and in her words “So now it is my turn to be wicked… questions, questions…”

So in between the madness of the small pup – who is getting bigger by the minute and getting ready to go to a wedding, here are my answers:

1: Do you like to be challenged?

Obviously, I couldn’t resist this one!

I think I prefer to say ‘I like a challenge’ – sometimes being challenged can be quite wearing.

2: What is your favourite time of day?

Oh, easy – the morning especially on a sunny day like today. My first cup of tea looking out at the garden and trying to ignore the demands of the animals.

3: Are you punctual?

Always – tardiness in others irritates me !

4: The world is your oyster – where would you like to visit?

Its been a bit of a year so far travel-wise …. I think I’d like to go back to Singapore and see some more!!

5: Favourite taste?

I have many but I’ll go for ripe strawberries with a sprinkling of vanilla sugar……mmmmmm

6: Who would you like to meet from past history?

My Grandmother on my Mum’s side – I heard so much about her and never ever met her… so Harriet Jane it is!

7: What mark would you like to leave on the world?

I would just like some people to remember me – for my peaceful ways, and maybe adopt them.

So, that’s me….. I’m not going to pass it on but you can leave your answers to these questions here if you like and Grannymar, this means you too!!

Now I need to go and get my face on for ‘a bit of a do’!!!

Have a lovely weekend!

Ah, another memory of Singapore…. I really must finish writing about that trip!

My friend came up from Essex on Christmas Eve and the fun started there…

Christmas Day dawned and look what Santa brought Hippie….

Pink pj’s and she loved them…

My new oven worked perfectly which was just as well as my 92 year old uncle and his wife came for lunch.

Bless him – he cleaned his plate..

As did my two little helpers

The Christmas cake was lit and photographed and admired – it did look good though

Take a good look

‘cos three quarters of it has gone…. I have never had a cake eaten so quickly

On Boxing Day my friend and I chilled out… we chatted to her son in Singapore on webcam and during the conversation I was invited to join my friend on her trip to Singapore in March and, guess what….. I am going to go… me, the scared of flying lady is going to do a 14 hour flight to the Far East! Fortunately I don’t think I’ve got my head around it yet or I‘d be panic stricken already.

Later that day we threw the Christmas dinner leftovers into a pie dish and made Christmas Dinner Pie which we ate whilst slobbing in front of the TV

It even had holly leaves!!!

She left for home on Sunday morning and I cooked another turkey because my lovely son and daughter in law were coming for  Christmas Day revisited. More presents, good food, wine and party games – a good time was had by all!

But now its the end of another year – its been eventful with highs and lows as usual but 2010 looks promising – not only have I been invited to Singapore but also to Tenerife and Spain – better start saving now I think!!

I’d like to wish everyone who reads this a very Happy New Year – wherever you are and whatever you’re doing, keep safe!

Oh and one last thing …. yes, its another picture of that cake

But this time with yours truly!!!!

photo credit: urbanwoodchuck

Ah isn’t the memory a wonderful thing?

On Tuesday evening my partner and I went to the cinema. This is itself is a bit of an occasion because, to be very frank, there are few new films that we actually want to see.

But ‘The Boat That Rocked’ grabbed our attention, particularly because I had heard Tony Blackburn talking about it on Smooth Radio after he had been to see it.

Pirate radio was a fun, secret pastime for me as a youngster at the time. My little transistor radio would be safely hidden under my pillow until I went to bed, then I could listen to all the ‘new’ music without my parents knowing (?).

For my partner, who is 3 years older than me – it was about meeting his mates and gathering round the radio for some illicit cider drinking and enjoyment of the music.

The film portrayed both of these listening groups and more as it romped through the tale of ‘Radio Rock’, a fictitious pirate radio station, out at sea off the coast of England. It showed the government officials in meetings where they decided that if there wasn’t a law to stop the masses enjoying this pastime, then they would create one. So, nothing’s changed there then!

The music, although it was only excerpts of songs, was fantastic. The clothes were amazing and although the story line was far from real it was a fun packed, laugh out loud film, greatly enjoyed by both of us.

We were still talking about it today ….. and they say that nostalgia’s not what it used to be!!!!!!

photo credit: Son of Groucho

Yesterday my friend Jay sent this award to me. Thank you, I am honoured.

And now as part of the Fabulous Blog Award I must list 5 addictions not too tough a task here as I have so many:

1. Studying Spanish – it started off as a challenge for holiday use, but now I am addicted and loving very minute of it. What will I do with it? I really don’t know – watch this space!!!

2. Potatoes! boiled, mashed, roasted, chipped or baked – I love them!!!

3. Cooking – its therapy for me and also I get to make lots of potato dishes!

4. Gran Canaria, the place, the people – everything about it. I go there twice a year and its becoming a second home.

5. Blogging! I do try not to Ramble too much but what can I say? It keeps me sane….. maybe!!!

So there you have it – only five….. and now its your turn:

I nominate:

K8

Coastal Aussie

and

English Mum

Not only do I think their blogs are ‘fabulous’ but I’d like to know their addictions (other than chocolate E.M.)

photo credit: riptheskull

T’was the night before Christmas and all through the house
Young Maxie was chasing his little pink mouse!

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care
But he pulled them to the floor and then left them there!

Toria was nestled all snug in her bed
Leaving me to deal with the mayhem instead!

And I in my dressing gown and thick woolly hat
Was patrolling the house muttering ‘Where is that cat?’

When out on the drive there arose such a clatter
I went to the window to see what was the matter.

Almost tripped over young Max in my haste..
He thought it fun, and began to give chase!

The moon shining down on the slippy black ice
Made me think ‘I’ll stay in – that does not look nice!’

When what to my blurred vision did appear
But a bloody great sleigh and inflatable reindeer!

With a little old driver all dressed in red
‘Go away’ I shouted ‘I’m ready for bed’!

‘Where is your chimney?’he said ‘I’ve been on the roof,
Did you not hear the clatter of each reindeer’s hoof?’

‘I had it removed last Spring’ I explained
‘It was unsafe with loose bricks and I know who to blame!’

‘Well well’ he said and twinkled his eyes,
‘How will I get in to eat those mince pies?’

‘And that nice glass of sherry you leave every year?’
‘Push off!’ I muttered ‘you’re not coming in here!’

(Well you never know these days with all this Santa wear,
The bloke could be anyone underneath all that hair!)

‘But what about your presents? – Go on open up the door’
‘Do you think me daft?’ I said, ‘Go away – I’ll call the law!!’

(Everyone knows Santa can get down the flue…
This guy was a fake – he didn’t have a clue!)

With that he subsided and reinflated his team
‘It’s a fair cop lady – I know what you mean!’

But I heard him exclaim as he drove out of sight
‘Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!!!’

The moral of this tale is very clear to me
And with just a few more lines I’ll try to make you see..

Don’t give mince pies and sherry to just anyone in red!
And always put the cat out before you go to bed!!!

(Apologies and thanks to Clement C Moore for messing with his poetry)

Some of the views around here are absolutely stunning and, for an island mostly made of rock the greenery was quite a surprise.

In the centre of the town is a street where a man made waterfall runs over steps in the centre ..

At the side of the waterfall there are benches, one for every main town in Gran Canaria and each one covered in ceramic tiles with a picture in the centre back of a view of the town being represented there.

It was an amazing site in this non touristy area of the island

This bench depicts the town of San Nicolas over on the west of the island

I have visited this town which, again, is typically Canarian – the only tourists you see there are Canarians on holiday for San Nicolas is a seaside town.

All this sightseeing had made us hungry so we went in search of a bar and we were in luck!

Again typically Canarian with a menu to match – a far cry from the English menus of the south coast resorts.

I had an Arehucas y cola while I made my choice from the menu (well why spoil the habit of the day)  then waited while my bocadillo lomo was made for me.

The bar was very old fashioned inside but very welcoming

As was mine host although he looks a little serious here..

After this we made our way back – through the town of Teror which is famous for its architecture and the intricate balconies built into each of the houses there.

All in all a wonderful day out – thanks to my friends for inviting me!!!

I don’t like rum normally – not the smell nor the taste but this tastes nothing like like ‘normal’ rum to me and it doesn’t give me a headache -which on this holiday was perhaps as well!

My friends came away with us and spent a lot of time touring the island but the trip to the distillery was the one I wanted to attend.

Gran Canaria is such a small island and you would not believe it could manufacture thousands of litres of rum but it can and does.

The distillery is hidden away in the small town of Arucas in the north of the island. There are no sign posts to direct the thirsty traveller – you have to be very determined, and we were….

We were guided by the sight of a tall chimney with the letters AREHUCAS painted in white down the brickwork.

The factory was first opened in 1884 and the first part of the tour takes you to the cellars, full of oak casks, each one is signed by important people who come to the distillery. We were then shown a small part of the process involved in the production of the spirits made there, and then we were taken to a large room with a bar where bottles of spirits had been placed along with little ‘shot’ glasses.

The ‘barman’ explained that some of the rums were quite old but the one normally used was only three years old. However, rum is not the only spirit distilled there – there was gin, vodka, curacao, and lots of flavoured rums including honey, coffee and almond. Then he told us to help ourselves!

It was fantastic, trying them all and by the time I’d finished, having gone without breakfast, I was decidedly squiffy. The shop was the next stage of the tour and it was great – 3 euros for the small bottles and 8 for the large! We made our purchases and left.

It was only when we got outside that the giggles started – I’m glad I was with friends – here’s one of them…

clutching his purchases and then there was me but i took mine out of the bag to pose….

and i didn’t drop it!!!

I even managed to bring them home without drinking them – mind you we bought some for drinking too!!!

All in all – a fun visit and no hangover – roll on next time!!!

photo credit: Tom T

Hola mis amigos!!!

Just a quick note to say that I won’t be around for a week because……. I am going on a well deserved holiday!!!!!

I have just checked the temperature and it is currently 27 degrees. That will do for me………

Keiron – see you at the bar birthday boy! Una cerveza para mi por favor!

1) I can’t plan for anything – I wasn’t always like it – years ago I’d got Christmas in the bag by October – but when my husband left I think I lost it, touble is it never came back. Oh I have tried but every time something stops it and it reverts back to only doing one day at a time – my son’s cancer, my partner’s stroke – even a planned walk on holiday once – I woke up on the morning and I could not put my foot to the floor – ended up at the hospital and on crutches. It lasted for two years. So no I’ll stick to one day – it irritates the hell out of people but its better than letting them down.

2) I am an original Hippy – my house is lit with pretty lights and candles, peace and love signs hang from the walls and even my car has flowers on it. It was the time of my life that I loved and I am happy that those feelings have not gone away. It also makes me a nice person, I look for the good in everybody – trouble is sometimes I’m easily let down.

3) I am learning to speak Spanish – not so weird you might think. But it probably is, because I can speak holiday Spanish with no problem, present tense conversations, food orders etc. ……. I am actually studying the language all tenses, past, preterit, future, et al. It is fascinating and I have worked so hard at it over the past four years that I don’t want to stop. I doubt I’ll ever use it all but hey it keeps my brain active!

4) I have a greyhound living in my home, my daughters so I guess that makes me a Grand-mama! And weirder than that she has her own website at www.mygreyhound .me.uk

5) I love to dance on an empty dance floor – can’t help it I like to have the space – and it irritates when it all fills up and gets cramped.

6) I dye my hair deep red at the back and strawberry blonde at the front – weird? probably but its better than gray.

7) My idea of a chilled out day is spent in my kitchen converting piles of ingredients into tasty dishes for friends, freezer or just to eat!

The seven people I would like to share this with are:Keiron I probably know most of them but you’ve been living away from home for years now. Grandad, because I would like to know some more weird things about him. K8, just to see if any of them wore off on her. Moon – how weird are you? And Coastal Aussie- go on confess… Next English Mum another greyhound friend, and last but by no means least Jefferson Davis over there in America.

Apologies to everyone I tried linking but it just didn’t work!!!!!

Here are the rules:

1. Link to your tagger and list these rules on your blog.
2. Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog – some random, some weird.
3. Tag 7 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blog.
4. Let them know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.