Why is a raven like a writing desk? More photos from my weekend away in picturesque Bath, Somerset. It’s so pretty there, I couldn’t stop taking photos.
Farmhouse breakfast at Monkton Farleigh. I was so sleepy I poured coffee into a juice goblet…
Below is a photo of the Bertinet Kitchen, high on the hill above Bath. This is the home of aforementioned best pain au chocolat EVER. It’s not just a bakery – it’s also a kitchenware shop and they host some classes that sound amazing. For instance: a four day course on baking, pastry and patisserie, and recently Anna Hansen, of Modern Pantry fame, taught there.
We asked our taxi driver He dropped us off by the canal, a few miles out-of-town. From there we walked back into the centre. I loved the sign written names of the canal boats. Crispy Duck!
And to finish… a touristy shot of the girls and I outside Bath Abbey, grimacing at the cold and the encroaching rain! If Bath is this nice in the middle of winter, it must be glorious in summer.
Photos from a weekend away in picturesque Bath, Somerset. I got up ridiculously early in the morning, and jumped on a train to meet my pals Ali, Wayde and Shona. The first thing we did, and one of the highlights of our trip – was visit the Roman Baths.
There we walked around the remains of an ancient temple – constructed in 60-70 AD; and bathing areas, which were developed over the next 300 years. Over time the complex has grown, with other buildings built above street level in the early 19th century.
And this was just the first few hours of our visit! The architecture of Bath is gorgeous. More coming soon – including details of the place where I had the best pain au chocolat of my life…
Marsh Gibbon aka Swamp Monkey is a tiny village nestled in the English countryside somewhere close to Oxford. I oohed at thatched roof cottages, played pétanque, wandered through a churchyard, got to make friends with several nice ponies, ate at some cozy pubs, and whiled away the summer days…
Last week I stayed at home on a Saturday night. I put my best leopard print PJs on, plumped my pillows and ordered a takeaway. Then, far from the sophistication of writing (my novel) and listening to Smog (so refined), I watched THIS:
My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding. Addictive, unashamedly host and funny, it’s the best documentary series I’ve seen in a while. And of course – those dresses!
I didn’t know anything about Irish travellers before, and this was a great insight into a culture completely different from mine. Someone has put most of the episodes screened thus far on Youtube , so you too can sit back, relax, and enjoy the mayhem of a gypsy wedding in their glory. If you have seen it, what did you think?
These are not Roma, rather, a tribe of English vagabonds, known as ‘horse-drawns’ that traverse the country living an anarchistic life. English photographer Iain McKell spent a decade, on and off, photographing a group of vagabonds that have thrown off the shackles of ‘normal’ society. His book, The New Gypsies, is the the fruit of his labour.
McKell’s images are stunning, in particular the caravan shots. I have to say though, while my tendency is to wildly over romanticize nomadic lifestyles, this lifestyle looks like a hard graft. And cold… so very cold.
In preparation for the Royal Wedding TV Special, tonight I’ll be making elegant cupcakes in a jar (red and blue cake, with white icing) – oh and a banana cake for luck. There’s no time, sadly, to knit my own corgi. Super cute.
Speaking of gin in teacups, my favourite brand Hendricks have already made their own cups with delightfully quirky illustrations, complete with matching saucers!
Along with ‘Hendrick’s & Tonic’ and the ‘Floradora’, the recipe for a ‘Tea Time Martini’ sounds awfully good! I have transcribed it here for your reading pleasure:
Tea Time Martini
50ml Hendrick’s Gin
15ml fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon rose petal jam
6 large mint leaves
Add all ingredients to a teapot and fill with ice. Stir vigorously and leave to brew. Serve with panache in your Hendrick’s teacup.
{Images via NotCot. Thank you Emma for the heads up!}
I love this jaunty little map of the Royal Wedding Procession. I just wish I knew who made it! That’s one of the problems I have with Tumblr, credit gets lost in the sea.
New Zealand, while part of the Commonwealth, is tucked down the bottom of the world, and the monarchy doesn’t have much sway on our everyday lives, save supplying the trash mags with fodder. Despite that, I’ve always had a soft spot for those bumbling royals. And now one of them (we can’t be sure which though) is getting married. Viz:
Teehee. Collectible!
THE ROYAL WEDDING TV SPECIAL
I had already decided I was going to watch 2011′s biggest television spectacle, so when Kate mentioned she had invites to not one, but two Royal Wedding parties, I got a little bit green-eyed. Why not host my own? Thus the ‘Royal Wedding TV Special’ was born. Here’s what I think are the most important elements of any decent wedding gathering:
A large teapot. I’ll be dusting off my Big Ben teapot. Well now, I knew there was some reason I purchased this way back in 2009. At the time I was nomadic, and didn’t have any reason whatsoever to justify this purchase. Now I am smug. Cup o’ tannin, anyone?
Tea sandwiches. Crustless and dainty, the best sandwiches combine a soft filling (cream cheese) with a flavoursome kick (scallions, salmon, cucumber, chilli, ginger). Think savoury, not sweet!
Novelty teaspoons. I am just a tiny bit excited to get my best British teaspoons out. Once upon a time I thought I was going to have them made into a charm bracelet (this may yet happen), but for now they are in our cutlery drawer.
Decorations. Fly the flag! I particularly like the “aged” style of this Union Jack Bunting.
Hats. Just like race day, everyone must be wearing something on their crumpet. Enforce this dress code strictly.
Gin. The party won’t be complete without lashings of gin! Serve in fine china and ensure there’s plenty of tonic. My gin of choice is Hendricks, yum. Just make sure you’ve got tissues on hand, as some people seem to get weepy whenever there’s gin in the house. Seriously. My darling friend Mon can’t even nibble on a piece of gin soaked cucumber without the tears welling up (we all still love her though).
A lucky dip. Not mandatory but I think it’ll be fun. One lucky plucker will fish out a Faux Sapphire Royal Engagment Ring, while the rest of the mob might just get some Grandmother’s Teeth. Speaking of faux royal engagement rings, my mum actually bought a replica one way back in 1981. Her bling is the real deal though – gold, sapphire and diamonds. I’m definitely borrowing it for the TV Special!
Of course, any good monarchy needs dissidents. Not into the Royal Wedding? Hanging out in your own personal republic that day? Well how about one of Lydia Leith’s hilarious screen printed sick bags?
I am in awe of how offended those old ladies are, but personally, I think humour helps. As does gin, so bring on April 29!
That’s a portrait of Charlotte Bronte – isn’t she a nineteenth century doll? Inspired by my recent visit to the Peaks District – where Char and her esteemed siblings grew up – I have just finished reading her 1847 novel Jane Eyre. It feels like a grown up version of all those British adventure/boarding school books I devoured as a child. The plot is ridiculous (provoking many raised eyebrows) but moments of Victorian romance, proper etiquette, Gothic horror and orphan tragedy shine through! Recommended if you want something trashy yet pseudo-classic to read.
Why 35mm? The thrill of opening up that packet. Finding out what worked, a few visual surprises and a reminder to use-the-flash-goddamn; it gets me every time.
Doesn’t it look just like a kitten’s ear? But nay, it’s a SEAT. I popped down to Sheffield on the train to see my dear friend Richie and meet his family. After 5 years of hanging out all over the globe (we met in NZ, then took on Bangkok, Tokyo & New York), it was so nice to meet them – and for I hope for them to meet the girl who’s always hogging the middle of the holiday snaps.
And now for a few more London snapshots:
I’m now home,ensconced in the chilly arms of Auckland. Thanks for having me Europe – you’re so cool. Can’t wait to develop my disposable camera pictures (yow). See you again soon!
London in the summer and everyone looks good. Boys on bikes, strappy sandals, street parties. Vintage dress stores crammed full of wonder and people keeling over under the weight of Primark bags. Newspapers flapping to quell the heat of the tube. Holding two pints of beer, dripping with condensation, and watching London Pride celebrations. Dancing to incessant samba. Cooling down with cups of homemade lemonade with mint, rosé and a splash of Pimms. Good friends, new friends, adventures. I love this city.
PS. Best of luck to my amazing friends/hot babes Lissa & Mikey & Felicity who are all moving to London. RIGHT NOW. I’m simultaneously jealous & misty-eyed…
Hello! My name is Amber Parkin. I'm a New Zealander living in London. I'm a writer obsessed with fondue, chesterfield sofas, vintage dresses, foxes, and 35mm.
. It feels like a grown up version of all those British adventure/boarding school books I devoured as a child. The plot is ridiculous (provoking many raised eyebrows) but moments of Victorian romance, proper etiquette, Gothic horror and orphan tragedy shine through! Recommended if you want something trashy yet pseudo-classic to read.
