photos from the web

The Tudors ...

It may be seen as inaccurate, it may be seen as trashy ...

but I've loved every season of The Tudors.

Love the beautiful photography and imagery too.



It doesn't appear to be on this evening.

I shall miss the wonderful soundtrack, and the stunning visuals!

Medieval torture!


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If you are at all interested in history from this period, watch at your peril the two clips below.

Introduced by Natalie Dormer, who held the part of Anne Boleyn.
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Behind the Tudors - Tower of London
Behind the Tudors - Hampton Court
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It would be advantageous for you to watch.

Remember, heads may roll, and all that!

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my photos

rosy sponge cakes ...

I baked these rose-shaped sponge cakes using a 4oz mix, and a silicone mould.

Being somewhat influenced by the Hairy Bikers' Battenburg, I also added red dye to the mix to make them pink.

Slipped a bit, and then really wish I hadn't!

Being the first time I have ever used the silicone method, the whole procedure was a bit hit 'n miss to say the least.

I'm what you could say 'old school' and up until now I have always opted to use what I've always used, a baking tin!



Mixed reviews really.

The cakes came out of the cases well, but on tasting them the texture of the sponge was, well, reminiscent of rubber?

Not so springy to the touch, and still tempted to give preference to tin, but I guess there is room for both in my baking.

The mould came from Lidl, and being the girly-girl I am, was seduced by the pretty rose shapes!

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my photo

February Scavenger Hunt ...

Sorry no photos from me this time.

I got nowhere near completing the list for February.

Too few days in the month, too many hours spent at work, too many depressing dull and damp weather days, and a stinky cold all did there very best to get in the way.

You could say drat, drat and double drat - triple drat!

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Signing off on a more positive note, here is the list for March:

a lion
a rainbow
something green
an empty chair
something sentimental
peeling paint
a collection
a ring
a fancy gate
a shadow
something as old as you
a lamb

I should manage this one.

I've a few ideas up me sleeve already!

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photos - BBC Iplayer website

little penguins ...

Have you been watching Penguin Island, a series on BBC One following a breeding pair of little (fairy) penguins Bluey and Sheila, and their two offspring?

They all live on Phillip Island, off the south coast of Australia.

I have been sat glued watching, 'cos at the beginning of this year, on our road trip between Sydney and Adelaide, we had the once in a lifetime opportunity to see these little penguins for real, staying within walking distance of their colony.

At the time, really not wanting to leave them behind, it is so lovely to see them again.



These little darlings, you can't help but love em!

There really is something about this little bird's character that makes me grin from ear to ear, every time I see one.

Well that's another one ticked off those 1001 things I must do before I die!

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hairy bakers in the den ...

People ask me how I find the time to blog, the answer is simple, these days I am watching less and less TV! I haven't completely switched off, there are two programmes on a Monday evening which I really would like to see.

The Hairy Bikers are back, as the Hairy Bakers (BBC2 at 8.30). Dave and Simon are setting off with bikes, on a journey around the UK, to explore our love of bread, cakes, pastries and pies. If you missed it and are interested in any of the recipes, you could whizz through it on BBC iPlayer.

On last night's programme they focused on breadmaking. First baking white rolls for bacon and sausage butties and a fermented wholemeal loaf for eating with their generous to say the least, version of a Ploughmans lunch! Also being baked was Indian Naan bread served with vegetable curry, which they so effortlessly ate through an attack of the midges! Finally returning to Dave's kitchen, to bake a cheese and ale loaf, perfect for dunking into a thick white onion soup. All this, and visiting and talking to great artisans along the way.



TV on BBC2 doesn't have to finish at 9.00, you could stay up and watch the Dragons Den. The programme in which inventors and wannabe entrepreneurs get the opportunity to flog their wares, or themselves in front of the dragons, five mega earners in the world of business and commerce in the UK. The contestants use their powers of persuasion to receive from the dragons, in return for a percentage share of their business, a much needed injection of cash to fuel their ambitions.

So far in this series there have been some good, and not so good ideas of how to make, or even lose money!

my photos

isn't she lovely ...

I know many of you in blogland love cats, as it happens so do I. This sweet tabby cat came to befriend us whilst we were sitting in the picnic area of a very special house and gardens in East Sussex. I think perhaps a case of cupboard love, as it was after morsels of my pork pie! More about our visit here in a future post.

After this stop we travelled on into the beautiful Kent countryside to stay one night at Elvey Farm in Pluckley. Remember The Darling Buds of May, many scenes were filmed in and around the village. Pop Larkin in the pub, and the church where Mariette and Charley got married.



This is our very comfortable room, a converted farm outbuilding. Well I say comfortable, I couldn't get on with the rolltop bath, and I am only five foot two!



This was the view from our room of idyllic Kent countryside and buildings. Perfick!

the apprentice ...

Couldn't give a monkeys, or love it as much as I do?

Series Four of The Apprentice UK, the sixteen week job interview, starts tonight at 9.00 on BBC1, followed by the You're Fired programme at 10.00 on BBC2. Sixteen new contenders will be battling it out to see who can be the one to outshine all others in the set tasks, culminating in who is eventually hired in the boardroom and not fired. I can't wait to meet the contestants, and as ever, wonder where on earth they get 'em from!

Tonight's task will see an attempt by the apprentices to sell fresh fish, and whoever makes the most profit, will have a meal cooked for them by Michelin star chef Jean-Christophe Novelli.

Update: Well how did it go? Well let's just say the apprentices were way in out of their depth, if you'll pardon the pun!

Can you spot the difference?

the tudors ...

Well another week at work done and dusted, John is off fishing, so I have had a relaxing evening with my bowl of kettle chips catching up with the goings on in The Tudors, a lavish drama on Friday BBC2 at 9.00. Forget the historical (hysterical) inaccuracies I am enjoying this series, although in history Henry VIII was strikingly good looking in his twenties, and of tall stature. It was only in later life that he became the grotesque figure as portrayed, possibly brought on by his failure to produce a legitimate male heir to the throne. Maybe we could be more convinced of this series' authenticity if Jonathan Rhys Meyers had auburn tints run through his hair and a box to stand on!