The Beginning of 2012...

I can’t believe that January is almost over. This year it has gone quick, I normally find that January drags and is a long month. I suppose it has been filled with fun things and excitement.

My friends and I started off the Year by going into town in Hobo’s to their cheesy 80’s night; we thought this would be great and reminisced about the horrible 80’s style. We dressed up in our 80’s gear had a few drinks before hand and headed in. Good job we had a couple before we went out, the rest of the people there weren’t dressed up, either too miserable or too young to remember the 80’s. Still we didn’t care, ordered hideously bright coloured cocktails, demanded the 80’s music from the DJ and danced the night away. It was a really good night. Followed by a leap of faith at the end of the evening, I am still hoping this will pay off.

Ez and I also re-discovered a local to haunt, this is the Coach in Bridgend which is looking fab after its refurb and what a lovely place to have a pint or two, with Welsh Ales and Ciders. I would definitely recommend it.

The following week saw me hitting the Rummer in Cardiff with my work colleagues for one of their Birthdays. The Rummer is one of our favourite places to go for a drink; always a good atmosphere and you can always get to the bar, not to mention the good food there in the day. A good time was had by all as usual.

Then it was the wonderful Ez’s 30th Birthday and there was much rejoicing and celebrating. We started the day off wonderfully with a champagne breakfast, unfortunately something occurred and we managed to set fire to a couple of birthday cards. Luckily they were put out in time so you could still read the message inside and most of the card was still there. We then headed into Cardiff booked into our hotel and went and got some delightful cocktails and Cake in Milgi’s on City road. I would really recommend this place for it’s glorious cake (which they put a sparkler in Ez’s as I mentioned it was her birthday) and it’s fantastic cocktails.

The time went all too quickly and we met up with the others for a gorgeous meal in Henry’s, the service was good, the drinks flowed nicely and the food as always was gorgeous. I don’t think anyone had a complaint. I had also organised party bags for everyone with balloon animals, lip gloss, roller stamps, jumping frogs and a Disney princess ring in it. Ez’s had the bonus of a little tiara. We went from here to our favourite haunt of Gwdihiw’s and then on to Café Jazz, before collapsing in the hotel.

The next day we had a lovely continental breakfast, a lovely spot of window shopping followed by lunch in Tiger Tiger. We were pooped, but in good spirits. We decided to go to the cinema and watch the Artist which I have to say was wonderful and it was filmed really well. It was lovely to hear everyone laughing in the cinema, and the ending was superb.

That’s it really for my busy January; a couple of meals out this week with friends and a catch up, it has been a great start to 2012, let’s hope it continues.

Steam Punk Burlesque Show

It was the night before Christmas Eve
All the creatures were stirring even the burlesque tease
The stockings were hitched up the legs with great care
Hoping everyone would be in good cheer.

The guests were snuggled and of all ages
While visions of steam punk burlesque danced on the stage
With people in their fishnets and some with top hats
It was a glorious sight as a matter of fact.

When from the side of the stage there arose a clatter
The band was now playing getting better and better
Away to the dance floor we flew like a flash
Bopping and jiving with a slight Russian sash.

The evening was quick to draw to an end
However we made a good couple of friends
Their car pulled up and numbers exchanged
We had to run to catch our train

We were too late as the train just pulled away
Another hour we would have to stay
To the chippie we went to have our fill
Then to the waiting room against our will

One more hour our train was delayed,
Luckily we were merry so we weren’t enraged
A young lad was there he was such a bore
I said to my friend we’ll be home before four.

Our train arrived we made it on quick
With everyone on board we were off in a tick
We pulled into the station with much elation
We were home and tired but it was a joyous occasion.

More Afternoon Tea?!?!?!

Well yes, I have been at it again. The 2nd December my fabulous friend Fordy and I went on a lovely day trip to Bath. We love our girlie day trips and thought we would combine this one with the Christmas market and afternoon tea (of course).

As it was a day off from work we allowed ourselves a little lie in so didn’t set off too early, this did mean that we missed all the rush hour traffic and had a lovely drive down to Bath. The weather was nice and bright but it was cold, which got us in the mood for a Christmas market. We arrived at the park and ride and it was full, we drove round trying to find a space, just as we were about to give up and try and find somewhere else, a bus from town pulled up and we were able to follow people off the bus to a parking space. Then came the wait in the queue for a bus, it was so cold and we wished we had layered up a bit more. Luckily we weren’t waiting long and we were on a bus into Bath centre.

On arriving we got our bearings and started to have a wander around. As we had booked afternoon tea at the pump rooms we decided to have brunch so that we weren’t waiting too long without something to eat. I had heard my favourite Pies from Pieminister were going to have a stall at the Guildhall Market, we made our way over. I had a delicious Deer Santa pie with gravy and Fordy had a Three Kings Pie with gravy. It really hit the spot on such a cold day and because I had been craving one for a while, it really warmed us up nice and toasty.

We decided that we would have a wander around the Christmas market and it was lovely to see all the stalls and get us in the mood for Christmas. The smells of all the different foods and mulled wine was lovely. There were so many different crafts available it was delightful. We were having a glorious time. Both of us bought a lovely glass ornament for our Christmas trees, mine was of Rudolph and Fordy’s of a Robin which had a glittery red breast.

Time was soon upon us to head on over for our afternoon tea. Having being uber organised I had booked us a table so we didn’t have to queue. We were shown to our seats and our order taken by a lovely waiter who we nicknamed Sebastian. There was delightful Christmas music being played on the piano, and we nicknamed the pianist Quentin. Our Tea stand came and it full of delicious food. On the bottom tier was finger sandwiches, the next tier up were four scones, two with currents, two with out, with some lovely clotted cream and jam, then the top tier had two choux pastry cakes, a fruit custard tart and a mince pie.

Once again we couldn’t eat it all as it was all too much, however this time we were able to take the left overs home and Sebastian took them away to wrap them up for us. We noticed others had done the same and came away with a lovely foil basket, however, when ours came back it was in a delightfully wrapped foil swan, we loved it.

There was still a decent amount of time for us to finish looking around the Christmas stalls and general shops before heading home. The day put us in a lovely Christmassy mood and joyful spirits, I would definitely recommend it.