Author: Deborah

Canon EOS 350D

Today I really wanted to get outside and learn how to use my hubby’s old Canon camera. It has a nifty fifty lens on it which he said would be a good starting point. My point and shoot camera has all the manual settings but I never use them and stick it in automatic mode. I thought learning to use the DSLR would get me out of the house and into nature.

We headed out for lunch first at The Crown Inn at Cholderton. The problem with the 50mm lens for food photography is that I had to get up off my arse and back a couple of metres so the food was in the frame. Not only do I have to learn how to use the camera but also composition. I like the photo of my lunch but I’d remove the napkins next time. It’s very much a learning curve! If you’re in the area check out The Crown Inn; wonderful food in a lovely village pub.

Crown Inn baguette

Crown Inn

After filling our bellies we headed to Danebury Iron Age Hill Fort just outside of Andover, Hampshire. It was getting to 4pm so the sun was going down. I love autumn, the leaves and the colours of the trees. Danebury has lots of paths to walk around and explore, so we chased the light around the fort to find some good shots. Now I’m behind the camera my hubby has to be my model! Here are some of my favourite photos I took today – the rest were pretty rubbish to be honest.

Muddy boots

Danebury Iron Age Hill Fort

IMG_2303

Hubby in autumn

Hubby at Danebury

Danebury Hill Fort

Author: Deborah

New Forest Marathon 10km

Last month I ran my first 10km race and I completed it in 1 hour 20 minutes. It was the New Forest Marathon 10km and it was such a beautiful setting to run in. I’d really struggled the previous month with illness and lack of motivation to run so my training went a bit out of the window.

I am really proud of myself for completing it after I was determined not to waste the entry fee by giving up. It didn’t matter that I was being lapped by half marathon runners, or that someone at work can do their 10km in 30-35 minutes – the same time it takes me to do a 5km! I finished it with grit and determination.

We got to the New Forest Marathon near Brockenhurst nice and early to beat the traffic. It seems a lot of people didn’t and they had to delay the half marathon as people were stuck on the road trying to get in. Our race started about an hour or so late and in that time I was getting really hungry but didn’t want to eat before running. I also woke up with a horrible sore throat and didn’t want to drink much as the porterloos weren’t in a good state by the time I attempted to use them.

When it was our turn they called us in for a warm up which was really fun and I think it’s what helped me get through the run. Then it was time to set off. The race was marked out really well so whichever race you were completing you knew were to go. My only issue was the km markers which didn’t seem to be in sync with my Garmin Forerunner watch. Probably not a huge issue for 5/10km races but I’ve read there were similar issues for the half and full marathon mile markers.

I wanted to stop and take photos throughout the run as it was amazing to run through the New Forest. I resisted and kept running and only walked when I really had to. I’m still a newbie runner so there were a few walks but I tried to keep them to less than a minute to catch my breath.

Once I had the finish line in sight I let Simon run on ahead and I tried to put my all into sprinting to the finish. My body at this point decided to give up and it was pretty much a crawl to the finish line. I was so grateful to get under the finishing bridge and receive my medal. The goody bags were really good with some water, crisps, sugar tablets and foot cream. After lying down for a bit we got up and collected our bags and headed for the food stalls. Burgers in bellies we sat down and listened to one of the bands playing before heading home.

I’m hoping to keep up with running now we’re back off honeymoon but it’s definitely going to be a struggle when it’s dark before and after work. How do people run outside when it’s dark? Any tips for winter running? My next goal is to do a sub-30 minutes 5km. My plan is to do parkrun on Saturdays, a longer run on Sundays and speed intervals one day in the week. Wish me luck, I need it!

Author: Deborah

I expected to have a dog by the age of 29. Actually I thought I’d have one as soon as I left home, but apparently I need to wait until it’s practical to have one. When will that time ever come?!

Anyway, mini rant over, I turned 29 yesterday and I feel exactly the same. Such an anticlimax, maybe next year will make up for it with the big 3-0. The problem with always having a birthday in the middle of the October half term means that it’s hard to get leave off work and everywhere is busy/expensive! I had the day off but no one else did so I spent the day on the sofa in front of Netflix.

On Sunday my hubby took me to Longleat Safari Park for a day out. I love going to the zoo and especially safari ones. We’d just got back from our honeymoon the day before so driving around a safari rather than walking sounded like bliss (I’m sure sleeping all day would have been good too). Here are some of the animals I caught on camera during the visit.

Zebra at Longleat

Longleat bird

Lemur at Longleat

Penguins at Longleat

Penguin at Longleat

Red Panda at Longleat

Tiger at Longleat

Longleat

Rhino at Longleat

Author: Deborah

Avebury stone circle

Can I say that August has well and truly sucked for me? I hit peak stress levels early on in the month and never really shook it off. The first thing to go was posting on this little blog. I had to let something go so I had more time to calm myself down.

If you’re in the process of planning a wedding, or you can see it in the future, my main piece of advice is don’t do it alone. I am a bit of a control freak so I’ve kept everything wedding related very close to me and haven’t really delegated anything. It’s been very overwhelming and my to do list is humongous. I’m still not taking my own advice, as I’m still not delegating.

Running has gone out of the window. I have two weeks until out 10k race and I haven’t run that distance yet. I haven’t run regularly since mid July and can definitely feel it when I do run. I am going to struggle. But I will cross the finish line. Even if I walk myself around it in an hour and a half, I’ll do it!

It hasn’t been all bad (except the weather). We had a lovely day out in Avebury for a picnic and to walk around the stone circle. I was going to write a blog post about it as I took some lovely photos, but I really think I need a proper break from blogging. I’ll be on social media but I’m taking a back seat on here until post honeymoon in October.

Monthly favourites

In an attempt to de-stress I have taken up crocheting again. I love crochet as I find it so much easier than knitting and I can do it while watching telly or listening to the radio. I started these squares ages ago and I’m starting to do them again. To make a small blanket I need 48 squares – not doable for this Christmas but maybe 2016! You can find the pattern for Bear’s Rainbow Blanket on Ravelry.

Crochet blanket squares

I loved Serial and I’m now addicted to Undisclosed podcast. If you haven’t listened to them I definitely recommend you do. Every week I wish I could stay up and listen to it but it reaches us here at about 2300 on a work night and I’m a bit of a grandma so I’m tucked up in bed by then.

Favourite blog posts this month

With the whole lack of blogging there’s also been a lack of reading, which is very unlike me. I have watched a lot more YouTube this month though. I spent an evening chain-watching devinsupertramp videos like this Tangled in Real Life.

As I want to start crafting again, I caught up on some of MyGreenCow’s videos like this Etsy sticker haul, which makes me want to buy lots of stickers. Do I even need stickers?! I always struggle to find good UK Etsy sellers so this video gave me lots of ideas.

Author: Deborah

Last month I was invited by Tiger Sheds to take part in their #TigerGrowAlong project with a few other bloggers. Since the garden is looking pretty good now (we have grass) I jumped at the chance to grow some baby leaf lettuce.

Tiger Sheds baby lettuce leaf #tigergrowalong

Once all the bits arrived from Tiger Sheds, I got outside and planted the seeds in the container provided. Over the four weeks it was supposed to take for the lettuce to grow, I kept an eye on it while my partner kept it watered – I don’t think I’ll ever remember to water plants.

By week four my leaves were tiny and I started to worry why the poor little leaves weren’t growing. I wanted to put them outside but everyone I spoke to said they’d overheat outside in this heat (what heat?!) and wither. But they weren’t growing inside either. I’m not the most patient person, so telling me it takes time is not the right answer.

Tiger Sheds baby lettuce leaf #tigergrowalong

It got to week five and there was still very little growth. I got bored of waiting so I followed my gut and popped them outside. Oh look, a few days later and they were flourishing. I must listen to my gut more often! We now have some very wet baby lettuce leaves and they look lovely. Although I really wish we could have some dry weather now. Please.

baby leaf lettuce

Author: Deborah

Daisy July monthly update

July has been a bit hit and miss for me. I was ill for awhile so my 10km run training has gone out of the window. I’m back on it now but I missed a good two weeks of training which has set me back. The humidity has also played a huge part in killing off running streak. I have been to all but one parkrun but times haven’t been great as it’s so hard to cool off. Everyone keeps saying it’s a run not a race so I have to just take it slow and I’m sure my time will improve at some point.

A wonderful thing that happened this month was my soon to be sister-in-law got married! I had to step in as an emergency bridesmaid and it was such a beautiful day at a little castle. The sun shone, she looked wonderful and it was great to dance all night with their family (and soon to be my family). I did my own makeup for the wedding which turned out okay and lasted all day, which can’t be said for my hair that took a bit of abuse while dancing – the lovely grip in my hair was ridiculously crocked by the end of the night after lots of twirling.

Talking of weddings, I tried to make my own wedding cake which was surprisingly pretty much a success. Everyone loved it, especially the white chocolate and raspberry tier. I won’t be making my own wedding cake though as it was far too stressful!

DIY Naked sponge wedding cake

Monthly favourites

This month I have been really giving foundations a go, trying to find the perfect one for my bridal makeup and I’m loving the Estee Lauder Double Wear Light. I have it in colour 2 which I think may be a little dark for me, but 1 is too pale. Do I mix the two? I don’t really care as I like the finish and it’s lasting power. I’m still very much split between doing my own on the day or getting in a pro.

Another possible reason for the lack of motivation to run could be to do with the continuous pizza eating. One week I was feeling particularly rough and couldn’t be bothered to cook so we had Pizza Express pizzas three nights in a row. But the pizza I don’t regret is my new favourite place to go in Winchester: The Stable. Mouthwatering pizza and a huge selection of cider – what more could you want? Pie? They do that too! Although maybe next month I should really cut down on pizza.

The Woolly Wintonian pizza

Favourite blog posts this month

I’ve felt like I’ve not had as much time to read this month as I’d like, it’s been fairly non-stop and if I’ve not been out and about we’ve been sitting in front of Netflix watching Once Upon a Time. I kind of want to yell at the people who persuaded me that Netflix was a good idea – it’s taking over. Anyway, I absolutely adore these no-sew flamingo cushions by Sugar & Cloth. Are flamingos the new pineapple? I need to get myself some iron-on transfer paper!

I really like the idea of a summer bucket list and this one by Abigale at Snug has so many ideas! I can’t wait to see how she gets on with them and I really wish I had more time to try some out – although definitely not the rollercoaster!

That’s all for this month. How was your July?

Author: Deborah

The Stable restaurant Winchester

The Stable Winchester cider and pizza

An email popped into my inbox last week with an invite to a restaurant called The Stable opening in Winchester and as soon as I saw pizza was involved it was a definite yes! Even with a drive down to Kent that evening planned, nothing was going to come between me and pizza.

Winchester is one of my favourite nearby places to head out for dinner and I love The Square where this restaurant is located. If you’ve lived or been to Winchester for awhile, you’ll recognise this as Moloko (skittles vodka anyone?) or Bar3one.

For the preview we were one of the first to arrive so we snuck upstairs to have a look around. The kitchen is up there and you can see all the chefs hard at work. There’s some amazing art on the walls and the decor is simple with a copper finish.

The Stable upstairs

The Stable order at the bar

Prosecco in hand we made our way to one of the long tables and flicked through the menus which are on clipboards on each table. I love how some of the pizza names are named after things in the town such as The Buttercross Clucker, which if you’re from Winchester you’ll know as the place you always arrange to meet people.

As soon as I saw pizza coming down the stairs I got very excited. First up was a margherita and I think within two bites I was mouthing oh my gosh to my partner, this was some of the best pizza I’ve tried. The crispy thin base made the pizza. There’s something so satisfying about a delicious margherita pizza with basil mixed into the cheese. It may be boring to some, but I’m definitely having this again next time I go!

The Woolly Wintonian

The Woolly Wintonian pizza

Next around the table was The Woolly Wintonian (see, another Winchester reference), which is lamb, mint, goats’ cheese and sweet potato. I’m not a huge fan of lamb but Simon loved it and the sweet potato tasted amazing on a pizza – I’d never think to try it!

The Hampshire Hog

I know I said the margherita was my favourite but there was something about The Hampshire Hog pizza that really did it for me. It’s just as simple but it has meat (I can’t live without it!) and rocket (because I’m attempting to eat my greens), so this was just a winner.

We tried a few other slices and I can’t recommend them enough. I don’t like cider so I didn’t try any, but Simon tried one. He had no clue what to have so the bartender asked him questions on what he usually likes and chose one for him. He loved it! Maybe I should do that and they can find me the perfect cider?

The Stable restaurant is located at 31b The Square, Winchester. The Square is right by the Cathedral.

Disclaimer: We were invited to a preview evening for The Stable in Winchester and had food and drink samples at no cost. As always, all opinions are my own.

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About me

Hi there, I’m Deborah. I live in Hampshire with my husband and spend my time baking, making and getting out in the fresh air. Find out more or get in touch.

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