Author: Carleen Dekarski

Eating Out: Robin Hood’s Retreat

I mentioned in an earlier post about having found a new local (pub that is). How surprised we were to find that they also do incredible meals. Definitely not your typical pub grub.
Granted it is pricer than we would normally pay however these meals are not intended to be slugged down.
For 14.50 each you were able to choose 2 courses. I will never pass on a dessert if given the opportunity so opted for a main and dessert.
I had the sea trout with puree peas, royal potatoes and some incredible dressing that I forgot to take a note of. Followed by, strawberry jelly with white chocolate parfait.
Steve had the pork belly with potato and sage and mustard lentils followed by a cheese dish with crackers, caramelized onions and pickles
My descriptions unfortunately give no real justice to the meal. I mean how good can mashed potatoes be? Put it this way, we rarely eat potatoes but could seriously be converted by this mash! I have no idea what they did to them but it can’t be good for you as it tasted deliciously evil!
It took us over an hour to eat and although the meals were not portion sizes you would expect to get from pub fare, the quality of it ensured you ate slowly and lingered over the taste sensations. We probably could have forgone dessert (or maybe the cider before hand!).
No wonder this place got a mention in the 2009 Michelin Guide (we found this out after the fact).
In short, save your pennies and treat yourself out for a night! It’s worth it.
Robin Hood’s Retreat

Another quiet week

This whole working weekends is getting rather old.
Thankfully next weekend we have free so we are currently researching locations for our next adventure.
The weather was gorgeous today and we ended up finding a local that we like. Well its not really that local (have to drive to it). The Robin Hood on Gloucester Road is rather laid back with some good ciders on tap, if that takes your fancy. Had curry for dinner and slowly watching the sun go down (10om at night, how crazy is that!)

New look

To go with the new moon, a new look to the website.
Actually, Steve recently updated his site which looks really cool and I got website envy. He helped me to look for a new site image and this is the result.
With the new upgrade to WordPress it makes it a lot easier for me to edit the site and upload the header picture without having to bug Steve all the time.
So what do you think? A bit snazzier? Easier to read?
Now I can change the header more frequently too. I know it is supposed to rotate pictures itself but haven’t figured out how to do this yet. Might still need to bug Steve for a bit longer with help on that.
P.s. Gemma – now the subscription should be working!
P.p.s HAPPY BIRTHDAY SHAZ!

Run update

You may have noticed that I have been a bit quiet on the run updates of late. I have still been keeping up with it but really progress was stagnant for a while. Then the weather turned ugly which put an end to the evening run, but we are now back on track with a few bright, sun shiny days.
So my update…last week I managed for the very first time….a whole lap without stopping!!! Woo hoo. Ok, so the next day I couldn’t repeat the performance but hey I was still on a high. That was last week.
This evening went even better. This time I managed not 1, not 2 but 3 laps (6 kilometres!!!!) without stopping! Can’t tell you how pleased I am with myself at the moment. That has to be the first time EVER in my life. Sad – but true.
3 laps, 6 kilometres, 52 minutes.

Movie: Star Trek

OK, this movie I would pay money to see again! Loved it. Funny without being geeky, intriguing to see all the main characters come together through different circumstances and big space battles. Seeing the Enterprise for the “first time” was also really cool! 4 out of 5.

Movie: Angels and Demons

Soooooooooooooooooooooooooo much better than the tragically unsuccessful adaption that was The DaVinci Code. Angels and Demons was a real step up this time. To be honest I still don’t particularly like Tom Hanks as Robert Langdon but we have been trying to rack our brains for a good alternative. Still nothing. Ewan McGregor was excellent and the views of Rome and The Vatican stunning. Would even consider a trip to Italy now 🙂
The locations were great and the acting good but it still doesn’t manage to pull off portraying Robert as per the book. Tom’s version of Robert comes across as being ready with scripted answers to the riddles as opposed to seeing the character work through the problem. 2.5 out of 5.

Movie: X-Men Origins – Wolverine

We have seen a number of movies lately but they are all sitting in my “drafts” folder waiting to be written about. Hugh Jackman returns in the role of Wolverine but this time we see where he comes from and how he became the way he is (very vague I know but I don’t won’t to spoil it for those that haven’t a clue about Wolverine). Liev Schreiber also joins the story as a baddie and as always is fab. I enjoyed the story, loved the cinematography but did think it was rather more graphic and violent than a 12A. 3 out of 5.

Happy Birthday Ashton

It’s days like these that you realise it sucks to be living so far away from family.
My little nephews are growing at a ridiculous rate and I haven’t even met Ashton in person yet.
Just tried to ring you guys but got the dreaded answer machine. Love to you all and big cuddles to Emerson and Ashton. Love Aunty Carleen & Uncle Steve xox