October
Dad and I went to the Natural History Museum for the first time in over a year, enjoyed the Fantastic Beasts exhibition and went to Pierino for the first time in years. I really recommend going there if you want good Italian food at a decent price in South Kensington. Afterwards, we went to a new gelato place I'd found nearby (instead of going all the way to Victoria to Olivogelo), which is called Oddono's (see their FB here). I knew we'd hit the jackpot when we walked in and everybody in the place was speaking Italian. Oddono's is set in Bute Street, which has been closed off to traffic due to the pandemic, meaning that kids were running around and playing on their scooters and the locals were standing in the middle of the road talking. The street also has a French deli, a fishmonger, a butcher, and a dry cleaner's that's open on a Saturday afternoon. It was like a real life Eastenders, Dad couldn't believe it and said he didn't think places like this existed any more. A real pleasure to be there and experience the community.

November
Mum and Dad stayed over for the first time as we were booked on the GWSR Fish and Chip special (GWSR = Gloucestershire and Worcestershire Steam Railway). The train wasn't leaving until 13:00 so I was able to take Dad to the farm shop in Portway in the morning so he could buy some sausages and a joint for his and Mum's Sunday roast. They've expanded the shop this year so they have more room to sell local vegetables and salad and bread, as well as their own meat. They also have local honey, Cotswold rapeseed oil and locally roasted coffee. (Mum told me afterwards that the sausages were the best they'd had since their old butcher closed in 2018.) We then left for the train at midday and had such a smooth journey that we were able to have a hot drink when we arrived before boarding.

Met up with Grace and Joe for Sunday lunch. Pid unfortunately had to cancel due to a cold (not Covid but might have been that 'supercold' that's been going around). We had to go in the bar area because of the dog. I told Grace that there were no other tables but she insisted on asking if there was anywhere else we could sit and got told the exact same thing I'd told her. Fortunately the Plough is dog friendly and the roast is still delicious. I always have the venison and I always have to tell Grace to NOT have the beef because it's too fatty for her. :')

December
Claire and I had our annual Christmas meal. We tried the Oak at Kingshill and were pleasantly surprised at how good the food was. Claire is interested in trying out the Plough for our next Xmas meal. Celebrated Christmas with the parents. We had our Christmas meal on Christmas Eve as we were spending Christmas Day with sister, brother-in-law and niblings. The parents had ordered a rack of venison from their neighbour's butcher that they always use. The rack turned up and was barely enough for two people, let alone three, so Mum roasted two guinea fowl to go with it. We spent Christmas Day in Stroud, had a massive Christmas lunch cooked by brother-in-law (roast beef, roast potatoes, sprouts panfried with pancetta and chestnuts, steamed broccoli and carrots, gravy, cauliflower cheese AND Yorkshire puddings - the puddings were pre-baked). We didn't even touch the Christmas pudding that Mum brought up. Helen and I took M down to the skate park so she could try out her new roller-skates and Helen could walk the dog. I ended up throwing the ball for the dog while Helen showed M how to get around on the skates. Boxing Day was nice and peaceful with cold guinea fowl for the main meal.

I had the whole of the week between Christmas and New Year off so Dad and I went up to London on the 30th to see the Hokusai exhibition at the British Museum. Neither of us had been to the British Museum in years so it was good to be back. They had put the exhibition right up at the top next to the East Asian rooms, which was logical but made it harder to find. Afterwards we went to the Cyprus room so Dad could have a look at all the artefacts. He said he had no idea that the British Museum had so many things from Cyprus. I reminded him that we'd nicked stuff from everywhere so it shouldn't be that surprising. We had a peaceful New Year watching Jools Holland's Hootenanny.

Yola singing Sunshine of Your Love on the Hootenanny

The year started pretty well but ended sadly.

I went to Spain for the first time in over 10 years in March, with my parents. We stayed in a beautiful hotel at the foot of the Alhambra (here are some photos of the hotel), visited the Alhambra on our first day and then explored Granada and Seville. The trip definitely reignited my love for Spain and reminded me why I'd learned Spanish in the first place. My parents were enchanted by the Alhambra, the food and the people. We only had one day in Seville and my parents were interested in coming back and exploring more but given political developments and the lack of a train service between Granada and Seville, that doesn't seem to be happening this year.

Dad and I discovered a new place to eat - the Queen's Arms in Kensington. It's about 12-15 minutes from the museums (V&A/Natural History/Science) and very good value for the area. We also found a new gelato place near Pierre Victoire on Dean Street so we don't have to go all the way to Victoria. We saw the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition, the Mary Quant exhibition and the Pre-Raphaelite Sisters exhibition - this last one was really fascinating, as I hadn't heard of some the women featured (Fanny Easton, Joanna Wells, Marie Spartali Stillman, Maria Zambaco) even though the two Marias were artists in their own right and very prolific. Joanna Wells died after giving birth to her third child and should be better known. Fanny Easton was the only WOC who consistently modelled for the pre-Raphaelites.

I spent my birthday weekend with friends in Bristol, and we saw a wonderful irreverent production of P&P: Pride and Prejudice* (*sort of), where a cast of six women played all the parts (except for Mr Bennett, who was nothing but an armchair and a newspaper) while singing, dancing AND playing instruments. It was incredibly joyful and I am hoping to see it again.

We had another family holiday at the end of October where we all stayed in a big townhouse in York on Gillygate, just outside the city walls. I was able to meet elisi in person for the first time and enjoy a day wandering around York with her. I introduced her to the Sapphire Blue tea from Betty's (a tea so delicious it needs no milk) and she introduced me to her family brew, two parts regular tea & one part Earl Grey, I look forward to trying this out. The day after, we went back to Scarborough, where my dad grew up. We used to go up to Scarborough to visit Nana (Dad's mum) every half term. The sad thing is that where Nana used to live, all the free parking has gone - you can't even leave your car there for 30 minutes, you need to have a permit of some kind. Mother Hubbards was still there and the food was as delicious as ever.

I lost a dear friend at the beginning of September and I'm still recovering from that. Also the general election result is just... crushing. Our system does not represent the people and I hate that the government is acting with impunity when they have less than half the popular vote. I haven't given up, though. We haven't given up.

For 2020, I hope to find a new job and get back to writing.

Thanks for the well wishes. :) I managed to go back to work last Friday and was well enough to attend the Radio Times interview with Steven Moffat on Sunday. Moff was on good form, very funny and sarcastic. He didn't say much about the upcoming 50th anniversary special or the new Sherlock episodes (of course) but he did refute the silly idea that they filmed in America to get American viewers. He said that in his view Americans were much smarter than that: if they wanted to see America, all they had to do was go outside or switch on their televisions, they wanted to watch Doctor Who because it was quintessentially British, and that the biggest reason for shooting in America was that it was a different, bigger backdrop for the Doctor. Here's some trivia: they originally intended to shoot the whole two-parter in Florida, because that's where NASA is located. However, when they arrived, it looked so much like Cardiff that he and Caroline decided "we have to find something that's SO American, nobody can possibly doubt that they're in America!" and that is why Monument Valley happened. XD He also rubbished the claims that Peter Capaldi was "too old" to be popular with kids as the Doctor, stating that ALL adults are the same age to children, that is, ancient. He spoke of how he was a teacher at 24 and his pupils thought he was as old as the dinosaurs!

( Oxford )

Happy Birthday to my old friend ashtur!

Your Disney character is Tramp from Lady and the Tramp!



You desire freedom. You don't trust authority since it's let you down in the past. As a result, you make your own rules and live your own life. Fortunately, your wit and finesse get you out of danger. You attract relationships that provide you with stability. Beneath your tough exterior is a protective and demonstrative partner.

Magical Gifts: Tramp gives you the gifts of courage, resiliency and allure. He shows you how to use these talents to better your life and the lives of those around you.

Keys To Your Success: Letting love, instead of luck, keep you safe.

Happy Birthday, ada_kensington!

I hope you enjoy your birthday, especially as it's on a Saturday. :D

Your Disney character is Ray from The Princess and the Frog!



You follow your heart wherever it leads you. Others don't always understand your longings, but their doubts never dissuade you from your dreams. You're driven by a higher form of love, and your ideals carry you far. Your positive nature lifts the spirits of everyone around you and inspires you to believe in themselves. Gentle and wise, you help others open their hearts and find lasting happiness.

Magical Gifts: Ray brings the gifts of warmth, optimism, and imagination. He encourages you to utilise the power of love to make your wishes come true.

Keys To Your Success: Following the glimmer inside your heart.

Happy Belated Birthday to my friend vbabe1!

Your Disney character is RC from Toy Story!



Those closest to you know that your actions speak louder than words. You have a significant effect on the lives of others and give everything you have to important matters. Although you feel most confident when in charge of a situation, you will let those you care about take the lead when they need to. Sensitive to your environment and the people in it, your best friends help you to stay on track.

Magical Gifts: RC brings you the gifts of liveliness, direction, and resilience. He'll show you the fastest route to attaining your desires.

Keys To Your Success: Taking time to rest and recharge your batteries.