Death and Poetry

I seem to be a tad fixated with death lately. I am not sure what has sparked this unnecessary state of affairs, but I am trying to channel it into poetry. So far I have managed one called 'Murder' and one called 'The Final Farewell' and I feel another one brewing. Death is something we all have to look forward to, but why should it be such a terrible thing. Why shouldn't we all slip away peacefully? Why does the one certainty we all face, have to be surrounded with distress and fear? Who knows, but I am sure that it won't always be this way.

Lady Poet Laureate

What wonderful news, Carol Ann Duffy is our new Poet Laureate. The first lady to hold this role ever. I think that she will breathe a breath of fresh air through the poetry world and beyond. She is already promising to champion female poets and promote poetry within our schools. I have a feeling she will be an altogether more hands on Poet Laureate. This can only be a good thing, as a nation I think our interest in poetry is waning and a change like this is a good time to raise it's profile and get more people interested. We can only wait and see........

Gran Torino

We decided to go and see a film at the weekend. Andrew chose the film and the only place it was showing was the Hollywood cinema. I haven't been there for years so it was a little trip down memory lane for me. We were lucky again, for a Sunday evening it was very quiet. There were only about twenty people in Screen 2 with us as we settled down to watch Gran Torino. I did not really know what to expect as I had not seen a write up of the film he had chosen. I was pleasantly surprised by what I saw. The film was incredibly moving. By the end of it you could have heard a pin drop, as it had completely silenced everyone watching. Not often that happens when you are out in public. I don't often enjoy films that much, but I would give Gran Torino a five star rating. If you haven't already seen it, it is well worth going.

23rd April Andrew's Birthday

23rd April Andrew's Birthday

As you can see, to celebrate his 16th Birthday we all went out for a meal. We went out on the Monday, even though his birthday was on the Thursday, in order to make sure everyone could come. We had a lovely evening, the service was friendly and good and everyone enjoyed themselves. Andrew even managed to survive the cake being brought out to him, which he was not keen on the idea of, because he doesn't much like being the centre of attention.
Andrew chose to go to Pizza Hut, and although the food is fairly average, the evening itself was very relaxed, as they weren't busy and the staff were very friendly and attentive, so the whole experience was much better than my last two attempts to have a meal out have been. Now though I am left with the steady drumming of the Guitar World Tour Drum Kit he chose as his birthday present. I should have realised shouldn't I but I thought as they weren't real drums they wouldn't be loud. Big mistake, ah well, as long as they are happy!!

BlogNor09:Living and Writing in Norwich

I have lived in and around Norfolk since 1976. I am not sure that this makes me a local, I think I have another few decades to go before I am considered a local, or possibly generations!! I have settled here in Norwich and the thing I like most about it is the fact that it is so rich with art of all types. I have joined the Cafe Writers group, which meets monthly in Jurnet's Bar at Wensum Lodge. There one can enjoy other people's poetry and prose through open mic and guest speakers. It is always a lovely evening out and a feast of other people's writing. Since living in Norfolk, I have written and published my own collection of poetry which can be found at http://http//www.rebeccadking.com/reflections.htm and am just putting the finishing touches to my first novel, which is set in Norfolk. To read an excerpt visit my website at http://www.rebeccadking.com/ where I am also hosting a poetry competition.

As well as writing projects, Norwich boasts a fine array of art galleries, theatres, gig venues, museums making it a culture rich environment for all who live here and many who visit. One of my favourites is the Sainsbury Centre at the UEA, which hosts a fine permanent collection and many wonderful visiting exhibitions.

Belated Restaurant Review

Having spent a few days in Oldham with Andrew, we stopped at the Ram's Head Inn in Denshaw, Saddleworth. They had an extensive menu, but I still struggled to find anything that wasn't fish or game. I settled for rack of lamb and proceeded to wait for it to arrive, which it did, on a large bed of potatoe and leek gratin, sprinkled with cranberries. It looked delicious, however it was very rare, so I asked for it to be cooked a bit more. The owner said it was perfectly done and to cook it further would ruin it. Well I am sure it was perfectly done, it looked lovely, but I cannot eat anything that is still bleeding, so I insisted it be cooked some more. He whisked it away and about ten minutes later it reappeared on a medium sized bed of gratin. I cut into it and it was still rare, so feeling brave and quite hungry I asked for it to be cooked a bit longer.
I was regaled with a barrage of chef speak about the destruction of this piece of meat and how it would be totally inedible, but I stuck to my guns and asked for it to be cooked till there was no blood. After some more persuading he finally took the offending lamb away and threatened to blow torch it till it was black. While I was waiting for it's return he started making small talk and asked what I did. You should have seen his face when I said I was a writer. I thought he was going to wet himself. He almost squeaked 'You're not a food critic are you?' If only I was a bit quicker I would have said yes, but I said I was writing a novel and waited for the rack of lamb to come back. Which it did, and cooked to perfection on the smallest potato and leek gratin you have ever seen............

Restaurant Review

I was given the idea of reviewing restaurants by the owner of one I visited while travelling a few weeks ago. I will come back to this visit in another blog.

Today, as you know, we went to Overstrand. While we were there we had Sunday Lunch at the White Horse Public House. What a mistake. I was offended by the pieces of meat I was served, they were so fatty. As you can see, from the amount I left on the plate. The meal looked very pretty, but we were served three very small roast potatoes, that were said to have been cooked in goose fat. They may well have been, but they must have been deep fried afterwards and for way too long. The red wine gravy tasted quite nice, but it was nearly cold. About the only thing they got right was the vegetables.

So all in all it was not a very pleasant experience. When they asked if everything had been alright, they obviously didn't really want to know. The look we got given for not being totally overwhelmed by there pitiful offering was very sour. Oh well, we have learnt where not to eat next time. We will probably go into Cromer and get fish and chips.