Torvill & Dean in Bedford - The pretend ones.

Dear Thathu,

Today we went ice-skating. Well,  ice falling for most of us but for a few minutes staring at the Ice Rink from a comfortable distance, I could pretend to be Jane Torvill.  It was at the Bedford Swan Hotel where they have an Ice Rink. I stared at the skates, wishing I could do a Triple Salchow or a Death Spiral. I suppose one could always dream. I had always loved watching figure skating and the dance competitions - I remember as a student, sitting on the edge of my sofa and watching on TV when Kurt Browning did his first quad. Of course I have seen actual skating programmes since then but I think nothing has been so dramatic for me than that moment. 

Today the person who had most fun was Sarah. They had these seals where kids can learn how to ice skate by pushing them around. 

The Swan Hotel is a gorgeous hotel dating to 18th century and it has a wonderful spa, the Lotus Spa.  It is truly amazing.

I know most British people want to holiday in the Maldives. So break the tradition, be unique. 

Come and holiday in Bedford with your friends :-)

Gardening in Bedford

Dear Thathu

Today is the day our gardner comes and does the garden. He is getting on a bit now but he is the most amazing gardner I have ever come across. He is dedicated, hardworking and has an amazing wealth of knowledge. His name is Tony and you can see his eyes light up when he talks about the various plants - the daffodils in spring, the yellow roses in summer and even raking up the leaves in autumn. I think the only season he is not quite so happy is winter because he doesn't have much to do. He does the garden maintenance, the lawn, everything. Sometimes he finds empty little birds nest and brings them for Sarah so that she can learn about the nests. He helped me with my tomatoes last year and all the veggies that I grew in the fruit cage would not have survived without him.

Bedford has a fantastic climate. Ok, I know. I sound like the woman in the Tourist Information Office. But it is true. It isn't particularly windy and it doesn't rain like in Wales. We have had a fabulous summer this year and we did escape all the flooding of last winter. So see, there is no reason not to come and visit us.

Have a peep below. Still not tempted to visit Bedford?  

All photos of my garden 

The Glory of The Garden

Our England is a garden that is full of stately views,
Of borders, beds and shrubberies and lawns and avenues,
With statues on the terraces and peacocks strutting by;
But the Glory of the Garden lies in more than meets the eye.

For where the old thick laurels grow, along the thin red wall,
You will find the tool- and potting-sheds which are the heart of all ;
The cold-frames and the hot-houses, the dungpits and the tanks:
The rollers, carts and drain-pipes, with the barrows and the planks.                                 

And there you’ll see the gardeners, the men and ‘prentice boys
Told off to do as they are bid and do it without noise;
For, except when seeds are  planted and we shout to scare the birds,
The Glory of the Garden it abideth not in words.

And some can pot begonias and some can bud a rose,
And some are hardly fit to trust with anything that grows;
But they can roll and trim the lawns and sift the sand and loam,
For the Glory of the Garden occupieth all who come.

Our England is a garden, and such gardens are not made
By singing:–”Oh, how beautiful!” and sitting in the shade,
While better men than we go out and start their working lives
At grubbing weeds from gravel-paths with broken dinner-knives

There’s not a pair of legs so thin, there’s not a head so thick,
There’s not a hand so weak and white, nor yet a heart so sick.
But it can find some needful job that’s crying to be done,
For the Glory of the Garden glorifieth every one.

Then seek your job with thankfulness and work till further orders,
If it’s only netting strawberries or killing slugs on borders;
And when your back stops aching and your hands begin to harden,
You will find yourself a partner in the Glory of the Garden.

Oh, Adam was a gardener, and God who made him sees
That half a proper gardener’s work is done upon his knees,
So when your work is finished, you can wash your hand and pray
For the Glory of the Garden, that it may not pass away!
And the Glory of the Garden it shall never pass away!

- Rudyard Kipling- 

Kiddies in Bedford

Dear Thathu,

I am sorry I have been falling behind in my blog. I went shopping for a dress for Sarah. She has many parties to attend and as you know children grow very quickly. 

Someone once asked me where can I go for good kids wear in Bedford? And whether I go to London to shop for Sarah.

The answer is No. 

Bedford maybe small but it has its gems. Of course there is the usual High Street shops for kids - Next, Debenhams, Marks & Spencer, TK Maxx etc. And then there are the smaller boutiques which often have real cute pieces. 

My favourite is Miamee Boutique.  They sell gorgeous kids wear - Kate Mack, Biscotti, Sarah Louise you name it. And at amazing prices too. They also have a Facebook page.  Check it out.

Art in Bedford

Dear Thathu,

I was walking in town today thinking of what I should write about that might just entice you to visit us (apart from the fact that we have a Thorntons here) when I realised that I had it right in front of me.

The Art Centre and Gallery, Bedford.

It is a fascinating place even for someone like me who cannot draw a cat. I love browsing around there, buying little things for Sarah for her creative work. At the back of the shop is an Art Gallery where various local artists display their work.  Bedfordshire has a vibrant Art Community and you will fit in very well. Check this out.  

So I had to come back and dig up these :-)

Artwork by Thathu

Of course we have various other places like The KILN that does fantastic little creative workshops for kids.  

Tempted? 

Sweets for my sweet, sugar for my honey...

Hi Thathu,

I am eating sweets today. All sorts. Here in Bedford we have a wonderful sweetshop called The ARCADIA SWEETSHOP.  It has the most delicious, yummy sweets, toffees, coconut candy, gummy sweets, liquorice, chocolates  - you name it and you can find all this under one roof. I just love their handmade rose creams and violet cream chocolates. And oh the fudge! Yes, The fudge is to die for.  

The shop has been operating since 1905 and is a family run business. I just love visiting the place even if do not buy anything. Just to walk past the shop in the Arcade and window shopping is sometimes enough for me

I promise if you come to Bedford I will take you there. And we can buy sweets for ourselves and of course for our daughters.  

But as you know children shouldn't eat too many sweets -  So we mothers can :-)

Photos: From Arcadia Sweetshop Website. 

easy like Sunday morning

Dear Thathu

Today is day 7 and it was a tough day. We had our gradings and yes, we made. Both Sarah and I made it. I know I have done a post about Karate in Bedford so I am going to skip that here.  But after Karate, it turned out to be lazy Sunday. As Sarah and I walked back home from the Dojo, the sun was just setting and the world was pink and red. I didn't have my phone with me so I couldn't take a photo. But I am going to leave you with some I took a while back from my kitchen window. 

Train spotting in Bedford

Dear Thathu,

Don't you miss travelling on the train? Those long journeys when the train snakes itself through the country side passing fields of yellow green or white snow? Today is such a day for us. Bedford station is small- if you are on those big intercity trains and you blink - you miss it. But nevertheless it serves its purpose and getting to London or going north is easy.

In fact a day out to London from Bedford is easy. On the East Midland it is less than 40 minutes. And on a crisp cold winter day sitting and watching the frost covered trees rushing by in the sunshine is pure bliss. 

"That Whitsun, I was late getting away:
Not till about
One-twenty on the sunlit Saturday
Did my three-quarters-empty train pull out,
All windows down, all cushions hot, all sense
Of being in a hurry gone. We ran
Behind the backs of houses, crossed a street
Of blinding windscreens, smelt the fish-dock; thence
The river's level drifting breadth began,
Where sky and Lincolnshire and water meet."

- Philip Larkin

Karate in Bedford

Dear Thathu,

I was wondering when this day would come - the day I struggle to find a positive story. My excuse - you will undoubtedly find out soon, that kitting out kids for school dramas/productions is not often the best of experience and today is such a day. I will leave it at that.

I think more than anything our karate grading on Sunday is playing up in my mind. Yes it is the dreaded day - exciting yet scary. As you know Sarah and I both do karate at the Clapham Karate Club  and Sunday is our grading. Sarah is grading for an intermediate yellow and I am going for a full yellow. Please wish us good luck. The club doesn't have its own dojo (yet) so we practise in a nearby school. But one day we may have our own. I am hoping that I can participate in organising such a project. Wouldn't it be lovely? Bedford to have its own Karate Dojo? 

Although I have taken it up later in life, I am enjoying it immensely. Although it is a serious club, the camaraderie is great and our Sensei and all the dan grades who teach us are just amazing. I wonder whether I would have the courage to take it up if it was in the Maldives? I am not sure. But perhaps with all the gang-related violence and gender-based violence in Male', maybe this is something women badly need? 

I will leave you with these ..

CFTS Executive Course 2014

and of course from the father of Shotokan Karate 

Steel drums in winter

Dear Thathu,

I heard about the water crisis in Male' today and felt guilty that we take so much for granted. We turn our taps and out pours the water. We go to the supermarket and the the choice of brands is innumerable. The same goes with our food. It is only when there is a shortage we appreciate what we already have.

I was walking in town today and came across the fruit and veggie stall they always have on a Thursday. I loved to browse around the stall. Sometimes I just don't buy anything but stop by to say Hello to the people there. The same goes for the lady selling ice cream. But what struck me today was the man playing the steel drums. He was standing on the side and entertaining all the passers-by. Steel drums are not something one normally associates with winter. But in a strange sort of way it was just perfect listening to him against the backdrop of Christmas lights twinkling in the distance. The weather was crispy and cold in the winter sunshine. 

I am sorry the video is rather short. But do enjoy. 

A tavola non si invecchia!

Ciao Thathu!

Come va? Today I want to talk about the Italian Bedford.  We have the largest Italian community in the UK and that brings some of the best Italian food to town. Now, I know you have a special place in your heart for Italian food. :-) 

Literally "due passi' from our house is a fantastic Italian Restaurant called Bellinis. It's just an amazing place. Their Calamari Fritti is to die for but my favourite is their Ravioli Pasticciati (Pasta parcels filled with ricotta cheese & spinach tossed in a minced beef, tomato & cream sauce). We go there sometimes but I often get food delivered home. I order Ravioli so much that now I don't even have to give my address. The moment I mention Ravioli they know who it is for! I just love it. To have gourmet hot food delivered straight home on a cold, winter night is just fantastico! I feel blessed indeed.

I am posting the link to their menu here just to torture you :-) 

But apart from the food, the lively Italian community in Bedford makes the town a rich melting pot of cultures. We are blessed that we have such good friends from various communities. 

A ogni uccello il suo nido è bello!

And here is one of my favourite songs for you - both in Italian and with English translation. May the Italian community in Bedford continue to flourish and prosper with their gourmet food :-)

Walkway to Heaven

Dear Thathu,

Let me tell you about the little village I live, Clapham, in North Bedfordshire. Near our place, we have gorgeous paths that are fresh and green in summer and golden brown in autumn. It is difficult to decide which season is better but I love to go for little walks with Sarah whenever we have the time. We love creating little stories as we go along about other people who may have walked there before us. 

Posted below is a photo of a path near a church yard. This was taken last summer. As you walk by, you hear the birds above you and the gentle rustle of trees. It is one of Sarah's favourite walks because there is a big hole in one of the trees where, she claims, lives an owl. We have never seen the owl but every time we pass by I get to hear a new story about the owl and what it was doing at that particular time :-)

But for me the path holds another special place. It reminds me somehow of the green Male' I grew up. It may be different vegetation but nevertheless the sunshine in summer and the green always reeks of nostalgia. 

When on a summer's morn I wake, 
And open my two eyes, 
Out to the clear, born-singing rills 
My bird-like spirit flies.

To hear the Blackbird, Cuckoo, Thrush, 
Or any bird in song; 
And common leaves that hum all day 
Without a throat or tongue.

W. H. Davies

Swan-watching in the Priory Country Park

Dear Thathu,

I am taking up your challenge to post a positive story about where I live - Bedford, each day for a month - while you do the same for Male', (capital of Maldives). Now I am not sure how long I can keep this up with Christmas looming and the holiday season being rather busy but here it goes. 

I am going to start my post by writing about one of my favourite places in Bedford - The Priory Country Park.  I am just going to write about our experience there - and not try and sound like a tourist brochure :-)

It's a place where we often go just for a walk or for Sarah to see the swans. We started going to the Priory Country Park when she was rather small and she loved the ducks or "Kucks" as she called them at the time. 

It is serene on one side where you can just relax and take in the scenery. I often just sit on the bench while Sarah runs excitedly pointing at the swans. Simple natural pleasures even for a few minutes is simply bliss. It is big enough on the green for children to run around or dogs for that matter. We often end up eating in the Beefeater Grill at the Priory Marina.

There is a Water Sports Centre for those wishing to Windsurf etc. But you know me. I prefer just to relax and hear the birds and the ducks and the swans. I sit and watch the swans glide by while Sarah points out which one is Odette and which one is Odile. And of course, try and beat my other half in who can take the better picture. :-) 

The trees are in their autumn beauty,
The woodland paths are dry,
Under the October twilight the water
Mirrors a still sky;
Upon the brimming water among the stones
Are nine-and-fifty Swans...

W.B. Yeats