My Travels in Arabia Deserta 1974 and other Miscellany

My Vintage Past

2026-05-31T17:47:52.648+01:00

Place of Birth; Jeddah Saudi Arabia

2022-06-19T11:46:00.007+01:00

Now available on Amazon!

A wander through my life, touching on travels in the sixties, marriage and my move to Saudi Arabia. Travels in Arabia Deserta with an unscheduled stop at a Saudi border town! Musings on life in the seventies and last, but not least, the birth of my first son, in Jeddah.

Over the years I have written about events in my life, and I started assembling them into a manuscript during lockdown, after finding an old notebook that I had forgotten about, something I had written on my arrival in Saudi Arabia, a new bride, in 1973.

Our trips into the desert and holidays in the sixties, contrast starkly with going 'travelling’ today, our children are guided by sat navs and have the world at their fingertips on a mobile phone. We drove into the desert with maps, a compass and sometimes only the stars to guide us. I find it hard to believe that the places we struggled to visit are now accessible by motorways and there are helicopter trips to Madain Saleh!

I was and still am the least intrepid of travellers and like to think there is humour in my tale!

From running down a street in Beirut, after curfew; an arrest on the Saudi border, to an unscheduled picnic on a beach, as the King of Jordan sailed by.

I have read a lot during my life, something that I have reflected on here, together with films, music, television and attitudes of the time.

I have called it ‘Place of Birth, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia’ because it starts at the beginning of my pregnancy and ends with the birth of my first son, as some might say, including me, saving the worst until last!

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Place-Birth-Jeddah-Saudi-Arabia-ebook/dp/B0B47LVZRB/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3ABRO6YYIBN35&keywords=place+of+birth+saudi&qid=1655635276&sprefix=place+of+birth+saudi%2Caps%2C821&sr=8-1

Selling my Past

2022-05-07T08:40:00.020+01:00

RADLEY London - Size 3 - circa mid to late sixties

Black wool fabric mini with red top stitching and applique flower motif.

Back metal zip, hook and eye at top.

SOLD

VERA MONT

Long chiffon and taffeta Vera Mont dress, made in Germany, late seventies/ early eighties.

SOLD

1970s Long maxi dress M&S

The style is very similar to the Louis Vuitton black dress in the magazine clip, one of the images, that I saved after spotting it years ago.

SOLD

1970s Maxi dress

SOLD

1970s Empire Line Dress - Flowered (Poppies?) Peach Brown and Cream print.

Voluminous frilled sleeves and a frill around the bottom of the skirt.

10/12

The width across the empire line seam is 38cm.

Back metal zip with hook and eye fastening at the top, the loop needs restitching.

SOLD

Aristos Ariella Fashions Ltd Vintage 1970s Dress Black Gold Red Size 10

SOLD

Simple Pleasures

2021-07-21T21:51:00.003+01:00

A walk along a sandy beach is what I long for most.

I haven't seen the sea for years,

Or felt soft sand between my toes.

I crave the fresh and salty air,

To escape the daily grind.

Time to reflect, time to recharge,

Regain my peace of mind.

As the sun goes down, away go the gulls!

I'll eat Rick's fish and chips,

Simple food and simple pleasures,

Washed down with an Aperol spritz!

Prime Ministers and Presidents - Boris and Donald

2019-07-25T11:29:00.002+01:00

I-I-I-I-I-I-I m-make buses, out of wine crates!

Meet our new Prime Minister
#Boris Johnson

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLcCZjDoWTQ

Chris Moyles shared his hot tub... I thought he looked lonely!

“My name is Borimandias, king of kings: Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair!” #BorisJohnson

"The toad beneath the harrow knows Exactly where each tooth point goes" #Brexit #Boris

Jacob Trees Frog

Boris Johnson says the situation will get worse before it gets better!

The Prime Minister addresses the Nation

#Boris Johnson

A Life in Pictures

2018-08-26T17:27:00.004+01:00

It Could Always be Worse?

2018-04-27T17:54:00.005+01:00

It Could Always be Worse!

It was when one of my sons moved back home that I recalled a story I used to read to his older brother. It was about an old woman who thought her house was too small and she was told, probably by a wise old man, to move lots of things or animals into the house until it was practically overflowing. Then, after living like this for a while, she was told to move everything out one at a time, and when everything had gone her home didn't feel small anymore!

Unfortunately I can’t remember the title of the book but I was listening to the radio recently and heard someone relating a similar tale, called ‘A Squash and a Squeeze’ by Julia Donaldson, far too recent to be the book I had. I couldn’t look this tale up fast enough and found it was from an old Jewish folk tale, retold by Margot Zemach, and called ‘It Could Always be Worse’, but this title doesn’t sound familiar either.

Too Much Noise by Ann McGovern is a similar story but this title doesn't ring any bells for me.

I can only assume the book I had was another re-write in a similar vein, it was one of a series of small books that were given to children travelling on Saudia airlines in the 1970s. Also in the series were Goldilocks, Red Riding Hood and Little Red Hen and they were probably published in the USA.

Now, back to my boomerang son moving in, with all of his belongings, cluttering up my home, I can take comfort from this folk tale because one day he will leave again, along with his boxes and amps!

Update:

I have found another version of this tale:

A Big Quiet House

A Yiddish Folktale from Eastern Europe

There was once a man who wished his small, noisy house was larger and quieter. He went to the wise old woman of the town and explained his need. She said, "I can solve your problem. Just do as I say."

The man agreed.

"If you have a chicken, some sheep, a horse, and a cow," she said, "bring them into the house with you."

"That's a silly thing to do," thought the old man. But he did it anyway. Now his house was already small, and with all those animals in it, there was no room at all. He returned to the old woman and cried, "I need more room! The animals are so noisy I can't think!"

"Take all those animals out of your dwelling," she replied.

When he had put all the animals comfortably back in the barn, the man went into his house. To his amazement, it suddenly looked remarkably bigger! Without the animals inside, his house was now quiet too!

Do you have a special keepsake you can’t bear to throw away?

2018-03-29T14:00:00.000+01:00

I enter quite a few competitions and one I entered recently was this, run by Space-Station.co.uk:

Do you have a special keepsake you can’t bear to throw away?

Posted on Monday, January 08, 2018 by Space Station

From lockets to old postcards, keepsakes can be reminders of a loved one, a special moment in our lives or a memory we don’t want to fade.

Some items that are passed down or collected over the years might seem unusual on the face of it, but actually have a really special story behind them.

Do you have an unusual item that has been inherited from friends or family, or an item that you have had for years and cannot bear to part with?

If this sounds like you, or someone you know, we need YOU to enter our competition by sending in your best photos.

We want to know the story behind your keepsake - who gave it to you, where you got it and why your entry has a special meaning to you?

The best entry will win a £100 Not on the High Street voucher to spend on personalised items that will help you to cherish even more memories.

To enter, all you need to do is:

Upload or import a photograph of your keepsake via the panel below

Give your photo a caption, explaining the story behind it

Enter your full name, age, hometown/city and email address so that we can contact you if you’re the winner

The overall winner will be selected by the Space Station team on 19 February 2018 and notified by email.

I racked my brains to think of something I had kept and remembered my fireman's cap, not exactly a treasured memento, more a curiosity, acquired on the return journey, in an MGA sports car, from Yugoslavia in the late sixties.

I was rather surprised to see the competition had been mentioned in the Daily Mail!

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-5447259/People-reveal-moving-stories-precious-keepsakes.html

The Austrian fireman's cap

Christine Monk, from Derby, treasures this memento of a trip to Austria more than 40 years ago.

'I was given it as a souvenir, although I'm not sure if the owner knew,' she recalled.

'I was in Trebesing after being invited to a village party to celebrate a new fire engine, and I remember an oompah band and Austrian dancing.'

So although not precious at all, perhaps I misunderstood the brief, I have kept it for over 40 years, in fact nearer 50!

The village dance to celebrate their new fire engine was a lovely experience because at the time I think tourists in Trebesing were a novelty and we were treated like celebrities.

I was also given a lovely traditional gingerbread love token, which I also kept for a long time, not the gingerbread but there was a message, a little mirror and ribbon to which it was attached.

I wrote about my trip through Austria in an earlier post:

https://sortoflife.blogspot.co.uk/p/holidays-in-1960s.html

Always the bridesmaid?

2018-02-15T19:23:00.002+00:00

Sometimes a bridesmaid...

...and once a bride.

Taxi Company

2018-01-20T12:55:00.000+00:00

Thank you for your patients and support!

Hilarious, I think they mean patience, I did wonder who might be to blame, was it a phonetic error, taken over the phone, or was it written and the printer decided to print it anyway!

It is possible that they only have contracts with hospitals and/or medical centres!

Mmm Tasty

2016-01-26T11:09:00.002+00:00

Lemon Meringue without the Pie

Meringues seem popular at present, they're everywhere, so I made some today. Then, left with two egg yolks I rustled up a bit of lemon curd in the microwave (2 egg yolks, juice of one lemon, approx 30 grams butter, 60 grams of sugar) and it was a delicious, a new take on lemon meringue without the pastry and no cream in the meringues, just the sugar to worry about! Oh, and the egg yolks and the butter... doh!

Toasty!

Grilled tomatoes on Marks and Spencer's Champion seeded bread, topped with artichoke antipasto (Aldi's best, £1 a jar) and fresh basil. Delicious!

Vegetable Curry

Onion

Garlic

Ginger (grated)

Tomato puree

Chicken or veg stock

Dried coriander, cumin seeds, ground cumin, turmeric, asafoetida, garam masala, tamarind paste/sauce, chilli flakes.

Apple

Carrots

1 large potato

Frozen green beans

Frozen spinach

Cooked chick peas

Top with chopped coriander and preserved lemon.

Spicy Mexican Eggs - (huevos rancheros)

#BreakfastWeek

Onions, peppers, tomatoes, chilli and eggs.

Lamb Biryani

Lamb, cooked, I used the remainder of my Sunday roast

2 large tomatoes

Large onion

Oil

1 tablespoon tomato puree

Meat juices or half a stock cube

Spices

Coriander

Turmeric

Asafoetida

Garam masala

Cumin

Chilli powder

Salt and pepper to taste

Basmati rice

Method

Sweat the onion in the oil until soft and slightly browned, add spices and tomato puree, continue cooking for a minute or two, then stir in the meat and chopped skinned tomatoes. Leave to simmer and when the rice is cooked stir in the almonds and raisins.

Add water to cover and meat jelly/juice or half a stock cube. Bring to boil and simmer.

Meanwhile put the basmati rice into cold water, with a little turmeric for colour, bring to the boil and then simmer for 10 minutes then drain.

Layer the rice and curry into an ovenproof dish, cover and bake for about 45 minutes.

Serve with chopped preserved lemon and freshly chopped coriander. I also like a little mango chutney with mine.

21st Birthday Photo - Vintage Fashion

2015-08-24T09:57:00.000+01:00

I was so disappointed with the photo that my father took of me cutting my 21st birthday cake, he obviously thought the cake was more important than my head! So I have tried to remedy it with modern technology:

BEFORE

AFTER

And I still have the Dollyrockers by Sambo outfit, along with a few other vintage outfits:

Psychedelic Dollyrockers dress I spotted in a magazine a few years ago:

The Louis Vuitton dress, on the left in this magazine cutting, is practically identical to my cream dress above:

And another from my collection:

2015-08-21T09:45:00.000+01:00

Win 1 of 8 trips to see the Wonders of the World

Just upload your best photo from your travels and add a few words about your travelling experiences.

There are 8 amazing holidays for 2 people to be won!

http://www.onthegotours.com/

So many good images from around the world but here's my attempt:

http://www.onthegotours.com/feelgood/entry/Hot-1440078400

The Great Grocery Cart in the Sky

2014-10-16T12:27:00.002+01:00

ALDI DAIRYFINE CURIOUS INVENTIONS POPPING CANDY BAR

It's been a while but I am now lamenting the loss of Aldi's Dairyfine Curious Inventions popping candy bar, a wonderful concoction of smooth chocolate and hidden treasures!

And it's official!

SAUCE!

I don’t use many ready-made sauces or short cuts because I was brought up to cook ‘from scratch’ as they say today, or just cook as we used to say. However, time is short and I found a couple of sauces that I really love, one is Sainsbury’s Puttanesca pasta sauce, not the one in their Taste the Difference range which I think is inferior to the one in the regular pasta sauce range. The other is Tesco’s Finest Thai style stir fry sauce. So I got into the habit of buying these, the Thai stir fry making, in my opinion, an absolutely delicious meal of tanginess, with lime, chillies and ginger.

The problem with relying on these products is that they can become DISCONTINUED, as has happened with both of these.

SOUP...ER

My favourite ready-made soup was Tesco’s Lentil, Bean and Barley, which was a perfect quick meal when served with their pretzel rolls, but they have both gone to that great grocery cart in the sky although M&S now sell pretzel rolls.

Fortunately, I found the ingredients for the Thai sauce and Lentil, Bean and Barley soup on Tesco’s website so I can at least attempt to recreate them.

Who makes these products? Can’t they continue to make them for somebody else or do I have such peculiar taste that nobody else likes them?

I have just remembered a previous post of mine:

Garner's Piccalilli - Pickled Tink

http://sortoflife.blogspot.co.uk/2011/09/pickled-tink.html

...and similarly

And then there's the mayonnaise, Sainsbury's low fat French style was my favourite but I only need a SMALL jar, which they no longer do, only the large one and if I bought that I'd be throwing away more than I use.

So I found another one, Marks and Spencer's low fat mayonnaise with olive oil but it's now discontinued, not only that but one sales assistant was adamant it never existed and I was delusional.

Another product has vanished, never to be seen again? Sainsbury's Crunchy Muesli Breakfast Biscuits, they were lovely and flaky and I thought they were better than most of the other so-called breakfast biscuits.

M&S Horseradish Sauce

Marks and Spencer have now replaced their excellent horseradish sauce which was hot and feisty, as stated on the label, with an inferior product simply labelled horseradish sauce, a suitable description would be meek and mild!

I expect it's a ploy to make us buy more, I couldn't understand how we'd used practically a whole jar for one meal and then I noticed the label had changed and obviously the contents as well.

Likewise with their piccalilli, the words you dread to see on your favourite products, 'new improved recipe' it now has the colour of the more insipid varieties, not the richness of it's predecessor, I'm not even going to try this one!

2014-09-24T18:29:00.001+01:00

Ah, Sunday afternoons...

2014-09-05T12:15:00.000+01:00

Vintage/ retro comic character duvet covers, Superman, Count Duckula, Jurassic Park. These are often bought for the fabric alone for cushion covers, blinds, etc.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/161407692537?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&
_trksid=p3984.m1586.l2649

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/161408007017?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1586.l2649

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/161408008990?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1586.l2649

2014-08-26T10:53:00.006+01:00

Oliver 'Mixmaster' Monk - Derby DJ

https://www.facebook.com/djolivermixmastermonk?fref=ts

2014-06-13T10:34:00.002+01:00

Tote bags now available at redbubble.com!

http://www.redbubble.com/people/pleione/works/10343722-poppy-field?p=tote-bag&utm_medium=email&utm_source=ArtsEm

2013-12-11T09:15:00.002+00:00

To blog or not to blog...? That is the question.

2013-06-01T11:18:00.002+01:00

Anyone for wall art?

http://www.redbubble.com/people/pleione

Ariadne at mydoodle.com

2013-04-09T16:17:00.003+01:00

Wall art and cards available at:

http://www.mydoodle.com/u/Ariadne

Travel v tourism

2012-03-16T10:00:00.002+00:00

One can only really travel if one lets oneself go and takes what every place brings without trying to turn it into a healthy private pattern of one's own and I suppose that is the difference between travel and tourism.

Freya Stark

Favourite lyrics of 2011

2012-01-16T10:12:00.002+00:00

Florence and the Machine - Shake it out
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S40qyx2N7Ek

Regrets collect like old friends
Here to relive your darkest moments
I can see no way, I can see no way
And all of the ghouls come out to play

And every demon wants his pound of flesh
But I like to keep some things to myself
I like to keep my issues strong
It's always darkest before the dawn

And I've been a fool and I've been blind
I can never leave the past behind
I can see no way, I can see no way
I'm always dragging that horse around

All of these questions, such a mournful sound
Tonight I'm gonna bury that horse in the ground
So I like to keep my issues strong
But it's always darkest before the dawn

Shake it up, shake it out, shake it up, shake it out, ooh woaaah
Shake it up, shake it out, shake it up, shake it out, ooh woaaaah

And it's hard to dance with a devil on your back
So shake him off, oh woah
I am done with my graceless heart
So tonight I'm gonna cut it out and then restart
Cause I like to keep my issues strong
It's always darkest before the dawn

Shake it out, shake it out, shake it out, shake it out, ooh woaaah
Shake it out, shake it out, shake it out, shake it out, ooh woaaah

And it's hard to dance with a devil on your back
So shake him off, oh woah

And it's hard to dance with a devil on your back
And given half the chance would I take any of it back
It's a fine romance but it's left me so undone
It's always darkest before the dawn

Oh woah, oh woah...

And I'm damned if I do and I'm damned if I don't
So here's to drinks in the dark at the end of my road
And I'm ready to suffer and I'm ready to hope
It's a shot in the dark and right at my throat
Cause looking for heaven, for the devil in me
Looking for heaven, for the devil in me
Well what the hell I'm gonna let it happen to me

Shake it out, shake it out, shake it out, shake it out, ooh woaaah
Shake it out, shake it out, shake it out, shake it out, ooh woaaah

And it's hard to dance with a devil on your back
So shake him off, oh woah

Shake it out, shake it out, shake it out, shake it out, ooh woaaah
Shake it out, shake it out, shake it out, shake it out, ooh woaaah

And it's hard to dance with a devil on your back
So shake him off, oh woah

Foo Fighters - Walk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C5ymu6yQ2FA

A million miles away
Your signal in the distance
To whom it may concern
I think I lost my way
Getting good at starting over
Every time that I return

I'm learning to walk again
I believe I've waited long enough
Where do I begin?
I'm learning to talk again
Can't you see I've waited long enough
Where do I begin?

Do you remember the days
We built these paper mountains
And sat and watched them burn
I think I found my place
Can't you feel it growing stronger
Little conquerors

I'm learning to walk again
I believe I've waited long enough
Where do I begin?
I'm learning to talk again
I believe I've waited long enough
Where do I begin?

Now
For the very first time
Don't you pay no mind
Set me free again
[ Lyrics from: http://www.lyricsty.com/foo-fighters-walk-lyrics.html ]
To keep alive a moment at a time
But still inside a whisper to a riot
To sacrifice but knowing to survive
The first to climb another state of mind
I'm on my knees, I'm praying for a sign
Forever, whenever
I never wanna die
I never wanna die
I never wanna die
I'm on my knees
I never wanna die
I'm dancing on my grave
I'm running through the fire
Forever, whenever
I never wanna die
I never wanna leave
I never say goodbye
Forever, whenever, forever, whenever

I'm learning to walk again
I believe I've waited long enough
Where do I begin?
I'm learning to talk again
Can't you see I've waited long enough
Where do I begin?

I'm learning to walk again
I believe I've waited long enough
I'm learning to talk again
Can't you see I've waited long enough

Example - Stay Awake
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5CcOq8UzkI

If we don't kill ourselves we'll be the leaders of a messed-up generation
If we don't kill ourselves all they believe if we tell them the reasons why?
Did we take it too far, take it too far
Did we chase a rabbit into wonderland
Lose a hundred grand, will they understand
It was all to stay awake for the longest?

March on, always after us
Lost troops, half the class of us
You man ain't seen the last of us
Stick around, yeah like elastoplast
Not half mast, raise our flag, kick the sand,
To let you know that we're coming
And we're nasty men
Don't need sleeping beauty
It's what you do to me
Come midnight and daybreak
Yes please gotta find me a name sake
We got faith, but don't need bibles
Take the michael, hit my recycle while I hold the title
Quite vital, we get high on the opposite of nytol

It was all to stay awake for the longest time
It was long, it was wrong
But it felt so right
See you at the finish line
See you at the finish line
If you got the heart to join us
If we don't kill ourselves we'll be the leaders of a messed-up generation
If we don't kid ourselves will they believe us if we tell them the reasons
Why
Do we take it too far, take it too far?
Did we chase the rabbit into wonderland?
Lose a hundred grand, will they understand
It was all to stay awake for the longest?

March on, always after us
Lost troops, half the class of us
You man aint seen the last of us
Stick around, yeah like elastoplast
Not half mast, raise our flag, kick the sand to let you know that we're coming
And we're nasty man
Don't need sleeping beauty
No, it's what you do to me
Come midnight and daybreak
Yes please gotta find me a name sake
We got faith, don't need bibles
Take the Michael, hit my recycle while I hold the title
Quite vital, we get high on the opposite of nytol

We just grow, if it's late
Then we'll show, we don't wait
We just grow, if you hate
We don't show, we don't wait
We just grow, if it's late
Then we'll show, we don't wait
We just grow

If we don't kill ourselves we'll be the leaders of a messed-up generation
If we don't kill ourselves will they believe us if we tell them the reasons why?
Did we take it too far, take it too far?
Did we chase the rabbit into wonderland?
Lose a hundred grand, will they understand
It was all to stay awake for the longest?

Head and Feet of Sheep - from 'Arab World Cook Book'

2011-10-25T10:36:00.001+01:00

Take:
Head of one sheep and 8 feet
6 oz laban strained in a sack for 45 minutes
2 tbs salt
5 cloves garlic
1 1/2 oz butter
1 lb toasted Arab bread
1 1/2 oz pine nuts (snobar)
dried mint and red pepper for garnishing

Prepare and cook head and feet.

Mash garlic with salt and mix it with the laban and add dry mint. Ten minutes before it is time to serve, remove meat from the head and feet. Crumble the toasted bread and spread it in a deep, wide platter or tray and sprinkle it with some of the broth in which head was cooked. Cover it with the meat from the head and feet. Pour the laban mixture over it and sprinkle more dry mint and red pepper. Pine nuts which had been roasted in melted butter may be added as the last touch.

The Famous Shawirmah - from 'Arab World Cook Book'

2011-10-25T10:28:00.001+01:00

Take about 44 lbs of veal, cut from the leg of a young beef which was butchered 2 days earlier.

Slice meat into round, thin slices about 7 inches in diameter and about 1 inch thick. Cut pieces of fat the same size and thickness as the lean meat.

Marinate the meat in mixture of the following ingredients:

1 tbs cardomom seed
1 tbs mastic
1 1/2 tbs cinnamon
1 tbs nutmeg
1 tbs white pepper
1/2 tbs black pepper
1 lb red onions
5 bay leaves
2 oz garlic
1 qt lemon
1 pt olive oil
2 pts vinegar, good quality
1 tbs cloves
1 1/2 lbs salt

Soak cardamom seed for 6 hours, then grind it fine with its skin. Add 1 tbs salt to the mastic and pound together until very fine. Chop onions fine.

Take part of the spices, salt and pepper and rub into the meat and fat. Place meat in a glass or earthenware container and marinate in a mixture of the above ingredients with onions. Soak for 24 hours keeping it in a refrigerator the temperature of which is 5 degrees centigrade, above zero. Stir the meat from time to time.

As the end of 24 hours, take out of refrigerator and keep at room temperature for 2 hours. All ingredients must warm up to room temperature.

Stick the meat on long skewers or place on a revolving rotisserie. If out skewers, they must be the kind that turns automatically and constantly while the meat is broiling. In sticking the meat on skewers, put one piece of fat between four pieces of lean meat. The skewer must be perpendicular to the fire and very near to it. This could be a hot charcoal fire or strong electric or gas fire. Place it so that the meat is facing the fire.

Have a sharp knife ready and cut the edges of the meat as it broils. Serve it unwrapped in loaves of Arab bread on plates. Sprinkle over it some of its drippings which has gathered in the tray in which the revolving skewer is anchored.

My Travels in Arabia Deserta 1974 and other Miscellany

My Vintage Past

Place of Birth; Jeddah Saudi Arabia

Selling my Past

Simple Pleasures

Prime Ministers and Presidents - Boris and Donald

I-I-I-I-I-I-I m-make buses, out of wine crates!

Meet our new Prime Minister#Boris Johnson

Chris Moyles shared his hot tub... I thought he looked lonely!

A Life in Pictures

It Could Always be Worse?

It Could Always be Worse!

A Big Quiet House

Do you have a special keepsake you can’t bear to throw away?

Always the bridesmaid?

Sometimes a bridesmaid...

...and once a bride.

Taxi Company

Mmm Tasty

Lemon Meringue without the Pie

Toasty!

Vegetable Curry

Spicy Mexican Eggs - (huevos rancheros)

#BreakfastWeek

21st Birthday Photo - Vintage Fashion

BEFORE

AFTER

Win 1 of 8 trips to see the Wonders of the World

http://www.onthegotours.com/

So many good images from around the world but here's my attempt:

http://www.onthegotours.com/feelgood/entry/Hot-1440078400

The Great Grocery Cart in the Sky

ALDI DAIRYFINE CURIOUS INVENTIONS POPPING CANDY BAR

SAUCE!

SOUP...ER

...and similarly

M&S Horseradish Sauce

To blog or not to blog...? That is the question.

Ariadne at mydoodle.com

Travel v tourism

Favourite lyrics of 2011

Head and Feet of Sheep - from 'Arab World Cook Book'

The Famous Shawirmah - from 'Arab World Cook Book'

Meet our new Prime Minister
#Boris Johnson