Sweet London

Quite pleased with how this picture of the Coliseum taken late night a few weeks ago came out. I was headed towards the fourth plinth at the time to see a woman parading about on a toy horse (I didn't know this before I got there...and if I had may have resisted my detour)

Must remember to take more pictures of the classic London buildings which I resist doing as so many beautiful images are in existence. But they are not mine, and I admit it is quite nice to have an image all of my own.

Simple weeknight dinner: Bulgur, feta and chicken bake

Lately I have been fairly unimaginative when it comes to preparing my post work meal. On the nights that I am not out and about I like to use my evenings at home as a chance to recharge, get on top of cleaning chores and reading (woe is me!) and to have an early night and a very early meal.

I have always tried to avoid eating late so a meal that takes less than 45 minutes is always a winner. Living sans boyfriend means when I am eating alone I like something with minimal use of pots and pans to reduce cleaning times (I immensely dislike washing up, although Nigel Slater does a wonderful job of persuading me otherwise on the last page of Appetite).

This very simple dish has been my go to for the last month or so, being light enough that it doesn't feel too much on a rare sunny evening but still giving you the satisfaction of a proper evening meal.

Bulgur, feta and chicken bake

Serves 1

1 chicken breast

1 serving bulgur wheat (I use a 3/4 mug of dried bulgur)

Handful of feta (to taste)

Spring onion

2 lemons

Optional additions: grilled cherry tomatoes or roasted butternut squash.

Place chicken in dish and cover in 2 tsp of olive oil, juice of lemon and seasoning.

Cover dish with tin foil and place in oven at gas mark 7 for 45 minutes (turn over at 25 minutes).

While chicken is cooking cook bulgur wheat and then drain.

Put bulgur wheat in serving bowl and add olive oil, squeeze of lemon and chopped spring onions.

When chicken is cooked cut into medium slices and add to bulgur.

Add feta.

Serve with large glass of chilled white wine.

The Famous Danny the Dog

One of the highlights of the last week in Devon was spending time with the gorgeous Daniel the Spaniel. I wanted share some pictures I took in a peaceful day on Slapton sands beach.

Danny loves to swim, he can swim along in the sea for miles and miles and he is also pretty strong which means he will tackle the lively waters of our local rivers. On this day he pestered mum and I to throw stones into the water for him to catch and then paddled along happily only looking over to shore to check we were keeping up with him as we walked along.

If you look carefully in picture 2 you might spot the Red Arrows sweeping past in the sky.

Electric love

While on holiday we would while away the late afternoon reading books, drinking ice cold beer and intermittently tuning in to MTV Italy on our hotel room telly.

They had this 1 minute insert called crispy news, a quick look at the celebrity news. The news was often out of date and it really did push the definition of "news" to its loosest interpretation. Examples include Zac Efron gelling his hair to the left today, Jennifer Lopez busy looking after her twins, and so it continued...

Nonetheless for a gossip fan such as myself I enjoyed these regular updates, however old.

There was only one that I have brought home with me, an old quote from Johnny Depp talking about how he fell for Vanessa Paradis. It is a beautiful quote, one that speaks of the sort of love at first sight that movies are made of. Which is perfectly fitting I suppose.

"We met briefly years ago. I remember thinking, "Ouch." It was just hello, but the contact was electric. That was in 1993. It wasn't until 1998, when I went to do the Polanski film The Ninth Gate and was in the lobby of the hotel, getting messages. I turned around and across the lobby saw this back. She had on a dress with an exposed back. I thought, "Wow." Suddenly the back turned and she looked at me. I walked right over, and there were those eyes again. I knew it was her. She asked, "Do you remember me?" I said, "Oh yeah." We had a drink, and it was over with at that point. I knew I was in big trouble. "

Wallowing

As one of the most appalling weeks of my working life draws to a close I lie swaddled in blankets having been hit by a very aggressive cold.

It is so tempting to say flu, isn't it, a cold just sounds so measly and pathetic yet I won't give in to my tendencies for hypochondria simply as I don't want my beloved friends staying away from me for fear of contracting swine flu.

I thought I'd put the holiday snaps up here in an attempt to remind myself that every week won't be this way.

Regular posting will resume shortly.