Tsuru Sushi

My new favourite place for sushi.  Absolutely delicious, particularly when washed down with a glass of cold Asahi beer.  

Camper Van!

During one of our Cornish holidays, my little girl and I competed to see who would be the first to spot and yell "camper van" as we drove around the winding coastal roads.  Three years on we still do it, although it also now includes pink cars and pink houses!

Last weekend, we visited the VolksWorld Show expecting to see too many camper vans to count.  We went in just a couple of hours before it finished so it was beginning to slow down but there was still plenty to keep us occupied.  

I was interested in all the colour and the personalisation of the interiors and dashboards, whereas my little girl was more concerned with getting an icecream with sprinkles, having a go on the bouncy castle, watching the skateboarders and nagging for a koinobori, a carp-shaped windsock! 

We spend quite a lot of time in the car each week and there aren't many journeys where we don't yell "camper van" at least once.  

It's no wonder these jolly-looking vehicles are still so popular and earn such devotion from their owners.  What adventures those old ones must have had, what tales they could tell!  If I had one, I would take it to Cornwall .... and beyond!

Line of Duty

from BBC website

Well, answering only 'yes' or 'no', is Lindsay Denton guilty?!  

The final episode of Line of Duty is on tonight and I cannot wait.  Normally, I tape everything and watch it at my leisure but tonight, for the first time in a very long time, I am going to watch this one as it happens.  Like I said, I cannot wait!

UPDATE:  oh Lindsay, Lindsay, Lindsay.....

Snowdrops and Sausages

I think we may have added another specimen to our annual flower visits.  As well as the lavender field and beautiful bluebells, I am sure we will be including the snowdrops at Welford Park in our schedule. 

I have never seen anything like it.  The clumps of white snowdrops amongst the brown crunchy fallen leaves of the beech trees really did look like a carpet of snow.  Just beautiful. Although the effect was a bit lost on one woman who I overheard asking what was the point, as it was just loads of the same thing!

As well as snowdrops, the Park is known for its sausages! We have just had some for breakfast and they were absolutely delicious.  I wish I'd bought more. 

He Was A Beautiful Butterfly

Thanks to Eric Carle, there can't be a child in the land who isn't familiar with the life cycle of the butterfly.  Our British butterflies are beautiful but quite modest, unlike the whoppers that are floating around the hot house at Wisley at the moment.  

This has become an annual event for us and I don't think I will ever get tired of it.  Queuing for ages to get in is tiring though but this year a booking system has been introduced.  Book now if you want to go during half term!

Feed The Birds

We have some bird feeders and wind chimes hanging from a pear tree in our garden. The blue tits have no trouble balancing and gripping the various feeders.  The robins have a go but have to flap their wings furiously whilst they try to peck.  Their easiest option is to just bob around the ground below looking for the bits the blue tits dropped.  

But all that has changed!  My little girl, during one of her many potters around the garden, rearranged the wicker wind chime so that it could become a little perch for the birds while they nibble on the coconut feeder.  

The robins love it but so, unfortunately, do the squirrels!

1940s Housewife

I released my inner 1940s housewife and turned my hand to a bit of make-do-and-mend. 

The cuffs on one of my husband's shirts had become very frayed and, as he is particularly attached to this one, I've had a go at a repair.  

I unpicked the cuffs, turned them over, then machine sewed them back on. It's not brilliant but they should last a few months longer.

Now, where are those socks that needed darning?......