Monday 25 September 2017

London to Redmarley D’Abitot and back to Birmingham – September 2017



Jackie with Max
From one housesit to another took us from the capital city to rural Gloucestershire in three and a half hours and to Richard and Judith’s lovely house on the edge of the small village of Redmarley D’Abitot.

They were both there to meet us, caravan hitched and ready to go on their three day trip and we had a fantastic greeting from four dogs, Oscar, Max, Muffin and Flora and five cats, Fred, Ginger, Lottie, Mollie and Charlie, Fred recognising Jackie’s voice from his bed in the garage and miaowing very loudly for her to go and see him.

Jackie with Flora, Oscar, Muffin and Max
After lunch they headed off to Derbyshire, mainly in search of a replacement caravan, but also for a mini holiday and we got down to the routine of dog walking through the nearby woods, cat fussing and relaxation.

It was the familiar walking tracks through the woods mornings and afternoons, varied on each walk just to keep the dogs on their toes and stopping them to check which way we were going, followed by dog food preparation of raw chicken portions, minced beef and dog biscuits on our return and, in between miaowing pussy cats who act as though they haven’t been fed for weeks.

Watching the squirrel up a tree
Used to being let off their leads in the woods and being quite big dogs, their legs carry them off at great speed and out of sight very quickly, us keeping a sharp eye out for other dog walkers. They wouldn’t attack anyone, but they do bark if they see anyone and the sight of three dogs (Flora just isn’t fast enough to keep up with the other three) rushing towards you, barking would be enough to scare anyone to death. To be fair, most other dog walkers know the dogs, but it can still be startling, however the main problem seems to be Max’s aversion to joggers and I can see how annoying that would be to one. 
Chopping chicken for the dogs
Anyway, we didn’t see anyone or their dogs when they were off their leads, so all was well, the fast running off being to chase squirrels or foxes and, often we would round a corner to see them sitting at the bottom of a tree looking up, tongues hanging out. ‘You’ll never catch a squirrel’ we told them, feeling pretty relaxed about it, but within a day Oscar proved us wrong, appearing from the undergrowth with a squirrel (grey, not red I add!) in his mouth. We heard the commotion and squealing, but when he appeared with it, it was quite dead, but did he look ‘top dog’! Quite surprised he allowed us to prise his mouth open and release it, him trotting off quite happily and obviously very pleased with himself (and probably feeling pleased he had provided these useless humans who can’t catch anything, with dinner).

So after three days of days like that and evenings of TV with dogs and cats lying across us fast asleep, Richard and Judith returned. Yes, they had bought a new caravan, yes, it was bigger and more expensive than they had planned, yes, they were very excited, but it won’t be ready until next February and Judith wants in now! They are already planning next years trips to France and in the UK and want to book us for housesitting whenever we’re available, which is fine by us. On this three day stay they insisted on providing all the food we could eat, so we felt very spoilt and, having cooked then lunch for their return and Judith being very appreciative, we had to remind her that all we did was cook it, it was all their food!

Ian washing up in their temporary kitchen (builders port-a-loo outside)
From Redmarley we headed back to Moseley in Birmingham, via the dentist in Leamington Spa for me, Brian, to have a tooth filled (ouch!) and arrived at Ian and Helens (me with a numb mouth) at the same time as Phil and Sue, who had driven up from Poole, for a weekend of drinking, eating, walking and fun.

The weekend was originally planned to be at Iain and Bev’s house in Bristol, but had to be changed after the recent death of Bev’s stepdad (hugs to her), leaving her feeling unable to cope with the boisterousness of us all, so Ian and Helen stepped in and offered to have it at theirs. It was even more impressive of them since they are in the middle of having their kitchen extended, so currently have no useable kitchen and only a camping cooker and all kitchen stuff in their dining room, carrying water for the kettle and dish washing down from the upstairs bathroom. Unfazed they still managed to serve us a cold buffet breakfast and hot drinks on Saturday morning, so well done to them and thank you!

Their house so far. Looks good from the outside, just needs finishing off inside
In Diwan Balti. Ian, Helen, Jackie, Phil, Sue and Brian
Friday evening was at the Old Moseley Arms (superb real ale), followed by a balti at our favourite Indian restaurant, Diwans. On Saturday we walked 20km, or 12 miles (at least that’s what it said on my and Phil’s phone apps, Helen reckoned hers only showed 9 miles) into Birmingham city centre along the canal, stopped at several canal side pubs in the beautifully restored Gas Street Basin, by Broad Street, Jackie and I did a bit of Lindy Hop dancing to a band playing at a makeshift outdoor dance floor in Victoria Square, as part of Birmingham’s Heritage weekend celebrations, we had a few more drinks and caught the train back, stopping at another pub near their house (are you getting the picture of how the weekend is going?).

A heron on our canal walk into Birmingham city centre
A quick change of clothes and we headed back into the Chinese Quarter of Birmingham to meet up with Manu and Crystal for a ‘tea club’ evening of more drinks followed by a meal in one of the many small Chinese restaurants in the little alleyways that Manu and Crystal know. The main feature of these evenings, apart from the immense fun and laughter that we always have, is that Crystal takes charge, ordering all the food in her native language of Chinese, the dishes are spread out along the table and we all dip in and try everything. 
Gas Street canal basin Birmingham. See that narrow bit of canal there? A notice outside says 'do not try to jump this canal'. Now when you see something like that, whats the first thing you want to do? Its about 7.5 feet wide and really does look doable
So we practised in the centre. Here's Ian jumping 8 feet. No-one else was close. We couldn't persuade him to try the canal for real though
Ian, Phil, Helen, Jackie, Sue and Monty dog
We have no idea what they are, but we recognise prawn, chicken, lamb, and beef dishes, and they are all so tasty and, in some cases, spicy hot, others cold. It’s a whole experience of different tastes all washed down with Chinese tea. We could never go there on our own as we would have no idea what to order, and in any case, it just wouldn’t be the same without Manu and Crys and all our other ‘club’ members. Quote of the weekend was from Crystal who told us how Manu, who speaks several languages, but not Chinese, had, some years before, learnt some words from Crystal and then ordered a meal in Chinese at the restaurant we were in. Crystal gently took his hand, looked at him sympathetically and said “that was lovely Manu, but only I will be able to understand you!”

Birminghams new library. Iconic building
Saturday evening in the pub with Manu and Crystal
After stopping at Ian and Helens for another night we all walked into Moseley town centre on Sunday morning to meet up with Manu and Crystal again for Sunday breakfast in the local Weatherspoon’s pub (we had one token beer amongst all the teas and coffees as it doesn’t seem right to go into a pub without buying alcohol, even though it is Sunday morning), before heading off in different directions. We’ll see then all again around May of next year when we return from France.

In the Chinese resaurant. Phil, Sue, Crystal, Manu, Jackie, Ian and Helen
Crystal writing out her food order
We went to Jackie’s mum, Pauline’s house via the supermarket to cook a roast chicken Sunday dinner for us all, along with a few glasses of wine. We stayed there last night, on Sunday and will stay tonight for a visit to the cinema (Victoria and Abdul) and a meal out, before heading back to look after Sooty again in Hall Green while Abi goes off to Barcelona for a short holiday.

On the way, on Tuesday morning, is a visit for me, Brian, to the Queen Elizabeth hospital in Birmingham to have a bit of skin cancer removed from my top lip. The biopsy they took in mid-August turned out to be nasty so, although the lip healed beautifully and looks completely normal, there’s something lurking beneath that needs removing so, it’ll be more stitches and no laughing for a few days. Let’s hope I don’t drip any blood on the pillows at Sooty’s house! As soon as I get the all clear we’ll pack the car and head off to see Jackie’s dad in Spain, then back to France for another ski season in the Alps. We’re hoping for a cold winter with lots of snow!!
 
In the pub afterwards for yet another beer. Phil, Sue, Helen, Jackie, Brian, Crystal and Ian

 
Trying out our winter woolies with Pauline

 

Wednesday 20 September 2017

The adventures of Teddy – September 2017



Judith carefully putting me into my sleeping bag

A short post from a guest blogger: Teddy here, having enjoyed themselves out dancing and eating fish and chips in Blackpool, they were running late, and ran off leaving me in bed, now yes, I was cuddled up, warm and cozy, but I don't like to be forgotten!


Apparently Jackie had an inkling and checked as soon as they hit Alvechurch, but it was too late. After careful consideration she decided that perhaps Judith and Richard's in Ledbury was the best place for me to be sent, they didn't want to risk a collection depot in Hackney and Abi had other housesitters in.


Arriving in Redmarley - I got a bit fidgety on the way
Judith in Blackpool carefully put me in a nice padded sleeping bag, much more comfortable than being scrunched up in a compression bag as I've been used to while on the last Americas trip, and put me in the post.


My arrival didn't quite go as planned, the postman tried delivering me to the wrong house, but fortunately the home owner recognised Judith's name and hand delivered me.





Recovering on the bed, with my stand-in while I've been away
It's not the first time I've been in the post, but the last time was probably 27 years ago, between Tring and Nottingham and my legs don't bend like they used to, so I was quite pleased to be let out today once they arrived from London where apparently they had had a lovely last evening with Fenella, back from her holiday.  Brian was very jealous as Benji was really pleased to see his mummy home and perched on her shoulder, snuggling into her neck. They had tried replacing me with a small dog, cuddling up between them on the pillow, but apparently he fidgeted more than me. We are all looking forward to a good nights sleep tonight!
Benji bird snuggling up to his 'mum' Fenella after her return
 
Kasper asleep on the bed

 

Saturday 16 September 2017

London housesitting – September 2017



Benjie bird on Jackies shoulder
Another week bites the dust in chilly Dalston. We quickly established our routine with Kasper, explaining that yes he could go out for a wee first thing, but we were then going to have coffee in bed before breakfast. This seems ok, though on a weekend his wee is literally that as he has to go into the garden on his lead to stop him dashing off to kill his Kong and woof at where a squirrel might have been. The neighbours like a lie in on the weekend! 


Kasper protesting that he doesn't want to go home yet
Mad dog jumping up while back door is being opened
Having thoroughly enjoyed our local Ridley Road market, bowls of fruit or veg £1 (though we did get 10 bananas for 50p at the end of the day), or bowls of 6 mackerel £5, we headed off on Saturday to the slightly more upmarket Broadway Market. Very different, actually not much to buy except a huge variety of 'artisan' foodstalls, everything from curry, scotch eggs with for example a haggis coating, cheese, bread, Vietnamese, falafel, rice and beans, slow roast pork, beef rendang and these are just the things that first spring to mind! Last week we shared (we'll it is only lunch) a chicken katsu wrap, battered chicken, veggies, hummus and chilli sauce, yum. This week, my choice was the Hamish Macbeth sandwich: haggis, bacon, cheese, fried onion.... it was good, but sadly not quite as good as it looked!






Relaxing together watching TV
Hackney carnival
We hoped for a repeat of all these food options on Sunday as the Hackney Carnival (a smaller version of the Notting Hill Carnival) was coming past the end of the road, while Ridley Road was going to be sound stages and food stalls. Turned out to be very Caribbean, rice and beans, and fried chicken, and lots of heart pounding bass, so not nearly as exciting as we'd hoped. The procession as it came past however was great, how some of those girls didn't freeze to death I don't know. The atmosphere was lovely, and on occasion laced with illegal substances. But eventually enough was enough and we got home (1 minute away) just before the heavens opened!


Hackney Carnival
The loudest part of the procession. Music was pumping out of the speakers next to that woman in pink so loud that the vibration was punching us in the chest. The crush was unbelievable, good job we were by a lamp post to stop us getting swept along with the crowds. Interesting smells coming from some home rolled cigarettes too!
The Tower of London
Tuesday thought we'd probably better make the effort to go into London so using a mix of overground and underground trains we got to Tower Hill for a perfect view of the Tower of London and to meet our walking tour guide, a very nicely spoken Rachel who took us around the sights of the East of the City of London for a very informative 3 hours. We then had to run, as Kasper never grew out of his puppy hood and still expects lunch! He hadn't faded away. 


A bit of the old 11th century wall originally surrounding the old City of London, that kept William the Conqueror at bay for a few months. To gain entry he offered the citizens special rghts that are still enjoyed today. For example, the Queen cannot enter the old City without permission from the mayor and all her guards must lay down their arms
The old Leadenhall Market, now trendy restaurants and shops
Wednesday we had our first mackerel (enjoyed it so much we are repeating tonight). I've tried to cook local, so we've had a mini meze with dips, Greek salad, olives, halloumi cheese, and prepared meat from the Turkish supermarket. I've made moussaka and now whole mackerel with tomato and pepper.





This small pub sits on the site of an old coffee shop where merchants used to meet to discuss shipping with Mr Lloyd, who went on to form the giant Lloyds of London insurance company
The modern, inside out Lloyds of London building
Thursday we actually went out for lunch to eat Turkish prepared by someone else as we weren't sure how we'd fit dinner in. Just as well we did as our plan didn't quite work, the plan was to walk Kasper to the Hackney Empire and get our tickets for Radio 2's Friday Night is Music Night validated before taking dog home, getting changed and making our way back for our free evening out. The queue at 17.45 was massive, this was the allotted time for validation, before doors opening 18.45 and show starting 19.30. I stood in the queue, while B walked the dog home, fed him and came back, a round trip of half an hour. Fortunately I'd barely moved and they hadn't yet checked our photo ID. I had taken my old BBC ID card as well as my driving license, but on looking at the picture I remembered why I refused to wear it and kept it hidden. They didn't seem impressed. But we did get in! 


Mansion House. Home of the Lord Mayor of the City of London
A thoroughly enjoyable evening, Ken Bruce introducing various guests, like Gloria Hunniford, Albert Hammond and the BBC Concert orchestra doing their thing. It was a special event for Radio 2's 50th birthday, so lots of nostalgia not to mention watching the orchestra playing all sorts of things. It will be broadcast on September 29, but I don't think we did anything to make us noticeable on the radio! A great evening out, free and 15 minutes walk from home! Loved the Hackney Empire and appreciated watching a live orchestra.


The old Royal Exchange. Now a fancy shopping arcade
Yesterday we went back into town, to follow up on two things Rachel had said. You can apply for free tickets to the Sky Garden at the top of the 'Walkie Talkie' building on Fenchurch Street, for a great view over London up and down the Thames. We followed this with a trip to the Bank of England Museum, also very interesting, but he's going to talk about that a bit. We got back to hear about the partially exploded bomb at Parsons Green underground station. It had not impacted us at all, despite being on the same line we travelled on, just makes you feel a bit weird afterwards!

Kasper is a dog of two walks, this morning I could barely reach to press the button at the road crossing, he thought I was going past and not to the park, where he was desperate to get to chase after his two balls, thrown in rotation to avoid having to get him to drop. This afternoon he chose to go in the opposite direction, to the other park I assumed, but no, he wanted to go through the market, well it's Saturday and there may be lots of chicken bones on the floor! I have never seen a dog like him (Helen, Monty has nothing on Kasper) for vacuuming up any bones he comes across. We have both had our hands in his mouth more than once removing chicken bones, toast, all sorts! Benji on the other hand is a bird of simple requirements, fortunately he is happy in his house and shows no wish to leave the house through door or window, open for plant watering. Not like the parrot we saw flying overhead this morning! We'd heard it on many occasions, but this was the first time we'd seen the Hackney parrot.
The Bank of England. Formed in 1694 after the Glorious Revolution in 1688
 
On the way to St Pauls Cathedral

 
St Pauls Cathedral. A bit too close to get a good shot

 
Nice view looking along the Thames at the London Eye, Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament

 
Group shot of our group on the free walking tour. We're on the back row, just to the left

Jackies mackrel and tomato bake
Benjie taking an afternoon nap on top of the door
And now he's awake
Arriving at the Hackney Empire amongst the BBC broadcasting lorries. That'll be a queue over there then!
It went all the way round the building and along there to the entrance
But we got in OK and had pretty good seats in the circle. https://www.bbc.co.uk/events/rj8v4f
Its a lovely old theatre
Back to London and this time to see 20 Fenchurch Street, better known as the Walkie Talkie building. Here it is, you can see how it got its name. When it was first built it was all glass and its curved shape concentrated the suns rays, burning things in its ray. Apparently it melted the interior of a Jaguar car. Those white bits were added later to stop it happening again
Up on the top floor where there's a cafe and superb views over London. The trip up to the 35th floor is free, provided you book in advance on line: https://skygarden.london/sky-garden
That's a pretty good view from the top! Left is the Tower of London, Tower Bridge, City Hall (the round building), HMS Belfast and on the R the Shard building
A closer view of Tower Bridge and, just to the left, The Tower of London, built by William the Conqueror
Looking out the other way, left is the Leadenhall building, known as The Cheesegrater, right is the St Mary Axe building, known as the Gherkin and under construction to its right will be the building to be known as The Scalpel
Looking the other way down the Thames. The dome of St Pauls Cathedral is right of centre. On the left in the distance is the London Eye and, just to the left of it, hardly visible is Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament
The gardens on the 35th floor of the Walkie Talkie building
In the Bank of England museum. A little device to demonstrate how difficult it is to maintain the governments target of 2% inflation with economic shocks, just by adjusting the bank base interest rate
In that box is a real gold bar, known as a Good Delivery bar. It weighs 400 Troy ounces, approx 28 pounds or 13kg and is almost twice the weight of a similar size piece of lead. Its value is about £390,000.00. You can put your hand in and lift it up - it's very heavy - and you are on CCTV all the time!
This is the Bank Charter that sets out the conditions under which the newly formed Bank of England will operate. It was granted by the joint monarchs William and Mary, whose names appear at the top and became official on 27th July 1694