Easy and Perfectly Moist Banana Bread

The yummiest fluke ever. I worked without a recipe and turned the oven off early because I had to leave the flat. When I got back hours later, I had slightly undercooked banana bread but it was perfectly moist and soft.

Won't post a pic because it's so ugly but after a taste, you'd wanna make love to it!!!

2 overripe bananas coarsely mashed
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla essence
1 cup plain flour
1 tsp cream of tartar
1 tsp bicarb soda
30g melted butter
1/2 cup milk
1/2 tsp salt
1 egg
(Optional: dark choc chunks or chopped walnuts)

Put all ingredients in a bowl and stir until just combined. It should be thick and lumpy. Let mixture stand for 5 mins.

Line loaf tin with foil, pour in and bake in preheated oven at gas mark 5 (or 180 degrees) for 40 mins. Turn off heat and leave in oven for 20 mins.

Keep the bread in it's foil until it's served. Store in an airtight container for up to three days.

Old Lady At The Bus Stop

It was a bitterly cold afternoon and I was at the bus stop, getting blasted by the wind. An old lady was also waiting, not enjoying the weather either.

She and I exchanged glances as we shivered, recoiled in our coats and tried to keep warm. I even chuckled knowingly as this was no place to be waiting around.

The bus finally turned up and as I would for elderly passengers, I let her get on first. She just shook her head, grabbed my arm, and hustled me on so I would’nt have to spend another second in the cold.

I was gobsmacked by her kindness. What a wonderfully funny gesture and I did’nt see it coming!

Kitty-Sitting Ammu and Appu

How adorable are Ammu and Appu? I've taken a hundred photos already, they're that cute!

"Now let's talk business."

"I have your tail. Bwaa hah hah!!!"

Appu.

Ammu.

"My blanket. MIIIIIIINNNNNEEEE!!!"

Christmas 2011

It was a memorable month of December. I saw snow in London (albeit for 10 mins) and took weekend getaways to Paris and Switzerland.

The Friday night before Christmas, I flew to Sydney to surprise Mum as planned months ago.

My sister picked me up from the airport Christmas morning and I was embraced by warmth and sunshine. Thank goodness to be home. You could'nt imagine the joy of seeing familiar places again and RBT police wearing Santa hats.

Mum and my brother showed up for lunch at my sister's and I opened the door. Mum was stunned, then cross: "You told me you weren't coming!"

Mum's never affectionate as she's a toughened traditional Chinese lady. Her response was exactly what I was expecting but I could tell she was happy. The family together again was all she could have wanted for Christmas!

A Night In Seoul

My Oz trip came to an end and as a final taste of freedom, I spent a night in Korea.

I returned to Incheon airport where I fearlessly pushed the etiquette button for kicks. I was then herded onto a bus with sunburnt Brits and Aussies in flip flops. After an hour we got off the motorway and pulled into an enormous bustling city.

It looked like rush hour at 9pm. The city roads were 4 lanes wide in each direction and bright lights were everywhere.

Was delighted to finally check into the Seoul Royal Hotel. My room was nice for airline funded but there wasn't much time to enjoy it. Fortunately we were in a shopping district with street markets. I explored the area and tasted the strangest looking street food on offer.

Travelling with class. Fancy lights, plush furnishings and errhhh toilet roll?

The busy night markets.

Tempted by these chunky sea snails.

They were chewy and served on plastic bags for hygiene. (As in a “lack of” since there was no running water.)

Live seafood on display. These looked like writhing male-bits. Sorry but I really think they do!

Barbecued white corn. The kernels were fat, sweet, chewy and falls off the cob. I also tried fish jerky which was amber coloured, resembling a flattened conglomerate of fish scales. It was flash grilled and served in an envelope made from scrap paper.

The streets were buzzing and I loved the atmosphere. Shops stayed open until 11pm and by then my hands were numb.

The electronic toilet in my hotel room. Yup, I just had to show you.

The next morning I did some last minute shopping and missed the bus to the airport. So the hotel staff put me in their airport shuttle. No one spoke English and the bus was nearly empty. Bliss!

I watched the scenic hills in the distance and a massive river which took ages to drive across Some parts were frozen and people were ice fishing.

And after a 12 hour flight, it's back to life in Europe.

Burning Rubber in Oz

Like the wheels on my beloved rollarblades, I'm having a meltdown. Not only because it's hot, I'm flat out busy. My head is spinning, doing proverbial burnouts!

I woke up one morning and realised too much is changing. I'm missing out on the big stuff. Babies (not mine), buying a flat, riding my bike, driving, and being there for family and friends.

Well people, playtime is over and 2012 is going to be different!

At Clovelly. This guy knows how to do the business.

PS-My "neck marbles" are gone and it's thanks to my hard mattress. You could crack nuts on it. I'm sleeping on planks of wood when I get back to London.

The Song Everyone Knows The Words To

This is an instant mood lifter. It makes me sway my head and smile.

Power to you Patti-you are a soul goddess!!!