It's Christmas

Hey- it's christmas. Magical for loads of kiddies- and those of us young at heart. Can be a chore or a bore for many. Quite frankly anxiety- making for some, and for others empty, lonely or emotionally just hard and painful.

Does break up the monotony of winter. I quite enjoy the build- up to the "big day". The office christmas parties, the mad rush to the shops. Hectic at work each year- this year extremely hard- more so than any year since 2004. That amount of pressure and terrible pain just lingers.

Perhaps it makes sense not to "do christmas"- if one can help it. Or do the minimum- get some shopping in as the shops will be closed- but do we really need all the pressure though? For just one afternoon. Nay, one lunchtime. Maybe, keep all the religious bits- carols and all that- but ditch the rest.

Enjoyed Christmas lunch though- cleverly crafted by dear wifey- who is as we speak missing her family in South Africa- all gathered by the pool with kids and grand-kids, while we slug it out here- within our 4 walls- with the winter cold and snow all round about. Still, there's those who are not in a homely place. Not warm, not cosy.

Yes, what about the less fortunate and needy. I suppose there's "boxing day"- when all our wanted stuff should be boxed up and handed over. Someone should start a web-site- "box-it-up.com" where people can access all kinds of christmas left-overs for free. Now that would be festive.

And what of reaching out to those alone- elderly neighbours- invite them over for lunch. That's what it is about. Visit your local "shelter"- prior to the local "panto"- which is one of those great christmas traditions. "Oh yes, it is!".

Oh well- nothing for it- but to drown all those sorrows in the tipple of one's choice. Mine's definitely sherry. Ordered some excellent "Pedro Ximinez" from the lovely chap at "Wine Array" -01423 323337 -for the wife. Now trying to persuade her to open it and drink some. She's wanting to save, rather than savour.

Anyway, got lots of rel-ees to reach by telephone before suppertime. Won't let anything come in the way of my ham sandwiches and sherry. No way.



Dee.

Pressing need for Technology

It all began with an iPhone...
March was when my son celebrated his 15th birthday, and I got him an iPhone. He just loved it. Who wouldn't?


I celebrated my birthday in July, and my wife made me very happy when she bought me an iPad.


My daughter's birthday was in August so I got her an iPod Touch.


September came by so for her birthday i got my wife an iRon !!!

New Great Run

Hmmmm. I have just dreamt up an idea for a new Great Run.

I am keeping the detail quiet- as I would (greedily) like my idea to be acknowledged for the next 50 years.

It will be on a flat course- and can be over 13 or 15 miles. It will be somewhere close to Manchester- but not actually in Manchester.

I hope the organisers contact me for more details.

Dee

Runner's World SmartCoach - Racing - Runner's World

Runner's World SmartCoach - Racing - Runner's World

Nice one- with "Runners World" I have designed a personalised half- marathon running schedule that suits me to a tee. I start on 15-11-10. I'll let you know how I get on folks.

Ooh where are the holidays...

Thought I'd have a bit of a moan today. Allow me to indulge. Nothing refreshes like a good whinge.

When will all this credit crunch palaver be over?

One misses the joys of shopping, eating out and of course foreign travel. Itz so bad at the minute- there are hardly any travel programmes on telly. Bring back Judith Chalmers. (Maybe I should e- mail ITV. I'm starting to show a wee bit of initiative- and recently e-mailed the local council here with my great idea for a food and drink festival. I have loads of other great ideas- he thinks-I can't wait for "Ant and Dec" to get in touch).

Anyway, back to the travel- or lack thereof. Reading recently about what-to-do-in Budapest got my juices flowing. Been once and thoroughly enjoyed it- though it was in the middle of winter. The grandness of the architecture, the coffee houses, the parks, the baths (of course, I was too bashful to strip and jump in) and the warm and friendly people.

So now I read about a lovely park close to Vaci Utca- the main shopping thoroughfare. There's also "Margit-sziget" a lovely park on an island between Buda and Pest with great views of both. And no, like everyone else, I don't know my Buda from my Pest- "non importa".

Maybe eat-out at "Sir Lancelot" on Podmaniczky U, 14- where you're expected to eat with your fingers- and on some nights, I'm informed that there's fencing between the tables!

Next to the Academy of Music, is "Magdalena Merio" which sounds fantastic. Or perhaps a visit to "Oreg Halasz" for excellent fish dishes or goulash.

For the kids there's "Olomkatonak" an old toyshop on Terez krt 32. And the "Liszt Ferencter", for frequent coffee refuelling stops- a must for any tourist worth their airmiles.


All of that would suit me nicely.

For those who want the more familiar- I suppose there's always the "Place de la Liberte" the local square in Sarlat- where the market is held wednesday and saturday- where one can enjoy a bit of foie gras with bread and wine- on the spot. And then the customary trip down the Dordogne in a canoe. But of course.

Come on politicians- I don't care what party or persuasion- get the people travelling again.

All this Milliband Palaver

This from our work notice board- where we post our thoughts for the day-

Ed (not Balls) inches ahead in race to challenge David (not Milliband). But will Yvette (who is Balls with another name) get chancellor job ahead of Ed (not Milliband). And what on earth will David (Ed's brother) do next? It all sounds like one great big Ed (not Milliband) ache to me.

Dee.

Marco's Place

Heard that Marco Pierre White (MPW) had opened a couple of new places up North- so was determined to visit.

Perfect opportunity came when close friends from St Albans- (England's most expensive area- and therefore posh as you like) came to spend the week-end with us up in Lancs.

Opted to go to the nearby MPW in Aughton. Fancied the adventure of a trip along winding country lanes to discover somewhere new.

Couldn't recall whether the Aughton MPW was the brasserie or the posh restaurant. Guess from the "demeanour" of the waiting staff- reacting to our "just come off the beach look"-it must have been the posh one. The waiters were all decked out in starchy uniforms complete with white gloves for serving! No wonder the kids (and a few adults too) felt ever so slightly intimidated. The brochure that we were given with our bill (oh yes we survived) promised "high class food in a rural friendly setting..."

The decor was nice- all stylish and contemporary with wooden floors and large mirrors and cartoons on the walls- but the staff were so busy dotting their "i's" and placing their cutlery perfectly that they didn't make time for plain friendliness. Perhaps they weren't allowed. Our charming two year old was not at all gushed over- and I daresay we've come to expect that in the North West. This is not London's Central Line where everyone stares straight ahead.

All that said, the food was good but not all of it exceptional. Perhaps we'd come with high expectations. Some of the starters did not blow us away. Our guests' terrine was overwhelmed by the pickle it came with. The vegetable soup of the day was really nice though- in a home cooked way. My Goosnargh chicken (main course) was really well cooked- although the cassoulet underneath it didn't quite work in my humble opinion. The kids ate well- they all had fish and chips. The fish was divine- empty plates all round and a request for seconds. The chips- according to my 10 year old were "yuk" (of course like many 10 year olds she considers herself an expert on the subject).

There was a really long wait between courses.

Desserts? I enjoyed the tiramisu. It was lovely and delicate. Some of our party opted for rice pudding. Each to his own. I believe the MPW warm rice pudding tasted nice- but hey the Morrison's extra value rice pudding is also quite nice. In other words, a rice pudding- is a rice pudding- is a rice pudding!

All in all, we have to concede it was good value. £18 or so for three courses. The food was generally well done. Presentation was definitely well done- with military preciseness! It might be that all that's needed here is a shift of emphasis with friendliness and good old northern warmth placed before style. In the words of Eminem- "I think they would be doing just fine- if they were to relax a little".

And in any case at least I can say that I have dined in an MPW. Now not everyone can say that.

From the scrapbook

Thought I'd transfer stuff from my scrapbook(s) to the blog- starting with the new white wine I discovered- Timorasso.

Originating in the hills of Tortona in Piedmont in Italy, and only recently imported into England, timorasso is a local, fresh acidic white wine that can be aged for 10 years or more. It is supposed to taste of peaches, hazelnuts and mountain herbs, unpolished, with a bit of a bitter note at its' heart. Goes well with rustic mountainfare-cheesy dishes and risottos rather than delicate seafood or fish.

Possible to visit and stay at Locanda Canevari (00 39 131 80589, http://www.locandacanaveri.it/) for £70 pp, B&B. Possible to buy direct from Walter Massa-one of the original timorasso grape growers (0131 80302).

Easier still, buy from the comfort of the armchair- as I did for the wife's birthday, from the very welcoming gentleman at Secret Cellars (01892 537981). Or try Wine array (01423 323337) or Winetraders (01993 848777)

Now I'm also hearing of Oloroso. A dry fortified wine from the hills of Andalucia (fave part of the world number 6). Try Williams & Humbert Dry Oloroso- with lots of orange & fruit, or Lustau Dry Oloroso- both available from your local independent wine shop.

Cheers.

Glamping

Fascinated by this whole new glamping concept.

Not being one for camping- sleeping in a windswept tent -on a campsite in full view of lots of other families, with minimal personal facilities- a cold shower if you're lucky- and paying several hundred pounds for the privilege. But this glamping lark has potential.

All mod cons and the excitement of the great outdoors- and looking for "Gruffalo" in the bushes with the kiddies.

So here are a few choice glamping sites for reference;

1. Hoopoe Yurt Hotel, Andalucia, Spain- luxury yurts with massage and yoga to boot, private bathrooms and set in a private meadow. Great for that romantic week-end. 130/night for two.

http://www.yurthotel.com/.

2. Canvas Moon, Tabua, Portugal. Serious luxury in a 5 metre bell-tent. 200/night for 2.

http://www.canvas-moon.com/.

3. Luxury tented cottages, set in idyllic 200acre woods in the Scrayham area of North Yorks.
Great for children with rope swings, tree houses and wildlife- well the odd badger and hare-
555 pounds for six for a week.

http://www.jollydaysluxurycamping.co.uk/

4. Wallett's Court. Hotel in Kent where you camp in the Hotel grounds. All the hotel facilities- full spa, restaurant- yum-yum and your own 5 metre tepee. Use the gym if you must. Breakfast thrown in. All for the princely sum of 49.50 pounds per person per night.

http://www.wallettscourthotelspa.com/

So there you are- glamping options to go. But then again, there is always Butlins!


Dee.

What the South Africans really think...

Heard on the Grapevine from South Africa


"Sometimes in football you have to score goals."

-Thierry Henry


Some Classics Coming Out Of The World Cup:



Oxo are introducing a new white Oxo cube with a red cross in support of the England team. It's called the Laughing Stock


Apparently England are changing the 3 lions on the shirt to 3 tampons. A spokesman for the FA said this is to represent the worst period they have ever had.


So an angry fan managed to get into the England changing room after last nights game. Apparently Robert Green tried to grab the man but missed.


All these Rob Green jokes are getting out of hand. In fact, they're crossing the line.


The England team went to visit an orphanage in South Africa this morning ? “it is so good to put a smile on the faces of people with no hope, constant struggling and facing the impossible?” said Sipho Umboto aged 6


I'm going to be bold here, and suggest we play Heskey at left back.............left back at Heathrow Airport!!!!





















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Vuvuzela bits

1. Doctor, Doctor, I feel like a Vuvuzela !!


Never mind- you've got a confidence problem. You need to blow your own trumpet a bit more.


2. (after England loss to Germany)

Doctor, Doctor, I've now completely lost my Vuvuzela.


That's alright- It's possible to order a new one- but only via Germany !!

Another England Football song

When I find myself in times of trouble-
40 years of agony,
There will be an answer:
"Let it be."

And in my darkest hour-
There is Germany scoring number three,
I whisper words of wisdom:
"Let it be."

Chorus (Let it be, Let it be, Let it be, Let it be
There will be an answer, Let it be).


When the broken hearted players-
sitting in the field agree,
"We will trust Capello"-
"Let it be".

For though we may be parted-
In my dreams I see the cup with me,
I whisper words of wisdom:
"Let it be."

Chorus- Let it be, Let it be....


I take the plane from Cape to Jo'Burg-
Soccer City beckons me,
I whisper words of wisdom:
"Let it be."

I wake up to the sound of music-
England fans they call to me:
Chanting till tommorrow:
Let it be.


Chorus- Let it be, Let it be.....


And in my final hour-
There are people on the pitch with me,
They think that it's all over:
Let it be. Let it be quick.

(and afterwards)

I take my morning filter coffee-
Shall I blame the referee,
There's no point, that's just silly-
Let it be. Let it be.




Dee-o-Dee 2010.