Livin' On A Prayer

Today it has been hot, hot, hot.  Good job too because Ala and I were out in the open air rocking out to Bon Jovi.  It would have been terrible if we would have had the British Summer that we've been having so far... rain.

With it being Ala's first concert, her excitement had us stood in the queues waiting for the doors to open at 4pm.  As we didn't have seats I thought her reasoning was to get a good standing position in front of the stage.  It was only when we got to Aston Villa Football Club that I realised that she thought Bon Jovi was going to start his show straight after the doors had opened.  She was a little deflated when she found out that we had a 4 hour wait ahead of us.

The atmosphere at the concert was incredible.  People dancing and singing along with Bon Jovi.  I realised that I actually didn't know the titles of any of his songs, but as soon as the music started the lyrics just came to me.  Ala kept saying I hope he sings 'Always'.  It was only when he started singing that I knew what song she was referring to.

As with any concert there is always some drama to add to the entertainment.  This concert was no exception; we had a short and super drunk couple who thought it would be funny to throw their drinks in the air, giving nearby bystanders an alcohol shower and then trying to push their way to the front because they were too short to be able to see anything.  In the end they got heavy lifted out by 3 burly security men to open cheers from all that were there to witness.

His best song is still Livin' On A Prayer for me.  And I'm amazed that despite his age he can still rock it and was able to do a set that was 3 hours straight.  Kudos to the man.

Awesome show Bon Jovi.

Come Dine With Me (Part 1 of 4)

The idea that we should do a series of "Come Dine With Me Dinners" was a discussion that we girls had when we were together for our weekend in Bristol earlier this year.  But this was just pillow talk at the time.

Then came the mysterious parcel in May from the Duchess of Hanwell (a.k.a Bing).  At the time I put it down to another random activity spawned by Bing (after all it is how she got her nickname), but then the light bulb in my brain flickered on... ahhhh... she's put our ramblings into action...

Well today was the day.  I was the first to arrive, on time for a change.  But I had the incentive of being guest and crew... Oh yes the event was filmed in a "Come Dine With Me" fashion, except there was no filming of the prep and no sarcastic commentator doing the voice over.

Well maybe there is something that can be done when I do the final edit of the video.  I'm sure there would be people who would jump at the opportunity to do the voice over.

As you can tell by the place cards it was a posh affair and we each had our titles to fit in with Bing's theme of Aristocracy.  I don't want to ruin the final video so no editor cuts here of the judges thoughts on the food etc... until we have had the last dinner.  But I will leave you with pictures of the food to feed your appetite and to make your own decision on what score to give.  Remember marks out of 10.

Hors D'Oeuvres:

Sparkling wine (with Chambord liquor and cherries),Thai chilli crisps, Salmon Blini's, Parmesan Puff Pastries

Starter:

Crispy poached egg with Parma Ham and Evesham Vale Asparagus

Entree:
Pan-fried duck breast with seasonal vegetables and dauphinoise potatoes

Dessert:

Chocolate creme with coconut ice cream and raspberries with a chocolate tulle

Petit Fours:
Strawberries and Cream Macarons, Chocolate truffles with choice of tea or coffee

Goody Bag:
Wine and bag for the Petit Fours because we were too stuffed to eat any more

Next up is Amee.  Best of luck.
x

Chilli Vodka

Chilli Vodka is like Marmite.  You either love it or hate it.  I'm in the love category.  The only one out of the Hen Party that seemed to see it as pleasure rather than pain.

The Chilli Vodka was penance for 'wrong doing' on our cocktail course.  However, I won't elaborate on the 'wrong doing' as I would be breaking the cardinal rule of any Hen Do; 'What happens on tour, stays on tour'.

Apart from the Chilli Vodka (for me), the best part of the cocktail course was the pyrotechnics.  Thinking back I'm a bit surprised at the mix of alcohol and flames, but it seemed a great idea at the time.

The best pyrotechnic was during the making of the 'White Russian'.  Luckily this one was done by the sober one in the group, setting the cocoa powder alight into a ball of flames as it dusted the surface of the drink.

An awesome weekend girls.
x

Legally Bound

Today one of my dearest friends, Colibobbles, got 'legally bound' to his lovely partner Kevin.  It was a much anticipated and beautiful ceremony.

As with all weddings of good friends, I always get a little choked up when the vows are exchanged.  Even with the Registrar trying to pack the word legal with all it's pre-fixes and suffixes into every sentence, the words were still emotional; you could hear how much it meant to them to be able to say these words to each other in front of all their friends and family.  

There wasn't a dry eye in sight and even though the Registrar ended with 'You are now Legally Bound to each other' instead of the usual 'You may now kiss the Groom', the ceremony still ended with their first kiss as Husband and Husband.

The venue of the wedding was in Chester at the Grosvenor Hotel; A beautiful venue, with lovely scenery, which coupled with blue skies, the shining sun and romantic music being played on violins, it was a stunning and romantic backdrop for this wedding.

We got to enjoy the scenery after the ceremony as we mingled, ate Canape's and washed it down with the boys' drink of choice; tasty Sangria.

The wedding breakfast also has to get a mention as no joke, the Yorkshire Pudding that sat proudly on top of my Roast Beef was as big as my face.

A beautiful wedding.  Congratulations!  I'm so happy for you both and I hope that you both enjoy a lifetime of happiness together.

The Duchess of Hanwell

Today I arrived home to an unusual shaped package sitting outside my front door.  My brain does a quick check on whether I had ordered anything online and I realise the answer to the question is 'No'.  Was I expecting anyone to send me anything? 'No'.  I pick up the parcel to see my name on it and give it a shake only to find it is as light as a feather.  Intriguing.

I open it up to find a satin finished yellowy-cream paper scroll tied with a golden ribbon.

I untie the scroll and I realise I have received a dinner invitation from The Duchess of Hanwell (a.k.a Bing - sorry to ruin the mystery) for Cocktails and Hors d'Oeurves followed by an aristocratic dinner.

We were all told weeks ago to hold the 7th June free, but Bing wouldn't elude to what.  So dinner it is, but the question on the aristocracy of it all still eludes me.  What has this mysterious woman got up her sleeve and what is the reason behind the event?

At the bottom of the invite it states that 'Guests are invited to adopt an aristocratic title of their choice for the evening and to inform the hostess of any special dietary requirements'...

...Well Duchess of Hanwell, please consider this as my RSVP for the evening and I can confirm that I have no dietary requirements.

Yours Truly,

Lady Ruby of Jewellery Quarters

P.S. The menu looks divine.

Glastonbury, Donkey Rides and Goodbyes

The sky is blue, the sun is shining and it is practically t-shirt weather.  For my last day on holiday we spent the day in Glastonbury.  It's the first time I've been to this place, but in general it was what I was expecting; a quaint place surrounded by countryside, with the Tor Building looking down on it.

What I wasn't expecting was the hippie culture to be so predominant here.  There were people walking around without shoes, Gandalf look-a-likes sipping coffee outside cafe's, shop after shop selling merchandise promoting witch craft and the like.  There were also a couple of buildings that looked like they housed cults.

It was very interesting and a bit bizarre.  I did feel a bit like a fish out of water and a tourist as 'hippie' is definitely not my style.

The Tor was a trip up to the top of the hill.  During which we said 'Hello Sheep' to the majority of the sheep that were on the banks of the hill.  The sheep seemed to have been sheared in a rather haphazard way as though the farmer couldn't keep hold of them long enough to shear them properly.

At the top of the hill we were rewarded with awesome views and of people doing some unusual 'yoga'.  There was a lot of thrusting action going on that is the only way I can describe it.

The day ended with a re-visit to Weston-Super-Mare beach to maximise on the sun.  To have a play in the sand and another ride on donkey for Princess.

She loved it.  She was shouting 'Nimmie, Cerys, Donkey'  on the return trip back on the Donkey.

I had a great 5 days off.  Many thanks Carters for letting me join.  Miss you and love you very much Princess.  xx