Commuting

Traffic.  How is it that you can be stuck in the largest traffic jam and then it all suddenly clears up and there are no cars on the road?  And then a bit further down the motorway the car in front of you brakes so fast you almost rear end it and there you are stuck in a jam again.  Can some one please explain to me how that actually happens?

I only have a 22 mile commute, most of which is on the motorway.  And its usually like that all the way home.  It's infuriating!

However driving, even with the recent hike in fuel prices, is still cheaper than getting the train- and I have to leave the house earlier to catch the train. I get that public transport is more eco-friendly but when it's cold and raining in the morning, you have to stand up all the way to work in a crowded carriage AND it's more expensive it's no wonder there are so many cars on the road creating traffic.  The government should be doing something to make public transport more affordable to commuters because it's going to take a lot for me to stop driving to work even with the traffic.

Do you have an annoying journey to work/university?

Alex x

Song of the Week #2

I've liked this song ever since I had in on my Walkman on a skiing trip when I was about 10.  I can picture listening to it right now as we drove up the mountain in the coach on the way to resort.  I didn't see the song video for many years after that and it didn't disappoint.  I think this is one of the best song videos ever made, especially the ending.....



Let me know your thoughts!

Alex x

Last Pepsi

I don't understand people who can't tell the difference between Coke and Pepsi.  To me they taste totally different and Pepsi is waaaay nicer.  I keep a multipack of Pepsi in my cupboard at work and tend to have a can in the afternoon.  Just living up to my 'you only live once' motto.  So this afternoon I reach into my cupboard and there's only one can left in the multipack.  I grab it and this is what I get....

It's all leaked out from a hole in the rim :( and that was my last one. And now I'm wondering what Pepsi will give me for free if I send the can in....

Have you ever sent back anything faulty and been sent something for free?

Alex x

Cupcakes

Sometime when Lea goes into town she comes back with a cakey surprise for me to take into work the next day and make all my colleagues jealous.  Yesterday she got me a strawberry dream which I ate for my lunch today and it was delicious :)

I have never actually been in this magical cupcake shop but they seem to have all sorts of strange flavours.  The last two she's given me were Sticky Toffee Pudding and Vanilla Cupcake Sundae:

If you're ever in Leeds or Harrogate I highly recommend a visit. Maybe one day I'll even go in myself! You can visit their website here.

What's the strangest cupcake you've ever had?

Alex x

20 Things I Love About Summer

1. BBQs

Meat tastes different when it’s been barbequed.  It has the taste of summer to it. My BBQ favourites are lime chicken, sausages and chicken and veg kebabs.

2. Sitting outside the pub

Spending all evening just watching the world go by with a bottle of wine or a few pints of Crabbies.

3. Summer playlist/ songs

I still listen to my summer playlist in winter to remind me of the summer, but my summer songs are constantly on in the car from the moment summer starts to show its face.

4. Shorts

I <3 wearing shorts.  They make me feel free.  I just searched through 4 years worth of photos and couldn't find a decent picture of me in shorts unfortunately!

5. Sun tans

It’s nice to get rid of that pasty whiteness of the winter and get a bit of colour on your skin!

6. Strawberries

Someone once said to me that they were allergic to strawberries. Then someone else said if they found out they were allergic to strawberries they’d throw themselves into a lake (in a bad way, not just for a swim).  I feel the same way.  Being allergic to strawberries would be disastrous.

7. Leaves on trees

The world looks bare in winter.  The first day the leaves start to come back out on the trees is one of the best days of the year.  The world becomes more colourful.

8. Day trips

My favourite day trip last year was a day in the Lake District with Lea where we ended up playing pitch and putt and then having a pub dinner.

9. Lighter nights

No one likes leaving work and it already being dark! Lighter nights make you feel like you have more time.

10. Haze

This is truly a summer phenomenon.  And that’s why I like it.

11. Less rain

I absolutely HATE the rain.  It just makes everything wet (might be an obvious point but it’s annoying!).

12. Salad

Salad doesn't feel right in the winter but I'd happily eat it all through summer. Tomato and mozzarella is my favourite summer salad. 

13. Smiles

There’s a happier vibe in the air in summer.  Everyone is more smiley and good natured all round :)

14. Holidays

Who doesn’t love holidays????

15. Smell of cut grass

It’s not a smell I absolutely LOVE, I mean I wouldn’t buy a candle that smelt of cut grass, but it is one of THE summer smells.

16. Sunshine and blue sky, with maybe the odd floating cloud

After the overcast winter days the blue sky is so clean and refreshing.  Not to mention that my favourite colour is blue. The odd floating cloud just adds a little more interest.

17. Picnics

The preparation and packing of the food, choosing wear to go and finding somewhere to sit- I love everything about picnics.

18. Driving with the windows down

I got to do this for the first time this year on my way home yesterday. Having the windows down is the next best thing to having a convertible: P

19. Bare feet on grass

The feel of grass on bare soles is welcome after the claustrophobia or shoes and socks.  Flip flops also float my boat.

 20. Sleeping on top of the covers

Again I like this because there's a feeling of freedom. 

What do you like about summer?  Have I missed anything super amazing off?

Alex x

Spring Has Arrived!

This morning when I left for work it was cold, and foggy and there was condensation on my car.  When I arrived at wok an hour later it was still pretty cold.  So when I left the office to go for my lunch I assumed it was still coat weather.  I was wrong! It's such nice warm weather outside I had to carry my coat.  Everyone in town had big smiles on their faces and there was a happy vibe in the air.  I'm so glad the spring has finally arrived :)

I couldn't decide what to have for my lunch so I got a sandwich and chips- my motto is you only live once so why waste it being health conscious. I even bought Lea a little spring present (oh she's so lucky to have me).  I can't say what I got her though because she'll read this and it'll ruin the surprise.

I hope the sun is shining where you are :)

Alex x

Last Nights Photos

Last night I went out and took some photos.  Here are a selection:

Canon EOS 1100D, ISO 100, f/1, 20", 18mm 

Canon EOS 1100D, ISO 100, f/1, 20", 42mm

Canon EOS 1100D, ISO 3200, f/5, 1/8", 42mm

Canon EOS 1100D, ISO 2500, f/3.5, 1/30", 18mm

Canon EOS 1100D, ISO 1000, f/3.5, 1/40", 18mm

Canon EOS 1100D, ISO 3200, f/3.5, 1/15", 18mm

Which is your favourite?

Alex x