Artichokes

Some of you may know that I have a list of 30 things to achieve before I turn 30. Kind of geeky I know, but a good way of getting things done!

Actually, my list has about 45 things on it, just in case some of the others prove impossible! But, one of the items is to learn how to cook an artichoke.

So, last night I did it! Proof attached, care of photography from Hamish. I probably need to take off a few more outer layers of the artichoke (it was a little tough), but for a first attempt I think it went ok. Yummy roasted tomatoes with parsley oil to accompany :)

Tea with Liz, Phil, Charlie and Caz

The Lord Chamberlain was commanded by Her Majesty to invite Hamish and Gabrielle to Buckingham Palace for tea on the 22nd of July. So we thought we had better go.

A great afternoon. Champers in Green Park pre and post Queenie, a lovely afternoon tea (Fraser managed 4 plates of it), a stroll around the gardens and some fantastic music from the military bands. HRH, Prince Philip, Charles and Camilla did a bit of a walk through the crowd and we managed to get a couple of metres away from them. We were all surprised by how much makeup the Queen was wearing, but liked her suit, and agreed that she looked pretty amazing for a woman of 82 years.

No cameras allowed, but we sneaked a few on our phone on the way out.

Sara, Chris, Kelley, Gabs and Fraser - our shoes got the better of us:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3jk2-OkD8ps

o2 Wireless Festival - Hyde Park

On a cold and rainy Sunday I ventured to Hyde Park for the o2 Wireless Festival. I mainly went because Aussie rockers, Powderfinger, were playing. It was their first ever London festival appearance. Ben Harper and the Innocent Criminals put on a really good show too. The headliners were Counting Crows, which I found a little surprising, seeing as they have been around for about 15 years. It was quite incredible how many hits they have managed to rake up in that time. The lead singer was a little OTT for my liking, but I suppose that's what some people pay to see!

Sunset over Richmond Bridge & Ham House

The Merry Wives of Windsor

The Merry Wives of Windsor under the thatch roof of the Globe theatre on the banks of the Thames with Rowland and Wendy.