Sunset at Swinley

A couple of weeks back, out on the bike in the cold and realising I’ll need to find my way out of this place before the light goes. Still, time for another run down the mountain bike tracks first!

Swinley (aka Bracknell) Forest.

Rice

Messing about in the kitchen. My attempts at Pilau Rice and Sushi.

Pilau Rice, based on Delia’s excellent recipe. Not quite the same (or as perfect as Delia’s!), but then I’m quite impressed by the flavour. Great way of doing rice and so much better than the microwave supermarket stuff (microwave curry can sometimes work out okay if it’s a good one, but not the rice). Not soggy, kind of steamed and part fried. Great with the onion and spices mixed in. Delia’s is more fluffy, but I’ll work on that :-).

Sushi!
Surprisingly not as hard to make once you have the bits to make it, although the art is in the rolling. This is a basic attempt and managed to get the stuff to stay in the roll. Important to use the right rice though and stuff like the Mirin, Rice Wine Vinegar, and of course Nori for rolling (and a rolling mat). Most of this now easily available in the supermarket. As for the fish, nothing too adventurous here, just smoked salmon and prawns.

Kew

Finally getting round to sorting through photos I took in August! Some from Kew Gardens.

Playing around a bit with an IR filter on my Nikon (physical filter that is, not a "faux IR" job. Though there’s some post processing done in Capture NX to adjust from the raw ‘red’ the image comes out as. Mostly setting the white and neutral points).

Squirrel keeping an eye on me.

One of the new buildings. I forget what it’s called.

Autumn Snow

Snow in October, in southern England !

London Jubilee Walkway

Just plugging a Flickr group I created, which specifically covers the London Jubilee Walkway

http://www.flickr.com/groups/jubileewalkway/

“The Jubilee Walkway is the capital’s premier walking trail and one of London’s six designated Strategic Routes. Designed to connect the majority of London’s key attractions, it is well managed, easy to follow and provides an ideal way of getting to know London.” (from jubileewalkway.org.uk)

Developed for the Queen’s Silver Jubilee in 1977 and refurbished for the Golden Jubilee. The walk features silver and golden discs and panoramic panels with information along the route, highlighting much of the best that central London has to offer.

A great way to explore London is to walk the route and make a photo diary of it. Just follow the discs on the ground and look out for the panels and other markers too (take some shots of them also!).

Official site and map of the route: www.jubileewalkway.org.uk