Ice, Ice, Baby

Careful - it's slippery out

Who knew that ice-skating is dangerous? Who knew that skating on ice is slippery? It just so happens that I haven't fallen over ice-skating in... well years and years. I guessed it would happen soon because I've been pushing myself to try new, complicated things which are difficult.

I was trying a simple enough movement - skate forward on left, turn change feet, backwards spiral, change, crossover... with a little jump. I'm right-footed which means that everything is easy on my right foot but my left is weaker so I sometimes struggle to balance. So I started with my left foot... after ten minutes I could do it well enough so when my teacher said "change feet" I was feeling pretty confident.

The crowded Poseidon rink

I get knocked down - but I get up again

I skated forward on my right foot and was suddenly on the floor. I landed awkwardly on my backside and hands (how I'm not sure). I got up and fully intended to carry on skating once I'd got my breath back. Then I started to feel dizzy and sick and stumbled again. My right wrist hurt a bit, but it had been numbed by the ice and the pain didn't sink in until the shock started to wear off and the wrist warmed up.

I'm used to bruises and scrapes - I did gymnastics when I was younger, climbed trees, crashed bikes etc. I've sprained my wrist several times, had concussion from playing netball and fractured a bone in my hand after tripping whilst running. I'm not accident-prone or clumsy... just active. This was pain beyond pain I've ever experienced and I was close to tears. However, I presumed it would go away after a good night's sleep.

Of course my skating teacher advised me to go to A&E as did a couple of other skaters I'm friendly with. Each told me (in a variety of French, Italian and English) that it'd be best to have it checked just in case, because it could heal wrong and I might get arthritis when I was older. At this stage it was swollen and pretty painful so I agreed to be driven to the local hospital by my skating teacher. One skater I know is a doctor so he offered to come along as well to oversee the process.

Brush yourself off and try again

We arrived at the hospital and got into the queue... ignored by the receptionist doctor who was having far too much fun wheeling around on his chair. Dr Skater got quite irritated by this: "I take off my white coat and stethoscope and they don't recognise me". He then popped to the waiting room and announced "It's Happy Hour" which was just great because it was almost 9.30pm as it was and my skating teacher had told me that when her father received a puck to the eye, he wasn't seen until 4.30am (after arriving just after 9pm). I figured we might as well get comfy...

Once my second set of forms were completed - yes we filled them out wrong the first time - we sat down in the waiting room discussing language (I was obviously rather worried I'd agree to have my arm amputated). My skating teacher told me that when she was in America, she and her family went to an Italian restaurant and ordered Margheritas. The waiter politely informed them that they didn't serve alcohol in this restaurant. Her father explained that they didn't want alcohol, they just wanted some Margheritas. The waiter again insisted they couldn't serve Margaritas so her father gave up and ordered 'cheese and tomato pizzas'.

It's not what you know - it's who you know

After we'd been sitting down for two minutes, Dr Skater came back from chatting to his friends and announced that we could go straight through. I glanced smugly at everyone else in the waiting room and went through Tin-Tin decorated corridors to a room where Dr Evil prodded and pulled my arm, wrist and hand (almost reducing me to tears), maliciously enquiring whether or not it hurt.

Feeling thoroughly assaulted I gave him my best stare, went back to the corridor and had barely sat down before I was having my arm X-rayed by Dr Teenager (overseen by Dr Skater who had pulled a lot of strings by the sound of it). Everyone was pretty sure it was broken but apparently I have strong bones. The results showed there were no breaks, fractures or fissures, just a torn ligament - Grade III sprain - I was strapped up and given some Ibuprofen Teva. The whole process took less than an hour! Go Sproutland!

Dad: You look like an armadillo!

Just whistle while you work

The next day was Friday and my arm was still really painful. Not one to complain I got on with my daily routine:

• Showering - washing hair and body presented no problem. Putting the towel around me was impossible.
• Getting dressed - tedious but doable. Bra - putting it on one-handed was not humanly possible.
• Beautification - lenses and make-up were manageable. Combing of the hair difficult.
• Working - typing with my left hand was fine, but slow. Taking notes during a conference call didn't work.
• Eating - using a fork was fine. Taking hot crockery out of the microwave unpleasant.
• Making a hotty - fine the first time; the second time I scalded my left leg!

Needless to say, my plans for this weekend were scuppered, although I did manage to pack most of my stuff, but it was time-consuming and annoying.

Get back on that horse

I'm very glad I didn't break my wrist, especially as I start my new job a week tomorrow and being unable to type isn't particularly useful... not least when you're a professional writer!

I did miss my skating lesson yesterday (and it would have been my last one), but it's my last few days in Brussels and I am definitely going tomorrow, even if it's for just twenty minutes (I want to buy a souvenir Poseidon ice-skating teddy). After all - there's nothing wrong with my feet!

Life's a Beach

Livin' la vida loca

Well, as loca as you can be in Barcelona in February... however as I sat at the airport eating my 'Fast-Quick Pizza' - a flat bread folded over and dabbed with tomato sauce and cheese - I realised it had been almost 4 years since I was last there which, as it's one of my favourite cities (along with London, Paris and Zaragoza), is quite shocking. There's something about those sort of places which is imaginative and exciting - a bit like Camden Town or Brighton - full of people who just are who they are.

I did go a bit crazy on the plane actually and I've definitely been living in Brussels too long. When the air hostess asked me if I wanted anything (I'd read the menu about 6 times at this point), I ordered a bizcochito and a Coke Zero. The fact that she didn't understand Coke Zero didn't bode well for a weekend in Spain... and when I said it in English, she frowned and said 'Ah Coca-Cola Zero'. I felt foolish. The madness was my willingness to pay €4 for what was effectively a cereal bar and a can of soft drink (in my defence it was 330ml, not 180ml like most flights), because it seemed reasonable!

We had a rendezvous - fly to Cambodia Barcelona

It felt quite celebrity-like meeting my boyfriend in a foreign country but, after embracing me he began to rant about how much he'd paid for his liquids through security - he's used to checking luggage in! When we got to our 5* hotel (amazing what you can find on Google when you know about SEO), they couldn't find our reservation (obviously), so we stood there for a while whilst the man in a suit stared at his computer. Not that I was worried when he kept going to speak to his colleague and then coming back and frowning...

Finally he gave us our keys and off we went to our apartment. Europeans love their energy-saving light bulbs and the rooms were pretty dark, although we had two televisions and two fridges, which is probably why we overslept.

What is this world if, full of care, we have no time to stand and stare?

So a sunny (if chilly) day dawned and we found ourselves sitting in a café on Las Ramblas eating croissants and coffee (me); tortilla baguette and orange juice (the boy), followed by an amble down the ramble... into the shops (his choice not mine) to buy a new shirt and pair of jeans from his new favourite shop - Springfield.

What then followed was touristy stuff and things, as well as lots of strawberry pencils and a quest to find my favourite wine - Gran Feudo Julian Chivite Dulce de Moscatel - if anyone finds it, BUY IT and I will be completely in your power. We didn't find it, but tried a similar one (Gran Feudo Chardonnay), plus some sangria.

Mañana, mañana

Naturally one has to see a bit of Gaudi 'stuff' so we wandered around Parc Güell for a few hours, watched a fantastic band play under an arch and got stuck in a flowerbed. We then had the most amazing Sandwich (it deserves capitalisation) in a teeny café owned by a lovely old couple who twigged we were English just before we left and he gave us a huge smile as he said 'Good bye'.

So, the Sagrada Familia. I have to say they don't seem to have made any progress since I was last there. There's still a lot of scaffolding, builders and unfinished towers. However, it may be finished soon as it seems to now be sponsored by Nike. Just Built It.

One valiant cry; we've got a name that everyone knows: Barça, Barça, Baaarça! 

So on Saturday night we thought we'd do something we've never done together. Something I've never done at all. We went to a football match! Not just any football match however - we went to watch Barcelona FC (the best team in the world I'm told), including Messi (the best player in the world I'm told).

Our seats were amazing - right behind the goal, second row from the front.
This was my view:


and this was my boyfriend's:
 

I quite enjoyed it, as the atmosphere was pretty awesome, but it was freezing and my toes were numb before the game even started. Then during the interval (oh, half-time) they'd run out of coffee... I had to content myself with a dodgy hot dog which was given to me by a lady who had just touched a raw sausage. Nice.

Food, Glorious Food!

Breakfast wasn't included with our room, but we took advantage of it after the football and it was immense. Mountains of cereal, waffles (they were so much nicer than in Belgium), cheeses, meats, eggs, fruit, coffee, hot chocolate etc. The couple in front of us ignored each other and just watched some film on their SmartPhone, whilst another table just ate and ate and ate - judging by the size of them I don't think they'd ever left the hotel.

Deal or No Deal: Or Else

I've always loved Spanish TV (apart from the naked game shows), and when my beloved was feeling ill (I blame the hot dog, followed by a massive breakfast) I amused myself with a TV quiz show called Ahora Caigo (Now I Fall). It's basically an easy quiz show in the style of Deal or No Deal: What is the nickname of Ernesto Guevara? Clue: _H_

However, if you get the question wrong, the trapdoor you're standing on opens and you plunge down into a pot of gunk... well, maybe not but that would be even funnier.

Adieu and farewell, to you fair Spanish (and Belgian) ladies

In other news, I am moving back to England! Hurrah!

O to be in England, now that February's (almost) here

It might as well be spring

I like spring. After the Ice Queen that is winter (beautiful and deadly) decides to give up for another year, her younger sister comes along to remind us exactly why we all continue living in England.


Being British I grew up talking about the weather, which tends to dominate our lives. I avoid going out when it's raining, I love wearing short dresses in the summer (OK, all year round), and I (mostly) love how beautiful snow looks in the winter.


Spring is an entirely different season though, as you don't expect anything. In England there's no guarantee that summer will be hot and sunny, or that winter will be glacial and snowy, but you do hope. Spring (and to some extent autumn) continues to surprise you with boiling hot, dry days, freezing cold rain and even snow!


Brussels on the other hand (as my wise ex-colleague did warn me) seems to delight in being spring-like all year round. On Friday I was carrying my coat because it was so mild, yesterday I had to change because it started pouring down, and today I went off for a run and it began to snow.

There's no place like home

Soon I will be back home in Blighty... something I've looked forward to since September. However, when I spoke to my boss about leaving, I (and he actually) got quite emotional, which surprised me. However, I know I'm making the right decision and am now focusing on my return to England.


An English spring is supposed to be comprised of baby animals, green meadows, daffodils, blossom and breezes, mixed with chocolate eggs, a sudden invasion of yellow bikinis in the shops and hot cross buns. People all seem to be happier, because summer is on its way, and we can finally throw our coats away, and start panicking about our post-Christmas flesh which will soon want to be on show.

This is England - what we're supposed to die for

That depressing thought aside, I started to think of all the things I've missed over the last 5 months. After a fleeting visit from the boy last weekend, I'll admit that this week did include chocolate fingers, Diet Coke and (my personal favourite) a Cheesy Beano (which for you non-English or peasants means cheese and baked beans on toast, not a comic featuring Dennis the Menace).


Now I know I am what is classed as an 'introvert' but recently I've been doing a lot of thinking... either at the ice rink or when walking to walk (which takes an hour each time there's a public strike - one tomorrow in fact), and it strikes me that I may have been a bit stupid over the last few months.


Yes I've found out that I'm not dead inside, that I do have feelings, and that I can cry... but what have I missed out on whilst living in the centre of Europe? And what will I miss when I return to Britannia?

England is mine and I take what I want

• Marmite vs Speculoos - NOW there's a question. They say you either love it or hate it... but I just like it. I brought a tiny jar with me, and I sometimes have a cheese and Marmite sandwich but I could live without it. Speculoos on the other hand has become an obsession - Unlike peanut butter, I'm a crunchy girl and I'm not ashamed to say I eat it out of the jar. I've always liked the biscuits, I've had the chocolate (Galak is the best), the ice-cream (Häagen-Dazs beats Lotus), homemade fudge (thanks to my amazing American friend) and even the coffee (just weird). 

• Diet Coke vs Coca Cola Light - Yes it will give me cancer, but I love Diet Coke. Coca Cola Light is FOUL and leaves a bad taste in your mouth. This was causing me endless pain, until I tried Coke Zero, which in England I avoid, but in Brussels tastes like Diet Coke. That'll do.

• Tube vs Metro - This is a tough call. A monthly metro pass (tram, bus, metro) costs €45 (before my company reimburses most of it), whereas in London you're looking at spending well-over £100. However, in Brussels the stops are further apart, and they strike regularly.

• Skype vs Mobiles - obviously I'd rather see people face-to-face, but it's quite nice to chat to people on Skype. Being abroad makes most people (you know who you are if you've been flaky) make an effort to speak to you, more than when you live in the same country. I loved speaking to friends and knowing that you can still chat about everything and nothing for over an hour. I've also spoken to my family more than usual. Also - Skype is free and won't give me cancer.

• Euro vs Pound - I hate the Euro, and never want it in the UK. BUT - when I've gone abroad this year, I can use my ING card and not have to worry about forgetting to exchange currency. On the other hand, when I go shopping I am getting done. I bought a dress yesterday for €35 (£29.40)... but it the UK price was £26.99. So I paid £2.41 more than if I'd been in England. Yes I got student discount, but I would've got that in the UK so I was still ripped off! Everything is more expensive here, and you get used to it, but it still breaks your heart when you know things are cheaper in London!

• Poseidon vs Spectrum - Now I'm hoping that I will find an ice rink near to wherever I end up living, but I know that the Spectrum is £5.70, for 90mins, whereas at Poseidon I pay €4.20 and can skate all day if I want. Also, my lessons here are only €6 and I know they'll probably be £20+ in the UK.

• Liptons vs PG Tips - Now I'm not a big tea drinker, but they really cannot do tea in Brussels. They try, but the teabags break when they're in the mug, the water is detestable and the milk is UHT (which I don't mind normally, but in tea it's just wrong). However, Lipton Ice Tea Zero is pretty awesome.

• Brits vs Belgians - I love stereotypes, and yesterday on the bus there was a man wearing a stripy jumper and a beret. He also had a wonderful moustache! Belgians are incredible as they speak Dutch, French and English. I do enjoy this multi-lingual culture and the pride they have of their language. Also - they don't really have chavs here! I will miss the Belgian (real or pretend) friends I have made.

This country's good

I have no idea which country is winning... probably Belgium if I'm honest (if you haven't tried Speculoos you won't understand) but I think being able to see my friends and family (which I am going to do a lot more often because I will be able to) definitely beats being away from everything and everyone you love. More importantly, I will bring a carload of Speculoos (and the white chocolate spread) back with me!

Britannia rules the waves

I am proud to be British, and happy to be coming back to my country.

Just in case you've missed my point, here's a thought from a true British actor, in one of the greatest British films of our time:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UnBSh3JRQVw

Escargot Delirium

When in Rome Brussels, do as the Romans Belgians do

Well, that's not as easy as you might think. My friend Banana stayed this weekend, and we decided to make like a tourist and explore the city.

So on Friday evening, we ate pesto pasta and watched A Little Princess and It Takes Two in our pyjamas with wine. Tres Belgique n'est pas?

Saturday dawned fair and bright so we began our Belgian day with a pastry and a smoothie which we devoured as we sauntered to the Metro station. A café break for coffee and tea (and a small piece of dark chocolate) allowed Banana to practise her French. "I'd like a cup of tea please." followed closely by "Oh, could I have some milk?"

So far so good.

Journey to the centre of the Earth Brussels

Our amble took us under the ornate jubilee arch and across the park, before coming to the ugliest building in Brussels, aka the EU building which gives you that warm, cosy feeling of David Cameron kicking ass here a few weeks ago.

Next stop - via the square that is full of fountains in the summer, meaning that everyone runs across it just in case they suddenly come on - is Parc Leopold and the Palace. However, neither of these wonders was quite as exciting as a hot waffle from a van, and a statue of a naked lady.


Past the funky clock and into the cathedral, which is full of camera flashes, despite the many signs (in about 8 languages) asking visitors to not use flash.

And so into the Grand Place. Many intakes of breath, but all this is forgotten almost immediately with the sight of the wonderful Manneken Pis (dressed in what appeared to be school uniform) and the Belgian chocolates. For what is more amazing than a small statue of a boy weeing, and 6 boxes of chocolates for €9.90?

High above the mucky-muck, castle made of clouds

After a light lunch (croque-monsieur and omelette), we perused the shops. This was rather tedious however, because they were full of people. So we abandoned this and hopped on a metro to Heizel - home of a wonderful picture of Brussels Sprouts with the slogan 'Brusselicious'. Excellent.

Of course there is also a remarkable statue thing in the shape of an atom - the Atomium - and we decided to pay a visit to the top. The view came at a price (€11), but we went to the exhibition as well. This involved climbing up and down a lot of stairs and escalators, pretending to be interested in an event that happened over 50 years ago, when actually we were just taking silly photos amongst all the architectural models.



Nothing for it but to return on the tram and read educational magazines (Heat and Closer), and have a nutritious snack (truffles).

Forget all your troubles, forget all your cares and go down town

SO - time for traditional Belgian cuisine, and we headed back into the centre - destination: Tourist Alley. The trick is to make it to the other end without going into a restaurant... I'm getting better! This time, we managed to snare a free glass of champagne, and 3 courses for a reasonable €12. Excellent. In we went.

Naturally being tres belgique we chose escargots a l'ail so the waiter brought over our implements. My first thought was that they were for curling my hair, or scraping plaque off my teeth. However, on closer inspection I could see they were tong-like things for picking up snails, and a sharp prodder for stabbing them?

Mr Waiter approached the table, "is it your first time madame?" (Now I thought this was quite an impertinent question, so gave him my best stare). He then explained to ze eenglish peegs exactly how to eat les escargots, emphasising that it was important to keep the shell within the tongs, whilst stabbing and scraping the dead slug out "otherwise your friend will get a bath". 

Excellent advice, and we got through the starter garlic-free.

A hangover is the wrath of grapes

Obviously, after dinner we wanted a couple of drinks, so after deciding against the Irish karaoke bar with the police outside and a drunken tourist singing Eminem, we found a cocktail bar full of trees. Perfect. 

After trying for 15 minutes to find the Delirium -which had clearly disappeared - our next stop was a clearly 'upmarket' establishment.

Upon entering the pitch black bar, we were shown to a table for two, given menus and allowed to choose our drinks. We ordered, and then I was asked to order again as my choice wasn't available. This I did, and my cocktail appeared. The woman who brought it rubbed her thumb and forefinger together and stared expectantly. She then announced "you owe me a euro" which was odd as she'd given me 3 as change. I started to give her the coin, but she shook her head and said "I owe you a euro". I never got this money... so perhaps she said (as she dumped an ashtray full of crisps in front of us) "they cost a euro". 

After 10mins and a swift "Ou est le boisson de mon ami?" there was still only one drink... and each time he walked past he said "moment, moment".

Meanwhile, a giant disco ball came rolling down the stairs, narrowly missing our table... Shortly after this, the lady who (allegedly) owed me money ran past with a tray of crisps ashtrays which crashed to the floor. These were promptly swept behind a chair...

There's no such thing as a free lunch club entry

After downing the drinks (which came just as we'd decided to leave), we left and made the decision to go to a club we'd been given free entry to... this was a severe error of judgement. It was tiny, and almost empty, and the drinks list consisted of bottles of spirits (€60), special spirits (€70), and a few paupers drinks (one Malibu and coke was €9). Drunken men 'danced' on a block of wood in the middle of the 'club', punching the air and spinning around... I think they were having a fake fight.

Needless to say, we left soon after (at the reasonable time of 12.30), and ended our day in true British style, with two episodes of Mock the Week.

Happy New Year

January 2012
It's the first week of January, and that means that most people are convincing themselves that they need to sort their lives out. New job, new house, new body, new lifestyle... new obsessions. Why do we do this? Christmas seems such a good idea - spend a fortune on presents, food and alcohol, and then after it's all over, we all get a guilty conscience.

The most common guilt trips seem to be:

• Eating too much over Christmas
• Drinking too much over Christmas
• Spending too much over Christmas
• Not exercising enough over Christmas
• Not sleeping enough over Christmas

Looking at the above I can safely say that I feel like they all apply to me. However, not in the same way as most people.

• I barely eat anything in Brussels - cooking for one is boring and uninteresting, and food is expensive
• I don't really drink in Brussels - I live far away from the centre, and refuse to drink in my room alone
• The Eurostar wasn't cheap - that raised my December outgoings rather a lot
• I do a lot of exercise in Brussels - 40mins walking a day, plus skating, stair climbing and yoga
• I came back to Brussels shattered (getting up at 6.30am GMT after being used to getting up at 9am)

I suppose after enjoying ourselves (or not), people feel they need to start the New Year by being good (boring). I made some New Year's resolutions... but had already broken most of them by Jan 2nd!

My New Year's Resolutions

• Drink less - I had to finish the bottle from New Year's Eve (Jan 1st), then was offered mulled wine (Jan 2nd), white wine (3rd Jan, 4th Jan), went out with a new friend (5th Jan). Yesterday I did not drink any alcohol (Result)
• Be positive - I got on the Eurostar and watched a film. Got back to the empty house and wanted to come home (2nd Jan). Now the end is in sight however, it seems much easier and I am persevering.
• Stop procrastinating - my CV needed updating... I cleaned my room, stripped the bed, cleaned the bathroom, culled FB friends, organised my birthday, and wrote this blog. Oops.
• Run a half marathon - this needs to be booked. Watch this space.

My boyfriend's decided to do something that scares him each month... I'm sure I can think of a few things he could give a go!

Christmas time is family time

I had a fantastic Christmas this year. I saw loads of friends, had several Christmas dinners, and enjoyed being with mine and my boyfriend's families. I love traditions, so it's fun to think how we'll eventually combine them... probably by getting fat!

My family eat on Christmas Eve (it saves stress on Christmas Day), and eat whatever we want on Christmas Day. The boy's family have dinner on Christmas Day AND Boxing Day. SO - we could get 3 Christmas dinners each year if we time it right :) 

Other traditions include disguising presents (my family), and starring presents for the same people (his family) so they open them together.

Both of our families are quite similar actually. They both spread presents out over several days, enjoy playing games and Christmas walks. This year my boyfriend's dad had made a fab quiz which caused a lot of entertainment (yes, we did win), whereas my family preferred long-winded Trivial Pursuit. Add in the Downton Christmas Special, walking on the beach, mulled wine and cracker jokes and it was perfect!

I suppose I should go and update my CV... although I could paint my nails, and book my trip to Germany :)