Winter Romance

I wrote this a month ago...wonder why I didn't post it....

As winter knocks at my doorstep, people seem to sulk more but I am happy to experience it all, the dreadfully dull days, the cold wind and rain, the snow, the Christmas shopping crowds, the tube rush hour...

Yesterday, while walking down a quiet London Street I couldn't help but feel merry despite the cold and grey weather. It was so romantic and for a few moments time almost stood still. It was a very cold dark evening. The delicious crunch of golden autumn leaves beneath my feet drowned the din of traffic in the distance. The street looked like a maple carpet with shades of gold, red and amber.

The university clock chimed 6 O'clock. Wrapped up in my woollens, bracing the wind, I passed by a small square strewn with autumn leaves. It had a lonely gazebo in the centre. The street lights cast a warm golden glow on the quite street.  I stopped and took a deep breath to cherish the moment before walking on into the darkness.

Stroke of Light

This is a picture that I took almost by mistake. To me it proves that effects are not just for fancy SLR wielding photographers(read hubby who’s quite awesome with his and spends loads of time and money on it ). In fact creativity just requires some simple thinking and playing around with your instrument of choice. The beauty of this snapshot is that it just happened. 

It was towards the end of a longish day at the Thames Festival when I was juggling shopping, handbag, umbrella, food and my humble but very reliable point and shoot, in my hands while trying to capture the fairy lights that had just come on giving a lovely warm and festive feel to the Southbank. As I fumbled with my camera and stuff around my shoulder, arm, palm and fingers, (it’s amazing how much stuff you can manage to carry if you make good use of space) I saw this effect on the LCD screen as the camera moved and thought, “ hey that looks good!” I could create this effect as I click to get a dissolve or what I like to call “the twirl or even swirl” effect! Well, I nearly dropped all my things in the excitement of this unexpected discovery and went on to click a couple of shots.

This one here, is my favourite, goes to show that creativity can happen in the most unlikely circumstances. How do you achieve this? While clicking just rotate your camera… and lo and behold! You can change exposure to create different strokes of light. Now, how cool is that?

Autumn heralds its arrival…

Woke up this morning to this sight! What a beautiful way to begin the day. I was so thrilled to see the first fog of the season that I actually got up and reached out for my camera. Very unusual for me. I am the sort that sets my alarm half hour early so that I can laze in bed and try my best not to get up, if I can help it.  A habit acquired during my school days when I’d go back to sleep after mom woke me until, she took away my duvet to force me out of bed. Now the SNOOZE button is my best friend.

I love cold mornings in bed! I love the snug feeling of being cosily tucked in my warm duvet until the sun or my husband coax me out of it. Umm…bliss. I love that I can sleep until later in winter. I don’t enjoy the thought of moving my clock back by an hour in summer!

Technorati Tags: weather fog morning autumn

 

 

Tea with History

For me, the most exciting part of any holiday is the unexpected. I mean, sure I like to do the popular sights but I’m always looking out for something the tourist guide may have overlooked and discover a new place or experience unspoilt by crowds of regular tourists.

And I don’t mean any exotic find, off the beaten path. Just experiencing something simple, preferably local yet special. It’s what really gives you a peek into the ethos of the region you’re visiting. I have a fondness for the quaint and seek out charming little shops or cafés when travelling.

On a recent jaunt to Plymouth, my husband and I discovered a local treasure, The Tudor Rose Tea rooms located in a Tudor House dating back to the 1640s. We were ambling along one of the oldest cobbled streets in Plymouth, soaking in the atmosphere and admiring the ancient buildings when we came upon this quaint little place. What better way to experience the famous Devon cream tea than at a historical site?

The very friendly Chef informed us that the house belonged to a wealthy merchant in the Elizabethan age. The tea rooms had the original antique heavy teak tables and chairs owned by its former occupants and had some lovely vintage tea ware displayed. It still had the original banister & staircase intact. The floors were gently sloping, a typical characteristic of the era we were informed. At the back of the house was a pretty garden where perhaps the lady of the house would have entertained in summer.

The cream tea arrived with 2 scones - a fruit and a plain, lovingly dusted with icing sugar placed on a pretty white paper lace doily served with fresh strawberry jam and clotted cream. It was just gorgeous and more than lived up to my expectations.

We were so thrilled with the experience that we returned the next day to sample some more of their lovely food. This time we sat in the garden as it was sunny and very pleasant. The breakfast of crispy flaky croissants and crisp golden French toast was just what one needed to make one's day! That was topped by delicious apple pie which came highly recommended by the chef....scrumptious pastry and not filled with soggy stewed apples but a very nice and light apple-cinnamon filling. It was a perfect way to end a relaxing weekend.

We were very sorry to leave the place.

Hyper beings

Even though we are self absorbed beings,isn't it paradoxical how we don't break redundant, wasteful, even self defeating behaviour patterns. If we are so obsessed with ourselves and our likes and dislikes and wants and desires, shouldn't that make us want to have more pleasant, deeply satisfying and efficient experiences.

Funnily enough, we don't do that. In our fast paced, hyper, cyber active, quick gratification oriented lives who looks at the bigger picture? But there are times when life slows down a bit and you catch yourself acting in what is now a behaviour pattern, surprisingly not one you chose to develop very consciously.

I am so used to getting instant results for everything; instant coffee, online shopping, which is very addictive and a trend that credit card companies will cash in on leading to the next banking crisis, instant food - fast and unhealthy takeaways, instant entertainment, instant communication - if my broadband takes more than 30 secs to connect I panic!; that anything that doesn't deliver quick is automatically eliminated from my list of available choices.

I have lost patience, I no longer read as much as I used to, Google is the answer to all qs including what to cook tonight, why think just google it! I eat fast, I shower quick, I scan the newspaper, I take short cuts to housework, I multi-task (damn American jargon!) at work and slowly I've forgotten how to live a simple happy well paced life! I'm only running a marathon each day but I'm not sure why, or even if I want to, or chose to. It just happened.

Then one day you get a wake up call....something snaps and you realise what you've been mindlessly doing. Isn't this the story of most of our lives? scary isn't it! Is this what technology has done to us? I mean wasn't modern technology meant to make life more convenient and save time? Then how come I find, that with my mobile phone, high speed broadband, sat nav, wi-fi and what have you, I'm more pressed for time and more stressed than ever before? Work carries itself home in my laptop, a relaxing family dinner is disturbed by the beeping cell phone, suddenly I'm working more hours than before. Earlier once you left work, you really left it. But now I'm accessible! Strange paradox?

I came across this quote the other day and it made me wonder what is this haste we make? What are we trying so desperately to achieve that we unknowingly lose control of our lives and would we do this if we realised we're running without really getting anywhere?

“If death meant just leaving the stage long enough to change costume and come back as a new character...Would you slow down? Or speed up?”

Day Dreamin....hmmm....

What is your dream? What would you want to do if you were free of worries about money, responsibility, attachments. What if u had the liberty to do whatever your heart desired...what would be that dream?

For me I would cook and travel and eat and write and read. I would roam the countryside and explore the pristine locales....towns and villages that time hath forgotten.....and learn how to make simple yet delicious local recipes. I would live at a local B&B or hire a room with a local who has space to spare or even pitch a tent in a meadow with mountains in the background and flowers in bloom, where march hares have a field day and birds sing their sweet tunes. I would work to fund my stay; any odd jobs that I could do....even cook at the local restaurant and share my collection of recipes.

I would travel to Europe in the summer and the warmer climes of the tropics in winter.If I like a place I'm in I'd just stay on till I had my fill and then move on to the next destination. Like a river flowing, making my way as the path unfolds before me.

I'd keep a diary of all my experiences and when I'm done with all the travelling I'd open a rustic B& B in a place I love and write books of the happy times I've had.

Just thinking about all this makes me smile. When your doing something you love, even troubles and difficulties seem manageable.

Time to snap out of it and get back to the real world. Dream, but don't expect all your dreams to come true, especially if you do nothing to enable them. So if you know the nature of things and the world around you, you will not be disappointed. Ah i love to day dream.... :)

Life is a journey.....travel light and you'll be happy :)

My favs.....II

I’m a Sweet tooth with a special weakness for all things chocolate. I eat chocolate everyday since i can remember. So naturally, I always have chocolate stocked at home. There’s this lil treasure trove in my pantry that’s full of delightfully sinful things! It’s my haven when I’m in the mood for some TLC. Here then, is one of the newest additions to my store cupboard ;)
So fellow chocolate lovers, tell me this……what is better than chocolate??? Well, it’s chocolate with a sense of humour! No no, I haven’t gone bonkers obsessing so much over a bar that I've begun to speak to it! I’m talking about my latest fancy – Bloomsberry Chocolate.
I chanced upon it during one of my visits to the chocolate aisle of my supermarket. It was an instant connection! These guys know they speak to chocoholics! They understand us intimately and I love their sense of humour.
The chocolates are “Just what the doctor ordered”, if you know what i mean girlies ;) It’s good old swiss chocolate with a dose of circumstantial humour. Their fun covers are for keeps! They have some great chocolate names with prescription drug type instructions that make you giggle…Who needs a doc?? ……i say self medicate and feel free to try what suits ur predicament in the dosage of ur choice ;)
Their Varieties that I've tried are:
Emergency Chocolate : in plain milk chocolate & hazelnut milk chocolate & dark. For immediate relief of: Chocolate Cravings, Lovesickness, exam Pressure, Mild Anxiety and Extreme Hunger.
Marital Bliss which is dark ….fittingly so ;) & which I feel truly recognises a woman’s contribution to a marriage ;)
Girth Control….hehehe…the cover is a must read
Yet to try: Chocóscopes! which by the way, was very accurate for me, Dechox, Bochox (there’s still time for that!), Doctor Chocolate, Oral Pleasure, No Weight Gain and even one called ‘ Chocolate makes it all bearable’ with a bear on the pack!, DIY, Dig in and many more such gems!
Go n get ‘em girlies! ;) ;)

My Favourite Things

"Raindrops on Roses n Whiskers on Kittens,

Bright copper kettles n warm woollen mittens,

Brown paper packages tied up with string,

These are a few of my favourite things...."

Who hasn't heard this song from Sound of Music and wanted to draw up their own list and sing it to this tune :)

Well at least I have.

I'm not about to put down a poem of my favs, but I am starting a chain, if you will, of mails that have a common thread - these are thing I absolutely love; love to eat, love to be in, love to see, love to do, etc etc. 

Whenever I stumble across something that I take to instantly (as if something clicks in my head) my enthusiasm knows no bounds and I have to share the joy with friends and really everyone around. The reason? There is a chance you might like this too and I'll be glad to inject some pleasure into your life.

So here's my first indulgence :)

A French Affair

I have an incorrigible sweet tooth. I feel incomplete if my meals don’t end with dessert. So it was just a matter of time before I encountered the femme fatale of desserts. 

I had read and heard a lot about the delectable French Patisserie but nothing in world can prepare you for the burst of flavour and fragrance that hits you when you sit down to enjoy one. And sit you must, at leisure (though I can guarantee it won’t take much time to finish one…they’re irresistible), and sigh…almost moan between mouthfuls…hmmm….

My rendezvous with French patisserie was destined for Patisserie Valerie at Soho. After a rather informational tour at the British Museum, my husband and I headed to Soho for dinner. While walking around deciding where to eat we passed by Patisserie Valerie and I was drawn to the delicious window display. The tarts and gateaux were glistening in the store light. We decided we had to stop by post dinner.

I hurried through my dinner in anticipation of the dessert :) We were shown to our table and I ordered the gorgeous Selva Gateau, while my husband being the sceptic, non foodie and someone who won't touch white creamy dessert, decided to have a cafe au lait.

The gateau arrived and I was smitten! The first mouthful felt like I had eaten a cloud! It was so soft and just melted in my mouth. My husband finally tried a spoonful, half embarrassed by my expressions and half by my enthusiasm. And guess what he's a convert! He loves the stuff and every time we go to London a trip to Patisserie Valerie is mandatory!

We even brought back one to savour later! hmm....blisssss

What’s your song?

Most of us have a song that soothes us and brings hope when we feel down and blue.

Here’s mine….

When all the world is a hopeless jumble
And the raindrops tumble all around,
Heaven opens a magic lane
When all the clouds darken up the skyway,
There's a rainbow highway to be found
Leading from your window pane
To a place behind the sun,
Just a step beyond the rain

Somewhere over the rainbow
Way up high,
There's a land that I heard of
Once in a lullaby.
Somewhere over the rainbow
Skies are blue,
And the dreams that you dare to dream
Really do come true.
Someday I'll wish upon a star
And wake up where the clouds are far
Behind me.
Where troubles melt like lemon drops
Away above the chimney tops
That's where you'll find me.
Somewhere over the rainbow
Bluebirds fly.
Birds fly over the rainbow.
Why then, oh why can't I?
If happy little bluebirds fly
Beyond the rainbow
Why, oh why can't I?

Deleted Portion

The write up on this song in Wikipedia mentions this as a deleted portion. Not widely known but used occasionally in theatrical productions.

“ Someday I'll wake and rub my eyes
And in that land beyond the skies,
You'll find me
I'll be a laughing daffodil
And leave the silly cares that fill
My mind behind me ”

R.I.P.

As if in defence to what happened yesterday, Nature decided to react! It snowed last night and the downs were covered. As if Nature was protesting the unscrupulous carnage and at the same time saying a silent farewell to the trees that were once a part of this pretty landscape.

Thanks to the snow, there was no more plundering today. A silent day as we mourn the passing of our friends.

Nothing lasts forever!

I'm deeply saddened today. The view from my home that I once cherished and loved and that warmed my heart and brought limitless happiness to me has gone thanks to the commercial interest of some insensitive county council governors.

I've recently made Dunstable my home and was immensely proud of the view it had; in fact it was one of the reasons I chose to live here. My home on Kiln Way overlooks the Blows Down, a vast stretch of hill, covered with foliage and which is home to several birds and small animals(I've seen a fox here in winter). Through this runs the ancient Icknield Way and an old train track which was unused until now.

The county council in a bid to increase the commuting options between Luton and Dunstable have decided to revive this long dead track by making a busway translink between the 2 towns. While it will be largely useless to the people who live along the way (as there aren't many stops and the stops it will have, anyway have multiple conveyance options), they will have to endure the nuisance of the construction and loss of a beautiful vista and wildlife.

It just seems so unfair and insensitive and I thought only underdeveloped countries faced such issues. But governemnts all over are the same - selfish and self centred. I though countries like the UK emphasise greatly on environment protection and conservation. I wonder how then this decision was taken without thought to the impact on the surrounding flora and fauna. How come the tax payers never have control over what their money is used for? if I'm paying shouldn't I have a right to choose what the money is used for? And what's more, this activity began without any prior intimation. Apparently this has been going on for a while now and most residents are aware, But what about people new to town? If you expect me to pay taxes as soon as I get here, don't I have a right to know what your doing in what is almost by backyard???? Or just wake up one day to see the damage done. On the first day I thought the crane was there to clear the way since winter was nearing it's end!

I had tears in my eyes as I saw huge noisy cranes fell the majestic trees, some of which housed the nests of birds that visit my garden everyday and to see just stumps remain ruthlessly hacked by commercial intent.

This when spring is just round the corner and I was waiting to see the trees bloom with new leaves and flowers and hoping to see more birds that the warmer weather would bring home.

Now these dreams will be replaced by the harsh reality of concrete creating a modern day convenience hazard. The old again is forced to give way to the new leaving a few fond memories, lingering emotions and a melancholic feeling of loss.

Banning the burqa debate

This debate has received a lot of attention thanks to its controversial tone.

I came across this interesting take on the issue and thought i must share it.

Banning the burqa unveils some nasty traits in us | India Knight - Times Online

I don't know what to make of this issue.....I'm constantly swaying back and forth arguing for and against. While France may be trying to establish equality for it's residents, I can't help but feel that it's a tad insensitive to expect, say for instance, a 60 year old lady for whom the veil is almost a matter of respect (and a part of her system) and probably feels undressed without it to suddenly stop wearing it one day!

If the move is to stop discrimination and even oppression and mistreatment of women, then banning the burqa is only a superficial/ symbolic action. The real solution then is a deeper social and cultural change. The move then to me indicates intolerance and an attempt to interfere in an individual's freedom to practise their cultural nuances.

While I understand France's need to keep it's cultural freedom intact. I feel that in the multicultural world of today, there are less drastic ways to implement that than forcing people from other cultures to change their attire....sounds ridiculous doesn't it. What next? A national uniform???

If the impending law stems from a security concern, then is a tough call. I guess the burqa can veil weapons or even gender of intending miscreants. But then does anything stop such people from flouting the law in any case!

I'm not a Muslim but being a woman I do appreciate that women who are forced to wear the uncomfortable garment will find relief. Also I'm sure most young ladies will welcome it.

I just hope if the law is enforced, it is put into action a gradual manner and not in an insensitive fashion.

My Robin is now famous!

Check her out here

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/snow-in-the-uk-your-pictures-and-snow-map-1858539.html?action=Popup&ino=20

I was so enamoured by the little one that I submitted her pic and now she's a star ;)

Visitors on a Snowy Day

My backyard is a lively little place. It’s a car park of my apartment building really, but that’s hardly romantic. And it’s not just the car park, beyond it, stretches a vast hill which extends till the eye can see and through which passes an ancient path (Icknield Way)that is dated before records began! I can see this path from my window and it’s quite regularly used.

Now back to my backyard, where besides of course, people driving in and out, and a Porsche which adorns it (the owner even wears Porsche driving gear!), this charming little place has a life of its own. There are trees that line the boundary of the hill, one at a small distance up the hill that looks like the beanstalk from Jack & the B. Also a red bush/tree that stands in the middle of some garden space that has been provided along with some other smaller shrubs that are bare in this season.

So now that the stage is set, let the story begin ;)

It had been a couple of weeks since we moved in and were still settling down when the first one made it’s appearance. It was bold & pompous and quite a show off really. I haven’t yet identified it’s species correctly but i think it’s a magpie. White and black with a dazzling black tail. It’s pretty and it knows it! It strutted itself about the fencing that defines the end of the compound and even posed for a few pics. And then, as if it declare it’s status, flew up to the highest branch of the tree and sat there! Later, I think it saw me admiring it’s beauty so it came up to the little garden below my window to give me a good look (pun intended). 

Well after that the pigeons made their presence felt and then the blackbird which is striking with it’s yellow beak and shiny black coat. I think the sharp contrast with the snow really helps. Same with the magpie who only looks more majestic. Then the ravens came & then the sparrows too. 

But the cutest one took time to reveal itself. I think she was observing me first, having the advantage of size, before she cared to introduce herself. It was on a snowy cold day when I was gazing out just after breakfast that I heard a sweet chirping. I looked about a bit but couldn’t make out where it came from. I got busy doing something and then when I was absent-mindedly gazing out I saw a shimmer of red! There, perched on a stripped shrub right in front of me was the most darling little robin! She was plump and small with a neat red breast and dirty brown coat, bobbing her head and chirping away. I was floored. She sat there hesitantly, keeping a keen eye on me and any movement from me made her fly off to the tree opposite. This continued for a while as I ran to get my camera and capture the little sweetheart. I even threw her some crumbs in the hope that she’d stay longer. But she kept flying off. Eventually I gave up and got down to my work when she came back. And I guess after eating some of the bread, sat a while longer giving me the chance to click her as a thank you ;)

I had found a new friend. I threw more crumbs and that brought not just her but others too. I noticed that my humble pigeons were a couple and were collared too! Not the shabby ones I’m used to seeing in India. And the magpie brought its friends too. 

So now my Robin comes by every morning to greet me…chirping happily and fast! Sometimes cribbing angrily about some other bird, you can tell by her birdie body lingo and sometimes chirping a happy tune!

I have decided to get a bird feeder for her soon. I also noticed another reallllllllllyyyyyyyyyy tiny bird this morning. But it was too small and quick for me to get a good look. Hope to catch an eyeful soon.

Sky gazing

Britain has been besieged by a blisteringly cold arctic wave all this week causing people to stay more indoors to keep warm. Today the sun came out to cheer us up and dispel some of the gloomy weather. The snow shimmered in the bright sunshine but it still remains cold. 

I prefer to stay home in such low temperatures and having just moved into a new apartment which is yet to be set up, I sometimes find myself lacking in ways to keep me amused. It is on days like these that I’m thankful for the view from my window. The hill and its activity, my backyard and its wildlife (more about all that in another post) and the sky!

I love to day dream though and never thought how useful this seemingly futile exercise could be. One of my favourite pastimes is to simply gaze at the sky. I’ve always believed it to be God’s canvas. I cannot explain the calm and serene feeling it brings upon me as my mind is silenced in awe of the beauty it beholds. Sometimes it also brings immense joy when I feel like jumping and skipping like a little school girl. :)

This morning the sun brought with it a patch of clear blue skies which is an instant mood lifter. These days the sky-scape is a rapidly changing one, thanks to the wind. As I look outside I see that the clouds have gathered in what was, but sometime ago, azure. They make a neat pattern, like fish scales. It seems as if there is a gigantic white fish with a blazing golden eye…..unusual and rare. Soon it will go grey as the sun bids adieu in the late afternoon to another cold winter’s day.