The historic walled city - York

York, the oldest city in United Kingdom is rich with its heritage and architecture. Though called, the city has been well developed (unlike our so call old areas in bangalore. ahem!) with bounteous greens!!!

Taking upon a friend's advice, we made York as our next stop in 3-day Early May vacation. The city was founded by Romans in 71 AD and is distinguished as the hub for Railway network and confectioner manufacturing unit, since Victorian age. Without a doubt, The Railway museum, is a leading attraction site, when you accompany kids!!!

As I ticked on the first checklist - Railway museum, my memories drew me to the one we visited in Mysore. My daughter Diya fancied on the artifacts displayed!!! The York museum, on the other hand, is overflowed with plenteous items and vast history facts.The display shows the pride of the city in being the primer in railway connectivity in UK. It was interesting to note that their first ever train from London to Scotland took 10 long hours and now with modern techniques they have compressed to 4.5 hrs!!!! They had a good demonstration of their engines and railway tracks too!!!

After feeding our minds, we quickly fed our tummies as we are due for a cruise in York. The York City Cruises is over the river Ouse which has almost 8 bridges. We had the open deck ride on this sunny day with all out hats on!!! One of the bridge known as Millenium Bridge is worth a visit for its architectural beauty. It is a cable styled arch structure with linear, non-linear and dynamic analysis. Its inspired by the spokes of a bicycle wheel and consists of an inclined arch with radially aligned cables. Due to its technical beauty, folks visit and relax on the stretched cable. 

We then took city walk for more than an hour. We took pleasure of the city with its crowded stones streets. York also has the famous  city wall; Built by Romans stretching for 3.4 km, one can take walk over the wall to get the city high view,  which would take 2 hours to complete.

Not sure, if its true, but I heard that, few people from York moved to US and developed the New York City! Regardless of this fact, one would surely enjoy the city walk if he\she is mad like me, shopping in Bangalore commercial street.!!!!!

Heights of Abraham

The cave you fear to enter holds the treasure you seek
                                         

Heights of Abraham!!!! a question for the readers. What strikes when you hear it for the first time? What you think the place be???Please do leave your answers as comments to this blog. I am just curious to know how different or same all our beautiful minds think!!! :D

Well, let me not hold the fact any longer. Heights of Abraham is hilltop park in Derbyshire with two lead caverns and has neither remembrance to Abraham Lincoln statute or for that matter any Abraham!!! :D.
When I first heard about our next destination for early May vacation, I did had similar expectation about the place. However, I was proved wrong. 

This is a tourist attraction and derives its names from a supposed resemblance to the "Plains of Abraham", known by same name,situated in Canada. However, I must confess, its an absolute entertainment spot. We drove along with our neighbor, packing our lunch and snacks. We were thrilled to get into our first cable car transport and it was indeed a fun ride. The Cable car takes you to the top of the hill, where more adventure welcomes you. Though a short path, it takes out your breath when they stop for few seconds to grasp yourself viewing the hill top view of the landscape from heights!!!!

After the cable care adventure, you are taken into two caverns - Great Masson Cavern and Great Rutland Cavern. They are lead mines and the tourist guide superbly explains the life history of the miners that almost in Roman times. It bewilders to learn that the miners had worked without any sort of sunlight and children aged from 5 had their share of tale too. Amazes me, what triggered them to seek adventure inside a cave filled with danger, hardship and possible disappointment!!!???

I must warn you, the cave travel was not just hard for those miners and it indeed is difficult for one to hike even now. The authority have kept the passage ways in the same way for us to experience it. the steps are too small and steep and once you come out, you would be wishing for a day's relax! Nevertheless, once you reach the top of the caves, you could treat your eyes with a magnificent view of the  area. There are few resting points over the hill and you could enjoy your nature talk!!!

There is one in formation I would like to share about UK. For sure, you visit any place in  UK,  they would  definitely have children's park area. hahahah! Any it no more  surprised me when we saw one here too!!!

Our kids enjoyed  superlatively!!! With aromatic packed lunch, even  our tummy  was  happy along  with elated hearts!!!

Land of Mountains,Lochs, highlands and glens - SCOTLAND

Visiting Scotland would be any man's dream in this world. The Serene beauty inspires you with awe and freshness. Wherever you go, you would be surrounded by gigantic mountains, river flowing valleys and all that you see on any windows desktop screen saver!!!

Our 4 day trip to this land of beauty started on an early Sunday morning and taking a look first at the famous Falkirk Wheel. The infrastructure details and the scenic pleasure would sure fill one's curious mind! One amazing information is that it could hold a weight of 100 African elephants!!! They let you ride in scheduled trip and do have a gift shopping centre for you to kill the time. And mind you, the lavatory has more waiting time than the trip!!!☺The Wheel tour is short which was a bit disappointment to us. However, the way your boat taken up and the tour guide's humorous speech will still amaze you!!!

One more attraction in Falkirk is the Kelpies. These are 30m high horse-head sculptures. The name intrigued me to google a bit and an astonishing news awaited me. The name is a local Scot name given to shape-shifting water spirit inhabiting in lochs!. Neverthless, this is a famous tourist spot and of course ideal picture click!!! Next to it is the Helix park for kids with water fountain entertainment. We rested our first day at Falkirk Stay home after a long journey.

The second day was filled for embracing the real scotland beauty. Visiting the mountains scene. We took a tour to Loch Lomond. I would dare say words are not enough to describe this serenity. One should experience it on own and capture it in their eyes forever. You would never get over with numerous camera clicks and still feel there is more to go!!!! We also had our packed lunch on the bottom of a mountain with a small stream flowing over a bridge. And this is definitely my fav spot!!!! My kids too had different experience playing the small stream and they always amuse me with their excitement on their nature love!!!! Like Dad, Like Kids!!!! :D

We also visited the famous Glenfinnan Viaduct. Any harry potter fan would surely not miss this spot. The majestic view of the railway bridge where the famous Hogwarts train zooms out is worth all waiting! We were lucky to watch two ScotRails passing and though they were not steam engine as shown in potter film, but still a fan would have a childish moment on it. From the parking area, one had to take a mountain trail for 10 mins to cherish that potter moment! Wonder how the directors of the movie came to know about such place!!!!! Wonder how they make such barren landscape into a major tourist attraction!!!! All in the movie game!!!!

We reserved our next day for kids entertainment and hence our obvious choice was "Blair Drummond Safari and adventurous park. I always love the self safari drive in UK as they let you drive safely near the animals and also you get better look at the animals comparatively and longer time too!!! This was the first zoo ride for my 2yr old and he was stunned to see a real lion. He is always fascinated on the famous Kannada folk song of Punyakoti - about a ferocious lion and honest cow. The impact of the song had got into his nerve of portratying the lion character a numerous times at home. :DDD

The park's sea lion show is another highlight of the day. The 30 mins show was packed with thunderous claps from the crowd on the performance of the mammal. The guide gave a fact details on Sea lions. The other shows were mere talks on penguins, tiger and rhinoceros. They had a wide pirate ship - sand park and more adventurous slides for kids to tire out their energy. More than the zoo, my kids enjoyed playing in the slides. One interesting play was on the sand.They could build different sand castle and use other tools and ways to move up and down the sand. 

The last day of our trip was on the capital of Scotland - Edinburgh. Mark me, one day may not be enough for you to explore this beautiful city. With an acclaimed university, the city was buzzed with students! The hilltop castle is a must watch. We just wandered around the streets to get the feel of the city. Oh Man!, you will never get tired on their long paths. I would strongly recommend this place for newly weds - to rope hands on hands and get lost in a romantic walk!!! You might need more gigantic energy if carrying kids!!! :D The City shops are filled with "Ginger Shortbread Biscuits" which are remarkably tasty, apart from, as heard from others, the Scottish whisky. 

I felt more lucky to watch a person playing bagpiper, which is again, a must look out in Scotland. I have heard them in few of English novels and had the chance to experience it this time. The City also has infinite botanical garden and they had more beautiful flowers than I saw in lalbagh or Ooty garden.The hues of the flowers tickled my small heart's wish to get a saree on it next time!!!! After all, Women will be always Women!!!! :D One more stop in our trip was the Edinburgh Museum. It has varied items on display from cars - rockets - about early life on the land to culture change, animals and food! And both museum and botanical garden have free entry and they are more worth to watch it.

And thus ended our four day trip to scotland and back to home sweet home, to celebrate our shared birthday. I am grateful to my hubby dear for making my dream come true - visiting scotland and that too as birthday gift!!!! ohhhhhhooooooooo!!!!!

Souramana Ugadi 2018

Our first Ugadi in Sheffield. A mixed feeling of festival celebration.

I am always a person of high zeal when it comes to celebrating our culture through festivals. Its a sense of responsibility to show and teach my kids about our traditions.Being a women of modern age, I certainly take pride in following my rituals in a foreign land too.

Celebrating a festival becomes a grand success when multiple influential factors co-work. Time, place, personal motivation family support...For me, this year, place played a crucial part during Ugadi. For us Ugadi would mean, keeping KANI with coconut, cucumber, adorn the lord's photo with jewels n money, fruits and flowers. Have sumptuous meal with obattu and payasa and last but not least, eel good with new cloths!!!

Our Ugadi this time too followed the same fashion, except for few things. I don't have provision for breaking a coconut here. All I get is frozen grated or desiccated ones. Also, the flowers. Miss those jasmine and chrysanthemum. Missed these two in my kani this time. However, adjusted with my handmade crochet flowers.!!! :D

We had guest joined for lunch and hence felt homely too. My two month lavish shopping last Year end in Bangalore saved us here with new cloths for the festival. Its worth to mention few you tube channels which guided me in preparing the dishes - Sampradaya, vaishnavi channel, hebbars kitchen and few more. They explain simple and better - Kodubele, Hesarubele payasa, Carrot obbattu, rava laddu, capsicum fritters.

Altogether, I enjoyed having quality time with family as we celebrate the first day of the year. Hope much more joyful days lay ahead in this year!

Norfolk Easter Holidays 2018

Having a two weeks Easter holidays for kids is directly proportional to a tremendous vacation planning for parents. Catalyst factors such as kids entertainment, baby food and care do matter a lot. If you are lucky enough, you would end up with a fabulous place, sweet memories and some life experience.

Our search for Easter weekend hunt started almost a month back. As is the norm to secure a best place and grab few early bird discounts. There were many nominations in our list - London, Peak district, Europe etc. Being peak season, we presumed obvious rush in these places too. And finally, my husband found Norfolk being the correct place for us to have some fun. The weather was helpful and we were able to book at the Summer Fields resort through Parkdean resorts. And here started our journey!

We started Friday noon and the route has much more to offer. A lavish daffodils farm cooled our eyes. Words are never enough to explain the delightful panorama of the lined daffodils. We quickly took few snaps along the farm, challenging the cool breeze. We reached our destination at 5 in the evening and soon settled in our cavets. Though we had a rough plan to spend next few days out, the resort itself had more offerings to keep us all entertained. They had main focus on kids and surely kept them busy with their fun-tertainment!!!!

Norfolk's biggest tourist attraction is - Greater Yarmouth. Being a coastal town of Norfolk, they have maximum capacity of kids entertainment. Two Piers - Britannia and Wellington, Pleasure beaches and Joyland - bet you can spend almost all your day along this beach side. They have all water and dry slides package for the whole family with simple token systems. A train ride on the road to reach your stops, casinos, food plazas indeed was very helpful.

The Yarmouth market is a worthy try for all shopping-crazy folk like me. Its a long stretch of varied shops ranging from cloths to chocolates - Bags-shoes -gift shops and many more. The 'Tickles' shop is a sure shot to try and you will be amused by their bizarre items!!!! You do have a great mall, poundland and bus station to wander around the city. The sand beach was cool enough for a walk in the late evening with your dear ones. Having recently watched ' Dear Zindagi' movie, Diya and I played kabadi with the ocean tides!!! OH! it was so much fun to relish that moment!

We lavishly spent our Sunday afternoon on the resort with a chill swim at the indoor pool. After all, holidays are meant for your own relaxation among other things!!!! We visited another beach - Horsey warren, unexpectedly. It blew us with a surprise of seals. Kids enjoyed watching them swimming along the tides and landing on the shore to retire for the night. It was first time we saw these mammals - face like a dog, body with two front legs as with any other mammal and tails like fish to swim!!!!Wonder, what God had in mind while creating them!!!

Monday, the last day of our vacation was altered a bit with rain forecast. we planned to visit the nearby 'Thrigby Wildlife park" after checking out from the resort. However, due to continuous pour, we changed our route to Langham Glass. It offered us good learning on glass item making with some live sessions. Awestruck with the whole process starting from clear glass as raw material being made in 1100 degree Celsius furnace with molding -shaping-reheating to desired article - A sparrow, an elephant a bowl with golden dots!. They do offer "Make your own" article with a tag price! A worth visit for all curious minds!

Winding up the vacation, we headed to our sweet home at Sheffield which welcomed us with snow and a crowded neighborhood due to a football match! I would strongly recommend this to all to have a different experience for the whole family.

Few takeaways:

•  As we were staying in resort, we planned well for our tummy too. We took care of breakfast and dinner ourselves and luckily could  find decent Asian restaurants offering Indian food. Still, make sure you are heading well before 1 pm for lunch.
• Swimming pool and evening kids entertainment are surely not to be missed.Well, with England weather, you would surely reach your nest early evening.
• We always prefer self car drive as its more comfort with my 2 yr old. The drive is less than 5 hrs and hence are more pleasant
• The Horse Warren beach is no where mentioned in internet. The TripAdvisor and other sites, in fact never mentions anything apart from wildlife park, Broads and Yarmouth beach. The seals are great treats and not sure if they purposefully hide it from more rush. If visiting, be ready to walk up the hill for 15 mins.

March - A month for Women

Come March....Women's day celebration gears up. To celebrate the Women power in all walks of  life.
Having worked continuously in IT world for almost 12 years, 2018 has been  my  first  women's day celebration as a non -IT worker, but full time homeworker. It  used to be an  honorable and  fun  day for  us in TR. The men in the team from  top  to  bottom wish  you for being a wonderful  co-worker. I had  been lucky once to get half day off to celebrate it in a  girly way!!!! Shopping in  famous KR market with  fellow workers!!!!

I must admit the day had its own  surprise for me even  this year, as I had a  video call with  my ex-TR mates. I  got the wonderful wishes  from  my  ex-colleagues and indeed had  nice time connecting  back to them.  Miss you team!!!!

UK had one more celebration in the same month- MOTHER'S DAY. Though its in May in India, its been celebrated a bit early, I would rather say. My darling Diya, made a wonderful card for me,  of course in  assistance  from her super Dad. She filled the card with the work of mine that really  mattered her a  lot.  At  least, I could sense that from it.  And finally,  an amazing gift from the love of my life. An amazing way of parlor treatment!!!

Life seems so filled with happiness and you  would need nothing more from it when it showers the best of  love and care when most needed- at appropriate time.  

HAPPY WOMEN'S DAY TO  YOU ALL!!!

Beginner level of Crochet

As promised, here are few items that I have tried so far with basic crochet stitch levels.


1) This was mine first small attempt. A simple tea coaster

 2) A bigger one. Table mat

3)Ahem! Valentine's day spl for my hubby dear. - D initial with Love.

 4) Hand Mitten for my little one. I did another in pink for princess too.

 5) A baby blanket for my little one when he sits in trolley!!!