This is what I woke up to this morning. View from the window So I decided to do a little excercise. First I took a stroll in the garden with John. John And John again Then I took a look at the wildlife Foxes in the garden And finally, I decided to do some excercise! Hand-held ollie Falling on flat Coming home

A whole week of nothing but snowboarding and cheese- Perfect!

New Snowboards The snow wasn't the best but what can you do? Its still the best since Canada this time last year. The cheese was definately better though!!!

Fondue night Cheese on Meat Deep fried Steak and Chips Skewer

Day: 13 October 2007 Time: around lunchtime Mood: a happy camper In my happy holiday  mood I decided to take a tour to Tesco following my calorie burn-off at the gym. A salad would suit my healthy day perfectly. Unbeknown to me, this salad would be the start of a long and sorry tale of disgust, complaints and a significant lack of customer service. I had bought a pre-washed salad pack and simply poured it in a bowl with a little vinagrette and added a little onion and a can of tuna and I muckily chose to eat from the bowl directly... why dirty a plate when I knew I would finish the salad. As I reached the end of my bowl, I looked down and noticed something brown and animalesque.... no, no it couldn't be... oh but it was! A cockroach of about 1.5cm in length was staring up at me all shriveled and dead!!!!! All these horrid thoughts raced round my head... was that crunchy bite another? How many were there in that pack? how disgusting was this?!!?? Having tried to 'get over it',  I called Tesco Customer Service and asked them what I should do. So, I drove: myself, a picture of the cockroach and the empty packaging back to the Tesco store in Lewisham. First I requested a refund... which I got immediately. Second I requested that a complaint be made to head office as, in my opinion it was unacceptable for a store the size of Tesco to have a free cockroach in their pre-washed salads! The complaint was made and a response assured within the next 6 weeks max... yeah right!!!!! The weeks went by and not even an apology from the biggest chain of supermarkets in the UK. So I called Customer Services again.... I was told I should wait till the 6 weeks were over and I would surely get a response as the item had already been sent to HO for investigation... how much can you investigate a dead cockroach in a bag is beyond me. But anyway.... So 6 weeks had gone by and no reply. So I called Tesco Customer Services a third time. This time I was told that no such complaint had been forwarded to them. Yes it was clear one had been made form their records but the form had not been sent form Lewisham store so there was nothing they could do. What?!?!!? so they can see you are unhappy, you found a foreign matter in your salad, but cause a separate form hasn't also been sent they can't do anything about it, just stare at it and hope you give up your complaining!!!!! So I called Lewisham store directly... This time a aldy picked up and apologising for the delay informed me that they had made the complaint and that the cockroach had just then been sent to the supplier for, further investigations..... So the complaint had gone forward but the store was to wait for the correct envelope to be sent from HO so they could then sent the little cockroach to one of their suppliers. I don't care what the suppliers think, I didn't contract with the suppliers... the cockroach was there, I just want to know this isn't going to happen again!!! and why the hell is there only one envelope worthy of cockroach sending?!? So, trustingly, or perhaps stupidly I gave Tesco a little more time to sort my query out.  But again, nothing! So back to calling Tesco Customer Service and again, the same, no no your complaint has not been received... so someone is clearly lying!!!!! Thats teh best customer service ever! Serve them a cockroach and then lie to them when they complain... they will surely get bored and give up! No I haven't given up I will continue to call until someone returns my calls. its amazing how many lunches the person dealing with my case can have! To be fair to them, they did send an apologetic letter and said would answer my complaint within 14 days... I am still waiting!!! Well I decided that the lack of care shown by the Tesco staff was abhorrent. So, I called Lewisham council to see what I could do. The result is this... nothing. As they are a big company they will most probably have themselves covered just enough so that it is not worth complaining to them. My only option is to just not purchase from them any more... yes thank you, cause that hadn't crossed my mind yet!!!! Its great that health and safety compalints prove to be so useful! Ill continue with my calls and complaints and maybe one day someone will think it is worth correcting the problem.

Last days in Japan

Even though I'm no longer in Japan, I thought I should briefly sum up my last few days in the country- Its been amazing!!!!!! Last group photo at last supper On the 3rd of October we all took a boat to this remote island near Ojika. The boat ride was hell but it was well worth it. It turned out to be one of my favourite days in Japan. James and I went fishing with the only local inhabitant and learnt to gut, cook and sashimi the fish we'd caught. It was wicked! I even caught a blow fish.... we chose not to eat that one! Instead we quickly threw back in the sea!!!! How cute is that!!! And theres the sashimi We finished the day with a compulsory Kareoke night...... Its really not my thing. This is the result....... Barry looking very pretty And Barbara looking even prettier! Sorry Barbara Anyway Ojika was great and really beautiful. here isd a picture of the nearby island and a sunset in the garbour And, amazingly these pictures havent been touched up as there is no laptop handy at the moment! Ill just stick on a few more photos.... James lookin very sweet with his garden friend Me in front of gold temple in Kyoto Proof that they really do put noodles everywhere An altogether nasty nasty picture!!!! Until next time xxxxxx

unday, October 01, 2006

Konnichiwaaaaaa from Japan!!!!! Hellooo everyone! I have finally found the time to sit down at tinternet for more than 15 mins to organise my photo sharing better. I hope you enjoy! Fishies in pond waiting to be fed in Glover Gardens First of all, I'd like to say that I'm doing great. The people I am on the tour with are wicked. There are 3 Australians, 1 Kiwi, 1 canadian, 1 Columbian, 2 Americans and 1 English... Felipe, the guide looking through torn umbrella near the Devil Hells in Matsuyama Japan has truely been amazing. I landed in Tokyo nearly 10 days ago and got myself on the first train to Electric Town. Its mad, the trains seats all turn automatically so that groups can be facing each other and single'ns can sit in the direction the train is moving in. Tokyo was crazy. After a mere four hours in town I got to try some blowfish (fuku in Japanes). It tastes well nice and luckily there was no poisoning involved! We went out for a few drinks at night to Shibuja (where all the lights are), the roads are cut off so people can walk freely and the light emanating from the advertising boards makes it seem like its constantly daytime. Shibuya at night We left Tokyo for Kamakura on the afternoon of day 2. Kamakura is a small town by the sea about an hour away from Tokyo. Kamakura was well nice. These little statues are kept in temples to prevent children who dies young from going to hell for making their parents suffer... how dark! After a long days trek we got to stay on this island where you could watch people surfing. I never thought I would see people driving around on mopeds carrying a longboard in Japan. This suspension bridge was pretty awesome On the 26th we left for Iya Valley. It took a long days travel by bus and train but we finally made it and it was well worth it!!! We stayed 2 nights in a Ryokan with the most beautiful family. As soon as we arrived Haru-San welcomed us with open arms and took us by bus to his remote village in the Iya Kei Gorge. Before going to his Ryokan we stopped over at one of his neighbours house. Potato Lady in her garden This little old lady came giggling towards us and offered the whole group some boiled sweet potatoes.... it was so sweet of her (although some of us could have done with some water to help wash down the potat). Haru-San in his Ryokan The Ryokan was lovely. I got to try the onsen for the very first time. I'm not sure if they are really my thing. They are hot baths where everyone goes to shower, 1 for the men and 1 for the ladies. The heat is lovely and relaxing but the thought of washing myself on a small wooden stool thats been sat on by hundreds of women is not quite my cup of tea!!!! Haru-San's family cooked us a gorgeous feast of a meal... sushi, grilled fish, rice, miso soup, stew, veg..... each with their own set meal placed neatly infront of them we scoffed down our food in our kimonos. Sitting on the floor is not as bad as I thought and you quickly get used to the pins and needles in your legs! I'm lovin the chopsticks! The Gorge was really beautiful. We went right to the top of the mountains by bus on these really narrow and steep roads and ended up in this 400 year old farmhouse which is being looked after by a young english couple who want to preserve the traditional aspect of the Iya Valley villages. The Chiori House from the back The only people that still live here are old couples who have owned the same house for generations. They are all practically self-sufficient apart from having access to the internet and cable in a year. On the other side of the gorge there is a statue of a little boy weeing like the one on brussels... its so random. Piss boy overlooking the gorge haru played a good trick on us. He asked us if we wanted to go see the town Ninja cause one of the girls is all Nunjitsu. We all got excited and agreed to go. It turns out its just a Ninja doll climbing some random wall. He was hilarious he just wouldn't stop giggling and saying "haha Ninja haha". 2 nights ago we were in Matsuyama. The main attraction here was this impressive 400 year old castle above the town. We all had to go round in these green rubber slippers... I wish I'd warn socks it felt well nasty and squigey but it was worth the yuckiness. The walls outside are amazing and it looks like the castle has just been placed on top of the walls like a playmobile toy. Sea Hell in Beppu We are now in Nagasaki. It was a mission getting here but its such a cute town that it merits the detour. The ferry was awesome. Instead of seats they just have compartments where about 50 people can sleep. Luckily we had most of the room to ourselves and got some proper beauty sleep. Yesterday was lovely. I had a well good giggle with three of the guys. We all went walking round town and walked into this colonial park called Glover Gardens. Me and the escalator I rented a period dress to walk around the gardens... hence the photo! It was hilarious I felt well out of place and all these American tourists were trying to take photos of me, they probably thought I worked there. Barry, James, Mike and Me with some random girl in the gardens James too is a laaaayyydeeeee And last night we went to this rrrrrock an rrrrrroolllleeee bar as they call it and met loads of locals. One group was celebrating there marriage there with everyone in snazzy suits and their hair all spiked up. We also met a dude who is in a punk rock band and drew some crappy cartoon of me... although it does resemble me quite a lot. Me with statue on whale near the spectacles bridge in Nagasaki Tomorrow we are off to Ojika. Its a little fisherman's village on a random little island. I cant even find it on the Lonely planet so its bound to be wicked! Well, I guess thats all from me at the moment. I hope you have'nt got absolutely bored by now and I'll be sharing some more in a few days. Toodooloo and Sayonara! Me with mister piggy

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Chicken and Almond in Filo pastry

• Soybeans- 1 handful
• Finely sliced carrots- 1 handful
• Cabbage sliced- 1 handful
• Chicken finely chopped- 3 tablespoons
• Almonds chopped- 1 tablespoon
• Chilli finely chopped- 1
• Hoi sin sauc- 2 tablespoons
• Galanga- 1 teaspoon
• Lemongrass- 1 teaspoon
• Coriander roughly chopped- 1 tablespoon
• Sesame oil- 1 teaspoon
• Fish sauce- a few drops
• Garlic finely chopped- 1 clove
• Filo pastry in rectangles- as desired

Heat the oil in a frying pan on medium heat. Add garlic and chilli and stir for a few seconds… just to flavour the oil. Add soybeans, carrots, cabbage and almonds. Stir until softened. Push to side of pan. Reduce heat and add chicken. Stir all the contents of the pan and add galangal, lemongrass, hoi sin, fish sauce until all cooked but still a little crisp. Add coriander and remove from heat. Take filo pastry and role in with desired quantity of filling. Don't forget to fold sides so contents don't leak out! Place under grill for 5-10 mins turning once. Lamb Kebab

• Lamb diced
• Pepper sliced in squares- 1 0r 2 peppers depending on preference
• Coriander roughly chopped- 1 bunch
• Cumin
• Salt and pepper

Marinate lamb in olive oil, salt, pepper, cumin and coriander- the longer the better! Skewer the lamb with pepper squares in between. Cook the lamb under a hot grill for aprox 15 mins turning occasionally. Tastes great served with mash salad with sesame and balsamic vinegar dressing and pumpkin seeds

Yangshou is a wicked place! We've finally left the smelly cities and gone to the countryside and its beautiful. Today we went bamboo rafting. Although it wasnt as active as I may have hoped I got to go swimming, steer the raft (which is quite hard by the way, its a heavy raft) and simply enjoy the scenery... HOTEL WE STAYING AT CORMORANS FISHING RIDIN THE BAMBOO SORRY GORGEOUS BUT NO TIME TO FLIP IMAGE

Hello from China!

 

 

 

Days 1-3 Beijing

Days 4-5 Great Wall

 

Days 6-8 Xi'an

Days 9-11Shanghai

Days 12-15 Yangshuo

 

Days 16-18 Longji Terraces

Days 19-20 Hong Kong

I needed a holiday after so much travelling. Poor me! So where better to go than the country of maple syrup, elk and of course, snowboarding. I arrived in Banff a week ago, mentally ready to hit the slopes. Physically, well, sitting on buses for 7 months is definately not the best way to prepare for boarding. The snow was amazing but we did encounter several problems with the rentals. Long story short; check your board before you go up the gondola because your bindings may need adjusting. Nick had his bindings set all wrong and found that he had re-adjusted them a little bit too much. As a result he had to board all the way down with an inverted front leg... not fun apparently! INVERTED DUCK POSE After much cuffufle we were able to practice our riding and it was wicked! TOP OF THE WORLD PERFECT SNOWFLAKE ON HAIR Onnor had a few days off and gave us a little guided tour of Banff National Park. Although we didn't get to see an elk, there were some pretty amazing views. WKENDS ARE GOOD BY THE WATERFALL MOON & MOUNTAIN Next up we would encounter some problems with Onnor's car... FUN!!!! CAR TROUBLE CAR GETS LIFT On the last night we went to the Maple Leaf to try some Bison and Elk. As we hadn't yet seen one we thought 'might as well eat one!' As a starter we had a game platter and I followed it up with possibly the best Boullabaisse I have ever had. MMM... CRAB Well, its back to the UK from here... AYE..