Sunday Roast at Lloyd’s

Location: Lloyd’s bar, Concert Square, Liverpool UK

Well, the title suggests ‘mmmm’, the reality suggest otherwise.  Let me tell you about a lunch that I don’t want any of you to have to endure.  This was a chicken roast with ‘trimmings’ of a nature I know not how to describe.  I’ll start by saying that I don’t expect Mother’s finest when I have a roast dinner in a pub.  However nor do I expect cremated roasties, at least I think they were roasties.  Who knows?.. as they were hard to identify.  Maybe I could find out what they were from their dental records.

Aside from this major culinary error, everything else on the plate (packet veg, peas, gravy, two balls of stuffing, a soggy yorkshire pudding and a hideous gravy that tasted of fat) was mediocre to say the least.  The chicken however was the star of the show.  What a comeback, if there was to be one.  This was the only thing actually edible and on par with a Nandos.  No, what am I saying? It was very nearly, only just qualified to almost be on par with Nandos chicken.  It was a tasty half chicken and it was through to the next round.

I give this meal 4/10.  Also, the service was a delight….funeral style.

Another boring film review

It’s December.  Time for another review of 2011.  This was my favourite film this year.  Oh no it wasn’t!  Oh yes it was…

BEGINNERS

I started to watch this film on the plane, after watching some disturbing film about Kevin (with turbulance!).  I wish I’d watched this one first because a) It didn’t make me want to throw up as much and b) leaving it too late meant it was cut off for our descent back into rainy Manchester.  However, not to worry, I watched the rest at home.

Maybe it was because I was due on at the time, when my hormones are usually beyond out of control, but Beginners was a real tear jerker for me.  Ewan McGregor is a bloody delicious actor.  He always delivers the emotional stuff sincerely and genuinely, and this part was no exception.

McGregor’s character has just lost his elderly father (Christopher Plummer) and the film is about his journey in recent months since his loss.  The story cuts from past to present and deals with abandonment, love, fear, relationships, grief and thoroughly messed up emotions.  Melanie Laurent, Mcgregor, Plummer and a gorgeous Jack Russell all make this a heartfelt joy to watch.  The acting is top notch with a pretty soundtrack. I cried.  A lot.

Bobs of the year go to…

Here are my top bobs for 2011:

Knightley: This picture was supposed to exclusively showcase Keira’s bob as it deserves a standing ovation but since I found one with James McAvoy how could I leave him out?

A bob bob-a-doo bob.

I want her bobbies.

In another liiiiife, I would have your bob.

If this girl’s bob was fox muck I’d do somersaults in it.

Classssssss.

 

Maybe it’s because she’s so gorgeous but Mariella’s bob still remains one of the best.

Bibbidy bobbidy bob

I bloody love a good bob.  Wish mine would cut the mustard more….but enough about me.  This one’s my latest favourite..

Asian chicken salad-Mythos Restaurant

If you take a trip to Orlando and like me, are more interested in the food than the fast rides, make sure you visit Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure for this award winning restaurant.  It’s a frickin’ delight.  We (my ma and I) went with Javier the waiter’s recommendation of the Asian Chicken Salad.  The dish consisted of a mound of finely chopped salad (leaves, peppers, cabbage etc) with pieces of chicken, honey coated roasted cashew nuts and love, all in a light oriental dressing.  Wasabi sauce adorned each corner of the plate (square plate, smartarse) for added pleasure.  The whole thing was sprinkled with black sesami seeds.  It was cold and crisp and refreshing and nutty.  Just right in the heat and humidity.  If I knew what was in that dressing I’d sing it to the nation, but alas….   Also wish I’d taken a photo of it but I was too hungry to bother.

I give it a 9.5/10.  It would have been full marks but 0.5 comes off because the wasabi sauce could have been hotter.  Instead they mixed it with mayonnaise to dumb down the heat.  Idiots.

Tesco’s green tea bags

I’ll make no bones about it, this tastes like grass in your mouth.  I thought I’d save money by purchasing cheaper green tea bags while making the assumption that ‘all brands are the same’.  This is true for certain products but if you wish to consume antioxidants and survive at the end of it then go for a better brand.  I’m not saying that Tesco green tea bags will kill you but the chlorophyll taste will make you want to mow your tongue afterwards.  Warning: This will kill you.

This review was quite harsh.  I still give this product 5/10.  Hold your nose while drinking and think of the antioxidants saving your life.  And if you believe in that bullshit it probably will.  Mind over matter and all that.

Scooby Dooby Doo, Where are you?

He’s in Universal Studios, Florida as it happens.  I’m a Scooby fan so was delighted to have my picture taken with him.  Even though I was out of scooby snacks he greeted me by kissing my hand (very out of character).  My only worry was that he may have mistaken me for Shaggy, but he didn’t so I’m happy.

Marry Me

Well I’ve found the place where I want to get married. My love of animals and countryside makes this a perfect find.  All I need now is to find the guy (currently accepting CVs).

http://www.churchfarm.org.uk/weddings.html

Half an hour tractor ride included?!  Aagh, somebody marry me!  Terms and conditions apply, please read the small print before accepting my hand.

Shadowfax

With Warhorse due out in cinemas and all the talk of horses on screen, it may sound odd to say that one of my favourite horse moments is from LOTR, when Shadowfax is summonded by Gandolf from far and yonder.  It’s such a beautiful scene and brought a tear to my eye for its ethereal majesticness when I watched the film at the cinema.

I love horses but I couldn’t eat a whole one.

ET at Summer Pops

ET is on TV at the mo which reminds me of an event this summer.  I’m a fan of the composer and conductor Carl Davis and my Dad and I go to Liverpool Philharmonic Summer Pops each year where he (Davis, not my Dad) hosts his Last of the Summer Pops concert.  This year he ended with a famous John Williams theme, to which the audience and myself gasped with excited anticipation.  My Dad whispered in my ear “Star Wars!”.  I grinned at the entire audience reaction of “uuuurrggh” when he introduced the theme to ET.