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Tuesday, June 30, 2015

Waiting For The Final End To Roaming Charges in Europe - 2017

I had hoped that roaming charges would end. EU and all that. However, the latest estimate is 2017, and one cynic said, you'll be lucky.
Even so, that only affects putting the UK on a par with the rest of Europe. In Asia I have a second phone. For the moment it's a case of traveller beware.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/travel_news/article-3144480/The-end-dreaded-roaming-fees-EU-announces-phone-charges-hated-millions-holidaymakers-end-ll-wait-2017.html
http://www.cnet.com/uk/news/europe-to-kill-mobile-phone-roaming-fees-in-2017/
http://easykey.uk/iphone-help/how-to-avoid-big-iphone-data-roaming-charges-abroad

Angela Lansbury B A Hons, travel writer, photographer, author, speaker. 

Monday, June 29, 2015

More thoughts on Crown Carvery, Water's Edge, Ruislip

The location is great. Desserts are great. Good choice of drinks.

They have a feedback survey.

At around £27 for an all you can eat main course, dessert and drinks it would have been great value if the main course food had been better quality.

The midweek deals and occasional offers are good value.

The meat was dry. The place was pretty empty, so one of us said we could hardly expect them to bring out fresh meat for no customers. The other person said that surely restaurants have to replace food at regular intervals as a legal requirement.

Staff were friendly. The girl taking drinks orders was warm and friendly by the time we left. The man serving the meat made the evening with his tales of his past.

Can you cook and travel the world? I recall that if you wear glasses you might be turned down by the RAF and navy, but could get a job as a chef in the army. Earlier this year at a food show I met a group of chefs who worked on ships.

You could not leave food out from 9 am to midnight even if you had no customers. I thought it had to be replaced every hour, or at least every two hours, worldwide (in Singapore because of the temperature being about 90 degrees f, every hour.)




Feedback Survey
You need the phone number of the restaurant to register the survey. You can find that on your bill (make sure they give you the bill and you keep it). If you forget to keep your bill, you can find the restaurant phone number on a website.


The car park is big and free.
My last tip. Hang on to your unused paper napkin in case the toilet paper has run out.

To end on a happy note, the view was just great and I loved the apple crumble dessert. Yum yum.


Crown Waters Edge
Reservoir Road
Ruislip
HA4 7TY
Tel: 01895 625241.
Angela Lansbury Travel writer and photographer, author, speaker. 


Water's Edge Restaurant, Ruislip, for the Swans, Great Views, Service and Dessert

Why We Chose This Place
The location was what drew us to this carvery. (Two other carveries are in Watford). We'd looked at other places friends recommended, such as The Hare, but we weren't that hungry having had a late Sunday lunch and tea, so we didn't want to spend £15 or £20 on a main course, then coffees, drinks, service, it soon mounts up.

The car park is huge, no trouble parking. The art deco outside is a delight. In summer you can arrive for dinner after 8 pm and still see the white swans on the lido, which looks like a lake, and green trees.

We paid for our order and took the tickets. The carver offered a choice of four meats, chicken, lamb, pork, gammon. I have to admit the carver meats were dry, the greens, a bit limp, the potatoes so-so.

The high point was the view. So delightful to sit looking out at the Lido. It reminded me of a river through the Rhine.

The service was a delight. The man on the carver told us amusing tales of his life in the army. Whilst we were collecting our food, our drinks disappeared from our table, but they were willingly and immediately replaced.

We were too full for the desserts we had ordered. They did not have tubs, only paper bags. So we changed an order from chocolate Sundae to chocolate cake.

When I got home I found my apple crumble was a delight. Very pleased with the choice, I must admit the food was disappointing. Next winter when it's too dark to see the view, I'll try another carvery.

Price
Pricewise, it's not as cheap as you might expect on a Sunday night. No special deals, which you get mid-day mid-week.
If you are watching your budget, the small carver is quite big enough. The bigger size and price gives you a sausage and a second piece of Yorkshire pudding, neither of which we needed.


Sunday, June 28, 2015

GPS tracker for tracking children on holiday

You are on the beach and your child is building a sandcastle near your feet. You lay back and shut your eyes, because you cannot keep your eyes open with the sun over head. You open your eyes and your child has gone.

You race to the edge of the water and can't see your child. Turn right. Not there. Not left - thank goodness.

But what a good idea to have tracker. It could also stop that panic when you are meeting up at a shopping centre and somebody is parking the car and the rest of the group is shopping. If your husband can't find you, he could find the baby or toddler and thus know where you are.

The other situation is the reverse, when you leave your husband and kid to go to the toilet on the motorway and come back. Where is the car?

Yes, it could be very handy.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/travel_news/article-3137376/Caring-creepy-growing-trend-parents-using-GPS-trackers-tabs-children-holiday.html#comments

Saturday, June 27, 2015

Dirty toilets? - a disposable paper funnel for women

From India, a disposable device for use so women can urinate standing up in dirty toilet cubicles. That's the good news.  Widely available already in the UK are catalogues selling plastic devices which you can seal in a plastic bag, wash out and re-use.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-33279396?post_id=10155595000985597_10155759471445597#_=_

I am getting feedback and updates through my Facebook pages. A male friend told me that on Amazon the one for girls is called she-wee and the one for boys is called he-wee.

A female friend says it's 'nothing new'. She suggests check on Go Girl and find Fill-a-lily, a silicone funnel more suited to the fuller figure.

Angela Lansbury, author, travel writer, speaker

Your face on coffee, on the flight

Coffee with your / the customer's face on it - flattering picture and souvenir to send home from a coffee cup served by an airline or coffee shop or upmarket restaurant.
Now I shall have to get my hair done in advance every time I plan to take a flight or drink coffee in a restaurant.
Lufthansa is the first I've heard mentioned. Others must copy. Who will be next?

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3141099/Forget-hearts-print-FACE-latte-Coffee-machine-lets-create-intricate-foam-art-just-10-seconds.html

Angela Lansbury, author, travel writer, speaker.

A great packing video to inspire you plus packing tips

I watched a video in which somebody packs socks inside shoes ( I knew that one) then folds his t -shirts so that they are laid flat and then each one fold over the next almost concertina style. He achieved about 36 items in the small backpack/roller pack.
I'd previously bought solid plastic shirt folding packing aids, like two or three sizes of oblong chopping boards but with two fold in wings.
This one is 60 days of garments in a carry-on.

I liked the zip off skirt and zip off pants legs (UK trousers) to make shorts
UK at Millets
Zip off trousers
http://www.millets.co.uk/s:zip+off+trousers/
http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=zip+off+pants

Zip off skirts
http://www.ellis-brigham.com/products/royal-robbins-womens-zipntravel-skirt/279016
Lots of the skirts are either denim or heavy material in dark or bland colours designed for trekking, not for a beach resort or cocktail party or conference.

Packing
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PDn9l20NlWw

Angela Lansbury B A Hons, travel writer

Swimming Safety for toddlers

This video of a toddler underwater turning and righting itself to float on its back and call for help is amazing.

http://boredomtherapy.com/baby-pool-safety/?as-source=src6030155550484

Another suitcase from Samsonite - with three shelves

What more can suitcase manufacturers offer us? Wheeled suitcases which pull easily. Retractable handles. Inner straps and compartments. Life out matching sections. (you can buy sets of bags which match each other from Lakeland. You could also buy compression bags or lock top boxes for cosmetics

Here's a suitcase which turns into a shelving rack.
Advantages?
Need not waste time unpacking. On arrival go straight to the restaurant or indoor swimming pool which is about to close.

No need to wast time re-packing.
Spouse insist you pack the night before leaving? Taxi at door? No worries.

Disadvantages?
Two wheels instead of four. Could be heavy if you are travelling by air and want an ordinary weight suitcase of carry-on.
Good for those with extra weight allowances - some US or Canadian airlines, internal flights, or passengers with extra frequent flyer allowances. Also if not flying but in a caravan, or driving holiday.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/travel_news/article-3138855/Is-best-suitcase-Expanding-design-turns-rack-SHELVES-means-no-rummaging.html#reader-comments

Friday, June 26, 2015

Souvenirs - Local Quotations - JFK and places in the USA

I like to collect quotations from every country I visit. When writing a travel article or blog you can attach them to places associated with famous people.

An error is not an error unless you refuse to correct it.
John F Kennedy

You could attach this quotation to a story about The Whitehouse in Washington DC, or Dallas, Texas, or the museum in Boston, or a car museum with a Kennedy car.

Angela Lansbury BA Honours, author, travel writer and speaker.

Bedbugs in hotel beds - or your home!

How do you identify a bug bite? Or spot the bugs before they bite.
Lots of tips in a newspaper article, the comments, and a website.

To summarize - what I learned and will do. Up to you which of these you feel would be helpful or necessary.
1 Bites - the picture shows dime size red marks - but are they bites or allergic reaction - does it matter - if it's caused by bugs you have the problem and the cause
2 Prevention is better than cure. Check between mattresses, behind the headboard, in the bed.
3 Check room before unpacking.
4 One reader suggested keeping all your possessions in the bathroom (on a stay of just one night that would be easier than long stay).
5 In the middle of the night you might have to change rooms. Check the room before accepting it and unpacking.
6 Change hotels.
7 Check hotels on TripAdvisor.
8 Carry bug killer and keep bug killing instructions.

Bedbugs in the USA, Florida
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/video/news/video-1194711/Families-horror-finding-BEDBUGS-Florida-resort-room.html

Bedbugs in London
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-300579/The-bed-bug-wont-die.html

Angela Lansbury, author and travel writer. Please follow my posts and pass on the link. Thank you.

WHAT ATTRACTS FLIES? DIY FLY AWAY: Fly creams and sprays for travel

Prevention is better than cure. When I hear that dreaded noise past my ear sitting at lunch, or trying to sleep in a hotel bedroom, I an instantly alert, distracted from rest.

I just watched the video on how to make a fly attractor and trap. I remember years ago being told about making a sugar syrup in a half buried bottle. This system adds yeast.

I was interested in what it said about how your body attracts mosquitos. Mostly at night, worse at night. But you can get bitten daytime, anytime you walk on grass, or just sit out around a dining table. I never sit outside, but I have friends and family who always want to sit outside. They think it's part of the joys of summer and holidays or being in a warm country, or off work, or at work taking a meal break.

Hot water, brown sugar and yeast - you must buy the yeast.
This works at home.

But travelling on business or on holiday you'd have to buy brown sugar and yeast and take them (or the portions needed) in the car/suitcase. (Plus a piece of old newspaper, big plastic bottle and tape - which are probably available at your holidays destination, but why leave it to chance. Alternatively pack fly repellent cream for your body and fly killer for the hotel bedroom, or put it on your packing list now.

As for that summer barbecue, garden party, march, or festival, even in the city centre, be prepared.

http://www.viralnova.com/diy-mosquito-trap/

Angela Lansbury, author, travel writer, speaker.


Wednesday, June 24, 2015

Blips on Blogs - too many labels



Last night I sat up late and was very proud of myself for clicking on various links and instructions in my lists of what to add to your blog. I found gadgets. Great.

  Then I found labels. Add some labels. Yes, why not. Where? On the top. At the side. At the end. Unfortunately I did not preview a post at each step. I thought it would be a link to labels, or labels were like tags and would alert people worldwide to finding a post on a particular subject.

Next morning I went to preview my post. It had vanished. I had page after page of labels. (All in black print on a pink background.) I realised what had happened when I went to try to remove the labels.

I had ticked 'all' and added 3000 or more labels in an alphabetical list at the start of my blog, above it. I tried to pick half a dozen interesting and popular labels of posts I might like to find.
  Even so, a few labels in the sidebar might be handy, but not before the post of the day. Now I have ticked 'none'.

Apologies For Spell Changing In Previous Posts - how to turn off spell changer

I have been writing a book called Larry The Talking Labrador. I had just sent it off to be printed, using print on demand company Lulu.com. When I went back to the text to correct it for the ebook edition, I found that several words had been changed by the spellchecker. I now know how to correct the problem.

If you've been following or dipping into my travel blog posts, you may have noticed that on several occasions I have had to spell out words with spaces between each letter. I blamed the blog site. I now realise the problem might have been the computer I was working on.

When I found the umpteenth nonsense change made in my book text, I googled, change spellchecker on (and the name of my computing device).

I found an instruction for changing the spellchecker in mail, on a forum about not showing the recipient of a letter your spelling alterations underlined in red. My first thought was that was no use to me as I was not writing a letter but a text.

Then I wondered whether the same applied to text. I tried it. You go to edit. Look for spellings. Click on the choices. One click changes it to on or off. Another click reverses your choice.

Wonderful. In my blogs I can now stop my spellchecker converting all my French words back into the nearest English equivalent.

In my system I have two separate functions. Underline and alert to possible wrong spellings. Change spellings automatically. You can probably change one or both on your machine.

The purpose of this post is:
To remind myself how to turn off the spelling changer.
To remind me how to turn it back on again.
To tell you how to do the same.
To tell you so you can help others.
To apologise to the managers of the blogging site.
To keep you entertained with useful information and amusing stories on your travels.

Angela Lansbury BA Honours, author and speaker.


Night train service at weekends in London from September 12th 2015

To misquote somebody (Disraeli or Mark Twain): you can run some of the train lines all of the time, and all of the train lines some of the time, but you can't run all of the train lines all of the time. The new night services start in London from September 12th 2015.

So the plan is that the entire Victoria and Jubilee lines will run for 24 hours, covering Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights. other lines the busiest parts of the lines may operate, but not necessarily further stations and branches of the line.

If you previously used late night buses, you now have an alternative route, and also in some places and times the train route can cut your journey time by up to twenty minutes.

If you still need to take a taxi part of the way, your taxi fare could be cheaper.

That's good news if you are at a conference such as the World Travel Market and want to attend a weekend dinner or stay in London for a late meeting the weekend before or the weekend after the midweek conference and still have time to get home to the suburbs.

If you plan to come to London over Christmas and New Year, the late night buses and trains could also be useful to you. The bus map is already online. You could print out your own copy. Nearer the time I expect they will print out the maps and distribute them at the relevant stations, or at all stations so that you can plan your travel and also restaurant and hotel bookings which will be near the lat night lines, to be sure your meeting venues and sleeping venues are either your starting point or ending point.

If you are arranging a conference, restaurant meal, or accommodation for staff, guests, friends or family, you might wish to pick a venue on the line or to give your guests the information.

If you are looking for a job such as in a hotel or restaurant and willing to work late you might find opportunities. If you a hotel or restaurant owner, or are in marketing, advertising or web design you might need to update your existing ads and websites, or to use the new line as a selling point or excuse for a seasonal offer or celebration.

http://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/first-look-at-the-official-map-for-londons-night-tube--due-to-launch-in-september-10335452.html

You might also like to note the new uniforms:
I shall have to see them to form an opinion. I like blue. I also like the jolly red and orange ties, and the more discreet and elegant blue ties.
http://www.standard.co.uk/news/transport/tfl-uniform-redesign-unveiled-in-first-update-for-decade-10283336.html

American and British sign language - where to learn it and why

Travelling on Singapore Airlines
This is surprisingly easy to learn. Watching safety videos on Singapore Airlines I always thought that sign language was easy.

Why Learn It?
Of course you need somebody else who can speak it. You can understand anybody who is deaf and using sign language on a train. Or use it to signal in a noisy situation.

Contact deaf people in the USA, UK or elsewhere. Communicate with elderly relatives (persuade them to learn it) when they have forgotten their hearing aids.

Mandela's Funeral Fake Sign Language
The most amusing deaf language story is the man who was supposed to be signing at Mandela's funeral. Many TV viewers who could understand sign language realised the translator's signs were meaningless.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/southafrica/10510455/Nelson-Mandela-memorial-interpreter-was-a-fake.html

See it for yourself here (you can click skip ad if you like):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=StEFnh18zRk

Learning American Sign Language
If you want to learn American sign language the easy quick, fun way, watch this video -
100 words signed by a man, copied by a woman, with the words on a screen between them:

http://www.lifeprint.com/asl101/pages-layout/concepts.htm

PS The latest politically correct term seems to be hard of hearing. Which is different from profoundly deaf, which is much rarer.

General View Of History and Geography of Sign Language
A general view of different forms of sign language:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sign_language

British
Unfortunately, sign language like written language has variations.
http://www.british-sign.co.uk

Sign Language With Animals
Animals which use gestures and cannot pronounce word can learn sign language. Chimpanzees and dogs have been taught sign language.

I have just written a story for children and adults about a talking dog.

The first version is up on the web and you can read the preview.

http://www.lulu.com/shop/angela-lansbury/larry-the-talking-labrador-and-the-escaped-lions/paperback/product-22229490.html

I am trying to add some amusing stories, factual information and plot twists. Later I shall publish a revised version with illustrations. Any suggestions for adding plot and pace would be welcome.

Angela Lansbury, B A Honours, Author, travel writer and photographer, English teacher.

Tuesday, June 23, 2015

French word of the day: clairvoyant - French speaking Toastmasters clubs - French translations

This word came up as word of the day at Toastmasters speakers' training club. I associate clairvoyants with con artists claiming to see the dead. However, I was most interested to hear the analysis of the word, clair as in clear, and voyant, as in voyeur, seeing.
   Interestingly, one of the examples of the use of the word given was: 'I am not clairvoyant.' (Followed by, 'However I predict you will soon get a job.'
   Tres bien. (Very good.)

If you are running a meeting, people are not clairvoyant. You have to tell everybody where to find the fire exit, toilets, the food, even the station to get home, and offer a lift. You have to tell them to turn off their phone, and turn it back on.

Toastmasters
   If you want to practise your French, you can attend a French speaking Toastmasters Club at home or at your destination. Members of Toastmasters International can buy a Toastmasters manual in French and several other languages.
   In Singapore you can attend a Mandarin speaking club. (Only recommended if you speak some Mandarin. I went to one assuming it would include some English but only one person spoke any English and I had to sit smiling politely most of the evening whilst not understanding a word.
  When I gave a speech in English to thank my hosts, I have no idea whether my translator understood anything, or simply made up what she imagined I might have said. I should have taken a sheet of translations in advance, plus a thank you speech translated with Google translate.
  In this sort of situation, you need a working phone, a spare battery, a downloaded dictionary, plus a few vital phrases including

Failing all else, follow the men to the toilet door and make hand over eyebrows sign for I'm looking.
Or make prayer sign, looking sign and hand washing sign.

English - French
Where is - the toilet: Ou est ... ( Failing all else - find the image of a toilet/ drinking glass, bottle, station, bus stop, car park, fire exit, fire extinguisher, doctor)
Thank you very much - merci beaucoup
Delighted to meet you - enchante (you might copy what the other person says)
My name is - Je m'apelle
What is your name? Qu'est ce que c'est - et votre nom madame/monsieur ?
Where is the station? Ou e s t la gare? V o u s  p o u v e z  m' a c c o m p a n e z? (You can accompany me)
I am going back to  / I am walking to - Je dois r e n t re  a ... Je marche v e r s
Can you give me a lift in your car? Est-ce-que  v  o u s  a v e z  u n e  v o i t u r e   Je  v a i s
Can somebody show me the way?
What time does this meeting end? A qeu elle h e u re   n o u s  i r o n s  f i n i  r? (At what time do we finish?)

Because of spellchecker, if you are doing a lot of translation, you might find it useful to print one page in English, then switch the computer language to French. Only do this if you speak fluent French and have somebody (family friend or nearby computer/phone shop) who can turn the computer back to English - write what you did to get the French, so you can reverse the process and get back to English.

I have given speeches and evaluated speeches in England, France, Singapore, China, Thailand, the USA, Australia and translated speeches at conferences in France and typed up speeches in correct English for speakers at conferences in India.

Angela Lansbury B A Hons, author, speaker.


Monday, June 22, 2015

Iphone and iwatch guides


To find out about taking photos or sending messages if you have a new phone or one just for a foreign country, search for your phone's online user guide.
Here's one for the iPhone:
http://help.apple.com/iphone/8/?cid=CDM-EU-41952&cp=em-P0009468-330569&sr=em
If you go into an iPhone store you will see videos of how the iwatch works. Most amusing.

French words and phrases

Je ne sais quoi - I don't know (what) / who knows / whatever it is
voila! - there it is / Eureka /it worked! / here you are / that's it

Wine Tourism in the USA, Europe, Australia, Worldwide

The American wine tourism day.
Spanish wine tourism.
England has companies devoted to wine tours in various regions of Europe.
See Wiki article on Enotourism

The word should be E n o tourism (in case my blogger site's spell check again turns the word into e c o tourism).
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enotourism

USA
Regions include California, especially driving north from San Francisco.
Also Michigan:
Looking for photos of wineyard shops, I found a blog post dealing with several wineries in Michigan:
http://blogs.cornell.edu/vien-cuvec/page/2/
Some ice wines.
Niagara region.

CANADA
http://www.canadasouthwinetours.com

IN/FROM UK/TO EUROPE
smoothered.co.uk
winerist.com
Dozens of wineries and restaurants and hotels attached to wineries in Wales and southern England, from day trips out of London or touring the south. Also Wales You can buy a map. (See my previous posts.)
Scotland - no wineries but lots of whisky distilleries.
Ireland - Guinness factory.

FRANCE
Tour around the Rheims area. Look up vineyards on line and book what you like.

GERMANY
Heidelberg - famous for its big barrel.

SPAIN
Rioja region, based in the historic old town of Haro, has wineries offering tours to the public and shops. See my reviews on TripAdvisor. Big wine museum with tours and a restaurant in another town if you have a car.

AUSTRALIA
You can drive around Margaret River south of Perth, or Hunter Valley and Melbourne. NB Their seasons are upside down.

NEW ZEALAND
A chance to try some sweet wines. Wineries in the middle of nowhere. Great after or before a skiing holiday. Remember their seasons are upside down.

SOUTH AFRICA
You can drive along the wine regions, from Cape Town.

Wines come from South America, Israel, India, China - just about any place. Check which ones are open for tastings or have restaurants and shops and hotels.
Photo by Angela Lansbury
Copyright Angela Lansbury
Other photos available.

Angela Lansbury B A Honours, author, travel writer and photographer, speaker.







Afterthoughts on Gilbert's Restaurant in Grimsdyke Hotel, What's Good - and translating the wine bottle label

Our server ran after us when we left to give us the wine bottle and cork we'd accidentally left behind, after we'd spent a lot of time studying the bottle and photographing it and asking for the cork.



We visited the Rioja wine region in northern Spain a year or two back. We had visited visited the town of Haro, which sounds like Harrow in north west London.

Rioja produces mainly red wine. (Easy to remember, R for Rioja, r for red.) Looking at the wine label you can read the producer's name, Ugate. Precedente de vinedos propios. Preceding or coming from. De is from or of in both French and Spanish. Vin obviously someone to do with wine or winery. Prop ... as proprietor or owner.

Crianza is merely basic, like vin ordinaire, ordinary wine, kept maturing a while in both the bottle and barrel for about 3-5 years, that is to say, it could be some of the time in barrel then some more maturing in the bottle, adding up to the minimum permitted age of 5 years. That time is set by the local wine authority to ensure a minimum standard of quality that the buyer can expect, a guarantee of quality.

(Unlike the French Beaujolais nouveau which is drunk straight from the same year's harvest, the new wine from this year.) 

So Criantha at least was thought worth spending the time and money on storing so it aged and developed. But not kept so long that you have to pay high prices.
cosecha translates as vintage or age
https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/cosecha
So the age or birthday or harvest of this wine was 2010. It's now five years old in 2015.

Ugarte is a Spanish surname, and the meaning? It is Basque language for island.

Angela Lansbury B A Honours, author, travel writer and photographer, speaker.

American English and British English

USA-UK

Little insights into how people live 'on both sides of the pond':

USA convenience store - corner shop UK
USA Semi - UK articulated lorry or LGV
(USA Truck - UK lorry)
UK - semi-detached house (two linked mirror image houses, some built with corridors and staircases in the middle which keeps the passageways warner in winter whilst the outside rooms need more heating, another style with the lounges and bedrooms alongside - meaning you can be disturbed by conversation/arguments and TV against the party wall but warmer lounge and bedrooms.
USA train station - railway station
USA freight train - goods train

Angela Lansbury, BA Hons, author, travel writer and photographer

Gilbert's Restaurant, Grimsdyke Hotel - Full Marks

Grimsdyke hotel always impresses with its drive through the trees to the grand house. Inside, Gilbert's restaurant seems to have a freshly painted arch over the fireplace and spotlights, brightening up the old place, and modern chairs. We sat debating how much one should change Victorian decor, especially in a historic house once owned by local hero Gilbert of Gilbert and Sullivan team who wrote comic operas. ('I've got a little list', of his operas.)
   The recent reviews on TripAdvisor were encouraging and our experience confirmed what I had read.
   The set meal started with a wider choice than on the website and not the extra charge I had feared, the only extra being £2 for a starter.
   We asked for a jug of water and ordered a glass of Prosecco, at £6 slightly dearer than the glass of pink wine. The bread was a choice of sultana bread or white with onion, with warm melting butter. Not brilliant but good enough. However, as soon as we started on the proper meal, the tastes and visuals took off.
  The liver parfait, a chicken liver smooth paste.
Chicken liver parfait starter.

Duck with potato.


Steak and large chips.



Summer pudding with fresh berries inside and a fresh strawberry as decoration.


Fresh decor, a mixture of Victorian from Gilbert's day and modern.

Photos by Angela Lansbury. copyright Angela Lansbury. (More pictures available.)
Angela Lansbury B A Hons, travel writer and photographer, author, speaker.

Sunday, June 21, 2015

Captions and copyright for business and holiday photos

To add captions and copyright notices to photos, you can use Photoshop. This is handy when captioning names on a group of people. You don't have to keep adding the words 'left' and 'right', nor top row and bottom row, nor wonder if you have to change bottom to lower, as we used to when sub-editing women's magazines in IPC. Just place the name over the chest of the relevant person.
  I went onto the photoshop page. If you are in business I understand it is great, but I cannot justify spending on it. They offer various discounts for students and teachers amongst others.
Angela Lansbury B A Hons, author, travel writer, photographer, speaker.

Sunset picture - how I found it

I lost this picture. I paid extra for more storage on iCloud because my phone told me I could not upload. I uploaded to my laptop. I'd bought a laptop with more storage space. Still could not find the picture. Gave it names: place, sunset. Still no luck. 
Finally I created a Smartalbum, sunset. Voila!

Angela Lansbury, author, photographer, speaker.
If you like my posts, texts and photos on blogger and Facebook please follow me. Thank you.

Anti-mosquito plants to help when travelling

Before setting off, if you have no anti-mosquito spray, consider growing one of these plants, or grabbing some as you leave home.

If you are staying with others in the UK or overseas, ask if your hosts have any of these plants in their garden: lavender, lemon balm, lemon grass, etc.

Rosemary, lemongrass and garlic are also plants which you can use in cooking. I can't help repeating the old joke: An apple a day keeps the doctor away, but garlic each day keeps everyone away.

http://www.wikihow.com/Use-Plants-to-Keep-Mosquitoes-Away

Do you trust reviews?


I often go to TripAdvisor because it offers a range of comments. Also you can find information in one column which is scattered over numerous pages on the company's own website.
 Great to have a forum on the Daily Mail allowing for lots of comments on parking charges. Yes, I do think parking charges are highly relevant to what you remember about an attraction.
  That's what I look for, on any site, comments on charges, service and the basics of what you actually see. So many websites say merely, a huge variety of historical items. That's why my reviews tend to focus one one or two items you can actually see.
 On TripAdvisor I read a section of views, the five star and one star. Often I visit a restaurant regardless. And yes, I would like to know about how the place was under previous ownership. It might be opened up by the brother of the previous owner, or the manager who has bought the place from the retiring owner. I want to know whether it is just as good as last time I went when it was under the old owners. I want to know whether the new owners have improved a place my family refuse to visit because they did not enjoy it under the old owners. If the place has stayed the same, I want to see my last review, so I can recall that parking is difficult, or you need a token for parking, and the recent reviews may not yet have commented.
   As a regular reviewer I also use websites as a way of recording my life history. If I want to remember the name of the coffee bar we went to this time last year when we visited the Edinburgh festival, I can find it in my history. If the old reviews are removed, my own reviews and family photos of our birthday party are gone forever. I would be better off recording my views on a blog. Or printing a book of my blog for my own records.
   If somebody moans about the long wait at a venue that may be true and relevant to those in a hurry. But if I want to spend all evening at a stately home restaurant on my birthday then I can judge whether the long wait was important.
   If somebody complains about the price, but your boss is paying, then you need not worry about the price. If the review is out of date, but the broken item was broken two years ago and is still not repaired, you know the place is not well maintained.

For more on the debate:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3132937/TripAdvisor-forced-apologise-deleting-negative-reviews-country-house-estate-employees-asked-to.html#comments 

Angela Lansbury B A Hons, author, travel writer, photographer, speaker.

Saturday, June 20, 2015

Travel blogs from a phone: advantages

After the collapse of my laptop I had to do my daily blog on a phone. The advantage is that when I view it on my phone I see what phone users see.
   The result is that I write shorter more succinct blogs, no side-tracking. Each paragraph is no more than three sentences long. I had already learned to do that for newspaper columns in tabloids when I trained as a journalist.
   Although Google shows me that most of my readers are on larger tablets, laptops or desk computers, it does make me see writing and reading a new way. I hope you enjoy my shorter, succinct posts.

Searching for citronella against bites

When I visited Italy the product sold everywhere to prevent bites was citronella cream. Citronella Is sold in the UK in boots chemist for  £5.99 for a small bottle on the display for natural products.
   I want to find the cream and ideally a cheaper price. I hate travelling with bottles which might break, spill or leak. I shall look in other shops to see what they can offer.
   Meanwhile I have bought a lemon in Tesco Express. When I receive a slice of lemon in a glass of water at a restaurant or I am given lemon with fish, I subtly spread the juice on my hands and all over exposed areas of my skin so the smell and taste of acidic lemon repulses insects.
Mosquito Bite Danger
  I was wondering, am I being paranoid about mosquitos, tiny things? A bite is irritating, but does it matter?
   Yes, it does. An advertisement on the back of the ladies' toilet cubicle door at the shopping centre says children are dying of mosquito bites in Africa. So mosquitos are killers.

Thursday, June 18, 2015

Pink sky at night - for your delight

The old saying is: red sky at night, shepherd's delight. My version is pink sky at night, photographer's delight. I shall add: Pink sky at night, poet's delight.

Sunset
by Angela Lansbury

A red sunset's a surprise, welcome sight
The best of the day - but not yet dark night
The sky's not closed, you can walk streets in light
Troubles left below, distracted by height

It used to be called the shepherd's delight
I'll update and call it poet's delight
Photographer's 'bracket' to get shots right
Creating for you eternal delight.
-ends-
Version 1, 2 and 3 Copyright Angela Lansbury, 21 Jun, 2015 
Version 2
Poem Revisions
   I changed the second line to 
Pinks brighten the day, sky's not closed black night
   The first version was more conversational and easier to read aloud. The revision is more original. I like the idea that the sky closes the day, like a shop's shutter.
Bracketing
  Bracketing is taking lots of photos in the hopes of getting at least one which will be just right. Either the object might change offering a choice of shots. Or could disappear fast so you need to capture it because you won't get another chance. 
  Taking multiple photos of one subject is frequently done for portraits, to be sure the subject doesn't shut their eyes, or move their face or hands, and to capture their smile. You also bracket to catch moving animals, or objects such as cars and planes. In this case I wanted clouds, and changing, fading sunset.
Poetry line length
   I expanded from 8 syllables to ten. This is a vast improvement, much roomier, easier to create a readable sentence without losing and plus a and the, which used to make my poems sound 'clunky' and awkward and odd and often confusing for the reader and listener.
Sunset Photo

(Sorry about the delay. The sunset picture taken on my phone was uploaded to Facebook. I'm retrieved it from my phone but could not find it through blogger. How I found it is on a later post.
Angela Lansbury, travel writer and photographer, author, comic poet, humorous speaker.

Tuesday, June 16, 2015

Identifying trees

For UK trees

The simplest downloadable one page guide to tree leaves:




http://www.shurdington.org/TreeChart.html

Visitor Friendly Historic Houses and Hotels? Four-posters and one honeymoon couple's surprise.

I have spent 48 hours trying to work out what I like and dislike about venues. Some people like natural venues, no signs, discover it for yourself. I like visitor friendly venues.

Some people are outraged if they go to a beauty spot and see a sign to the toilets, photo spot or car park. the same goes for stately homes.

I like either a friendly person who greets me and tells me where to find food, toilets, sights, gifts. Or signs.

That was why I was unnerved and felt unwelcome at Brocket Hall and Auberge du Lac. I could not find the way. We were all arguing with each other and phoning each other with directions.

On arrival I felt as if I were intriguing by sitting by the lake. I felt like an intruder going upstairs and looking for the toilet. I've been in places where there are no signs to toilets and when you go the wrong way by mistake the staff are there to bar your way and tell you which areas are off limits.

I like a shop, a postcard, a book on the history of the property, something about the venue in the menu. Rooms named after guests or ancestors.

Staff happy to tell you the history of the building.

Yes, I can see that too much questioning could be seen as intrusive. Happy birthday - how old are you. Goodness you are older than you look. Where did you come from, different directions, so you are not married but having an affair? Anybody close to you died, on drugs, divorced? I see you've been in trouble recently.

The way to avoid this is to talk about neutral topics. But showing an interest in the person you are addressing and being positive.

For example, 'Welcome to ...(historic house, whatever). ...Enjoy your stay/evening/meal.'

You have a lovely day/evening for sailing, sitting by the pool/lake).

Yes, you booked online/ I spoke to you on the phone earlier / my colleague / our manager, Simon/name told me you booked a table for three.

Would you like a table by the window  with a view of the park / lake ? Now you've had cocktails by the lake we have a quiet corner for you, secluded in a nook.

I'll be back with coffee later. If you want anything just raise your hand and wave and I'll be right over.

If the venue is running fancy dress party, some people will have not had the time or money or inclination to buy or make costumes, or work out what fits the theme. It took me days to work out what to wear for a fifties party, the right skirt length, neckline, shoes, jewellery, hairstyle.

The venue/ organisers should off a cheap paper hat for those who are willing but don't have cash to splash, as well as some really fancy costumes available as last minute purchases for last minute guests, those who have more money than time, or missing luggage!

If you don't want huge banners ruining the yesteryear atmosphere your historic stately home, nor blocking the view and smiling photos, a discreet plaque which is smaller and therefore cheaper. Please save your desperately looking-for-the-loo guests from running up and down four flights of stairs, taking lifts down to spooky basements, down endless corridors, into private bedrooms interrupting outraged couples, hit on the head by falling objects in broom cupboards, walking onstage in piano recitals or worse.

(I've experienced most of these. The entrance door used to send latecomers who couldn't get taxis on rainy days into the museum, alongside the speaker at the former museum in Singapore. Lifts in hotels and shopping malls taking you down to deserted basement car parks. The stairs at the far end of the corridor from the sports centre into the Tanglin Club take you into the Car Park (the loos are hidden behind reception in the lobby).

The manager of a hotel in Lisbon, Portugal once took a group of camera-wielding journalists into the supposedly unoccupied honeymoon suite, to find a honeymoon couple in bed. A 'do not disturb sign' or occupied sign operated from inside might have helped warn. The punchline to this true story is that the manager went back to reception and said, send a note of apology and a bunch of flowers up to the honeymoon suite, not now - later!

Large Beds - The Great Bed of Ware, V and A
If you want to see the four-poster above, it's the Great Bed of Ware, in the Victoria and Albert Museum. (If you are going specially to see it, ask if it's on display.) It supposedly slept three couples. Or was it more?

Honeymoon Hotels and Anniversaries in the UK
If you want your own four-poster, look for any old inn in the centre of a British city, check if they have a four-poster, and if it's free on the date you choose. (Usually a suite at a higher price.)

Lake District
Or try the Lake District.  Some hotels have two or more four posters. Many hotels have several. At least one hotel all the rooms have four-posters.

Grimsdyke Hotel
In North West London try the Grimsdyke hotel.  The main house has at least one grand old style room. Old beds might have posts, with or without drapes, a covering above, or just a half-tester like a tray over the pillow, with or without a curtain to conceal the face of the lady (or the lord's ladyfriend).

Angela Lansbury, BA Hons, travel writer, author, raconteur, humorous speech winner and speech trainer.
See 'Angela Lansbury Author' and 'Angela Lansbury Poet' on YouTube reading comic poetry and explaining grammar, spelling and restaurant etiquette. 

Monday, June 15, 2015

Auberge Du Lac restaurant with wonderful summer views of Brocket Hall

Summertime is the best time to visit Auberge Du Lac restaurant because you can enjoy pre-dinner drinks and photos by the lakeside.

 I had a great time, much better than last time. I had previously visited the restaurant in winter, when we sat gazing out through the darkness at lights across the water. The food had been excellent, though service was slow, as many reviewers had remarked on TripAdvisor.

History
Before my return visit, celebrating a family birthday, I looked at their website, which added several pluses and minuses. I was very interested to learn that Brocket Hall in Hertfordshire is near Hatfield House and Knebworth all of which have an illustrious history, starting with Queen Elizabeth I.

 Henry VIII's daughter, Elizabeth, whose mother Anne Boleyn had been executed by Henry VIII, was sitting under a tree, at the age of 25, when she was told that she had become Queen of England, succeeding her rival older sister, Mary, who died aged 42. 'Bloody' Mary, daughter of Henry VIII's first wife, a staunch Catholic, and so was Mary. (Mary's name was given to the tomato red alcoholic drink gave her name to the drink - because she killed many Protestants).

Also at Brocket hall were two Prime Ministers, Palmerston who lived here many years, plus visitor Margaret Thatcher. Alas you see none of the grandeur of this historic house, when you arrive and eat at the restaurant. However, the grounds, in summer by daylight, are impressive. You can find full details in Wikipedia as well as the websites of the properties.

Decor
The second dining room has an arched alcove big enough for a long table, but in summer it is good to be in the bigger dining room with the view.

Scenery
I had read on the website that the estate was recently put into administration. (For update and details see their website.)  We drove around, shaking our heads in wonderment at what it must cost, just to mow the lawns, at such a magnificent vast estate.

Several buildings are scattered around the lake.  We accidentally drove in the wrong entrance and arrived at the hilltop hall, which is hired out to groups. We were redirected to the Auberge to Lake, on the lake below.

The lake has swans, plus assorted birds, on the water as well as in the trees. You could sit by the water, drinking a bloody Mary, but, after taking several photo,s one of us claimed to be attacked by midges so we went inside.

Welcome
The sommelier was a charming French lady who asked whether I preferred my kir royale sweet or dry. Because I chose sweet she added more cassis, making the drink a darker red colour.
It was disappointing not to have freshly squeezed juice in a restaurant of this quality.

The meal started well with surprise starter resembling samosas. Two styles of bread, a bit chewy, with butter. So far so good.





Starter

Main course




Desserts were the high point. Lovely chocolate dessert.
Photos by Angela Lansbury.

Happy Birthday

Coffee and chocolates.

Auberge Du Lac restaurant,
Brocket Hall,
Welwyn
Hertfordshire
AL8 7XG
Tel:01707 368 700.
www.brocket-hall.co.uk
aubergedulac.co.uk

Angela Lansbury, travel writer and photographer, author, speaker.






An Englishman's Home is his Castle - his garden, his snail shell

A French visitor to England told me he was surprised and delighted by the gardens and greenery of houses in London.

You need go no further than an English garden for endless entertainment. All summer the roses bloom. On the underside of a rose I found this little snail.



Have a rest on this petal.


Oops - you are going to crawl off the plate onto my work surface and disappear. Let's put you on the edge of the sink for a moment.

 You are gorgeous. Stay there while I fetch my camera.




Lovely. In close up I see your shell is a gorgeous spiral. But it's a bit damaged.

Just a minute where
are
you
going?

I knew snails could walk along uneven ground.
I didn't know you could cling 
to a sheer
shiny
metal
sink!




At this point I decided to gather up the snail, by edging it onto the rose petal, and carried it back to the garden to enjoy the plants, roses, and fellow snails and slugs.

What's the difference between a snail and a slug? A snail carries it's protective house on its back and can withdraw into its shell for protection from birds and predators. I don't feel as friendly towards slugs as I do towards snails. I don't eat snails.

The French eat snails. The variety of snail they eat is not the same as the English garden snail.

Angela Lansbury, travel writer and author and speaker.

If you like my posts, texts and pictures, please read more and follow me. Like me on Facebook. Link to me on LinkedIn. Watch and like me on YouTube. (Angela Lansbury comic poet reading poetry, and explaining spelling and grammar and restaurant etiquette.)


Wine Society - Spiral Staircase Wine Cellar to see


If you join the Wine Society, which costs £40 a year, you get invited to wine tastings, some free, some for a fee. You get their newsletter. You can try wines in their Enomatic machines (often half a dozen free, the rest at assorted prices). You are invited to events which include talks and tastings and sometimes snacks or meals (various fees). And if you are a member and visit you can see the newly installed wine cellar, which you could buy to store a wine collection under a home, hotel or business, for a few thousand pounds. 


This is what it looks like with one of the glass display covers lifted so that you can descend to see the wines. 
I asked, 'What if you got stuck inside?' A button inside at the top releases the cover which lifts automatically. The wines are temperature controlled. And there's a free flow of air so you can breathe with the doors shut. 
I suppose you could hide down there. Or cover you lid with a rug to hide the wines.


If you don't want to buy one, it's an amusing feature to see.
To visit the wine society, you must join or be taken by a member. But it's really only £20 because your membership fee of £40 gives you £20 off your first purchase of wine.

The Wine Society, Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage, Herts SG1 2BT.
Tel: 01438 741177.
https://www.thewinesociety.com
Opening times are 10-6 Mon-Wed and Friday, Thurs an hour later, 10-7, Sat 9.30-5.30 (closed on Sunday).

The Wine Society is in Stevenage. Whilst in the area, you could visit Stevenage Museum, which is free, or Hatfield House or Knebworth House. For a description of the Stevenage Museum, beside the spiral staircase church tower, see the previous post.

Angela Lansbury, travel writer, author, speaker.



Stevenage Museum is free and shows an old kitchen, motorbike and cinema

Stevenage Museum is free and easy to find, on a huge motorway though road, underneath an ultra-modern church, with a striking freestanding column with a spiral staircase visible up the middle and a cross on top, next to a Holiday Inn Hotel.

The only money to pay is for parking, any donation you make, or buying souvenirs. We parked in the car park opposite which has a machine which takes money and gives change.

Photo courtesy of Trevor Sharot, showing the entrance to Stevenage Museum.

Embroidery and history? That idea has been around since 1066 and the battle of Hastings. The current exhibition at Stevenage museum is on embroidery and you can see several unusual items inspired by Stevenage history, such as a large wall embroidery of a map. Another item was a mirror with a frame of embroidery with sayings inspired by an old letter.

But I was soon into the main museum which has displays showing outdoors and indoor life through the ages. You start with a giant time frieze above eye level showing evolution from cave life era through to modern times.

I enjoyed sitting on an old cinema seat watching a video display about cinema and cinemas seats through the ages. Then in a mock up of a kitchen I looked at the old square sink, the shopping list. What did they buy and not buy?

Exhibits are designed to appeal to all ages and interests. I was intrigued by the birds and animals. Others were looking at the Vincent motorcycle and its log book from 1937, a machine built at the local motorcycle factory.

Children could use worksheets and colouring pencils and quizzes. Older people would love the stories of popular music through the ages.

If you reach the end before your companions there's a sofa for a snooze, a coffee machine where you can buy coffee, or browse the display of things to buy, books, postcards, a few items of jewellery, lots of toys and games for the young and young at heart.

We spent about an hour but only read about half the display boards. We intend to go back.

Last entry on a Saturday was 4.30. We stayed until about 4.50, then drove off to old Stevenage and had coffee in a Costa.

General Museum Information
http://www.stevenage.gov.uk/about-stevenage/museum/

You can read reviews on TripAdvisor.
http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attraction_Review-g190726-d4481165-Reviews-Stevenage_Museum-Stevenage_Hertfordshire_England.html

For pictures see:
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/uv?hl=en&pb=!1s0x487631d101ce78e1:0x954a4850a334b399!2m5!2m2!1i80!2i80!3m1!2i100!3m1!7e1!4shttp://www.panoramio.com/photo/10393913!5sstevenage+museum+-+Google+Search&sa=X&ved=0CIgBEKIqMA5qFQoTCLfGjqrUj8YCFYNbFAodbG0ATQ

Stevenage Museum, St George's Way, Stevenage SG1 1XX.
Tel: +44 1438 218881.

Friday, June 12, 2015

French Words of the Day

The modern epaulette makes a garment look smart, or like an official uniform. Can be worn in the military (army, air force, navy), police, cowboys.

epaule - shoulder
epaulette - tab on shoulder to hold gloves, from military part of uniform for officers
related to the Latin word spatula from blade, the shoulder bone

An epaulette can be decorative, show official rank by colour or the addition of a braid or badge, and/or be practical.
Nowadays an arrow shape piece of cloth on the shoulder of jackets with the V shape painting towards the nearest arm, held by a button which can sometimes be unbuttoned, which can be used to hold gloves, or on a ladies blouse or coat to secure a scarf at both sides.

Angela Lansbury, author, speaker, teacher.

Tuesday, June 9, 2015

Happy Holidays and Happy Travelling - Tips

Better to travel in hope than to arrive? (To quote or misquote R L Stevenson.) Better to travel hopefully, arrive happily and stay happy. But travellers have lots of mishaps.

My Tokyo Train Setback and Success
I remember I could not get a seat on the last overnight train back from Hiroshima to Tokyo to meet a boyfriend. I sat disconsolately, looking at my list of youth hostels and hotels, contemplating the price of youth hostel and hotel. Then the ticket seller beckoned me over and offered me a couchette - whilst much pricer than a seat, it was a fifth the price of a hotel, or taxi, plus youth hostel plus taxi back. Much better than sitting in a seat all night.

UK Train Problem Solved
Once I was reading on the UK train and missed my stop, ending up at a deserted station with no train back. Devastation. Panic. I phoned my son. Luckily he was already in his car driving home and agreed to divert to collect me.

Then a taxi stopped to ask if I needed a taxi. The local company probably always drove to the station after the last trains in both directions, to see whether anybody incoming was tired and wanted a lift home nearby, or outgoing, needed a longer ride to another area.

So I had two solutions to my problem. Both drivers would have got me home, and probably reassured me that I wasn't the first person to have got stuck at a station.

Staying Happy
How do people stay happy? Today I read the key. This system reinforces what I had read earlier, about thinking positive, count your blessings, and gratitude, start as you mean to go on, but brings it into focus, with and makes it easy to manage.

Focus On Solutions
When you have a problem to solve, it helps to focus on the problem, rather than being 'in denial'. If you have missed the last bus home, you don't want to sit in a deserted ally, a target for who knows what. You are better off looking for alternative transport, or a safe place for the night.

But one way to find help not to focus on the problem but to focus on finding help. (Thinking positively as you run through positive solutions: wouldn't it be nice if I could - find a police station; find a list of hotels; find a hotel/restaurant/bar/pub/disco/coffee shop that's open late; find a phone box ... walk back towards the city; find a list showing the next train.)

Re-Telling Troubles With a Happy Spin
Imagine telling others this story later. "I didn't panic. I kept calm. I looked for / called for / phoned ...."

I am a survivor. What have I survived? Car crashes. (Two.) Being knocked down by a car. (Once.)
 Passport lost/stolen (once).

Helpful Positive Phrases
You tell yourself and tell others what you did:
Bounced back.
Help/ed along life's highway.
Support/ed.
Survivor/survived.

Useful Strategies - New Local Friends
Make friends with the local police. Make friends with the hotel receptionist. Make friends with other hotel guests. Then when you have a problem, you are not approaching as first impression is you have a problem, but as first impression you are a friend, second impression you are a friend who needs help.

Make friends with your neighbours. Make friends with your colleagues.

Make friends with fellow travellers. (Especially with those likely to be helpful, or knowledgeable, and unlikely to cause you trouble.)

Note exits of transport and public places when you arrive and you have light to see. Stay near exits or plan your route to exits.

Have backup plans for problems. Divide your valuables.

Appeals For Help
Phrases to potential helpers:
Could you help me?
You may know the answer.
Thank you so much.

If somebody can't help, ask them who could help.

Here's a book about being happy, reviewed in the Daily Mail online.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3116340/Have-finally-unlocked-secret-happiness-Scientists-reveal-four-simple-steps-banish-blues.html

Angela Lansbury, travel writer and photographer, English teacher and speech trainer, public speaker.
If you want to read more by me, look at my other blogs and follow me on this one, like me on Facebook. If you want to see me talking about English restaurant etiquette worldwide, go to YouTube and type in Angela Lansbury Author (the actress of the same name comes up first so you need to add author or poet). You can also see me speak about grammar and spelling, and performing comic poetry.

If you would like a speaker at a workshop or event, link to me on LinkedIn or through Toastmasters International. 

Sunday, June 7, 2015

Spanish for breakfast, lunch and dinner, dressed in silk

In Spain we were desperate for breakfast. But couldn't find the word for breakfast. The word was desayuno.

breakfast - desayuno
lunch - almuerzo (z pronounced th) al-moo-er-tho
dinner - cena

My Spanish is not too good, nor is my memory. I might have to skip lunch (almuertho) and wait for dinner - cena.

Dinner is easier to remember. Imagine it is spelled dina, then turn d into c - c e n a . My spellcheck on this site turns the Sanish word for dinner into cent, as in century.

Dinner is pronounced kay - na. Hard c.

What shall I wear for dinner?
seda - silk
silk - seda.

I said seda, silk.

Angela Lansbury, author, travel writer, photographer, English teacher.

Travel Bargain Hunting and Packing tips


If you've heard all the travel tips before, good for you. If you learn one thing it could be useful.

Price-Hunting On Websites
New to me was the idea that websites actually raise their prices, instead of sending you better offers. I admit I was shocked.

A phoney wallet might help men and ward off pickpockets. Bot much good if your real valuables are in a bag and the whole bag is lost or stolen.

I used to carry everything just in case. Now I go through every pocket and bag carefully and try not to carry valuables I don't need.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/travel_news/article-3113514/Travel-hacks-make-journey-easier.html#comments

Angela Lansbury, travel writer and photographer

Saturday, June 6, 2015

Translating Italian From A Chocolate Bar

It's easy to find word for word translations of another language on products such as food. For example, I just had a piece of chocolate from a bar bought earlier this year from Gelupo, an Italian ice cream shop in London, England.








Chocolate from Sicily
The chocolate was kept in a freezer so it came out hard and crunchy, which made the first bite like sandpaper. So I cannot tell or recall how it would taste or the texture when you eat it fresh or on a hot day when it is maybe starting to melt.

The texture and flavour seemed to me closer to American dark chocolate made by Hershey, less like the milk chocolate of England's Cadbury's. The range of flavours is more like Green and Black's chocolate bars (widely available in UK supermarkets such as Tesco).

The packaging had warned:
Conservare in luogo fresco e asciutto
They translate as Store in a cool and dry place

Conservare - conserve/store
in - in
fresco - fresh / cool (in this context)
e - and


Cioccolato alla vanighlia
translated by them as Dark chocolate with vanilla.

cioccolato - (dark) chocolate
vaniglia - vanilla

peso netto - net weight
netto - net

ingredienti - ingredients
zucchero - sugar
massa di cacao - cocoa mass
aromi naturali (they translate as vanilla flavour) - aroma natural
cacao - cocoa


tipica - typical
preperazione - preperation
tradizione - tradition
diretta - directly
discendente - descended
populazione - population
introdotta - introduced
Europa - Europe
spagnoli - Spanish
secolo - century
metodologia - methodology
antiche - ancient
culture - civilisation

They translate Best before end as
Da consumarsi preferibilmente entry la fine.
consumarsi - consume
preferibilmente - preferably
fine - finish/end

How delightful to learn Italian as well as eating chocolate, or to eat chocolate as well as learning Italian.

You can order chocolates and biscuits (biscotti) online and watch a video. And if you are interested in translating Italian, their website is in Italian with translations into England and several other languages.
www.bonajuto.it











If you want to try the Italian ice cream and other products in London, go to
Gelupo
7 Archer Street
London WID 7AU
tel: 020 7287 5555.
www.gelupo.com
They are open 11-11 Monday to Thursday
Friday and Saturday 11 to midnight
Sunday mid-day (noon) to 11 pm.
Go to their website to check the list of gelati and sorbets.

Photos by Angela Lansbury
Angela Lansbury B A Hons
Travel writer and photographer, author, English teacher, speech trainer, speaker.
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