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I can pack ridiculously lightly for a two week tour but 3 days at the beginning of summer equals suncream, kagool, fleece, suntop, thermal vest, shorts, jeans, scarf, body-warmer, spare towel and sunglasses... trying to prepare for every possible meteorological combination, from hailstones to tropical storm... any weather can happen in June!
So, Erasure are embarking on a series of summer concerts in beautiful Forestry Commission land around the UK.
forestry.gov.uk
The first of which, was Thetford in Suffolk. The woodland itself was a stunning setting, the staff incredibly friendly and helpful and had the cutest smart car/coffee shop combo!!!
Corinna and I met up with our German friends, who had flown over specially from Dresden (Janet), Munich (André), Köln (Jens) and Berlin (Heiko). Dr Janet from Dresden, is one of Erasure's most devoted fans and was so nervous about the gig she could barely sleep or eat the night before...sounds familiar! She really wanted a spot down the front, so we were there nice and early, when the heavens opened and the raincloud that had followed us from London burst open, saturating us with big heavy splashes. I had raindrops dripping from my false eyelases and the end of my nose. Not a good look. I have done emergancy eyelash repairs in some odd places but never in the rain, on the front row of a concert with a helpful fan holding the mirror... thanks Shaun!! All delusions of Festival chic down the pan... thank goodness for my amazing Hagloff kagool is all I can say... when they mean waterproof they really do mean it... I was shocked to see the rain rolling right off... poor Janet was saturated in her parka but wouldn't move as she didn't want to lose her space. Such devotion... me and Corinna went for a cup of tea and some chips to warm up and luckily the stall had a canopy to shelter under, which was a
massive bonus.
By the time the beautiful Sophie Ellis came on I was on the front row looking like a drowned rat. She on the other hand looked spectacular like a Norman Parkinson model from a bygone era in a white lace dress that made her porcelain complexion look luminous, black opaque tights elongating her already endless looking legs topped off with the coolest neon pink Hunter wellies... only she could pull that off and still look timelessly elegant.
She sounded amazing bouncing through "Bittersweet", "Murder On the Dance Floor" and "Heartbreak (Make Me A Dancer)" and a little Ibiza mega mix of "Lady-Groovejet-Moloko" tempted out the sun, one last time before it set.
Then it was time for Andy and Vince. Andy had on his lovely sparkly jacket he wore for the Mute festival and the coolest "sex Pistols" sleeveless Tshirt... right up my strasse... perfect amalgamation of punk and electro.
Andy is looking very trim too and kept teasing us all with glimpses of his super toned biceps. His voice was incredible too. At the moment he is appearing on "Pop star to Opera star" and everyone was commenting on how amazing he sounded.
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The tour, entitled "Total Pop" is a showcase of their many hits... I had forgotten just how many!! I was pleasantly surprised by how many songs I didn't know I knew and could happily sing along to... and it has been years since I have been down the front at a concert... I was terrified, expecting stage diving, fainting and broken ribs against the crash barrier but it was all very civilised, a nice sedate re-introduction. I really enjoyed the show. The focus was the songs; no costume changes or stage show gimmicks necessary; the hits just spoke for themselves. The stage set was just simple white plinths for the backing singers and Vince and his gadgets, simple lighting dramatic against the evening sky. Not many bands can do such a minimal show, playing hit after relentless hit, sing along melody after soaring chorus the soulful harmonies of the backing singers complementing Andy's rich voice perfectly. Andy and Vince have a lovely chemistry too, sometimes giggling like a pair of naughty schoolboys and Vince's computer boffin in contrast with Andy's sweet sparkly flamboyance, all genuine concern that we get home safely and have a bag of chips to warm ourselves up. Bless.
Next stop Bedgebury.... Another day, another gig and another outfit... Ms Ellis-Bextor swapped white for black lace and abandoned the neon wellies for high high heels which she proceeded to pogo up and down in like a pair of addidas without losing her vocal pitching. Most impressive!
Andy was sparkling in red and made a grand entrance in sunglasses, appeared more relaxed and was very chatty and adorably charming, which was impressive considering the live showing of Pop Star to Opera Star is looming. I am so impressed with his vocal stamina... he sounded amazing again even though he was apologizing because they had had to fractionally lower the key of some songs because his voice had got deeper with age... not age honey... just more mature and characterful like a fine wine or a posh cheese....
Vince had a woolly hat on... he must have been freezing because he was blowing on his fingers to warm them before he began the guitar part in "Sometimes", "Victim of Love" and "A Little Respect". Even though his recent tweets promised a 10 minute breakdancing routine (he didn't!) It may have been an unusual way to keep himself warm! However he did crack a lovely smile at the end of the show. Captured beautifully by Janet.
Lovely weekend had by all. We got to see Tonbridge castle, carnival and summer fayre and after having sampled enough cold, damp, drizzle, relocated to the nearby village of Penshurst for a traditional English clotted cream scone in a 16th century tea room. Corinna got to sample lots of other British delicacies too such as cheese and onion pasties, full English breakfast and roast beef and horsradish sandwiches. I learned some more German swear words, my mother will be so proud!... and I got to hear two words I never thought I would in the same sentence; "Autobahn" and "Marks and Spencers'" ...how perfectly appropriate for a girly road trip!
Aaaah Sunday at central station. The after effects of all a Saturday night on the Toon has to offer. Hens, veils, tinsel edged tartan cowboy hats and pink balloons tied to suitcases. Stags furtively eating fast greasy protein before the journey home and the hangover kicks in...
Was so good to be back in Newcastle. The sun was shining as the train pulled into central station taking me back too many years and so many memories to when I first set foot on North Eastern soil to start my interior design course; my first time living away from home, fending for myself and wearing whatever I bloomin well wanted!
Some things don't change and that was the freezing wind and biting to the bone cold as I walked over the Tyne to my home for the weekend. Quick change, eyelashes on, praying they couldn't blow off in the Tyneside gale and off to the first of our old haunts, The Forth to meet the lads then off to The Riverside... not the old Riverside, where we used to go after the Barley Mow (burnt down 3 weeks ago!!!!!) to guzzle endless bottles of Dog and pints of dubious larger, staggering around whilst our feet stuck firmly to the floor, watching almost every band that passed through town and wishing beyond anything I were on that stage... but...
... The new Riverside, complete with sparkly chandeliers (!!!) is now located on a sadly quiet quayside, in an old steakhouse (where I was once wined and dined on St Valentines... I had chips and too much wine I seem to remember...)
The 3 of us stood at the back in a place so dear to us in the 90s we namechecked it in a song, reflecting on Dubstar and watching The Charlatans (who ironically gazumped our one and only NME front cover) play a most excellent acoustic set. It felt just like the old days... but not quite...
Friday and back in the studio. Final guitar parts to go on... (Well not final if Chris has his way) and I decide to be poorly. Emergency trip to Boots and the nearest health food shop and I conk out on the couch cocooned in a sleeping bag and my coat (chills and shivers) and dribble all over a helpfully provided pillow and sleep until its time to do some harmonies. No rest for the ill. Oh I'm so brave... Poor Gavin, who owns the studio. I haven't seen him for 15 years since he last played drums for The Joans (pre-me Dubstar) quick hug and I'm off to the loo. He makes a fabulous cup of hot water though! Early night beckons.
Saturday we hire a car and listen through to the album. Songs are in various stages of completeness and some we have to imagine the vocals but its nice to finally have a first cohesive feel for the album. Why does music always sound so good in a car? Music was made for driving... or rail journeys... particularly through beautiful Northumberland.
Back to the Toon and just had to pay a visit the Blackie Boy where I used to work. It was so weird walking in and not knowing any of the bar staff and neither "Gipsys, Tramps and Thieves" or "Maggie May"blasting out of the jukebox, so it was a great comfort to discover dick and fanny are still so beautifully engraved on the toilet doors, albeit a different typeface, but that's just splitting hairs... I remember bringing Andy Ross the boss of Food Records for a meeting there and we sat in the same seats to watch the Saturday night parade. Its fascinating. I forgot how much of an effort girls up North put into a Saturday night out. They look immaculate and amazing. At 8pm anyway; perfect hair, high heels and slinky dresses. I could girl watch all night but feel an absolute spanner in black jumper, jeans, arctic parker and uggs and a massive handbag full of tissues, spare knitwear, cough mixture, various herbal preparations and a couple of hard drives, nursing a cup of hot water and lemon whilst the boys indulge in Jagerbombs, reverse Jagerbombs and goodness knows what other delights lurking on the cocktail menu. Ben you have a lot to answer for young man!! Early bed beckons and a peaceful ibuprofen induced slumber to the Pet Shop Boys ballet album.
Sat on the train back to London with a head full of memories. Its nice to go back and see how the city has moved on and nice to see some things are just the same. The Dog and Parrot is still there, my 'audition' that kicked the whole thing off in the alley just round the back... that actually isn't how it sounds... I was/am a little obsessed with Edie Sedgwick and had a fake fur leopard print hat I was wearing (my student grant interpretation of a leopard skin pill box hat) I downed a double rum for my voice ( and my nerves) and went out into the alley and serenaded the then music editor of The Crack with a rendition of "Mercedes Benz" ... we recorded a demo which was passed to Steve and the rest is history...
Since Winter arrived and freezing temperatures made streets too slippy to run (for fear of doing myself a mischief as I am such a dozy mare) I decided, much to the delight of my elderly neighbours and inspired by the fabulous body of the saucy Katy Perry, to start skipping.
Its a great way to burn calories... according to Wikipedia 20 mins can burn off a "candy bar" not sure if that means chocolate or fruit based but I think that means its a pretty intense workout, comparable with running. It strengthens both the skeletal and cardio-vascular systems, tones the arms and shoulders, calves, thighs and bum… (I guess boobs like Katy Perry is asking for a little too much)... improves balance and co-ordination and I find counting my steps very meditative and therapeutic.
Obviously you need an area where you will not be hitting the ceiling/furniture/other people (those ropes really sting) I use a Reebok speed skipping rope because I find they are light… (the exercise is taxing enough on the arms and shoulders without making it unnecessarily difficult!!) It also doesn't take up precious room or weight in a suitcase even if flying Ryanair... so no excuses when away from home, it is the ultimate portable kit… Also cushioned mats can be useful if you are skipping on concrete or carpet. Concrete can lead to shin splints and strained calves and tendons and carpet is not the easiest of surfaces so a mat evens things out. Again Reebok comes to the rescue with their floor guards that fit together like a large jigsaw and can be stored under the bed/sofa when not in use and are great for soothing the nerves and ears of the neighbours.
Buy Reebok Speed Skipping Rope
Technique:
- The length of the rope should be correct for your height; stand on the centre of the rope and lift the handles upward. The point where the handles meet the rope should be level with armpits.
- Stand tall but relaxed in cushioned shoes (Trainers).
- Elbow are at waist level, arms extended out at 90 degrees.
- Use a circular wrist motion to turn the rope.
- Hold the rope loosely using thumb and index finger for control.
- Jump on balls of feet and land softly. Try to relax calves, keep knees slightly bent to avoid pressure and if your tummy muscles are strong enough activate your core to take the pressure off your back and avoid the temptation to lean forward.
- Jump just high enough for the rope to pass under feet. Start with small two footed jumps , then when you are comfortable you can bring in variations like alternating the feet in a running skip, which also helps to relieve stress on the calves. I alternate 100 two foot skips with 100 running skips until tired and sweaty.
- 60/70 turns per min is a good pace. After a gentle warm up of marching on the spot for 30 seconds try skipping for 50 skips then march on the spot 50 times and repeat until knackered.
Variations:
You can make your workout more interesting once you have got the hang of the basics and can skip for 1200 skips or so. I do mine in blocks of 500… 100 two foot skips followed by 100 running skips and so on. Or vary with the following:
- Skip Jump: Hop on one foot and kick the other foot to the front – or behind the body, alternate legs
- Hop Jump: Hop on one leg for several jumps alternate legs (start with two and work up)
- Jack/ Straddle Jump: Literally jumping jacks as you skip – one jump land with your legs apart next jump land together.
- Front Jack Jump: Same as above but to the front.
- Running Skip: Gently jump from one foot to the other allowing the rope to pass under your feet as you shift your weight from one foot to the other. As you pick up speed, bring your knees up high.
- Ski Jumps: Start in the bounce skip stance. Keeping feet together, jump a few inches with both feet to the right with the first rope swing and a few inches to the left with the second rope swing.
- Bell Jumps: As above except bouncing forwards and backwards instead of side to side.
- Power Jumps: Start in the bounce skip stance, bend your knees and jump 6 inches off floor. Try turn the rope faster so the rope passes under feet twice in one jump. Bounce step twice in –between each jump. Aim for 15 seconds of constant power jumping.
- Cross Overs: keep elbows at waist level bent at roughly 90 degrees. Turn the rope as normal and as soon as it passes over your head cross your arms as far across the body as possible jumping through the gap and over the rope. I still get tangled up trying this.
- Twist Jump: Start in the bounce skip again and rotate your body from side to side.
- Backwards Jump: literally just that.
Jah Wobble... Memoirs Of A Geezer… what an inspiration.
I picked this up hoping for a right good read after hearing him talking on Radio4 about The Sex Pistols, Sid Vicious in-particular.
I then had the great pleasure of a smashing night out with him. What stuck me most, aswell as being an incredible musician and fantastic storyteller was that his battle with his demons had led him on a relentless quest to better himself spiritually. To be strong and stand up for what you believe in, especially when it goes against the grain, instead of meandering along with the crowd, desperate to fit in, not make a fuss and just be accepted by trying to please, I feel is one of my more deplorable traits, so i was full of admiration for the way he stood up and spoke out for something he felt was wrong (read his Never Mind The Buzzcocks story).
To find what you believe in is tough old journey and to stand by your principles takes guts. Most of us don't have the courage, never mind the inclination to look inside ourselves with a brutal enough honesty to see who we really are, warts and all and to recognise the warts and positively change them. Hats off to Wobble... a geezer, a gent and an inspiration... oooh and a bloomin good book too!!!
...the sun always seemed to shine and I rode donkeys on the beach, roller skated and learned to ride a bike on the prom and the smell of hot sand and scorched salt and candy floss will always take me back to being 10 again and the sound of the slot machines from the amusement arcades, bingo, fish and chips on Red Bank Road and ice cream cones with a big flake.
Aaaaaah… Blackpool Tower wikipedia.org as a kid the first one to spot the tower got 50p. Probably just a game to distract from car sickness but it worked!
After wandering round Blackpool reminiscing on Saturday afternoon I decided to go chase away the chill with a cup of tea and a scone in the tower. I had been once before but was so young I don't really remember it and it's one of those things, if it's on your doorstep you tend to take it for granted, thinking you can visit it anytime and then never do… So I took the bull by the horns as it were and nearly fell over backwards when I got to the ballroom. It's where my Auntie met my Uncle and all my family went dancing there and it is absolutely spectacular… as my grandma says… "A proper sprung floor"…
It's so strange to see it in the steely grey light of January out of season and lacking in purpose. Blackpool is the home of the Variety performance. I remember seeing Ken Dodd and Les Dawson as a kid at the Winter Gardens and loving it. It seems to be having a renaissance thanks to "Britain's Got Talent" and "Strictly Come Dancing"... if only we could get our arses off the sofa and head for the North Pier... where tonight the Sheffield "Everly Pregnant Brothers" are recreating songs by the Human League and Pulp... ukulele for the masses.
The famous Illuminations was always the beginning of the excitement leading up to Christmas (yes I know they are switched on in September. I must have been an over excitable nightmare) I remember being determind to stay awake to make sure I saw the whole series of trams that were decorated specially in lights; a rocket, a train and a missippi paddle cruiser among them... I remember being swaddled in scarf, hat, gloves and a duffle coat watching the lights distort in the raindrops on the windscreen of my grandad's mini, squashed in the back between my mum and dad.
The Blackpool tram system is one of the oldest electric tramways in the world and is the only surviving first-generation tramway in the UK. My dad used to be a conductor on them and I think the heritage trams are really beautiful and am at a loss to understand why something as iconic and as quintessentially "Blackpool"as the tower, is being replaced, at great expense, with a hideous sounding "Flexity".
Perhaps my passion for Art deco started here...
Blackpool rock; as iconic as the "Kiss Me Quick" hat. When my grandparents first moved from Manchester to Blackpool there were two Blackwoods in the phone book; themselves and R D Blackwood the rock maker, who is still going strong and still makes it by hand... yes even the lettering! Say it with a sweetie
Oh my goodness I had one of those "Saw those and had to have them" moment in the Wolford shop the other day. I have always been Wolford devotee... even as a poor student I allowed myself this extravagance. My first pair of Wolford black opaque tights changed my life. I suddenly discovered a world of short skirts short shorts mainly just short!! After years of compulsive jean-wearing to hiding lardy white cellulite I suddenly felt free to expose black opaque legs... It also coincided with wearing false eyelashes but that's another story....
Anyway these are so amazing... for someone who loves plain black as much as me these are a godsend and work so well with the plainest black outfit... just fling them on and let the tights do the talking!!
You know the drill... cold weather, wind, ice and snow... as a child my lips used to suffer terribly, when I smiled my lips used to split and bleed... so much so that I was taken to the doctor who prescribed something remakably similar to that beauty classic by Elizabeth Arden; 8 hour cream. By then my lips were so addicted to the moisture that I always had a tub of vaseline with me in my peggy purse. This was the days before the handy 99p classic tin was available. Most unfortunate for a 6 year old.
I have since tried everything on the market from chapstick to blisteze, carmex to yesn Elizabeth Arden but I have noticed as a singer and a lip balm addict my throat constricts if too much fragrance and flavour is added. So this is a minor miracle from good old Laura Mercier. Its unflavoured, perfect consistency smooths and softens lips and lasts for yonks.
Another week another new chocolate obsession... well two to be precise... the first temptation was a gift on tour from our good friend Eva Umbauer, DJ extraordinaire, on Vienna's FM4 radio station. Eva is an absolute legend and is never off duty... there is always an opportunity for an interview; whether relaxing after a curry, watching a beautiful sunset or even full of nerves and stress in the car on the way to a festival, she will delve into the deep recesses of her Mary Poppins-like handbag and pull out that handbag staple... (well if you're Eva!)... a microphone with built in voice recorder!!!!! She always arrives in our dressing room with the said handbag laden with treats and this time was no exception, she even managed to surpass herself with this wonderfully rich chocolate (it did taste like it was laden with alcohol too but I reckon it's all burnt off in the production process so I don't feel like I am cheating!) So thank you Eva!
This week I deviated from my usual Green and Blacks purchase with this delectable dark chocolate variation. I was reminded of gluttonous love of salted caramel and dark chocolate torte and just couldn't resist. The salt is subtle and just takes the edge off the bitterness of very dark chocolate and it's yummy.
I love proper record shops. I miss Andy's records in the Borough Market in Halifax and I really miss Woolworths where I used to buy 7" singles as a kid, even though I didn't have a record player. I used to hide my purchases under the bed still in the bag. I find it such a thrill wandering into Rough Trade, selecting vinyl and being able to listen to it first. There is no romance, no thrill of discovery for me in the selection of shrink wrapped CDs online. I remember discovering Chelsea by Hiem by wandering into rough trade and asking their helpful staff what they were listening to that week and they obliged by giving me a pile of vinyl to listen to, but as soon as I put the needle on the 7" of Heim's Chelsea I had to have it. It remains special and precious and I love playing it out whenever possible...
http://www.musicomh.com/albums/hiem_0406.htm
I love bookshops too and am saddened by their diminished prescence on our high st. Again buying books online is just not the same as strolling into a bookshop, browsing the titles; the satisfaction of discovering a great book because you like the cover, the promise of a story to lose yourself in... there doesn't seem to be time anymore to savour the purchase of a book or music, or even food, when technology has made everything available right here right now with the push of a button, the click of a mouse from the warmth and comfort of the sofa. We are getting lazy there is no need to discover, everything is spoon fed, there is no hunger, no thrill of the chase, no hunt, no anticipation and no excitement. It's all there, on a plate or rather a computer screen and express delivery... OK. Rant over!! After saying all that, my curiosity got the better of me and I splurged and purchased a Kindle for travelling. I am obsessed with books. I freak out if I have nothing to stick my mind into, for long periods of travelling or even just to tire my eyes out before sleep. The idea of being able to travel with 3000 books in my suitcase was too amazing to resist. Never again will Budget airline weight restrictions leave me stuck for something to read (providing you remember to charge it, however battery life is extremely good) whether it be newspapers, magazines, blogs or just a book as it has wifi capacity to access an online library. The only disappointing thing is that to read in the dark you have to purchase a separate light... I got a lovely black leather cover with a handily built in LED... however I was VERY tempted by the super-stylish Diane von Furstenburg fake zebraskin cover, but the built in light was a deal-breaker for me... practicality over superstyle seems to be the story of my life... obviously whoever designed the specification for the Kindle has never read under the duvet by torchlight!
Sensible and practical... loving the built in LED.....
Feeling and looking delightful at 6 am Victoria Station, we set off for our Greek adventure. Just nice to catch the last bit of sun before winter sets in and as we sat in shorts watching the sun set over Thessaloniki we were all glad Archive had invited us to be their support band for this tour. The venue was 6000 and sold out. The audience were so fantastically up for it we got a shirt thrown at us and a stage diver. Travel weary an earlyish night beckoned ready for an early start to Athens.
The five hour train journey felt quite fast as I had my head stuck firmly in the new Jilly Cooper and we were all excited about revisiting Athens. It's my third time and still haven't really had a chance to explore let alone visit the Acropolis, so I was beside myself to discover Archive were filming the Saturday gig and the venue was an ancient ampitheatre on a hill, next to the Acropolis. A full on Greek experience. However in true British band style we seemed to have brought our portable raincloud with us and Saturday tipped down with rain and there was a thunderstorm at breakfast which was terribly exciting, scrambled eggs and a side dish of lightening! The venue was hastily changed to a weatherproof one that had previously housed Matthew Bournes' production of Swan Lake and musical luminaries such as PJ Harvey (goddess) Anthony and the Johnsons and... Kevin Costner and his travelling band! I had no idea of his musical career! Not only Robin Hood but a wandering minstrel too...
turned out to be out by the sea so we flopped by the rooftop pool (freezing only Caroline was brave/bonkers enough) which was bliss, played spot the Acropolis, made friends with Archive and had dinner at a nearby taverna. Me and Mush shared lovely Greek salad, grilled squid and feta cheese in spicy tomato sauce, Necker, in true Necker style had cheese balls, meat balls and halloumi and Caroline had a kebab... you can take the girl out of Leeds...
I was on a sandal mission on Saturday and determind to explore we went into town to look for Melissinos Art www.melissinos-art.com the famous Poet Sandal maker of Greece who makes the most beautifully crafted leather sandals and fits them to your feet and has done for those of Sophia Loren, John Lennon, Maria Callas, Aristotle Onassis and Jackie O oh and now little me! We wandered down Ermou St which is apparently where all the philosophers and poets used to hang out but now seems to be the home of Sephora and Marks and Spencer. After getting a little lost and asking for directions from another sandal shop... he told us we had to go to the poet... and to "Go buy from him, you will know why when you get there" intrigue adding fuel to my mission, poor Mush, we followed his directions to a side st and a tiny shop with sandals and paintings all over the walls, bags hanging from the ceiling and half the shop dedicated to a workshop so you can watch them make your sandals. He made me feel so pampered and special and was so patient as I tried on about 10 different styles, including the one made for John Lennon but he must have had prettier feet than me. After much deliberation I ended up with a lovely pair called Cleopatra and went off to soundcheck very happy. Such is the power of shoes.
The atmosphere was charged and buzzing with the camera for the crew around and it was such a great evening for both Client and Archive and a hotel bar party was necessary. Caroline decided to go check out some Athens bars and in true rock n roll fashion, she couldn't get the hotel room key to work and I opened the door to find her giggling on the floor in the hotel corridor all legs, tumbling hair and ruby woo lips. Turns out the bar sold Vodka Martinis in half pint glasses.
Where Caroline gets her stamina from I've no idea but she dragged me to the gym at 10 am and I felt so sanctimonious as I ran 6 miles... then ate 3 cream buns for dinner. Ah well need to get the balance right somewhere. Travelled along the coast to Patras today. Was so beautiful seeing the sea and mountains in the distance and the massive ships going to Italy.
Got to the venue which was an old hospital to find the Archive boys caring for 3 tiny kittens. Their mum was nowhere to be found and they were shivering and soaking from an earlier downpour. They got towels to wrap them in and gave them water. They were seriously cute. I don't think I've ever seen anything so tiny and their little meow squeeks broke our hearts. We named them A B and C. It was such a good job Emma wasn't with us otherwise there would have been dramas at Gatwick as she would have put them in her handbag.
We checked after our show and think the mum came back to them thank goodness. Can't believe it's the last show. It's gone so fast. It was such a great show too....there was a hot girl on the front row in a fabulous uniform and I spent most of Archive's gig looking for her to take her photo but she had disappeared... please get in touch you looked amazing!!!
Another rooftop party looking out over the moonlit sea and rolled into bed exhausted.
So so sad to leave Greece. Caroline and Mush wanted to stay and look after the kittens but the venue owner promises us he woul keep an eye on them and so began our juorney home.
Leaving Patra we saw a lorry being accosted by a big group of illegal immigrants trying to sneak into the back of the lorry, border jumping. Never seen anything like it.
Back to Athens and by a massive stroke of luck it was international museums day and the Parthanon was free to visit! Finally! Was so happy as we climbed up the steps with panting sleeping dogs knackered in the bushes sheltering from the 37 degree sunshine. George our wonderful host gave us a potted history lesson. Apparently in ancient times, once a year all the virgins of Athens were brought there... and left, not virgins anymore!!!! It was worth the climb, the views over Athens were incredible and left a lovely lasting snapshot in our minds eye as we left forthe grey skies of London.
Thank you for a wonderful time Greece.
300g flour (I use wholemeal spelt)
100g jumbo oats1 teasp each bicarb/baking powder
100g raisins
100g sunflower and pumpkin seeds
2 tbsp fennel
Mix all the dry ingredients in a bowl then add:
1 tbsp agave syrup
2 tbsp molasses
125ml oil (I use olive)
350-475ml water
teasp cider vinegar
Stir until "just mixed" and spoon into non-stick or lightly oiled muffin tins and bake 180 degrees c gas 4 for 35-45 mins.
Fennel can be omitted and raisins replaced with goji berries. I'm trying to work in coconut somewhere at the moment too...
