Weekly Musings

2018 - Week One

'I don't cry wolf, I make wolves cry.'

(Leya Noir)

Happy new year! I can't believe how quickly the last one flew by. 2017 was a complete whirlwind rollercoaster (albeit a bloody great one) and as well as having a ball, meeting some fab new people and going on a record breaking twenty one plane trips, I can honestly say I'm really blummin' proud of myself. I learnt some valuable lessons which have changed me for the better, and in doing so shaped the year into what I wanted and deserved it to be. Here's hoping the theme continues and 2018 is just as badass. Track for this week is the return of the one and only JT, with a decent song, unlike the shite he returned with a few years ago.

 

2018 got off to a flying start with a substantial lack of hangover, pretty much a miracle for a January 1st. After a lengthy lie in, I spent the day lounging on the barge with Chris, eating pizza, watching Black Mirror and napping. I don't care what anyone says, a day like that is always going to be up there with my faves. His six year old niece Izzy came for a sleepover that evening, so we had proper hot chocolate, marshmallows and all, and watched The Goonies (which I am embarrassed to say I hadn't seen before). Fitting three people in a little double bed wasn't the ideal sleeping arrangement, but years of kipping at festivals and house parties stood me in good stead. 

The following day I went to my mum's to collect Ferryn, made cheese toasties for lunch, played some card games and Izzy taught me how to work my new record player (cheers to Chris for the hipster Xmas pressie). She's a top little girl, but boy were we knackered once she'd gone home - being at work again on Wednesday meant a bath and early night were necessary afterwards!

My first few days back were relatively painless, Aum had playdates on two of the three days which meant I still had a bit of time to get back into the gym, get some poetry up (read it here) and get my nails done. I had tea at Mum's on Friday, where she made a beaut parmesan and butternut squash risotto, and on Saturday I went to view three houses with her, one of which I REALLY liked, and am considering putting an offer on. In the afternoon my auntie and cousin came shopping with us in Stockport, where I absolutely cleaned up in Primark. I spent just under fifty quid and got a '70s style jumper, a khaki pleather pleated skirt, some tartan culottes, a pair of blue velvet boots, tights, underwear and some pj tops. Love a good haul! 

On Saturday evening I went out for food and drinks with Emily, Smeed and Jonny, none of whom I had seen over Christmas so it was fun to catch up. We had a cocktail in Victor's before eating at Sigiriya, the relatively new Sri Lankan restaurant in Hale that I have wanted to try for ages. Em and I shared a starter of spinach and cheese tikki (similar to croquettes), followed by two different seer fish curries; one with Sri Lankan spices and mustard powder and one with coriander, mint and chillis. I rarely eat rice so had a tandoor roti to accompany, and shared a bottle of red wine with Jonny. It was all gorgeous; flavoursome, a bit different and decent portions, but it did cost us forty two quid a head so I won't be going there every week!

We went for another cocktail in Riddles in Alty afterwards, and then to The Con Club where we stayed until closing. For a spontaneous night out that was only properly organised that day, I had a lovely evening, and Chris collecting me after he'd finished DJing, so I got a free ride home too!

Today I viewed a stunning house, but I think it will go for quite a bit over the asking price, which unfortunately would push it out of my budget. I popped to mum's for lunch, and then after a quick run around the footy fields with the dogs (and a bath for them both after they got covered in mud) we watched Will Smith's new Netflix film Bright, had paella, and I am now about to have a massage as Chris needs to practise his techniques from a course he did yesterday. It's a hard life...

Travellers' Tales...

Zadar, Croatia (Part 1)

I have just returned from a week in Zadar in Croatia, on such a holiday comedown - I had an amazing time! It was my first time there, but my dad's friend had been a few weeks previously, so I went armed with a recommended list of what to see and do.

I went with my friend Laura, and it was our first holiday together, we were both desperate for some sun! We travelled early on Friday 8th August, so arrived at 2.15pm local time (the flight is just over three hours). The weather was lovely when we stepped off the plane - we jumped on a bus into the city centre where we stopped for a glass of wine in a little bar on a side street.

After a rest we headed to the apartment where we were staying, and after a slight delay due to not having contact details for our host (we were using air B&B) we got inside. It was a gorgeous place with everything we could need - including a dishwasher and washing machine.

After unpacking we walked down to the beach and had a cocktail in a bar on the shore called Hitch. Unfortunately all beaches in Croatia are shingle, but it is very pretty, and the mojito we had was bloody good! We went home and got changed and then walked into the Old Town (a five minute walk) and had some food in a restaurant in the main square. I had a prawn and spinach risotto which was really tasty, and we shared a half litre of house white wine, a steal at £4. We were both pretty knackered so went home afterwards and had some wine, saving ourselves for the next day.

We were both up early on Saturday, so went to the beach and paid for sun loungers for the day (only £2). We stayed there until the evening, stopping for a lunch of pizza and chips in one of the beach shacks and indulging in a few ciders! That evening we ate in and made a tuna salad, and then drank excessively until 12pm when we headed out. We went to a club called Maraschino which was around the corner from us, and managed to befriend some boys who bought a bottle of rum for us all to share on the table. Laura was slightly worse for wear so I took her home and then dashed back out thinking I'd lost my phone and camera (I found out at the end of the night that I'd left them on the sofa at home) so ended up staying out drowning my sorrows until 4am!

The following day we were a bit fragile to say the least, I wandered down to the beach by myself at 2pm to sunbathe for a while. That evening we went out quite late as Laura still felt rough! We walked all the way along the harbour front before stopping in quite a posh restaurant which overlooked the sea. We finally managed to get some prosecco there (we had been asking for it since we arrived to no avail) and I had stuffed chicken wrapped in parma ham with puree potatoes and vegetables - gorgeous! We went home and watched TV for a while before crashing out - most sleep in one day I've had for a while!

On Monday we got up and ready for a day exploring Preko - one of the neighbouring islands. It was £3.60 return on the ferry, which took about twenty minutes and was very modern, it even had a bar! We stayed on the island all day, the views were amazing and it was so serene ad quiet. We had crisps, doughnuts and lemon beer from a shop there, and stopped for a mojito in the afternoon. The sea was crystal clear and a good temperature so we both had a dip and caught the ferry home at 6.30pm.

We just had nibbly bits for tea and got ready with a few drinks before going to The Garden - an incredible bar at the end of the harbour that has beds to sit on and delicious cocktails, to a delightfully chilled soundtrack. I had one called an Ebouska which had apple, mint and gin in amongst other ingredients. We then shared a pitcher of Zombie before moving on to Maraschino again. It was another super late one full of dancing and drinking!

Weekly Update!

First Week At Home!

So this has been my first week 'living' in the new place; said in inverted commas as I have actually only stayed here for three nights, and two of those were shared (with Mo on Tuesday and my friend Claire on Thursday). On Monday I had a chilled evening and then went round to Mo's for his homemade macaroni cheese (perhaps the best thing he makes, it is amazing!) and on Tuesday he came to mine and I made us Ikea meatballs with roasties. 

On Wednesday I finally got the internet, and Mum came to mine for liver and bacon casserole for tea, mainly as we are the only two people I know who like it! Thursday was Claire's visit (she stayed as she had an interview in Manchester on Friday) we managed to sneak in a glass of wine and a chat before we went to bed despite her flight not landing until 9pm.

On Friday I had my nails done and dyed my hair before going out for a meal at Danilo's in Hale for Abi's birthday (see previous post). Afterwards we went to Suburbia where we had lots of free drinks after scoring a place on someone's table, and danced until we could dance no more! Yesterday I stayed in bed until 12pm, and then went to the flat to do some housey stuff with mum before going to Cafe Gourmand for some late lunch with Smeed and the girls. I had the special which was chorizo, pea and mint risotto topped with a poached egg - it was awesome, and warded off the last of my hangover.

I babysat in the evening, though not until very late, and played taxi driver ferrying the rest of the family back from an Egyptian themed murder mystery night, which they all looked brilliant for! Today Mum made gorgeous blueberry pancakes for breakfast before I left. I have spent the rest of the day pottering around the house, and am currently at catching up at Mo's as he has been away in London since Thursday. Pretty quiet first week, though I am sure after my housewarming party next weekend I'll be grateful of a quiet one!

Reunion!

Welcome home Miss Cox!

Last night I had a dinner party to celebrate the return of Hana, one of our best friends who moved to Australia in October. She is over for a week for her dad's wedding, but her schedule is pretty tight so we were lucky to get a whole night with her!I picked her up on my way home from work, so by 6pm we were sat in the garden sipping prosecco, just like old times!

Everyone else arrived at about half seven, by which time we had nearly finished the bottle! Emily and Smeed had made some amazing garlic bread (dough and all!) for starters, one plain and one which had cheese on, and then for main my mum very kindly cooked to save me having to stay in the kitchen all night. She made two dishes, a creamy risotto which had squash, carrot, celery and onion in; and a tomato based knocchi dish with courgette and onion which she then oven baked. There were also two different types of chicken (one with fennel and garlic, one with red pesto) which could be added to either dishes. Everyone commented on how tasty it all was - definitely better than I could have done!

We had a breather then, and chatted over wine (which we went through 3 bottles of!) before dessert, a super indulgent chocolate fudge cake that Tasha had bought. We had it with ice cream and cream, and were all well and truly stuffed afterwards. We sat around until 11pm, when people had to leave as they had work early this morning.

It was so lovely to catch up with Hana's amazing new life in Oz, and to get everyone that is still based around here together. It was also nice for me to introduce her to Mo, as we obviously weren't together when she left. Having it at home besides being cheaper, was also so much easier - no fussing over bills and menus, or who orders first etc. It's just a shame it was such a flying visit, next time we'll see her will probably be if we go over there to visit!

Weekly Update!

Bargains and Black Forest Eton Mess!

Weekdays this week were a little slow. I had lunch at Costa on Monday with the girls, and then worked at the pub in the evening where I had my usual pad thai noodles. I got to finish a little earlier than normal as we were really quiet, which was a bonus as I was so tired from the weekend! I didn't do anything on Tuesday, and on Wednesday I was babysitting until 10pm so slept pretty much as soon as I came in. On Thursday I went for a quick coffee at Abi's while Aum played football after school, and then had a nice chilled evening which included a deep hot bath now it's getting so cold during the days!

On Friday I went shopping in Altrincham with my mum, I got some amazing bargains! I got a knitted houndstooth check dress for £10, and a sheer houndstooth check sleeveless blouse dress for £15, both in the River Island sale. In the evening I had my eyebrows dyed again - it's been a revelation! Then I went to a gig and for a night in Manchester (see previous post). 

On Saturday I worked at the pub - my last Saturday shift ever, woop! - and then I went shopping at the Trafford Centre with my mum. I was looking for a nice formal winter coat from somewhere like Karen Millen or French Connection, but I couldn't find one that I really liked. I settled for a pair of citrine coloured skinny jeans from Forever 21 - they are definitely a statement! We had tea at Spud-u-like as we weren't feeling hungry enough for a full meal, and then went home at about half nine as we were both dead on our feet. It is the first Saturday night I'd had in for absolutely ages, but it was actually really nice to just veg out in front of the TV and have an early night - I'm clearly getting old!

Today when I woke up I didn't have anything planned so lay in until 11am, but then I got a text from Tasha asking if I fancied lunch, so I got ready and we drove to the Alderley Grill. 

Although we didn't intend to, we had a full three course meal and wine, and ended up staying for over two hours having a good chatter which was fun. I had asparagus with hollandaise sauce and a poached egg for starter, followed by smoked haddock risotto and then a Black Forest Eton mess which was amazing. It had brownies at the bottom, topped with alcohol soaked cherries, meringue balls, cream, chocolate ice cream and chocolate covered popping candy! Considering I normally end up in bed all day on Sundays with a hangover, it was a pleasant change to get out of the house and enjoy some social interaction!

Weekly Update!

Spending, Pub  Lunches & Sunshine!

This week has been a bit up and down to be honest. I was on a serious downer after coming home from Benicassim on Monday, so spent the day unpacking and moping around feeling sorry for myself! On Tuesday it was my first day back at work, so it was tiring and really dragged, especially as it is my longest day, finishing at 7.30pm.

On Wednesday after work I went to Sam's and we made pizzas, only for the oven to break! We had to resort to a backup plan, and went to Strada in Wilmslow. I had butternut squash and pancetta risotto, which I actually had the last time I went there a couple of years ago, but it is so good! Sam had a pizza with salami, peppers and chilli which was pretty spicy, but good.

On Friday I went to the Trafford Centre, armed with my birthday vouchers which I had yet to spend. It was quite a successful trip actually. I came away with a chunky gold necklace of dog bones from Topshop, in the sale for £10, and a gorgeous electric blue dress from Miss Selfridge for £20 which has a large lace panel across the whole of the back. I also got a cute pink dress for £5 in the H&M sale along with three little stretchy crop tops in different colours for my holiday, that were only £2 each. 

I worked on Saturday and then went out in Hale with my girlfriends, which was a lot of fun. My friend Abi who we stayed with in New York is now home, so it was great to see her and have a few drinks and a boogie!

Today the weather has been amazing, so I went for lunch at The Plough and Flail in Mobberley with Lydia, and we sat outside in the sunshine. I had fish and chips, it was huge! I couldn't finish it all, but it was delicious. Then we came home and went to the field across the road from my house and just had a good chinwag and a chill out. It has been a really pleasant lazy Sunday, I'm now just hoping the weather stays nice for this week and it goes quickly, as I go to Tenerife a week today!

Weekly Update!

Meals Out, & Meals In!

There's not a great deal to say about this week, having already done posts on my trips to Wales and Chester, which have taken up the majority of my week apart from working at the pub. From Wednesday I was off work from nannying as they were on holiday, but Monday and Tuesday I had Aum all day as he was off school, and with the weather being nice we spent Monday in Stamford park and had a picnic. We were there for a couple of hours and then he had a football lesson so I got some time to sunbathe back at his house. On Tuesday we went into Hale and had a coffee and cake in Costa Coffee which was nice, and then I babysat until 9.30pm.

I got back from Wales on Friday (see previous post) and that evening Sam and I went into Hale for a meal and some drinks. We started in Piccolinos, and then ate at Earle, which was amazing! I had black pudding bites with mustard for a starter, followed by ham, pea and mint risotto topped with a breadcrumbed poached egg and a parmesan crisp. I have wanted to eat there for a while as I had heard good things, and I wasn't disappointed! We went to La Vina afterwards for a couple of drinks, and Lydia joined us after she had finished work.

On Saturday after I had finished work I went round to Sam's and he cooked a meal for me and all my friends, there were nine of us! Abi was visiting from New York, so it was cool to all get together and have some good food and drink. We had bread, salamis and olives with balsamic vinegar as nibbles to start with, with mojitos to drink, and then went and sat in the dining room for the main course - chicken stuffed with basil and mozzerella, wrapped in parma ham, with crushed new potatoes, green beans and broccoli. It was delicious! Emily made some cute little jubilee cupcakes for dessert as well which was great, and then we went downstairs to continue drinking. People left at around midnight, and we went to bed as we are going to Chester at lunchtime today - a great weekend so far!

Weekly Update!

Quizzes, Cocktails & Football!

This week has been another nicely extended one due to a much appreciated bank holiday. I was still working at the pub in the evening, but had the day off to enjoy. I didn't really do much, having spent the majority of Sunday hungover, but it was nice just to relax without feeling awful. I went for a walk with Sam and his dogs in the morning, and then popped into Altrincham for a wander and a coffee at Costa.

On Tuesday I went to the Moss Trooper after I had finished work with Tasha and Charlotte and we did the quiz - though it went on for so long that we left at 10.40pm with four rounds still left to go! On Wednesday after work Mike came round and we booked the hotel for Madrid in July. The three of us are just staying for the one night before we head on to Benicassim, but we found a gorgeous hotel for only £32 each so it should be good fun.

On Thursday I went to Sam's and he cooked a lovely squash, sage and pine nut risotto for tea. We went for a drink at The Greyhound, but it was cut short after we were called to rescue our friend Hannah, who had hurt her ankle playing hockey and couldn't drive home! On Friday I had my nails done and dyed my hair (long overdue) and then went out in Hale for a few drinks in the evening. Hana was home from university for the night, so we had cocktails in Hale Bar & Grill and Hogan's while we had a catch-up which was nice. It wasn't too late a night as we all had fairly early starts on Saturday.

On Saturday evening after work I went to a friend's 30th party at The Brasserie in Altrincham. It was fairly quiet to begin with, but there was a brilliant Irish band playing, and after a few cocktails (2 for £10!) and vodka jelly shots the place livened up and we were there until gone 2am. I felt horrendous today (a pattern is definitely occuring!) so I spent a lot of the day in bed; although I managed to venture out for a cooked breakfast in the sunshine this morning. This afternoon we went to The Chapel House in Mobberley to watch the football. We got some food while we were there - I had scampi and chips - and it was a good laugh with everyone there going crazy whenever someone scored. I just wish I had another Monday off now!