Seaside break in Cromer, Norfolk

Our camping trip in Norfolk last bank holiday weekend almost did not happen. But we went and we were glad we camped. It has been over a year since we last camped and it was a good feeling putting the tent up again. Don't get me wrong...there were the unavoidable swearing and cursing that one expect when putting up a tent but we managed to keep it to a minimum and were on speaking term when the tent was up. First camping squabble: done!

The plan was to stay for one night but we stayed on for 2 nights and was rewarded with amazing sunshine. So much so Scott came home with lovely patches of (sun burn) red on the back of his neck and legs.

I was super excited about camping this time for very shallow reasons. We are driving to Norfolk instead of taking the train and that means glamping! Airbed + proper pillows + duvet = cosy tent + a good night sleep! All that fresh sea breeze and long coastal walks meant we did sleep well in the tent. We camped in Manor Farm in Cromer. A great campsite, not as busy as other camping sites we passed by and the facilities are well maintained and clean.

Cromer, though not the prettiest seaside town, is easily accessible on costal paths to other seaside villages. We did just that...plenty of coastal walks enjoying the sea breeze and sea view. On Sunday we did a 7 mile coastal walk: Cromer - East Runton - West Runton - Sheringham - Weybourne then took the bus to Cley next the Sea for a well deserved pint!

These seaside towns are famous for their crabs so I went a leeettle crab crazy with crab cakes, crab sandwich and crab mornay! Delicious and cheap. It also turned into a fairly porky weekend. We feasted on sausage rolls that we BBQ-ed using good ol' disposable BBQ every morning and had Saturday dinner at The Pigs pub, serving the scrummiest of the Norfolk pigs. Is it naughty to admit that we also had a tub of pork scratchings as snacks with a can of Vimto during the 7 mile walk? But we totally deserve it no? 7 miles yo!

Random: We spotted a guy who looks like Arnold Schwarzenegger on the beach (complete with the fake California sun tan). But it can't be him. I mean what is he doing in Cromer?!?

April...according to Instagram

©     Quality granny time in Arran over the Easter break

©     The weather was surprisingly warm so we got a ride on Uncle Peter’s boat over to Holy Isle. We were kitted out in shamazy waterproof gears

©     Scott in his kilt – yummeh!

©     Surprise post-it note on the bed is the best…Scott was away for work

©     Neighbour has completely out-trump our front hedge with their rabbit/cat (?) hedge design

©     Made spinach pancakes for Sunday – will be making this again!

©     Scott and Adam ran a 10k race at Finsbury Park in 43 minutes

©     Wonderwoman is one tasty lady

©     Craving sardines – dinner for one

©     Best fresh grilled fish in London on Golborne Road!

©     Shoryu Dragon Tonkatsu hits a sweet garlicky spot for me

©     Tea break whilst working at Foxcroft and Ginger café in Soho – a nice change of office scenery

©     Sunday lamb roast at The Pig and Butcher pub on Liverpool Road

©     Patty and Bun Ari Gold Burger – 5 stars!

©     The Rib Man ribs did not disappoint and worth the queue

©     Tsuru chicken karaage burger lunch catch-up with Divya.

Bank Holiday Camping in Norfolk

(Picture source by Brooke Weeber)

It's the bank holiday weekend and we are off camping at Norfolk! This time we are driving to the campsite which means I intent to make it as glamping as possible - think blowup mattress, proper pillows and a duvet! Ahhhhhh.....I cannot wait!
I have grand plans to bake this chocolate and ricotta cake and this peanut butter bites using homemade peanut butter that I have yet to make. It is always nice to bring something homemade on a camping trip no? But yup all this to be done tonight, on top of a dinner date with Scott and packing up for camping. Very ambitious. Let's see how I get on huh!

On a completely random note, I found these funny facts about being a leftie and I just need to share. All true - Leftie unite!

Remembering the snow in 2010

our winter wonderland garden


view outside our flat



I recently upgraded to a new phone and was transferring all my camera pictures from the old phone to my laptop and found these pictures.

These were taken exactly 2 years ago today, just days before we leave for Scotland for Christmas. What a difference in temperature this year - much warmer and no snow on the ground. Today's temperature: 8 degrees.

I remembered waking up and going straight to the garden and took pleasure in walking in the fresh snow - hearing the snow crunch and leaving my footprints in the snow. It was also very exciting to see families out in force building snowman in Highbury Fields...it certainly adds to the Christmas spirit.

These pictures are getting me all excited about our trip back to Scotland this weekend - cannot wait!

Super Saturday then lazy Sunday

Sunday was spent pretty much on the couch, cheering on Andy Murray to win the final tennis match and reading the Sunday's paper with a lovely cuppa.

Still on the Olympic, what is your Olympic athlete body match? Apparently my body match is similar to a rower or a synchronised swimmer...that gave me a good chuckle as I have neither the grace nor poise of a synchronised swimmer!


On a separate note, we harvested our last rhubbard for the season

Netil Market + Victoria Park

Lucky Chips burgers - as good as Meat Liquor!



















Saturday lunch at Lucky Chips in Netil Market, one of the hottest name for a good burger in London and it does not disappoint. Then a wander around Broadway Market before we stroll towards Victoria Park to soak up the Olympics action on the big screen for free. Even the occasional showers does not deter the crowds, I saw a guy with an upturned pizza box fashioned into a 'mini umbrella' to keep the rain away. But the patchy sunshine more than makes up for the day. British weather at its best!

Olympics Beach Volleyball

Tickets and beer...ok we are game set and match for beach volleyball!


Half time entertainment ...only at beach volleyball..you don't get this at Wimbledon!


Looks of an Olympian...I think we have star quality!


Not sure about this sand sculpture...a bit meh to me but Scott likes it




Jubilation when Italy beat defending champs USA

We had so much fun watching the game live and the commentatory and music kept the crowd going. A unique venue in the heart of London city makes it a little bit more special. The only tiny grip I have is a shallow one...why are men players not topless and in tiny pants? They seriously need to change the rule on that one

Office hunting

These past few days I have been busy office hunting around East London - doing some serious cycle power across town...Fleet Street, Clerkenwell, Dalston, Whitechapel, Shoreditch. I am definately enjoying cycling more and finding the back routes and exploring London on my bike. I am still very wary of large roundabouts and I do the chicken thing of dismounting and pushing my bike to the next road instead of trying to cycle through the monster roundabouts where you are bound to come face to face with a huge truck.

Office hunting is a totally different ball game to house huntings. We are looking at service office spaces - one where they manage all the administration (utilities, cleaning, insurance, front desk etc) and we lease a room depending on the number of people we are trying to fit in it. The lingo being 'number of people/desk' vs square footage required. Being a total newbie to this, I kept referring to office for 4 bedrooms instead of office for 4 people - duh!

Day Out - Pick Your Own

We spend Sunday morning at Parkside farm, a Pick-Your-Own fruit and veg farm about 20 minutes drive from our flat. It was supposed to be a clear day with scattered showers but the rain stayed away long enough for us to enjoy the farm.

I was most excited about blackcurrants, specifically to make jam. Blackcurrant is such an under-rated berry which baffles me...it is abundant and cheap but you only find it in Ribena...why? Scott is most excited about the strawberries...he has very specific plan for the fresh strawberries he picked...to be revealed soon

We came away with large punnets of strawberries, raspberries, blackcurrant, blackberries, onions and beetroots. We will definitely be back soon to stock up on squash, beans, tomatoes and sweetcorn.