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Thursday 29 September 2011

On The Rebound

John frequently drove over to stay with Claire and on many weekends they then drove over to the cottage.
Claire and Sam first met John's children there. 
Their mum and partner were staying in another cottage but the children spent their time there with their dad.
There was Emily, 13; Sarah, 9 same age as Sam and Patrick, 6!
Sam immediately found an affinity with Emily being more mature. 
They seemed nice children with good manners.

As it neared the summer holidays Claire suggested the children stay over a while at her house.
John met half way with their mum to collect them.
Although Claire had a three bedroomed house it was difficult with one boy.
Emily and Sarah shared a room and Patrick ended up in a sleeping bag on the floor of Sam's bedroom.
It was fine as they all appeared to get on well.

It was meal times when Claire realised Patrick had never been taught how to use a knife and fork properly! Emily tended to help him a lot and even John's attitude was that he was a boy! 
Claire said that he needed to learn and must be struggling at school. 
There were other things too she noticed Emily tied his shoe laces and Claire asked if he'd been shown how to use the loo as most went on the floor! 
John didn't know and although he had been split a while from their mum Claire felt he should have noticed! 

Claire believed in everyone doing their bit but when drying pots Patrick came close to dropping things. John's attitude was to say he shouldn't do it but Claire said to give him cutlery to dry but no sharp knives.

Although Claire had done her share of babysitting when younger and run a crèche for a Gingerbread group she had no other experience than raising Sam. However she knew enough and was horrified that both John and his partner had been primary school teachers and owned a nursery!
She was later to realise the nursery was left to staff and half the time so were their children whilst they lived their own individual lives! 
This opened Claire's eyes to further understanding John and she had mixed feelings! 

The children stayed a few days but they could only go out locally as there was not enough car room for four children. Luckily the beach and a huge park were within walking distance.
Then they returned home.

Claire worked three part time jobs so Sam usually went to her grandmas but as John had all the holidays, being a lecturer, it meant Sam could stay home sometimes! 

They had a great summer going out to many different places.

Claire's friend was having relationship difficulties so travelled up from London with her two children to stay a week and Claire took time off work.
John stayed over at the same time and they all arranged to stay a few nights at the cottage meeting John's children there.
They met up at another small seaside village, Robin Hood Bay and when Sarah found out where they were to meet said to her dad "not f*****g Robin Hood Bay father"! 
When John relayed this to Claire she was totally shocked especially at John finding it comical. He just couldn't see it as a problem. 
Claire never heard him swear and she never spoke such words within hearing distance of Sam or any child! 

Claire had learned a lot about the life John had had with his ex. Apart from leaving their children to their own devices with Emily taking on the mother role a lot of the time, they appeared to have like minded friends and been cocooned in their ideas, opinions and ideologies!

John knew plenty about his subject but not so much about general knowledge and life in general!

Through things he said it was obvious the man his ex was now with, Jake, a long time friend, and his ex had been having a relationship for many years.

When she fell pregnant with Patrick they had not slept together for a long time and yet she suddenly decided to sleep with him once. Then she was pregnant! On seeing Jake it was so obvious he was his father and John agreed still wanting to hide from the truth! 

Saturday 24 September 2011

Time to blog about food again

Thai mixed veg.

When I cook I grab ingredients and chop straight into pan but can all be made ready first!

Drizzle sunflower oil in a wok/pan then add finely sliced carrots, stems of broccoli, sliced green beans, broad beans, thinly sliced pepper, sliced courgette, asparagus tips, a little fennel...they can all go in together... slithers of Ginger, slithers of chilli, squeeze half a lime and lemon, a few dashes of soy sauce, some shavings of creamed coconut and a little water... Stir every now and again. 
Cook either Ramen or rice noodles to accompany! 

Other veg could be swapped or added too!
I didn't use garlic or spices but you can experiment! 
Could add peanut butter or tahini to make a satay sauce! 

Enjoy!!! 

Friday 23 September 2011

On The Rebound

Claire was devastated when her relationship ended. She had really loved Neil. He was over ten years older than her and she felt safe, secure and loved when he was around but it had all gone wrong. 
As they lived in the same seaside town she often saw him but he didn't frequent the local pubs so she could avoid him when out socialising! 
The months passed when she met someone else, she was later to realise this had been on the rebound but it was to change her life!
Although John lived in a city some miles away he had a cottage close to the town where Claire lived. 
They initially met as friends but started a relationship. At first she couldn't get Neil out of her head and when parading around town with John hoped to make him jealous! 
But the more she saw him the more she liked him.
It wasn't long until he invited her to the cottage, it was by the seaside but one that had been a little fishing village tucked away on the east coast.
The cottage was very messy with a hotch potch of furniture but she loved it, especially the open fire where they would later make love.
It was such a peaceful place, the sort where artists would retire to. There were often many visitors but it wasn't commercialised!
That first morning Claire woke to the sound of seagulls. 
John made her breakfast and then they went for a walk along the rocks with it's sea pools.
That night he made her tea and they snuggled up to soft music. 
On Sunday after a walk that took them over a river, flowing to the sea, via stepping stones, they went to the pub directly opposite the cottage for Sunday lunch.
Claire really loved this place.
That evening was back to reality and the long journey for John to the city where he lived and worked.

Claire had a daughter and John had two daughters and a son from a previous relationship. They lived some distance away and although a difficult situation Claire later encouraged him to see them regularly.

On one of the weekends John stayed over they went to the Sea Life Centre. Claire's daughter, Sam, was only young but was interested in everything stopping to read all the information boards.
After a long time walking round they went to the cafe. John expressed how shocked he was that Sam was so interested and well behaved! Claire started to wonder what his children must be like!

Sunday 18 September 2011

Too Young

Janet was about sixteen when she met Simon, he was twenty. She always seemed to be asked out by older men.
He lived on the next street so they had often seen each other but met up properly when Janet was out with friends at The Crown. They got chatting and would often meet up there amongst a crowd. 
When he found out she was good at Art he asked her to design a logo for his mobile DJ van. He wanted to call his business Aquarius. 
Janet found a small picture of a water carrier and checked it was what he wanted. She squared it up and made an enlarged drawing. Simon then took the design to be spray painted onto his van, he paid her too. 
One Saturday night he asked her to go with him to the club where he was working. She asked one of her friends to phone and tell her mum where she would be. 
They travelled in the van and it was an amazing night, she'd never been to a club before due to problems with transport. All the girls kept gathering round and asking for requests. Janet was pleased that she was the one with Simon and he wasn't interested in anyone else.
The club closed at one but when they arrived at his house it was nearly two in the morning. Immediately they turned into the driveway Simon's mum came out saying that Janet's mum had been round and she was livid!
Simon walked Janet round the corner immediately but still lingered long enough to give her a good night kiss. 
When Janet was in the house her mum started with the usual ranting and raving but when asked if Janet's friend had phoned she had. That was how she was able to go to Simon's house! She was fuming that Janet was out so late but at no time said that she had been worried. No it was all about control and not wanting her to go out with friends even though she knew she couldn't stop her. She knew this because when her sister was the same age and went out she once called the police! A lovely police woman came round who then listened to their mother ranting about how there should be something they could do to stop it. Her sister never even stayed out late! The police woman questioned what she expected the police to do and that as she was sixteen she could leave home if she wanted to and do as she wished. She did the following year! 
Janet continued seeing Simon and on a couple of occasions went to clubs with him but told her mum in advance knowing she could do nothing. After that she was always asleep when Janet returned home! 
They had been seeing each other for a few months and managed to sleep together on odd occasions when she came home from school and he had the house to himself!
Then out of the blue he asked her to marry him, he was ready to settle down and start a family and wanted his wife to be Janet.
She was so shocked! He told her he knew she needed time to think it over.
She spoke to friends at school saying that she felt too young, hadn't known him that long and had plans for a career! 
When Janet next saw Simon she had to tell him she wasn't ready to settle down. He said he understood, she was still young and he was willing to wait. She explained that she intended moving away as soon as she could. 
She never saw him again apart from at a distance.

Before Janet moved away she met someone else. 
Tom was a Royal Marine so older than her. He came from a nearby village where she went with friends to drink.
He had been to many countries already. He was tall, dark and handsome and not long after they started dating he took Janet to meet his mum. She let them stay together when Janet stayed over. Even Janet's mum approved of him not that she had met all of her boyfriends. 
He had a car so they were able to travel around. 
They had been together a few months when Janet was told she had been accepted at a college in London and would be leaving. 
Tom was due to go on duty in Ireland and even though he was an officer would still be involved in the fighting. They both hoped to continue the relationship.
When Janet was in London she had a special number to call so was only charged local rate to call Tom. 
It was a terrible time with all the bombing. One time she phoned he had been in hospital having glass removed from his back. He had been close to where a bomb had exploded. 
He wrote regularly and sent Love Is.. characters with his own Love Is... quotes. It made Janet's heart melt. 
But as time went on Janet found the long term relationship a strain. Eventually she met someone else. 
Then out of the blue Tom turned up, he was staying a few days with a friend in Knightsbridge not far away.
Janet had to quickly make excuses for not seeing her new bloke that weekend.
Tom and her had a great time and she wasn't sure what to do.
They continued to write until one day she told him she couldn't continue the long distance relationship.
He was very upset and the next time he was on leave went to see Janet's mum saying he loved Janet and could she do anything.
Janet was upset to hear this but realised she had made the right decision. Tom was ready to settle down but she wasn't.
She often would look at the Love Is... he had sent her and the fabulous love letters along with the photos of him in uniform his mum sent her. She would always cherish them. 
Then one day her new boyfriend saw them, he was very jealous and told her to throw them away. She had started falling in love with him and didn't want to lose him, so she did.
She would regret that action forever. 

Tuesday 13 September 2011

Tonight's Tea

I often come home with the dilemma of what to have for tea. Unless I have something specific in mind I usually just grab ingredients and hope it works. I only ever remember one meal that didn't! Can't remember what I put together though!!! Lol
Tonight I grabbed a pan and put in a little sunflower oil then added chopped onion and a clove of roasted garlic.
I then thinly sliced half a courgette, podded some lovely fresh peas and rough cut some broccoli spears and added. Once this had cooked out a little I moved it to the side and added a little bulgar wheat and risotto rice and let it absorb the oil. A shake of bouillon and a small amount of water to plump up the rice then more water. I then added a small tin of sweetcorn, some fresh tomatoes chopped and half a tin of lentils.... Yes the pan was very full! The last ingredients were shavings of horseradish, a sprinkling of sea vegetables and a swirl of peanut butter! All cooked out and water added as needed! 
Now some of you may be questioning some of these ingredients but no taste was over powering and it all worked!

People often feel they have to follow recipes but if you like all the ingredients it's likely you'll like the finished dish... You can keep taste testing too!!! 

Loving Life

Susan's friend, Jill, was seeing Croc'c cousin, Matthew. They were either all out together or the two girls were in their local. They met two more bikers and would often go riding with them. 
Soon they saw these two new blokes on some nights and Croc and Matthew on others. Then sometimes it was a game of hide & seek if they all ended up in the same pub. 
Eventually Susan told Croc she had met someone else and he was very upset. She didn't want a serious relationship. 

Susan didn't sleep with everyone she went out with she just wanted to have fun.
Jill started seeing a non biker called Stuart who Susan rather fancied. This meant they often went their separate ways as Susan still went around with the bikers. 
Then Jill met Shaun and was seeing them both. Although Susan had done the same in the past she really liked Stuart and didn't like Jill treating him this way. 
She would chat to him when Jill wasn't there and there was obvious chemistry. 
Eventually Jill told him she didn't want to see him any more and he started going out with Susan. 
This brought about a completely different set of friends, all older and some with cars. 
Stuart lived in yet another area driving around to many places. Having a car was ideal if not a little uncomfortable. They used the back seat for making love, yes this was no longer sex as she was falling in love. 

Susan was trying to get into art college but a local one would not accept her due to the little amount of work she had to show. In the sixth form they had a set drawer for art work but her folder contained less than half. Someone had obviously removed it and her art teacher was very annoyed. 
Being a very academic school her choice was frowned upon with her careers teacher, a French teacher she despised, suggesting she find a job rather than attend an art college. It was expected students would attend university!
Eventually she found a course in London and was fully supported by her art teacher. The school should have promoted the fact that she was the only student from there who had ever applied and it was the only course of it's kind. 
She was accepted. 

The biggest wrench would be leaving Stuart. Everything was fine at first then he said that he didn't believe a long term relationship would work. This was because his best friend and girlfriend had split up when she had got settled into university. He then started seeing someone else. Susan and many friends knew it was to cover the fact that it wasn't what he wanted. 
They both went to a party and he spoke to all the girls but not Susan. They stayed over and she shared a settee with someone else in the hope he would be jealous, they just slept. 
The next day it was obvious Stuart was upset and they did go out together a few times after that but he insisted it wouldn't work so Susan made a clean break. She believed this was her first true love. 

Croc often used to turn up at the house under the pretext of showing his new bike or crash helmet or brought a friend to show his.
But Susan was no longer interested.
She was about to embark on a new life! 

Monday 12 September 2011

Loving Life

Many of the bikers at the pub would travel around on an evening and although some had girlfriends there were many spare pillion seats.
Susan would travel on the back of whoever had a spare seat. She had no fear of speed and found it easy to lean when going round bends. 
They would go to surrounding villages meeting up with many other local friends. 
Sometimes they went to parties and stayed over night. 
One of the bikers was a fireman and Susan often went on the back of his bright yellow Laverda. He took her to Carnaby races and not only did the spectators all stare but the race riders all came over to take a look! It was the biggest bike there! Susan felt great that she was part of this event.
Although never in a relationship with this bloke, Martin, they spent a lot of time together. She once walked miles hitch hiking with him to collect a different motorbike. 
He also took her scrambling. 

Because of the biking gang she met so many blokes and one in particular she started to see on a regular basis. His name was David, known as Croc, many bikers had nicknames. 
He lived in a nearby village and used to come and collect her even if they were spending the evening in the village. 
Many evenings were spent at his home as although he worked he didn't have much money.
Susan loved where he lived, a large farmhouse, no longer with any land attached. 
It had a typical farm kitchen and this was the heart of the home with a huge open fire. Then, in a room off, his two grandmas stayed mainly bedridden with his mum taking care of them. The others in the house were his dad, uncle and and two sisters.  His auntie often visited with her husband. Off the first room was another room, the 'best' room where Susan and Croc would spend a lot of time. 
There were two staircases with bathroom and four or five bedrooms. With a toilet downstairs Susan never really ventured up unless she stayed on the odd occasion. They did not sleep together though.
Croc had a large family and they all slowly met her. She really liked him and loved the freedom of riding off wherever they fancied, sometimes just the two of them but mainly in a large group! 
Croc did go to Susan's house but they never spent all evening there, she preferred to be elsewhere! 
It was very difficult for them to spend time alone then they went to a party. 
Plenty of drink flowing and as the evening came to an end all those staying said one of the bedrooms was for them. They all knew how difficult it was for them to be together!
A whole night alone in the same bed! Susan was still not very experienced and although Croc was a little older he hadn't had many partners. They fumbled around a little but he kissed her gently and found all her sensitive parts around her neck and ears. Their hands moved around exploring until he was between her legs and she holding his hard, throbbing member. They couldn't wait and soon she was astride him guiding him in between her legs eased by the moistness. They rolled over so he was on top thrusting at times then gently pulling backwards and forwards to slow his final eruption. Susan always insisted on protection now which meant he didn't need to withdraw too soon. 
Afterwards they laid breathless for a while until she reached over and soon they were entwined again. 

The next morning they were tired but walking round with huge smiles. Their friends never commented and left their night together private. 

Sunday 11 September 2011

Loving Life

Susan had always loved life, she hadn't always had it easy but was able to overcome the obstacles with her bubbly personality.
Although she had gone to an all girls school she had always had more male friends. She found them easier to talk to without the bitching. They could speak openly. 
She had started going to her local pub at fourteen in times when no-one really asked about age as long as they were making money. Although she went with a school friend, Jill, they soon made friends, all of whom were older. 
The police once raided but the only person they questioned was a lad who was over eighteen. Susan and Jill innocently carried on their game of Pool and left their drinks on the side. 
They didn't go very often as money didn't stretch too far and Susan had cigarettes to buy too. She was introduced to them by another school friend, Carol when she was twelve. They often sneaked out of school at lunchtime to go to the pub, removing ties and hiding uniforms under coats.

One weekend there was a barn dance in the village where she lived and some of her friends from the pub went. Luckily the school and pub were in the nearest town so Susan's parents never heard of her antics, they just thought she was visiting friends after school on the evenings she went out. In later years she realised they probably didn't care where she was.
At the dance Susan spent a lot of time with Michael, known as Winnie for reasons never fully explained. At one point he lifted her up and as he slowly brought her down again he pulled her closer and kissed her tenderly. Her whole body quivered, this was her first kiss that she would cherish forever. 
They saw each other many times after that, either in a group at the local or walking round town when he waited for her near the school gates. Always out of view of the very strict teachers who watched everyone ensuring no ties or berets removed or skirts hitched up on leaving. 

When going out at lunch time it was like a commando raid with someone at every gate plus many more look outs! 

Susan and Michael never got embroiled in sex both knowing it just wasn't the right time, she was too young. They stayed friends. 

Susan's family moved into the town making it easier for her and her sister to get to school. They now walked instead of the long bus journey! 

The local pub was known for bikers who came from surrounding villages. Susan got to know many of them. There was another biker who passed her house every day but didn't go to that pub. After a while she plucked up the courage to wave. 
Then one day he stopped as she walked down the street and she trembled not knowing what to say. He rode a 
beautiful Triumph Bonneville and although she couldn't see much behind his crash helmet, he was good looking. 
He invited her to a race meeting the following Sunday and she said that she'd love to go.
As soon as she walked away she knew she couldn't, her mother would never let her. 
She did her best to avoid seeing Phil as she didn't know what she would say to him. Then one day he rode up beside her and she explained, he said it was fine and would she like to go round to his house sometime. 
He lived three doors from a house where Susan used to often babysit. As he had to often stay in with his younger brother it was easy for her to say she was babysitting at another house. 
By now Susan was sixteen and couldn't believe someone of nineteen could be interested in her!
They talked a lot and kissed but no more. 
After that she went many times until one day when he led her up to his bedroom. It felt right, not forced, not rushed and she was ready. 
He slowly undressed her and she climbed into his bed. She wasn't shy but unsure what to expect. He kissed her and stroked her breasts then laid on top of her and gently pushed his penis inside her raising his body, ensuring his weight was dispersed.
She raised and lowered herself as he thrust further and harder until he withdrew. They had not used protection. 
He asked if she was alright and she then told him she had been a virgin up to that point. He couldn't believe her at first saying how natural she was.
Susan knew she was going to enjoy being sexually active. 

She went round many times after that but was still going to her local pub and meeting even more people.
It was never a serious relationship, she was too young to fall in love but the sex was amazing! 

Saturday 10 September 2011

The Bright Lights Beckoned

Ann went to stay with some of the girls from work and was made welcome into each family home.
Friday lunch times down the local pub became longer and longer with their boss coming to get them a couple of times. Then not a lot of work was done in the afternoon! 

Time went by and the violence didn't stop! Steve punched Ann in the stomach at a family party because she said something he didn't like. The family separated them and Steve was spoken to but no-one listened to what Ann had to say!
She had had enough and it was getting harder to go out alone on an evening living there.

At her work Christmas party she enjoyed the company of John, the security man. He made her laugh and she felt comfortable with him. 
A little later they made their way through the building to the top offices of the store.
There they had sex, it wasn't love making it was raw sex and Ann felt free!

The next day at work she was suffering carpet burns numbed the previous evening by the alcohol. She wasn't sure how John would react but he chatted as normal. 
After that they managed to go out a few nights and Ann was having fun again. This was straight after work and she didn't stay late so was able to make excuses to Steve for her lateness! 
The only time she could have sex again with John was when she stayed after work and they toured the building together ensuring security. There were plenty of places with soft settees on display, no more carpet burns.
Ann really liked John but nothing serious.
She was now twenty and knew she was not willing to accept a life like this. 

Steve and Ann continued their arguments and she continued her nights out with friends, she had stayed in contact with girls from the hostel and sometimes went back there for the night. 

During one big argument Ann yelled that she had slept with someone else. She wouldn't say who and risked him hitting her again. Instead he was numbed, he couldn't believe it and became upset.
Ann still loved Steve and told him so but she couldn't be with him any more.

Over the next few days Ann arranged to move back to the hostel, she couldn't get a three bedded room so moved into one with five. By now she had a lot more to move and very little space!
Ann often felt herself looking over her shoulder but only bumped into Steve a couple of times after that.
It was hard for her as this was her first true love. 

Ann started feeling really tired and her doctor told her she needed to go home to rest again. She returned home but didn't get much rest running around after her step father who had lost his job. Then a relative was taken ill and she went to stay with her until she ended up in hospital. 
Ann was deemed fit to return to London and got back to a phone call to say her relative had died. Work were very supportive and gave her leave to return home. 
Steve contacted Ann to ask if he could attend the funeral and he did. By this time family knew what he had been doing but Ann told them to say nothing. Not that they had been supportive to her over it! 

She returned to London, to work and to friends.

She went out with John a few times but nothing serious.
She had made many new friends at the local pub through darts and one of them asked her out once Steve was no longer around but she wasn't interested. In the end she introduced him to a friend and they started seeing each other. 
The three of them started flat hunting and eventually found one at the other side of London. It would mean a longer journey to work but there was a direct bus route, Ann had given up using the tube a long time before. 
They lived on the ground floor of a house with bathroom, separate toilet, large kitchen and two bedrooms. A woman lived upstairs and had to go around the back to use the shared toilet. They rarely saw her but told her she was welcome to cut through the kitchen and bathroom but she never did.
When she moved out they went to look round. Two bedrooms and a tiny kitchen and she'd told them she'd had four children whilst there, now all grown up! 

Having a place of their own meant they could invite people round and have parties including Ann's 21st! She certainly made up for missing out on her 18th! 
She still saw John on odd occasions but had many other admirers who wined and dined her and came bearing gifts! 
After such a confining relationship she spent a lot of time seeing different men and enjoying uncommitted sex! 

Soon the landlord said that he was refurbishing all his houses and flats and would move them until complete. For some time her flatmates had been considering leaving London and this brought the decision forward! They left and Ann felt it was time to move on!
She handed in her notice at work and to her landlord! 
Another chapter in her life closed. 

Thursday 8 September 2011

The Bright Lights Beckoned

Ann continued putting up with Steve's family because she loved him but there were regular arguments. Ann would just take herself off with friends and enjoy herself. She still sometimes saw Sharon and Steve knew nothing about their friendship! Although Ann worried for her as she was taking heroin... She had an admirer, a technician at the dentistry college who would get it for her. She had moved from soft drugs to this and stopped injecting in her arms as her boyfriend checked them! So injected in her legs, far more dangerous!

College finished the following summer and Ann immediately started work where she had gone for work experience. The rest of the team asked her to apply, they all got on so well!
This gave another aspect to her life and new friends! 
Every Friday they all went to the local pub at lunch time as they were paid. 
Then Ann would buy a little something for the two young nieces and nephew.

Steve did hit her again followed by an apology and friends telling her to leave him! 
After a couple of years together they got engaged, Ann was now eighteen! Her birthday had passed without much fuss as Steve had told her she couldn't go out with her friends! She just celebrated with them the next time they argued!

They discussed getting a flat together but Steve took charge of looking and never found anything decent! 

They still had fun but their relationship was strained and it was difficult making love with family around so much.
Ann had to see her doctor about something and he could see she was quite down! She talked about her difficulties and he suggested she go away somewhere with Steve!  They had both stayed at Ann's home but did not sleep together under her mum's roof!

Steve booked two nights away in Kent. 
They went the following weekend. It was a lovely hotel, not that they saw much of it hidden away in the room. Steve ordered room service including a bottle of Champagne! 
Food played a part in they're love making that night! Placing it on each other's body to lick, suck and consume topped off with Steve drinking Champagne off Ann's concave stomach. It was the best love making, so much time to spend on each other! They were able to kiss long and hard, then slowly kiss each other's body from top to toe. Then with a searching tongue found every sensitive part taking each other to such heights! They made love then drank more Champagne then made love again. This lasted all night, both nights.

They returned full of love for each other but back to the same home situation and comments as they had been away, together! 

Quick addition

So busy talking food I forgot to mention the fabulous service from the minute you walk through the door until leaving! Paced well, never intrusive and not rushed! The cocktail guy makes fab ones too!

It's time I blogged about food again!

I'm often tweeting about @yo_yo restaurant @Shipley, recommending and have put a review on Trip Advisor.
I go to a lot of really good restaurants across Leeds & Bradford and many across Britain when away! 
I am vegetarian and it is so hard to find good food.... Even harder now I'm going vegan! 
Italian food isn't too bad although no dairy based sauces from now on and luckily I know a good Indian restaurant that's completely vegetarian, a runner up on the F Word! 
I recently went to a French restaurant a winner on the F Word. Great service and fabulous food but only one vegetarian choice!
I'm not sure how many restaurants realise how many people they are ostracising and the money they are losing out on. 
I've lost count how many times I've entered a restaurant read the menu then departed often explaining with no offer to accommodate! 
I have returned to good restaurants but none so much as Yo Yo's over a short period of time!

This is Asian fusion food and the vegetarian choice is immense with Thai, Chinese and Japanese! 
We always start with the vegetable combo of samosas, filo pastry triangles filled with mixed vegetables and selected spices, deep fried and served with a mint yogurt (properly filled too),
dim sum, a dumpling pastry filled with mixed seasonal vegetables and soya sauce, steamed and then pan fried
and tempura, seasonal vegetables deep fried in a light tempura batter served with tempura sauce big enough for 3 to share! There are over 20 choices for starters!
Recently this has been after a strawberry daiquiri to wet the palate! 

For mains I've had Pad Thai Noodles, stir fried Thai noodles in a pad thai sauce with mixed vegetables served with mango slices and sprinkled with peanuts; Vegetable Thai Green Curry, mixed vegetables in a Thai aromatic herb green curry sauce and Vegetable Noodles, Chinese egg noodles stir fried with seasonal vegetables in soy sauce.
I've still to try the Thai Red Curry although I believe this is much hotter (think that's the right way round!).
I'm looking forward to trying the sushi, yes there is vegetarian sushi too! Its Futo Maki, Japanese vinegared rice rolled in seaweed with cucumber, kampyo, takwan (pickled raddish) and spinach.
My mouth is watering as I right this... a description of the ingredients doesn't do justice to the food! 

Then there's the desserts, so far Ultra Chocolate Something, a changing dessert with chocolate and a generous helping of vanilla Ice cream; Yo Yo's Ice Cream Tempura, deep fried vanilla ice cream in a tempura batter topped with chocolate and caramel sauce, this was amazing and so different! and Lemon Grass Crème Brulee, baked cream and egg yolks with lemongrass topped with caramelised sugar, served chilled, I'm going to miss this as a vegan.... 
Maybe I'll chat to the chef about alternative dairy.... a challenge! They already accommodate for gluten free! 
Then I've usually had a mini bottle of Champagne all making a very special evening at a reasonable price!
My daughter and her partner have tried other dishes too and as she can't eat certain ingredients they are very accommodating and have tofu too! 
There is a prime time menu and collect & go! 
I would highly recommend and I don't advertise for free very often! 

If you do go please mention you saw this here by @hugefoodlover!

Enjoy! 

Wednesday 7 September 2011

The Bright Lights Beckoned

Friends in the hostel told Ann she shouldn't see him again. Jan was very concerned for her. Ann wasn't sure what to do, she had never experienced this before and loved Steve deeply.
She remembered her mum talking about women being hit by their husbands when she was dealing with divorce cases. At the time she could never understand why they had stayed with them so long and let it continue.

Steve came round with flowers, a ton of apologies and vowing it would never happen again.
Ann believed him. 

The relationship continued and although they only ever went to their local pubs they sometimes went for a meal and travelled across London in competitive darts matches.

During that first summer Ann went home to spend the holidays but there was a strained atmosphere. Although her place was kept open at the hostel she only paid a retainer and couldn't afford the full rent during that time. 
She phoned Steve, he spoke to his mum and it was agreed she could stay there.
There was a spare room but this was for Bruce and Val when they stayed so she had a bed in his mum's large bedroom. This was by no means ideal but it meant they could often spend part of the night in Steve's room. 
When the holidays ended Steve asked Ann to move in completely and she did. She paid his mum but the cooking was left to her. 

The routine continued and at weekends Ann found herself sharing the bedroom with the two nieces too. 

At times it was hard to juggle everything, college work, going out, the strains of his family and giving Steve the attention he craved. It was hard trying to complete work on an evening. Then Ann was taken ill and her doctor said that she must go home and rest or he would hospitalise her.
This meant going home to her mum and step father not the ideal place to convalesce! A break from the intensity of Steve and his family but the added worry of missing college. 

The local doctor said she was fine to return to London after a few weeks but she didn't feel rested at all. 
She returned to the mayhem. 

At college Ann had started a project studying her favourite artist but she could never catch up and her tutors said that she had other projects she could submit for her final. 

Everything with Steve and his family continued as always. 

Tuesday 6 September 2011

The Bright Lights Beckoned

Steve knew how to treat her, how to pleasure her.
Ann had had sex before but not like this. She had her first orgasm with him and he introduced her to oral sex. 
This relationship was long term. 

Val invited Steve and Ann to stay at their flat. Immediately the rest of the family hounded her about sleeping arrangements, Val ignored them.
This was the first opportunity for Steve and Ann to sleep together in the same bed. 
When they made love they were able to take their time. They were able to slowly peel each others clothes off, they could not completely disrobe at his house! 
They kissed, tongues entwined, then Steve started to move down Ann's body, her ears, neck, arms slowly moving to her breasts, tongue moving down to her stomach. Ann then kissed Steve on his ears, neck, arms, down his chest with tongue licking gently down to his stomach. She then turned around so she could continue down as he did the same. Kissing, licking, nibbling, sucking, each sending the other to reach ecstatic heights. 
Sleep did not encompass them until the early hours then they were woken a few hours later by the children. 

College was exciting and challenging, especially being within the same building as a fashion school. They shared the catering facilities and Ann viewed many an unusual design being modelled by their maker.
She was sometimes invited to stay weekends with friends who lived at home where she was given a warm welcome.
Steve was never happy when she went away but Ann was glad of the break as often it was stifling. Steve expected to see her every night and all weekend. The only time Ann spent time with friends was when they argued. She sometimes instigated this to have a break! Never for long as Steve often hunted her out which at times was embarrassing when he came questioning who she was with. Friends from the hostel were all female but through playing darts she had made male friends too.

Then one weekend an argument broke out between Steve and Ann at his house. One of his sisters lunged for Ann saying she was upsetting their mum who wasn't even in the same room. Ann ran from the house to later be told Steve stopped the chase. This was irrelevant as when he met up with Ann he hit her. She screamed so loud someone opened a window asking if she was alright, unknown in London. She said she was and as she ran from him a police car pulled over. They asked where she lived but she didn't want him to be in trouble. As she got to the hostel she felt safe and ran to the room to clean her bloody nose. 

The next day the police called and tried to persuade Ann to press charges but how could she when she loved him so much.

Monday 5 September 2011

The Bright Lights Beckoned

From the first date, a drink in the pub and getting to know each other, they met up every night. He was a little older, lived at home and had a big family, none still living at home. 
Although they usually went to local pubs, often playing darts, if they wanted a night in it had to be at his house. Males were not allowed in the hostel.

Steve's mum was a lot older than Ann's, in fact he had a sister similar age to Ann's mum. He gave her money for food but many times she didn't cook anything and gave him money back to get a take away usually Indian food. 
After a short while Ann offered to make the odd meal and substituted take away with home made Indian food. Usually chicken with spices, rice and chapattis from a recipe in a book she bought. Steve was well known at the Indian restaurant and when they went Ann would chat about the meals she made and they were quite shocked stating they made their chapattis exactly the same way. They were always given a free glass of wine even when ordering take away. 

At weekends his two sisters, Shirley and Carole, nicknamed Billie and brother, Bruce would come with their families. Same routine each time. On a Saturday all the women went to Church Street market, sometimes with the children in tow. Shirley's  husband never stayed around and Bruce sometimes went fishing taking the children with him. Steve and Ann would sometimes join them. Sometimes they went to the market but never went their separate ways.
On Sundays the women all stayed home to cook dinner and the men went to the pub playing darts, Ann went with them. She joined them all for the meal, far better than the hostel food. 

There was another sister living in America. She had gone there on holiday with a friend and stayed, eventually marrying an American man. 

Ann enjoyed the homely, family environment. Although it had it's problems. One niece, Diane, a little younger than Ann was quite obsessed with Steve and her mother, Shirley, wanted treating like a queen. She was the one close to the age of Ann's mum. Then there was Bruce. Ann was informed to keep her handbag in sight, no further explanation until Steve said that he was prone to stealing money!
Steve and Ann often took the other two younger nieces, Kelly and Dawn  and nephew, Matthew, to the park, either Hyde Park or Kensington Gardens. A little bit of open space that was a haven from the hustle and bustle! 
Bruce's wife, Val, was a lovely person and Ann warmed to her but she did have a problem. She had to be told to have a bath and the aroma was rather unpleasant! 
It was hectic but fun on those weekends other than times when they tried to interfere in Steve and Ann's relationship. 
Dawn was only young but used to often talk to Steve about his ex girlfriend knowing it was upsetting for Ann. If there had been any hint of words between Steve and Ann his mother would tell them all. The sisters then took Ann aside and informed her she had upset their mother. Nothing was ever said by them to Steve and Ann felt trapped at times having no family close by.

Steve had proposed to Ann after only two weeks and the relationship built. 
It was difficult to have time alone, they had to wait until Steve's mum went to bed. They were then left with the sofa to make love on.
Steve was not her first but this felt right, love making rather than just sex.
They were constantly listening in case his mum came back down for a drink or saying she couldn't sleep.





Saturday 3 September 2011

The Bright Lights Beckoned

At seventeen Ann couldn't wait to leave the constraints of home. She had a good relationship with her mother but not her step-father. 
They'd just left as she settled into the hostel that was to become home in the big city of London. 
She unpacked her few belongings and decided to venture out! 
It was a warm evening and music filled the air. Suddenly she recognised it, somewhere Queen was playing. She followed the sound unaware of where she was going and reached the gates of Hyde Park just as the music ceased. A loudspeaker announced free LPs to anyone collecting rubbish but she needed to find her way back. 

She had been placed in a triple room but one bed remained empty. The other girl, Rita was lovely and they soon became friends.
Ann was a student amongst other students, civil servants and those who stayed short term. She made many friends.

The food was never very tasty but included in the rent and after tube fares she couldn't afford food as well. Her grant didn't stretch far. She also had to buy books and equipment, cigarettes and booze! 

Ann had the weekend to settle in and say hello to a few fellow boarders. 
Then on the Monday she started college. 
She was the only student living away from home even though it was the only college offering the course she wanted.
It meant she had two different groups of friends.

Ann was used to living in a friendly area and found it easy getting to know people.
She did know of someone from school, her sister's age, but only the name of a pub where she may be found!
The following weekend she found the pub but Sharon was not there. People in the pub said that she would be in later so Ann sat alone with a drink. 
Yes she was only seventeen but had been going to pubs for the last two years. She didn't look her age but was never questioned.
Soon Sharon joined her and they found plenty to talk about. This would be the start of many more nights and weekends drinking together and introductions to new people.

As Ann got to know more girls at the hostel they ventured to a few local pubs. At one she often played darts having played in her home town.
One evening she was out with Debbie, a very beautiful, leggy dance student, Marilyn another beautiful, blonde, busty dance student and Jan, the first lesbian Ann had ever met. 
This particular night there were a group of blokes who asked to join them playing darts. They all had a fun evening then shortly before leaving one bloke Steve took Ann aside and asked if she would go on a date with him. She was quite taken aback. She had had a few boyfriends and recently split with Stuart before leaving, him believing a long distance relationship could never work. It had never been very serious. But here she was alongside beautiful girls and he'd asked her. 

Friday 2 September 2011

Revised paragraph

She suffered heartache until she moved the next year!!!

Thursday 1 September 2011

The Mistress finale

Move, move how could she move, uproot and leave her family and friends! 
But this was the love of her life and he was willing to give up everything. 

They continued as always, lifts to school and work with breakfast at the same hotel. 
Evenings out dining, to shows and concerts and those wonderful times at home. 

Then Charles said that he had a meeting arranged with his brother about selling the business as he part owned it.
Jayne had to tell Alison as they may be moving quite soon! 

When Charles saw Jayne that night it wasn't good news. His brother totally refused the sale of the shop and gave him a lecture about his relationship being a 'whim'. 
Jayne couldn't believe it!

Their relationship had been fine and although she had fallen in love she would never have shared the fact.

They should have just been able to continue but Charles spent much of the time debating how he could change his brother's mind... He couldn't sell up without his agreement! 

Somehow the fun started to leave, the relationship was more serious and Jayne was unsure if that's what she wanted. Was this a sign of the future as a couple and no longer that special something! 

They saw each other a few more times but they both knew it could no longer work!
It was hard saying goodbye and it pulled at Jayne's heart strings to see Charles around town! 
She went into the shop a few times to see him but their love could never be rekindled! 

She suffered headache until she moved the following year!