Still catching up

Back in April, and somewhat unusually, we turned right instead of left and headed north on the A19 for an overnight stay in Northumberland.

First stop was Hexham for a browse in the shops (spotting a face off the telly in one) and some quiet time taking in the splendour of Hexham Abbey.

Then it was time to check in at our hotel, a coaching inn/country pub in the village of Wall (imaginatively named for its close proximity to Hadrian's pile of stones) and surrounded by stunning countryside. 

But it was the hotel's restaurant that was the big draw and reason for our visit.

Hjem (pronounced 'yem', means home) is where Swedish chef Alex Nietosvuori and his small team, working in the open kitchen (much like in the film, The Menu), produced a tasting menu (vegan for me, vegetarian for the Boy) with locally sourced ingredients (they even grind their own wheat for the bread course).   

There was just the one sitting with fourteen courses in all.  Each was brought to the table by one of the chefs who provided descriptions of the make-up of each dish, some so small they came with the instruction to consume in one bite. 

What can I say? Yes, Chef! It was outstanding. (And, as far as I'm aware, unlike the guests in the film, we all lived to tell the tale.)

After an equally delicious breakfast the following morning, we popped along to Chester's Fort, one of the 15 forts which were added to Hadrian's Wall and which was occupied by a cavalry unit until the 5th century.  

The weather was glorious and there were so few other visitors we pretty much had the site to ourselves.

We paid a short visit (it being Sunday, most businesses were closed but I did find a well stocked bookshop and added to the book pile here) to Corbridge, once the most northerly town in the Roman Empire, before heading for home/hjem via an Angel.

 

London highlights (at long last)

I'm a terrible blogger.  This post has long been languishing in the drafts folder (partly due to ongoing problems with Typepad) and I almost pressed the delete button.  But this is where I record my comings and goings so, as they say, better late than never. 

At the end of November last year the Boy and I spent a few days in the capital.  It was wonderful, as always, and I'm rather hoping this has become an annual event.

The weather was kind, there were no strikes to disrupt travel and I managed to not fall down any steps.

We packed in as much as possible, including what appear to have become regular happenings when in London – kicking off with cocktails and lunch in Dishoom at Kings Cross, enjoying champagne, people watching and night-time panoramic views at the Sky Garden, spending several hours browsing, munching, stocking up at Borough Market.

So, the highlights.

The hotel, L'Oscar, in Holborn, was sumptuous with a colour scheme seemingly inspired by the contents of a tin of Quality Street.  Our rooms were spacious with quirky decorative touches and the extremely comfortable beds ginormous.  

Visiting the Natural History Museum to view entries and winners of the Wildlife Photographer of the Year Competition, for the second year running.  Once again, it didn't disappoint.  We lingered afterwards in Hintze Hall to view Hope the blue whale's skeleton.

 

 

Breakfasting on vegan apple crumble and limitless custard at Borough Market.  First in the queue.  On reflection, I don't think they'd actually opened.  I kid you not, there is no better start to the day.

 

Immersing in the Lucian Freud New Perspectives exhibition at the National Gallery.  Sixty five paintings, mostly portraits (some of the canvases are huge), were displayed and spanned a lifetime's work. His portrait of the Queen (photographs forbidden) isn't, perhaps, the most flattering but, as she is rumoured to have remarked on seeing it, at least he didn't paint her nude.  I loved this exhibition.

 

 

Meeting the charismatic Hodge at Southwark Cathedral.  Of course, I cried. 

Watching Matilda the musical.  This turned out to be memorable for all the wrong reasons  – muffled dialogue, props malfunctioning, clunky acting which at times verged on poor panto.  Maybe it was just an under par performance but we exited at half time and compensated with an evening stroll round Seven Dials and Covent Garden in the company of tubs of delicious ice cream (spiced chocolate gingerbread for me) before walking to Trafalgar Square for a night-time viewing of the new installation on the 4th plinth. 

 

 

Exploring a woven forest and other weavings that might (or might not) be suggestive of body parts at the Tate Modern.  In the 1960s and 70s, Polish sculptor Magdalena Abakanowicz created huge pieces from woven fibres which were suspended from the ceiling and which became known as the Abakans.  Many of these feature in the exhibition and photographs can only hint at their scale and intensity.  Truly impactful.

 

Scoffing lots of delicious food but the standout was a vegan lunch at Pied a Terre, courtesy of the Girlie.  There were many courses and I devoured the lot.  Both the Boy and I recognised a fellow diner at the other table (we were seated in a small room) and eventually twigged that we'd seen him on the telly in this, alongside Raymond Blanc.  Turned out he's also the owner of Pied a Terre.  We chatted.  We hugged.  We'll be back.

The radishes were served in plant pots and had to be 'harvested'.  The soil, by the way, was edible.

Buying Christmas gifts. And books, spices, Turkish delight and a festive necklace pour moi.  Because why not?

 

Celebrating Christmas 2022

Some highlights from a different but oh so lovely Christmas. 

There was the usual flurry of festive preparation and last minute panic buying (every. single. year.) in the days leading up to the main event. 

Finally, most of the familiar components came together, with just some adjustment to enable time with the Mister.  And, of course, to accommodate the newest and littlest member of the family. 

Traditional food, crackers, sparkly jumpers, piles of superb presents, games (one involved completing a variety of tasks using teeny tiny hands on stumps and was a big hit), chocolates, endless washing up, full bins, tight waistbands.  Perfect.

This year's gingerbread house, courtesy of the Boy and complete with lights, was inspired by the buildings in York's Shambles.  So good.

In the days following, there was a short drive to the coast for a Thai meal, a walk along the prom and a shuffle (me, it was so disorientating) along the pier in the dark.

We went to Castle Howard for the fairy tale themed 'Into the Woods' experience, my first visit since I was a little girl.  I've no idea why it's taken so long to as it's only an hour away through the glorious North Yorkshire Moors National Park.  

The displays didn't disappoint. Sleeping Beauty, Goldilocks, Hansel and Gretel, Snow White, Cinderella, they were all there.

It was too cold and wet to explore the grounds and gardens so a return is most definitely on the cards.

The dog enjoyed a daily walk round the block.

The cats barely moved.

2023 was welcomed in after a curry in a local restaurant, where it seemed most of the town had had the same idea, and whilst watching the fireworks in London on the telly.  

Despite some trepidation given the recent changes here, everything turned out well (best not mention the butterscotch sauce) and we enjoyed a splendidly festive time. Shame we didn't manage to fit in the annual game of Scrabble. Ah well, I'll just have to keep wearing the crown.

Happy New Year to you all.