Friday, February 29, 2008
Last Day at Work
Oo, I'm getting all sniffly now! It will be my leaving presentation in a few minutes. Sad to leave as I've been with BRI for nearly 8 years, and made some very good friends. Keep in touch, folks!
Madiera Holiday
I have been on holiday in Madiera - my first holiday with Patrick. We had a very relaxing time, with plenty of room for spontanaety - there were things in the guidebooks we wanted to experience but we didn't plan every minute of every day, and we weren't trying to cram too much in.
The levada walks in Madiera are a must for anyone that enjoys hiking - but be warned, they are not all easy, level water channels! Some drop at quite a gradient so you can get rather out of breath trying to reach the source of a levada.
We found a couple in the mountains, graded 'moderate' by the Sunflower guide. We also did an excellent walk along Maderia's eastern peninsula. Photos will appear in the gallery but it could take quite some time, as I won't have a broadband internet connection for several months now!
We stayed at the San Pedro hotel in Garajau, which had an excellent restaurant, the Touricalo, just opposite, so we ate there most nights. I can recommend the Espetada (marinated beef on a skewer)! For a change we also ate out in Arsenio's in Funchal's old town, where we were serenaded by excellent Fado singers.
As for the Madiera wine - we had a great time at Blandy's Wine Lodge in Funchal! After the tour we were invited to taste 4 different kinds of Madiera, the Bual and Malmsey (medium-sweet and sweet) being our favourites. Of course we've brought a few bottles back with us! Funchal is great for a wet day (they do have them in Madiera, despite what the brochures say), it's a pretty town and there are some superb museums and galleries, as well as plenty of places to eat.
Madiera is a beautiful island with some lovely gardens and challenging walks, but there's not a lot to do for families or teenagers. Which is why it's nice and quiet for the older visitors (we were amongst the youngest at breakfast in the hotel)!
The levada walks in Madiera are a must for anyone that enjoys hiking - but be warned, they are not all easy, level water channels! Some drop at quite a gradient so you can get rather out of breath trying to reach the source of a levada.
We found a couple in the mountains, graded 'moderate' by the Sunflower guide. We also did an excellent walk along Maderia's eastern peninsula. Photos will appear in the gallery but it could take quite some time, as I won't have a broadband internet connection for several months now!
We stayed at the San Pedro hotel in Garajau, which had an excellent restaurant, the Touricalo, just opposite, so we ate there most nights. I can recommend the Espetada (marinated beef on a skewer)! For a change we also ate out in Arsenio's in Funchal's old town, where we were serenaded by excellent Fado singers.
As for the Madiera wine - we had a great time at Blandy's Wine Lodge in Funchal! After the tour we were invited to taste 4 different kinds of Madiera, the Bual and Malmsey (medium-sweet and sweet) being our favourites. Of course we've brought a few bottles back with us! Funchal is great for a wet day (they do have them in Madiera, despite what the brochures say), it's a pretty town and there are some superb museums and galleries, as well as plenty of places to eat.
Madiera is a beautiful island with some lovely gardens and challenging walks, but there's not a lot to do for families or teenagers. Which is why it's nice and quiet for the older visitors (we were amongst the youngest at breakfast in the hotel)!
Friday, February 08, 2008
Train Leaving Doo
Well, I'm now firmly ensconced in the student accommodation at work, for a month before I move to Bath, as I need to work my notice. Shortest commute ever, as the Cottage is just 30 seconds walk from the laboratory door. It's good to be out of Rectory Road but not as good as living with Patrick will be!
Made it into work dead on nine, with half a cup of coffee in me this morning. Boy am I hung over.
It was a brilliant night last night at the Home Cottage, I arrived at the pub at about 6pm after having done some shopping in Sainsburys. I had a pint of Youngs Bitter and a beef stir-fry which was on special offer at the pub to celebrate Chinese New Year - was just about to give up at 7 thinking no-one was coming when Andy turned up and bought me the last Double Chocolate Stout, and assured me Richard was also turning up, which he did a little later. The three of us had a really good chinwag (and I had 2 pints of Bombardier which was surprisingly good) till 9 when the pub quiz started and Nigel turned up, then the 4 of us decided to form a quiz team as it was free to enter...someone bought me a double whisky which finished me off! ‘Peter’s Pansies’ came bottom of the quiz teams but was a good laugh.
Made it into work dead on nine, with half a cup of coffee in me this morning. Boy am I hung over.
It was a brilliant night last night at the Home Cottage, I arrived at the pub at about 6pm after having done some shopping in Sainsburys. I had a pint of Youngs Bitter and a beef stir-fry which was on special offer at the pub to celebrate Chinese New Year - was just about to give up at 7 thinking no-one was coming when Andy turned up and bought me the last Double Chocolate Stout, and assured me Richard was also turning up, which he did a little later. The three of us had a really good chinwag (and I had 2 pints of Bombardier which was surprisingly good) till 9 when the pub quiz started and Nigel turned up, then the 4 of us decided to form a quiz team as it was free to enter...someone bought me a double whisky which finished me off! ‘Peter’s Pansies’ came bottom of the quiz teams but was a good laugh.
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