Spain

Second trip to Europe in a month, this time for my Mothers Birthday at the House in Almeria. The flight was arranged for 1pm giving us plenty of time to get to the airport. Ha!

I have an interesting time with public transport. I've always strongly believed in it and believed it was a good thing. Unfortunately something tends to happen on it. Disasters mainly. I have had delays unimaginable, been one of hundreds put off trains in the middle of nowhere in the snow, misdirected to a tiny station with only a 2 hour train service, trapped aboard a train with all it's platform facing doors locked shut and on one memorable occasion had a train engine explode next to me. I would not say that I was cursed but more a case of the universe providing me interest in my life.

Which is nice.

We checked the internet and everything was running smoothly, no problem. The chap selling the tickets said nothing. It was after we got our refreshments and headed for the platform and found that the Stansted Express was a coach. And that they didn't allow refreshments.
Then my significant other dropped his coffee down himself.
He then reminded me of the coffee and fact that we were on a coach for most of the rest of the journey.
The rest of the time he felt sick.
Needless to say, the journey was not a joy.

We got to Stansted with half an hour to check-in so no problems and even enough time for a sandwich and coffee before we went to wait at the gate. Got to the light rail which serves the gates at 12:35 which was ample given that we were flying at 13:00. Except there weren't any trains due to a 'technical fault'. For 30 minutes. We got to the Gate with four other travellers, found it closed but after some discussion with a member of staff we were ushered through and then had to navigate a bewildering array of corridors before finding ourselves haring across the tarmac. Fortunately we got on the plane (though it was taxiing as we got our seats) otherwise my mothers birthday might have been a much quieter affair. The Journey passed reasonably quickly and after a slightly bumpy landing we reached the family.

A lovely time was had over in Spain. I do enjoy it! The climate is very pleasant, the people charming and the food and drink delicious and inexpensive. A lovely birthday was had by my mother as we treated her to a deluxe facial, manicure and pedicure.

The journey home had echoes of the journey out with a 3 hour delay on the flight and again a coach home but otherwise no major disasters.

I shall remember the mood of the significant other and won’t invite him along next time!

Who's a tardy, tardy Goddess!

Well, it's been over a month since my last deposit here. On the other hand it's been very busy what with trips to Paris, trips to Spain and various things including singing classes, scaly dishwashers, sinusitis and a somewhat down atmosphere which I'm currently clawing my way out of. It seems that not only is my partner, Diva Stropp and our flatmate and friend 'The Lady' suffering from Seasonal Affective Disorder (which you can read more about at the UK Seasonal Affective Disorder Association http://www.sada.org.uk/) but I am too. I got Ms Stropp a high intensity light (LED based so reasonable small and portable) but both The Lady and myself have received benefit when we have used it.

I have to say the longer days and (in some cases) improved weather has helped lift my mood. I think I became quite depressed over the broken finger etc so it's rather nice to feel the cloud lift and see some shards of sunlight. I'm also intending to have a much more active year and try to a) Learn to drive; b) learn Spanish; c) learn at least one new skill I haven't done before and d) shake life until it's teeth rattle.

At least that's the idea.

Over the next day I'll put up the blogs I have typed up on my blackberry killer but not got to put online yet.

Toodles!

Tripe and Vino

It's been a while again. I always thought that I would have problems with updating this blog. A broken finger was not something I was expecting to be able to have. It is now much recovered thankfully & I’ve just spent an interesting evening with the lovely Rob discussing essentially tripe, but entertaining tripe. He showed me his Chelmsford 123 and KYTV and I tried to introduce him to my ‘Very Peculiar Practice. Cultural exchange aside it was nice to just laugh for a bit something I feel I have been lacking a bit of late. Good news yesterday. The Lady got herself a promotion. More specifically her work colleagues (who were all looking for other jobs) got fired along with the manager whose position she's taking over from. I'm glad to see she's where she always wanted to be finally.

Paris

Well we decided to go to Paris for a pre- Valentines day 'romantic' day out. Of course I should have realised what would happen. Waking up was not too much of a problem though it was a bit early at 5.30 am and then belting down to Waterloo was a bit bracing also. Orlando managed to face the day with bravery and fortitude despite the early hour and even managed a quick fag with a group of lady travellers who had gone as far as to bring bubbly but needed an emergency nicotine fix on the platform. Once on the train we were unfortunately facing backwards which I never find the most pleasant way of travelling. We were also sat next to a lady with 2 children who were a little 'vocal'. Orlando then missed the Chunnel by being in the loo. Of course I explained that the Chunnel didn't have any bright lights or dancing girls and looked in fact like a dark tunnel. Nonetheless he didn't believe me and felt that he'd missed a great moment. I actually didn't know we were in France until some minutes after we'd left the tunnel. Apparently there was an announcement which only the people in the toilets heard. This, interestingly, meant that Orlando was the first to know when we entered France.

Once we arrived we went straight to The Eiffel Tower for the most stereotypical visit to France wit an amazing view over the capital. After a quick visit to the Trocadero the hubby decided he'd not seen enough Gay life and so we took a taxi to the 'gay' area, at least according to the Taxi driver. We were then redirected to a bar that, to be honest, appeared mixed but had some eye candy behind the bar. We were then redirected to a restaurant up the street where I enjoyed a quite passable Carbonara. We walked to the nearest Metro with the intention to return to the Eurostar but were thwarted by the inconsiderate person who threw themselves onto the track. This being Paris there were very few tourists who were equipped to understand what the message over the tannoy meant so while all the Parisians got off we were all left on the tube before , hesitantly getting off ourselves. I then did what I had done for the rest of the time in Paris. I tried to speak to a Parisian in French. I managed to say. Excuse me I'm a British Tourist with very few French skills, may I ask what's happening? And I have to say despite the somewhat fearsome reputation the Parisians have for not talking to people who cannot speak French (Or even if you do and are not from Paris) I found everyone helpful and supportive and in many cases were happy to speak in English. As the Queen Mother used to say ‘Respect'.
The lady who I asked was very helpful and explained what happened and immediately about four or five tourists came up to me and asked me what was going on including a Japanese couple who didn't speak English! I can only assume that they found me less intimidating than the French!

Anyway we bypassed the problem and headed back to the UK on the (fortunately much less packed with kids) Eurostar.

Just as an aside £25 of Tesco Clubcard vouchers can get you a day trip to Paris. See how here. www.moneysavingexpert.com.

House of (S)pain

We'll we're at the house now and it's very peaceful, we have, however suffered with a terrible nights sleep, mainly due to the large amount if coffee we were stoked with yesterday coupled with the Spanish mattress we had to sleep on. Spanish beds seem to be specifically designed for people to roll together and crush each other whilst also bending their backs uncomfortably. However the weather is particularly nice with temperatures of 18C and I've just has a siesta in the sun.

The local village bar has had a bit of a facelift and is finally being used properly by the residents so it is making itself a nice focus for the village. With my sister dancing with fire there it proved to be an irresistible draw!

Almeria Away

Well, after the eventful time over Christmas it was something of a relief to get away. Almeria in Spain is the family destination of choice. This is mainly due to my mother and stepfathers decision to ultimately retire out there. Oddly enough the journey to my mother's house on the south coast is about 2 1/2 hours away by train. Almeria on the south eastern corner of Spain is about 4 1/2 hours away by train and plane. The train and bus costs to my mother’s old place are about 46 pounds and this current trip to Almeria is 120 but we could have had it for about 70 pounds. I don't regard the extra cost as being too ruinous and given that we are in a European country with a significantly different climate, cuture and habits, I think it's a pretty good deal! Both Ryanair and Easyjet fly there and there are some good hotels in the area. We're also a short ferry ride from Morocco which we'll have to try sometime.

Obey!

Well, another Christmas Day out of the way. I had limited cooking capability (due to a broken finger) so much of the work was handled by my hubby and sister. A very pleasant meal was had followed by the Christmas Special 'Doctor Who'. In turns, and sometimes together, an entertaining and intense script. With a good companion and a good Doctor, when awake. It felt most like the Episode 'Rose' written for the Doctor with a more solid foundation for everyone.

All in all I was most pleased!

I also received a Dalek, Slitheen and CE Doctor Walkie Talkies, a TARDIS money box and an associated publication. Far more than I was expecting!

No good deed goes unpunished!

The Quiet before Christmas

Was pretty much lacking for us at Gay Gables. There was an incident where I obtained a broken finger (my own) and much dissaray was scattered through the house. I shall gloss over the events but they were rather unwelcome. Also my sister stayedm there was a choral recital in the style of Ethel Merman and much Pizza and wine at the Departmental Christmas Shindig. The Office meal went well at the Crown public house (108 Blackfriars Road, London) and much merriment was had.

And now to see what Satan brings.

Sorry, 'Santa'.

Nuntastic!

Well the party was had, the drinks drunk, the nibbles eaten, the Sing-along-a-Sound-of-Music was Sung-along-a-Sound-of-Music. The music was played, the fur coats dropped, the boas brought, the Therapist and Killer Penguin provided, the punch drunk, the Whiskey exhaled, the hilarity caused, the tears wept, the sides split, the unconsciousness unconsciousnessed on the hallway floor, the departures, the taxis booked, the strange man visiting some chap called Bella called at the door and the entertainment shaken till the life had gone, gone, gone.

Rose tint my world is all I can say!

Thanks to Daniel, Dave, Steve, Chris, Rob, Alan, Kim, and Dave II the revenge.

Of course particular thanks to my darling Diva Stropp and The Lady herself of course

XXX GP

All Change!

Well the party was all organised for Friday night. Appropriately nun themed invites went out at high speed and all was made rapidly ready. And then I got a text from TLMR informing me that she had just been made redundant. Now, the primary reason for moving was to be closer to work. Plainly this was no longer the case and, of course, there were some nunning, sorry nagging suspicions about the new flat and its inhabitants. Under the circumstances the move was cancelled and she stayed with us.

Hooray!

We’re still having the party though.

Hooray!

Sister Sunday.

Well she's on her way back, finally! It's taken a little while but she's back from Thailand. On the day she's due back she's arriving at 7.30am... On a Sunday . I live in London, one of the largest and most cosmopolitan cities in the world and am a non-Christian. It is a bugbear for me that I cannot travel to places easily on a Sunday as on any other day. If it were any other day I'd just go there on the Tube but at 6am I have to go by two busses and the Heathrow Express. It's the same with shopping. On Sunday it is still illegal to sell a Bible, or Fish & Chips. And you still cannot have shops open as normal in case we're struck down with rampant hedonism. Honestly!

The Departure of The Lady Miss Roberta! (Or 'Get Thee To The Nunnery!)

Another shock, with The Lady rather spontaneously deciding to leave Gay Gables to go and live with three other girls and a 'Landlady' who objects to people 'stopping overnight'. We have come to the conclusion that the place is some kind of nunnery, the 'Landlady' is a Mother Superior and her room is a monastic (or should that be nuntastic!) cell. Needless to say we're getting her 'appropriate' presents. IE a foot long 'Jeff Stryker' a 'tomato' plant and a still.
She's moving this Saturday and it's going to be a bit of a wrench. She'll be around on Sunday for lunch so it fortunately won't be a clean break.

A party has been organised at very short notice for her leaving. The theme is vaguely nuns and I shall be making my Compline Cocktail to obliterate any survivors.

Magical

I now have my Blackberry killer. The SPV M5000. It's quite similar to my previous phone (the SPV M1000) except a little larger and considerably more snazzy with a good quality fold out keyboard and improved connectivity with a direct USB port which also charges from there, the same SD/MMC card slot and this time a standard size headphone socket, perfect for speakers on trips away! I'm rather pleased with it, though as ever it's taking a little adjustment. There are some differences with the interface which take a little getting used to. To all intents and purposes it's a tiny laptop which even has Wi-Fi so in the right places you can get internet without costly call charges. As with all these things it takes getting used to but the potential is enormous. We will have to see if it's glamour fades! And my sister’s getting my old one!

The After Morning from the Before Night. A story of time and space travel.

Well, yesterday was, as I mentioned, the 42nd anniversary of the creation of Doctor Who. It's quite startling when I can remember the 20th anniversary so clearly. We had the lovely Rob round for one of my usual sizeable dinners consisting of Garlic Roasted Potatoes, Roasted Roots, mixed veg, Pot Roast of Brisket and gravy followed by Black and White Bread and Butter Pudding. This was assisted by substantial quantities of red wine and cava to the point that the Hot Chocolate with Brandy became somewhat redundant. We also had The Web of Fear on the box follwed by some music/Who clips, and the end of The Doctor Dances with a finale of the Extra on the DVD Making The Christmas Invasion. All very entertaining. We also got another additional guest, a friend called JP who works with The Lady and much merriement was had therof. He, having rejected the pudding outright, proceeded to wolf it down in quantity. Motto: always try things when away from home, you never know you might like them!

Tonight on the other hand should be a much quieter affair with wholesome soup and bread rolls followed by some pennance and Stargate Atlantis.

I feel quite pure and virginal!

Saturday 23rd of November 1963

For those of you not in the know, it is the 42nd anniversary of the start of Doctor Who. As a fan this is quite significant to me, particularly since we came so close to the programme disapearing from the schedules forever or, maybe worse still being produced as a high budget, plot thin, special effecs extravaganza that the Fox network would have produced. In spite, or maybe because of its unfortunate and unloved recent past it was farmed out to BBC Wales and given, as a last ditch attempt to woo him to the Beeb, to Russel T Davis. He has managed to turn the series into the most successful series on the BBC for 2005 and probbably the most successful so far in the 21st Century, considering how it trounced all the others at awards. It appeals to young children, teens, twentysomethings, pensioners, girls, boys, familes and poofs.

And you can't say many things that do!

Flurry of updates!

I think the problem with blogging is that I have problems with updating it regularly. I write it all down but then have problems with getting it onto the web. I also end up providing updates that sometimes seem less than pithy and which do not seem to be up to my usually high quality. Such a perfectionist eh? Anyway, this is by way of explaining why my entries (phnarr phnarr!) seem so inconsistent and have so many gaps.

I soon hope to resume normal service and apologise for any incovenience!

Bacon & Egg sandwiches

Aren't they the Acme of civilization? Just when you're really hungry in the morning, there's a café on the horizon which serves this food of the gods. It's at times like this that I realise that this is one of the many things I'll miss if I do have a sabbatical in Thailand. On the other hand I'm sure I'd be able to cope with a year by a beach. These are the sacrifices one must make.

Anyway, you can come and visit!

I'm blogging...

Well, now I'm doing it it seems quite cathartic, getting some of my thoughts down on electrons. sometimes it's easier to do than others but on the whole quite enjoyable!

Frantic Friday

Another casual walk across the Heygate estate avoiding the pimps, murderers, drug dealers and prostitutes. Has to be said that I only saw mothers and fathers taking their children to school rather than the underbelly of society. There were also cleaners who, I have to say, I admire enormously. They do a good job in the face of some of the nastiest stuff stuck to the pavement I can imagine. Frankly I’m always impressed by anyone at work 2-3 hours before me who’s also earning a pittance.

Thanks to all those people who keep our streets clean. If you weren’t there London would be much nastier.

Cloves and Spices

TLMR (The Lady Miss Roberta) has toothache, bless her and is going to have a tooth out on Monday. I considermyself to be very fortunate with my teeth having had the flouride treatments as a child and now have no fillings and no teeth pulled out. See not bad eh, 33 years old and nothing but a bi-yearly scrape of the teeth! On the other hand it does leave me with little knowledge of dental pain apart from one excruciating visit to a locum dentist who scraped at my gums rather than my teeth leaving me in some pain and not a little amount of blood in my mouth. Anyway I’m purchasing her some oil of cloves to deaden the pain and some Tea Tree oil as the base of an antibiotic rinse. Herbalist Goddess at work!
I shall also be making Curried Parsnip soup for its palatability and the fact that it should be able to be tasted above the cloves. Culinary Goddes also at work!
Queen Orlandina (Diva Stropp to many) is plainly enjoying his new work. Wonderful to watch someone pull their way out of depression with such a positive attitude. Certainally it’s going down well at our work where the words Breath of Fresh Air are bandied around with alarming regularity.

And I just got £60 out of my previous broadband provider who neglected to stop billing me. That should cover the Guilbert and Sullivan Boxed set I’ve ordered.

What never? No never!