North Wales Trip - June 2012

Been meaning to post these pics on here for awhile but as usual, life got in the way. I wouldn't mind but distractions haven't been that exciting in fact, they have been downright crap up until recently. I am trying to get my head back on track and doing nice things such as this certainly helps. Blogging a go go resumes...!!


What a great Jubilee week Mat and I had. Can't believe it was only a month ago. I had never been to north Wales and I was looking forward to this trip very much.  

It was great and we had a fantastic time - I even got to climb my first 'mountain' - Tryfan Bach. It was a bit hairy and I got a little tearful halfway up but I got there in the end. Go me!! I fell in love with the National Slate Museum (seriously, you HAVE to go!) and got to ride on a steam train for the first time. We went for amazing walks in beautiful scenery, fell in love with Bodnant Garden, ate lovely food and got to see some good castles. And we stayed in the most wonderful B&B, The Tal Y Bont Country House where the hospitality we received was superlative. The only negative was the weather as it did rain an awful lot but this was never going to be a suntan holiday so this wasn't an issue. Apart from our walk through Ceunant Cynfal Nature Reserve where we got a little lost at the end and had to take a detour amongst some sheep in an open field. We had no shelter from the rain and got absolutely soaked!

My humour may have failed me then but looking back at these photos just reminded me what a great time we had overall.


Rwy'n caru Cymru.  Apparently this means 'I love Wales' in Welsh so I apologise now if it isn't!

Note: ALL photos belong to she with a capital V

A Diamond Duo with Jubilee Jo

I'm still astounded by it and so I feel compelled to share. Myself and 'Jubilee Jo' came first in a Royal Quiz today. By a half point. Answering questions such as 'In which month was the Queen born?' and 'When was the Queen's wedding day?' Ho hum. Those history lessons came in handy.


God save the Queen and all that. And all who sail in her. And the extra holidays we get rah rah rah. I'll leave my republican rant for another time. I already gave away my prize of a souvenir Diamond Jubilee mug (apparently this would be more appreciated in Sri Lanka) but obviously kept my Jubilee shortbread. It is shortbread. And that's tasty.


Now that the sun has decided to come and play and with the Diamond Jubilee celebrations imminent, the nation seems to have gone a bit mental. It's like the sun has addled people's thinking. There is union flag bunting everywhere. 


We got treated to a Diamond Jubilee Afternoon Tea earlier which although in a nice venue had to be the most disappointing 'afternoon tea' I have eaten. It was all a bit trendy and open sandwiches for my liking. There was even no cucumber sandwiches! No cake stand either. And the scones the size of a 50 pence piece. All show and no substance. Hence my concentration on the Royal Quiz! I didn't want to go through all that for nothing!


I've still got the Derby to go through. Trust me to be living in Surrey when all this is going on. Roll on next week when I can escape from all this.

Two years on - glad I'm still here

Still eating cake. This time, it's a lime & coconut one

Someone told me this week that they were really glad I was still here. I really wanted to respond with that's nice, but what do you mean? Glad that I'm still in the room? Glad that I haven't left yet? Glad for my sparkling company? Or glad that I'm not dead yet?! I'm pretty sure they would have thought I was being a bit awkward and weird had I said any of this but you know, it would have been a laugh wouldn't it?!

Well, I am really glad that I'm still here. As in 2 years to the day of my cancer diagnosis (19th May) I'm still in remission, I'm still alive and I'm still here reciting the mantra living, laughing, loving.  A life limiting disease does this to you, sadly. Dates become significant because you're really not sure if you'll see it again next year or the year after that. So I celebrate them. My whole life changed two years ago today and although sometimes I do feel sad about it, I choose to celebrate instead. Life really is too short.

This year's celebration started off with a lime and coconut cake. Poor Mat. I had been bitching about not receiving cake and lo and behold there it was winking at me in all its icing glory when I descended downstairs. He had organised it all knowing I would want some form of cake to celebrate. He knows me too well! Then it was off to pretty Chiddingfold, specifically the Swann Inn where a tasty lunch was had. Then to walk it all off, a meander around Winkworth Arboretum where the azalea walk was looking particularly colourful. I love Winkworth, it's just so Surrey.

Spot the weed

Nice bit of wood. Fnar.

I really didn't fancy being anywhere near London today what with the place overrun with triple C's - Chelsea, Champions League and ..... those cheering too loudly (ahem, cough). I just wanted a quiet, chilled day and it was nice to have. The last week or so have been pretty full on what with various things  happening with work, me being ill with some form of norovirus last weekend and various social functions to attend (the Brain Exhibition, Babel at Caledonian Park and Amber and Gareth's wedding). It's a hard life...

Anyway, I have no idea who Grace Hansen is but apparently she said; "Don't be afraid your life will end, Be afraid that it will never begin".  Clearly a wise woman.

I'm over and out. For now.

Still trying to be fragrant

all photos belong to shewithacapitalV

Fontainebleau - Easter 2012

A lot happened but I think below pretty much sums up the long Easter weekend:

F = footwork...it's all about the footwork.

O = odour...none of the boys smelt. At all. Especially after the camping. Honest. I was in the nice B&B gite so how could I have noticed...

N = nature... "fcuk you nature!" You had to be there.

T = top-outs...getting to the top of a scary-ass rock.

A = aching arms...'pumpy'. 

I = Isatis...razor blade crimps and getting one over a French man. Mat told me to put this.

N = nice...chateaux, scenery and the general French joie de vivre. 

E = Elephant...they have to have a trunk, not just big ears. Again, you had to be there.

B = baguettes...A French kitten dies every time you fold one. Apparently.

L = looking good...when done well, it's nice to spectate a beautiful climbing man move.

E = entente cordiale...between Brits, Brazilians, French, Canadians, Russians, Colombians, Americans...

A = another... French dick driver. No more said.

U = un... peu difficile. The level of rock I did actually climb. Usually for children. Capable ones at that!


I would definitely go again as it is such a beautiful part of France. Still not entirely convinced about bouldering though. I like to be attached to a rope. 


Anyway, the photos below are a smidgeon of the 600 (!!??!!) taken. The boys got trigger happy with the fast sport mode on the camera and so I had to edit. Enjoy!

All photos belong to shewithacapitalV

April showers

Something has been nibbling at my pak choi and I'm not quite sure what it is. I can only assume it is moisture loving slugs given the ridiculous amount of rain we have been having this past week. As it is still raining, I can't fully investigate or do anything about it so the mystery remains for now.


Having been chastised by several people for not keeping this blog up to date (even though I had said I would do so), here I am. A bit like Will.I.Am but without the shiny jackets, the ability to produce jaunty pop or in possession of a swivel chair and push button. ♪ ♪ I've got a feeelinnng, that tonight's gonna be a good, good, nigghht ♪ ♪


Sorry, I got distracted. Which is kind of what's been happening most of April - it's just showered me with distraction - did you get what I did there? With the title and everything?! 


Anyway point taken, I do need to update this blog more often so enough procrastinating and here goes; there was the trip to beautiful Fontainebleau in France over Easter; a retirement party to end all retirement parties (i.e. I got very drunk) and had people other than Mat get to hear how dulcet my snoring is (still so embarrassed); met up with my favourite French émigré who was over from Greece albeit very briefly; attended yet another 40th birthday party; got my hair trimmed for only the second time in a year; got caught up in the "siege of Tottenham Court Road" whilst over at UCH (yawn) and I received confirmation that I'm still cancer free.


Following the full body MRI scan I mentioned in my last post, the results are that everything is 'normal'. As in major organs, blood and bone. There is a three-page medical report that I had wanted to put on here as some of you may be interested in reading and seeing it but I can't find a way to post up a decent copy without revealing too much personal info. Give me a shout if you really want to see it.  As an aside, sorry to disappoint you all but "appearance of brain appear normal" but I do however "have a large appendix with an extended tip". Ah well, nobody's perfect.


See you around. And more often. Ciao for now.

March mayhem & mischief

So that was March. And didn't that go quick?! Blogging was a little non-existent for lots of reasons, all really not that important but time consuming nonetheless. 


As we enter the second quarter of this year, I have pledged to the universe to blog more often. I have been somewhat distracted by other things that have taken up my time unnecessarily so, given me unwanted stress and quite frankly, should have got out of dodge a long time ago because of it. However, it is what it is and life is what you make it. And I need to remember that life is good. 


The big event in March was at the start of the month when I went Skiing Not Skiing again. It was very much like last year except this time around we were in Morzine and Lina was with us.  A good time was had by all and for me, the funniest moment of the weekend was when Lina decided to 'hijack' a car and its driver into giving us a lift back into town! We hiked up to the Lac des Mines D'or and spent a merry time walking in the woods and surrounding mountains except we had seriously underestimated how long we would be and the fact that there would be no bus for hours!  


We didn't really want to miss the spa afternoon booked and so like the resourceful Colombian she is, Lina managed to get us a 'lift' from a random Genevan called Didier who was on his way back to his wife and child having spent the morning skiing. He didn't really have much choice given that he would have run Lina over if he hadn't!  I think from the look on his face when he found out that our 'important appointment' was not a flight but a massage at the spa that he thought we were a little mad but never mind. I have uploaded a few photos below. As it was so beautiful, it wasn't difficult to take a good photo but I am especially loving the first pic - it feels so inspirational.

I also got to see Zach Braff's play 'All New People' at the Duke of York Theatre.  I very much enjoyed it and found it quite moving although I can see why it has received mixed reviews.  It does veer towards the 'emotional' side of things with lots of people talking about 'what they are feeling inside' which can grate after a while. I really liked it and wouldn't have minded a photo with the man himself at the end but as Mat is not really one for hanging around stage doors and I didn't want to look like a stalker, I never got an opportunity.


The usual round of socialising remains unabated with the usual over-indulgence in red wine, white wine and everything in between! Adrien and Sam were the latest to come and stay over chez nous where a good time was had by all.


Finally, I also had the 'pleasure' of having a full body MRI scan at a clinic near Harley Street.  To fully make sure that there were still no traces of cancer left, my consultant suggested I had this done - I find out the results in two weeks.  I am very familiar with MRI scans but this was on another level. I had to lie very still for nearly two hours (!!) while all my major organs and bones were scanned. To help me lie still, I had these clamps over my head and body. It wasn't very nice and quite frankly it felt like I was in a coffin. On the day I had this done, I came into work afterwards to learn that a work colleague had lost his own battle with cancer. I didn't even know that his cancer had returned and felt very sad at the news. 


A reminder to me of my own vulnerability and that life really is too short and therefore, just like the mountain scenery above, it really is onward and upwards indeed.

All photos belong to shewithacapitalV

Life Lessons

In my too many years of growing up, I have learnt plenty of things from life. I, however appreciate that you're never too old to learn and over the past couple of weeks, I have learnt a few life lessons...


Today, I learnt that carrying a chunk of very ripe old Brie and a piece of Stilton cheese in my handbag is not such a good idea. It seemed a good idea at the deli but not so much at the chemist when the stinky vapours began to emit a smell akin to days old fart. I had the audacity to think that the foul odour was from some bloke by the vitamins section until I realised it was actually from my bag!  The poor shop assistant who was helping me actually threw me pitying looks thinking I had 'a problem'. Oh the shame of it.


Yesterday, I learnt that your eye can swell to a frightening size because of a severe allergic reaction. As you can see from the pictures below, my right eye decided to frighten myself and Mat by doing this for no apparent reason. After having spent 2 hours in A&E and been fed a bunch of anti-histamine and anti-allergy pills by the doctors, we are still none the wiser as to the cause of such horror. 

It wasn't very nice. At all. 

I only started rubbing my eye as I thought I had a stray eyelash in there and then boom, golf ball sized lumps inside and out of my right eyeball! The pictures are from the start of my distress as my eye did actually get bigger but I was too upset to take more photos. You'll be pleased to know that my eye is now back to normal size if a little sore. Still searching for a possible cause but probably will never find one. Something else to add to the medical drama that is my life.


Last week I learnt that no matter how well-intentioned an act of kindness is, somebody will always mis-interpret a genuine act and turn it into something malicious whether it be from misunderstanding, misinterpretation, miscommunication or just plain old making mischief. I was upset at first but I reminded myself that I was bigger than this and that so long as the relevant people knew the real meaning behind the gesture I made, what does one person's opinion matter anyway? It took a while to get there and yes there were a few tears shed and lots of debate but life really is too short. I have been left with a sour taste over the incident and unlikely to do anything on behalf of a group of people again. Only from me next time.


On a lighter note, I also learnt that your phone can still take pictures even when on 'secondary camera' mode as you can see below.

Coo-ee!!

The previous weekend I learnt that people still actually played croquet in the park or specifically in the gardens of Ham House. They weren't very good but got a lot of attention all the same.  I also learnt that whatever plans for the weekend you had can be turned upside down by your brother suddenly turning up out of the blue after having been travelling around the world for the best part of a year. The wanderer did return and it is certainly good to have him back and to hear his many tales of adventure.

It's just not cricket

And finally, the week before that, I got to go and see some amazing films at the Banff Film Festival held at the Union Chapel in Islington, possibly one of the nicest venues I have ever been to. I got to meet interesting people and see some amazing films of adventure, daring and nature. Amongst them was the short film below titled 'Ski Bums Never Die' which I found both moving and inspirational. I'll probably never get to be as grizzled as the characters in the film but I hope to have as much fun as they are having in attempting to get there.

All photos by shewithacapitalV