Did I say summer?
Did I mention Summer in my last post? I must have jinxed it as there hasn't been a nice day since. It's been cold and wet and about 18-20 degrees - a bit like a Sydney winter really :-) We even had a huge hail storm which left some areas of London covered in snow-like piles of ice. Still, I do prefer the cooler weather to weeks of oppressive humidity and relentless high temperature without an air conditioner in sight!
But the weather hasn't prevented us from getting out there and doing stuff. We tried out a new yum cha restaurant the other weekend with Matt and Mel. Yum Cha without trolleys was a bit odd but you get a special menu with pictures so you can choose what you like and then it's brought to you freshly made. You don't have to wait for the trolleys to come around and you can order your custard tarts at the end of the meal when you want them :-)
Speaking of food, we celebrated our 10th Wedding Anniversary in style by going to Gordon Ramsay's restaurant at Claridges (http://www.gordonramsay.com/claridges). We'd heard varying reports but our experience was very positive. The food was excellent as was the service. We had the 6 course tasting menu which was a stretch for my very small stomach but I made it to the last mouthful of my second desert before not being able to fit another thing in. I couldn't even have a sip of water let alone try the petit fours. We did discover a really nice sweet French white wine which was recommended to go with our starters (Mas Amiel 2003).
Of course you will have heard about the failed terror attack with the non-exploding nail bombs. Perhaps it was because the bombs didn't blow up but the Londoners hardly seemed to give it a second thought. They are a very stoic bunch, probably because they've been living with the threat of bombs for a long time courtesy of the IRA.
Simone came to visit us last weekend. The weather was much improved so we were able to get out in the sunshine. We visited two houses to the west of London. Ham House is in Ham (funnily enough) which is south of the River in Twickenham. It was the first national trust house we had been to since joining up a couple of weeks ago (how could i resist the offer of a free picnic blanket?!). I have to say that the house made me sneeze - now I remember why I prefer ruins to old houses. However all that sun and wind after all that rain did mean I had a bit of hay fever.
But the weather hasn't prevented us from getting out there and doing stuff. We tried out a new yum cha restaurant the other weekend with Matt and Mel. Yum Cha without trolleys was a bit odd but you get a special menu with pictures so you can choose what you like and then it's brought to you freshly made. You don't have to wait for the trolleys to come around and you can order your custard tarts at the end of the meal when you want them :-)
Speaking of food, we celebrated our 10th Wedding Anniversary in style by going to Gordon Ramsay's restaurant at Claridges (http://www.gordonramsay.com/claridges). We'd heard varying reports but our experience was very positive. The food was excellent as was the service. We had the 6 course tasting menu which was a stretch for my very small stomach but I made it to the last mouthful of my second desert before not being able to fit another thing in. I couldn't even have a sip of water let alone try the petit fours. We did discover a really nice sweet French white wine which was recommended to go with our starters (Mas Amiel 2003).
Of course you will have heard about the failed terror attack with the non-exploding nail bombs. Perhaps it was because the bombs didn't blow up but the Londoners hardly seemed to give it a second thought. They are a very stoic bunch, probably because they've been living with the threat of bombs for a long time courtesy of the IRA.
Simone came to visit us last weekend. The weather was much improved so we were able to get out in the sunshine. We visited two houses to the west of London. Ham House is in Ham (funnily enough) which is south of the River in Twickenham. It was the first national trust house we had been to since joining up a couple of weeks ago (how could i resist the offer of a free picnic blanket?!). I have to say that the house made me sneeze - now I remember why I prefer ruins to old houses. However all that sun and wind after all that rain did mean I had a bit of hay fever.
On the Sunday we went to see Osterley Park and House. This house was north of the river near Hounslow. Originally we planned to do a walk and have a pub lunch but we got stuck in traffic (yes, I slept in) and the pub they suggested didn't look so good once we got there. We ended up in the tea rooms of Osterley House instead. This house had been built then expanded then redeveloped until it was a mismatch of styles. I'm not sure what they were thinking when they added huge wooden pineapples to the pointy bits of the roof. Pineapples were all the rage in the 18th century - a luxury item that only the very rich could afford. Stone carvings of Pineapples were also a feature of Ham House as well. Still, these two houses have nothing on this house in Scotland.
Health-wise things are still a little up in the air for me. I have put on some weight but still feel extremely tired at times and I can still feel lymph nodes. I went for a CT scan this morning which the Dr has ordered for my peace of mind more than anything else I'm sure. I won’t find out the results for another 10 days. In the meantime I struggle on with my anxiety. My 2nd cousin died during the week. I know she was 87 but it's still sad. I hope the year improves now that we're over half way through 2007.
Before I go I must mention my knitting progress. You'll be pleased to know that I have 3 different projects on the go - another baby cardigan, a free project from Rowan after I renewed my membership and a vest. Of course there is a ball of sock wool in my bag too - just have to work out who needs socks the most :-)
Health-wise things are still a little up in the air for me. I have put on some weight but still feel extremely tired at times and I can still feel lymph nodes. I went for a CT scan this morning which the Dr has ordered for my peace of mind more than anything else I'm sure. I won’t find out the results for another 10 days. In the meantime I struggle on with my anxiety. My 2nd cousin died during the week. I know she was 87 but it's still sad. I hope the year improves now that we're over half way through 2007.
Before I go I must mention my knitting progress. You'll be pleased to know that I have 3 different projects on the go - another baby cardigan, a free project from Rowan after I renewed my membership and a vest. Of course there is a ball of sock wool in my bag too - just have to work out who needs socks the most :-)
posted by Elisabeth @ 9:27 PM
2 Comments:
Yay for knitting! I have a ptoential knitting buddy to introuce you to (more in an email) she is moving to the UK and is an obsessive knitter & makes delicious scones (sound familiar??)
Hope all goes well with the anxiety, take it easy hey!
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