to see in 2012, but as I already have plans I will be skipping that one. As well as the 40s themed nights, the same company also do 'Belle Epoque' nights out, and there was a gothic themed one for Halloween that looked right up my street. Maybe next time!

Weekly Update!

Cocktails, Bonfires & London Town!

I've had a brilliant time this week! It started on Monday with some lovely cocktails at Piccolinos in Hale with my friend Lydia, which were made all the more tasty by being free. We had a sharing platter for a starter, which had lots of yummy things like mushrooms with pine nuts, tomato meat balls, and mozzarella slices with beef tomatoes, and then I had the seafood risotto for a main course.

On Wednesday I went to see Anonymous at the cinema (see previous post) and on Thursday I had some Gelish nails put on and then did a shift at the pub which was good fun. On Friday Chris came to visit, and we went to Ashton on Mersey rugby club to watch the fireworks. The display was really good, and lasted quite a long time, and at £5 I thought it was very reasonable compared to some of the other local events on offer. We went for a drink afterwards at The Mersey Farm pub, it was nice to try and dry off a bit, as it was absolutely pouring down!

On Saturday I was up bright and early to get ready for a trip to London for Charlotte's birthday. We caught the train at just gone midday, though annoying delays and diversions via Nuneaton and Leicester meant we didn't arrive until half 3, which stopped us doing a lot. We bought a fresh pizza, some crisps and dips and a lemon meringue pie from the local supermarket to cook for tea, as we were staying at our friend Hannah's house in Camden. We had some wine and a good catch up, before getting ready to go out to The Blitz Party, an event in Shoreditch (see next week's post). Our other friend Tasha who was coming from home after work was also delayed, so Charlotte and I went on ahead while Hannah collected her for the station.

The following day after a bit of a lie in, the four of us got ready and went for a walk into Hampstead for some brunch. We went to a little cafe/ bistro called Base, where I had eggs benedict with ham, which was absolutely gorgeous, and to drink I had a hot chocolate, which was one of the best I have tasted. Afterwards we caught the tube to Euston and sat in Starbucks for a while eating cake, and drinking the new Christmas coffees (toffee nut latte is my one of choice - I am so glad it's back!). Our friend Srishti from home, and Tasha's boyfriend Will came and met us in there which was nice. Charlotte and I caught the train home at 3.35pm, and I slept for the entire journey, which luckily was completely stress-free unlike the way there!