Number 33. Have a weekend in London.

Number 33. Have a weekend in London.

I've been to London many times, I added this to my list of 40 things to do because we didnt go last year so I really wanted to make sure I went this!

My Dad kindly bought us a family ticket to the Warner Brothers Harry Potter Studio for Christmas so the weekend was planned around that.

We booked a Premier Inn at Kings Langley which was about 10 minutes away from the Harry Potter tour but also has a train station about a mile away from the Premier Inn which has loads of parking and takes you direct to London Euston.

We had the best drive down that we've ever had and we were most impressed with Kings Langley a lovely village, and the Premier Inn was in a lovely set back from the road position with a pub next door.

The Friday night we had just got unpacked, and had settled down for the night when the fire alarm sounded!James and Lydia completely freaked out, Rund was telling me to get up and out of the room and people were running down the corrider, but the alarm kept stopping and starting so I didnt think it was a genuine fire alarm, plus I was in my nighty I didnt really want to evacuate!! Under duress however I was forced to get out of the room by my family and gather with the masses in the reception area in my nighty, styled up with a scarf and cardigan...ultra glam!! Anyway it was a false alarm, I bloody knew it!! A new member of staff had accidentally walked through a fire door and set it off!

Saturday, we got up and caught the train to London, we had planned to go the British Museum at 10:30am to visit the Pompeii and Herculaneum Exhibition which we all enjoyed, was very interesting, I've always had a fascination with Pompeii. Then the highlight of our plans for the day was meeting up with one of my best friends Zoe and meeting her baby daughter Erin for the first time. We had a wonderful day of Covent Garden where James helped participate with a street entertainer, lunching and catching up and cuddling Erin, plus lots of shopping, M & M World, Hamleys, Selfridges all did very well out of us......utterly fab!

Sunday morning we had a nice leisurely start, big breakfast and then made our way to the Warner Bros Harry Potter Studio! Rund and the kids are all Harry Potter mad so they were all excited, I have only watched the first film, so was really just going along for the others, however from the minute we arrived in the carpark I was hooked, and the whole experience was fantastic, a really good day and very well organised, absolutely loved it, especially the Butter Beer!

Number 14. See more of my Dad.

I don't see enough of my Dad and that's a fact, so whilst it may seem awful to some to make it a number on my list, I added it in the hope that it would serve as a constant prompt to do more with him and therefore see more of him!

My Dad works shifts so its not always easy to see him as much as we'd all like. I know my Dad understands we have a busy family life too but wherever possible and as often as we can, it's nice to have him round for tea, go out for a meal, just pop round, or go out for an evening!

Thursday 18th April my Dad and I went to the Yorkshire Wolds Cookery School for a wine and tapas tasting evening. We'd bought Dad a voucher for his birthday & Rund bought me a ticket for Valentine's Day so I could go with my Dad.
It was a really lovely night, the tapas was gorgeous, we both agreed could have eaten a lot more of all we sampled and the wine tasting was a nice experience as well!
Was a really lovely way to spend an evening with my Dad!

This is the blurb on the evening we attended:

Join our resident chef, Ali Bilton whilst she prepares Yorkshire inspired tapas alongside wine expert Peter Fawcett of Field and Fawcett, York. Peter will match the food with wines from around the world. You will get to sample both along the way and gain culinary skills and tips as well as gaining a wealth of information about wine and how it can compliment, and even enhance, your food.

To get your mouth watering a selection of food prepared could include:

Pecks of Beverley hot smoked salmon tiny fish cakes with a St Quintins cream and Thirsk dill sauce
Mini Yorkshire puds with Yorkshire pork, sage onion and ampleforth amber topping
Confit of East Yorkshire duck with Yorkshire Chorizo and beans
Caramelised onion and Lowna Goat’s cheese toasties
Yorkshire pea and Yorkshire fine fettle fritters with cucumber relish
Mini Yorkshire parkin, rhubarb and boozy infusion trifles
The evening starts at 7.00pm and includes a glass of fizz on arrival

Number 20. See an Opera.

Saturday 20th April 2013.

I can admit that both Rund & I were a little dubious about watching an opera. We set off the York Opera House joking about what we were expecting! I knew a little about the story of Carmen but not an awful lot!

The opera was sung in French and there was a little black screen above the stage translating the story in to English...sounds weird but it works!

As soon as the show started I was enthralled, especially when they brought a real donkey on to the stage!

I honestly didn't know what to expect but I've had my eyes opened to the world of opera it was absolutely fantastic!

This is the blurb on the opera:

Ellen Kent's Carmen Overview
Opera & Ballet International presents an Ellen Kent production, starring international soloists & the full Chisinau National Philharmonic Orchestra & Chorus...

Bizet
Carmen

The most seductive opera ever written

'Hot-blooded, a joy'
The Independent

'Impassioned and sultry'
The Observer

'Red hot passion'
Birmingham Evening Mail

Starring a majestic Andalcuian Stallion

Directed by Ellen Kent, this traditionally staged, dazzling new production set in Seville and reflecting a Goya painting, with fountains, flowers, orange trees and even a rescue donkey, guarantees an evening of passion and romance.

Starring international mezzo soprano Nadia Stoianova, whose portrayal of Carmen has won rapturous reviews, this is the story of a bewitching gypsy girl whose tantalising beauty lures a soldier to desertion and ultimately leads to her own murder.

Carmen features some of the most evocative and best-loved melodies in opera, including perhaps the best-known baritone aria of all; The Toreador’s Song.

'A star was born' (Nadejda Stoianova)
Manchester Evening News, Carmen

Sung in French with English surtitles.

Number 19. Watch a ballet.

Friday 19th April 2013.

I went to see my first ever ballet with my son James, I'd bought 2 tickets to watch Sleeping Beauty at the York Opera House, intending to take a friend with me but James asked if he could come and it was lovely to take him!
It was funny though as we were driving to York he told me that he hadn't told any of his friends that he was going as he hadn't wanted to be teased! He was relieved when we got there though to see other children and some other boys!!

The ballet impressed me more than I thought it would, the gorgeous sparkle of the costumes, the utter grace of the dancers and the men in tights!!!

I would certainly go and watch another ballet it was definitely enchanting!

This is the blurb on what we went to see:

Vienna Festival Ballet returns to town with their traditional, enchanting production of The Sleeping Beauty.

A classic fairy tale set to Tchaikovsky’s magnificent score, stunning choreography, beautiful costumes, all combine to portray the struggle between good and evil.

Incensed at being snubbed at the christening of Princess Aurora, the wicked fairy Carabosse lays a curse on the child, proclaiming that she will one day pierce her finger - and die. But the Lilac Fairy intervenes, and when the fateful day arrives, the princess and the entire palace instead fall into a deep sleep. A century later, Prince Florimund is guided to the castle by the Lilac Fairy, overcoming the obstacles created by Carabosse, and awakening the sleeping princess with a kiss. It is love at first sight, the palace awakes and a parade of fairytale characters attends the royal wedding. A gorgeous Tchaikovsky score, classic Petipa choreography, an enchanting fairytale.

'An excellent company of talented young dancers. Their energy and enthusiasm is breathtaking.'
Ents24.com

Number 29. Have a date night with my hubby every other month.

Quite a few people, including my husband said to me that this should say every month, but I knew that would'nt be achievable with the commitments of family life finding a free night isnt always that easy! I did however feel its important for Rund and I to have the odd night to ourselves as its something we just don't do!
Our attempts at a date night have always seemed to be scuppered by the kids, before Christmas we had a child free night so had intended to go to the pub for a drink, we'd just put on our coats and then we got a call to say Liddy was ill so our date got cancelled!
I then decided that the only way to ensure we had a night out is to book a babysitter and then we will definitely do it!

Friday 15th March. Babysitter booked and we went to the cinema to watch Side Effects with Jude Law, Catherine Zeta Jones and Channing Tatum. We both really enjoyed it, had a laugh and reminded my husband he needs to brush up on his manners...opening car doors etc!! After the film we quickly nipped to Asda as whilst we had no kids in tow we could do a quick dash round...how times have changed!
Looking forward to our next date...a night at the Opera!

Saturday 20th April. A night at the Opera!
This was another one of my 40 things to do before I'm 40!
I managed to get 2 tickets to watch 'Carmen' at the York Opera House and Rund was overjoyed at having to accompany me in this quest!!
However for all the joking and scoffing about what we expected, we were both shocked to discover that we really, really enjoyed it, it was absolutely fantastic!

I also enjoyed an evening with my hubby, we laughed and chatted all night and it is so nice for us to have these occasional evenings to ourselves, sounds really corny but nights like this remind me why I fell in love with him and why I still love him to bits now!

Saturday 1st June 2013. Date Night No 3! Saw us heading to the cinema again to watch the Hangover 3! We had a build up as Thursday & Friday evening we watched the first and second films to refresh ourselves!! Was very funny, really enjoyed the evening and loving having these nights out by ourselves! 

Saturday 29th June 2013. Date Night No 4! Helen & Alv had the kids overnight and we had a little adventure of skinny dipping and staying up all night to watch the sunrise at Bridlington & Sewerby...see my blog for further info but needless to say we had a very funny night & it was definitely a night we'll still talk about for many years to come ! 

Saturday 21st September 2013.

Date Night No 5!

It's been a while since the last one! We've had nights out without the kids but going to parties etc..so not a night solely by ourselves!

We decided for this date we'd go for a meal as on the 28th of this month we celebrate 17 years of wedded bliss! 

We caught the train to Beverley and went to Dine Bangla, Beverley's only take your own booze restaurant! Had a beautiful meal, really enjoyed it and the company was fab too! 

Number 26. Have a makeover in a department store.

Tuesday 5th March. So I set off bare faced and I mean bare faced, I actually dared to venture out without one scrap of make up on to York with Sabrina and Kitty with the intention of having a makeover/new look at a department store!
I love make up, can't do without mascara and lippy but tend to apply my make up the same and use the same colours..a little stuck in a rut!
We arrived in York and headed straight to Fenwicks, after looking around the multitude of brands/counters I plumped for Bare Minerals, a lovely assistant kindly sat me down and said she would give me a make over..I was feeling a little apprehensive!
After what seemed like ages I was done, she passed me the mirror and I was a little mortified I looked like I had 2 black eyes!! Was so hard to be honest but I did say I wasn't sure about my eyes! She attempted to tone them down a bit and Sabrina was very kind and said it looked nice but I just didn't feel like me!
I bought the mineral foundation, blusher and a neutral eyeshadow...£91 lighter!!
When my son saw me he looked at me horrified, Sabrina's daughter Maddie said I looked like a monster and my hubby said I looked like a thug...not quite the make over I wanted!
Think I'll stick with my stuck in a rut application of makeup in the future..ha ha!!

Number 5. Try Absinthe.

Saturday 2nd March. Dinner party with Helen and Alv, John and Cat and Rich and Caroline. I had purchased a bottle of Absinthe a few weeks previously as I saw it in Asda so thought I'd get it for when required!
I had previously researched the best way to drink it, it recommended starting your evening on it so that you can feel its effects, apparently if you drink it after you've already had a few you don't feel it in the same way!
You need to mix one part Absinthe with 2 parts water and sugar is recommended to dampen down the bitter taste, the best way to add the sugar is to set fire to it and drip the caramalised sugar into the liquid and give it a good mix!
Absinthe is nicknamed The Green Fairy and is 55% volume.

Absinthe!

Rund setting fire to the sugar to drizzle into the Absinthe and water!

 

It tastes like Pernot and needs to be drunk quickly, like a shot, you can feel it burning as it sinks down you and definitely within a few minutes you can tell you've had alcohol! I would have liked to have drunk more but as I had a dinner party to cook and serve it wouldn't have been wise!
Next time I drink it I will make sure I have no responsibilities and I can let The Green Fairy properly take hold!!

Number 2. Eat Cavier.

 

Sunday 17th February 2013. I ate cavier and I liked it! I've been offered it a few times and have always declined as it doesnt look particularly appetising! However whilst having the Bremer family round for Sunday tea I braved it, as did my husband, son and Emily!