Olympic tickets

2 tickets required add to shopping basket - done

any athletics events in the Olympic Park please - click to request

Oh please oh please let it be me...............................................

sorry your request could not be processed!

How very very frustrated did I get the other day and night.  I spent over 7 hours trying to purchase tickets online, at one point it was confirmed that I had 3 tickets in my basket, but stop..... I didn't request the £1450.00 priced tickets, I wanted the cheap seats (if you can call them cheap at £95) so I declined their offer and tried and tried again.  At one point I got my crochet out and managed to get 10 rows completed.  

I'm not going to send an official complaint in, there's no point really, ever since the first issues went on sale the ticket buying has been a fiasco, and the second ballot was totally screwed up so in reality what was I to expect, that I could just log on and get tickets, but I was optimistic and I tried and tried and tried.

Oh well never mind, I've watched more races on the TV than I ever have in previous years due to the fantastic coverage by the BBC (good old Aunty) and really really enjoyed every last race but I'll do a seperate post about the Olympics for the record.

OK, one more try do you think?

Have a happy Thursday.

Lynetta  Xx

 

Meet Walter.....

Whilst we were shopping for Lilibet I think Ian got a little bike envy so he decided to treat himself to a new bike....meet Walter :-)  He's rather dashing don't you think?  He's a lovely Raleigh Pioneer 2 model but we have affectionatley called him Walter.

He even comes with some lovely paniers so Ian can go out fishing along the river banks in addition to carrying a picnic when we adventure out.

I am so looking forward to planning a few days out with Lilibet and Walter before the summer ends and I am currently trying to twist Ian's arm to catch a train to the coast for the day so we can feel the fresh sea breeze in our hair, well mine anyway (sorry Ian).

Have a spiffing day.

Lynetta Xx

Summer Holidays - Week 2

I've seemed to have slowed down for some reason and it's only week 2 of my holidays, yet again I don't think I will last the 6 weeks without being really really bored.  Round-up of week 2:-

• Monday - Bike ride and getting caught up with the Olympic fever
• Tuesday - Weather back to it's normal miserable self so stayed in and baked week 28
• Wednesday - Popped into work, made a lovely Chilli Con Carne and Wiggin's wins Gold!
• Thursday - My mission to buy Olympic tickets resulted in 7 hours of looking at the official website, clicking Buy now and being told to try again!
• Friday - A spot of gardening taking the opportunity of a sunny day
• Saturday - Earley Green Fair, test driving new cars and watching Olympics - Team GB winning 5 golds!
• Sunday - Visit to London and Hyde Park to watch Olympics on big screen

mmm,  no wonder it felt as if it  was rather a slow and long week as I really didn't do much other than celebrate the Olympics.  Wonder what week 3 has in store for me?

Go Team GB!

Lynetta Xx

Week 28 - Raspberry Bakewell Cake

Quote from website -  This simple almondy cake is a great way of using up pick-your-own raspberries

Faff Factor = 9

Bake = 9

Keeping Up Appearances = 9

Total score = 27/30

I think I've just found my second favourite bake of the challenge.  If you love a good Cherry Bakewell Tart you've just got to try this recipe.  I stumbled upon this one from The Good Food website whilst looking for raspberry recipes and you can find the recipe here. 

I managed to get this cake weighed and into the oven within 15 minutes as it used the all in one method, something that I have never tried before and to be honest it felt a little lazy way to bake a cake but who's complaining when it gives you this great result. 

I was also getting a little concerned as the mixture was very very thick and I went into a little panic so added a tablespoon of milk which seemed to help a little but as the method suggests it's easier to use your hands to spread the mixture when levelling in the tin, yes it is that thick!

I substituted the vanilla essence for almond essence and I also used the new liquid stork, which speeded up the process, and which I feel suited this recipe instead of butter. 

When I bake this cake again (yes it's that good) one other thing I will do next time will be to add more raspberries so it has a nice even layer in the middle.  A good lesson learned this week :-)

I also think this cake would make a welcome addition to the tea table on a winter's afternoon with custard,  oooh just thinking about that made my mouth water :-)

Bye for now

Lynetta Xx

 

The not so perfect Cream Tea.

Last Saturday I was a very lucky girl and was invited out to a Cream Tea at Pinewood Nurseries in Stoke Poges.  Both myself and Sarah put on our posh frocks and off we went happily thinking of the sandwiches and cakes we were about to eat.

On arriving we realised that all was not as seemed from the advert.  Giving benefit of the doubt we went into the nursery, through to the conservatory and took our seat.  The young assistants really could not cope with the small amount of people wanting to partake in some tea and cakes and after 15 minutes came to take our order. 

Oh dear, what a shock we got when asked what kind of ploughmans we wanted, ham or cheese?  When we finally received the food I can honestly say the only enjoyable thing on the plate was the fresh bread.  After another 10 minutes I could wait no longer as we had not been given any drinks so had to ask for our tea which was given in a teapot that dripped and leaked whilst pouring.  Then to top it all off when we were finally served our scones they were only half baked and not cooked inside.

So I did something I have never done before, we got up and left and politely informed the staff we were not satisfied.  They were very apologetic and made their excuses even offering us 2 free drinks on our next visit (as if we would travel that far again for free drinks) but in all honesty looking at the other side of the coin I feel they probably have taken on more than they are capable of and do hope they can sort it out before business takes a downwards turn.

Returning to the car we started our journey home but both myself and Sarah really needed our sugar rush with a decent cup of tea.  Not knowing the area very well we decided to stop off in Sainsbury's to get a take away tea and a most delicious Raspberry and Cream turnover and to find a park to have our afternoon tea.  Deary me, even that was a task and a half so we ended up eating in the car.

What an adventure for an Afternoon Tea.  I think I may have to organise my own to make up for our very disappointing afternoon.

TTFN

Lynetta Xx

Teenagers!

For the life of me I cannot remember sleeping in later than 9:00am during the summer holidays when I was a teenager.  If you look closely at the photo you will find Jack fast asleep at 10:30am.

I vowed when Jack was a baby that I would go into his room at 7:30am every morning and wake him up as he was a very early riser and for his first 4 years of his life he woke up at 5:30am, every morning! 

BUT, I just cannot do it.  You see Jack is suffering from the Teenage Hormone syndrome where he needs to reserve all his energy just to function for at least 9 hours a day.  I have been reading that during the ages of 13-16 it's a tough life for boys and their hormones so I've cut him some slack and I'll let him sleep, but only until 10:45am then he is getting out of that bed, washed dressed and fed.

I'm a thoughtful and considerate mum don't you think?

Have a lovely Thursday.

Lynetta Xx

Olympic Games

It's here, its finally here.  We spent Friday evening watching the absolutley, fantastic, jaw dropping, high tech, spectactular Olympic opening ceremony.

Not wanting to bore  you all with a very long post about the ceremony these links are more detailed and will serve as a reminder for me of all the details here, how they made those magic moments here and only 8 hours from when it all finished how our fantastic hard working Queen went back to the Olympic Village for a guided tour.

If only I knew they would be doing this I would of volunteered in a blink of an eye.  A missed opportunity I think.

During the evening I logged on to Facebook to ask my overseas friends how they enjoyed the events but this article sums it up all nicely - here.

We have enjoyed the first few days of events and already with Lizzie Armitstead winning a Silver Medal in the ladies cycling which has been my favourite so far we are all looking forward to the track and field events which start at the weekend.

Bring it On......

Lynetta Xx