Boats. Golf. Picnics.

I've been spending the last couple of weeks travelling around the country and visiting various people, and because of this I've fallen a bit behind on the old bloggin'...but I'm back!

Now a lot of these trips have involved sitting around drinking wine and catching up, but occasionally we decided to actually do something with our day. Monday was one of these days, with a get-together in Warwick, with Callum, Julia and Lauren, some of my fave uni people. We were going to go to the castle, but on the way passed the park and swiftly changed our minds in favour of boats and mini golf...

We tried our hand at a spot of rowing first (I was definitely the best...), and recited poetry as we glided softly down the river, stopping for a picnic in view of the castle. (This is all a massive exaggeration, we were truly awful, at both the poetry and the rowing...). 

We quickly traded it in for mini golf, which I was equally awful at...

See that paving in the corner? That's the edge of the course. I went slightly off track...

I had no right to look this smug...

Callum of course won, followed by Lauren, both showing a surprising mini-golf talent. Shockingly, I didn't come last! The beautiful Julia did - but it was pretty close...

We decided to go back to the boats, this time to try our hand at canoeing. Me and Callum were pretty good. Lauren and Julia not so much. None of us wanted to risk our cameras/phones in something so easily cap-sizable, but we did manage to get this rather fetching photo in the totally unnecessary life-jackets...

Beautiful right? 

Anglesey

My mother's side of the family comes from Anglesey, and because of this I've been coming up here at least once a year to stay with my Granny (minus the years when I lived abroad). It used to be not-so-lovingly referred to as 'Grey Land', mainly because the experience was always tainted by long car journeys covered in dogs and luggage, followed by a week of vicious wind and rain. Anglesey is not famed for its weather. In the last couple of years however I've been going up by myself and it has been entirely different. This week especially has been a definite exception, especially weather-wise. People have even been braving the chilly Irish Sea...

Not me. I'm not ridiculous. I've just been taking lots of different pictures of it with my fancy new camera, and suddenly noticing how many abandoned boats there are around the Island. 

Borthwen Bay

I thought I'd take you on a little picture tour of my stay, and show off some of my fancy landscape shots. These were all taken around Borthwen Bay (I think, I'm pretty unsure on the names and where I end up on my walks...).

These flowers are everywhere on the headlands. 

I love these little houses overlooking the beach. A lot of them are for sale or are rented out for holidays. Be warned though, this is rare Anglesey weather...

 One of the things I love about Anglesey are the harsh landscapes. The coast is really rugged, and we used to spend hours when we were little scrambling over the rocks, coming back with grazed knees and treasures from the rock pools.

Another 'abandoned' ship, dragged up onto the cliff. Up close it's a lovely light blue.

On Friday I decided to venture up Snowdon (it was incidentally the hottest day EVER!), but my camera died half-way up (a lesson I really should have learnt by now). I know that sounds like an excuse, but I did, I promise! Here's the view from halfway though...

It was sunnier than it looks, and I came back a bit sun-burnt (another lesson I should have learnt), and very tired. Luckily I was greeted at the door with an enormous Pimms from my Granny. She knows me so well...

My favourite place I only discovered this visit. Maybe it's the sunshine, but it's a bit breathtaking. Mynachdy is part of the coastal walk, but you can also access it by parking up in Llanfairynghornwy (again, I think) and walking across a field to the cliffs.

You do get stared at by a lot of sheep. But it's worth it when you get to the beach...

This cove looked pretty enticing, and the explorer in me wanted to wade in to check it out, but a few steps in  I remembered how cold it is and how expensive my camera was, and decided to check it out from the cliffs instead. 

It was a pretty scary path up to here, especially with the wind blowing. Luckily the beach was deserted apart from a few kayaks, or there would have been a lot of people seeing up my dress as I scrambled up the hill. It was well worth it for the view though. I climbed to the highest point on the very edge, and could see all the way around the coast.

The walk back was a bit surreal, like an old western movie with the locals (sheep) staring menacingly at you as you pass by, and trees that look like this...

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There are parts of Anglesey though that are just beautiful, especially if you're willing to do some walking. If you're staying with my granny however, this is not a big ask. Being a typical welsh Granny, she bombards you with food from the moment you arrive (particularly cakes). The meals are huge, and having less than two helpings is strictly forbidden. It stems from looking after the boys who are out working on the farm all day (my Anglesey family are almost all farmers, and are built like a rugby team), but isn't ideal for the lazier girl. I find myself disappearing on walks just so I don't have to eat anything else for a few hours...

I've only a few days left here now before I head back down south. I've promised myself I'll start applying for jobs, instead of just spending hours looking at them. I'll leave you with one last photo though. This is the church at Church Bay. It looks out over the coast, and it's where a lot of family events have happened, including my parent's wedding and my sister's christening.

The Perfect Summer Martini(s)

This weekend has been so, so hot. I did have a beach trip planned, but had to cancel last minute to dog-sit these little cuties...

I didn't mind all that much... We've been on some nice long walks around Old Sarum and Stonehenge, coming back gasping for something cool and refreshing. Something like my Perfect Summer Martinis.They're delicious, fresh, and best of all can be whipped up in minutes, perfect for a summer barbecue or picnic. I made an Earl Grey Martini (inspired by my recent trip to Jamie's) and a Strawberry Basil Martini, but I'll give you some more ideas at the end.

The Earl Grey Martini

What you'll need:
For each Martini:

• 50 ml Gin 
• 25 ml (ish) Lemon Juice
• 25 ml (ish) Earl Grey Simple Syrup
• Cucumber
• Ice
• Something to shake it in...

To make the syrup:

Simple syrup, or Gomme is used in a hell of a lot of cocktails. Luckily, it's incredibly easy to make. Simply mix equal measures of caster sugar and water in a small pan, and heat until the sugar is completely dissolved. Then allow to cool before use. You can make it in larger quantities as it will keep for ages. Just pop it in a sealed bottle and chuck it in your drinks cupboard. 

To make the Earl Grey Syrup I used 1 cup of water, 1 cup of sugar and 4 teabags. Once the syrup is hot, pop in your teabags and leave to infuse for a few minutes. Then remove and allow the syrup to cool.

To make the cocktails:

Unfortunately my cocktail shaker is packed away somewhere amongst my uni possessions, and so I had to resort to the trusty jam-jar. It works just as well though (they're also great if you want to pre-prepare cocktails, as you can add all the ingredients except the ice and pop in the fridge/on the barbecue table and then people can add ice and shake as they want them. Great for a garden party...). 

1. Pop some ice in your cocktail shaker/jam jar, and add 50 ml of Gin 

2. Squeeze in some lemon 

3. Add your simple syrup and a few slices of cucumber (the cucumber adds a nice freshness), then shake it like a polaroid picture.

It's hard to get a good picture of that bit...

4. Strain into your Martini glass and garnish with a slice of lemon. 

Mmm. Tastes so British. I bet the Queen is tucking into one of these right now (She definitely reads my blog...). 

Some people suggest infusing the gin with the teabags for a while, but anyone who knows tea knows it's best infused in something boiling, and leaving it for too long will result in a really bitter drink. I gave it a go anyway, for experimentations sake and my way is definitely better. Just saying...

The Strawberry Basil Martini (Strawbasiltini?)

Ooh look at those colours...

What you'll need:

For each Martini:

• 50 ml Gin (or Vodka)
• A handful of Strawberries
• 5-6 Fresh Basil Leaves
• Dash of Simple Syrup
• Ice

I'm lucky enough to have lots of fresh herbs growing in my garden in these pretty boxes, but you can easily pick some up from the supermarket. 

1. Pop your strawberries, basil and syrup in a glass, and muddle (mash - think pestle and mortar action). Again my cocktail stuff is packed somewhere, so I just used the bottom of a juicer. Fancy right? Keep going until it's all slushed together. 

2. Add your gin

At this point you can leave it to infuse for a bit, or carry on if you want it now. I like to add in a tiny bit of lemon juice too, but just a tiny bit, but it's up to you...

3. Add ice, shake furiously and then strain into your glass. Garnish with a strawberry or some basil leaves. 

Delicious...

As I said, you can make this in tons of flavours. Here's a few more ideas that all follow a basic shake (with lots of ice) and strain method. 

The Strawberry Mint Martini

• Very similar to the Strawberry Basil, just but with fresh mint instead. Use 50 ml Vodka instead of Gin.

The English Garden Martini

This is one of my absolute favourites for an evening barbecue. This works best if you muddle the mint and lime like a Mojito first, but you can just squeeze and shake.  

• 50 ml Gin
• Squeeze of Lime
• 20ml Elderflower Cordial
• 5-6 mint leaves
• A few cucumber slices
• 25ml Pressed Apple Juice (not from concentrate)

The Lemon-grass and Ginger Martini

SO, SO DELICIOUS. And kind of healthy...as Martini's go..

• 50 ml Gin
• 12.5 ml Vermouth
• Chunk of Fresh Ginger Root (thumbnail size)
• Fresh Lemon-grass stem (chopped)
• 20 ml Honey, or Simple Syrup (honey works best)
• 20 ml Pressed apple juice

Muddle the ginger, lemongrass and honey. Add everything else, shake and strain. You can also use half an apple and muddle it with the first ingredients, if you're feeling super dedicated. 

Now, off to sunbathe. It's almost Martini time, right?

The Graduate(s)

WOOOO I GRADUATED!!!

After three long years, countless all-nighters (some of them for essays...) and an awful lot of reading it's finally over. I'd like to thank coffee, tequila and sparknotes...

Our graduation ceremonies were hosted on the rather lovely London Road campus, which is probably the best part of Reading. It's the oldest part of the campus, and as such looks like a real old-fashioned university, perfect for Pimms and strawberries on the lawn after a nerve-wracking ceremony (no one tripped on the stairs or lost their hat - I call that a victory).

 This is not my family. This is my lovely ex-housemate (sniff) Eleanor's, but I am awfully fond of them. We could only get two tickets for the ceremony, so I spent most of the day with my dad.

 My Dad is wonderful (even if he does tend to get a bit emotional at these kind of events - there is often a tear or two shed. Sorry Dad...) and he generously provided my dress. It's Karen Millen, in House of Fraser, and it's now on sale (isn't that always the way?). My brother and sister also turned up later for a photo or two, and a celebratory meal at Jamie's on the riverside. I love Jamie's. It's so simple, and so delicious, and the staff are always fantastic. And their Earl Grey Martini? Spectacular. I may have a stab at making it and post the recipe. It's the perfect summer cocktail.

 The day was filled with lots of sunshine, photos and emotional hugging of people we're not sure how we'll live without, like these folks.

Emotional hugs all round...

 That and feeling a bit smug...

 I arrived at uni unsure if it was what I wanted to do. I had the alternative option of running away to Zanzibar (I spent some of my gap year out there and made friends with some people who were setting up their own NGO, and was more than tempted to join them), and whilst I knew university was probably the better life choice, I definitely didn't want to come. This was a feeling that resurfaced a lot in my first and second years, and there were times when I was genuinely about to leave.  Let's face it, who wouldn't rather be here than Reading...

Pure heaven. In the end though I stuck it out, and I'm so glad I did. I have some of the most amazing friends, and have had the best time (despite the lack of beach bars - although I did work at Lola Lo for a while, that's essentially the same isn't it?). I have also, shockingly, learnt a lot. I really enjoyed my course, and had some fantastic lecturers. If it's something you're unsure about, I would bear this in mind; it's only 3 years. There's plenty of time afterwards to do everything else, and it's really worth going when you're young and will really get the whole experience (largely drinking...).

So what now? I still want to travel the world. I'd like to get a job in advertising or PR. I'd like a car, and a house, and a dog that can pull off a bow tie. Maybe not the car if I end up in London like I want to. I'd like a lot of things from the future.

But first, I'd like to sit around reminiscing just a little while longer...