Sunday 11 January 2015

Update!

Hello hello, I haven't posted in a very long time and what an exciting time it's been! I want to get back into blogging and thought to start off with I'd just give a little update on life and what's been going on, with some lovely photos to share too!


I was offered a job back in Exeter in September. 


This has been a great 'in between' as I still have lots of great friends in Exeter and I didn't really have any plans for the year! So it's got me into 'the world of work' whilst still managing to cling onto student life too!


Late September and early October brought sunny days and the chance to hold onto summer as long as possible. Exeter is so well located, with seaside towns like Exmouth, Budleigh Salterton and Dawlish in easy reach, perfect for someone who loves nothing more than a nice coastal walk followed by fish and chips on the beach!



The amazing, annual Tar Barrels event in Ottery St Mary is a great alternative to your usual fireworks on Bonfire Night. It's pretty dangerous at points, but it's so good to watch! Basically some crazy adrenalin loving individuals from the area run around with flaming tar barrels. When the fire starts to die, the 'paraffin man' appears, ready to set it back alight. It's an exciting night with plenty of street food and mulled cider to keep you warm (if the fire doesn't!)


The girls and I have kept ourselves busy during our lazy weekend with baking and films - nothing changes. We've tried Slutty Brownies, a few different cakes, and were successful in making possibly the gooiest cookies I have ever eaten. Straight from the oven these were deeeelicious. Recipe here


I've also been heading to London a bit to visit friends and family in the big city. I love London, especially in Winter when all the lights are up and everywhere looks so magical! 


During my visit in late November I went to Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park...again the best bits there were the food stalls and mulled cider (I think there's a pattern here...)


I also went to The Art of the Brick exhibition in Shoreditch, just off Brick Lane (who'd have thought it?) Artist Nathan Sawaya is basically Lego God and makes the most amazing things; life size animals, dinosaurs and people, replicas of traditional pieces of art, and this amazing globe! 


And last weekend I went skating at the outside rink at the Natural History Museum. I am not good at alllll at skating and fell over, but it's all part of the fun! And in this setting, I'm not complaining!


Back to Christmas, I was fortunate enough to go to six different Christmas roasts which was pretty great (bet you can guess what my new year's resolution is now though!) 


And I baked yummy yummy chocolate cake for Boxing Day: three chocolate sponges, white chocolate ganache in between the layers and dark chocolate butter icing. 

 And whilst back home in the Midlands over the break we were treated with some snow! Mum's birthday is just a few days after Christmas day, so we drove up to Yorkshire Sculpture Park which was just beautiful in the snow! 
And now I'm back in Exeter for the next few months and looking forward to what I'm sure is going to be a very exciting year! This week I've booked a trip up to Edinburgh Fringe Festival with some friends I used to perform with - after 2 summers without Edinburgh I'm definitely missing it! And after that, I'll be moving to the East to embark on my teaching career - very nerve wrecking but I'm looking forward to it!

For now though I'm just going to make the most of living in Exeter. I'll certainly try and blog more and share some great recipes and activities I find myself doing too!

Niobe x 









.widget {text-align: center;}