That Was The Year That Was

I suspect there will be many blogs written today, pontificating on the highs, lows and likely more lows of 2020. So why not jump on the bandwagon!

If I am honest, I’ve enjoyed 2020. I haven’t been able to save any money – what I didn’t spend on going out or tickets for gigs, I spent on online shopping. But that was my coping mechanism, and I don’t regret that. I managed to legally avoid various quarantine rules, tiers and god knows what else and had two fabulous holidays – one in August to Crete with my youngest kids and one to Rhodes in September with 2 girly pals. Both hugely enjoyable and I consider myself lucky (and perhaps a bit daring – a lot of people cancelled due to the “unknown”). I’m already planning my holidays for 2021 and very much looking forward to them.

Lockdown 1.0 brought the inception of Zoom and online quizzes. The Lockdown Diva’s quiz group was created and helped my sanity – thanks to Ian, Joe, Laura, Sam, Steve & Taylor for many laughs during those particularly shit months. Lockdown also saw me depart Facebook for a couple of months and to be honest, I’m moving more and more away, largely because people love a good news story or a picture of a cat, but avoid any form of intellectual engagement or discussion on a topic that might be controversial (vis a vis Covid, vaccine, tiering etc etc). The first lockdown also showed a level of human spirit that lifted and inspired me. People who made the effort to drop me a line, give me a call and even send flowers – all of which were gratefully received.

In August, my mother died. Not a massive surprise, and no, it wasn’t Covid. I didn’t make a big social media song and dance because frankly, it would either have been hypocritical or would have upset my family. I wasn’t sure how I’d feel (I cried on the day and haven’t since), wasn’t sure I would go to the funeral (I did, but didn’t get closure) and tbh, I really now don’t feel any different, but I’m certainly not grieving. I feel for my sister, my nieces and nephews but that’s about it.

Lockdown 2.0 was a fucking waste of time. More shops open than closed and the definition of essential shops seemed to get looser and looser. Don’t even get me started on the Tier system. Supermarkets with hundreds packed in, social distancing non-existent and people touching stuff and putting it down again – OPEN. Restaurants which have always required strict health regulations, enforced wearing of masks when not sitting and tables socially distanced – CLOSED. What the fuck.

Christmas has been lovely with my children and granddaughter. Birthday was a blur of many bottles of fizz. Planning on further birthday celebrations in July next year, well, hopefully! New Year’s Eve will be the same as in recent years, at home, with my kids, watching Jools Holland’s Hootenanny. Perfect.

2021 won’t see any major changes in the short term – sorry for those of you thinking the world will change on January 1st 2021. But every new year, new month, new week, new day is a chance for change and a chance to see something new. 2020 has taught me to appreciate friends, family and love. Don’t look back in anger. Look back and learn.

The Lockdown Divas

Crete with the kids

Rhodes with the girls!

Istanbul not Constantinople

This past weekend, my lovely chum Lanny & I flew out to Istanbul for a long overdue escape from kids, work and general shenanigans!! Of course, I could do a jolly sensible travellers blog about the visit but instead, I thought it would be more fun to do some top tens. So here they are!

Things we learnt about Istanbul…..

1. It’s hilly.
2. The cab drivers are lunatics.
3. The shopkeepers are “persistent”.
4. All the women appear to have disappeared.
5. Vegetarians live on a diet of cheese & aubergines.
6. Wine is ridiculously expensive.
7. They have prayer calls over very loud speakers at 530am.
8. There are a LOT of cats.
9. They sell pomegranate juice. Gallons of the stuff.
10. They’re due a major earthquake……

Things I learnt about Lanny…..

1. She’s slightly dyslexic – Lanny: “Oh look, we’re in the Faith district!” Lorna: “No Lanny, It’s Fatih” Lanny: “Oh yes…..”
2. She’s paranoid about dying under the wheels of a tram;
3. She can’t put on eyeliner;
4. Her perfume smells of strawberries;
5. She likes an afternoon nap:
6. She drinks beer in bed;
7. She attracts 60yo ugly Turkish men;
8. She drinks beer anywhere;
9. She has absolutely no sense of direction;
10. She’s great fun!

Things Lanny learnt about me…..

1. I look like a German (think it was the short hair and excessive height);
2. I fart. A lot. (See 4);
3. I take a lotta photos, largely involving pouting in touristy hotspots;
4. I eat a BIG breakfast;
5. I belch. A lot. (See 4);
6. I’m obsessed with Turkish coffee;
7. I really don’t like beer (after SEVERAL reminders…..);
8. I wear a fez well;
9. I’m a little paranoid about earthquakes (paranoid = OCD = an hour online researching the next major quake prediction in Turkey);
10. I’m not pregnant – contrary to the opinion of the nice staff at Turkish Airlines .

And two serious notes – if you visit, we stayed at the Rose Garden Hotel – Highly recommended:

http://www.rosegardenistanbul.com/

And for a special night out – great food and amazing views, Topaz Restaurant – try the tasting menu:

http://www.topazistanbul.com/index_eng.asp

Eat, Drink & Be Merry

It has been brought to my attention on several occasions that I quite like food. Plus the occasional drink. Which could be the reason why my formative waif like stature of my early 20’s has long since been replaced by this more, cuddly version of me! However, having been fortunate enough to dine in some rather lovely places, I thought it might be an idea to offer up some thoughts and recommendations on my favourite places to eat & drink around London town. Where I can, I have either linked to the respective website or Twitter account, or both!

These are purely personal recommendations based on my own experiences and I’m not (alas!) being paid anything to promote these establishments (NOTE: If any of the following establishments wish to reward me handsomely by offering free drinks, food etc, then I’m by no means proud. Go ahead!).

The Mug House, London Bridge – Top of my current favourites in London is the lovely Mug House. Little difficult to find as it’s literally under London Bridge itself, but my word, when you do find it, what a little gem. It manages to avoid the usual city rabble and it’s refined, a fabulous wine list and they do food too (which I have yet to sample fully!). The staff offer excellent service and are very friendly. The location offers the added bonus of being totally underground so no disturbances with phones constantly going off, as there is absolutely no phone signal! They do offer free wireless tho, so never completely out of touch. Oh and a special mention to the very smartly dressed & rather attractive male bartender here! They are on Twitter as @themughouse & have just started opening on a Sunday. They have also said that if you fancy visiting them on a Sunday, they can offer some 25% discount vouchers to anyone who comments on this blog post!

Cuba Liba, Islington – Recently discovered as a result of working in Angel are a couple of bars & pubs in the area. Best I have found so far is Cuba Libre is a Tapas & cocktail bar on the way up past the Design Centre in Islington. Mojito’s are probably some of the best I have tasted and the Tapas is pretty good too. Most nights are two cocktails for £9, get down there!

@TheRoyalAlbert / @JamCircus / The Orchard, Brockley – I live in Brockley where I am fortunate enough to have 3 local drinking and eating establishments, each of excellent quality. The Royal Albert is a traditional pub and is about a mile down the road on the Deptford borders but has an excellent ale list and a fantastic chef. The staff there are friendly (ask the nice barman about the time he broke his glasses and lost his phone, he’ll thank you for it). Jam Circus is owned by the same company and in the heart of Brockley, opposite Crofton Park station and near the rather amazing Rivoli Ballroom. Again, great staff & food, plus they experiment a little with cocktails! Finally, is The Orchard near Brockley station on Harefield Road. Gets very busy, so be sure to book a table if you want to eat and keep a look out for the handsome tall young man behind the bar who seems to have a penchant for blue tshirts.
Food, glorious food!

Imli, Wardour St – I discovered @imlisoho a few years ago when I was asked to book a Christmas Dinner at the last minute and they had only just opened, so were one of the few places with availability! So very glad I went there as I have been back regularly ever since. Imli is an Indian Tapas bar offering traditional Indian Cuisine under the guise of a less traditional tapas format. The food is fantastic with some really interesting dishes & the service is excellent. Their set menu is amazing value for money plus they regularly do special offers. Definitely worth a try.

Oxo Tower Brasserie, Near Waterloo – I’ve been going to the @Oxo_Tower for a few years and it just seems to get better and better. Food, service and ambience is great. Plus for views over London on a clear, Summer’s night, you really can’t beat it. They recently revamped their bar and do some amazing cocktails. Plus, they will also be hosting the Pink Buddies Lunch on Friday 30th September to raise money for Breast Cancer Haven! If you want to spend a little more, then the Oxo Tower Restaurant is right next door and every bit as amazing as the brasserie but a slightly more formal atmosphere. Highly recommended.

The Square, Bruton Street – To finish, somewhere that I wish I could eat in every week. The Square. Truly a foodie heaven and the winner of 2 Michelin stars. The food is out of this world and they have a wine list that is actually something of a bible. The service is, as you would imagine, impeccable. It’s not in the slightest bit snooty, and the staff are incredibly helpful, especially if you have never been to a high-end restaurant before. However, the one big reason I love it here is their “cheeseboard”. This isn’t any cheese board, this is the cheese board to end ALL cheese boards. Practically a table full of the stuff. Every variety you can imagine. You. Must. Go!

That’s it for now. My first foray into the world of food & drink critique. Hopefully something for everyone and if you do take up on one of my recommendations, then let me know what you think. Might even go mad and do another review at some point, perhaps even venture into the world of hotels!!!

Cheers & Bon Appetit!