Blowing away the cobwebs at the beach

Visiting the sea is something Ken and I both need to do now and then to renew our inner spirit. I don't know if it's because we both grew up quite near the sea, or if it's just an inner connection to the power of the ocean. Whatever the reason it always makes me feel better no matter the weather. The seaside we chose was Worthing in Sussex, which is southern UK.

As you can see it's a lovely pebbly beach

When we arrived in Worthing, guess what we did first? A gold star to anyone who said coffee and cake. We found a wonderful place called Parklife Cafe and the cakes are amazing. (Click this link to see where it is as you must visit if you're in the area).

Ken went for the tallest cake and I went for the prettiest cake. Ken was admiring the man who worked there's moustache as it curved up at the ends - he even had a conversation with the man about it, I guess it's something for my beloved to aspire to.

Just to add to the fun of the day I revisited one of my favourite things, making Ken put on hats in shops and taking pictures of him. What do you think of this one?

When we left the protection of the buildings we were hit by the very strong wind along the sea front - the windsurfers were loving it but it wasn't doing much for our hairdos - Ken's was all over the show.

The beach is a mixture of pebbles and sand, and unfortunately there was no sea glass. Lots of lovely weathered wooden sea groynes so of course Ken wanted me to take an arty shot.

Here's a few more shots from along the beach.

The area along the front when you leave the beach is really pretty with lovely houses, fountains, and sculptures.

These houses are really colourful with different colours around each window

We came across three art/craft shops in the arches and whilst Ken was chatting to a painter about his art I chatted to Thomas Freer who has created a laser arch.

It's really lovely and as you walk through it you create music. When we'd finished chatting Thomas gave me one of the paper seagulls he makes - it's now hanging off our driftwood tree.

We then meandered through the streets, enjoying the architecture and the quirky things that are always there to see if you look closely enough.

Gorgeous church door 

Head is part of the Desert Quartet sculpture by Dame Elizabeth Frink

Pavement mosaic

Interesting restaurant sign

So that was our visit to Worthing - we'll definitely be back even if it's just to visit Parklife.

Until next time be happy, keep smiling, and do something that makes you happy.

Pamela and Ken
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P.S: Final two pics to show you how windy it was on the beach.

Windy selfies

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.