In this weekly blog episode: Running plan complete. The Northern Lights. A pyramid in the UK. Eating out in Cheltenham and Gloucester. Viennese Whirls. The Secrets of Flowers.
Good morning and thanks for coming to Splodz Blogz to read my latest weekly blog episode. These posts are all about life in between my day job and outdoor adventures, and that is very true of this one – I have lots of random thoughts to share with you today.
I’m starting to write it sat on my hotel bed in London, taking a break from the hustle and bustle for an hour or so. As usual when we’re on holiday, we’ve been doing our best to cram in as much as possible (we’re not very good at stopping…); while I’m starting this now, I will almost certainly have to finish it at home. So far, we’ve seen Les Miserables at the Sondheim Theatre, have been on a London Walk, have visited Battersea Power Station and Tate Modern, and have eaten a lot of food. We’ve been talking about trying to get last minute cheap tickets to see Back to the Future tomorrow evening, but rather than heading to TKTS in Leicester Square in person, we’re going to give the TodayTix app a go. I’ll let you know!
While I will be safely home by the time this is published (and as it happens, it took me a whole week to finish drafting this one), I’m not going to mention London any more in this weekly blog episode – you’ll need to come back next week for that story. Instead, this one will be a slightly disparate collection of random thoughts.
Snippets from My Week
Last weekend was all about having a bit of a catch up and reset. You know, some dedicated time spent cleaning, tidying and sorting the house, the computer, and my head. It was very much needed. As I said in weekly blog episode 164 about autumn being a better new year than January in some ways, there is something so satisfying about making things around me neat and organised. Not that I sorted everything out, but it was a useful list-ticking couple of days.
It was also a most excellent week for food in this house (if I do say so myself). I’ve definitely embraced autumn in the kitchen, cooking meals that are best served in bowls! This Somerset stew (I did the version without sausages) was a really tasty and hearty bowl of food, although it would have been even better with a chopped apple in it. The butterbean and chorizo stew I tried next was the perfect accompaniment to a few slices of bread from the local bakery.
I don’t mind admitting I cheated with my lasagne this time, using a shop-bought sauce for my veg-heavy ragu instead of making my own. I would highly recommend the new Heinz lasagne sauces when you want some help in the kitchen; compare the ingredients list with the popular Dolmio versions when you get chance and you won’t buy the latter again. Oh, and I didn’t serve the lasagne in bowls!
Aurora in the UK
I’ve dreamed of seeing the Northern Lights forever, doing so was on my original bucket list when I first wrote one. And now I’ve seen them twice in the same year here at home in the UK. I was in Cumbria when they appeared in May, and last week saw them from my own back garden here in Gloucestershire.
To begin with, the display was nowhere near as impressive as last time. We’d heard reports that the aurora was on show, so went for a walk around the block to see what was visible a short distance away from the streetlights of the estate. And while it was definitely there, it was just the feintest bit of natural green – a sighting for sure, but not a patch on what we saw in May.
About an hour later the aurora returned – and this time was an absolutely stunning bright pink. Easily visible to the naked eye, lighting up the sky in technicolour. We didn’t go for another walk, but enjoyed the sight from home.
I know others who saw it even brighter still just after midnight, from all kinds of rural locations (people had made a real effort to go hiking and even wild camping to give themselves the best chance). It’s no surprise I was safely tucked up in bed by then, though.
I still hope to one day see the Northern Lights in Iceland or north Norway, because I think watching them in the Arctic Circle would be another level of special. But seeing them from home in the UK is more than a little cool.
I Need a New Running Plan!
I did it! Last week I completed the 12-week beginner’s running plan I have been following on the adidas running app since July. The final run of the programme was a non-stop 6km, and I did that in just under 41 minutes. Not far, not fast, but I can’t help but feel a sense of accomplishment. I began this journey to rebuild some fitness after my back injury (and previous laziness…), and completing it feels like I kept a promise to myself.
When I set up the programme in the app (see my recent Dorset article), I chose to commit to just two runs per week. It might not sound like loads, but this was a realistic pledge and it allowed me to balance the plan with my other commitments. I did not miss a single pair of runs across the entire three-month period – I changed run days many times but never missed a week. It also meant I would be very gradually improving my fitness to avoid causing any further back issues.
Looking ahead, I am excited to continue this fitness journey through autumn and winter. I aim to maintain a couple of 40-ish minute runs each week, preferably on trails when I can. As a peri-menopausal woman, I’m very aware of the importance of incorporating other training, including weights, into my routine. However, I took a mindful approach here, focusing first on building a solid foundation to prevent any setbacks. And I am certain this was an important factor in me actually achieving what I set out to do.
While I can’t say I love running yet, I certainly feel the benefits. The results are clear – not only do I feel fitter, but I know that hiking – and life – will be even more enjoyable thanks to this work.
A Pyramid in the UK?!
Did you know there is a stone pyramid in the UK? I didn’t until this week, and thought it was worth sharing – might make a nice One Hour Outside mini adventure if you are close by.
You’ll find it in the churchyard of St Thomas a Becket Church in Brightling, East Sussex. It was built in 1811 by John Mad Jack Fuller, a wealthy landowner and eccentric philanthropist. And it’s not small… the pyramid stands 25 feet (7.62 meters) high.
The story goes that Fuller had a penchant for building follies, and the pyramid is one of his most famous creations. That’s right, it’s not alone – there are other weird follies in Brightling! But this one is his tomb; inside the pyramid, there’s a brick-built beehive-shaped chamber where Fuller is buried. Legend had it that he was entombed in full dress and seated at a table with a roast chicken and wine, but that has (thankfully) been debunked!!
The pyramid is now part of a trail around Brightling Park (a large privately owned park with some public access…) that includes a bunch of other follies built by Fuller. There’s a route on OS Maps here, and heaps of information on the Brightling Park website.
It turns out there are a few more pyramids in the UK. Besides Brightling Park, for example, there’s one at Blickling Park, and a massive one on the Balmoral Estate in Aberdeenshire. It’s fascinating how these structures exist in unexpected places, isn’t it? Have you visited any of these pyramids, or are you planning to?
Eating Out
Eating good food is one of the ways I like to spend my time (and money). While I’ve in-part dedicated this year to cooking nutritious meals at home, I really do relish eating out. Here’s a taste (pun intended) of three local spots I’ve enjoyed very recently.
Habibah Cafe, Cheltenham
First up is Habibah Cafe in Cheltenham, where I had a pleasant lunch with my team from work a couple of weeks ago. This small Arabic café serving fresh food such as flatbreads and falafel has a warm, welcoming atmosphere.
I had the small pita with falafel and all the salads, which cost me £8. It was delicious! The pita was fresh and warm and was filled with colour and spice. The portion size was just right for lunch, and I felt it was decent value for money.
Habibah Cafe is a fantastic spot for a quick, satisfying lunch, and I can see why people become regulars here. I’ll definitely be returning soon.
Hickory’s Smokehouse, Gloucester
I’ve visited Hickory’s Smokehouse in Gloucester three times now, which I think means I must like it! I’ve missed having a local smokehouse since Lincoln’s fantastic Ribs n Bibs closed down (way back in 2018, by which time Damons up the road was not as good), and despite it being a chain, Hickory’s manages to deliver great food and service.
So far, I’ve tried the pulled pork and beans, the hickory smoked ribs (with bourbon glaze), and most recently, the brisket with bourbon gravy – and all have been very good. And I think I am now a little bit addicted to frozen custard. The restaurant in Gloucester hasn’t been open long, and it’s been super busy every time we’ve been. This speaks to its popularity, but it can make for a noisy dining experience. The quality of the food, however, more than makes up for it.
It’s not the cheapest place to eat, but the price seems to be about right for what is served up. And I already know what I’m going to try on our next visit…
The Find, Cheltenham
We chose The Find in Cheltenham for brunch before catching our bus to London last week. The large café has a cozy, welcoming atmosphere and a large breakfast, brunch and lunch menu made with locally sourced ingredients.
The food was delicious, as always. I opted for the chorizo hash with poached eggs, and because it was still breakfast time, my tea was included. I mean, they clearly know how to make me happy! I’ve had a number of the brunch dishes here and have always been happy with my choice. Although I’ve never had cake yet, there has just never been the right opportunity.
The speed of the service at The Find is quite, well, relaxed, so it’s not somewhere to go if you are in a rush. But it is worth making the time to eat here next time you’re in Cheltenham town centre.
That’s Entertainment
Television: The Great British Bake-off – and Homemade Viennese Whirls
The current series of the Great British Bake Off has only aired four episodes so far, but it’s already proving to be a classic. As always, it’s a mix of baking and drama; I mean, what happened in week two with contestants leaving, feinting and falling off chairs?! I guess it adds unexpected twists to the competition!
I am really enjoying how good the bakers are; there have been some truly impressive creations. In episode 160 I mentioned how frustrated I was with the last Sewing Bee that the producers seemed to want the contestants to fail by giving them too little time for any of the tasks. While things clearly don’t always go to plan on Bake-off, at least they provide a good length of time to get things completed.
If you watch Bake-off, do you make sure it is accompanied with some baked goods of your own? Last week my husband was inspired by the technical challenge and attempted his first ever Viennese Whirls (this is the recipe he followed). Just look at them (above)! They were as delicious as they look. I rather hope he’ll be similarly moved by future episodes of the show, too!
Audiobook: The Secrets of Flowers, Sally Page
The Secrets of Flowers by Sally Page is a beautifully woven tale of grief, discovery, and the surprising ways our lives are interconnected across time. The story follows Emma, who, a year after her husband’s death, finds solace and purpose in uncovering the mystery of the flowers on the Titanic. Page blends historical fiction with contemporary themes, creating a narrative that is both poignant and uplifting.
While I enjoyed the story, I didn’t find the Audible narration to be the best. The narrator’s delivery lacked the vibrancy and emotional depth that the story deserves, making it a bit dull compared to other audiobooks like Rewitched (see my recent Currently Loving for more on that one). I guess this is the problem with audiobooks over actual books, but it’s a price I pay for hearing being my preferred sense to use for consuming fiction.
Despite the narration, the strength of Page’s storytelling shines through, and I do recommend this latest book from Sally Page.
Your One Hour Outside Challenge
In case you missed it, at the weekend I started to promote my annual One Hour Outside Challenge for November 2024. The idea is that I – and you – spend at least one hour outside each day every day for one month. We all know getting outside is good for us, but sometimes it takes a set challenge to actually make sure we do it, especially during the short and dark days of November. Are you in? Find out more in this article, and let me know in the comments below.
See You Next Time…
I did say this was going to be a disparate collection of thoughts, and that it has certainly been. Next week my weekly blog episode will be dedicated to the long weekend I spent in London. Spoiler alert… we did indeed get last minute Back to the Future tickets, and had a great time – I’ll tell you more next week.
See you next time.
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