Looking for Mr Darcy

Saturday afternoon saw Mila, Helen & myself outside The Ritz ready for our afternoon tea. It was beautiful. The decor was gorgeous, the service fantastic and the food divine! We were dressed in our Sunday best and were a bit unsure about taking pictures but soon the room was full of flashes so obviously that got me going.

For starters we had cucumber sandwiches, ham sandwiches, egg rolls, smoke salmon sandwiches. I also started with the Ritz English tea. Lovely rich flavour. Next was the cake course where I had the mini tart with fruit and some of the raspberry mousse concoction. This was accompanied by a pot of Earl Grey tea. And finally the scones with clotted cream & delicious jam. After such a lavicous spread I had a pot of Elderflower tea which had a hint of honey in it. A lovely way to end the afternoon.

Afterwards we headed over to Fortum & Masson and I picked up some delicious lemon biscuits & a pot of Scottish heather honey. Both tasted fantastic.

Such a lovely afternoon.

Sunday I had an all day tournament in Wandsworth playing with an team in our division, The Tornadoes. We managed to get to the final but bombed out. I did manage to do an amazing catch in the left field, but have now pulled a muscle in my right shoulder. Oh well a bit of rest and I'll be as good as new.

8 Days till my birthday!!!

Pauline's Face

Happy birthday Pauline!

Cheese board

Today is Pauline's birthday and when I asked her what dessert she would order if she was in a restaurant she said Cheese Plate. Great! After that came chocolate cake. So I decided to mix the two and made a plain cake with chocolate icing topped with cheese!

Update

So we had Pip's birthday on the 6th Aug. We all went to Vibe Bar in Brick Lane and it was sooo much fun. We had a reserved area so it was cool to leave our stuff. When the live band started we all got up and danced. I managed to get the last train home, whilst others (Clare) got home about 4am.

Saturday I went to Zou's birthday/farewell party at Karaoke bar in Smithfields Meat Market. Most of the softball team showed up so it was nice to sit there and sing. I did Dolly proud and sang "9 to 5". It was heaps of fun and will miss Zou who is moving to Dubai for 2 years to teach.

Monday 9th saw me and 17 of my team mates head over to west London to go on leisurely bike tour around the Royal parks. It was so much fun cruising around on the bikes and the weather was perfect. Its such a fun way of seeing London I might organise something outside of work.

Afterwards we went to a local Turkish restaurant for food. The Tabohuli was excellent!!! I would love to be able to make it. Mum you will have to send me your recipe.

Wednesday 11th we had another team softball match. Unfortunately alot of people dropped out on the day so we could only play 6 aside, when you are supposed to have 12 per side. We lost to the other team 21 - 40. Got smashed!!

Thursday 12th saw me, Clare, Pip, Mark, Lou, Charlene and Hayley go to Suzy's house for her turn at Come Dine With Me! It was a very long evening, and we didn't eat until 9.35pm!! I was super hungry by that stage and I think some had drunk more than they should have. Dinner was fine as too dessert. We got out about 11.30pm and i was driving us home.

Weekend was spent doing nothing which is good and this week has been quiet too. Love doing nothing but reading my book. I did babysit for Clare & Annabel but the little man was asleep the whole time and I only had to check on him once! Managed to finish my book. Excellent work.

We have another softball match tomorrow, Anne's birthday drinks on Friday, Tea at the Ritz on saturday with Mila & Helen and a one day softball tournament on Sunday. A nice weekend coming up!

14 days till my birthday!

Sailing the seven seas

On Friday as a team bonding exercise a group of us from work went down to Southampton for a day's sailing around the Isle of White.

It was a bit of an early start (6am) but once we were down there it was fantastic. The sun was coming in and out of the clouds but we got a lovely wind up late morning and did some fantastic sailing, racing style, on it's side. Tacking from one side to the other was hilarious with a few slips and slides.

We also got the chance to get out on the speedboat which was hilarious. Clare & I sat up front and we were totally airborne going over the wake of the passing ships. We held onto each other and couldn't stop laughing.

A lovely lunch was then handed out whilst we watched the other sailor's practicing for Cow's week next week.

A glorious day, with a relaxing motor back into port. A bit wind burnt but well worth it!

I'm a Celebrity

(Suzy, Hayley, Rhianna, me & Pip in the stadium)

Yesterday I was selected (amongst 37 other team mates) to attend the celebrations for 2 years to go to the Olympics. We got taken to a platform outside the Aquatics Centre, then we walked across the bridge into the Olympic stadium. It was being taped by the BBC so we were all on our best behaviour.

(1st: Pip & I in front of the Aquatics, 2nd: Hayley, Pip, Me & Suzy, 3rd: Talking to Boris)

A few highlights were chatting with Boris Johnson (London Mayor), meeting Chris Hoy (Gold medal winner) and I also had a photo with Gary Linnekar. Michael Johnson, fastest man on the planet, was there and he ran a race with the local kids which was lovely.

(1st: Me & Gary Linnekar, 2nd: Me with the AMAZING Chris Hoy, 3rd: Michael Johnson)

A great event and it was wonderful to be part of it! See below for my chat with Boris!!!

Come Dine with Clare & Softball

On Tuesday 20th Clare had her Come Dine with me experience. She cooked for the 8 of us, entree was bacon lardon's with camenbert cheese. Main was beef lasagne & salad. Dessert was a heavenly creation of lemon cheesecake with strawberries on the side. The dessert was totally amazing and pulled her score up! Afterwards everyone went into the backyard to finish off the 11 bottles of drink!!! A great night.

Wednesday we had our first work softball night. We had plenty of people show up and it was great fun. Experience ranged from high to very low but everyone got in and had a go. My team won 39 to 35 so it was a tight one. Next match is Tues 3rd Aug!