foraging

Foraging trip near Dundar followed by dinner with the ingredients we foraged at Wedgewood.

 

Reston

We were sad to leave Portland and even sadder on the flight over night to Washington DC, via Newark. The overnight flight was hell. The seats didn't recline at all, the flight was packed, and the guy sitting next to me liked to spread out. Plus I wasn't felling very well (my stomach problems were back) so I felt violently sick all night. 

The flight from Newark to Washington was short and the views were nice, which thankfully, along with the use of headphones, helped to ignore the demon child on the plane, who screamed blue murder the entire flight. His parents didn't helping, getting out of their seats frequently to try to do something about him, including when the plane was attempting to take off. 

Leaving Newark

Approaching DC.

When we got there, we begged the lovely lady at the hotel to let us into our rooms early, which she did. I got an hours rest, unpacked (my suitcase made the trip successful this time) and a little nap, before we headed out to Reston. We were staying near Dulles airport, in Reston VA where our offices are located. First thing we found somewhere to eat. The lady at the desk has suggested somewhere to eat and even given us some vouchers. So we started with Mimosas.

Mimosa.

Then we ordered a seafood feast. I also convinced Demi to try Biscuits and gravy. She said it wasn't too bad but was not impressed. My tuna was amazing.

We had a wonder around Reston to find a supermarket and a bit of shopping. Reston is weird, like a gated planned community sort of weird. But it was very clean and it seems like pedestrians have right of way, which is almost unheard of in the US.

We need up back at the hotel for early nights as we at work the next day, so I enjoyed my treats from the supermarket and watched US netflix, which is so much better than the UK one. I miss it already.

Quick trip home

Last weekend I took a day off and took a trip home. On the Thursday I went home via Adriennes and got cuddles from the baby, who is the cutest thing I have seen in a long time. Such a sweetie pie! And got to download my brain to Adrienne which was a relief. 

On the Friday I went for lunch with dad and then a walk along the the railway walk and chat. But I didn't take any photos.

The main reason for going home (other than just because) as to cook super, 4 course meal on the Saturday (with wine pairings of course). The idea was to have a dinner party for my Aunt and Uncle (who ask my parents about this on a regular basis) but they were on holiday. Again. So my mom and dad, sister and brother-in-law got to enjoy it all to themselves instead. 

The meal went well (I love Mary Berry recipes) and Kerry and Craig brought some fireworks for after. They were a mix bag, I have to admit. Maybe I just just easier to impress as a kid, but the standard does seem to have dropped. And they was no Katherine Wheels, my favourite (obviously). 

But they did have sparklers.

Someone dropped it!

All gone.

About as high as it got.

I stayed back to start with because, you know, explosives! But it became apparent they they really weren't all that dangerous so I got some closer photos.

Finally some colour

Final one was a good one.

But we did have enough sparklers for one last one. Who doesn't enjoy a sparkler?

Fancy meal

A couple of weeks ago I meet my old boss from America and we caught over a meal in central London. The restaurant, Archipelago, was amazing! The menu is the exotic and very cool. For my main I have crocodile curry (I was tempted by the Kangaroo though). And for dessert I had to try the chocolate cover scorpions. 

Yes they were actual scorpions and they were crunchy and really tasting. I highly recommend. (And if anyone is London wants to go for a cool meal, I am totally ready for another lot.)

And very nice decor.

Christmas Number 2

Because Kerry and Craig were away for Christmas, skiing, we had a second Christmas day on New Years Eve over at their house.  

Starting to cooking with a drink.

We had the full deal again, which was great, this time completed with Bucks Fizz. Kerry and Craig had been looking forward to this as their Bulgarian Christmas dinner was BBQ.

Enjoying another Christmas dinner

After dinner and a film (where most of us stayed awake), we moved onto the board games. We played the Logo game which was played last year and I lost miserably. This year I won!!! I have no idea how. It was a lot of fun and laughs, especially as my sister can give the best (and worse) clues.

Questions.

Dad doesn't know.

Snacks?

In the winning circle.

I spent a lot of time playing with the cats. Holly was on my lap within 10 mins of me getting into the house, and spent a good deal of time there which was fine with me. She loves having her belly rubbed, so she is odd for a cat. But I only got one photo of her as she was on my lap most of the time.

Holly cuddles.

Harley was more content to pose for photos, and preferred a good back scratch while walking away from you. Then coming back indignant when you don't get up and follow her to keep scratching her back. And then repeating this for ever! 

Harley.

Poser!

We spent the night (me on the squeakiest airbed I have ever heard) and I drove back on New Year's Day. As most where still hungover at this point, the drive back was uneventful and I get back in record time. :)

Christmas

Christmas was pretty quiet with just me, mom and dad. We had a lovely dinner and shilled out.

Tree!

Mom is not impressed with her book 

Every year dad buys mom a book. One he is certain she will not like and not want to read. (No one is entirely sure why.) He is very disappointed when she does like it. This year, with his Vera Lynn biography, he was not disappointed.

Christmas drinks.

The spread.

Merry Christmas.

Cambrils

We had a lazy Thursday after our busy day in Barcelona but as usual I was awake early. So after breakfast I decided to head to the beach for a few hours while Caroline was asleep.

Empty.

I was also very bad and had a Pain au Chocolat. Which I really shouldn't eat but apparently the Canaries are much better for GF than mainland. So why not just enjoy if I was going to suffer anyway? And it was amazing!

We spent the rest of the day by the pool after lunch. And then walked along the waterfront to Cambrils which is supposedly 30 mins walk away. We got about 10 mins in before we decided we deserved a break!

The life.

We finished the walk into the town. But my feet were not happy with me again by the end.

Fishermen

Creepy.

We did a bit of shopping and had a look around. We should have walked there before as there were a lot more places to eat. We finally found somewhere that did vegetarian (Spain is even worse for no meat than no gluten!). And sold seafood! It looked a lot smaller on the image in the menu!