On Saturday last I went to The Cinema Museumin Kennington. (Not to be confused with the Film Museum in Covent Garden)  It was a great afternoon. If you are nostalgic for the days of usherettes, ice cream in the interval, film posters and programmes, this is the place to go.

It was good to hear that…

I couldn't sleep last night so was wandering around my flat when at 2:00 a.m. I heard the birds begin to sing. I made a little film of it  which only gets a short blast of their cheery song!   My batteries ran out.  And as sod's law would have it they went full throttle after that - until about 4:00.  I thought they were supposed to be asleep at that hour of the night - but it was nice to have company! …

This is a book review for a great book which tells you how to make jam in the microwave.   The beauty of it is that you can make just one pot if you like!  Last year I made a variety fo exotic jams and gave them to friends as Christmas gifts.   Living around here is handy because our local shops sell a good variety of fruits like loose dates and figs.  The book also gives recipes for delicious chutneys, spiced cheeses, and frozen summer fruits.

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It's that time of the year again - time to get pickling!   Here's some recipes I posted on line - the courgette one is really good!  

http://suite101.com/article/make-at-home-three-fall-pickle-recipes-a145868

I need some pickling jars as I've run out of jam jars - maybe that catering shop in Myddleton Road has some?  

I spent a really fun afternoon yesterday exploring a small stretch of the Thames foreshore with a guide.  I wanted to share it because it is also a fascinating couple of hours for children.

I came across a site called Thames…

...and he's quite creepy....

.... and he's getting bolder... I sit…

I thought these little baskets from Wilko's would solve the problem of not being able to afford window boxes at the moment.   They are from the bathroom section and I guess they are for holding shampoos and stuff like that.   They are only £3.00!  I only got one in case it didn't work, but I think I'll go and get some more.

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Here's two of my favourite football paintings. 

http://wanderingsineden.blogspot.co.uk/

There's not that many, I don't think, with this subject matter. Lowry did a few.  Anybody else got favourite images of the game?

I am singing the praises of Kith & Kids (formerly Mencap) in Tottenham (next to Sainsbury's) because for years they have been supplying me with excellent second hand furniture.  If you enjoy stripping pieces down or just enjoying them in all their ageing glory, this is a great place.  Their stuff changes all the time so one day you might go and be disappointed and the place may look a bit bleak, the next day you may find just what you are looking for and there's stacks of things.  You…

I was sorry that the brilliant series Garrow's Law has ended. Inspired by it, I thought I'd have a look on the Old Bailey trials which are now on line dating from 1674 to 1913.    I came across a fascinating account of a murder committed in 1869 in Truro Road and the poor…

Part 2 of The Great British Property Scandal shows tonight on Channel 4.  It really is a great way to use television, to highlight urgent social issues. It began last night and it featured some boarded up houses on the North Circular which are five minutes down the road and which I noticed about two years ago when I was taking a walk round the area. 

These houses have been empty for years but take note - they are on one of the main roads to the Olympic Stadium and so…

For about three years I've been trying to photograph the ducks that fly in formation over my flat - at the moment they are arriving at about 4 oclock in the afternoon.  However, sometimes they are really awkward and arrive late by which time I am thoroughly fed up and just as I put the camera down and go to make a cuppa, those darn ducks arrive squawking (mockingly, it seems to me).  Or if I do manage to point the camera at them the battery seems to run out at that precise…

I'm a bit biased about Mr Grimshaw - he lived in Leeds where I come from.  But I think you might like him too and a rare opportunity to see his work is being offered by the Guildhall Art Gallery.  He managed, like Whistler, to create a nocturnal, nostalgic loneliness in his paintings.  It might not be to everyone's taste, but I love it and it is a very…

Most evenings I am privileged to hear a lovely bird singing in our communal garden.  Here's a short video - sorry about the sound of the traffic, but I think you'll still agree, it's lovely.  Is it a blackbird?

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Today I put some photos on Flickr of cloud formations which I see from my flat - I am so fortunate to have a view of lots of sky and it is really fascinating watching the ever-changing beauty of these wonderful drifting shapes.  Most of these pics have Alexandra Palace somewhere in the distance.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/39561132@N08/sets/72157627438462196/

Maybe I should join…

In these days of austerity, how lucky we women are to live just a bus ride from one of the cheapest places on the planet to buy clothes. This is my guide to a unique shopping experience which hopefully, is still as enjoyable despite the financial gloom.

Fonthill Road, Finsbury Park - Unique Shopping…