Happy anniversary

Four years ago this wonderful man proposed to me.  

It was such a shock.  We had been walking around the heather and decided to have a bit of a break. 

I had been sat for a while looking through my hands "if you do this (hiding my hands up around me face) we are the only people here!  I was munching on Pringles and phaffing around with the camera (I was convinced if broken it). 

When I noticed GO on the floor rummaging around in his man bag.  

He had been so possessive of that thing.  He wouldn't let me hold it, he wouldn't let me put things in it or get things out of it. 

It was getting quite annoying.  

Then he stopped, looked at me and began to say something...  The rest you know!

Blue Sky a thinking

Beautiful clear blue sky 

Wildflower

Driving home photo 2

Happy Blogiversary

It has been a year since I started this blog.  Looking back I can't believe how much my life has changed and how happy I am.  

I have got a new job, which isn't without it's challenges, that I absolutely love.  I have most definitely got my teaching mojo back.  

After becoming more conscious about my overall health, I have begun to take matters into my own hands.  I go to fitness classes, hike and swim every week.  I have upped my fruit, vegetable and calcium intake and lowered my fat, sugar and alcohol (I am pretty much tee total now). I am healthier than I have ever been.

Fertility wise, I don't feel any closer to the goal.  I recovered from my op quickly and have to be honest I had extremely high (slightly unrealistic) expectations.  My cycles were 60- 90 days long, when this all began, are now 22-28 days long and while this is fantastic, I'm still not 100% sure I actually ovulate.  Which is the whole point surely?  I have a few appointments coming up which will hoepefully clear everything up, fingers crossed.

I have become more conscious of making sure that the time GO and I spend time together is worthwhile.  We have been on so many day trips, and weekends away.  We have coming with nature, been out for amazing meals and made the most of our National Trust membership.

What a year I have had, it has been full of highs and has been lacking in lows, which after the past few years is a great improvement.  Let's see what the next year on the blog brings.

Bank Holiday Shenanigans - Part 2

I'm walking to Oxford 

"I have to go in and do a split shift!  I work until four in the kitchen and then at nine in the bar.  You can come into Oxford at four, we could wander around the parks of Oxford. There are some lovely parks (repeating a phrase I always say to him) and then we could have dinner somewhere nice."  I could see the tension in his eyes.  Would I be disappointed or would this be a good idea?

A Break in the rain

"Sounds like a plan!"  I said, "although I might not take the bus.  I might walk to Oxford and meet you.  There is a street food fair on in the Castle!"  It was sorted.   Sunday was going to be quite fun.  When I opened the curtains on Sunday it was very grey and over cast.  Thankfully it looked like it had been raining but had stopped.  I pottered about the house, Skyped my parents and very quickly decided that I wouldn't walk as it had started raining again.

A bit wet out!

I had a long soak in the bath and planned my outfit, I decided I'd wear my new summer dress (a bit optimistic I know) with a long sleeved t shirt and my tan boots, perfect spring/summer warm/cold weather.  I looked out the window, blueish skies and  it felt quite warm.  I decided to walk, I wouldn't make it to the pub at half four, but it wouldn't be far off.  Off I went walking poles in hand, I packed a jacket and umbrella just in case.  I ha just started to climb up the hill to Shotover when it began spitting.  

I think for me that's a good time

I was a quarter way up the hill when it began tipping it down.  I stood do a while and pondered what to do.  I could turn back and walk to the bus stop, I'd get to Oxford in plenty of time and I wouldn't be soaked!  But.....  I had wanted to walk to Oxford for quite a while now, the rain wasn't too heavy and had already started to slow down.  I decided to carry on.  

The hill is a killer, I've never made it up in one go and is the most difficult part of the walk.  It took me half hour to walk up it.  I will have to try it again to see if that is a good time or not.  I sent various messages to G.O and my family, "I'm walking to Oxford and want a shandy ready when I get there!" responses varied from "well we're off to town for an ice cream" from my papichen, "What you mean [sic]" from mamilein, I can't be any more specifc than that surely? and from G.O "can you bring the rug sack [sic]?"

I made it up and over the hill in one soggy and muddy piece.  I was sure G.O would have a spare jacket or something (Spoiler Alert - he didn't).  

Doggers

On the decent I passed some stones, as I got closer I was able to read the sign.  "These 'Doggers' were formed before the ice age and are found all over Shotover."  I am glad I was alone because I found that hilarious, yes, I have the mind of a teenage boy.

Quicker than apple maps

The rest of the walk wasn't particularly interesting, it was a slog and the closer I got to Oxford the more tourists who would just stop in front of me.  i wanted to shout "I've just walked a quarter marathon, move it!"  But that just doesn't sound that impressive.  

After 1.48minish I arrived at the pub and the first order of business, rehydration, I knew what I needed it just wasn't what I wanted.  I downed a pint of milk.   To celebrate G.O took me to Byron Burgers, which just serves the most amazing burgers and chips, perfect! We did make it to the street fair, but we were too full to even think about food! 

Did I walk home again that is the question?

My new BFF

I went to visit a very good, old friend Mrs F, who had recently given birth to a gorgeous little princess.

I have a soft spot for children (funny that being a teacher) but I don't always feel comfortable with babies, especially tiny babies.  It's a lack of experience.  

I am the visitor who hands the baby back at the first sign of a grizzle.  I spent the whole day with this Lovely little family, having hugs and kisses and was even able to get the Miss F to fall asleep, albeit for only fifteen minutes.  

It is one of my proudest achievements and has raised Miss F to be my favourite baby and my new BFF.  God bless you little one. xxx

Ahh, Bliss in the Cotwolds

After a day in Old Trafford, which was predominantly for the boy.  He has out done himself and organised a spa day for the two of us at the Cotswold House Hotel.  After the journey through all of the beautiful fields and villages on the Oxfordshire border, we arrived at Chipping Campden, Gloucestershire, and the beautiful hotel.  

Photo collage made with photos from the hotel website

G.o had arranged for us to have a treatment each (he had a head massage, and I had a facial), we had unlimited access to the pool and then we would have lunch in the brasserie.   It was amazing, so relaxing there clientele ranged in age from twenties to 70+, men and women (mostly women, and a lot of them pregnant) while it was busy it didn't feel crowded.  Although I may have said differently if I hadn't had a lounger to relax on. 

My treatment was amazing, the lady was Australian, she did a facial with hot towels and this warmed almond oil.  And as a little extra she gave me a quick head massage too. When the treatment finished, she began the hard sell, talking me through all of the products she has used and why they would vital for me to use.  But as the lowest price was £30 I knew I would stick with me £5.00 cream.  She showed me to the recuperation room, which had banana sorbet and fruit infused water.  G.O arrived in his white robe, looking totally blissed out.  "I loved that, it was the most amazing thing that has ever happened to me!" He said....   Yeah right, what he actually said was "Yeah , it was good!" I don't know how but I managed to convince him to buy the facial oil that he had been recommended, it was £40 but as my dear friend says, "It's an investment in the future of G.O's face".

After a while the fidget in me got bored and I decided that I was ready for my lunch.  We got dressed went to the Brasserie where we had a lunch of baked Camembert and steak sandwiches, just perfect not too heavy and not too light.

Guy Fawkes

Only in Britain do people pay to stand in a cold, wet, rainy field and watch fireworks to remember/celebrate a failed attempt to blow up the Houses of Parliament. 

That is exactly what G.O and I did this evening, usually we just watch out of the window but his year as we were home together, we decided to go to the local school and watch the display.

We wrapped our selves up so we would be nice and warm and at twenty past five we set off for the school, gates opened at 5.30pm.  

On the way it began to rain (typical) and some plank drove through a puddle and drenched us, although I didn't make much difference.  We arrived at the school and paid our entry fee and then found out that the display started at 7pm.

 We had to wait and hour and a half in a school field with only music students wailing to entertain us.  We some how managed to keep ourselves amused, even if it was only shining a torch on the kids who were playing hide and seek.  We did share a hog roast roll with crackling and yes it was salty and dry but it was delicious.

The display itself only lasted a quarter of an hour but it was awesome.  

As I said to G.O the local firework display was always going to be amazing when we had a firework company headquarters down the road.

After the show we toddled back home where we planned to have some mulled wine and baked Camembert and watched the X Factor, bliss.

Date nightarama

I couldn't be bothered to cook this evening, I'm still fighting my way through this blooming cold.  Harvester is a great no nonsense, meal out without the fuss kind of place.  I love it, especially the salad bar.  I was looking forward to it all day.

As I waited for G.O to get ready, he couldn't wear the first outfit because the shirt was too creased. G.O wondered whether the Gourmet Society had connections with Harvester, they didn't but the BeefEater chain did and there was one round the corner.  Off we went into pastures new...

It turns out that BeefEater restaurants are just like my beloved Harvesters.  I began a mental comparison between the two establishments. 

Harvester has;

A salad bar

Free pop refills

Jack Daniels sauce

Beefeater;

Doesn't have the above, but what was this?  Baked Camembert, and free refills (although we had already ordered cokes) this was looking promising. 

"There's a fifteen minute wait for the Camembert, is that alright?"  Asked Tomaz our pleasant Polish waiter.  It was alright by me.  It arrived fourteen minutes later and it was well worth the wait.

It arrived on a bread board with sliced rye bread and onion marmalade.  And was yummy.

Starter finished we waited for our main course, a simple round of steak and chips.  The ever attentive waiter came over and said, that he had a surprise for us.  From behind his back he produced a balloon dog!

What a random moment.  We were still giggling when our steaks arrived, as is now the case the chips were separate in their own little container.  When did food stop being served on one plate?

As we finished we were asked if we wanted desert, I'm not much if a desert person, so we decided to share a sundae.  The popcorn and caramel sundae sounded awesome.  "So one large sharing sundae?" Yes.

When it arrived it was massive, it took over half an hour to eat it and I could only manage a few spoonful but G.O persevered and finally we finished it.

Through gritted teeth and with a fake smile plastered  G.O whispered "he's coming back.  He's coming back!"  Just then the waiter arrived back and brandished a purple sword!!!

It was a fun evening and I am definitely going to go back to the Beefeater again. Although I imagine to balloons were just a one off.

It's My Birthday!

"Happy 35th Birthday!"  G.O whispered at 12.01am this morning, I smiled sleepily and then went back to sleep.  Only to sit bolt upright and say "What do you mean? 35!" 

"Yes, that's what app on my phone says,!"  He replied, "I'm 38!" He looked sheepish and a little confused.  He is 34 and I am 3 years (4 years now, until November) older than he is, what is confusing about that? "Ah he said, stupid app!"

G.O made up for it though in the morning (the real morning, not stupid o'clock) by presenting me with my gift (a Kindle HD, I have wanted one for a while now, I have too many books, and yes you  can have too many books!) and a beautiful heartfelt card. 

 

Last year I didn't receive a card, I was told it was at work" and that he would get it to me when he returned to work.  I never got the card that said "Happy Birthday to my wife" on my first birthday as someone's wife.  This is still a sore spot as you can tell.

 

We lounged around the house, I replied to Facebook and text messages and Skyped my parents in Germany.  The we decided to go out for a spot of lunch.  I have always wanted to go to the Crazy Bear restaurant in Stadhampton.  It is a wonderful kooky place with a bear hidden in the ceiling and reception housed in a double decker red bus.  When we arrived I looked everywhere for someone to talk to but the place was deserted, just as I was about to give up a man emerges from the floor, I should have looked down!  "We have no places available all weekend, you should have booked!"  "We were just passing anyway!" I lied. 

 

Just when I thought my fate was to go to the all you can eat Chinese buffet and partake in a spot of ten pin bowling, like a spotty teenager (I love bowling, I'm just being dramatic) I remembered a pub that we had visited years ago.  It have a lovely garden with lots of nooks and crannies, you can sit around the table behind a hedge and never be seen by another sole again.  G.O couldn't remember a thing, even as we pulled into the car park he wasn't convinced he had ever been there before.  As we walked through the garden and he saw the  building he said "I do remember this place we sat over there!" 

The place hadn't changed much, it has a very chilled, calm vibe and as we arrived we were greeted by the landlady who showed us to a table tucked away in a nook by the, thankfully unlit, fire.  The menu was simple,  I can't cope when there is a lot of choice, and they had a set menu to choose from.  I went for the dressed crab and Sea bass, with crushed potatoes and G.O  had the risotto and belly pork.  (Simple menu but it still took the pair of us ten minutes to remember what had to eat).  We sat and chatted, putting the world to rights as only we can, we made some exciting decisions (I won't share just yet)  one of which was that we would make the Mole Inn our new local, everyone needs a place that they always go to, Pizzeria Venezia anybody?

 

 

Gingerbread Love - The journey really begins

The Proposal...