Weekend getaway

I have been really looking forward to getting away this weekend. We both so need a change of scene and the country side location looks beautiful. There are some things that doctors can't prescribe but you just know will do you good.

I was getting even more excited yesterday as I was feeling well. Eating and digesting normally. Which has taken a long time to settle. So I have been rather put out by a nasty reaction to a toasted turkey sandwich I made myself for lunch today. I spent the afternoon in bed. And elsewhere. This is getting so bloomin tedious. Now I am worried I will be spending the entire weekend inside the our hotel room bathroom.

Let's be positive. It could have just been one of those things. And careful choices over the next 24 hours should hopefully mean I don't have to order a slice of toast for my dinner in the nice restaurant tomorrow night.

We are still very much going. And we WILL be having a lovely time. There is more to me than my tum.

Tube Station Fancy dress Party

I went to a farewell fancy dress party at the weekend. The theme was to go dressed as a tube station. Tough one I thought initially but here are some of the things people came up with:

Little Paddington Bear:

Seven Sisters:

Angel, Paddington Bear and Heathrow:

And I also went as Angel:

`

Other costumes included Oxford Circus, quite a lot of Bakers, a Banker, a very cross David Brent (Brent Cross) and four forks and a hall for Vauxhall. Oh and an England footballer for Wembley.

Gen and I put our culinary baking skills to action and came up with these little cakes:

Much fun and laughter was had by all. Have a great time in Oz Mark.

Boxing day on the West Bank - Hebron

After a suitably lazy boxing day morning of tea, toast and lots of ham products for Jonny, we voted for a trip to Hebron. I was slightly concerned by the security phone calls that John had to make before we left, and the news of disturbances in Nablus. But we trust our hosts and the view was that it would be ok to go.

We drive past many settlements on the journey, which are widespread on the Countryside. No green pastures here. Very barren land, some of which has been culivated for farming.

First stop in Hebron is the pottery and glass shops and factory. As Kate and john have a good relationship with the owner, we are very well looked after. Kate bought 1000 glass Christmas balls from him for the consulate Christmas fair. They raised well over £2500 from the sales of them to help those in need in Gaza. It is facinating to watch these men blowing glass and painting their pottery. It is really beautiful stuff.

Next stop is the Old City of Hebron. I maybe should have worn a longer skirt as we attract lots of stares. The area has very vived evidence of Jewish and Muslim clashes over the years. Many windows are broken, areas closed off/down, and wire netting covers many of the walk ways to protect pedestrians from rubbish being thrown at them by children and angry young men on the rooftops. What a broken world this is.

We stop off to buy kafirs from the Palestinian ladies, and beautiful embroidery from those our hosts know and recommend. We hear a little of what their lives are like. Hard.

We stop for a late lunch before heading back to Jerusalem. The afternoon has opened my eyes to poverty, war and kindness. The latter seemed to be surviving, despite the harsh realities of this very troubled land.

Arrived in East Jerusalem

Today started early. 5.15am is early for me. Our road was icey and snowy when we left at 6am.

As we arrived at Heathrow there was much freezing fog and it didn't look like good flying conditions at all. We were there at least.

Security provided a slight hitch and meant that one of the beautifully wrapped gifts for Kate had to be unwrapped by me. Stupidly I had forgotten that I had included a full size rose hand cream in the box. Still, at least we now know those scanning machines work.

They then had to defrost the plane:

After a slight delay our flight finally departed and we were bound for Israel at last. As our plane took off I had a real peace about going away and after days of stressing over flights, excitement kicked in.

As we pass through security in a very warm Tel Aviv airport I get more excited. The smiling face of John Edwards the other side of the barrier brings enormous smiles to ours. We are here. Away for a special Christmas with our friends.

The drive from Tel Aviv to East Jerusalem takes about 45 minutes. This is now the third time we have visited here and the drive is getting familiar. I am still stunned by the enormous wall that divides this part of Jerusalem. I love this place though. There are pot holes in the roads, there are refugees and rubbish in the streets. This is a city where different religions, history and politics meet. It is so different from home yet there is a real warmth to the place that I struggle to put into words.

As we enter Kate and Johns home here, joy abounds. The house looks truly beautiful and full of Christmas.

We eat well and watch a stardust the movie. We laugh and relax. I feel very privalaged to be in this home, in this place, and with these people for Christmas time.

We have a schedule for tomorrow. Two trips to Bethlehem. A mouch around the Old City. And to Jonnys alarm there is talk of 3 church services. One at Shepherds field, midnight at St Georges and possibly one at St Annes too - which is the most stunning and simple church I have visited here. Oh and jewellery shopping if I am lucky.

Right decision

This flights lark is getting beyond boring now. BUT at last we made the right decision. i.e not to trek up to Luton today.

Our flight was cancelled and therefore we are entitled to a full refund. Hoorah. The easyjet website is being difficult at the moment (big surprise) so don't actually have one yet, but nearly there.

In other news, it was also the right decision to put nearly an entire bottle of brandy in my Christmas cake. I had a slice this afternoon and it tasted very moist and good indeed.

Still at home

So. Luton airport closed yesterday evening. No rail or road links to even get there. As the snow was falling outside our front door yesterday evening, we had to take the decision that we were going to struggle to get to our local station this morning. Let alone 2 trains and a tube to Luton for a flight that was in all likelihood not going to go.

We have transferred our original BA flights back to tomorrow from Heathrow - where we will try again.

Mild grumpiness this morning that BA crew strikes, and adverse weather have caused us all this palaver.

Hey ho. Bonus day of Jonny at home and think we will just go with it.

As Marilla always said to Anne: "Tomorrow is all brand new with no mistakes in it."

Oh snow

Snow snow snow. All around Richmond and Sheen. And Luton airport. All flights currently suspended.

I've never seen a white Christmas. Although I have often wished for one, right now it is not snow welcome.

Am sat here in front of the BBC weather forecast. Severe weather warning. Snow. Ice. Fog. Delays. Closures. Great.

No more info at present... BUT I hope to be blogging from East Jerusalem over the next few days. Or at least taking pictures all over the Holy Land to blog on when I get back.

Flights update

Around about Tuesday or maybe Wednesday this week the BA strike was very much still on. We didn't know what to do. BA were giving us NO information as to whether our flights were going to be going, and being extremely unhelpful. Meanwhile, the cost of alternative flights was escalating.

We did, however, manage to find some Easyjet flights from Luton for a similar price to our BA ones. It was a big dilemma which way to jump. But in the end we decided to buy the Easyjet ones too so we could get to Jerusalem next week. Our friends have been cooking for weeks. We have been looking forward to this for ages. And I really didn't want BA cabin crew to ruin our Christmas plans.

Of course, as is the way with these things, this afternoon the High Court ruled that the BA strike is in fact illegal. So in theory it won't be going ahead. So that means no refund on our BA seats. We now have 4 flights for Christmas.

However, we think that BA will let us transfer our flights to another date. And quite frankly I don't think London Heathrow is going to be a good place to hang out next week. The BBC website reports that:

• Many BA cabin crew are proposing to not turn up anyway
• The Union Unite is proposing to hold another ballot if Willie Walsh doesn't give into their demands
• Both Check-in staff and baggage staff are calling a series of 48 hour strikes over the Christmas period. Starting with the day we are flying

So I am still glad we opted to get some other flights. Am sure Stelios is pleased with all this BA business too. The cabin crew seriously seem to have lost the plot. Don't they realise that their employer is in massive debt and this action could seriously push BA under? Then they won't have jobs at all.

And when they go for an interview at Virgin or Easyjet because they need a job and blew their BA one I imagine the first question they will be asked is:

"So, why did you leave BA?"

"Well. You see. I threw all my toys out of the pram because I felt I shouldn't be affected by the recession. And it seems in the process the company went into the red. Silly me."

"Genuis. Close the door on your way out."

December

Nice month. I'm not ignoring the elephant but I'm just too darn tired to go there with the emotions right now. So plan on just trying as best I can to enjoy the next few weeks. We have nice things planned. I'm going to masked ball on Saturday evening. Apparently the champagne is going to be free flowing. I'm looking forward to Christmas meals and very much to Christmas in Jerusalum. A time of friends, family, faith.

On that note. Time to go and get the fibre optic snowman village out of the loft. I will post a picture. It has to be seen to be believed. Woolworths tat at it's finest.

Sunday Stretching for Debsie

I had my friend Debs over this morning to practice my 60 minute sample session on her. It's quite amazing to work with someone who has never done Method Putkisto before and see how much the impact the stretches can have. Longer legs, leaner waistline, more balanced body. I really enjoyed it. She is keen for more, so that is good too.

Whilst we were in the conservatory the boys were watching the cricket in HD. There really is no let up from sport in this house. If it's not the football, it's the cricket or rugby or moto GP or something. And in this game the South Africans thrashed England which pleased Stu but not Jonny.

Post exercise (where the girls did some, and the boys watched some) we went to the Plough for lunch. Couldn't get in to the Victoria as was fully booked. But am pleased to say the Plough was busy for today too. And incredibly we ate our lunch outside in the sunshine. A beautiful autumn day after the storms and gales of yesterday.

We chatted about possible plans to go to Capetown together in the Spring. And maybe a bit of safari too. I get fearful the elephant could stop these ideas becoming a reality. But that's only a few months away so here's hoping not. Just watching David Attenburghs "Life" in HD as I write this. They are on Little Tobago where we once visited. Happy memories. There is a big world out there I would love to see more of. Please.

Christmas Cake 2009

Right. Enough of all that doom and gloom of yesterday. Today is another day. I did mention that I baked my Christmas cake yesterday. This is all slightly nuts as proper Christmas cake rarely all gets eaten. I'm also now on a sugar strike. It's not that mine is not any I good I'm sure. It's just that it's not that popular.

I, however, always make one. To be honest the main reason is because I love to feed the cake. You see Delia says that to get the best rich cake, then you need to make it many weeks in advance and then feed it some brandy at regular intervals. I love this bit. It's like nourishing your cake to make it even richer and more Christmassy. So, if any one wants any around Christmas time - this cake is going to be laced with booze.

It take about 4 and half hours on a low temperature to cook. And preparation time starts at least 12 hours earlier when you soak all your fruit in brandy. I put mine in the oven last night before we went out and returned to the house full of those lovely spicy Christmassy smells. I even had that smell on waking this morning. A bit like when I do the festive ham and boil it for a couple of hours or so.

Anyway, the upshot of starting the cake is that I also need to start thinking about Christmas. I have had emails and phone calls from family asking what we want. The main problem being Jonny who is SO hard to buy for. As we are away this year it also feels like I need to start getting organised a little earlier. Christmas cards and wrapping paper have been bought. Is it worth sending any given the post issue? Whatever. Send them anyway.

I love Christmas. I'm ok with cold weather and getting dark early up until then. And I like the preparation and the project of it all. And this year I am going to be in Bethlehem. Now it doesn't get much more Christmassy than that.

Last Chance to See

We finally got around to watching the Stephen Fry programme on blue whales this week. Absolutely loved it. He basically did the very same route that we did earlier this year, around the peninsula of Baja California in Mexico. I think he may well have been there the same time as us as there was definitely a BBC crew filming in the Sea of Cortez when we were there. The programme is firmly on "Keep" on our sky plus box and think we will be buying it on DVD if it becomes available as it is such good footage of what we did and saw. From touching grey whales to watching breaching humpbacks and getting as emotional as Stephen Fry when you get to see blue whales, it brought back amazing memories. Blue whales are on average 100 ft long, and the largest mammal ever to live on our planet. Yes that's right - even bigger than the dinosaurs. To see these creatures in their natural environment, and one of such beauty, is a truly humbling and incredible experience.

During the programme he comments that a photograph of a blue whale fluke is like the holy grail of whale photography. Well Stephen, looking at my hard drive here I am spoilt for choice... but here are a couple of my best shots:

I know I am not about to win travel photographer of the year, our friend Jules has already done that, but I was pretty pleased with these. Here's praying it wasn't really my last chance to see, but I know I am truly blessed to have seen them at all. They really are amazing.

Blue Whales: Baja

I am going to be watching the "Last Chance to See" Stephen Fry documentary this evening. It's on Blue Whales. If you had asked me 5 years ago if I had any interest in whale watching I would have laughed in your face. Geek tastic I would have thought. But then about 5 years ago we visited Iceland for the second time, and we saw blue whales off the north coast of Husavik. Absolutely breathtaking. I have never been on safari, but I can only imagine it must be similar to seeing a leopard or lion in the wild for the first time.

Some people on out trip took some video footage. This features me touching the grey whales (purple jacket and beige hat - yes I know what a good holiday look.) And the humpbacks and blue whales we saw. This goes down as one of my best holidays ever:

Barcelona Eating and Drinking

So as often is the case, my experience of any city is all about the food. I knew I liked Tapas. But beyond that, not too sure what to expect other than possibly the odd paella. And I guess in a weekend it is hard to venture much beyond that with only a few meals to be had.

We ate an amazing paella on the first night. I guess thanks are due to my brother in law and Jonny for their "research" whilst the rest of us took a siesta...I'm sure that was more than one beer you had and we won't mention the hubbly bubble (oh I just did - oops.) I have never seen a paella dish so large - a six person dish was bought to the table. Great fresh seafood as you would hope from a port. I think my homework is to learn how to make a good paella.

Early evening on the Friday prior to this, my sister in law and I decide a sit down on the Ramblas is probably a good idea - we had been walking quite a bit due to navigation failure to find the metro stops. The boys decide to get a beer. I consider a coke but when in Spain, it seemed wrong not to have a small sangrea. This is what turned up:

So much for a small tipple. Jonny was not disappointed with his beer:

And a quick pit stop turned into a 2 hour people watching stop on Le Ramblas where I saw a naked man riding a bicycle and we also saw hens and stags and all sorts. I seem to remember a good football quiz too. Lots of laughter was had.

I struggled slightly on with the eating at midnight culture, but I guess the one advantage is that I was absolutely starving on the Saturday night and we destroyed a large amount on Tapas between us, which was very good indeed after the not very good sandwich we had eaten for lunch.

For those younger than us, or not with their wives maybe, there is an all night drinking and clubbing culture in this city that passed me by. I can see, however, why it is so popular for stag parties. I thought this may mean a culture weekend maybe somewhat marred by beery lads etc but I wouldn't let that put you off. This city has so much to offer beyond being stag do central.

We finish our visit with a long brunch down by the marina near our hotel. It is about 30 degrees, not a cloud in sight, and we relax and breath in the pleasure of being somewhere so warm and relaxed during mid October. One last beer for the boys at Placa de L'Angel and it is time to head for the airport. In short, good food and drink seems to flow endlessly in this place, and with the relaxed pace of life for a weekend, the two seem to go hand in hand. Gracies.

Gaudi greats - Barcelona

One of the main reasons for wanting to go to this city was to see some of the history, and some of the Gaudi. I knew very little about Gaudi but knew that Barcelona was the place to see his work. So, Saturday was a Gaudi sightseeing day.

We start off with the most famous of Gaudi's work - the Sagrada Familia (left)Wow, I guess this goes with something that has to be seen to be believed. It is totally packed with symbolism inspired by nature and the Gospels. Amazingly this place is still not finished, despite Gaudi living on site for 14 years. He now rests buried in the crypt. Work started in 1883, and stopped during the Civil War. Only in the 1950's did work reconvene, and it now funded by the public. There is so much detail and contrast in this building. We enter on the passion facade (below left) which is fairly clean lined and modernistic, pass through the centre (below centre) which is still under construction (and looks like it) and depart through the nativity facade (below right), which is smothered in Gaudi style imagery. We didn't take the lift up the tower - a bit of a tourist con we felt, an additional 15 Euros once you are in, and a 90 minute wait. We were, however, totally taken with the church and a visit I would say is essential to any visit to this city, although stag parties would probably disagree.

Having started with the great Sagrada Familia, we had less energy to tour in as much detail some of his other great works. We enjoyed however stopping and taking them in - they are nestled amongst other buildings in this Eixample area of the city. Having got the gist of his work - no straight lines, inspired by nature, and completely different to anything I have seen elsewhere, they are amazing, even to the architecturally untrained eye like mine. Casa Batllo below left and Casa Terrades below right.

Hotel Arts - Barcelona

We stayed at this hotel during our weekend away. It is a 5 star hotel in the Villa Olympic area of the city - in the old port area that was redeveloped for the Olympics. The only reason we were staying in this hotel is because Jon got us a very good deal through his work for a corporate rate. Otherwise I guess we may have been in the travel lodge.

The hotel is an impressive and modern structure that shoots up on the landscape in the otherwise flat part of the city. It is 30 floors high, and is pretty impressive in terms of the scale of it. Its landmark characteristic, however, is the huge whale like structure at the front of the building which is kind of pale up close but from a distance the sunshine reflects an image of a golden whale rising against the beach front setting.

We stay on the 26th floor and the views are incredible. Depending which side of the hotel your room is will obviously determine your room. My in laws for example have great views out of the city behind the hotel and the famous Gaudi Sagrada Familia but no sea view, whilst our view is out across the harbour and the beach, out into the sea.

The room is large, spotless and luxurious. Mattress toppers and Egyptian cotton bed linen makes for an extremely comfy place to sleep and the 3 room marble bathroom is probably the best I have ever experienced in terms of a hotel bathroom. Seriously there is a separate wet room with jets and a watering can style shower head, a separate loo and European loo thing (can't spell bee day??) and a huge bath with double sink top basins. Everything I guess you would hope for and more from a top hotel in Barcelona.

The service is very good. If not slightly annoying. My siesta Saturday early evening was disturbed by a phone call from reception reminding me we were checking out the following day. I think I already knew that.

Aside from the views though, the most memorable part of our stay was the price list of the mini bar. Considering the euro to pound exchange rate is pretty much 1:1 at the moment, it was 10 euros for nuts, a can of coke and 11 for a bottle of sparkling water. My biggest shock though was the candle I found in the cupboard. How nice I thought, I'll use that while I have the longest bath ever in the 3 room bathroom. Good job I found the mini bar list before I took my bath - 45 Euros for the candle!! Suffice to say we didn't eat or drink here, and I didn't use the spa as they didn't even mention the prices on the list. I am sure the Michelin starred restaurant and spa would have been wonderful, had I a spare grand to spend on such luxuries.

Let me not finish on the negative though - here are a couple of shots of the views from our room - nice.

Back from Barcelona

Just back from the 3 days in Barcelona. And can report not a raindrop in sight. Had glorious weather all weekend. So much for the beeb helping me plan my wardrobe requirements with their global forecasts.

Will upload photos and more detailed stuff over next couple of days but in summary:

• Great hotel with amazing views. Extortionate mini bar prices eg 10 Euros for a small jar of almonds? 10 Euros for a Coke?
• Great food (apart from suspect sandwich for lunch on the Saturday)
• Loved all the Gaudi stuff. Totally amazing.
• Lots of fun and laughter with family. They humoured my Starbucks requirements.
• Did pretty well on the Spanish culture of siestas and then eating and drinking sangria at midnight, but all night drinking atmosphere somewhat lost on me
• Bought clothes in Zara. When in Spain and all that.

Now need sleep...

Vancouver Trip

Haven't posted on my blog in an age but have considered it many a time. Always unsure as to how much of my heart I will bear on line - how much detail about my illness I will share, and how much I will regret saying things. However, at 3 am this morning as I lay wide awake due to jetlag from my flight back from Vancouver, I decided there are actually things it may help me to write down at the very least - and some of them very good experiences - so thought I would give it a go again.

So, I start with something amazing. My trip to Vancouver from which I have just returned. This is my second visit to Vancouver and it was a timely and wonderful time. Vancouver is a great city. It has beaches, it has mountains, it has the most amazing sushi I have ever tasted and it is home to one of my oldest and most faithful friends Becky and her lovely hubby Nick. Beck and I were great buddies through sixth form. We shared faith, friendship and fruit pastilles. Since we left school we have not lived in the same city, region and for the last 5 years, even the same country. But I am so glad we kept in touch and that our friendship has been reignited and I share my life with her.

If you ever visit Vancouver my top must sees are:

1. Stanley Park. Hire bikes and cycle the perimeter. I did this last year and is so worth it
   
2. Granville Island. Vancouvers answer to Borough Market. Grab a smoothie and some sushi and sit looking out at downtown Vancouver across the water.


3. Kits beach. Love it.


4. Grouse Mountain. If you are fit walk up. If you are feeling lazy get the cable car up. Choose a fine day - the view are amazing as are the nachos and pitchers of beer at the top.


5. Dove Cove. If I made it into a Kayak so can you - the views of beautiful British Colombia are not to be missed and the outlook from the water incredible


6. Sushi, sushi and more sushi. California rolls to die for. Seriously - the stuff is amazing.
   

This year it was great to spend time a couple of days relaxing in a ciy I love with my dear friends, having "done" a lot of the touristy things last year. To meet some of their friends, and just take in the gift of being able to be there. The main trip of our holiday was the 3 days spent on Vancouver Island. I had longed to visit Vancouver Island for years - likening it in my mind to Prince Edward Island for any fellow Anne of Green Gables fans. (Aside to all kindred spirits)

The forecast was awful. But we were blessed with good weather. We set out early on the Saturday morning, only just made the ferry (by about 2 cars) due to an essential coffee and croissant stop. The crossing over to the Island takes about 2 hours by ferry. Then our drive out to Tofino was about 3 hours. The boys saw a bear en route, the girls missed it. Darn. Before we get to our cabin, we stop off at Long Beach. Just beautiful. We've made it - the trip we had to cancel last year due to my illness was only paused - we made it to Tofino after all. The clouds are deep and stark, the beach endless and I am quiet and thankful as I snap photos.

We stay in a lovely cabin near Chesterman beach. We relax, jump into the hot tub in the rain, and then play card games and get good sleep. The next day the boys hire surf boards and Beck and I go for a lovely walk and spend good time together. We eat great food in the evening and just have a really lovely day.

The highlight in terms of wow factor was the tour Jonny and I took on the Monday. Again defying the forecast, we are blessed with good weather. We take a boat trip out to the hot springs and take in some whale watching on the way. The thrill of seeing one of these amazing creatures in the ocean brings back happy memories of our trip to Baja earlier in the year, but thats another story and maybe another post. We walk on the board walk up to the natural volcanic hot springs. We relax in the hot water and then head back down to the coast. Then we get on a sea plane and fly back to Tofino. I have wanted to go on a sea plane since I saw them when I visited Vancouver last summer. It's amazing - we circle a whale from the sky, and the clear afternoon sun provides perfect conditions to see this coastline in all it's glory.

We get the last ferry back to Vancouver. And on Tuesday we take in more sushi and spend more great time with Beck and Nick. I feel sad to be leaving. I love family, friends and home but am fearful of what news of my health I will return to, and want to cling on to this place and this time. I am so grateful to have the Bans in Van in my life, glad to have yet another wonderful memory to have shared with my husbund and for the opportunity to realise one of my dreams to visit Tofino on Vancouver Island. Let me dwell and remember that and not on the fears, for these days, in these times have been wonderful.