Fish

We were very sad on Friday to loose one of our fish. Not just any fish but the patriarch of our garden pond who we lovingly called Big Bollocks.

He was at least 11 years old and must have weighed over a kilogram. We and his harem of lady goldfish are going to miss him, very much.

Here he is, in happier times, last summer, tucking into his favourite snacks.

The Wire

Having completed and loved all 7 series of Sopranos last year, Mark, Stephen and I have started our 2009 TV Series; 'The Wire' and the first 2 episodes were very promising.

I really liked this fine fellow, who's a temporary guest at Stephen and Christophe's.

Be seeing you

I'm a very, very big fan of 'The Prisoner' and was sad to learn today of Patrick McGoohan's death.
Defiantly my favourite TV series of all time and the closest TV has come to a 'Citizen Kane'.
One of the things I love about the Prisoner is that, uniquely for a TV series, one man is author.
It was McGoohan's immense artistic achievement to have conceived and produced the series, write and direct many of the episodes as well as the show's star.
I'll have to watch the final two episodes, as a tribute, with Ruby and Ibolya, very soon.

Ruby on Saturday morning

on her changing matt, listening to 'Old King Cole' while Ibolya hoovers in the background

Queen's Park

This has been an incredibly lovely and happy weekend. Just the 3 of us, being together and doing things we like to do. With perfect wintry weather outside; ice cold, with clear deep blue skies and a covering of white frost on the ground.

Some Ruby and Robbie time on Saturday morning

A trip to Willesden Sports Centre

Badminton with Kate and Dan on Saturday afternoon

A long afternoon walk home through Roundwood Park


A sumptuous, wintry, feast. Slow cooked pheasant, with chorizo, butter beans and wine

Sunday morning walk to Queen's Park farmers market

to buy some fantatsic meat for dinner
Good coffee in a nice cafe down Salusbury Road

Home to a warm house and curl up in front of a good film (Michael Haneke's 'Funny Games') with all my girls

and a Sunday roast dinner of pork and crispy crackling. Ibolya gave it (a Come Dine With Me) 10 out of 10.

Films in 2009 I can't wait to see

The New Year is always a wonderful time for new movies and there's a brilliant pre Oscar line up this year, from some of my very favourite, contemporary, film makers. These are the ones I'm most desperate to see, in rough order of priority. Just going to be a bit tricky getting to see them with little Ruby in tow.

1) Stephen Soderbergh's 'Che Part 1'

2) Darren Aronofsky 'The Wrestler'


3) David Fincher 'Benjamin Button'


4) Ron Howard 'Frost/Nixon'

5) Gus Van Sant 'Milk'

6) Danny Boyle 'Slumdog Millionaire'

7) Bryan Singer 'Valkyrie'

Ruby Smiles

Ruby has given me at least 7 beautiful, gorgeous smiles today. I'm not sure if they're involuntary or if she's genuinely happy when we're looking at each other but she's given me such happiness at the end of my wonderful Christmas holiday.

Back to work tomorrow and I'm going to miss my Ruby and Ibolya very, very much.

Rescue Dawn

Ibolya and I watched 'Rescue Dawn' on DVD last night, our first film of the year.
I've loved Werner Herzog's movies since I first saw 'Fitzcarraldo' 20 years ago. I love his 'mad-German', 'method' approach to making films and he's a towering figure in world cinema. I love it that he's still making films and that he's so prolific.
His protagonists are always pitted against beautiful yet hostile environments and concher against all odds. None more so than this which tells the true story of Deiter Dengler, the only US serviceman to escape a POW camp during the Vietnam War. Shot down over Laos, on a secret bombing raid in 1965, 40 minutes into his very first mission, Dengler survived capture, torture, escape and starvation during months in the jungle.
Herzog cast his method equal in Christian Bale who boasts in the extras that he shed 50lbs, ate magots, did all his own stunts and was tortured by natives to accurately tell Dengler's remarkable story.
Ibolya and I really enjoyed it, it's a great film that's powerfully optimistic, humane and inspiring.

Cambria Road

Saturday night was a bad one for Ruby and at about 2.00, with little sleep, we decided to give swaddling another go and wrapped Ruby tight in this Marino wrap, which worked wonders and made Ruby look, very, very cute.

We'd been invited to Alex and Robyn's for Sunday lunch so we, diagonally, crossed town - giving Ruby her first trip on the underground - and caught a train from Victoria to Denmark Hill.

We had chicken soup for lunch and cheese for afters. Alex is getting on particularly well with Ruby and making him feel quite broody.

After lunch, Ruby did that adorable thing when she finds just the spot on my shoulder and lolls in to the deepest of sleeps, in what looks like and incredibly uncomfortable position, which I just love.

Mark and Sophie

Saturday, 3rd, morning, we took Ruby to Barbly Road Health Centre to have the bump on the back of her head checked again. The doctor was sure it's reducing but has referred us to St. Mary's to be on the safe side. We also got Ruby weighed and is now 4.50kg, just about spot on where she should be.

This has been, without doubt (and hesitation), officially, the best Christmas, I've ever had. Obviously, spending it with Ruby has been everything (and as incredible and special a time as it's possible to have) but I've also loved having friends over to see us and meet Ruby for the first time.
Today, we had the great pleasure of seeing Mark and his new girlfriend Sophie. Sophie's from Nottingham so she was already very high in my estimation, even before I met her. They make a fantastic couple and we wish them every happiness together.




Sophie and Mark bought these lovely clothes for Ruby.


Ruby and Ibolya found themselves in co-ordinated tops today so not to feel left out, I put my stripey top on too.

The Agbos

Later on Friday, we were joined by Kwami, Marlene, Jean-Charles and Agnel Agbo and their friend. Their generosity, as always, was overwhelming and they not only bought round a wonderful, complete 3 course meal for us all but also spoiled Ruby with more clothes and some adorable shoes.

Ruby Meets P & K

We had an absolutely wonderful afternoon on Friday, when Pete and Karen came over to meet Ruby for the first time and I think, they really hit it off.
Pete and Karen were incredibly generous and bought Ruby some marvelous clothes, a teething ring and some tea from Japan.

Stephen and Christophe came too and to be with my nearest and dearest friends, on the second day of the year, with 4 week old Ruby, made this a very special afternoon for Ibolya and I.

These were P&K's gifts for Ruby.