The NQ Street Party

To celebrate the Royal Wedding and a nice day off work, the Man Candy and i took to the Northern Quarter streets of Manchester and joined in the general larking about.

It seemed to go down really well. Everyone was in a really good mood, and there was plenty of food, drink & music to last all afternoon. 

A good Friday out.

Trip Down South

(photo taken down a little hidden footpath in Orford)

I have spent the last few days down south in Suffolk with my Nana. As usual it took me a day or so to adjust to the pace of life down there. It is a world apart from the hustle and bustle of city living, and i nearly went mad at first, but i eventually grew to quite enjoy it. We went to some lovely walks by rivers and on the coast, and ate some pretty wonderful food too. As we walked along the river on Thursday my Nana told me about when she had been 4, playing in that same river with her brothers and Dad (my Great Grandfather), and the air raid sirens had gone off. Can you imagine?? She said they had to cross the river and find a cove to hide out in. It was amazing how much detail she remembered from that day. It made looking at the peaceful river seem completely different. Will put up a few more snaps from the trip throughout the week, for now it's back to work. 

Daffodil Days

I have possibly gone daffodil mad. This year i think there must be more than usual, i keep noticing them everywhere, and keep meaning to write about them. I picked this bunch yesterday evening at home, they smell so lovely and fresh. When i stepped outside, the air was such a lovely temperature, and the hazy light smelt all bright and full. 

I've decided that this weekend i'm going to take on the macaron challenge. I'm going to learn how to make them. I haven't challenged myself to bake something difficult or new in a long time, and i think it's long overdue. There will no doubt be photographic evidence of how i get on...unless it goes really badly. 

Watch this bit of space.

A Bit of Neglect

(source)

This bit of space, tucked away neatly in a dark corner of the internet was left a bit neglected last week. Sorry. It was a tough week, work, stomach bugs and birthdays left little time to keep up to date here. Time for a fresh start this week; the daffodils are out, the sun is shining, there are only two weeks left till the Easter holidays (how fast did that go?!) and i've made myself a little promise to get my head down and power through for a fortnight, whilst paying a bit of much needed attention to this bit of space.
Have a good week my lovelies, work hard!

A New Month

I always forget how quickly February seems to pass. Do you still get that little flicker of excitement that you'd get at school, when you write the date and it's a new number for the month? I do a bit. The third month of the year has started well, yesterday was a beautiful day. I walked to the shops at about half four, and the sun was very much still up and shining, and it was warm enough not to need a coat. Quite a big contrast to Berlin. It was that lovely sort of temperature that makes you want to swing your arms back and forth whilst you walk, although not on a crowded pavement i hasten to add. I don't want to jump the gun here, but spring seems to be tentatively poking it's head round the corner. I saw shoots of unopened daffodils and crocuses on the grassy boarders, and it brightened my already fairly good day. 

Roll on spring!

Bicycle Days

Photo by The Sartorialist

It's not often i get the desire to get out and purposely exercise, but recently i've had the great urge to go on long bike rides in the countryside. I think because the weather is getting dryer, and i'm spending my days in front of a mac screen writing up a review of the year on my course, i'm missing the fresh air. There's something very appealing about the idea of whizzing down a country lane with the wind whipping your extremities, going ever so slightly too fast to be in control. I am slightly lacking in the bike department, but i wonder if there's somewhere you can rent one for the day. 

Fresh Air

There is something I find very satisfying about drying washing on a washing line. I think because to me it symbolises a sort of stability in nice-ish weather. If it can stay dry long enough to dry my washing, it can stay dry enough to do all sorts of spring like activities. Also I love how fresh it smells when you take it in (as long as there hasn't been a poorly timed bonfire affair in the neighbours' garden).

Spring is Springing!

I have gone down south for a few days to visit my Grandparents in Suffolk. It was the nicest feeling this morning, waking up to nothing but blue skies and sun. It's only the 1st of March but spring is seemingly getting its act together. The garden here is absolutely beautiful, so after breakfast i went for a walk round to admire it. It's not too warm yet but when you stand facing the sun it's really lovely. A new addition to the garden (which i'd not seen until now) is the summerhouse at the bottom of the garden tucked away. It's got lovely floral cushions inside and is going to be fantastic in the summer as it really catches the sun.

pansies

irises

I would love to spend a sunny afternoon hidden away in here with a good book and a cold glass of cloudy lemonade :]