Not so grim North

As an Aussie living in England (Manchester to be exact) it's easy to get homesick. The constant rain, the grey skies (recent weather excepted) and the general consensus that "it's grim up North!" mean that I'm often day dreaming of my tropical home. However, there are occasions when I'm reminded just how wonderful England can be and how lucky I am to be living here at this present moment. No, I'm not talking about the Royal birth (although I have binged on Royal baby news in recent days to a level which is exceedingly unhealthy) nor am I enamoured with Andy Murray's conquest of Wimbledon (still an amazing accomplishment none-the-less). Instead, I'm talking about the very thing that brings people flocking to this country time and time again, and has them bemoaning the lack of it in their own countries. I'm talking about culture. Shakespeare to be exact. Yes, the bard might be a bane of every high-school student's life but when you get to see his work spoken by one of the world's greatest actors, you suddenly think there's no where else you'd rather be. Yes folks, this weekend I had the great privilege to see Kenneth Branagh in Macbeth - via live stream to a car park in Manchester city centre. Still, it was worth every pin and needle, every uncomfortable moment spent sitting on concrete.

The bf and I packed up a little picnic set filled with the standard M&S supplies (jam and cream donuts, toffee popcorn and caramel nuts, as you do) and settled in to an evening of top class acting. It was amazing. I particularly loved Alex Kingston as Lady Macbeth. She who was so unceremoniously ousted from ER because of her age shone as the manipulative woman behind the man who comes to rue her actions with the deliciously famous line, "out damn spot!" As for Kenneth, seeing him on the stage made me realise how well-earned his plaudits are. That man owns Shakespeare!

The set was superb, a muddy trench flanked by the audience and featuring a candle-lit stage at one end. As the rain fell for the opening sequence I wished I was there in person, feeling every flick of mud, what an experience! Still, the balmy summer's evening in Manchester was the next best thing. The two hours passed quickly and before I knew it we were applauding the actors as they took their bow on screen.

On the way back to our car the crowd buzzed with excitement, not only for having seen a great play re-enacted by one of the greatest actors, but also with the fact that the evening hadn't been marred by rain or any other cliched English weather front. Perhaps it isn't so grim up North!

Sarah x

A break is as good as a rest

I have a number of blogger friends in my life outside the net and whenever I talk to them about their blog the recurring theme is that blogging is essentially a second job. Except of course that it doesn't come with all the perks of a second job, i.e. the steady flow of cash! Now, I am sure that when many people think of blogging they think, "Oh, writing. How hard can that be?!" But bloggers (and writers) know differently. Firstly, there's coming up with an idea for a post, one which is engaging and endearing to your reader(s). Then you have to consider what imagery you'll use, how it will be formatted, crediting appropriate sources. Then you can write. It might seem straight forward but combine it with the tasks of everyday life and suddenly your life seems pretty busy.

So, what does this have to do with my hiatus from blogging you might ask?

I'm under no illusions that, currently, the only person who actually knows I've not been blogging is myself but perhaps one day, when I'm a fabulously successful blogger pulling in a 100k visitors a week (one can dream can't one) someone might stumble across these early posts and think, "Gee, Sarah was a bit slack back in the day". To which I will have this reply ready: blogging is a lot harder than I thought it would be! There, I've said it, I've admitted that things became a bit too much and I cracked under the pressure! Oh the shame!

Never let it be said however that I shy away from a challenge! So, yes, I admit, maintaining a regular blog has been hard work and yes, I have been a bit lazy. But, I am determined to make my blog work, if only for the fact that someone, someday might come across this little piece of online Real Estate when I am long gone (and the internet is embedded as a microchip in our heads) and think, "Hey, this Sarah girl seems alright, she had some pretty good ideas."

Simple dreams I know, but that's who I am.

Stay tuned for further, more regular blogging from now on - pinkie promise!

Hmm, well I could blog or I could create a database of all the different clothing combinations I own

Sarah x