Have been on my holibobs the last couple of weeks, so here is what I wasn’t able to upload for the last two Sundays :
Day 21 – Getting ready for holidays, spent hours one evening researching things to do in New York. Well anticipation is most of the excitement of holidays, so I was very happy to start looking at what we were going to to there.
Day 22 – Broke a nail opening a tin of tuna. Started bitching about it because we were going on holiday two days later, and needed my nails in tact to be able to paint them for the wedding in Connecticut. Daniel just said “But uñitas are still lovely!”, he’s always on hand to make me feel happier before I get too upset about these things.
Day 23 – Planning meeting for Guides and Brownies, the first official one since the Brownies started, we spent four hours giggling and planning and remembering how much I love being a Guide Leader!
Day 24 – Procrastination, but this lemonade at Madeleine, having a coffee and a chat with my Mom was lovely, then running home to pack my ass off.
Day 25 – Our New York home. I think what I was really happy about here was the fact that the apartment had wifi! But this is our Mirrorball Bed, a cute little studio apartment that was home for six nights, three suitcases, eight deli sandwiches, and three hangovers.
Day 26 – An ice cream at the Rockefeller Centre, enjoying the site-seeing, and we managed to talk about our wedding without a mysterious “Wedding Headache” Daniel. Just wonderful to watch the world go by before going up to the Observation Deck for a beautiful view out.
Day 27 – A real American diner, just like in the movies! A toasted grilled cheese sandwich with sweet potato fries. The start of the slippery slope to putting on about 10lbs while away, but it was delicious! – Square Diner in the Tribeca, NYC♥NYC has more information.
Good old British Weather. A radio report mash-up inspires this post, they want you to send in embarrassing photos to win some prize, probably tickets to see some band I’ve never heard of because I’m not really into all this underground street culture that’s becoming more and more popular. I prefer my songs with a bit of a tune, actual singing and maybe a story rather than a misogynist/political/”insert-random-ideology-here” rant.
Car covered in snow
So I was flicking through the photos on my phone, and came across this. It’s my old car, covered in snow! We’re heading into Autumn now, it’s already been less than 15 degrees, and today it’s supposed to be getting up to 21C. It’s been torrential rain, but at the weekend I was walking around in just a t-shirt. Basically all over the place. I thought I’d give you a Girl’s Guide to Surviving the British Weather.
1. Umbrella – An all-year-round staple. And don’t invest in an expensive one, not even the most haute-couture designer can save you from that sudden gust of wind that gets you by surprise and nearly takes you flying because your brolly wasn’t facing the right way. In Summer especially the weather is so changeable you can need it in the morning but be peeling layers off in the afternoon. Plus it doubles up as a parasol, to keep food out of the sun on your picnic in the park.
2. Scarf – This actually is the best one. If like me your tummy’s a bit of a problem area and you don’t feel quite comfortable in those tighter clothes in the Summer, you’ve had a Pimms and a burger in a lovely beer garden, then you catch sight of yourself in a shop window and think “what the bloody hell I look pregnant!” Cue the scarf! Even just draped round, not tied it can hide anything. Then, it’s too bloody hot but it was raining when you left the house so you didn’t even think to take your suncream a light scarf can easily shield your shoulder and arms if you’re in the sun for a long time. It also goes without saying that scarves of varying thickness are essential all year round, especially in the Autumn and Winter when you can’t see my face anymore because it’s wrapped up in knitted scarf.
3. Cardigan – It’s boiling outside but everywhere inside’s got the aircon on too high so it’s actually freezing in the office, or in Forever 21. Plus, it can get quite chilly in the shade when the only table left in the beer garden is under a tree that’s still damp underfoot from the overnight rain. In the Winter you never know when you might want that extra layer, or lend it to your friend who didn’t think it was going to be this cold so came out with no coat.
4. Suncream and sunglasses – You might think you can only get away with factor 15, but never under-estimate the power of the British Summer. You’ve seen those photos of old men on the beach with their handkerchief hats and bright red faces, and the French do call us the “Rosbif” for a reason. And Sunglasses I think should be another staple for all year round, especially driving in bright Winter’s snow.
5. Bags – You’ll need something big enough to put it all in. I hate those big wicker beach-bags people have in the Summer. And in Winter I see girls walking round with those tiny little retro bags that can barely fit purse-keys-phone in. In the evening, unless you’re willing to pay for a taxi to take you from one club to another you really need to fit your brolly in there too.
6. Beer gardens – One cloud-break and we’re all out. So get there early, or be prepared to sit at a table in the shade. Then there are those bloody bastard wasps, trap them in beer glasses, or better yet, move inside. More and more places are opening their gardens in the Winter too, with heaters and blankets on offer. What’s more cosy and romantic than snuggling up outside in your scarf with a hot chocolate? I love this idea, so find out what’s going on and get yourself an early spot in the warm.
7. The double-coat trick – In Summer not so much, but in Winter this is a godsend, remember it’s still going to be cold in those bars. And we have the reputation the world over for walking in all weathers between bars in heels and a mini-skirt, couldn’t possibly waste drink money on a cloakroom ticket now could we? So, just do it, just pick your coat up before you leave. I learnt this on my Erasmus year, there’s no shame in taking a coat, you can all leave them in a big pile together if you manage to get a table or a booth in a big enough group where at least one of you is always sitting down. You can even, I know it’s radical, but you can even wear two coats, a thin smart one for the bar and then your big winter one for extra warmth while you’re waiting for that taxi home.
Carol Kirkwood – Meteorlogical Godess
8. Watch the media – I know, I take them with a pinch of salt on other channels but I really do believe every word Carol Kirkwood says. Look at her there in all her BBC loveliness. She from Scotland, so if she says it’s going to be cold then yes, it’s going to be Scotland cold. Floods tell you which parts of the country to avoid, record highs tell you which part of the country to go to. Even social media can help you out, if your friend in Sheffield tweets that it’s raining, you can bet any money that rain’s heading your way.
9. Good hair products – Again, if like me your hair gets knotted in the wind, and whips you in the face so you can’t see anything you’ll need to prepare before you leave the house, or carry a comb and a bobble in your bag for those unexpected bastard gusts of wind. And for extra protection you can use the old reliable, your umbrella even if it’s not raining.
10. Book a holiday – In Summer, sod’s law that whatever week you book will be record high temperatures in the UK, but at least you won’t be stuck in a freezing airconned office or trying to find a tiny patch for your blanket in the local park or beach. And in Winter, get some sun! I used to live in Northern Spain, so maybe don’t try there, but I’m sure in Málaga or even Malta or Cyprus it’s still warm. The sun won’t have been out here all Summer, so take this opportunity to get yourself to Greece in the bikini you’ve been saving up while the flights are cheap.
Tulum – Caribbean Sea
My Danielote is really into medieval times, and loves anything caslte-y and ruins. I just love views, the city or the country-side. I’m also a big fan of choppy seas. So we had a few days away in Cornwall searching for King Arthur, and September winds always make for dramatic landscapes. We made a base in the Alderberry Lodge in Newquay, and spent four days exploring this little corner of the UK.
Here’s me after climbing the cliffs at Boscastle
We were so lucky with the weather, only raining when we were back at the B&B or in the car. After three and a half hours driving we started with sweltering to death at the Eden Project‘s tropical rainforest dome. It’s an amazing place, and to be honest it probably wouldn’t have mattered if it was raining because everything worth looking at is inside. There are a lot of games and things for children and beautiful flowers and environmental displays and activities. It was a bit pricey though, so I would look out for offers, we got 40% off the tickets by booking the night before. That night we had a wander round Newquay, and of course ended up in the amusement arcades, these small sea-side towns are full of them! We only spent about a fiver but had great fun on the 2p slot machines and air hockey!
Some other places we tried were :
Amazon jungle, or glass dome in Cornwall?
Nearly sunset in Mevagissey
Mevagissey – We arrived here a bit late to enjoy this village in all it’s glory, but it’s beautiful in the evening. There are two harbour areas and the view back to the town is so pretty. We ate at a Portuguese restaurant that had lovely food, but no flexibility on the menu – all I wanted was two starters instead of a main but that wasn’t allowed.
Not a lot of people read books for study and fall in love with them. Like, I’m reading it because I have to. But this one really spoke to me. La Plaça del Diamant by Mercé Rodoreda. Ok, I’ve read it cover to cover twice, but that’s saying something, I had to read it the first time as part of my Catalan course at uni, but the second time was also for study – but by choice.
The novel follows a woman at three stages in her life, reflecting events in Spain at the time. Before the war, Natlàlia is young and naïve, marrying Quimet because – well why not! They have children and struggle, but life remains quite calm until the Doves arrive in the house. Quimet buys one or two, which after he goes to war turns into a flock that takes over Colometa’s life. She sinks into a depression so low that she takes steps to end it all, until a grocer is nice to her. I can’t remember how she gets rid of the doves, but as the war ends, Quimet having died in battle, life gets brighter. She marries the grocer, and calls herself Senyora Natàlia again. She finds herself despite all that struggle.
An amazing summary and review of it lies here at Kinna Reads, please have a look : http://kinnareads.wordpress.com/2010/04/20/the-time-of-the-doves-merce-rodoreda/
We went to Barcelona for my 30th Birthday, I wanted to go to La Plaça del Diamant – this is how much I love this book!
Chilanga : Exported 