Tuesday, 30 July 2013

Dr Anne and JD in London

Dr Anne and JD have just returned from a busy trip to London.  

On day one they went to the Proms: Beethoven's 7th, Ravel.  The Spanish Dancers were superb and an extra dimension to the performance.  Dr Anne and JD had a pre-proms supper at Cafe Consort.


A nice glass of wine to start the evening off.


The promenaders queue for their tickets.


Day two took the intrepid two to Hampton Court.  They enjoyed the displays and the gardens.  


There were many decorated chimneys.


The formal gardens were very impressive.


The park gardens were in full bloom. 


The day finished with supper by the river.


When they came off the train at Waterloo they decided to go on the London Eye.





A drink at Covent Garden rounded off a great day.

Day three started with Dr Anne's annual pilgrimage to the Royal Academy's Annual Exibition. As usual there was plenty to consider. 



JD chose:
 Favourite Flowers in the Silver Tankard 
Greener by Far
Fireworks at the Thames.

Dr Anne chose:
In the Shallows
Tulipmania
Mother and Child.

Day four was a trip to Buckingham Palace. A tour of the Queen's Gallery followed by a tour of the Palace and the Mews was terrific.


Flags at the entrance to Buckingham Palace.


Buckingham Palace from the back.


JD enjoying a well earned coffee.


The magnificent golden coach.  


Hydrangea in the Palace Garden.

The last night was special.  
JD and Dr Anne put on their glad rags and headed for Kaspars at the Savoy.
They each had a delicious meal

JD:
gin and it
white asparagus
Caesar salad with tiger prawns
the cheese menu
coffee.

Dr Anne:
Kasparite cocktail
smoked sable with paprika and cured sea bass with citrus
Indonesian prawn salad
ice cream - vanilla, caramel and strawberry
coffee


Kaspar the cat.  
When there are 13 guests at a table, Kaspar joins the table and is served each course. 


JD with Kaspar.  

Day five came too quickly and Dr Anne and JD headed for home.

Tuesday, 23 July 2013

Tramping the ancestral ground

Dr Anne met Grey Granite and with Rufus they went to Rathen.  

Dr Anne remembers her Hay ancestors and thinks of them working the earth and travelling the roads nearly two hundred years ago.


Grey Granite and Rufus at the ancestral graves


Rathen's old graveyard


The undulating countryside


The tree lined lanes


The old school by the church and graveyard

East Neuk

When Dr Anne returned from Spain she entered the back gate and wow the garden looked amazing.


Princess Anne


Ballerina and the patio roses


Bonica 


The Pilgrim Roses


Looking down to the house


Looking up from the house


Looking up from the house.

Saturday, 13 July 2013

And the next Generation of McArthur Girls.

The bonding continues.  


Elizabeth, Anne, Sarah,

Evie, Freddie, Charlie.

All went to a restaurant at the beach in Le Herradura for supper last night.
The next generation of McArthur girls were photographed bonding below.


Elizabeth, Anne, Evie and Sarah.



Friday, 12 July 2013

Walk along the Ridge

Today was dull and cooler.  A haar was coming in from the sea.
Dr Anne went for a walk along the ridge above the house.

View of the house


The olives are growing.


The figs are growing.


There are avocado trees on the terraces.


The lemons are ripening.

Wednesday, 10 July 2013

Bonding

Dr Anne is bonding with her cousins, 1st and 2nd removed.


Charlie, Evie and Sarah


Freddie


Charlie


Evie


Granda, Charlie and Evie 

Monday, 8 July 2013

The Spanish Lover

Trollope, J. (1993). The Spanish Lover. London: The Black Swan.

This was a delightful first read in Spain.  Grey Granite had given Dr Anne suitable reading but she could not find it at Edinburgh Airport.  She picked up this book in the villa she is occupying with her cousin.

The book was a page turner, a light read, a Spanish context, new beginnings.

Dr Anne awards it 8/10.

Sunday, 7 July 2013

Le Herradura

Dr Anne and her cousin are staying near Almunecar.

After supper they drive to the coast for a late night drink to soak up the local life.

Last night they headed for Le Herradura for a coffee on the beach.


It was a beautiful evening.  The sea was calm.  The locals were still on the beach at 9pm.

Saturday, 6 July 2013

Southern Spain


Dr Anne is currently in the South of Spain with her cousin. 
It is 35c.
She sits drinking sangria and eating tapas.


The view of the Mediterranean Ocean about 20 minutes drive down the mountain.


The house on the far right is where Dr Anne is sitting at this precise moment in time.


Dr Anne is sitting under the umbrella on the right.


Soon Dr Anne is going for a swim in the pool.

East Neuk


East Neuk garden is heading towards summer.  
The first roses are in bloom and the pansies are a real show.