Post Exams Freedom: Durham

Last week, I finally got my life back. Exam season had ended, the sun was shining and I was ready to celebrate my freedom. Not only had I finished what felt like a gruelling few weeks of assessments, I'd also finished my university career! I was flooded with relief at the simple fact that I'd survived, but bar that, I felt.... precisely as I had post exams, which was surprising since I'd been expecting to feel magically different. Older? More mature? I mean, I had just completed the last step in my formal education! No matter. This lack enlightenment wasn't going to deter me and so after my first decent nights sleep in months, I hopped onto a train to Durham...

...and promptly realised just how tired I still was. Thankfully, we refuelled at Tango and I was revived by a deliciously succulent burger, far too many fries and a large glug of ginger beer.

The next week passed in a whirl of cooking yummy food, sunshine, Pimms, eating out and afternoon naps (one of life's luxuries I'd sorely missed!). We attended a charity cricket match one afternoon, taking a picnic of summery food with us, full of strawberries, blueberries and cherries, cheese with onion chutney and pita and hummus. Oh and of course, more Pimms!

We also made the short trip to Newcastle for lunch with some good friends at (an incredibly amazing little place called) the Fat Hippo. (I tried to make out that I was excited about seeing our friends but they all knew it was the food I was so enthusiastic about... Apologies for the lack of photos, but take it from me, the burgers are TO DIE FOR!)

Another evening, we popped out for a Thai dinner at the Lotus Lounge where we demolished a table full of food, happily washed down with cocktails.

(Essentially you get the picture, yes?)

In essence, it was heavenly to have some free time: to sit around doing nothing and not feel guilty or cook and eat meals which took more than a designated lunch break hour. More than that, it was wonderful to finally have a chance to catch up with friends... especially one in particular!

Picnic in the Park

When the sun is shining and the days are gloriously long, there is nothing better than grabbing a picnic and heading outside for a touch of alfresco dining. There's just something about munching your way through an entire pallet of strawberries (a picnic essential) in the open air makes them taste so much sweeter!

 So yesterday this is exactly what we did. Marcus and I grabbed an armful of food, a couple of wicker baskets (one just wasn't big enough!) and a rug, then headed for the nearest country park, Wandlebury.

Typical of English weather, the moment we parked the car the heavens opened and our beautiful sunny day turned into an undisputedly soggy one. It rained so hard it sounded more like we'd parked up under a waterfall! However, undeterred, we scanned the sky for patches of blue and deduced this torrent of water couldn't possibly last for long. Luckily we were right. The downpour lasted for around twenty minutes before petering to a sprinkle and then stopping all together. Bravely, we dared out into the open, umbrella clutched in hand.

Since the ground was decidedly waterlogged we opted to go for a wander before setting up food. The grounds of Wandlebury were beautiful and came complete with their own flock of sheep, herd of yak-like cows and heavily laden orchard. The recently departed rain storm made all the vegetation sparkle and the air smelt of that special freshness that air-freshener companies long to recreate.

Before long our growling bellies got the better of us and we returned to the car for the picnic goodies. Everywhere was a bit damp for a proper 'down in the grass' spread, but we'd spotted a lovely secluded bench on our stroll and so set up camp here.

Now I have to say, I know how to picnic. We had a range of yummy food including sticky honey and soy sausages, camembert, hummus with pepper dipping sticks, crusty bread, Neapolitan mousse, salted caramel sauce and of course, handfuls of strawberries.We dived in and started devouring the banquet.

Before long we were full and decided to retire to the rug. We lay it out on the (still slightly damp) grass and cloud watched before drifting into contented naps.

Picnicking is full of nostalgia. Memories of playing in the woods as children shadow the days events. Of building dams in rivers and hideouts in the trees before being called to heel, muddy and exhausted, only to be fed overripe fruit and sandwiches fresh from the cool box. Yesterday's events may have been a slightly more sophisticated affair but the childish excitement that accompanies eating 'in the wild' is still there.