Legotastic!

I fulfilled a medium term dream last weekend and finally took myself to Legoland. Ok, so it wasn't Carlsbad ... but Windsor is just as glamorous!

Lee was showing his baby #1 Emma (She's the pink one in the pics below - the ACTUAL baby behind the wheel is his 3 month old Ben!) as part of the 'Amazing Machines' exhibition, so not only did I go to Legoland, but I got in for free (no £36 ticket for me!) and I got to wear an 'Exhibitor' pass which made me look ultra important.

Now it's difficult to name a highlight ... it's not that I didn't have a great day. It's not like I haven't been excited about this for AGES. And I'd agree that studying the park map and checking out the restrictions on all the rides in advance shows quite an impressive level of enthusiasm. It's just that it was just one of those fun days in general...

First there was the run for the train (and you know I don't run, especially where public transport is involved). Then there was the mystery of where to get the shuttle bus. Then there were the little kids staring at me bemused, because they couldn't quite work out what I was doing on the bus. Then there was the collecting of the pass, the admiring of Emma, the admiring (slightly les of course) of the other Caterhams and the admiring (less again) of the corvettes. Oh, and the first time anyone's ever said to me "watch out for that fire engine". Then we met Karen and Ben and entered the park through the exit, which is always tres cool. And then we wandered. Actually, we went to find somewhere to eat which was surprisingly decent food and not heart-stoppingly expensive.

The came the Magic Kingdom ... or something like that. I think I only went on one ride. Fairy Brook can safely be called 'fun for all ages' ... it reminded me of "It's a small world" (which I dragged my parents on 6 times just 23 years ago) but without the annoying music on nauseating repeat.

And did I mention that my office doesn't exist in Legoland? No wonder I love the place!

It's good clean fun. It's a day hanging out with friends and their gorgeous kid (who cares if he slept the whole time?!). It's something I'm unlikley to do again without a screaming kid or two hanging off me. It's another thing ticked off my list. And that makes me happy.

Gruncle Peter's 90th

Had a great time last weekend spending a day in The Lakes and then celebrating my great uncle Peter's 90th birthday with the family.

Despite the drizzly weather I managed a day of walking in Windermere and Bowness, and finally took myself up to Beatrix Potter's home, Hilltop. I spent what was left of the day walking back down to Bowness, hopping on the ferry, visiting the local craft fair and, of course, dropping in to Lakeland Ltd - home to all those things you never knew you always needed!

Next stop - Wetherall, Carlisle. I spent a lovely evening at Auntie Mary's before we headed off to surprise Uncle Peter with a birthday lunch.

Great food, lovely wine and even better family ... plus some cake-cutting shennanigans ... I expect nothing less from the Kings!

Glasgow Showers (literally)

I'm tired (and just starting to get a little grumpy) after a night on the sleeper back from Glasgow ...

Had a great weekend with the Murrays on Arran - wind, rain and midges galore! Despite the trials and tribulations there was much fun and games, food and wine, laughs and bad jokes - I'm so lucky to have a friend who shares her family and their holidays with all the little London orphans!

We topped it off with dinner at The Wee Curry Hoose last night with Karen '1 week to go!' and Scott. What a lucky, lucky girl I've been over the past 4 years to have made friends like these.

The highlight though was my heavenly shower at Glasgow Central Station. After cleaning the house in the morning before we left I was feeling a little grotty, and 8 hours later as I got off the train from Ardrossan I contemplated having to make it through today at work with unwashed hair and no shower ... and I wasn't too keen. Thank goodness for the fabulous station services which, for a mere £3, provide me with towel, soap, shampoo and hot running water in an enormous wet room. If that wasn't enough, they even have a hair dryer. And so, a mere 20 minutes later (I had to dig around the suitcase for some clean clothes!) I joined Del and Nick in a pub for a well earned beverage in a cleaner, nicer smelling, vastly improved state.

Glasgow Central Station RULES!!!

Hello!

I've had a lovely week.

On Friday I celebrated the 30th birthday of a very good friend. A great dinner with friends of his and his girlfriend, followed by a trashy night out that took a full day of recovery. The photos are still slowly emerging ...

On Sunday I found myself behind the wheel of a car again! Another day trip to Kent lead to another sunburn - seems summer hasn't quite gone after all!

I also received an invitation to my Great Uncle's 90th birthday in a couple of weeks. I'm really looking forward to seeing all my grandfather's family again ... it's so easy to lose touch over time and as an only child, family is very important to me.

But the highlight?

As I walked to work on Monday after dropping the car off I took the time to enjoy the sunrise, appreciate the quiet streets and admire the landmarks of London that I take for granted. As I neared the office, people started to appear - joggers, people heading to work ... and a young family taking a morning stroll. The parents moved slowly to allow their young son to keep pace as he explored the world around him and watched the passersby.

"Hello!"

It's amazing how a simple salutation from a copper-headed toddler can make a day great. As he looked me in the eye and bellowed his greeting I wondered why moments like this didn't happen more often. I wish they did.

Make those bodies sing!!!

Another old favourite today ...

life doesn't get much better than this!

On a slightly related note ... I've had vitamin C the past couple of days and everything seems to be a little better with the world ... very odd.

Late July ...

and I'm still thankful for Steinbeck (I'm nearing the end of East of Eden).

I'm also thankful that while my eyes are all too often bigger than my stomach, at the same time I'm not particularly fussy about what my food looks like. Over the weekend I made some baba ganoush which resembles the contents of a baby's nappy. Tastes gooood though!

Thanks of deliciousness!

This week deserves bonus gratitude because today I had one of my favourite lunches ... one which I probably haven't had for 5 years or so ...

Beetroot, Red Onion, Cottage Cheese.

... all squished together on a white bread roll.

Sesame seed rolls are quite exciting. The tiger roll I had today was even better - sure didn't have those when I was a kid! Pink tinged goodness makes me ever so happy!