Monthly Task With an International Flava - No.14 Culture Challenge

Was going to call these my monthlies but not sure that's such a good idea. But basically, as well as having one off things to do, long term ongoing tasks I also have three things I'll be doing each month. For a year. So you'd think 12 things? Nope - started one month ahead of time so will now be reading 14(?) books in translation, watching 14 foreign language films and cooking Stewart - lucky thing - 14 meals with an international flava. 

I've somehow ended up with an international theme going on but considering my working background and my love of travel I'm happy with this, particularly the films. Working in an international film school for 14 years surrounded by immensely talented filmmakers and writers from all corners of the globe, it's about time I really got to grips with world cinema.

So one Saturday each month I position myself as close to my telly as possible - have to, got really bad eyesight to be honest so I need to be that close to read the subtitles.  But I'm managing. I've really been enjoying my film afternoons and I think because you seriously need to concentrate I'm actually getting more out of the films.  I will be travelling all round the world in film and have picked the 14 already. So:

April - France - Jules et Jim

May - Italy - La Dolce Vita

June - Mexico - Pans Labrynth

July - Brazil - City of God

August - South Africa - Tsotsi

September - Japan - Spirited Away

October - China - Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon

November - Wales - Hedd Wynn

December - India - Queen

January - Germany - Goodbye Lenin

February - Iran - A Taste of Cherry

March - Denmark - My Life As A Dog

April - Russia/Soviet Union - Battlleship Potemkin

May - Nigeria - Osuofia in London

That's it for this week's blog. Feel it's going to seem quiet for a wee while but that's mainly because I've got a fairly realistic schedule that I've been sticking to. But, I'll be cooking and reading and watching movies every single month anyway. See you soon!

DONE: No.33 - Bake and Decorate 50 Cupcakes

Mary Berry, you better watch out there's a new kid on the block!  Er, well, not really, it's a long time since I was a kid and yesterday was the first time in years I've been near this much icing sugar and food colouring!  But, I am SO very happy to report that I completed the cupcake task.  I hadn't really realised what I was letting myself in for with this, which is probably just as well - 5 hours in the kitchen is not what I'd predicted.  But, armed with two recipes and a ledgeful of ingredients I very enthusiastically began my task.   I even tried to look professional with an apron longer than me and a baseball cap as the nearest thing to a chef's hat.

The slogan on the apron very much sums up my reputation for cooking - it's no wonder I'm generally banned from the kitchen.  'If you can't smell burning it's salad for tea' is pretty much correct.  I even once said on a TV programme that I could burn a salad.  But, this time, 24 hours after the task I'm actually pretty pleased with the results.   I'm not going to pretend, or even try and come over all knowledgeable and professional by sharing the two recipes I used - I hadn't even heard of some of the ingredients - instead I'll show you in the easiest way possible (for me) what I did. So first of all  - red velvet cupcakes:

Then, next up, after a couple of breaks and a tinnie of Pimms, came the lemon drizzle cakes:

Have to admit that part way through I did have to send a 'please save me' email to my husband as my icing was way too runny and I didn't know what to do, thankfully he brought me another box of icing sugar and it thickened up.  I also had a problem trying to open the wee bottle of natural food colouring but stabbing the top with a kitchen knife worked pretty well.  So anyway I ended up with 50 cupcakes!  If you notice there are two missing in the photo below - we did do a taste test - had to really -  but I'd made just over 50 anyways.    Today I took half in to my work and Stewart took the other 25 in for his colleagues and I am so exceedingly happy to report that people seem to have liked them - or were too polite to say otherwise - but also, through their kindness I can report that I have a grand total of £25 received in donations that I can send on to the Brainwave charity.   This has very much exceeded expectations.  Happy days!

By the way, please don't laugh at the random, sometimes overflowing, shapes these cakes ended up - they weren't burnt and they weren't hard as bricks so I'm happy1

DONE: No.13: Collect 50 Shiny New Pound Coins and Donate to Charity

June is going to be a quiet month task wise but at least I managed to finish one ongoing thing which was to collect 50 shiny new pound coins. Started this as soon as I initially started the whole year's countdown which coincided with the new pound coins being issued. Should have thought this one through cos the Royal Mint is actually only about 20 minutes away from us, in Llantrisant. Apparently if you go on the guided tour you get to strike your own coin. Might still do it at some point.

Took me the whole two months to get the 50 coins but you don't notice a quid here and there. So finally have the full amount.

The most difficult, the only difficult thing, was trying to decide on which charity to send the money to.   So many out there I feel I'd like to support but when it came down to it, I chose Brainwave, which is a charity to support disabled children and children with specific needs and one which my brother-in-law has effectively dedicated most of his entire working life to.  And, he puts his money where his mouth is, having only last year taken part in the Welsh Velothon an excruciatingly hard cycle ride. In fact, it was his involvement in the Velothon last year which has lead me to include that as part of my own 50 list.  Nope, I'm not getting on a bike, no way, no sirree but instead I have volunteered to help man the final feeding station up Caerphilly Mountain.  That takes place in a few weeks time.

There are a couple of items on the list where I automatically also have to raise money for specific charities, but if there is any other task where I might be able to make a few bob Brainwave will be the one I'm supporting. The difference they make to a child's general standard of living is immense.  I'll probably talk more about the work they do over the next year.  If you're interested the website is: www.brainwave.org.uk

DONE: No. 20 - TRY ARCHERY PROPERLY

 

Maid Marion, Katniss Everdene, and your Scottish bird from Brave, Princess Merida, eat your hearts out!  Well, actually no, you don't have to.  The twelve month countdown has officially begun as of yesterday (May 26th) and I ticked off the next thing No.20: TRY ARCHERY PROPERLY. We have both tried this before but only for fun on hollybobs.   I was hoping that today we'd get more 'goes' and be able to concentrate a bit more.  After a brilliantly sunny and hot week in south Wales we arrived at the Taff Valley Quad Biking Centre hoping for amazing views over Pontypridd.   Instead, we got this:

Still, absolutely no problem at all and the free ranging sheep were an added attraction.  This centre is known particularly for it's quad biking trail but you can also do archery, clay pigeon shooting, an assault course and a few other things.  It's well established and popular.

But, to the archery.  They do have an outdoor field practice area but because of the weather today we were in the barn.

This was absolutely fine and even comes with very authentic farmy poo type smells!   So, there were about 9 one of us but I reckon I got the chance to shoot easily at least 20 plus arrows over the 90 minutes.  I will admit to inner childish tantrums as I was not as good I'd hoped but I will absolutely put this down to not being fully free from frozen shoulder and all the shitty restrictions that brings. I know the stance you need - perfectly demonstrated by Stewart (who came a very close second overall in the competition).  I just could not get my elbow/shoulder high enough.  Technically, your elbow should be the height of your ear - see how Stewart stands.  I couldn't even get it to shoulder height - boo!!! But, it's not about excuses,  I gave it my best shot and at least I was hitting the target - not that I could really see it!!

 

 

Another thing tried, a really enjoyable day for the two of us and we even finished with a very nice pub lunch.  I think June is going to be fairly quiet and then the fun will pick up again in July.  See you soon!

 

DONE: No.17 - Have A Go At Glassblowing

Have a go at glassblowing, nope, no idea where this idea came from but it may turn out to be one of my better ones! I am SO very glad we did this.

We chose to go to the Original Bristol Blue Glass studio which was a wise choice. Right from my first phone enquiry these guys couldn't have been more welcoming and accommodating.  We booked to visit on Wednesday and had an easy trip through to Bristol and found the studio easily.

When we got there we got taken downstairs to the actual glass studio where a group of talented glass blowers were all busily working away. Was really surprised at how young they all were but as I'm doing these tasks cos I'm nearly 50 I guess it's not surprising really! But these guys are hugely talented and skilled  as can be seen by the beautiful items we passed in the shop.   The studio space is relatively small but hot, unsurprisingly.  Must be such thirsty and difficult work, particularly in the summer, when we get one!

Myself and Stewart both got the chance to make/create/blow our own glass baubles. I was really surprised that it doesn't take a lot of breath. Gently, gently is the way.  As novices it was a two person job and to be honest, it was Jay, our friendly glass blower who was doing the shaping and controlling the molten glass. 1200 degrees is the temperature required to make the glass pliable. Unfortunately I forgot to ask what it is that gives their glass the striking blue colour.

 Once the bauble has reached the optimum size, probably the size of a wee grapefruit you have to tap the top of the brass tube you've been blowing through and the tap somehow gently breaks the bauble off. It is no longer 'red hot' but blue by now. An extra bit of molten glass goes to seal the top off and creates a loop. And that was it! Took about 20 minutes but an exceedingly enjoyable 20 minutes. To be honest, until I came here I don't think I'd ever seen glass being blown but I'd have loved to stay and watch the real artisans at work.

It's not possible to take your 'work of art' or unique creation home with you straightaway. Got to give the glass time to cool down. But, after a couple of days waiting, my own and Stewart's arrived safely through the post today. And I'm well chuffed with them!  If you're interested, and near Bristol, I can thoroughly recommend this place. So friendly and professional. The Original Bristol Blue Glass Company, Bath Road.

DONE: No.29 - 50 Shades Of Pink

So, 50 Shades of Pink....this is kind of like a guilty secret.   I absolutely adore the colour pink! Not to wear oror anything, I just like pink things. Well, I love pink things. It is a happy colour.

I didn't completely stick to this task as I originally imagined it which was to find and take a photo of a pink thing every day for 50 days, instead I gave myself a total of 50 days to find stuff. Got there a lot quicker than I anticipated.  Not much else to say about this seventh completed task/thing to do. Probably the most random photos on here are the carousel horse and the pink flamingoes which live on a colleagues desk.

Happy National Miniature Golf Day - ONGOING - No.41 - Celebrate a National or International 'Day of' Something Each Month

Happy National Miniature Golf Day!!! This is for Task No. 41 - Celebrate a National or International 'Day Of' Something Each Month.


So, miniature golf, adventure golf or crazy golf - it's all the same thing and I've always loved it.  Played courses all over the place, in the UK, in Europe and in North America.   Some folk say crazy golf is for fun - for me and Stewart, hell no, it matters, we're competitive and we both want to win!!! 


For today however we chose to visit the 'Adventure Golf' course at Celtic Manor Newport - home of the Ryder Cup from a few years ago no less!  In fact, I also think this might have been where Obama and other world leaders stayed when Cardiff hosted the NATO summit - would love to think of Obama playing this crazy golf course.

It's a lovely wee course with lots of water features and something we've never come across before - at least twice you have to pull yourself across the water feature on a the raft - that was so cool even though with my frozen shoulder I did have to let Stewart do it.

Can choose to play 9 holes or 18 - of course we chose the 18 holes.  At £9 a pop I really didn't think it was bad value either.  It's pretty, it's difficult and they also have a lot of Celtic features and also have a hole based on The Bridge at St Andrews.

A lot of fun was had today - I have to admit that both of us had balls land in the water features a few times and in the end Stewart did beat me, narrowly - but, I was the only one to actually get a hole in one, on the course that when we started Stewart had said 'they've designed this course so nobody will get a hole in one'.  I DID !!!!!!  Huzzah :)