One of my favourite things...

...about living on the edge of London, is the enjoyment I gain from an evening stroll by the river.

If I time it right, I'm in for a treat with one of Surbiton's glorious sunsets, enhanced by the serenity of the swans sailing by.

Even if the day has seen its stressful moments, my walk - and the scenery - work as an antidote, setting me back on track towards relaxation.

Room on the Broom - live!

I went back to the Rose Theatre in Kingston, a couple of days ago, in the company of an adorable three-year-old chum, and his Mum, for an afternoon treat - to see Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler's Room on the Broom.  

As we arrived, the theatre was already dark-ish, so we were mildly reprimanded for being a minute late and warned to keep quiet by a slightly inappropriately dour jobsworth usher. We behaved, and did as we were told, but, in reality, a little noise would barely have made an impact on the rather vociferous audience that ran the gamut of tenative, wary and loudly enthusiastic tiny tots, toddlers, their parents and grandparents...


The action opened with the Tall Stories ensemble 'asleep' on stage; loudly comical snoring ensued - disturbing the verdant setting.  Soon the hunt was on for the witch and her broomstick.  The cast of four were brilliantly versatile in their myriad roles; the story and lively performances kept most of the young audience enrapt. Although, throughout, several amusingly shrieky comments could be heard: "Don't like it, Want to go home NOW", for instance, was the repeated utterance from one two-year-old theatre novice, in the back row of the stalls.  The cast, unperturbed and undistracted, continued energetically on their adventures through the wood. 


The cat, the witch, the dog, the frog, the parrot and the dragon ensured there was rarely a dull moment, during the 60 minutes on-stage action.  Admittedly, I often found it even more entertaining to watch the audience reactions. I'm sure many of us could put the final scene's snoring spell to good use, one night...

If you want to bring the book to life, for your favourite tot and treat them to a live performance, you'll find the ensemble across the UK, until January 2011.

image credit http://theatreandshowflyers.com

Hidden Treasure

Well, almost...

There I was wandering along - getting my outdoor exercise, while the weather was kind - in sunny Richmond.  And looking down, as you do, I spied this gorgeous,purple pansy peeking out of an old stone step, in splendid isolation.  What a happy accident and a lovely surprise...

Funniest Thing I Heard This Week

...was on Radio Four's Desert Island Discs, earlier today.  Wonderfully open, earthily self-deprecating actress and comedienne, Kathy Burke revealed her choice of luxury item, should she find herself washed-up, in isolation, on the imaginary setting.

Kathy's desired indulgence is a full-sized, laminated photograph of BBC 2's Dragons' Den star, James Caan.  Not, as you might imagine, in order that she might rely on his entrepreneurial inspiration (ahem...) but so that she might pass her leisure-time happily "body-surfing" upon it!

Photo Credits: 
Kathy Burke photo courtesy of www.kathyburke.co.uk
James Caan photo courtesy of  www.bbc.co.uk/dragonsden/

On the Nail

Like all decently groomed girls, I enjoy sporting a pretty pedicure, especially in summer, when my toes are on daily display.  Chanel often receive accolades, as superstars, in the varnish stakes - their colours are spot-on and regular trend-setters - triggering a waiting list for their small-run, limited edition releases.

This summer, I succumbed and let myself be lured-in by their tantalising seasonal shades of Particuliere and Nouvelle Vague.  I especially love the warm-hued elegance of no. 505 (particuliere) which perfectly partners my bronze Electra Fit-flops.  Sadly, its duration has been short-lived, as the staying power of the lacquer is a let-down.  Their Nouvelle Vague (527) also behaved in the same disappointing manner, once applied.  None of this prevents these sought-after limited-run beauty icons from changing hands, on auction websites, for vastly elevated sums.

So, my mini indulgences have been usurped by a bolder bargain - from Marks & Spencer... Their Electric Purple (centre of pic) is super-shiny, statement-chic and, so far, has refrained from disappearing before I want it to.  I guess there's a lesson and a moral in there, somehwere...