My Journey from Birmingham to Tenby

'Greetings and felicitations,

I said on my Facebook page that I would try and write a blog about something whilst I was on my train journey to Tenby (for a much needed few days away) and here it is!

I'm just pulling out of Whitland station and the next stop is Tenby.

Please forgive me if this blog isn't up to my normal calibre, I must say it is a bizarre experience writing whilst moving for the first time in my life!

So, let me start and say that I couldn't think of anything to write about within an hour so I shall intact, write about my journey so far! (To Tenby I mean, not life in general.)

My journey started in a small village outside of Birmingham. I went to Subway to get myself a sandwich to keep me going through the six hour journey ahead. Yeah... That sandwich was gone before my first train had even arrived. I'm definitely a glutton.

I'm sat waiting at the station for the choo choo to turn up, and there is a guy the other side of the tracks talking REALLY loudly. He's clearly on some sort of hands free device which made him look a little deranged. 

There was a little old lady next to me and she just shouted at me WHILE THIS GUY WAS RIGHT NEXT TO HER that, 'You know what they say about empty vessels making the loudest noises.' And did the not so subtle head bob in this guy's direction. Although I hadn't said anything to this woman to agree with what she was saying - she clearly thought I was in cahoots with her. My heart sank. I wasn't even on a train yet and I was being lumped in with trouble makers and the over-opinionated. She moved on to say that he looked like he was schizophrenic and obviously thought he was so cool talking so that everyone could hear him. Which I thought was a bit rich really as she was making herself very loud and unbearable! She finished her spouting of rage by saying, 'These kids of today, they are always on their phone, it's the most important thing to them.' She scared me a little bit so I must admit I chickened out and nodded at her. 

I must admit I was proud of myself for not grabbing my phone and tweeting about the situation.

I waited until she had got on the train

Approximately ten minutes later I arrived at New Street Station ready for my journey.

I would like to point out that I suffer with social anxiety, to the point I sometimes stay in my home and don't see / speak to anyone; so let's just say that going on what to me was a massive journey, and doing it ALONE, was rather nerve wracking.

Now, New Street staton has had a makeover of late. I'm sure that even the people that work there have no idea where they are going. Do you think I could find an information point? That's right, I couldn't. However I did find the next best thing, the disability help station thing. I mumbled that I couldn't find the information desk and the guy sighed, looked at me with big sad eyes and asked where I was going. I think that maybe I wasn't the first person to ask this question...

He directed me to the correct platform - which was pleasantly situated next to the toilets. Now all of you that are of a nervous disposition like me know, that nothing calms the nerves like an emptying of the old tank. So I walk up to the turnstile and pray to God that I have 30p to get through the damned things.

Don't worry kids, I had 30p.

I would just like to point out that this particular journey is really bouncy and I'm starting to feel a little poorly.

Ooh! One stop to go!

So back to the story... 

I got on my train and I found my allocated seat, 35A (which was marked C so for most of the journey I was expecting to be evicted) I got a window seat so I could look at the pretties passing by which was really nice.

I don't know if you have ever noticed this, but there are a LOT of beautiful churches around the country - every time I looked out of the window I seemed to be greeted with a new one which was a delight. I have a special place in my heart for churches. Have done ever since I was a little kid.

I was left to my own devices to read my silly magazines and soak in the views which was entertaining for two hours.

I got off the train at NEWport (think Goldie Lookin' Chain style) and as per usual, I needed to pee. So I made it to the loo and went to the information kiosk (I wasn't risking getting lost or missing my train) and asked where to get the train for Tenby. Turns out I needed to stay on the train that I was on.

Luckily for me the next train to Cardiff was but seconds away from arriving on the platform so I jumped on it and the next stop I was getting off to try and find the train which was going to be my home for the next three hours.

Unfortunately there were also a LOT of people waiting to get on the train that I wanted, and for some reason they were all asking me whether this was the train to a plethora of destinations. Now, I don't know if you know this, but there are a LOT of train stations in between Cardiff Central and Tenby - probably about 20 - and for the half an hour between me waiting for the train and getting on it, I had to remember them all in case some lost traveller asked me whether this was the right choo choo for their destination. I just hoped to God I had got it right else I would be stuck on train with quite a few annoyed people! 

As a side note, as we were all stood on the platform, I saw this geezer triumphantly galloping down the platform... Wearing a  Biggest Loser t-shirt. My first thought was, 'good on you mate.' And my second thought was, 'I hope that there are no cameras around following this chap - although if there are, I'm going to do that annoying "hi mom" wave. My makeup looks good and I don't look like I've been dragged through a hedge backwards so it won't be too embarrassing'

So, we crammed ourselves into the human-sardine tin and I had a horrible gut feeling that I would be stood up for a very long and painful time. After standing on the sides of my feet for about half an hour (it helps when the soles of your feet start burning) I spotted that the hippie looking chap was blocking a fold down seat. I'm sure he must have felt my stare burning into his knee caps until he moved.

He eventually got off the train, ear stretchers in and roll up cigarette ahoy. He also was donning a black trilby with a feather in it. Coooool.

I sidled up to the seat and unfortunately headbutted this tanned and smiley chap's elbow (he was one of the people who had asked me where this train went) and then casually sat down. Man my butt was thankful for that chair, and my feet were praising the heavens that my gelatinous figure was no longer weighing down on them.

About 45 minutes later more people had got off the train and were carrying on with their lives.

It made me a little sad really that I couldn't see out of the window for most of my journey - my highlight was seeing the toilet door opening and closing with a gentle, 'Whoosh.' I think it entertained the other people in my close vicinity too!

Shuffling down into the main carriage we all ran like gleeful children to get on a proper seat, with a table, and a window - and cushions. Ooh I loved the cushions.

I had sat next to the guy that I nearly head butted and started to read one of the magazines that I had brought with me. It was one about cupcakes and their design. I must admit out of about 100 designs and flavours, there were approximately 5 that I thought I wouldn't want to give a go. Then Mr Smiley started talking to me.

We chatted about where we had come from and where we were going - he had been in a union meeting in Piccadilly to fight for rights for Paramedics. He was fighting to say that they deserve more pay as in Pembrokeshire they are now being expected to learn more health preserving techniques (basically so less people are brought to hospital when the ambulances are called) but they wouldn't be paid any more. I totally supported what he was saying! 

With that we pulled up to a stop and there was a ruckus behind us - we could hear a French sounding chap shouting that the conductor was being rude (he had asked the chap to move a little quicker so that everyone had a chance of getting off at the stop) and the irate geezer was saying that the conductor was nothing but a Server of The People so how DARE he push into passengers. It was ridiculous and stupid, and the conductor had just tapped the guy on his shoulder to get his attention. The train was then stopped for ten minuted whilst the argument spilled out onto the platform. Didn't they know some of us had somewhere to be?!

Eventually the conductor was back on the train and the irate French man threw himself around whilst trying to angrily untangle his bike from the stand. Numpty.

Mr Smiley applauded the conductor and said that he had handled the situation really well - which then led onto a chat about the public and how a couple of people can make it difficult for everyone. Then he presented me with strawberry bon bons.

I don't know how long it has been since you have had strawberry bon bons, but for me I think the last time I was about 12 and travelling to the back end of beyond for a family caravan holiday. Ironic really as that is where I was going this time too!

At Camarthen Mr Smiley got off the train to go home to his home and Mrs Smiley, so I was left for an hour on my own. Which brings me back to the start of this blog (I'm now sat in the caravan watching Holby City after a long and tiring day.) 

And you know what the most important part of my journey was? I had no phone as the battery was rapidly dying, so had to experience this like a normal person, before the time of mobile phones. And it was wonderful.

For someone who has quite bad social anxiety, I am SO proud of myself that I managed to cope, and even make a couple of friends along the way! All without the crutch of being able to really talk to people I know.

You should do it sometime.

'Travel makes you modest. You see what a tiny place you occupy in the world.' - Scott Cameron

I am an Amateur Baker and Proud

Greetings and felicitations

Today's blog is going to be colourful and full of pictures - it's all about my journey as an amateur baker over the past couple of years. All pictures are of my own creations, taken by my own fair hand.

I remember when I couldn't even throw a batch of cupcakes that come from a box together without burning them or making them really dry. But now I'm proud to say I can make succulent cakes which make your mouth water with their fluffy freshness. Mmm. I think it is a good job that I've already had my cake fix for today!

My Chief Taster is my Fiancé and at the moment, I am trying to keep my hand in with baking by making some sort of creation every Friday (which is one of the reasons that he is marrying me, I'm sure).

I am going to try and put these up in chronological order, and do a little explanation of why I baked them and pros / cons of how they turned out.

So, this was the first 'celebration' cake that I baked - there wasn't any particular reason, just that I wanted to try my hand to see what I could come up with. to be honest, I don't think that this is a bad first attempt - however the cake inside was really dry and I hadn't yet got the recipe that I now use.

Now this cake was made for a colleague of mine who was leaving his job with us (he is back again now so if he leaves again I will have to make an updated version). As you can see, the boob shape wasn't great, but I had no idea that there was such a thing as spherical pans. To be honest though, that didn't bother him, and he said that he ate the whole thing to himself!

These were lovely little Oreo cupcakes, but I think that although they look pretty, they lacked in taste - I think I was a little too sparse with the Oreos (a complete travesty, I know).

I made these cupcakes for a lady at work before she left to have a baby boy (and what a cute little thing he is!) And I was quite proud of how professional (I thought) they looked. I think the only downside with these was that I used a liquid based food colouring for the icing, which made the icing really runny and hard to handle. It also had a strange after taste because I had to use so much of it to get this colour. I now use gel based colours which I find are far more bright and easy to use (with minimal after taste).

Now these were SO fun to make! I made them with a couple of friends and we all really enjoyed creating the little spooky faces. I must admit, that last year at Hallowe'en I did made some cupcakes for the trick or treaters and they were the biggest hit! I may have to make some icing ghouls in advance this year MWAHAHAHAHA!!

I made this cake for my Mom and Step-dad's anniversary and I really enjoyed creating this - it was the first 'big' cake that I have made and I was really impressed with how it turned out. I'm not too great with icing cakes but I would like to think that I have got better at it. My main problem is not kneading it enough to stop it from cracking.

This cake had a nice sentiment to it, but in the rush I didn't knead the icing properly (you can see the cracks in the white icing if you look closely.)

















Then I had a brainwave... I wanted to make the most colourful cake that I could for my nephew's birthday - needless to say he keeps telling me that I should open my own bakery ha ha!

I really enjoyed making this cake, even though it took me an age to do the pipework around the outside. I was nervous as this was the first cake really that I had made for a special occasion and it seemed to go down well! (Mainly into a lot of excited children's tummies!)

These were white chocolate and strawberry flavoured cupcakes, and I created them for my late cousin Jason (R.I.P.) and they are very special as I made these for him the week before he died. He was really supportive of my baking and he used to call me Cupcake. Bearing in mind he had terminal cancer, his appetite when it came to my cakes never waned!







Occasionally I bake things that aren't cakes - not too often though as I am not great at it (but as they say, practice makes perfect!) The bread is a Paul Hollywood recipe and I must say, it was delicious!

Below are some more cupcake creations, I didn't realise until I started writing this blog just HOW MUCH baking I actually do - I think I have a problem ha ha!

Multicoloured cupcakes (like the larger version mentioned above - and they had marshmallows melted into the top. Mmmmm they were tastilicious!

These were chocolate ganache cupcakes with a secret 'special surprise' filling. Man I miss having those cupcakes in my life.

So, these were peanut butter and jam cakes, the buttercream was infused with smooth peanut butter and then there was a well made inside the cupcake to stuff with a strawberry jam filling.
De-lish-shuz.

Remember the 'special secret' filling? Well here it is... Marshmallows and chocolate ganache. I can almost feel the diabetes swimming around my veins.

Some cute little Easter cupcakes, this one was the most photogenic.

Ok, so now I have shown you all of my projects (bar one) I think it is time to show you the cake that I am stupendously proud of. My sister turned 40 a couple of weeks ago, and I wanted to excel myself and make her a really nice cake to celebrate. And here it is...

*Sheds a tear* Man I'm so proud of that cake.

Anywho, this blog took a LOT longer than I expected to write - but I eventually got there in the end (things are getting a bit cray cray with life in general so it's taking me forever to kick out a blog!) and I hope you enjoyed reading about my cakey creations as much as I enjoyed eating them!

'You can't be sad when holding a cupcake.' - Unknown