Birds of prey (And the petting zoo) with Jay

Baking gluten free, lactose free, egg free, Vegan cakes with Jenny

Jenny has given me a baking lesson- in cakes I can actually eat! :D
I'm super excited about these and I'll be experimenting with making more- the texture is pretty dense... think malt loaf- but if you want all the cake action and none of the reaction then they're a pretty damn good start!
(Obviously, if they're for a real vegan, leave off the harribo sweets) Jen's top tip is to leave them in the oven until the oven has cooled as otherwise they're "gooey" in the middle which would probably be disconcerting.

I had a lovely time at Jen's eating turkish delight and giving her half my house (I've finally accepted that I'm moving house and realised that I have too much clutter- So, This week I will be getting rid of the unused, unuseful and ill-fitting items from my home. I'll still have more junk than anyone else I know but it might all fit in one van. That's the end objective anyway!)

More baking lessons please!
I will pay you in dresses and craft books!
:D

I had an awesome day and a good catch up which I needed! It's always nice to be able to spend proper time with my friends and family.

Traff's wrestling show

St Albans

Jenni & Aaron

We went to watch the Ireland game with some Irish people!
They won!

Wetsuits

I'm super chuffed! Emma and Sam let me take my wetsuit collection home with me!

:D

Both have more holes than neoprene so they were on their way to the bin, but they'll be really handy for when we've moved as I'd really like my own board and the freedom to paddle anywhere- that will require me to have my own wet suit. I'm on my way to bigger adventures!

Works do

We went out yesterday. For no reason other than we found a groupon for £7 each for 3 courses at a local indian restaurant. Which really if you think about it is reason enough! We had popadoms and dips, then we had a choice of starters- the menu wasn't restricted either so that was a pleasant surprise! Then a main and a vegetable side dish. The portions were generous too- I thought I was going to explode.

It was awesome- and we kept seeing people we knew who'd also seen the deal. I would go back again for definite!

The food was really good, drinks were reasonable but honestly the highlight of my evening was Abida trying to teach my (slightly worse for wear) boss Antony Urdu.
I don't think he's a natural at foreign languages.

We've al been working really had the last few weeks with deadlines for everything this week- I think we've all considered moving a sleeping bag in under our desks at some point since January as it's just felt like we never get to go home. This was a very well deserved evening out.

Treats from work :D

I am feeling very loved this week. One of my colleagues let slip that I'm leaving- After securing another job in January that doesn't start until the Autumn as thats when I can be released from this role. I had told some of my colleagues but not everyone I work with as I haven't officially had my contract returned yet so I wanted to wait until May when my DBS comes back etc etc.

I suspect that has contributed to people deciding that I need to eat more chocolate (That I'm not supposed to be eating... It's ok, I can take one for the team).

Either way, It's still lovely of everyone to feed me and provide me with socks.

Paddle boarding

Afternoon tea at Claridges

Ray and I were given an afternoon tea voucher for Claridges for Christmas, Which was an extremely generous and thoughtful gift from our Godparents.

I need to thank the gentlemen who gave me his travel card at Paddington station. Thank you for saving me £15 in train tickets and having to queue! you're a real gent kind stranger.

Before going for tea, Ray and I met up with Rosie to do some shopping- I'm still after a body suit to go with my parakeet skirt. It was really ace to meet up with Rosie as I haven't seen her in far too long. I think hat is the negative effect of whatsapp and Facebook. You don't "need" to meet with people face to face any more. I am still working on seeing my friends and family more often. I refuse to live in this age of technology! I will be nan-like!

Tea was served promptly at 3:15. Unlike the Ritz, or Harrods, this was actually pretty personal. There were real hotel guests eating- not just people with tea vouchers like at the ritz and the dining room is pleasantly proportioned. it's not huge but you're not very close to the next table.

In the "league table" of afternoon teas this one has just taken the top spot. It was fresh, the tea was delicious and plentiful, the scones were mini with the option of having more if you wanted, so we weren't stuffed before the cakes. It was well thought out and it felt luxurious. We had all the time in the world and the staff were super attentive, but not overbearing. Do it! if you never eat afternoon tea anywhere else ever that will be fine.