Country Pursuits

Sonning Common is not a traditionally pretty village.  But it is very well placed in a lovely part of England, on the edges of Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Berkshire.  At the end of July it is particularly beautiful as there are flowers and trees in bloom, the fields are green and alive, and the hedgerows are fragrant and dense.  Red kites screech as they fly overhead, their forked tails used like rudders as they ride the thermal air pockets. 

The countryside invites many pursuits - riding, cycling, walking, etc. - and of course Flower Watching.

To be a flower watcher you need to be willing to gather together and drive to a particularly rare and beautiful field of poppies at their prime. 

Or daisies, or cow parsley- it doesn't really matter which as long as it's a big field and in full bloom.

You must also walk within the fields looking at the blooms individually.

Another method of flower watching includes photographing the field and/or individual blooms.

 Of course you could get a little carried away with this.

Sometimes it's just nice to mess about with friends and record the moment.

I find it hugely heartening to know that there are people in this world who still appreciate the beauty of a blossom, and their impact in numbers.

In Which Gillian Makes Summer Puddng in a New Way

Our good friend Gillian decided to host a best of British meal in honour of our visit and the Olympic games.  The Pimms was ready,

The table was set,

The decor was festive,

There were British games at the ready,

The guest list was impressive,

And what is more English than a pine sideboard filled with Bridgewater pottery?

She had mini pork pies and scotch eggs and sausage rolls,

and Ian managed the BBQ - sausages and burgers and chicken kebabs - very English!

and for dessert Gillian made summer pudding.

Have any of you had summer pudding?  When I was living in England in the 80s I was still in the throes of English romanticism and thought nothing sounded lovelier than summer pudding.  I never saw it on any menu, so one day when I had invited friends round for high tea I made it.  It turned out perfectly and I got a lot of praise for it. 

I have never eaten it again.

Why?  Well, it's nothing more than soggy bread and berries.  Sorry, that sounds harsh.  But  can anyone really get excited about soggy bread and berries?

But it's been a long time and she had a new version of it so I put my old prejudices away and watched her make it.

First, you cut off the crusts of square cut thinly sliced white bread. 

Then you soak these in the juices of a variety of summer berries (e.g., strawberries, raspberries, currants, blueberries, blackberries).  Line a tin with one layer of bread slices. 

Add a layer of the summer berries, then more bread, more berries and more bread.

  Then pour the last of the juices on to and press it down firmly. 

Let it sit a day or so, then turn it out on a platter.

It was a gorgeous looking thing and all the berries were wonderful all together.
 

  But in the end, it's still just soggy bread to me

Ready for the Games

The 2012 Olympic Games are upon us.  With the opening ceremonies only hours away, everything is ready to go.

Training is of course is crucial.  Physically,

and also psychologically when dealing wth a particularly tough component. 

Diet of course is also important.

First to arrive are the Royal family and other VIPs.:
British diver Tom Daly

the Queen and Prince Philip

even Camilla with a Pimm's

But the one athlete everyone really wants to see of course is Usaine Bolt.

Let the Games Commence!

Paris - Act 5

July 25, 2012

*Ordered breakfast brought to room to eat on balcony, hot already,

*Market for lovely things

*Shopping for bits to take back

*last meander around our ‘hood

*snack on balcony one last time, pack up, say goodbye to our lovely little room and hotel, took the metro to Gare du Nord. 

Voila!

Paris - Act 4

July 24, 2012

*Versailles (OMG!!!) so opulent!

*walked all day in full sunshine and 30+ temperatures and saw about 1/3 of it, particularly loved Marie Antoinette's very twee hamlet, and Portugese artist Joana Vasconcelos's avant garde and whimsical modern art instalations - note stiletto shoes are made completely of saucepans and saucepan lids, vase thing behind Martin is made of blue champagne bottles, helicopter is a real helicopter covered with ostrich feathers and rhinestones

*rest

*concert (Vivaldi 4 Seasons, Pachabel’s Canon, etc.) in St. Chapelle, despite audience taking photographs throughout and clapping after every movement which interrupted musicians flow but they were very gracious about it, despite this it was lovely to hear such familiar music played well and in such a setting, Rose Window bathed in gold with setting sun, the rest like a jewel box on fire with rubies and sapphires and emeralds and gold

*rest again until cool enough to sit out

*champagne at local street brasserie that allows us to see Eiffel tower one way and Pantheon other way, Eiffel tower all sparkling just before night lights come on, Pantheon glowering and moody against lapis sky, am loving these evenings warm enough to sit out without a sweater. 

Paris - Act 3

July 23, 2012

*Breakfast in hotel basement cave

*St. Chapelle

*Conciergeries

*shopping

*boulengerie

*rest with rather enormous picnic on our balcony

*Luxembourg gardens again (but this time earlier )

*Eiffel tower til dusk