What the Dickens?

Here's a little fact for you: did you know, that Charles Dickens left his wife for an 18 year old actress? The swine!

This was one of many facts I discovered yesterday on the Charles Dickens Tour of Highgate Cemetery. 

I have been on a general tour here before that covered the history of the cemeteries, and looked at the graves of famous people from history or their families (such as the Rossetti's, Faraday etc.) And although I'm all for a bit of celebrity spotting, it does strike me as rather tasteless or possibly disrespectful to traipse across peoples graves and photograph them. Of course, this didn't stop me and I have been quite snap happy on both visits to the cemetery. 

It does make you wonder at what point after a high profile death does it become acceptable to partake in this kind of behaviour. Would it have been OK to take a shot of Jeremy Beadle's grave? I didn't think so. However, I imagine that Mr. Beadle wouldn't have minded as his grave is really quite elaborate. 

After the tour, Ellie and I decided to enjoy a little tipple in The Flask public house- where Dickens himself used to drink. I kept trying to remind myself of the history of the building to prolong the atmosphere of the day but the cab sav had set in by this point and conversation again focused on Dickens and his 18 year old floozy. 

I cannot recommend a tour of Highgate Cemetery followed by a trip to The Flask more highly. 

Tickets £7 

More info here: http://www.highgate-cemetery.org

Design Decorum

Just enjoyed a wonderful morning at Decorex.
I think Corita Rose was my favorite stand, the fabrics and furniture are such fun. I could definitely see a place for The Amor Sofa in my bedroom.

I unfortunately left feeling quite flustered, as the man on the Fake Plants stand was really rather rude to me. All I said was that his "plants" were the equivalent of sticking an AGA door on a microwave.... and had no right being here. He reminded me of a Brian Blessed style character so I'm sure you can imagine how distressing it was when he boomed at me in front of everyone.
I must write a letter of complaint.
Why not buy real flowers? It really doesn't have to cost much, Marigolds are affordable and in season -and a single flower in an up-cycled root beer bottle can look terribly sweet.

Elderflower Exigency

Today, I must tell you about a shopping trip that my dear friend Shell recently had to endure to her local supermarket.
You see, poor Shell lives Up North and sometimes life for people living in the top half of the country can be ever so difficult.. or indeed for anyone outside of London.
One must remember that not everyone lives within walking distance of a Waitrose.

It was a hot day, one of the few that we've enjoyed this Summer, and Shell and her Mum were in their back garden soaking up some vitamin D. In the heat one must remain hydrated and sometimes water will just not do.
They got into the car and went to Asda (I know) where they discovered on the shelves only one variety of elderflower cordial! One Variety!
I know it's Up North but this is what I would expect to find in an Eastern European supermarket- not somewhere that has been given the title of "Capital of Culture".

I shared this story with my colleagues recently and Gwen wondered why Shell hadn't just made her own Elderflower Cordial as Gwen had done with her girls the same weekend?
The next day she brought some in to the office for us all to try with a bottle of San Pellegrino and while it wasn't Belvoir, it was very passable.


Here's a link to a recipe for making your own Elderflower Cordial if you get caught out like Shell in the future:
BBC GoodFood Elderflower Cordial Recipe

The Perfect Poached Egg

Isn't it a perfect day? Too wet to venture outside, I am having a pyjama day complete with Sunday papers, large pot of Lazy Sunday coffee and poached eggs on toasted seeded batch bread.

It really doesn't get better than this. 

I must confess, this is the first time I have successfully made perfect poached eggs without using a gadget, and I'm feeling very proud of myself. The key is to use a large whisk rather than a spoon when creating your whirlpool. Crack the egg in to a small jug and add a dash of vinegar to the egg (not to the water). When your whirlpool is whirling, lower the jug in to the water and let the egg slide out. 

Ta da!! Perfection!!

I had previously tried to use a spoon to stir the water and cracked the egg straight in to the pan with results that tasted just fine but were rather lacking aesthetically.

I poached this tip from the Guardian Website. Thank you Felicity Cloake!