August 20th 2010

Adieu

Today’s photo is of my house. It’s been my house for seven years, but is actually only my house officially for seven more days. It’s not where I’ve been living recently, and now it is empty. The second half of my possessions were in the van in the driveway, and are now safely stowed away along with the first half.

This photo was taken just before I left my house today, probably for the very last time.

July 28th 2010

My brother the ape

Just a flying visit to the house today as part of a circuit of the South Midlands to take in a dentist’s appointment in Oxford. It should be the time to start taking things from the house – however life is never that simple. Negotiations are still ongoing and suffice it to say the other party in my negotiations has yet to move from the starting point of insisting on virtually everything …

However what isn’t in doubt is that this, along with various other great ape pictures and art, is mine, and I hope this fantastic orangutan continues to cast his (or her) psychedelic gaze over me and my family in the future. Not to everyone’s taste I’m sure, but unmistakably mine, and coming with me into my future!

July 7th 2010

Looking back

Today’s photo is of my garden pond. An unspectacular, colourful and pretty shot just taken with my phone. But the key word here is “my”. I spent just an hour or so at the house, to pick up post and one or two bits and pieces, but with so much time now staying at the family home in Cheltenham. I’ve spent so little time here this year, that when I do steal an hour or two, I do feel sad and reflective. I liked this house. I liked the garden. And I liked this little pond. And within a few days, it will no longer be mine, and will be consigned permanently to my past.

Today was definitely a day for looking back – it’s also 7/7 and five years since I lost a friend to the London bombs. Not a really close friend, but a lovely person with the most optimistic outlook and great plans for the future, who didn’t deserve to be innocently caught up in a horrendous incident.

But I’m not a great one for looking back. I may have done today, for a couple of understandable separate reasons, but I ended up doing what I believe one should always do on these occasions. Take whatever fond memories you can, accept that sad memories are OK but regrets achieve nothing, and then look forward again. Make the most of life. And that’s exactly what I’m doing.

April 1st 2010

For Sale

Not sure the exact day it happened, but it must be official. The house is on the market, online for the world to see. And tomorrow it hits the local freebie papers.

No joke!

March 9th 2010

Faded

Today I went back to the house. It’s my house but doesn’t feel like it any more. In mid-decoration in preparation for being put on the market, it’s strangely already feeling like a place in my very distant past. With much of my stuff squirrelled away in boxes in the garage with “NEIL” stickers on, I felt confused, angry, disorientated, to name but three emotions.

And among all the upheaval, still by the side of the bed were the flowers from the wedding (it wasn’t that short-lived, readers, they are silk!). My photo is in poor light but somehow that seemed appropriate. I’m sure there’s a metaphor here about things fading almost out of sight.

I didn’t stay long – with decorating materials in abundance, the smell of paint, and the spare room unnavigable, I didn’t feel welcome, and completed the long return journey with just a carload of extra clothes and junk. Some things just weren’t meant to be.

Feb 18th 2010

Rear Window

Leaving my home for a while again after today, in the capable hands of the legendary Jimmy Stewart who watches over the garden from the back of the kitchen, re-enacting a scene from one of my favourite classic films.

I was going to reject this photo as there is a blatant reflection off the laminate poster. But the reflection is from … wait for it … the rear window of the house. So it seems appropriate, on reflection, to leave it in.

I’ll get my coat …

Feb 17th 2010

Is it a bird …?

… is it a plane? No, it’s the cheese omelette I made myself for lunch, which developed something of a flying saucer shape in nature as it cooked. Delicious though.

Feb 16th 2010

Giving up for Lent …

One of the things I care passionately about is the plight of the orangutan and the biggest issue facing their habitat and survival is the growing use of palm oil. So, I have decided to try and give up palm oil for Lent. I’ve got another blog for that which is here. Please follow my progress there and I hope it gives an insight into the important issue.

But this is a photo blog. Today’s photo shows some of the food I found in the cupboard which will have to go. Or, in the case of the garlic bread and chocolate buttons, have already gone – into my tummy.

Feb 15th 2010

5 Minute Chocolate Mug Cake

5 MINUTE CHOCOLATE MUG CAKE

3 tablespoons flour
3 tablespoons sugar
3 tablespoons cocoa
3 tablespoons milk
3 tablespoons chocolate chips (optional)
1 egg
1 tablespoon oil
a small splash of vanilla extract

Add dry ingredients to coffee mug, and mix well. Add liquids and mix well.

Put your mug in the microwave and cook for 3 minutes at 1000 watts (high). The cake will rise over the top of the mug, but don’t be alarmed! Allow to cool a little, and tip out onto a plate if desired.

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I first found this recipe here and decided to give it a go. I missed out the oil and had a bit of an accident with the vanilla essence (I think half a bottle is a bit more than a small splash.) And it certainly did rise …

But it was delicious, I can thoroughly recommend it. And I have had this mug for 17 years and have no idea who the original special Louise is!

Jan 21st 2010

Wake up …

The brash message that shouts at me every morning bleary-eyed in the shower. Any port in a storm, it was the only shower gel available in the snowed in days of earlier January. And it works … tea tree and mint is like smearing your face with toothpaste. Tangy and stingy, I couldn’t rinse it off fast enough. But it woke me up anyway.