Go Ape!

For Shaun's birthday Tom and I decided to take him to Go Ape! What is this you ask? Go Ape has sites all over the country, all over the world in fact, and they are high ropes courses. We went to the one in Bedgebury Forest in Kent, just over an hour from Brighton. Shaun's friends Paul and Jamie joined us as well.


On the drive there the rain was coming down and I must admit despite my excitement I was a bit hesitant. I really don't like being cold and wet. Luckily when we arrived it was only sprinkling lightly and after not too long the all of the rain cleared. It felt a bit like we were in the rain forest with the trees damp all around us.

With our harnesses on and successful making it through the 40 minute training we were free to explore the course. It had five sections each with their own obstacles 30 feet above ground. At the end of each section was a long zip line that flew us down to the ground. There were two Tarzan swings throughout the course as well where you grabbed on to a rope and swung like Tarzan into a net.


The day was loads fun. Plenty of laughter was heard as we struggled through the obstacles and crash landed the zip lines. I definitely recommend this activity for a group day out.

The course took a few hours to get through, and as I had only a little breakfast before we started I was starving by the end. Luckily Tom packed a picnic and Paul brought the dessert which we enjoyed at the picnic area provided. We filled our bellies with baguette, olives, cheeses, pate at tomatoes followed by lemon cheesecake.

We couldn't leave without feeding the extra bread to the ducks in the pond were sitting next to. All of the sudden we realised it was half seven, time to get home. Back into the car we piled and back to Brighton we went tired from a successful day outdoors.

Love

I can upholster.

Yes, upholstering is one of my new skills. The other weekend Tom's dad and I spent this afternoon fixing the stool that goes with my dressing table.

The stool wobbled a bit and the fabric was definitely in need of replacement when I received it. This was not problem for me, a little dyi and I was confident I could make it like new. Tom's dad went to work on the legs re-screwing them into the base to make it a lot more sturdy than when he started. Once finished I could sit on the stool and not feel as though it was about to break. Then it was time to work on the upholstery.

I discovered that Tom's dad's mum (if you follow that) was very keen on upholstering as an adult. She learned from a man who used to work for the royal family, and re-upholstered many various pieces of furniture for friends. Tom's family still has her suitcase full of all of the proper tools for jobs of this sort, which was a great help for my task ahead.

After taking the fabric off, rotten padding started falling out. I removed that immediately along with the old nails around the outside of the base. Once all of the old was gone it was time for the new. I put the padding on and covered it with lining fabric which I secured with nails along the edge. Just like that I completed my task for the afternoon. Turning the stool over I took a seat. It was amazing! No longer wobbly, and cushy with fresh padding. I must say I impressed myself.

Now I am on the hunt for the perfect fabric to cover the stool and finish it off.

Love

I'm 24, can you believe it?

A couple of weeks ago was my 24th Birthday! Shocking it has taken so long for me to write about it. Another year older and another weekend of being spoiled. Luckily my big day was on a Friday, and of course I took the day off work. I don't understand working on your birthday, the two just don't mesh.

It was an amazing birthday despite the morning being a bit of a disaster. I awoke to wonderful presents. They included brand new proper cycling shoes, the kind that clip into the pedals. I had taken my bike in to be serviced the day before not knowing Tom was planning a cycle ride to the quaint village of Arundel for the afternoon. After a breakfast of my favourite, eggs benedict, we went to the shop to pick up my bike. Tom secretly went in the day before to have new pedals put on my bike to go with the shoes. I went in and the bad news hit. The service man found what looked like a crack on the frame of my bike! This meant they were going to have to replace it and my bike was not going home with me this day. Plans for the day... ruined.

In the end it was alright because it poured that afternoon. Tom and I ended up walking through the nearby village of Lewes. We stopped at a couple of pubs and went through the old castle ruins. It was a very enjoyable afternoon.



I found out that evening after sending pictures of my bike to the manufacturer the shop now beleived what they found is just a scratch in the paint and I could pick it up the next day.

That night I was taken out for a meal at Terre a Terre, an award winning vegetarian restaurant in Brighton. It was my first time at a vegetarian restaurant and the food was incredible! Different than a normal night out and delicious. I didn't even know most of the ingredients in my dish, but it didn't matter I loved everything I tasted.

My parents spoiled me as well of course. With a Tiffany's necklace to match my earrings and a gorgeous new quilt. The quilt was delivered very early Saturday morning and I almost missed it! I had to go running into the street in my dressing gown to catch the post man. I was glad I did. I think this is the most beautiful quilt my mom has ever made.


Saturday night I had a small house party. A chance to get friends together and celebrate. It was a great night and I'm glad I decided on more of a relaxing night in rather than a big night out.

Sunday my birthday continued. Tom and I went up to Brook Farm where I was spoiled by his parents. We had a big Sunday roast and I was able to choose the meat, my choice... duck, yum! The roast was followed by a wonderful summer pudding, pink and full of berries. I received gifts from Tom's family as well. A very spoiled girl I was. At tea time more yummy treats were served, scones with lemon curd and cream and a chocolate birthday cake. My tummy was so full by the time I made it home that night.

Thank you everyone for all of the birthday wishes and presents. I had a wonderful birthday this year and was truely spoiled like a princess.

Love

Gay Pride 2010

The first weekend in August... In Seattle that means Seafair, in Brighton it means Gay Pride!

Pride is the biggest event of the year in Brighton. Everyone is out for it, straight or gay it doesn't matter, this is one event that can't be missed. Starting at 11am with a Parade that winds through town the party then carries on to Preston Park. I missed the parade because of Tom's race car driving but made it to the park in plenty of time to join in the festivities. It was horribly crowded this year. Compared to two years ago the last time I attended pride this year I saw many less men in little sequined costumes with feather head dresses and many more straight people covering the park. We danced in a couple of the different tents, passes on the semi-yummy smelling overpriced food and ran into many friends.

As the night wore on and the music ended we made our way don the streets with thousands of others to St. James Street, the main street in Kemp Town, the gay area of Brighton. We arrived to a massive street party, people everywhere! The police did enforce a music ban as a method of crowd control which was a bit of a shame because everyone was just there for a good time. Tom and I soon found ourselves down on the beach with friends and a bottle of wine. It was slightly chilly but luckily the boys were men and shared their tops so the girls were comfortable. After a couple hours on the beach I was exhausted and needed to go home. It had been a long week at work, then I was up at six to get to Silverstone and I was plain worn out. Once home a mug of hot cocoa and warm pajamas were exactly what I needed. It wasn't long before I was snuggled up in bed and dreaming of the eventful day I just had.

Love

race car driver Tom

Very early Saturday morning (6am to be precise) Tom and I sleepily stumbled into the car and started our journey to Silverstone where Tom was to be a race car driver for the day. Silverstone is UK's largest race track. It is where the Grand Prix is held along with many other car races and a number of experience days. Driving a single seater race car was my gift to Tom for his graduation last year. The days book up far in advance so its taken over a year for Tom to be able to get in.

By the time we arrived nearly two hours later we were much more awake. Our Starbucks stop helped, Mom I'm sure that makes you proud. We drove in alongside porches, Bentley's and various other makes of cars. It surprised me how many people were there to race around the different tracks that day. Tom was directed to his track and after signing in we had about 20 min to wait. Luckily we picked up some magazines when we stopped for coffee. After a while Tom was taken into a briefing room to learn about the car, the track and all of the tricks. Then, it was race time!



With helmets on and all racers seated in their cars it was time to go. Vroom Vroom. Not too fast at first though. The first half of driving time was spent following the pace car giving the drivers time to adjust to the single seaters and the track. Then the race began. At least 15 cars sped around the track at speeds nearing 150 mph. Round and round they went, click click click with the camera I went. I paid special attention to Tom's car, number 11, and got many good pics of him zooming past.

Tom enjoyed his time and is glad he can now say he has driven a race car. He did admit it was a bit terrifying being so close to the ground whilst driving that fast, his car went 93 mph in 1st! I think he feared for his life out there. A good adrenaline rush to start the day and a few laps feeling like Lewis Hamilton, not a bad morning.

Love

my dressing table

Last year for my birthday (which was nearly a year ago to the day) Tom gave me a lovely decorated coupon for a dressing table. Every girl's dream. I was so excited, it was a perfect gift! I started my dressing table search immediately when I returned to England in September. To my misfortune my efforts only resulted in disappointment after disappointment. I found a number of dressing tables I loved at swish furniture shops around Brighton. However, they always held a price tag that matched their level of style, high - way higher than my budget. I hunted through antique and second hand shops finding a handful of dressing tables within my budget, but with styles that just wouldn't do. I began to feel hopeless and gave up. I felt I could never find a dressing table I both liked and could afford (well that Tom could afford, it is a gift after all) and so I gave up. I considered it a lost gift.

Last Friday as I got home Tom was upstairs messing about with something and making me wait to come up until he had finished. Finally, after what seemed like ages (I had made a cup of tea and checked facebook and twitter) he called me up. What a surprise... The PERFECT dressing table! Seriously, any girls dream. It's ideal. Just look at the pic above. I can now sit at my lovely table with all of my cosmetics and pretty jewelry as I get ready for a night out. It even has the side angle mirrors so I can make sure no hair is out of place. I am one happy girl. As they say, good things come to those who wait.

(Although, I do hope this year my birthday pressie comes on time.)

Love