Oh Really?

We had a 4-days weekend last week. And as if that is not enough, it will be repeated this coming week.  Hopefully the good weather will be as good as it was too though the temperature dropped from 28 Degrees on Friday down to 16 degrees on Monday. 

We went to Stratford-upon-Avon for a day trip  - just to stroll by the River Avon - too bad - we forgotten to charge out batteries, so no photos. The children ran around happily like wild bunnies.  People everywhere - sun bathing, boating, river cruising - everyone sharing the warmth of early Summer - by right it is only Spring.  But we didn't stay that long.  It is very hot and after strolling along one side of the River, we decided to find somewhere shady to pray and to have lunch.  Over here, basically, whenever we were out, we will just pray anywhere - anywhere as in, under the trees, somewhere in the parking area (grassy area preferably) or any space under the stairs - as long as it is clean, no problem.  Compass pointing the Qiblat is very easy to carry - no problem at all  - praying mat? OK if we remember to bring it along. If not? No problem - the field will do. Or perhaps our outer jacket - Oh C'mon! 

Anyway, sorry for having diverted from what I was planning to share.  I had quite a long conversation with  my Sister last Sunday.  Among the many topics, we were talking about rice.  I was telling her that before I left Malaysia (or Bolehland, borrowing the term from DrSam of Archive of Time), the price of a 10kg AA was around RM30. And I was quite shocked when she said it is RM41 now.  Wow! And the so-called healthy rice is at RM6 per kg? Oh Dear! What is happening really?  So when I told her the price of rice over here, she was saying, "You are better off there, really."  You see, currently the price of basmati rice is at £5 per sack of 5kg. And if you purchase 3 sacks, the price is £10 - it is 3 for 2.  And believe me, rice is among the items that are always on sale.  I am not quite sure why  -  as the staple food of this country is not rice.  Is it to keep the stock moving? Or is it because rice is considered perishable?  Perhaps you can tell me - But whatever the reason is, it is quite comforting as we are among the minority household who eats rice quite regularly - Well, we always purchase a 10kg rice on a monthly supply.

Now, when I am thinking back about the price of rice in Bolehland - it is quite disturbing isn't it? For whatever sake it is, Rice is a staple food.  Why is the price going upwards and not down? Something wrong with the distribution line? Though only 45% of the Bolehland's rice is supplied domestically, it still does not seem right. What quality of life can be enjoyed by those with lower income bracket if they are struggling to purchase their staple? Forget chicken, fish, etc,... If I tell you that we can get 3 baby chickens for £5 here and a kg of chicken wings for £1.99, will you believe me?  You have to because it is true.

Anyway, if the price of rice is so high, what is the price of Nasi Lemak now? I can only imagine....! Oh Dear!

A Day in Portsmouth

It has been quite some time before we went for our so-called Day Out. When we were in Dundee, we always went for a short trip every week - not necessarily far but just to enjoy the countryside, looking for farm shops or looking for the best Fish n Chips (so far, the best is still Marco in Arbroath!) or just having some picnic by the beach (our favourite is Stonehaven and to some extend St. Andrews) or in the woods (the Hermitage for example).

Anyway, Luton is not within easy reach of the beach, such, the request for a day at the beach by the children resulted in us contemplating whether to go to Brighton or Portsmouth.  Since we have been to Brighton, the decision was soon made.

And of course our first destination is the beach front :

At last! After nearly 8 months, we finally get to the beach!

Happy Faces :-D

A hovercraft landing

No! This is not a Mascot

Oh Dear! A nice car (Lotus Elan?) But so so well-fitting pants!

Merry-go-round

Father-Daughter Team

The famous landmark of Portsmouth

The Tower

The Tower from the back

Well, of course when you reached Spinnaker Tower, you just have to check out the Gunwharf Quays - in it?

A Day Out Part 1

Well, it has been quite some time now before I update my blog. Well, if anything it is my dissertation which is at fault (???). Anyway, since my husband took leave from his part-time job last Saturday, we managed a family day out. Our destination? Aberdeen.

Based on our earlier trip to Stonehaven we followed the Angus Coastal Route to Aberdeen. However, we made a number of detours. We thought of stopping at Stonehaven for lunch. But first, since we dropped by at the town of Montrose we decided to go strawberry picking at Charleton Fruit Farm before continuing our journey. Some photos to share. Enjoy! :-D

Though it is still quite early, the parking area is nearly full. We made our way to the farm shop, picked our baskets and off to the strawberry area.

A pretty start

Getting there...

Three Farm workers who rather spend the morning sleeping!

The Happy Pickers - Satisfied with the harvest!!!

Farmers Beware!!!

A basketful of strawberries

Now, to the raspberry patch

A depressed Barley farmer

Drunk in the barley field???

Beautiful isn't it?

Closer look - That's barley for you

The National Flower of Scotland - Purple Thistle

Have to stop here. Hopefully I can continue with the next part soon. Cheers! :-D

Sunday Short Trip to Stonehaven

I am in the middle of completing my dissertation. But, I need to "let my hair hangs down" as well. Such, yesterday my husband took us to Stonehaven about 56 miles away in Aberdeenshire.  It is a small town along Route 19 - the Angus Coastal Tourist route.

We started our journey quite late - at 12.00. Actually, Sunday is our Car boot day but you see, now that my two elder children are not around, it feels quite awkward to continue with the routine - almost painful if I were to be truthful.

So, once we decided to go, we quickly packed our lunch and off we go.  Stonehaven is a small coastal town. But I supposed it is one of the more picturesque places in Scotland. Well, maybe you can be the judge of that. Here are some photos of Stonehaven.

Not that many people on the beach yesterday. 

Seagulls - I've never seen quite as many "swimming" - perhaps enjoying some snacks

The Town Centre

The Harbour

Aqil - Ah! We managed to stop him before he jump!

Our Trip to Durham County Part 2

Guess it is time for me to continue with the story on our trip to Durham County last Easter hols. Our SatNav which is not of the later model old made our way not as straightforward. A journey which should take us around 4 hours turned out to be nearly 6. But, as it goes, there is always the brighter side when anything happened not according to plan. For us, it is the breathtaking view of the North Pennines. MasyaAllah.... that is all I can say. Looking at such beauty and serenity made me feel so small and humble. I kept on whispering Alhamdulillah and Subhanallah thanking the Al-Mighty for everything that He Blessed me with - of life, of a wonderful and loving family and I pray that He will never make me forget my humble beginning and most importantly never let me stray away from His embrace. Too mesmerized was I that I forgot to take any shot!

Rookhope is a beautiful village about 40 minutes away from Durham City. With miles and miles of farms and hills, farmhouses dotted along the way. And since it is already spring, there're newborn lambs lying beside their mums, some still wobbly, trying to get up and fall almost as soon, horses happily nibbling away. How I wish I could capture them all and share it with all of you. We kept imagining how beautiful Rookhope will be come summer.

Rookhope Burn Cottage is reached through a little wooden bridge under which flows a river. Such idyllic. And the cottage itself is extremely clean. Though it is situated in a rural setting, it has all the modern convenience expected for comfortable living.  The thoughtful caretaker even have some good books (by John Grisham and a few others which I have forgotten by now! Sorry) and a few games (dominoes and hoopla) to keep the children entertained!


Anyway, on the first day of our stay, we went to Shildon to visit the National Railway Museum. And what fun we have there.

Aqil looking at the whole plan of the Museum

Steam Engine Anyone?

Building 2 where we learn a lot about the history of railway at Shildon and Timothy Hackworth, the man behind it all 

We were all excited with this display! Keruing from Malaysia

Wondering what they were doing?

They were trying to assemble their own engine! Mia with the Work-in-Progress

In front of the goods wagon

Aqil feeling heavenly in front of the models from Thomas the Tank Engine. He loves Thomas & Friends!

Below are a few models of engine from earlier

Douglas or Donald with Emily?

Emily & Henry?

Mia concentrating painting her mug

Hakim designing his

Aqil was painting his mug when he lost interest and Danish had to come for rescue!

Well, we did have a real good time at Shildon. The children enjoyed it so. Next, our visit to the City of Durham. Till then :-D 

Our Trip to Durham County Part 1

Back in Malaysia I was never a fan of ebay. I was very sceptical about it. I felt very insecure dealing with something E-lectronic like ebay. And I listened without any comment whenever any of my friends told me they bought this and that at a fraction of the cost at ebay.  But now, I am quite comfortable with it. And I couldn't believe my luck when I won a bid for a 5D4N stay at a cottage in Rookhope - really, for a fraction of the normal price! Unbelievable that I emailed the Seller twice for confirmation!

Rookhope Burn Cottage where we stayed at

So, last Monday we started our journey to Rookhope - a beautiful village in the Weardale Valley. As we make our way through the North Pennines way through Middleton-in-Teesdale, we were met by beautiful, beautiful views - of mountains, terrains, farms and miles and miles of them. And the weather is matching the scenery. Opps, sorry - but as was put in by Prof Haslam, you can't avoid talking about the weather when you are in the UK! You see, it is truly a blessing when you have a good weather here.

It is farm after farm around here

Anyway, since I have to get ready to go to my group discussion, I will leave with some pictures taken along our way to Rookhope. Perhaps, if I am not back that late and not too tired tonight I will continue with the next part of our trip. Study I must!

I just love the clouds in the sky

After miles and miles alone on the road, we started thinking f our SatNav is all right!

Finally! I am taking this kind of picture. It may not be much but I like this type of scenery :-D

And this one too!

Well, see ya!!! :-D