Ultra Distance Marathon – 32 miles – Just Did It!

Wow,  what a day yesterday was – I’d been wanting a personal challenge and last Monday, after attending a conference and thinking about it on the long drive home, I signed up to do an ‘Ultra Distance Marathon’. The event …

2013 Already…!

It’s been a busy five months at home – a building project followed by huge amounts of refurbishment, with the end now in sight… when wearing fairly strong glasses. Some years ago, my daughter gave me a card simply printed …

Happy Music!

Some things – like a warm sunny morning in early spring, the feeling of hot sand between your toes, an unexpected present, or being passenger in a car with the roof down, dog on the back seat and good music …

Thoughts on a difficult time.

‘A friend is someone who walks in when the rest of the world walks out’.  (Anon) It’s been a difficult time – busy, big issues at home, and sadness.  Dis-illusion on different fronts. I have been struck by the friendliness …

Chelsea Physic Garden.

Last weekend was the annual ‘Open Garden Squares weekend’ run by London Parks & Gardens Trust (www.opensquares.org/).  I was asked to accompany my father to one of the gardens, and could choose which one – on looking through the booklet, …

Quick Chickpea Curry.

This is a cheat’s recipe – very quick, easy and made with usual store-cupboard ingredients. If you are making it in the late spring or summer and are growing chard or spinach, put some leaves in at the last minute. …

Spring: Lemon Lavender Shortbread.

It’s early June and the Lavender in the garden is full of beautiful tender, silvery-grey new growth. This is an unusual recipe which celebrates traditional British Summer – try this scented shortbread with tea, or as a dessert with fruit …

Chocolate chip thins.

These crispy chocolate chip biscuits are melt in the mouth, thin and crumbly. Really quick to make, they’re great as a light delight with a cup of tea! If you want to have thicker cookie type biscuits, chill the dough …

Saying Goodbye.

This is a picture of Bozzy, our Greyhound. Dogs – or other pets – can be wonderful companions. Accepting, loving and loyal.  Optimistic, un-demanding and ready to enjoy at every opportunity.  They listen and support without challenging and are always …

Marrakesh

So near and yet so different.  I’d been wanting to visit Marrakesh for years, and finally went this spring.  It was all I’d hoped for and more – a feast for the senses, exciting, friendly, beautiful, warm (hot actually, despite …