Baltic Birthday

I know it's late as my birthday was the end of March, but I have been a bit useless at writing lately. So it was my last birthday before the big 40...which I have to say doesn't really bother me as I still feel 20 in my head, it's just a bit of a surprise when I look in the mirror!

Anyway the birthday weekend began when Sarah and I drove up to Oxford on the Friday night to CJ's, we arrived late, grabbed a quick beer and all went to bed after watching American Idol (CJ of course was fast asleep by this time). Saturday morning we got up, had some coffee just in time for Moyna's arrival. We got into the cars and made our way to the Big Smoke. I had found a lovely hotel just by Paddington Station, so we drove there and although it was too early for check in, they let us leave our bags, and off we went into the City.

We got to Trafalgar Square by 11am, I noticed the new "modern" sculpture on the plinth ....I don't get modern art, to me it looked like a CD rack you might have picked up in IKEA. Anyway I digress. We walked into in a pub called the Pitcher and Piano, CJ asked if it was too early for cocktails....the lovely barman said "It's never too early for cocktails" and he was right, so we had a few cosmopolitans, a little light lunch, and then made our way to the Vaudeville Theatre as we had tickets to see The Importance of Being Earnest.....I have been lucky enough to be cast as Gwendolen in a production of the same which will be touring America (Florida and Alabama) in August, so thought it would be good to see, especially as the amazing Penelope Keith was playing Lady Bracknell. We took our seats, CJ promptly fell asleep, and only woke up at the applause for the interval. Penelope Keith was a riot, and I thoroughly enjoyed the whole thing.

After the theatre we went back to the hotel for a quick freshen up, quick it was too by the time we got back it was time to leave again, but we spruced and changed and made our way to Southwark Tube station, as we had a table booked at the fabulous Baltic. As usual the food, the service, the atmosphere, everything was first rate. We drank too much wine, and far too many of the wonderful vodka shots, I have been abstaining from alcohol for a while, and so, the few that I had went straight to my head - Your Honour - I present the following pictures as evidence of a wonderful night.

Before the wine and vodka

During the vodka

After the Vodka! It's all in the eyes! Oh and I'm refusing to add the picture of me and CJ fast asleep on the tube!

Mmm I rest my case!

We did have the most fantastic time and Baltic is a place I can't recommend highly enough.

Keep Smiling

Marmite xx

The best weekend ever!

I know I have been a little sporadic at this lately, but it took so long to do the African bits I can't remember what the heck has been happening , work has been busy, I have been busy. I did have a lovely Christmas, and this weekend has been BRILLIANT. My good friend CJ bought us all surprise tickets to see Cinderella at the Old Vic in London, it was written by the genius that is Stephen Fry (why didn't he get a Knighthood???), by the time we left my sides hurt from laughing so much, Sandy Toksvig was amazing, it was very near the knuckle and far funnier than any Panto I have seen or been in.

After the Panto we had a wander around Selfridges but it was too hot and too busy, I must admit to being the kind of person that would rather pay full price and go shopping when it is quiet! After Selfridges we went back towards the Old Vic to eat at Baltic - Silvena Rowe has long been my favourite TV Chef and we are facebook buddies, so I chose Baltic where she is Executive Chef . We had travelled all the way from Wales to go, and by heck we weren't disappointed, the vodka, especially the cherry was awesome, the atmosphere was buzzing but not overbearing, the staff were all friendly, helpful and professional, and the food.....wow, it was exquisite, there wasn't a drizzle of daft dots of sauce to be seen, it was good, honest, extremely tasty food and there was certainly none of the ridiculous "London" prices you see elsewhere, I would highly recommend it (especially the pierogi) but I warn you go hungry! there are no "chefy" portions here. I can't wait to back and try something else.

To top off an already brilliant day I actually got to meet the wonderful and lovely Silvena herself, she was sitting on the table next to us with her cousin. I can't begin to tell you how wonderful and lovely she is, we spoke for ages, and then she sent over a vodka for us all. Then when she was leaving came back over to our table to say goodbye, can't see Gordon Ramsey doing that myself! I'm still reeling from the excitement.

Wishing you all a happy, healthy and prosperous 2008
Love
Marmite Girl xx