Late November Garden

Thank you for all the lovely comments and best wishes for my last post

I really want to get on with all my Summer postings but first

I think it worth a look at the garden today

Looking out from the kitchen

and from upstairs

and my new roses still in flower

I have on order 4 of these bushes to replace my Lavender bed

and a climbing one for behind to give a big splash of this

beautiful pink Strawberry Hill by David Austin

Back to Summer in my upcoming posts

I think I am up to July!

80 Years Young

The comedy book I gave Alan for 80 year olds does not remotely  mirror his life but it was funny all the same

I congratulated him on 'getting there' but also said 'it was too soon'

How could my young and handsome husband be 80!! 

Here we see his birthday cake at the party I put on for him

In case you wondered, it is a golf bag

Making life easy with a cold buffet

we were very blessed to have guests contribute food

and I bought lots of delicious desserts that I forgot to photograph

He enjoyed an evening with friends and our children and grandchildren

Some quick random shots around the house - hopefully unobserved

Bekah wants to be involved in the cutting of the cake

The feedback today was that everyone enjoyed just being together while chatting and sharing a meal amidst an enjoyable and peaceful atmosphere

The above is the basis of a card I made for him with a few glimpses of his life

His main presents were a laptop and kindle and some money to treat himself (a very difficult thing for Alan to do)

2012 Olympic White Water Rafting and the Rest of the Day

While on the subject of Olympic posting I'll show you the new white water rafting site. This is to the north of London and just 30 minutes from home.
When visiting it was open to the public and a number of our friends have already taken advantage and hired a raft and guide.
For us we just wanted to have a look for the moment
It is now closed to the public until after the Olympics so that it can be got ready for the event
It is said to be the best in the world and the professionals like it because they do not catch any bugs in the constantly filtered water

An outside R & R area outside the cafe which looks down on the course

Which size wet suit?

one of several viewing bridges over the course

travelling up to the top of the course

The oldest person in the rafts today was a lady of 82

the temporary cafe where one can also watch a video of their trip

Much larger restaurant accommodation will be needed for the event

The site is alongside the Lee Navigation Canal and having had lunch we are now off for a walk

We will walk for an hour and then make our way back if you would like to accompany us

canal walking is easy as it is flat, not like my regular walking at home

the first lock in the distance

always good as it tells you where you are

This canal runs right down to the main Olympic site joining with other navigation systems before entering the River Thames

the dreaded Japanese Knotweed that is talking over on river banks - very difficult to keep in check

a resident barge that sells teas etc

had a long chat with the owner who told us he and his family had decided to get 'out of the rat race' and lead a simple life

we are now on our way home and stopping for afternoon tea in the village of Theydon Bois

at the Belgium tea rooms

A lot of choice but we decide on Apple Strudel

the downside was that we arrived at the same time as

after school happy hour - we'll manage!

Something I forgot to mention on my previous post -

if one forgets where they left their car amongst the 5000 parking spaces in Westfield, then key in number plate on the information touch screens and it will find your car

Shopping at the 2012 Olympic Site Pt. 2

Continuing our walk around the mall, food is very much on the menu in this post
and you know what it is like wondering around these places
round and round and up and down
We did actually have a successful shopping trip finding everything on my list

A bit confusing this photo, Waitrose is a high class food shop

while the market is a number of different separate shops

This was our first port of call on arrival

Costa Coffee

there are 84 places to eat or snack

We are now browsing the Eastern Market

Whoopie Pies

The description of these Indian sweet treats sound very tempting

and then there is Waitrose my favourite food store where I bought some goodies for Alan's upcoming 80th birthday party on Saturday

Must not miss out the ice-cream

or the cup cakes which as a child we called fairy cakes

There's nothing new under the sun!

Waiting for a table at Jamie Oliver's Italian

The policy is that once seated one must be served within 10 minutes which we were

and enjoyed a delicious tasting meal of Porcetta

Pork belly rolled and stuffed with salami, pine-nuts,vine fruits, rosemary and thyme

marinated in white wine and slow cooked for 24 hours

with potato wedges roasted in caramelised onions

(the reason I was not tempted to buy anything in the Eastern market)

Downstairs at Jamie's

and then into John Lewis my favourite department store

where I found my Granddaughters Christmas present

Have not seen a Harvey Nichols food market in a mall before

Harvey Nichols being the department store in Knightsbridge favoured by Princess Diana

It's rush hour so will need to have a little patience on the journey home