Across The Pond: West Chester

God Bless America! I've recently come back from a trip to the states and I'd forgotten what America is like. It's a place of extremes, dreams and coffee machines. For my part I mainly stayed in a little place called West Chester just outside Philadelphia which is a ordinary home grown town. Big cars, big roads and lots of people that will randomly stop and speak to you about nothing in particular-but hey that's America!

One of my favourite places in the town was a micro brewery called Iron Hill. All the beer they serve is brewed right there on site and you get to taste whatever one you want before you order. Usually when I think of American beer, I think bud, or cools or some other weak, watery tasting drink but this trip to America opened my eyes to the underground beer scene which was fantastic. Most artisan beers started at about 4% and just went up which means you only need a steady few to be on your way! Iron Hill have a house brew called 'Vienna Red' which was lovely. It has a malty flavour which isn't too strong and it's not too fizzy which makes it smooth and refreshing to drink. I can easily polish off a pint of that.

But it wasn't just the beer scene that is exciting around West Chester. I visited a place called 'Va La Vineyards' which was sumptuous. For $10 you could go and have a three wine tasting session which was accompanied by local cheeses and lovely bread and oil. The Va La barn is rustic but classy and the wine is first class. I really enjoyed a light white wine called 'La Prima Donna'. It was crisp, clear and light but retained a lovely fruity spring flavour. With the sun setting over open countryside, a jazz pianist playing for tips and a glass of white, it couldn't get much better. Being at the Va La barn seemed to show how pockets of America are so different. I couldn't help feeling that some areas are yearning to be more european but doing in it in a very american way...it will be interesting to see what has changed when I next visit the land of dreams.

Northern Force

In my latest adventure to the Northern lands I went to a little bit of water heaven just outside Newcastle. The High Force waterfall is in the Pennines and the landscape surrounding it is spectacular. The dark frown of the sky was brightened by the gushing sight of High Force. The spray and mist created from the shear mass of water flowing over the rocky crag was captivating. The luring water glistens and mumbles, inviting you to stay at the waterside just that little bit longer. It's an impressive natural beauty and at 70 metres, High Force is England's highest waterfall.

Whenever I go near a waterfall I can not help but think of my relative Captain Matthew Webb who died trying to swim across the Niagara Falls. Webb was also the first man to swim across the English Channel. He made lots of money out of his love of swimming and the dare devil inside him. I blame him for my reckless side and always wanting to jump in any river or ocean I see!

Water truly is captivating and "Nothing great is easy".

Do you remember the first time?

It seems silly that I have travelled half way around the world but have never visited Scotland. So this year my news year’s resolution was to rectify this, and I did…

I flew to Edinburgh on a dark, drizzly January night, but the spark of the Scottish capital brightened my day. From the moment I arrived in the city, the imposing architecture and the might of the surrounding landscape overwhelmed me. Sublime.

The skyline is dominated by church towers, mountains and of course Edinburgh Castle. I ventured towards the Castle along the Royal Mile. As I walked I passed numerous charity shops, students, tourists and those native to the city, I got a real sense of the unique tapestry that makes up the city. From the soot covered buildings to the faint sound of bagpipes everywhere you go; there’s a part of Edinburgh for everyone.

After a 30-minute tour of the castle I had learnt lots about Scottish history, Margaret’s Chapel, The Stone of Destiny and the labyrinth of cells underneath the castle itself. The castle’s use throughout history and the strong military background which carries on today.

Of course there is more to Edinburgh than the castle but it’s a pretty good place to start if you want to explore the city. Of course, a 5 minute walk from the bottom of the Royal Mile is Holyrood Park, the home of Arthur’s Seat. I think this park was my favourite part of Edinburgh. I love the fact that you can walk a few minutes from the centre of the city to the looming hills of Holyrood. As I walked about the gale force winds nearly knocked me off my feet once or twice, but the view was worth the struggle. A sharp intake of clear Scottish air as I reached the top, I was ready to embrace the working class beauty that lay before me. Edinburgh, I miss you already.

It's a Dog's Life

The weekend reunited me with one of God’s greatest creatures, the dog. How did it happen? Well a series of zig zags, jumps and cartwheels…It all started when I had to go and talk to a man at Swindon and District Animal Haven about the new “enriched cages” that are replacing conventional “battery cages” for chickens next year. I met John Warwick on a muddy January day at his farm just outside Wootton Bassett near Swindon.

We discussed the EU legislation that is coming in next year. Chickens that are cage farmed for eggs will have a bigger area to live. The worry is that Europe will be flooded with cheap eggs from outside the EU and run British farmers out of business. No one can predict the future so we’ll jus have to wait and see what happens.

So John and I talked it over for a few minutes and then my mum and I bought some chickens from him, which was all very nice. Then I noticed the dog kennels and innocently asked whether I could come and walk some of them one day…to which he replied “you can have one for the weekend if you like”. To which I said yes immediately and thus my love affair with Bruno the black Labrador begun. Bruno is in the rescue centre because his owner is a homeless man who is trying to become free from drugs. In order to do this he is spending some time in a kind of halfway house to try and clean. Unfortunately no dogs allowed, so Bruno goes into care himself.

Bruno is a lively 6 year old dog with a wonderful temperament. Bruno will sit, lie and give you his paw on command. I took him to Savernake forest and he was quite happy running around in the fresh crisp air without a care in the world. I gave him a good old clean and brush and he was as good as gold. I couldn’t believe how lovely this dog was. From how he led his head on my lap whilst I was driving him places to how he snuggled up on my chair with me as we watched television…bliss.

True love never runs smoothly or goes according to plan and I of course I had to give Bruno back because he already has an owner. Most of the dogs at the rescue centre don’t so Bruno is one of the lucky ones. But it was I who was the lucky one, picking up Bruno to get my dog fix and having a wonderful weekend.

January Rant

January 2011. It seemed like only a few moments ago I was beginning 2010-but hey ho, time flies when you are having fun?

So what does 2011 bring? V.A.T increase, train fare increase, temperature decrease, holiday increase, age increase and budget decrease. A mixed bunch really. The January sales offer nothing new, although I did pick up a bargain £3 dress from Next so I can’t complain! The train fare increase is just ridiculous. I can’t believe how much some of the fares are going up by. I wouldn’t mind if the trains were actually on time, fast and nice but they aren’t! Luckily I’ve recently brought a few train tickets so I would miss the train fare increase and thank goodness I did. This is my last year of having the delightful young persons rail card, I don’t think I’m quite ready for full price travel yet.

According to the ‘young persons’ rail card I cease to be young this year as I hit 26. I didn’t think it was that old until I told my sister I didn’t want kids until I was 35 to which she said “oh you’ll be a geriatric mum then”. Great. So technically 26 is middle aged and at 35 I’ll be loosing my mind and dribbling. A brilliant thought and start to 2011. Hurrah.

One thing I can look forward to is a well-earned break as America calls in a few months time. It will be good to go back to the old U S of A and spend dollars that I don’t have.

I don’t usually set myself New Years Resolutions as I don’t keep them, so don’t see the point. I just try and set goals that I can achieve. One of which is to be able to wear my £3 dress this time next year!

Happy New Year one and all. See you anon.

I can't believe it's December

December has been cold and snowy but full of mulled wine and gin so everything is ok. Our little hen Myrtle has survived the sub zero temperatures and remains chirpy and up beat. Now all we need is some new chickens so she can have some friends, as she gets a bit lonely sometimes.

Christmas provided all the usual Yule time festivities. Christmas Eve at the Wheatsheaf pub, Midnight Mass with the family, members of my family being slightly too merry and pudding’s and monopoly at the Millards.

I managed to create Pheasant Pie on Christmas day that was lovely. I went pheasant beating back in November so I’ve had it in the freezer skinned and gutted ready to be cooked. I put together two recipes that I found online so in total it contained leeks, mushrooms, chestnuts, a lick of cream and a slurp of orange juice- and of course some lovely bits of pheasant. It was a treat. I’m hoping next year I can make another one and by then my home made sloe gin will be ready-can’t wait.

The snow has finally begun to melt in Wiltshire and once more I can see the grass in the fields. As I look out my window a worrying shade of grey lingers in the sky. There is a mist that needs to be shaken off. The last few days of December need to shake off the lasting bitter dew.

McFly in Malborough

It was all about Malborough on Monday evening as one half of McFly dropped in to independent record shop 'Sound Knowledge.' Harry Judd and Dougie Poynter came to the Wiltshire town to promote their new album 'Above the Noise'. But by the numbers of fans that turned up I don't think the album needs any promotion! Hundreds waited in the cold November evening to catch a glimpse of their favourite popstars.

Dougie said he "was happy to be in Malborough" and when I asked which half of McFly he and Harry were, he said it was definitely the "Fly" half. I think the many girls waiting to see them would agree. On a serious note, Harry did mention how important it was for the band to come out and meet their fans.

Harry and Dougie seemed perfectly happy sat talking to their fans signing anything from guitars to posters. It seems they've grown up a lot since they first hit the music scene about 7 years ago. Harry seems to be more focused now and Dougie said he loved the sound of the new album. I certainly saw a lot of people clutching the new album and single so I'm sure the McFly boys will do well this year. McFly are going to be touring in Spring next year and their new album is out now.

'Sound Knowledge' is becoming a pop star hot spot. McFly are just one of the many bands to visit the store. Scouting for Girls, Ash and Turin Brakes are just some of the others that made the Malborough music hall of fame.