Travelling Light
and a
Patchwork Quilt
of
Autumn Recipes
I am travelling light as usual, you know what I mean, a large suitcase on wheels that don’t work and that’s tied together with old leather belts, a laptop in a case with no shoulder strap and side pockets stuffed full of “essential” sundry electrical chargers and other office related items, a “cabin” bag (and I am not even flying) bulging with perishable gifts for family and friends, a handbag the size of Bournemouth and a plastic bag with emergency rations in it for the long train journey…….my husband heaves my case down the stairs muttering darkly whilst I flutter past shouting out words of encouragement and repeating over and over again that the “weather can changeable” and it really is “not that heavy is it?”……yes, I know how to travel light as a brave solo passenger.
In a parallel world, I dream of the perfect journey; I will be beautifully dressed in a careless “designer label” way, an exquisite scarf billowing gently as I make my way through the train station leaving a cloud of subtle French perfume in my wake. One small case on 4 wheels will glide by my side whilst my small handbag is carried over the crook of my arm, in the manner of a “celeb”. Men will offer a helping hand whilst women will wonder at my seemingly elegant and carefree manner……my lipstick will remain “in situ” throughout the journey and transfers from train to train will be a breeze as porters fall over themselves to help me with my minuscule suitcase. I will personify the golden age of travel and only champagne will pass my lips.
The reality is I will be a sweating heaving wreck by the time I have humped my humongous case down the stairs to the platform because the lifts are out of action, nobody will help me as I teeter on the side of the platform and throw my bags on to the train narrowly missing any unfortunate traveller who is in front of me; someone will be sitting in my “booked” seat and only with the intervention of the angry looking ticket collector will they move and then glower at me for the rest of the journey. There will be no space left in the luggage area and my bags will be festooned on and about me for 5 hours. My egg mayonnaise sandwiches (which seemed such a good idea yesterday) will stink the carriage out and people will mutter about “what is that smell” under their breath whilst pointedly looking at me.
I will finally arrive hot and dishevelled, hair wild and lipstick on my chin with mayonnaise stains pebble dashed over my “best” pashmina scarf; meanwhile, the woman of my travel dreams will silently slink past me and get the last taxi in the taxi rank, leaving me marooned for half an hour or more…..my perishable gifts will have left a trail behind me and people will avoid me as if I am the travelling albatross. I left yesterday and may still be on the road ~ wish me luck, and if you see me struggling with a large battered suitcase of fuchsia and maroon, please lend a helping hand! See you after the journey tomorrow.
Karen
A Patchwork Quilt
of
Autumn Recipes
1. No Croutons Required ~ Curried Butternut Squash & Parsnip Soup
2. National Curry Week ~ Chicken Cardamom Curry
3. Let’s Make Christmas ~ Santa’s Little Helper, Orange Liqueur
4. Hate Waste Love Food ~ Bubble & Squeak Lamb Hash
5. Family Midweek Supper ~ Spaghetti Bolognese Pie
6. Autumn Harvest Salad of Figs, Pears & Raspberries
7. Christmas Spiced Mulled Pears in a Jar
Hey French, how do you create that patchwork montage?
Safe journey and happy landings. Hopefully it will not be as bad as all that! xxoo
Hi Smells like salad! I make them on Flickr toys! XX
I am here now thanks Marie ~ wasn't too bad, and I got here in one piece, as did my luggage!
Glad you arrived ok…& pleased to hear of someone else who dreams of manicured, elegant travel (if only eh?)
Are you still on for a meet up?
Karen,
Glad you arrived safely and hope you have a brilliant time whilst you're here.
I love you patchwork of photos, a great way to showcase your work!
Glad you made it safely to your destination. I really loved your fall quilt of delicious food. The colors of the food all blended so nicely.
Glad you've arrived safely, however dishevelled, or otherwise, you were when you did! The book arrived 😀 I emailed my thank yous on Sunday, did they not turn up? I hope they're not trapped in a parallel world on a train to nowhere, as happened last time ;D
I admire flawless travelers also:) have a good trip..Lovely patchwork~
Egg sandwiches do have this habit!! still love them though 🙂
Bee happy x
Have a delicious day!
OH, I just love your writing style, Karen! So enjoyable to read! Hope you made it there in one piece–with lipstick in place & all!
Love the look of all those beautiful fall recipes…have a lovely trip, my friend!
Julie
Hope the trip wasn't too tiring and dull and your shoulders don't ache too much from carrying all that kit!
Nice round up!
It was so lovely to meet you today Karen. Thank you so much for my beautiful gifts. You looked every bit as glamourous as I expected! Can't wait to catch up again on 18th with a lovely civilized glass of bubbly! Enjoy your travells around the UK.
God you made me laugh it just sounds like a trip I would have. Yet I Don't travel from exotic place to exotic place.
Fancy Karen, I have those parallel world idea's too, but like you unfortunately in reality its a completely different story.
Doing long haul flights for the past 22 years, you can imagine I've got some doozy tales to tell, but my lips are sealed ~ well for now anyway. Maybe future blogs?
I too love your writing ~ you write as I tend to think…if that makes sense ;D
Enjoy your trip xx
Fancy Karen, I have those parallel world idea's too, but like you unfortunately in reality its a completely different story.
Doing long haul flights for the past 22 years, you can imagine I've got some doozy tales to tell, but my lips are sealed ~ well for now anyway. Maybe future blogs?
I too love your writing ~ you write as I tend to think…if that makes sense ;D
Enjoy your trip xx
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