British!
February 23, 2023As of a couple of days ago I’m officially British. The ceremony was a bit long but nice overall, there was piper and a harpist and a couple of speeches. The mayor confirmed we are also Geordies, so I’ll have to start working on the accent. The other speech was very much a welcome to the country sort of thing. Which was well-meaning obviously, but they also mentioned at one point that the new citizens in the room had lived here between four and seventeen(!) years, so I can’t imagine that latter one felt especially in need of encouragment to…
We went to London and saw some culture! Despite the strikes on Friday we had a smooth trip to Croydon to the stay at Fishlifter Manor, where we were greeted by a very welcome dhansak. Saturday we headed to the…
In the ear
One of the nice things about working from home is that I can listen to stuff all day; music, audiobooks, podcasts. I’m not consistent in my habits, usually the end and beginning of the year are when I’m best at…
Catmass
One Wednesday I had lunch at the new Spanish tapas place in Grainger market, after getting a roscón from their shop, it has a limited but solid menu and they plan to open in the mornings to do churros, so…
Obligatory New Year’s Post
2023, so far so good. We ended the old year with friends, drinks, food, boardgames, and a movie, then started the new year with much the same. Appropriately the movie for the closing year was a rewatch, Logan Lucky in…
Social(s)
I’m on wandering.shop, enjoying it well enough now that there are actual people on it – I had created an account a while back but only poked my nose in now and then as it was pretty quiet. It has…
Yes Chef!
We went to see The Menu yesterday and really loved it. Dark, tense, very funny, and the perfect cast. There’s a few minor bits that don’t gel (sorry) but it’d make a great triple bill with the Benoit Blanc films.…
Out and about
Moving up to Newcastle has meant a lot more going out and doing things. Partly because we’re no longer in the process of finding a house and moving across the country, of course, but really mostly because there is so…
Chicago, etc
Not a proper con report, but a roundup of highlights; Arriving at 3am and losing a day of touristing due to American Airlines being trash, but still getting to ride the L because it runs all night. Good breakfasts at…
The Great British Queue
It’s the weekend before the Queen’s funeral, so we get a bank holiday, but everything is closed. Just getting back in the groove of things after a few weeks of non-stop. Orlando, which was very hot and humid. Short version:…
Jubilee Weekend
Nearly three months at the new place and enjoying the long weekend. The garden is good, the house is fit for visitors and we’ve had a few, which still feels novel. We’ve done well so far at exploring the toon,…