Madrid

I had no real expectations from Madrid, only to catch up with a great friend I don't see often enough and of course a few glasses of sangria. I wasn't disappointed! Perfect days were spent relaxing in Parque de Retiro (for relaxing read eyeing up hot runners, laying out on the lawns to read our books and gossiping over afternoon cervezas in the cafe by the lake), wandering through the beautiful streets and a little retail therapy.

We ticked the boxes for the major sites: El Palacio Real, El Prado Museum and Plaza Mayor. We got ridiculously lost on the first day, turning a twenty minute walk into a two hour mission, proving that despite appearances we are both still very blonde! I loved all the fairy-tale like buildings, the intricate detail that was everywhere you looked and the city's sheer grandeur! 

El Prado

Lovely fairy tale buildings

The Post Office is simply stunning


We basked in the sun, took long siestas, dined late at night in the beautiful square and danced into the wee small hours of the morning ... but we don't need to put up photos of EVERYTHING!! 

In the land of dreaming spires

Here are a few photos from this weekend in Oxford, celebrating Alex's birthday!

Even the graffiti is charming and and polite in Oxford!

Now I look at the photo, I can see where I went wrong on the punting - the pole is meant to be vertical  not horizontal. Luckily we had some punting experts. And the sport of duck catching was also invented!

Lots of lovely long walks in the sunshine by the rivers and canal.

A morning jog along Port Meadow to Inspector Morse's old watering hole.

Look - we ate healthy fruit salad ALL weekend. Not a drop of bubbly or wine passed our lips and I don't know who has been starting rumours about strawberries and clotted cream, cakes, jam and clotted cream, cheese selections or Thai food!

Great commentary overheard by Christ Church College:

" .... and there are four Houses in Hogwarts - Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, Gryffindor and Slytherin." Always good to see people interested in a bit of English history and culture, isn't it!

Psst - want some scandal?

If your life has a NotW shaped hole, then I suggest you take a look at Uganda's Red Pepper . Crammed full of scoops, scandals and sensational stories, this paper is a who's who of 'bonking', 'babes' and 'whoppers' in Uganda. And don't worry about 'phone hacking - they rely on good old fashioned spying and lying to invent their stories ...

This one's for the ladies!

The Deva Divas is an annual women's only triathlon held alongside the River Dee in Chester. You can tell an event doesn't take itself too seriously when the warm up includes a quick burst of 'Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes' and a Mexican wave in the water, which is just aswell considering I had done no training whatsoever. I had expected the weekend catch up with an old friend to involve a lunch and a glass or 3 of wine, rather than a swim, bike and run ... but then again, maybe I should know my friends a little better than that by now!

I survived the 750 m (NOT the advertised 500 m as they couldn't find a decent entry point apparently ) in the bracing 19 degree water and swear that next time I swim in open water it will not be old lady breast stroke. At least I didn't have a Lake Victoria style panic attack - being able to see both sides of the river bank is a definite comfort for a novice open water swimmer! I LOVED the bike section, especially since I flew along on my friend's speedy racer and had a lovely flat, smooth road! As for the run - well a little jelly legged to be honest!

Overall, it's a great event, with many competitors just aiming to achieve a personal goal. Bring it on for next year ... and next time I will remember to untie my bloody shoelaces before the transition!

Getting snappy in the Lakes

Here are a few of my favourite shots from the photography course I did in Keswick last Friday. Obviously the stunning setting helps!

Two slighty different photos of Derwent Water - one in colour, one in B & W. Can't decide which I prefer!

I'm quite chuffed with this picture of Lodore Falls as the camera is in full manual mode and I used a long exposure and small depth of field. Hopefully I will remember all the technical jiggery-pokery next time I see a waterfall. I changed it into B & W afterwards as I think it looks more dramatic!

I love the detail on this foxglove. I won't explain how it appears to be on a plain white background as a magician never reveals her secrets!



Of course, that swan feather just 'happened' to be sitting on the stone on the water! I love the mixture of textures and the reflection on this photo.

I did the course with Maria from Lake District Light - highly recommended for anyone who needs a boost of inspiration or the tecnical know-how to get out of 'Auto'!

In a retro mood!

When I opened the drawer in my old bedroom on Saturday I found an old sewing kit from the '50s and some 'Lingerie Guards', which I imagine is something women used to hold their clothing up in the pre-tit-tape era.

They must have put me in a retro kind of mood, because today, amongst other things, I splashed out on a super-cute green and white candy-striped dress that puts me in mind of my old infant school summer dress (thankfully minus the straw boater with brown and yellow striped ribbon this time!) and a spotty linoleum style handbag.

I actually bought 2 bags - this one sewing inspired!

I also look forward to playing the game of Twister I picked up in a charity shop for 3 quid - all in tact, with the old design on the box. Who's in?

Half holiday!

It's been wind down week in school. A week of cleaning out cupboards, tying up loose ends and sneaking off for long lunches with friends and colleagues. Who knew that whilst we're beavering away in school, being lucky if we have time to shovel in a quick sandwich, that the Kampala coffee shops are buzzing with the office workers, NGO workers and all the ladies who lunch?

I've decided that I'm on half holiday. I treated myself to manicures and pedicures and a facial. After all, these are treats that I can't afford once I go home. The salon, incidentally, was full of teachers doing exactly the same thing!

So now I am rested and ready to go home for the summer. I'm only taking home the bare minimum, so I can shop till I drop! I'm looking forward to catching up with friends and family and having a little peace and quiet, away from the barking dogs and the loud parties that keep me awake at night. Hopefully I can squeeze just a little Ugandan sunshine in my suitcase though!