Monday, April 22, 2013

Thursday 18 April - Mama and me


Current location: Soho, London
11.11am, Googling places to go for lunch. My mum called last night and said she would be in London today so we arranged to meet for lunch (I had forgotten I was already meeting another friend and so inadvertently double-booked, oops!). We met, had some funny chats, serious chats, yummy food and then took a mirror selfie. Love you Mum!

Monday 15 April - Crack foxes bow out




Current location: Lewisham
11.11pm, At the Fox and Firkin pub, at the end of the pub quiz. We came second last (not last! woo!) and it was the last one in a while for us; Andy will be in Australia soon, with me following soon after, so it will be at least a year before the Crack Foxes are reunited and taking the pub quiz on again! I love this team a LOT and it's been ace to have so much fun every Monday night, even if we never quite managed to win the quiz.

Sunday, April 21, 2013

Sunday 14 April - Aunties and uncles galore











Current location: Balham
11.11am, In the park in Balham. Claire and Matt were in London, staying at Kate and Jim's, so we went over to meet them this morning, and play with Ella and Jake. We had the loveliest time in the park, building sandcastles in the sand pit, pushing them both on the swings, running, climbing and doing all the things three year olds like doing! Then we went for lunch in the most awesome place I have eaten in for a while, Beyrouths in Balham, a new Lebanese restaurant. I would normally say don't go to Balham without eating there but this time I would say make a trip especially to Balham just to eat there. It really is worth it. The food was so delicious, and well-priced (it's half cafe, half restaurant), and the staff were so friendly and lovely. And it's BYO, so good for going out for dinner, too. I know I'm gushing about it but it was so yummy, I'm even trying to squeeze in another visit before we leave London in a couple of weeks! Afterwards we walked back to Kate's for more playing and cuddles with my gorgeous niece and nephew.

Saturday, April 20, 2013

Saturday 13 April - Love the team spirit!


Current location: Lewisham
11.11am, Walking back in the door after a netball match. Due to illness/holidays/pregnancies, we ended up having only six players (there are seven in a team), and I was playing in Goal Defence (about the most opposite position you can get from Wing Attack, what I usually play). Despite being slightly doomed from the start, we all went out fighting, and laughing. After the first quarter, it was pretty obvious we were going to lose, but we all kept our heads up and enjoyed every minute of the game. Just another reason why I love Blackheath Wanderers!

Friday, April 19, 2013

Friday 12 April - Friday night reunion








Current location: Underground
11.11pm, On the way home from the pub. Clare (my old colleague/friend/work-wife from Computeractive) is leaving for a new job on V3, so she was having a leaving party. All our old CA colleagues came to join so it ended up as a bit of a reunion. Andy and Gav came too, and my friend Chloe popped in as well, so all in all, a great night was had by all!

Sunday 7 April - From the farm to the brewery




Current location: Hither Green
11.11am, On my way to meet Sarah and Will at Hackney City Farm. Will had decided he wanted to see some lambs today, which I thought was a great idea and so gatecrashed their date. Thanks/sorry guys! The sun was out today too, which was lovely, so we ate a lovely farmhouse lunch in the conservatory of the farm and then went to look at the animals. Alas, there were no lambs but we did see sheep, goats, donkeys, chickens, pigs, guinea pigs and rabbits. Right in the middle of east London!

After our lovely farm time, I went to meet Mark (of the Hewitt family) and Emma for some ales in a brewery near London Fields. So lovely to see them after almost a year, and talking about their/our exciting plans for the year ahead.

Saturday 6 April - Winning big, doing lots





 



Current location: Covent Garden
11.11pm, In Benito's Hat. Today had been a big mix of laziness (waking up late and not leaving the house until 5pm), and doing a lot (fitting in loads between 5pm and midnight). Feeling pretty lazy after last night, I slobbed about all morning, watching TV, blogging and doing some online gambling – only a £2 bet on the Grand National, though; does that count?! My mum loves the Grand National and manages to pick a winner every year so I tried to copy her pick for the race, but couldn't get through in time. In the end I went for Aurora's Encore at 80/1, purely because I thought it sounded funny trying to say the name. I watched the race half-heartedly, cheering the horses on but thinking mine had fallen over near the start. As it almost ended, I heard the commentator mention my horse and, lo and behold, off he went, first over the line! Yippee! I jumped up and down in my lounge on my own, and then checked my online account to see how much I'd won. There is something a lot less exciting about online betting, though... Every other year I've gone to the bookies (this is the only time of year I bet on stuff!) and there is definitely more a sense of winning or losing. Still, I was pretty pleased!

At 5ish, I pulled myself together and left the house to go and meet Rochy and Jdog. We went to the Roy Lichtenstein exhibition at the Tate, and it was really awesome! I especially liked his black and white stuff, and his mirrors. By the time we left, the sun was setting and the city looked absolutely beautiful. We walked along the South Bank for ages, looping back around and ending up in a bar on a boat on the River Thames. London really is awesome! After a drink or two and some nachos, we got the taste for Mexican so headed to Benito's Hat for tacos. What a fun weekend I'm having, and definitely making the most of London while we're still here!

Friday 5 April - Back to the future








Current location: Fitzrovia
11.11am, Working on Computeractive! Since its been bought by Dennis Publishing, I have had no more to do with the magazine I spent two years on, but today I went to Dennis to do a day's freelance sub-editing. It was great to see the old team again, and Emily, Clare and I enjoyed a lovely catch up over a yummy lunch. After work, Clare and I went for Friday night drinks, one of my favourite things to do. It's funny not sitting next to her every day so we had to make the most of seeing each other! A few hours and a few wines later and we decided on an impromptu trip to Brixton to meet some other friends. We went to an ace pub and drank prosecco, then I ran for the last bus home. Friday nights at their finest!

Wednesday 3 April - BJP through the ages






Current location: Soho
11.11am, Looking at past issues of British Journal of Photography. It's been going for 160 years and has changed from a weekly to a monthly and now has iPad and iPhone apps to boot, as well as a new owner.

Tuesday 2 April - Lazy dinner


Current location: Lewisham
11.11pm, Watching TV in bed after eating the world's worst/best dinner. Look what happens when Andy goes away!

Monday 1 April – From Cornwall to London in the blink of an eye






Current location: Somewhere between Cornwall and London
11.11pm, On a train. After skimping on the journey down, I opted for the sleeper train back to London. It was awesome! I got on at 9.30pm in Penzance, and literally high-fived Claire whose train arrived on the platform next to mine at 9.29pm. Higgins girls relay!

In the day, I'd been for a walk with Mum, Pip and the boys... We tried to go to Marazion but it was so windy, we last about 20 minutes before turning back and going for a coffee instead! A lovely afternoon, yummy dinner of homemade pasties, and all too soon it was time to board the train.

I'd never got the sleeper before, and it was very exciting! I got my own cabin, with a little bed, sink, TV...so cute, and I had an awesome night's sleep, arriving in London at about 6.30am. I then sat in the first class lounge for two hours, eating muffins, drinking coffee and reading my book until it was time to go to work.