Adventures of the Benign, Winter Edition.

This week has been very..wintery and christmassy.  Is it too early for you to be Christmassy yet? 25 Sleeps to ...

Read More

Weekday Cocktails

Warning: this post may make you thirsty.I think I've found an awesome way to dispell weekday blues - cocktail classes! Now, I'm nothing but honest (and probably usually overshare) and in this instance I was a guest of Balans in Stratford, but my (many) opinions are only ever my own.When I left my office to hop on the tube to Stratford, I wasn't sure what to expect, but we were warmly welcomed with a fresh Bellini and a big smile from our instructor and her assistant.Our instructor was a (cocktail making) mother hen to our gaggle...

Read More

The Night Circus - Reading Recommendation

I couldn't put this down. It was fascinating, capivating, mysterious and funny.The circus arrives without warning. No announcements precede it. It is simply there, when yesterday it was not. The black sign, painted in white letters that hangs upon the gates, reads:Opens at NightfallCloses at DawnAs the sun disappears beyond the horizon, all over the tents small lights begin to flicker, as though the entirety of the circus is covered in particularly bright fireflies. When the tents are all aglow, sparkling against the night sky, the sign appears.Le...

Read More

Kiwi cooking: Sweetcorn Fritters

In my search to better define kiwi cooking, I've found another recipe that I adore, and has fallen out of my recipe list since moving to the Northern hemisphere (bar when I find in in gem restaurants). Sweetcorn Fritters.Easy, fairly heathly, great to add in your own touches, these are a great easy brunch. I like to add grated Zucchini (patted with a paper towel to absorb any excess fluid), Ham, Bacon, Peppers, mostly anything you have that aren't really strongly flavoured to competed with the Sweetcorn.There is something luscious...

Read More

I'm a road tripper...

To get to the game on Saturday, we braved the elements and the A4, crossing into another country, accidently losing a member of our kiwi posse in Cardiff due to terrible reception and relied on a sometimes mischevious SatNav.We tracked down an infamous barber shop - the only recommendation for fun things to stop off and see on our way over made by a Welsh friend. But, we found it.Made a new friend or two... The only foodie thing we did, apart from drink tea & redbull, which doesn't really count, was try a Fire Island Craft...

Read More

Wales: The All Blacks, a road trip, and some daffs - sorry, Taffs.

Kiwis are synonymous with our love of rugby, the All Blacks, and Sheep. Lets forget about the Sheep thing for now, and concentrate on the two we are the most proud of. Cardiff's Millenium Stadium was simple magnificent. Twickenham is fun, but shows it's age.  Some Kiwi fans like to wear buckets on their heads... whilst the Taffs like to wear Daffodils, Leeks, Goals and Dragons. It's definately a manly game though.    We lucked in with great seats and the atmosphere was incredible.beginning with an electric...

Read More

London Living: Jack the Ripper

The scourge of the Victorian London underclass, Jack the Ripper holds fascination for many people.Infamously there are many permutations of the tale, with no single person pointed out., many assume Jack the Ripper stopped commiting his crimes due to imprisonment for another crime, institutionalisation, or emigration putting and end to his spree.There are a variety of ways in which to explore London's gruesome past, including walking tours. But be warned, some of the walking tours take you to multi-storey carparks, on the site of...

Read More

The Little Stranger

This psychological drama was a slow-burning page turner. I read this on the recommendation of a fellow blogger - Kit at What a Peach! and I am SO glad I did.It's subtle, delicious and mesmerising. Set just after WW2 in agricultural England, there is something not quite right about the Ayres family mansion. The author keeps you guessing all the way through, and I don't want to give away any spoilers.The Little Stranger: Sarah WatersThe characters are good, if ever so slightly one-sided but the house almost becomes a character in it's own right,...

Read More

6 Year Anniversary

I can't believe it. This Kiwi flew the coop, and has lived on the other side of the world for 6 years. It's been an amazing 6 years, hard in places but overall incredible.I've met my husband, explored many countries, learned a lot and grown up a great deal.I've missed my family and friends, met some fantastic new people, met some shady characters (a few seemingly straight out of Oliver Twist), developed new circles, learned how small the world is and how much potential there is if you put yourself out there.I've also learned how to be...

Read More