Sunday with friends

Things to do, people to see...

So, the last couple of weekends have been pretty manic and has kept me from doing my usual favourite things - taking photos, blogging, tweeting etc. But, here I am to remind me and you (whoever you are) of some of the fun I've had so far.

Last weekend was all about Durga puja festivities - lots of fun with friends and family. But, the weekend ended of on a rather special high - thanks to Talvin Singh. A group us went to see him and Niladri Kumar play in Camden; and they were absolutely fantastic. Ever since my uni days, I have been waiting to hear him play live and all I can say - is waiting patiently for ten years certainly paid off big time.

This weekend was another packed one - of going to the films and food. Watched Wake Up Sid!, which was a nice, easy on the eye type of movie, which you could use some of your brain and leave the other half at home ;) As with most of my weekends, this was another foodie one. So, it started with Indian street food at Masala zone, Thai at a cute place called Cool Monkey in Holland Park, brunch in Wimbledon and ended with sumptuous food from Kerala at Rasa on Charlotte's Street in central London - phew - I'm exhausted.

You're probably thinking I should have a quite one next weekend, alas that isn't to be the case, as it's that time of the year when I'm off on my travels. I'll leave you guessing of my destination.....

Weekend activities - Banana Bread

Voila my baking result in years

Guilt free enjoyment

Washing up as you go a long

My baking stuff

My baking view

Banana Bread

Ingredients (serves 8)

• 1 3/4 cups (260g) plain flour
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp bicarbonate of soda
• 2/3 firmly packed cup (150g) dark brown sugar
• 3 large over-ripe bananas
• 2 large eggs, lightly whisked
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 100g unsalted butter, melted, cooled

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 175°C. Lightly grease an 11cm x 22cm loaf pan and line base and 2 long sides with a sheet of baking paper, leaving 2cm overhanging.
2. Sift flour, cinnamon, baking powder, soda and 1/2 teaspoon salt into a bowl with the brown sugar, then add the nuts.
3. In a separate bowl, mash the bananas with a fork or potato masher, then stir in the eggs, vanilla extract and cooled melted butter. Using a rubber spatula or wooden spoon, fold the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients until they're just combined - don't overmix.
4. Scrape cake batter into prepared pan. Place in the oven and bake for 1 hour or until golden brown and a skewer inserted in the centre comes out clean. Cool the loaf in pan 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack to cool. Cut into 8-10 slices - and enjoy with a cup of chai :)

London Zoo

So, on one summer day after work some friends and I went to London zoo. The last time I visited was when I was 4 years old. I have to admit I couldn't remember much of my last visit, but it was lovely walking around the zoo on a friday and taking the atmosphere and enjoying a very good hot dog. Below are a couple of photos from my visit:-

A walk in the country

A short train journey from London to the country on a long weekend; and you quite quickly

enjoy the peace and quietness of the beauty that surrounds you.

A short drive

Ingtham Mort

Dandelion

Prehistoric beauty

A pear orchard

Budding pears

A Ploughman's lunch

A view of the North Downs

today....

• Met up with a friend and we walked to Trafalgar sq and came upon celebrations for the Iranian new year
• We enjoyed Japanese food for lunch
• Watched a play called Three Days of Rain with James McAvoy
• Enjoyed freshly fried chips
• Guilty for eating chips, so decided to go for a long walk
• Took some snaps of London at night, and

that was my day today.....

images from a recent 19km walk.....