Quality Time

During a brief trip back to UK last week, Roy and I managed to do the impossible. We went out for a drink, alone. As in 'sans' Rafferty.

Ok., so you might be imagining a romantic evening gazing into each other's eyes in some uber chic Oxfordshire Michelin starred restaurant or boutique hotel. I'm wearing a little Marc Jacobs number and Louboutin heels, and Roy is looking relaxed and all Daniel Craig-like in Prada. We are sipping champagne and I'm making intelligent and fascinating conversation while Roy tells me how amazing and fabulous I am, just like it was before our darling Raffers came alone.

WRONG! Guess again.

It wasn't ever really anything like this before our son was born. When I say 'really' I mean it wasn't. Think more pissed up stagger home from the Purple Turtle at 3am and passing out on the sofa, rather than drifting off to sleep in a lavender and sandlewood haze wearing his 'n' hers waffle dressing gowns.

Having spent the day working on the garden at the beloved (ahem) house in Cambridge Street, we found ourselves with a spare hour before my sister delivered Rafferty back to us and thought (how spontainious of us!) we'd go to the pub. I wasn't, incidentially, wearing Marc Jacobs, or even Marks & Spencer. I was head to toe shabby chic, or just plain shabby, in my DIY gear and as for Roy, well quite frankly, he looked the same as normal. Tell a lie he didn't have his tracky bottoms on, which in hindsight, is always a blessing.

Toddling off down the Oxford Road we shared the acknowledgement of how strange and how liberating it felt to be without a buggy or toddler running off in the opposite direction. Without the constraints of a wee man yelling for 'goggie' or 'cake' or 'cars', we suddenly found we had the time to really soak up our surroundings, the sights, the smells, the wonders of Reading town centre.

Before we could soak up too much atmosphere, we darted into the nearest establishment selling alcohol. Glo is a south east Asian influenced eaterie that sells pretty good cocktails. The fact that they served a Martini in a Martini glass (unusual in Reading) got a massive thumbs up from me.

In an attempt to go native, Roy ordered a Tiger beer, and we settled back into the leather couch and indulged in a little bit of people watching. The results of which I will save for another time.

"We really must do this more often." I said to him, leaning across the table and putting my hand on his arm. "It's important, you know, for us to spend some quality time together." The Martini must have gone straight to my head as I was feeling really rather positive and even, everso slightly romantic!

Roy smiled and as he slowly leaned in for a cheeky smooch, "ring ring", my phone rang. "Balls, Lenny and Raff are outside." And with that, our date ended abruptly.

But thanks to that fateful afternoon Martini in Reading, the seed of romance has been well and truly planted. In August Roy and I will be treating ourselves to a romantic and highly indulgent night in a hotel. And yes this will be without our son, who will be left in the very capable hands his surrogate Grandparents, the Goose and Gander.

I'm currently umm-ing and ahhh-ing over where we will stay but thought I'd share a couple of fab sites for chic retreats and boutique hotels. So if you fancy a bit of how's ya father, why not book a night or 2 at one of the amazing places featured on http://www.i-escape.com or http://www.mrandmrssmith.com

Enjoy!

Re-KINDLE a Love for Books

I've just read an interesting article in today's Indie (online) about the latest e-technology craze sweeping across America; the Amazon KINDLE.

The KINDLE is set to 'chance the face of publishing' and apparently revolutionise reading. It's the ipod for book worms, meaning any number of literary pieces can be downloaded by a click of a button and a flash of a credit card, convienently stored and ready to whip out at a moments notice when a good book is urgently required.

Fantastic if you've ever been stuck on the London underground (likely), or facing a flight delay, or your significant other is late to meet you for lunch. Especially useful in those moments when you want to look preoccupied thus avoiding any unwanted advances from complete strangers. But is this really the future for books and for those of us that enjoy the physical act of turning a page, losing our bookmark, dropping it in the bath and having to dry it out on a radiator, or spilling a glass of red wine over the pages.

Roy would say 'yes' , 'fantastic' - 'the way forward!' But I'm obviously a little backward when it comes to the advancement of technology and call me sad, but I like the smell of old, yellowing pages with a well worn bind that's been past from family to friends to next door neighbours and work colleagues. Chances are you'll never get that fantastic book you recommended back, and likewise I have a whole collection that I know I'll never return. But that's all part of the fun.

Luckily (for me) the KINDLE is only available in America. To American's with American bank accounts, addresses etc. So I could ask my mate Duncan to get me one. Or some of my family members who are permenant residents. But for the time being I think I'll just make do with a good old fashioned book printed on good old fashioned paper with good old fashioned ink. How quaint!

To read the article on the Independent website visit:
http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/features/kindle-this-book-will-change-your-life-1694447.html