The Return

First off I have to apologise for my absence. It has been a rather manic few weeks, but now I'm back and here to fill you in on just some of things that kept me away!

Last week I finally returned to Oxford. I got the keys to my house for next year which has, unfortunately, turned out to be an absolute disaster! The house isn't really fit for habitation at the moment so I spent my sunny Sunday afternoon scrubbing and hoovering a 7 bedroom house. Not quite how I had planned to start my trip!

However, I was not going to let that ruin my time in Oxford. Sunday night, my friend Anna joined me and I took her exploring. The weather we are experiencing at the moment is crazy! Our little British bodies don't quite know what to do with themselves, I don't think I've ever seen sun like this for so many days in a row. Anna and I spent Sunday night sat outside a pub in St Clements watching the world go by. It felt like we were in another country so intense was the heat, even at that time of day!


An interesting view for drinks, the infamous Clems...
 

Although the nightmare of the house had rather dampened my spirits, Monday firmly raised them again. Just being able to be back in my city and show Anna some of my favourite haunts was such a pleasure.



I am ashamed to admit how easy it is to become immune to the beauty of Oxford. When you walk past these building so frequently you forget to look. Having Anna with me really allowed my to come at it with fresh eyes and the architecture really is breath taking. Just imagine how long it would have taken to build these incredible structures.

                                                

After a morning of shopping where I once again showcased an astounding ability at spending money that I don't really have, we grabbed a picnic lunch from Pret and headed down to Christ Church. (if you want to get into Christ Church, prepare to wait for hordes of tourists to pour through the gate before you can even attempt to pass through). My future house mate Maddie joined us, fresh from the 'joys' of our new home.  



 Forgive the lack of photo continuity, this photo was taken in May!

 

Running away from the college and down towards the river is a wide, tree lined path. Alongside it are grassy banks, just asking to be picnicked upon. We certainly weren't the only people to have that idea!

 

If you continue down this path you will come out along the banks of the river. Turn right and walk for a little while along the path and you will reach my favourite summer watering hole, The Head of the River.

 

This photo doesn't quite do it justice, but may give you a clue as to why I love it so much.

 

You are seated on the waters edge and get to watch the world on the river go by. Rowing teams jostle for space with boats and novice punters. It is always hilarious to watch people shakily head out on their punts, determined not to embarrass themselves in front of us vultures sipping drinks in the sun just waiting for someone to fall! I am yet to witness splash down but I live in hope. Notoriously difficult to get a table, I was chuffed when we managed to get sat right on the waters edge.

I appear to have made it my mission to consume as much Pimm's as is humanly possible this summer.

 

 

I finally got to try one of the Head of the River burgers and it did not disappoint. Succulent and with enough flavour to not be overwhelmed by the big wodge of blue cheese I had on it, my weeks of staring jealously at everyone else's food were not in vain. The chips that came with it are, without a shadow of a doubt, the best I have ever eaten. Ever. And I like chips! So fluffy on the inside but with the crispiest outer. Anna had crispy whitebait (you can see her digging into her pot in the back of the shot) and a walnut salad, and Maddie had the potted ham hock, all of which were delicious. For a warm day I cannot recommend this place enough.

 

Feeling full and rather hot from a day in the blazing sun we headed back to Cowley (the location of my new house) to shower off the day and get ready to head out for drinks. We decided it was time to explore Cowley more as it was an area I tried to avoid in my first year. Coming from a relatively small village in the countryside Cowley seemed more than a little scary to me on my first few visits. On this trip though I was so pleasantly surprised with it! Luckily our house is located at the nicer end of the Cowley road and it is really vibrant and is home to some great bars and restaurants.

Perhaps one of the most common sights in Oxford: A bike chained to something it shouldn't be!

 

We hit Kazbar on the rather aptly named Dawson Street for cocktails and it is officially my new favourite place! Unfortunately I don't have any photos and it is so wonderful inside! But the dark surroundings and the rather aggressive flash on my camera made photography rather tricky. Its interior could very easily trick you into thinking you were drinking in a Moroccan city, and looking out of the window onto the Cowley road is rather confusing. The lanterns, tapestries and stonework belong to a different world and create a very romantic setting. Definitely a future date spot! Cocktails are £4 after 10pm and are delicious. Maddie is being good so opted for water so missed out not only on the cocktails but also on the wonderful bar man. A serious character, you should stop by just to see him in action!

 

After a seriously full day we headed to bed exhausted but content. On Tuesday morning we rose early, packed up our things and headed home.

Despite the nightmare of the house, Oxford had once again excelled itself in providing me with a wonderful time and I can't wait to get back to it come September.



As You Like It

Last week myself and Jennifer were cultured little chickens and pootled on down to Stratford-upon-Avon for a spot of theatre.

There was a time, a few years ago, when I was never not in Stratford. Whether I was watching or performing a play it seemed like I was constantly there. Unfortunately, in the wake of A levels and Uni this got rather abandoned and I have missed it so much!

So, donning my best serious literature student head we booked tickets to see one of my favourite Shakespeare plays 'As You Like It' (not very serious at all then).

The day we chose was glorious but I didn't feel at all sad leaving the sunshine behind to enter the dark confines of the theatre. 'As You Like It' is renowned for being a celebration of summer, as the characters escape the confines of a tyrannical court to escape to the freedom of the forest of Arden. With the promise of a festival summer inspired production we entered the RST with a spring in our step and Maria Abergs retelling did not disappoint.

I cannot praise the set designers at the RSC enough, I have been known to go to the RSC several days on the trot and you would never know that you were in the same room, so incredible are the transformations for each play. I had seen a production of 'As You Like It' in the courtyard theatre and been astounded by the clever use of set and didn't think that anything else could compare. How wrong could I be? I don't want to spoil it for anyone but the final scene was just utter visual bliss for me! Bunting, ribbons, fairy lights and Oliver and Celia's wedding outfits are exactly what I want my future husband and I to wear at our wedding!  Basically all of my favourite things combined to make the most gorgeous setting for what was the most uplifting set piece of theatre I have ever seen. So infectious was the Laura Marling composed score and the sheer joy portrayed by the fabulous cast that I just wanted to jump down there and join in.

Pippa Nixon received a well deserved round of tumultuous applause for her portrayal of Rosalind. Perfect from start to finish she captures the energy of Shakespeare's heroin like no other actress I have ever seen (unfortunately including myself!).

We left the theatre with sheer joy in our hearts and the biggest grins on our faces. Emerging out in to a sun soaked Stratford helped a little too! So with summer firmly planted in our minds we headed to The Encore for a jug of Pimm's overlooking the river. A rather perfect end to a perfect day. 

If you fancy getting all Shakespearean too, you can get tickets for As You Like It here.

Elderflower

 

 

This morning, feeling truly summery, me and Dad set off up the lanes behind our house to go foraging. Our goal? Elderflower. This versatile flower is perfect for use in desserts and our personal favourite, drink. Dad is famed for his elderflower cordial and champagne and today we wanted to make some cordial.


Pre fake tan!
 

 

To make the cordial you will need to collect 20-30 elderflower heads. This can be a treacherous task as I learned when I waltzed straight through a patch of stinging nettles!

 

Once you have removed the insects from your elderflower heads you need to add the zest of two lemons and one orange (keep your zested lemons back, you'll need those later). Whilst you're doing this put the kettle on to boil.

You need to pour in enough boiling water to cover your elderflower, this should be roughly 1.5-2 litres.
Cover the bowl and leave overnight or until completely cool. We left ours for about 4 hours.

 

Once cool, strain the liquid through a muslin cloth. You then need to measure how much liquid you have to work out how much sugar you need to use.

The part that will make your dentist wince!

 

 

For every 500ml of liquid you need to add 350g of sugar, you may have guessed that once finished this cordial is very sweet and sticky!

I told you they'd come in handy!

 

For every 500ml of liquid you will also need to add 50ml of lemon juice and a heaped teaspoon of tartaric acid. The tartaric acid helps to preserve your elderflower cordial and with it your cordial can last for up to a year (if you can resist drinking it all in one go that is!).

 



Heat the mixture gently to dissolve the sugar. Give it a stir so it doesn't all settle and stick to the bottom of your pan. Bring the liquid to a gentle simmer and skim off any scum that gathers on top.
Leave it to cool and then strain again through your muslin cloth.

 



Using a funnel, pour your cordial into sterilised bottles and seal them. Now your cordial is good to use in cocktails, or just as a summery, refreshing alternative to squash.

Cheers!

I Made You A Mixtape Part 1.

Today I was having a little root around the CD cupboard at home and I stumbled across a homemade mix CD from years ago. The range of tracks on there was ridiculous, going from some really dark remixes of people like Marina and the Diamonds and Phoenix, to Jazz and Blues tracks. My 15 year old self was obviously pretty bipolar in her music choices.

As amusing (and in some cases embarrassing) as this was it got me thinking. My taste still is pretty eclectic and I thought I'd share with you some tracks that I would put on a mix CD if I made one now. Some of these songs are brand new, some are years old. The one thing they do have in common though is my love for them, hopefully you might find one in here that you love too!

1. Chemicals - Various Cruelties.

I first heard this track on a Jack Wills promotional video and have loved it ever since. It just makes me think of summer, and gives me an incredible urge to frolic merrily through a field or along a beach.

2. Tonight -  Theme Park

I have been a big fan of Theme Park for quite a while now, but I first heard this track during my first term at uni and so now will forever associate it with the madness and joy of being a fresher. It is so uplifting and makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside (don't let that put you off, its actually very cool).

3. Violent Young - The Analog Affair

This track is epic. I was sent it to review for Vulture Hound, a music, film and TV online magazine and fell in love with it from first play. Its rather inconspicuous start opens out into a majestic electro synth-scape, that is as addictive as it is wonderful. Be warned, you will have this on repeat.

4. Ever Fallen In Love - Nouvelle Vague

This cover of The Buzzcocks classic is a delight. Made for sunny days and holidays.

5. Blackout (Amtrac Remix) - Wretch 32 Feat. Shakka

Annie Mac is a goddess and her Friday night show on Radio 1 is beyond perfect. Anything featured on her show generally gets my seal of approval and I am certainly not averse to a house or D&B remix. This Amtrac remix of Wretch 32 is pre-drink perfection.

6. Polish Girl - Neon Indian

An absolute tune from start to finish, this is the song I set as my alarm on those days when I need to spring from my bed rather than roll out of it.

7. The Bay - Metronomy

 

 Summer in a song. Need I say more?

8. Party Talk - Craft Spells

I don't quite know what it is about this song that makes me love it so much, but I do. The aged quality to the recording makes this really special and makes me think of misty autumn mornings.

9. Hidden Ground - David's Lyre

I would put every track from the album 'Picture of Our Youth' if I could. David's Lyre has the most beautiful voice and his whole album gives me chills. So relaxed, this album is perfect to immerse yourself in to. Hidden Ground is one of my album highlights.

10. My Oh My (PALMFooD & Stamusic. Remix) - Tristan Prettyman

This track is an excellent example of remixes at their best. I heard this mix before I heard the original of this song and loved it, so assumed I would love its mother. Not so much. Tristan Prettymans voice is stunning but the track itself is so bad! PALMFooD & Stamusic, I salute you.

There are so many songs I could have picked for this post, it took a long time to whittle them down to 10! Hopefully I'll do other posts like this in the future and those other tracks will get a chance to be shared. What did you think of my selections, do you have anything you think I might like? Leave your comments below!