Oranges and Lemons

Easter comes with happy childhood memories of finding Easter eggs hidden in tulips in the garden, winning what seemed riches then of £5 at the Point to Point and driving down to Branscombe to see my Grampa.

To celebrate my recent happy move to St Clement’s in Oxford, I decided it was time to start creating my own Easter memories.

I made St Clement’s Cake.

In fact, I made two delicious but sunken ones. One to eat at home (with help from Elsie) and one to take down in the car on the way to Grampa’s.

The Colour of Poached Eggs

 Beautiful.

On Tour with Chad Valley – Japan

This Valentines, I embarked on a four day whirlwind tour to Tokyo with Chad Valley and Trophy Wife.  The most beautiful and humbling country I have ever been to, with the kindest and most wonderful people. Thank you to Fumi for giving us an unforgettable experience and putting on two fantastic gigs at O Nest.

Highlights included:

Two weddings

Saki

Hot saki

Meiji Jingu Shrine

Sexy Zone

Yuki Yu

Hugo and Kit singing Foals at Karaoke

…every bit of food I ate.

Active Childs

 

Last Monday Marina Nesi, Hugo and I went to see Active Child play at Saint Giles in the Field. Hugo toured across America with them last Autumn and I was lucky enough to join everyone on the West Coast. Ever since, I have been completely, totally, head over heals with this band, the music is so beautiful.

Prior to the gig we ventured to Korea Town behind Tottenham Court road and ate delicious hot broth. We then entered the church and sat up in the Gods, perched on the pews so we could see the stage. The music perfectly filled and echoed round the cold stone walls, as their shadows danced on the statue of Jesus that hung behind the stage.

For those of you who missed it, here is Chad Valley’s remix of one of my favourite tracks, Playing House.

Chad Valley Sold Out in Ikea

Coming from a fine interior heritage (his mum is Annie of Annie Sloan Interiors), besides the obligatory student sofa in Bristol, this was Hugo’s first real encounter with Ikea.

In need for miscellaneous kitchen utensils for our new home, I managed to persuade him that this was something of a ‘coming of age’ experience and one that came served with masses of swedish meatballs. Anyone who knows Hugo well, will understand that the meatball part of this was a good sell.

2 hours later we both left with a cheese grater, a stack of candles, two kitchen chairs from the bargain bin and a slight feeling of regret.

The meatballs however, were excellent…

Frenchie Dining

Fine Frenchies Poppy and Marina enjoy meat, dinosaurs and Burger King for dîner.

Christmas in Oxford

Oxford is well known for its summer days. The lazy stretching lawns, punts quietly floating down the Cherwell and the blossoming Magnolia trees lining the college walls.

However, it is at Christmas, when air is cold, the alleyways empty and the sound of practicing choirs call out from behind stone walls, that Oxford’s magic truly comes to life.

And what better way to enjoy it, than biking to the Rickety Press, breakfast at the wonderful Oxfork or dining in the delights of the new Turl Street Kitchen.