We’ve had an absolutely superb weekend. Cranking sun, loving company and a drive to an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty- everything Bodra and I have been craving all Summer. Dewi had told me she wanted to visit Durdle Door, a natural limestone arch along the Jurassic Coast, so of course I was keen to join her. On Friday night Ez & Kim came to stay the night with us and shared some yummy caramel cheesecake with us. In the morning Dewi picked us up and drove to West Lulworth in Dorset, South England.
We hit quite a bit of traffic getting down to the coast- obviously not the only sun revellers with the bright idea of going to the beach. There appeared to be a Harley Convention nearby as traffic was halted whilst hundreds of Harley’s rumbled past in the opposite direction, with their own police escort. But the drive was very enjoyable as we got a good view of Autumn’s colourful change to the flora.
Many others were out and about with their family and canine friends. The initial hike towards Durdle Door was fairly challenging as we trooped up a long incline. We rewarded ourselves once we got to the top with a slice of my deliciously tangy Lemon Drizzle Cake. Then we continued down to the coast, following steep skinny steps and soon beheld Durdle Door.
The beach was relatively uncrowded and fairly litter free. Kim, Dewi and I soon had our feet bare and trousers rolled up, and the very cold English Channel lapped against our legs. The coast has many pebbles so as the waves drew back we could hear the soothing rain-stick like sound. Dewi fossicked about for a fossil but the only relic we found was Durdle Door, which looks rather like a Brontosaurus dipping it’s long neck into the English Channel. A couple off guys entertained us by climbing it part way and leaping into the water.
We walked back along the coast towards Lulworth Cove, through Man of War Bay which had even less sunbathers but was just as beautiful. We crossed into the park-lands and passed a few secluded homes which have highly privileged views of the English Channel. Into West Lulworth village we stopped at a Marshfield ice cream kiosk to fill up on ice-cream (A two-scoop waffle cone with Kirsch and Black Cherry and Cointreau and Orange), then we carried down to the Cove.
The coast line here wasn’t as pretty as the previous bays, as it was covered with grey sand and larger rocks, and the cove moored a couple dozen boats, dirtying the view for me. I felt pretty blasé about the natural horseshoe-shaped harbour, so we moved on to an nearby artist who was painting scallop shells and rocks. I chose a rock which had the poem “The Flint” by Christina Rosetti painted ever so delicately onto it’s surface.
We made one last stop at a sweetie shop where I acquired some fudge, then Dewi drove us home again. On Sunday Bodra and I walked over to the Caversham Court Gardens by St Peter’s Church. These gardens have been renovated so it was a real pleasure to finally see the finished product. The Thames had a canoe race day so we sat in the sun watching the competitors paddle up and down the river.
& to top off our superb weekend, Ez and Kim treated us to a delicous Galler treat from their trip to Brussels- Kaori. Here’s a video showing you what it’s all about… very unique!
I’m in Knutsford! I’ve spontaneously joined Bodra on his business trip, leaping at the mention of a jacuzzi. It’s actually just a regular bath with jets installed down the long sides, but still, it will be fun to enjoy that later. We’re staying at Mere Court, in the elegantly decorated Chatsworth room. From the windows I can see a tree-lined pond which looks like it has been fed with charcoal. A fairly serene vista…
There has recently been a really strong wind, drying and blowing off many green Maple leaves on the trees around Caversham. As I was fighting the wind on my way back home last week, I realised that this meant Summer was really coming to an end. We’ve nearly had all the Summer festivals- Glastonbury in June, The Secret Garden in July, and August completely crammed with them! The Big Chill at the beginning, One Love in the middle, V Festival just after, the Reading and Leeds Carling Weekend Festivals at the end of August, as well as the Notting Hill Carnival! Just Bestival to go this weekend. Of course, Bodra and I didn’t attend any of these- I’m afraid I’m not really up with the play with music these days but I don’t feel like we missed out on anything.
Just this weekend I noticed the leaves on the maples outside our apartment taking on an orange hue and becoming rather limp. It’s a little bit depressing when these changes happen, because you know it could only be a matter of weeks and then the leaves will let go of their birth place, releasing to the ground and the wind. Soon we will be left with skeleton trees and the overwhelming presence of the continuously grey and cloudy sky. But at least we get to enjoy the colourful changes in the foliage.
SO! With Winter on the way, you have to work that much harder at ensuring you have things to look forward to! Of course, we have plenty of those, the top one being our wee visit to NZ in Feb/Mar. A new event has appeared on my calendar this morning in the form of a visit from my friend Logan in October. We may be able to join him in a trip to Paris- yahoo!!
Presently Bodra and I are hunting for a new abode. A change of scenery will be refreshing, especially if we find a place that is quiet. I have been looking for the past two weeks- we have two months to go before we need to leave our current apartment. Thus far we have found a pretty great place- it has a small private yard, large bathroom and two double bedrooms- and we have asked the Landlord to make some changes and received a positive response. My only issue is the location as it is near a main road, but it may be far enough down the road that this isn’t a noisy issue. If we end up at this place we will have crossed off each area of Reading, as it is in the South, about a two mile walk from where we now live.
Since my last entry there has been a fair bit of tripping about. We went to a HOMmega dance event at Matter and saw Astrix and Xerox and Illumination. Matter is a great venue, quick coat check, clean loos, generally smoke free, and from the balcony I had heaps of room to dance and still see everything that was going on. Would definitely like to go there again- hopefully when they have the Sky Bridge open.
The following Monday I joined my friend David in Dublin. We first visited St Stephen’s Green and Trinity College, and in the evening we moseyed around Temple. We perused the many bars and pubs, like the Leftbank Bar and Porterhouse, giving attention to our aural and taste senses. It didn’t take me long to tire of Guinness, so I tried some Wrasslers and discovered I am neither keen on stout. The Irish music wasn’t really doing it for me either, nor the covers band. Luckily I had great company and (not so luckily) in the morning a great hangover…
Late on Tuesday morning we stumbled out of our bunks and caught a long, rattly bus ride to Powerscourt Gardens. We had an average lunch in Enniskerry where the bus had dropped us off (cold quiche and flacid salad), then walked up to the gardens which are situated with Sugar Loaf mountain in the background.
My guidebook had suggested it was a not-to-miss attraction and I was quite intrigued by the story of the architect who in the 1840’s created the Italian Garden. Daniel Robertson suffered from gout so whilst directing the work he got about the gardens in a wheelbarrow, fueling himself with a bottle of sherry. Once the bottle was drained, work would be finished for the day. The gardens didn’t show any sign of inebriation- a series of pristine terraces, marble and bronze statues including winged horses by the Triton Lake, and lots of flower beds. David and I inhaled the scents in the rose garden, then wandered through the walled herbaceous gardens. We soon found ourselves at the pets cemetery, a large slope bedecked with dozens of formal headstones, marking the resting place of the Wingfield and Slazenger families loved pets. I didn’t think it was appropriate to take pictures but it did seem like a bit of an oddity. Around the next corner came the Japanese Gardens which included a beautiful moss-covered grotto.
That evening Paul and Bodra enjoyed rocking out to Pearl Jam at the O2 arena (jealous!). David and I tried to visit the Guinness Storehouse but they were closed for a private event. Luckily we scored free tickets so we returned the next morning, quickly scampering up the seven floors to enjoy the view and our pint of Guinness (kak). We had clear skys and a beautiful view of Dublin.
Next stop was the airport where we picked up a car. David drove us up to Northern Ireland where we discovered the currency changes back to British Pounds. Our afternoon bar man in Dundrum conveyed this to us with a pinch of attitude, but how were we to know? They must get this mistake quite a bit from tourists, which I guess could make a Northern Irish person feel somewhat insignificant.
Belfast didn’t impress us all too much. The weather was rubbish, we struck one way roads in our search for backpackers (we begrudgingly ended up at the somewhat unsavoury Linen House) when David made the unpleasant discovery that his passport wasn’t where it should be (he may still be in Ireland as I type this). Luckily we only needed one passport to check in to a room, so we ditched our bags and began assaulting Belfasts pubs.
We first tackled David’s passport sorrow in a skoddy bar showing horse races on the telly. There was a very drunk New Zealander at the bar there, talking to anyone who met his eye and making very cringe-worthy conversation. Fearing that he would zone in on our accents, we silently downed our drinks like our life depended on it, then swiftly made our way to the next watering hole. Fibber Magees, “a spit and sawdust bar, packed to the rafters with old Irish artefacts” where I tried some Powers whiskey; not bad given that I care not for spirits. Then David and I journeyed upstairs to Robinson’s Bistro for dinner and chardonnay. We found one more pub after that, down a pedestrian only alleyway, and inside all the walls were covered with memorabilia. The seats seemed tiny to me and the pub was very crowded so we stayed for one drink then returned to our bunks.
I had a horrific time trying to sleep. David soared off into a sozzled dream of blissful ignorance. There were half a dozen people in the dormitory. A few moments into my rest, a man in another bunk at the opposite corner of the room started to snore ferociously. It began sporadically, with a rhythm that would maliciously mislead you into thinking he’d stopped, only to start up again as soon as you had found your peace once more. This soon built up into a routine including thrashing about in his bed and speaking/shouting in tongues. I listened to meditation tracks on my mp3 player for a few hours, but they were unable to dominate over his night terrors. Someone in the dorm next door began thumping the wall- they must’ve been lying right on the other side of his bed- so I diligently got out of my bed and tiptoed over to the guy to sharply prod him out of his nightmares. He stirred quickly and found my face peering at him. I pressed my hands together in prayer and begged him, “I can’t sleep-” he started to pull back his sheets and shuffle over in his single bed murmuring that I could sleep with him- in his dreams!! (On second thought, not, as I wouldn’t want to hear about that!) “No, you are snoring! Please, lie on your side and close your mouth.” He complied and I didn’t hear another peep out of him. All was quiet and soon I found a restful space again… until David let out a snort…
We were out of the backpackers and on the road by 8am. Heading for the coast, we travelled for fifty miles or so to reach Cushendall where we stopped for a measly breakfast of tea, scones and latte. Then back in the car for thirty miles until we were at the Causeway Centre. We walked down a steep path towards the coast, and soon found the hexagonal basalt columns, “Clochán na bhFómharach”. I was really thrilled to be by the sea again, the salty spray, the sound of the waves rolling in and crashing into the rocks and looking out to where the sky meets the sea… all very uplifting for the soul!
We headed back to Dublin, me navigating, Dave trying to re-interpret my instructions. I had thought we’d have plenty of time spare but, after much frustration and confusion with trying to follow their directions to the centre, we only just got to the car hire centre in time. Luckily David kept his cool (I was explosivio) and figured out that actually, we were heading from the North, and their directions applied if you were coming from the South. Or something like that. Unfortunately, Dave’s passport failed to reappear so I left him to tackle the administration woes on his own. & no, I have not heard from him… where are you Dave?
(I just filled my belly with cuisine from the Arboreum Restaurant- Beetroot and Walnut Risotto with Blue Cheese Fritter and Rocket Oil, Curly Kale and Potato Cake with Chive Oil and Parmesan and for dessert, Ginger Nut, Malteaser and Banana Parfait with Banana Crisp. I am disgusted by how distended my belly is, and now I have a headache…)
(Thursday 10th September)
The weekend following my trip to Ireland, Rachael, Bodra and I saw the Peter Pan production at Kensington Gardens. They had set up a Theatre Pavilion and the main stage was in the centre. Visuals were displayed on the tent walls a full 360 degrees, so it felt like we were immersed in the scenery too. When the scene changed, the display would change also. During the flying scenes, the Darling children, Tinkerbell and Peter would attach wires to their waist and be lifted into the air. As they flew from the Darling home to Neverland, the visualisations showed the landmarks of London city, and then crossing the sky until Neverland drew near. They also used a number of puppets, one for Nanna and a few birds which were mostly made of draped cloth, and a gigantic, skeletal Crocodile puppet, whose body was framed with coasthangers and mouth was all covered with wooden pegs for the teeth. It required two puppeteers to operate who scooted on the skateboards which were a part of it’s body. Overall, the production was a really unique experience and very exciting to see how much more can be packed into a play.
After Peter Pan, we joined Paul in the park for a delicious picnic, then travelled over to Kim and Ezra’s. We needed to borrow their tent for the following weekend, and ended up joining them in a nearby pub to celebrate Reuben’s 30th.
The following week started with a wander in Tilehurst with my friend Gavin and his two doggies, and then on Tuesday a dental appointment where I found out that actually, I do have wisdom teeth! Just two so far, but I will be looking into having them removed. People also began arriving for the Reading Festival, there began a steady stream of backpackers wandering past the apartment, multiple boxes of beer in tow. Bodra had a work trip to Sweden, so I escaped into London on Wednesday to view the the Garden & Cosmos Royal Indian art of Jodphur exhibition at the British National Museum. The collection encompassed 54 paintings created between the 17th and 19th centuries, which had never been displayed in Europe until now, as they were mostly created for the personal pleasure of the rulers of Jodhpur. The art showed the activities between Bakat Singh (the Maharaja) and his royal court, in the lush scenery of the flowering gardens at his desert palace in Nagaur. Further paintings illustrated the great Indian epic poem Ramayana, and the final section attempted to explain metaphysical concepts of the Nath yogis. Kim and Rachael joined me for that and we had quite a relaxing time together, soaking in the lavish and verdant colours of the gardens and meditating on the final paintings.
Then we went over to the Southbank Centre to view another exhibition- Walking In My Mind. It was a complete contrast to the Garden & Cosmos experience. From paintings, we entered ten large scale installations all attempting to give us a walk through of a particular artists imagination. Some were quite phenomenal, one artist (Thomas Hirschhorn) had constructed a cave made of brown packing tape and cardboard which we could walk through. It sprawled into a complex of caves and linking tunnels, where we met piles of soft drink cans, bodies wrapped up in tin foil with wires and simulated dynamite attached, pages of text and stacks of books. Another artist (Yoshitomo Nara) had created a Wendy House which we were able to peek through the windows to see what went on in there- papers covered with cute doodles of cartoons. A few of the other installations were a bit too perverse and self-indulgent so we scooted through those until we came to the top level where Yayoi Kusama had made Mr Blobby-like sculptures covered in red polka dots. Apparently Yayoi has a recurring hallucination of these dots, where she has found herself and all her surroundings covered in them. It was much more soothing than some of the installations we had already seen, but it didn’t surprise me to read later on that Yayoi had chosen to permanently settle in a psychiatric hospital in Tokyo. One of the last installations we viewed, Chiharu Shiota’s, was a room covered with a dense web of threads. We were in awe at the obvious patience this artist has to create this.
We picked Alanna up and then Rachael drove the four of us to my home. Rachael whipped up a delicious taco feast and we spent the evening chatting. The following day we went for a walk to Moor Copse which wasn’t all that exciting, but still nice to be out in nature together!
Bodra returned from Sweden that evening and on Friday morning we escaped from the Reading Festival. Bodra had hired a car and so we had decided to drive up to York, then to the Peak District for a wander and lastly Stockport. On the way North we stopped in a place called Warwick, where we found a gorgeous tea shop, so we bought some yummy tea and a tea set too!
York was ok, we wandered around the wall and into the centre on Saturday. We were a bit disappointed by the Monks chocolate we purchased there, as it had been advertised as award winning, but compared to Puccini’s it was utter rubbish. The Shambles was an interesting street, but there were loads of people around, being Bank weekend, so not much fun being amongst all the shoppers and tourists.
We got to the Peak District that afternoon, set up our tent in this farmers field (£3 per person per night- sweet as!), and then set up a picnic, went for a wander through Youlgreave, then to bed as soon as it was dark- we didn’t have a torch.
Bodra and I spent the Sunday walking a circular track from Youlgrave through to Birchover and Stanton-in-Peak. We used Mark Reid’s book “Walking Weekends Peak District”. It was a fantastic walk as it included areas of interest like stone circles, a hermits cave and Rowtor Rock- another collection of gritstone rocks which had been carved into steps, caves, passageways, seats, rooms and a three seater armchair by Druids. The Hermit’s Cave is about 700 yrs old and has a carving of Jesus on the Tree of Life. It was really cool and beautiful thinking about being back in those times, walking through the countryside where this random monk would pop out of the bushes to preach to you. Mystical Majickal!
We woke early on Monday morning and drove to Stockport. Being a Bank Holiday a couple of the places I wanted to go into- St. Mary’s Church, the Town Hall & the market hall- were all closed for the holiday- d’oh! But I saw my mum’s old street, Carlton Crescent and where her school used to be on Bateson Street, also where her friend Susanne lived at number 24. Bodra and I walked down through Underbank and the town centre and over to the Town Hall. We drove down Lowfield Road and I snapped a picture of 23 where Grandma had lived with her paternal Aunty, and 31 where she had been born in her grandparents home. Lastly we had a grumpy wander through Stockpot Cemetery, grumpy because I wanted to find Jessica Lowe’s headstone for mum, but we couldn’t figure out how the graves had been laid. I will have to revisit one day so I can visit her.
September is the month of birthdays!! On Thursday 3rd September Kowhai turned 13 and Bodra turned 30. To celebrate I bought Bodra some L&P which he was very delighted with. The previous day I had made the pleasant discovery that Reading now has a supplier of Tim tams, Rashuns, L&P and Peppermint Chews. Very exciting! There is a fantastic lolly shop in Harrison Arcade which stocks these treats, as well as loads of gelatine free sweeties. The proprietor is a very conscientious vegetarian. The sweetie shop happens to be directly opposite the rental agency who we have been having pleasing results with, so sweeties and good tenancy services is a happy combination for us!
On Friday 4th September my brother Shannon turned 34 so I had a lovely chat with him that morning. he gave me some good advice with my wisdom teeth issue- if I’m not feeling any pain, why worry?
This past Saturday Bodra and I journeyed into London to see Tony and Liz. They drove us to Hilary and Martin’s home where we met their baby boy Alexander, he is a gorgeous drooler. I still don’t really know what to do with a baby though- hold them, smile and gaze all google-eyed in adoration! Roger was also there so we had a great time catching up with family.
Later that evening we went out for Bodra’s birthday dinner at a Japanese restaurant called Abeno where they serve Okonomi-Yaki, a pancake styled dish which is prepared and cooked on a hot plate at your table. It was a very delicious meal. Rachael and Paul bought Bodra an “Attack of the Clones” styled birthday cake, decorated with a Storm Trooper.
On Sunday we went out to the movies to see District 9. Bodra and I are in agreement in that this is our top movie so far this year. The effects were absolutely brilliant and the story was fast-paced and enthralling. I just love going to a movie where you don’t recognise any of the actors or actresses too, everyone just seems to be so much more believeable.
Yesterday, on our way back from Knutsford, we stopped in the walled city of Chester for a half an hour wander around. We were suitably impressed by the architecture and the multi-levelled shopping galleries. Not impressed with the yucky pea-infested pasty however…
Mum and Dad will be having their wedding anniversary on Saturday, not sure what number they are up to, maybe 39? Hemi and Te Aue will be 12 on Monday, and Bodra’s daddy Michael will be 71 on Tuesday. A couple of my friends will also be having their 30th birthdays this month too- Jen and Ben!
A look into our future activities: thanks to a couple experience vouchers which Bodra received for his birthday, Bodra will be having a go at Falconry (thanks Kim and Ez!) and also driving a TVR (thanks Paul and Rach!). Very exciting! On Saturday the 26th, Dewi will be taking Kim, Ez and us for a coastal walk along the white cliffs of Dorset where we will see Durdle Door, a limestone arch, and White Nothe a white headland where we may find a fossil.
In October on the 2nd we will be seeing The Black Seeds (yay!) and on the second weekend of October I will be joining Kim, Nik and Dawn on a Glass Blowing course. On the same weekend, Logan will be joining our land for a few weeks and hopefully Bodra and I will be able to join him on a swift trip to Paris.
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