Don't Panic!

I am working from home today. I have made the mistake of switching News 24 on whilst having my lunch. SWINE FLU, SWINE FLU, SWINE FLU!!!!!!! Grrrrrr.

The News love to make a huge fuss over something like this. There have also been too many Pandemic, Killer Bug, TV mini series and films in the last 10 years making the news look like the opening scenes to one of those melodramatic mini series. You know how the mini series begins innocent looking news stories calling for calm, cynics like me saying don't panic this is a big fuss about nothing, and then the slow creep becomes a mass pandemic and the opening credits run!

Well luckily it looks like the flu isn't spreading like wild fire and is outside of Mexico fairly mild. Of course this can change and even if it doesn't spread now come the autumn or winter it could come back. I just hope this leads to better cleanliness on the tube in particular, the amount of people who don't use tissues! My Mum believes that not having a tissue with you when you go out is like not wearing any clothes!

On a totally different topic check out my sister blog http://thesalmonleaping.blogspot.com/
with some info about a landmark report into disabled people's experiences of crime, harassment and safety. Shocking, and sobering stuff.

Millie and Rookie

I went up to Doncaster a few weeks back and took some pictures of my parent's dog Millie. They have had her almost a year now she is a young chocolate Labrador who was failed by sniffer dog school and so my parents were offered her! She is a bit chunky - although my Mum insists that Millie hardly eats anything. She certainly gets plenty of exercise.

Below is a picture of my cat Rookie who has lived with my parents now for 2 years. She isn't too keen on Millie and swipes at her when ever she gets the chance but generally she stays out of the dog's way!

Sakura video

A picture I took last year of sakura (cherry blossom)

I just wanted to post a link to these videos of Tokyo, in particular the one full of cherry blossom images.

It took me right back to last year and my fantastic holiday in Japan during cherry blossom season.

Right now I really need to get out shopping for cake ingredients and other birthday goodies for Jason. The spy robot I bought him seems to have gone down well. He has to build it first before it can start spying!

Testing email blogging

I think this April has been one of my worst for blogging since I started. It really hasn't been a great month apart from my fabulous weekend away for my birthday which was wonderful. I do feel like i am on the mend now though and normal blogging should resume. I am testing email blogging to see if it works ok and helps me post more.

I have tried to make the most of the sunny weather this week, and walked quite a lot.

Tomorrow is Jason's birthday and I plan to make him a cake. I shall post a picture - I hope it won't be worthy of cake wrecks!

A week off

I have had a week off, including a week off from my blog. I haven't felt great over the last week or so probably due to the kidney infection. Spent some of the last week in Doncaster and had a lovely day shopping and drinking coffee with Lorraine. The rest of the time I spent reading and walking and just mooching about. Sorry to say I don't really feel rested more restless!

I hope to post some pics from Great Missenden shortly.

Great Missenden

We arrived in a sunny Great Missenden on Friday night, the journey from Marylebone nice and simple and it only takes about 40 minutes. The walk to the Nags Head took about 20 minutes from the train station but it is a pleasant enough walk and the road isn’t incredibly busy.

The Nag’s Head is very nice indeed and our room had beams sloping ceiling. We had dinner in the award winning Nag’s Head restaurant. I had mushroom soup (creamy but not too rich), pork medallions wrapped in smoky bacon (very sweet and tender pork) and then rhubarb ice cream (fantastic.) Jase had smoky duck salad, Scottish beef and sticky toffee pudding - all of which he said was delicious. There is a wonderful wine selection too. As I’m still not feeling to great I just had half a small glass of rose D’anju which was very nice.

On Saturday morning we went for an explore and a walk in the local woods. It was very quiet but for the bird song. We didn’t walk for too long just 7 km or so. We had lunch in a local cafe and the spent most of the afternoon reading and watching the Grand National.

Cardigans causing a commotion

Well G20 disruption to London was a bit of a damp squib. The most commotion in our office was caused by Michelle Obama's wardrobe and in particular her fabulous cardigan. We all wanted one and to find that it is within my price range - if at that special treat price range - was such a bonus but understandably it has sold out as J Crew's website politely explains.

But Michelle Obama is so much more than a fashion icon and the BBC have a video clip of her visit to an inner city London girls school. Having taught in London I know how much that will have meant to the young girls and how much real inspiration she will have given to the girls and the staff.

So by not being affected by any protesters the week passed by pretty quietly. My kidney infection seems to be clearing up and I am getting ready for a weekend away in Buckinghamshire.

I just got a delivery from my brother and his family of Hotel Chocolat goodies for my birthday. A lovely surprise! A pretty in pink selection bag and a liquid chocolate selection. Dreamy!