Never complain,never explain and never ask questions. 25/09/2016

Is my motto. Good seven years ago now a new boy came to work in Ottolenghi, my favourite delicatessen in Noting Hill.The moment he spoke I knew he was from my homeland. I behaved towards him the way I had always behaved towards all other members of the staff. A month or so later a new boy came to work in the deli. I smiled, said good morning and made my order. The original boy said to the newcomer - be nice to this lady,she is one of our favourite customers,she is lovely, always smiles, says please and thank you. And for her age she is sexy. She is very chic,added the new boy. It took mammoth effort on my part not to let on that I understood and had to bite into my lips to prevent me from bursting out laughing.  The boys stayed for the summer months only,then they returned home to continue their University studies, so I was told by a co-worker. I hope the deli is as wonderful a place for the employees as it is for the customers. Once after I made my selection totalling well over £30, I realized I left my purse at home. No problem,said the lovely assistant,pay us when you come in the next time. And so I did. Now that is trust. My friends and family said it was because I give out trustworthiness, people feel I will not let them down. Now why am I reminiscing? When my husband was alive we used to have coffee there regularly. He would drink anything but I love my coffee hot and strong so would ask for extra two shots in my latte. The staff came and went but they all were told about the likes of the "regulars" so whenever my husband and I came in we were asked - the usual? And the usual it was. One of the servers was an Australian girl, a fair dincum type my husband took to instantly. It turned out she was from Sydney,Leucart ,where my husband as a young man, worked for four years. At the end of her two year work visa she returned home. This afternoon outside in the street I heard someone say to me - is it still extra hot with two shots? It was the lovely Ozzie,this time with a husband and about 5 year old boy. We both instantly recognized each other. She asked about Olly and was genuinely touched when I said he had passed away . Oh, the memories. And this is why I have been remembering Ottolenghi where the most wonderful cakes are served by the loveliest of people.

Home sweet home. 25/09/2016

However much food I leave out for the birds every time I go away,nothing seems enough. There is never a single seed left in the feeding bowl. So the very first thing I do when I return is feed the little blighters. And the big blighters,the squirrels,the pigeons and no doubt even the odd cat. And this time there weren't any feathers in the garden,so the ugly muggy didn't dine on any of the little hopalongs. The first thing I used to do on my every return was to water the plants. Now it is the second. There are always some pots that have dried out and I discard them with sorrow. But life is what it is. Something must die before something else begins to live. The weather has been glorious since Wednesday. With autumn upon us a kind of sadness descends on me now and then. It never lasts long. I love autumn. It is my favourite season. And for a good reason. The smell of burning leaves can win a fight with any Hermes perfume. And Hermes IS my favourite brand. Only today a lady [I detected a South African accent] told me in my local Waitrose that my perfume smelled wonderful and what the name of it was,her husband urged her to ask! It is green in colour and the name is-something, something du toit, I said. Good enough she said, I will find it. Typical me. I never pay attention to little details.

Schwechat, 21/09/2016

Is an airport near Vienna. It used to be my favourite airport,small,easy to navigate,immaculate toilets,excellent food and the coffee,the coffee! Combined with an apple strudel, it was worth flying through Schwechat just for that! And then,once Austria became a member of the EU,things began to change. It has grown big, bigger, massive. But not better. Still,there are things I love about the airport even now. The Austrian Airlines terminal has the most wonderful Versace shop,the buyer has an eye for the different,the exquisite. I have seen bags no other outlet has and have bought two there in as many years. Today in the British Airways terminal I noticed a VICTORIA SECRET section I haven't seen before and a cabin suitcase to die for. Was soooo tempted, but there is no way now I could get it home unless I check in the cabin case I am carrying with me and that is impossible now. FURLA has the most wonderful black and deep red crossover bag  and had it not been for the very awkward way it locked I would have bought it. But I do not do awkward. Food is not what it used to be at the airport and I avoid it. Coffee is just as disappointing. Had the most unexpected surprise on the REGIO BUS to the Schwechat airport from Bratislava,the capital of Slovakia, this morning - the free coffee served was EXCELLENT. EXCELLENT. And we even had a choice of two newspapers. Now that is what I call service. May it long continue. In about an hour I should be sitting inside the plane waiting for a take off and in about four hours I should be back  home. If things go according to plan.

The birthday celebration. 18/09/2016

The birthday cake made by my sister's daughter-in-law was beautiful. It was,for my benefit, a predominantly walnut cake. Walnuts,cheese and apples are my favourite ingredients,enhanced by seasonal fruit like blackberries,blueberries or cherries. In Notting Hill, just by the underground, PAUL had opened a branch four or so months ago. Their blueberry cake,brought in fresh daily, is divine. I also love their sandwiches made with cheese and salami. And the croissants,my downfall,are better than those in my local Marks & Sparks! My brother loved the three pairs of shoes I gave him as birthday presents,warm leather ones for the winter,suede for the autumn and Sketches sneakers for now. I was so sure all would fit him like a glove,that I had even impregnated them with a special protective spray,myself,just to be sure it will be done. The whole family were given gifts,too,of course. I took the advantage of my sister picking me up by car on her way to my brother's so took lots of things,all practical - clothes and items for the house.And a massive plant. My brother was very touched and quite tearful. He doesn't yet know that the nicest surprise is to come - I have had photos made from the birthday party and they all are now in an album he is going to get tomorrow, together with numerous photographs of the whole family. This has been the first and only big birthday celebration my brother has ever wanted and I doubt very much he will ever want to celebrate his birthday on such a large scale again. So we all have made the most of it. The weather was glorious as has been throughout my whole stay.

Is euthanasia mercy killing or just killing? 18/09/2016

A 17 year old terminally ill boy has become the first child in Belgium allowed to die by euthanasia. I cannot even begin to imagine the unbearable pain of a loving parent to watch a child die. To play God and decide who should live or who should die takes a special kind of character. Is the acceptance of the decision of a seventeen year old boy to be helped to take his own life an acceptance a step too far? A seventeen year old is not old enough to vote, not old enough to get married or become a parent,yet is old enough to decide whether he wants to live or to die.

There may never be my " final word" on the Eclipse. 05/09/2016

Why not,you may be eagerly asking,why can't this woman put the matter to sleep,hasn't she said enough already? Well, I have not yet been e-mailed the questionnaire by the Celebrity Cruises to give them my assessment of the cruise. And it is unlikely they will have the benefit of my opinion and thus of my wisdom now as they always want answers within 7 days after the end of a cruise so they should have written already. Have I changed my mind about anything I have written to date? No. Have done more homework on the company and am toying with the idea of flying to Dubai just before Christmas and spending the celebrations on one of the Royal Caribbean ships.The same mother company owns both the Celebrity ships and the Royal Caribbean ships. MSC also provide cruises in the area on their highly regarded Fantasia built in 2008 and apparently stunning,but I have never sailed on any MSC vessel and as I am familiar with the Royal Caribbean, having had my very first cruise on the Independence [which made me fall in love with cruising hook line an sinker], and the ship is my sister's absolute favourite,so have been thinking - better the devil you know... or is it? MSC offer a deal - 7 nights cruise, four nights in a five star hotel in Dubai and some sports outing,rugby,I think,in VIP seats,quite intriguing, but if ever I fly to Dubai I would love it to be on an Emirates plane to experience the exquisite luxury everybody in the know is talking about and I think with this package it will not be Emirates. I have not yet phoned to enquiry,just have looked up various possibilities on the internet. There is also a 35 nights cruise to the Caribbean and the USA on the Oceana in January and in February 2017. But one has to book early to get the right stateroom. Last year I wanted to travel in February but the lovely Oceana was chock a block. Still, the possibilities are endless. But if I go on a holiday I want it to be as hassle free as I can possibly make it.

The "vacation effect". 02/09/2016

A study of 94 healthy women aged between 30 and 60 by Harvard Medical School and the University of California, found,that a 6-day holiday break triggers genetic changes which boost the immune system,dampen stress and lower levels of proteins linked to dementia and depression. The "vacation effect" can last for a month. I could have told them that. I get itchy feet every month knowing a lovely cruise does me the world of good! Am hoping to go again in October but will not book anything until I get back from my visit to my brother, who is celebrating a milestone birthday on 10th September My brother never ever goes to any family gatherings, be it weddings, christenings, or birthday celebrations. He does not visit anyone [even though he is the kindest and most attentive host and his wife is a fabulous cook], and a trip to the nearest town from his small village is a torture for him. So when several months ago he announced himself at my sister's door,she almost fainted. He came to personally invite her to a birthday party and to ask what she would prefer - a suckling pig ,a goose or a duck. My sister in a state of shock said the pig would be lovely,thanks ever so. The pig it is going to be,said my brother. Earlier today I had purchased an airline ticket for Thursday the 8th,the whole of Friday will be spent picking up more presents and wrapping them up not only for my brother,but also for his wife, daughter and two grand-sons he adores. The daughter is divorced and lives with the parents for the time being. Am rather disappointed have left it too late to book a Christmas cruise to the Canaries on the Queen Victoria. There are only cabins without a balcony left and that is not for me. There are two things guaranteed to make my cruise a success - my own balcony and a table just to myself at meal-times. Last year the Christmas and the New Year on the Oceana were absolutely wonderful,but I wanted to alternate with the Q V. Maybe not being able to book a cruise on the Q V is a blessing in disguise. It is wonderful my destiny is not set in stone, it must have something super duper for me in store for December and January.