May: 1

For the first of two May public holidays, I found myself whooshing through north london towards St Albans where my friend and I spent the day exploring Roman Verulamium. Verulamium was once a large Roman town, which subsequently fell into disuse, was used as a convenient source for stone and other building materials by the Normans and later occupants of Medieval St Albans, and is now a lovely park!

Evidence of what was once there and still lies under much of the grassy areas is seen in the remnants of the city wall, the excavated mosaic and hypocaust (below), the amphitheatre and the myriad array of objects now housed in the Verulamium Museum.

As a homage to a favourite film, Amelie, the aptly named Franken-Margaret accompanied us on our journey through the past.

Our trip turned into a great day out easily done by train and on foot from London. While the extant archaeology may not be much to look at on the surface, the Verulamium museum is well curated (compared to a lot of regional museums I’ve been to) and provides an interesting glimpse into the history of the Roman town. There are some really lovely small objects – such as a fold-up knife/spoon composite (like something you would take camping now-a-days) as well as brooches, coins, cosmetic items.

(Top to bottom: FM joins in on the second breakfast; FM scaling the city wall remnants; the in-situ mosaic and hypocaust; the ‘Ladies Gate’ – no Gentleman Gate was seen; FM prepares for her on-stage performance at the Amphitheatre; FM ready to launch into our late pub lunch)

April: 3

On Sunday night I spent over 4 quality hours at the cinema watching Spirited Away and Kiki’s Delivery Service. Two delightful, though quite different, japanese anime films. Both were shown in Japanese with subtitles – definitely my preferred viewing option; dubbing for me loses some of the magic of the film.

The contrast between the films is striking: SA was made in 2001 where as KDS was made in 1989 and the difference in the animation is striking. SA is saturated with colour, and the animation is far more detailed with wonderful shading to bring to life the characters movements. KDS is very 80s in its look – the colours are more muted and the animation (at least what I remember) was less detailed – my mind brings up childhood viewings of Astro Boy.

Likewise the setting for each film is worlds apart. SA is clearly set in Japan, while KDS is set in a mishmash made up town borrowing elements from San Francisco, German villages, Italian seaside towns with an overall European feel.

KDS reminded me of watching Sabrina the Teenage Witch, and while I enjoyed the film, I preferred SA. The array of spirits shown using the bath house are wonderful – my favourite being the giant egg-shaped duck-like creatures. Also, the characterisation of objects such as the soot balls is endearing, and comical. The portrayal of the bathhouse where the greater part of the film is set is intricately detailed including the carpets, walls, clothing, people, THE LOT.

Easter: 2013

 

Edit: a belated easter post – drafted and then forgotten about. thankfully 2 weeks (& a bit) past easter and spring has finally arrived!

Thursday: my easter started early with an onsite easter egg hunt! Such fun.

There was also a tin of cornflake cakes (like chocolate crackles but with cornflakes instead of rice bubbles) for an additional sugar hit to keep us going till lunch. the well-wrapped egg (on right in snap above) contained 2 mini eggs and Margaret (below) our new team mascot, who helped move more than her weight in spoil with her trusty samian shovel.

Sunday: a visit to the V&A with a friend. The visit, I must admit, involved us mostly wandering and chatting about work while occasionally looking at the amazing objects around us (though in the Fashion and Jewellery sections we were both very attentive).  So much looking and talking required refreshments in the form of coffee & scone.

Monday: a road trip to Stone Henge and Avebury.

April: 2

Clocks forward at Easter = more light after walk for neighbourhood exploration.

Discovery? The Excalibur Estate – a post-WW2 prefab housing estate from 1946-47.

The houses are old and lacklustre, but the area has a quaint charm mainly resulting from the leafy pathways that separate the rows of houses and the odd cat or garden gnome gracing the estate. Catford yet again surprises with its mix of old, ugly, unusual and quirky.

April: 1

Spring has sprung!

To welcome in the approach of warmer weather, t-shirts, and summer frolicking I’m giving my blog a mini-facial.

Soon to follow will be the wardrobe cleansing and general flat airing.

Of course, it being London the sunshine is predicted to cloud over tomorrow, and turn into rain come tuesday.

But with overnight lows staying above +4 degrees I’m (ridiculously) excited.

 

March: 4

Spring focus.

Inspired by this post, and as spring has not yet properly sprung in our corner of the world, I’ve made a list of goals to get me going and reinvigorate both mind and body post-winter.

The goals including more running and yoga, less worrying, more blogging, more photos.

As there is nothing (yet) in the way of spring bloom to photograph around me, i’ve dug into the archives of Spring 2008 (Perth, WA).

March: 3

Feeling frustrated after a demoralising work-place consultation regarding probably upcoming redundancies, I sought some solace in pictures on the internet: enter cabinporn.com.

A fabulous website compiling images of cabins of various forms from around the world. The first image is in Oregon, and reminded me of the trip that Flo and I went on in 2011. The north american continent is a place I would love to explore more by vehicle (and train if money would allow). I dream.

March: 2

our flat is slowly becoming our home. a mish-mash of ikea, recycled and brought-with-us-objects. and even though we only have 3 rooms (living/kitchen/dining+bedroom+bathroom) I still manage to make a mess during the week which is then tidied up over the weekend for the slow spread of stuff to occur during the week. plans are vaguely underway to get a few pot plants and herbs to brighten the space and flavour our food. slowly, but surely the space is becoming welcoming, rather than just really really cold!

March: 1

Following my brief stop at the ponderings of movies, my thought train dropped me off at a more popular station: favourite books. A topic I thought I would be able to condense myself down to a Top 5.

Or so I thought, when sitting with pen & paper in the St Martin’s in the Field Crypt cafe I planned to jot down my Top 5 books last saturday afternoon. Of course you already know that I suddenly found myself somewhat stumped to compile a top 5 list. Do I rate my top 5 based on re-read ability & comfort. Or perhaps the criteria should be books that are amazingly well written/educate/change your view etc (Wolf Hall would top this particular list).

In the end I decided to settle with books that are the equivalent of my favourite movies – ones that I have re-read (I do feel this is a book crime considering that there is so much to read out there that I will never be able to read it all in my lifetime; but I have come to the self-reconciliation that its necessary for good mental health to ocassionally re-read a favourite) or intend to re-read & provide the equivalent comfort of warm apple crumble and vanilla ice-cream.

(in no particular order):

1) The Transit of Venus – Shirley Hazzard

I bought a copy for 50 cents at a Uni book sale many moons ago during my first degree. However I don’t remember that I actually read this straight away or at any rate I don’t think i liked it that much on first reading. I have subsequently re-read this at least once, and also read several other books and short stories by the author which have satisfied my love of understated prose. The inclusion of this book in my top 5 is also partially about my love of second hand paperbacks.

2) Frenchman’s Creek – Daphne du Maurier

A much loved light novel combining adventure and romance in a delightfully witty mix. I can’t say exactly what the appeal of this novel is, perhaps its shortness, ease of access and lack of intensity provide mental relief.

3) The Time Travellers Wife – Audrey Niffenegger

Beautiful, emotive and raw prose. a cleverly constructed narrative. engaging characters that don’t end up doing dumb things (I do really dislike when characters go off on some ridiculous pathway – ok this is more likely to happen in TV series, but books also commit crimes: see the Twilight series). I haven’t watched the movie as I have created in my mind particular images of Henry and Claire, which the movies does not align with. Also, its not a story that I feel would translate well onto the screen.

4) Looking for Alibrandi – Melina Marchetta

A book for teenagers set in Sydney in the early 90s. Much enjoyed during my high school years.

5) The Thorn Birds – Colleen McCullough

I have only read this once, so this could be scrapped on second reading. But the first time round it was fabulous – I even stayed up one night till 1am just to finish it as it was taking over my waking existence. The complex relationships, the back drop of rural NSW, the length of the novel itself. Like Pillars of the Earth and the Harry Potter series, I do enjoy a book that I can sink my teeth into and be swept along for the journey.

What would make it into your list?

Pattern review: Short Row Sweater

Pattern: Short Row Sweater by Purl Bee (here)

Yarn: Drops Alpaca in Pearl Grey (4020) (here)

Ok, so I’ll confess now that I haven’t quite finished this yet. But initially trying on bodes that this is going to be awesome. I really enjoyed knitting in that it involved plenty of mindless stocking stitch with the addition of short-rows to keep you focused. The short rows create the wonderfully curved front and crossed back.

A number of knitter friends have observed that it is semi-impractical in that your back is exposed, perhaps defeating the purpose of the garment. But I must say that is one of my favourite elements of the design; it must be said that if you don’t want a cold back this pattern isn’t for you.

I’ve only got the armhole bands to knit, and then it will just need a quick wash to flatten out the front edge.

So far, the yarn has been fab – its soft, light, sheds very little and has a lovely drape. I have my fingers crossed that it won’t bloom too much. I was good and did block my swatch which matched the pattern gauge so in theory it should be fine….