A Parade Makes Everyone Smile

Today we were in one of our second homes (Harris and Hoole) in Rickmansworth when there came a commotion from outside. We went out to see what was happening and lo and behold it was a parade to celebrate the beginning of Ricky Week. Despite the miserable weather people lined the street cheering all those taking part.

Shire Horses

Cubs and Beavers commemorating the first world war

There were several vintage war planes in the parade

Local judo group

We weren't sure if the scooter was in the parade or they'd taken a wrong turn

It was a lovely and unexpected interlude. Another great thing to share with you - this very cute dog that watched the parade from the comfort of their shop.

That's it for now, until next time be good, stay safe, and do something that makes you smile.

Pamela and Ken
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P.S: Final picture is a return to my fascination with toilets - a sign in the toilet on a Virgin train which proves there are people with a great sense of humour working in the company.

Exploring Hinduism in Neasden

Today I ticked another item off my bucket list - visiting the Neasden Temple, or to give it the proper title, Baps Shri Swaminarayan Hindu Mandir - a Mandir is a Hindu place of worship. It is the largest Hindu temple outside of India and ever since I read about how it was made I'd wanted to visit. I also believe it's important to understand other religions and cultures better so that we can all accept each other with an open mind and heart..

The building of the Mandir was a truly remarkable undertaking and an example of incredible organization (and faith). The limestone for the outside is from Bulgaria, the granite for the foundations is from Sardinia, and the marble for the inside is from Tuscany and Gujarat. All of this stone/marble was transported to India for carving where over 1500 craftsmen were involved in carving the intricate designs.

Once the carving was complete all the pieces were carefully packaged and sent to the UK to be put together in Neasden - it took two and a half years, being completed in 1995. The Mandir has no steel reinforcement  - the design is made to be load bearing.

You're not allowed to take pictures inside but if you click on this LINK you will see pictures of the amazing carvings in the inner sanctum. There is a really interesting exhibition on the ground level explaining the history and beliefs of Hinduism - what we didn't realize is that this is the oldest living religion.

After we had absorbed the beauty of the Mandir we went across the road to the Shayona restaurant to have lunch - being Hindu it is vegetarian, and the food was scrummy. Ken had tarka dal, alloo paratha, and rice, whilst I had a plain dosa with lentil soup and chutneys. We also shared a yummy starter.

As you can see we had more than enough food - the huge thing lying across my plate is the dosa, which is an Indian crepe - I wasn't expecting it to be quite so large.

At the entrance to the restaurant is a place to buy takeaway food including very colourful Indian sweets and ice cream. Unfortunately we were so stuffed we couldn't fit any in.

The flavours at the front were calling to me - Ferrera Rocher and Bounty flavoured ice cream, yummo.

So that was our visit to the breathtakingly beautiful Mandir in Neasden. Until next time, be good, do what makes you happy, and do something nice for someone who can never thank you.

Pamela and Ken
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P.S: Final picture - naked man in a window, what a dummy!!

Pampered toes and dirty ears

As the weather gets warmer (despite the rain that's currently pelting down) it's time to get my tootsies ready for open toed shoes, so off I went to be pampered at Presence the spa in Watford. It's such a treat and if you've never had a pedicure before then you should treat yourself at least once a year.

Naked toes

Hmmm, what colour to choose?

The bit of the treatment that I wish I could bring home to use in winter is the lovely heated booties - they're not very fashionable but they are so toasty.

Very sexy booties

The lovely Louise made my feet feel very spoiled with buffing, cream, and a beautiful new outfit for summer.

My lovely cherry toes

After being pampered we called into the RSPCA charity shop to get a new blanket for Bertie and today there were two dogs in charge of the checkout - neither could be bothered waking up to say hello though that didn't stop us from giving them some loving.

Look at that face - so cute

Now I bet you're wondering about the dirty ears from todays post title - that's where Bertie Boo comes in. He's been complaining of a sore ear so we took him off to visit the lovely girls (and one trainee male) at Medivet to be checked over. I didn't get my phone out quickly enough but you should have seen the look on his face when his temperature was taken - I think he felt violated. His ears were checked:

Then he had cleaning solution thoroughly massaged deep in his ears to the point that I nearly started crying because my Boo was crying so badly. He's such a good dog, as despite being obviously in pain he still didn't do anything apart from cry, no biting or growling. He deserves a special treat tonight for being such a brave boy. We have to put drops in his ears for three weeks and do the cleaning every three days - that's the bit I'm not looking forward to.

So that's todays adventures done - until next time, be good, keep smiling, and make sure you pamper yourself every now and then.

Pamela and Ken
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P.S: Bertie Boo smiling again.

Be careful how you live.....

We were walking through Rickmansworth Churchyard today, as you do, when I noticed the above epitaph on the grave of a couple that died in the mid 1800's at relatively young ages of 39 & 45 (though maybe not that young for that era). In case you can't read it, it says:

Stay mortal stay as you go alone

One moment stay to read this stone

Death did to us short warning give

Therefore be careful how you live.

They're words to take heed of in a world where so many people don't stop to enjoy the things in life that truly make them happy. We all need things that make us happy and restore our inner sense of self - and things that remind us not to take ourselves too seriously.

What makes me smile?? I'm sure if you've read any of my posts you'll know that my beloved is top of that list - my gorgeous, silly, generous, best friend.

And yes, next on that list are our furbies - when you feel down a cuddle with the brats or Bertie Boo can make everything feel better.

After that, family and friends (many who are practically family) and just lots of everyday things that many people don't realise are special until it's too late. For example, finding silliness in unusual places.

My favourite road sign in the world - Northwest coast of Tasmania

How could you not smile at a hedgehog?

Likewise - sheep are definitely smile inducing

Take a moment and think about what's important to you, and then make time for that over the next week - it doesn't have to be big or grand, sometimes it's just having a latte with a good friend that can make everything right with the world.

Until next time, be good, stay safe, and make sure you smile.

Pamela and Ken
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Seeing how the other half live at Harrods

After leaving Kensington Gardens (see previous post) we decided to go 'window' shopping in Harrods - it's nice to do just for the spectacle.

The store opened in 1849 and now has over 15 million customers a year - I'm sure quite a few of them are tourists like us (yes, we will always be tourists as neither of us are English).

The area around Harrods is always busy and yesterday there was a band performing outside so there was even more people around.

The store is so beautiful inside, with carved ceilings, statues, and amazing chandeliers in some of the rooms. The staff are immaculate, very helpful, and so polite.

Cosmetics was the first area we walked into - all fresh flowers and the lighting fixture is fab

The food halls are incredible and what always amazes us is that for some people (very rich people) Harrods is their regular food store. I just love how well laid out all the food is and it all looks scrummy - especially the cakes and chocolates. Here's a selection of pictures I took.

Cheese

These are really lovely containers full of tea

As it was Easter there were lots of chocolate eggs for sale - these were the most impressive with the two smaller ones costing £300 each and the middle one was £600.

I also really liked these cute little cakes - bunny rabbits in their beds.

In the fine jewellery and watches department I discovered very quickly that you're not allowed to take pictures - I thought I was being very subtle but I was soon pounced upon by a lovely young man. I was trying to take a picture of a watch - it was lovely with a purple band and lots of diamonds, but not too blingy - it was only £300,000!!

We had a chat with one of the ladies behind the jewellery counters and discovered that the store is closed on only two days of the year - Easter Sunday and Christmas day. At least there's still two days that are sacred in the year.

Whilst we were there we decided to be extravagant and treat ourselves to an ice cream sundae, but not just any sundae, a Harrods special. We had to queue for a little while as the ice cream parlour was very popular, but it was well worth the wait. It was opposite the pizza bar which had a singing chef - as he made the pizzas he sang opera.

Our sundae came complete with four flavours of ice cream, banana, strawberries, cream, chocolate sauce, and to top it all off, dry ice - it was fantabulous.

Before

After

Here's a few more shots from around the store so that you can imagine what it's like to be there.

Ornate fish tank