The Beast from the East

The beast from the East was well and truly a beast. A force of nature not to be reckoned with!

Isle of Wight

I'm causing mischief in the Isle of Wight today

Dinner at Antonio's

Being away from Spain for extended periods of times makes me nostalgic for all things Spanish.

Especially when you FaceTime your parents sitting in 40ºC whilst you are wrapped up from head to toe in warm clothes, it's raining outside and it's August in England.

After a little research and endless days yearning for some fried calamares and gambas pil pil, I found Antonio's on TripAdvisor.

A kind Spanish expat named Antonio had opened up his own restaurant in Fareham serving the delights of Spanish cuisine right on the High Street's door.

It had some pretty good reviews and some authentic-looking-Spanish-food photos so my chap and I decided to go there for some early dinner on Saturday evening.

After about twenty minutes in the car, a few wrong turns and a few crossed words, we arrived.

We got a nice warm welcome from a nice man whom I assume was Antonio, who showed us to our table. 

*we later found out this was Carlos, but we met the actual Antonio too!

Our little tummies were rumbling and we couldn't decide what to have for starters.

So we ordered three.

Gambas al alajillo (garlic prawns), fried calamares and fried whitebait with alioli (garlic mayonnaise)

This is my 'hurry up and take the blinking photo, I want to dive in to this bowl of prawns' face.

For mains I had the solomillo de cerdo (pork) with melted cheese and tomato sauce and a biiiig helping of vegetables of course.

Oh it was heaven and the sauce reminded me of home!

He ordered the seafood spaghetti.

Not exactly Spanish but... it was filled with calamares and seafood and prawns so I will let him off (this time).

We waited an eternity for our dessert order to be taken during which time conversation got a bit silly...

Or maybe that was just me!

Eventually we skipped our usual Amaretto and Baileys fling and opted for a Ben and Jerry's ice cream affair at home instead.

I skipped, hopped (and tripped) my way back to the car, positively stuffed to the brim. 

The food and atmosphere is fantastic at Antonio's but I do think the food lacked a little bit of seasoning. We didn't even get salt and pepper on the table and the place got quite busy even to ask for some! 

I definitely want to go back though and savour their delicious tapas lunch menu. 

See you there?

Surprise Visit to Brighton

Early on Sunday morning, whilst everyone was tucked up in their beds sleeping off their hangover or recovering from Ascot the day before, a little tired B was packing up her suitcase and dreading traipsing across London with her big blue suitcase and relocating to Miss Lucy K's for her last night in England.  

El domingo por la mañana, mientras todos se recuperaban de una resaca en la cama o cansados de las carreras de Ascot el día anterioir, una B media dormida hacía su maleta y temía su desplazamiento por Londres con su gran maleta azul al piso de Lucy K dónde pasaría su última noche en Inglaterra.

You see they had been mischievously planning a little visit to Brighton to surprise the one and only Lucy R or Lucia, as to not to get confused, with the very lovely Luis her Spanish man. 

Verás estas dos traviesas habían planeado una pequeña visita a Brighton para darle una sorpresa a la única Lucy R o Lucia para no confundirnos, con Luis, su noviete español. 

But shhh! Don't tell her yet! She doesn't know we are coming!

Pero ¡chitón! No digáis nada eh! Que todavía no sabe que venimos!

I couldn't leave London without seeing 1/3 of the Blonde Charlottes so I met the beautiful Charlie for a quick coffee in Brixton market before leaving.  

No podía irme de Londres sin ver al tercio de las Charlottes rubias, por eso antes de salir prometí tomarme un cafelito con la hermosa Charlie en Brixton Market

Then Lucy K and I were on our way! The train only took an hour from London Bridge and costs us £6 on FCC only (First Capital Connect) with a railcard, amazing value for money!

Después Lucy K y yo salimos! El tren desde London Bridge solo dura una hora y nos costó £6 en los trenes 'FCC only' (First Capital Connect) con un 'railcard', un chollo total!

There's a real quirky vibe to Brighton. If Brighton were a school playground I would imagine this is the corner where all the cool indie quirky kids would hang out.
Hay un ambiente alternativo en Brighton. Si la ciudad fuese una patio escolar me imagino que este sería el rincón de la gente indie guay o un poco rara. 

It seems fitting to call it London by the sea, or maybe more Camden by the sea.
Ya veo porque lo llaman Londres en la playa, o incluso sería mejor nombrarlo Camden en la playa.

The 'lanes' in Brighton remind me of the old tiny windy narrow streets you might find in Spanish villages especially in Granada or Málaga left behind by the Muslim invasion in Spain.
Los 'lanes' o las callejuelas me recuerdan a las callejuelas de pueblecitos españoles influidos por la invasión musulmana sobre todos las que encontrarías en Granada o en Málaga. 

Lucia made me interrupt the band playing in the middle of the green to steal a photo. Shameless!
Lucia me obligó a plantarme en frente de la orquesta que tocaba para hacerme una foto. Sin vergüenza!

 The sun was scorching along the Brighton and Hove coastline so we settled on an M&S picnic on the beach with portable glasses of wine included. So very classy!

El sol abrasaba en la playa por lo que decidimos llevarnos un picnic del Marks and Spencers con copas de vino portátiles incluidos. Siempre con clase nosotras!

We took a looong walk along the sea-front to let our food go down in preparation for ice cream! I mean you can't come to the beach and not treat yourself to an ice cream!
Caminamos por el paseo marítimo para hacer la digestión y hacer espacio para un helado! Sería un delito venir a la playa y no disfrutar de un helado!

The famous colourful beach huts lined the front and reminded me of childhood visits to Southend with my grandparents.
Las famosas casetas de playa alineados en el paseo me hacían extrañar las visitas a Southend que hacía con mis abuelos. 

I was surprised how their use has completely been re-designed. Once used for storing beach equipment, some are now fully equipped with fridges, a drinks bar and some, even have a stove for brewing a cup of tea!
Ha habido una sorprendente revolución en el uso de las casetas. Antiguamente se utilizaban como un almacén para guardar las cosas de playa pero ahora disponen de frigoríficos, barras e incluso algunos tienen estufas para hacer té!  

 My little feet were hurting so bad from all the walking so we took a well-deserved ice cream break. It was 99p (actually £2 now) flake ice cream! Oh so very British!

Mis pies no podían más. Un descanso con helado es lo que necesitaba. Helados de '99p' se llaman, aunque hoy en día cuestan £2, y vienen con un 'flake' de chocolate! Lo más típico en Gran Bretaña!

The original Brighton pier burnt down in a horrific fire incident so they built the new one. It's free to walk up and down it and you're not obliged to go on the scary looking rides that hang over the sea! 

El embarcadero original de Brighton se quemó en un horrible incendio entonces construyeron esta nueva. Es gratis pasear por él y tampoco te obligan a montarte en los cacharritos terroríficos que cuelgan por encima del mar!

It´s not as long as Southend-on-sea pier though!

Pero es más corto que el embarcadero de South-end-on-sea en Essex!

These are the remains of the old Brighton pier.

Los restos del antiguo embarcadero de Brighton. 

We went for afternoon coffee at Lucia and Luis' place before catching the train back to London. I was so shattered after Ascot yesterday and walking the wholeeee of Brighton today, my little bed was waiting for me!

Fuimos al piso de Lucia y Luis para tomarnos un café antes de partir hacia Londres en el tren. Después de Ascot ayer y tras caminar por todaaaa Brighton hoy, mis piececitos estaban muertos y la cama me llama!

Royal Ascot

I feel like an absolutely princess in this dress. 

Este vestido me hace sentir como una princesa.

It is powder blue, delicately off the shoulders. 

Azul celeste, hombros al aire.

I just need a Prince Charming to whisk me off and waltz me around the floor at the royal ball.

Sólo me hace falta un Príncipe Azul que me tome de la mano y baile conmigo en el palacio real.

Instead I was at Royal Ascot! Minus Prince Charming 

Sin embargo estaba en las carreras de Ascot - sin Príncipe Azul

Rachel had invited me to go ageeees ago. I can't even remember when it was but I feel like I've been excited for months!

Rachel me invitó hace muchísimo tiempo. No me acuerdo exactamente cuando pero parece que he estado entusiasmada durante meses!

I only ordered my dress a week before though. Whoops! 

Aunque sólo pedí mi vestido una semana antes. ¡Ups!

Luckily Asos' new petite range is perfect for my height and size and the dress fit perfectly.

Menos mal que la nueva colección petite de Asos se ajusta a mi talla y tamaño y el vestido me quedó perfecto.

It was the first only one I had ordered. My fingers were tightly crossed!

Porque era el primer único vestido que me había pedido. Más firme no podía cruzar los dedos!

There was a large group of ex-Durhamers + friends going. Some I knew, some I didn't, which makes it all the more fun!
Iba con un grupo de exalumnos de Durham + amigos, algunos que conocía, otros que no, pero así es más interesante.

We set off from West London really early on Saturday morning. The trains and platforms were absolutely packed with girls in gorgeous dresses, hats and fascinators - I got so much dress and hat envy!

Madrugamos el Sábado y salimos del Oeste de Londres muy temprano. Los trenes y el andén estaban repletos de bellas mujeres en vestidos y sombreros muy elegantes que me entró un envidia de trajes.

Very smart gentlemen in morning suits and top hats, chinos and shirts. 

Caballeros bien vestidos con traje largo y sombrero alto, o con chinos y camisas.

Don't guys just look instantly more amazing and hotter in a suit? Yum. 

Cuando un hombre se viste con traje se pone guapo al instante, ¿no crees? Mmm.

I felt like I was on my way to a Royal Wedding. I'd never been around so many smart people, except for June Ball maybe!

Me sentía una invitada en una boda real. Nunca había estado rodeada de gente tan elegante, menos en June Ball, el Baile de Junio en Durham, alomejor. 

We trekked up Ascot hill in our dresses and heels and with our very heavy picnic hamper in tow full of our bubbly and strawberries and other yummy picnic snacks.
Escalamos el monte de Ascot en nuestros vestidos y tacones cargadas con nuestro cesto de picnic lleno de champán y fresas y más comida rica.

We were in the Silver Enclosure. 

Estábamos en el recinto platino.

I would love to say I was in the Royal Enclosure and sat next to Prince Harry all day long, instead we were in with all the 'plebs' for the day.

Me encantaría poder decir que estaba en el recinto real sentada al lado del príncipe Enrique, sin embargo hoy me tocaba estar con los demás plebes.

Where the MOST fun is had!
El recinto MAS divertido!

Tickets were inexpensive and allowed us to bring a picnic with one bottle of Champagne or bubbly each.
Las entradas eran asequibles y permitían traer un picnic con una botella de champán o burbujitas por cada persona

We spread our picnic blankets in the middle of the busy crowds and converted our picnic hamper into a champagne ice bucket. Perfect!

Montamos nuestro picnic en el centro del mogollón y convertimos nuestro cesto en una cubo de hielo para el champán. Perfecto!

The sound of a champagne cork popping is just so satisfying don't you find?

Cómo me complace el sonido al abrir una botella de champán, ¿a ti no?

It was a beautiful day in every which way

Hacía un día precioso, desde la gente, la compañia el ambiente y el tiempo

There is more of a relaxed vibe in the Silver Enclosure than I would imagine there to be in the Royal Enclosure. Our dress code wasn't as formal or as strict, we didn't have to wear hats but everyone still looked as though they'd dressed to the nines.

El ambiente en el recinto Platino es más relajado que me imagino habría en el recinto Real. Aquí no se requiere buena presencia o el uso de sombreros pero todo el mundo iba vestido de punto en blanco.

We drank and ate until our heart's content and of course watched the horses whizz by 

Comer y beber hasta satisfascernos y claro ver pasar los caballos zumbando

When our classy plastic champagne glasses were running low, somebody would crack another bottle open

Cuando nuestras copas de champán de plástico estaban casi vacias alguien abría otra botella

So we could continue `Ascoting´ (term to describe activities one does at Ascot)

Para seguir 'Ascot-eando' (término inventado para describir las actividades que uno realiza en Ascot)

Like posing

Como el postureo

Drinking, chatting, eating

Beber, charlar, comer

Getting a soggy bottom from siting on the grass

Levantarse del césped con el culo mojado

And of course betting underneath those multicoloured little betting stands
Y por supuesto apostar, en las puestas ubicadas bajo los paraguas multicolorines

The truth is I don't really like gambling at all, but when one is in Ascot...
No me gusta nada jugar con el dinero, pero cuando una está en Ascot...

So I put £2 each way (don't I sound like I know what I'm talking about?) on Toscanini on my first race.
Entonces en la 1ª carrera aposté £2 a ambos lados (¿a que suena como si sé de lo que estoy hablando?) en Toscanini.

And he came second! So I won £3.80 back! Scoreee! I put that money on another horse for the next race and I lost it all.
Y quedó segundo! Y gané £3.80! Yupiiii! Entonces aposté ese dinero en otro caballo para la siguiente carrera y lo perdí todo.

That's the end of my gambling career.
Esto es el fin de mi carrera apostando.

More pink cava please
Más cava rosado por favor

After a while us girlies went on a wander (and a loo break)

Tras un rato las chicas y yo fuimos a explorar (y a buscar un baño)

Then my camera died and I almost cried.
Luego se me apagó la cámara y quería llorar. 

I was stranded on a beautiful dessert island with my iPhone 4!
Estaba naufragada en una hermosa isla desierta con mi iPhone 4!

So I resorted to Instagram for the rest of the afternoon, which actually is never a bad idea
Use Instgram en lo que quedaba de la tarde, que nunca es mala idea

I spotted these big friendly giants across the crowd who I just so happen to have gone to university with! Much catching up was needed in between races.
Este par de gigantes estaban ubicados entre el público por casualidad, y además son viejos compañeros de la universidad! Tenía que ponerme al día con estos dos entre las carreras.

I give the Silver Enclosure at Ascot two thumbs up. It's a great way to join in with the traditional horse races without spending a fortune (unless you like betting!) by having a very fancy picnic with champagne and heels and hats, if you like. 

Le doy el visto bueno (con los dos pulgares hacia arriba) al recinto platino de Ascot. Si te gustan las carreras tradicionales pero piensas que asistir es muy caro pues un picnic elegante con tacones, champán y sombreros es la mejor manera de disfrutarlo sin tener que ajustar el cinturón, al menos que no te guste apostar.

The day was made exceptionally better by the beautiful English Summer sun we had!

Fue un día excepcional gracias al espectacular sol de verano inglés que salió!

I´m off to Brighton in the morning, are you joining me?

Mañana me voy a Brighton, te apuntas?