Holidays, Cake & Curry!
This week has been spent (amongst other things) perusing for another holiday! My friend Laura and I decided we'd go away somewhere as I have two weeks off in August that I may as well make the most of, saving money can wait! We have decided upon a week in Zadar, a coastal university town in Croatia, as it has cheap flights, cheap beer, sunshine and good nightlife - the perfect combination. We got together today for a pint of Strongbow (hare of the dog for me!) and a lovely bargain curry at my local pub, The Flying Horse, to catch up and book everything. It made dropping my parents off at the airport today for two weeks in Crete that much more bearable knowing it will be my turn soon!
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Earlier in the week, I went to Strada for a meal for my dad's birthday (see previous post) and on Tuesday sampled something off the new menu at the Country Club - crispy panko halloumi (breaded sticks) with a red onion and ponzu dressing with a side of green vegetables. Aum and I went round to my parents afterwards for some birthday carrot cake, and once I had dropped Aum home I went back to mine as Mo was coming round. Unfortunately, he crashed his bike on the way, so although unhurt, was in a bit of a shaken state and I had to go and collect him as his bike was a mess, such a shame - he has no luck with it!
On Wednesday I went for a coffee and cake in Didsbury with Laura (where the planning began...) I opted for a gluten free chocolate cake, which was actually pretty nice, if a little stodgy. On Thursday I made a chicken and mushroom casserole and Lydia came round for dinner which was lovely, and then I stayed at Mo's after she had gone. On Friday after a gruelling Armageddon workout (don't ask!) Tasha, Abi and I met up for lunch at the Country Club where I had a halloumi, rocket and houmous ciabatta with chunky chips, which was nice but had a little too much houmous for my liking. That evening I stayed at Mo's and we chilled out as he was off to Dorset early in the morning.
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Yesterday I went to John Lewis with Jasmine and Mum during the day, we had a shop around and then stopped for cake (we had toffee apple pie, chocolate cake and carrot cake to share) and then in the evening I went out in Hale with Tasha - what started as a few glasses of prosecco in Hogans soon escalated into a night in Suburbia with shots and dancing! It was a lot of fun though, and I feel surprisingly OK today - the curry has perked me up!
Sushi, Steak & Cake!
This week has been a build up to my housewarming really, so I haven't done a great deal. On Monday I met up with Tasha and Abi and Dave the guy Abi is seeing, and we went to Gastronomy for some lunch. I had a bacon and brie panini (seem to have it every time!) and a few cups of tea. I had to dash off to get Aum from school, but it was nice to meet Dave and chat to the girls albeit briefly.
On Tuesday I went to the country club and had peking duck sushi, which given that I don't normally like duck (I find it a bit too dry) was delicious, though I think Aum was a bit gutted he didn't get it! On Thursday I went round to Mum and Dad's for squash stuffed with cous cous, feta and pine nuts for tea and then stayed back at mine.
On Friday Geoff and Brian arrived for the weekend, and Rick came as he lives nearby so we went out for a few drinks and some dinner at The Flying Horse at the end of my road. What was supposed to be quiet drinks turned into a 3am drinking session, typical when us uni lot get together!
Yesterday I spent the day prepping for the party with Mum (see previous post) while the lads went into town and met a few others before heading back. Today I've been hella hungover, but feel a bit better now, so Mo is making steak for dinner and I've cooked a Betty Cocker chocolate orange swirl cake for dessert - yum!
Nibbles, Fridges & Painting!
I thought this week would be a nicely chilled one after the hectic Christmas week - but to be honest, I have been just as busy! On Monday I went round to Srishti's with Tash and Emily as she was home for a week over the festive period. It was lovely to catch up, as with her living in London we don't get to see her very often. Afterwards I stayed at the flat with Mo as my fridge was being delivered early the next day.
We had lunch at The Flying Horse (my local) on New Year's Eve, as Mo and I were going to separate parties so wanted to spend a bit of time together. I had these batons that were basically chicken and bacon wrapped into thin tubes with tortillas, then deep fried. They were so tasty and only £3.50! Mo had a burger, but for a cheap pub it came in a brioche bun and looked like a decent meal, will be eating there more often!
I spent NYE at my friend Luke's party (see previous post) and the next day very hungover! I went to Mo's in the evening as he has broken his hand in a motorbike accident (!) and on Thursday went shopping for a few housey things with Emily - I got some awesome Marmite cushions, a mosaic light fitting for my living room, and a doormat.
Friday was quiet, and in the evening I went for a few drinks at Mo's local in Rusholme called the Ford Madox Brown, which is a Wetherspoons. It is cheap and cheerful, and quite nice inside so was good to get out of the house for a bit. We spent Saturday painting my bedroom, and then I went out in the evening for a meal at Dee Thai (see previous post) followed by a night in Piccolino's and Suburbia. We rented a table in the latter, which cost us £15 each and included a bottle of vodka and mixers, not bad when entry is normally a tenner anyway!
Today I have just been for a meal in Francs with Jasmine and my parents (see next week's post) and I am now chilling out at Mo's in preparation for my first day back at work tomorrow. Time off has gone so quickly, but it's been a lovely festive period, probably one of the best so far!
