That is funny!

I am probably very very late on this bandwagon, but have you read The Oatmeal? Have a go, you are not going to regret. I don't regret afternoons spent laughing in front of the screen :)

Here's a sample:

You loved that? I am thinking to get this too.
Happy Tuesday!

Pearls Before Swine and Bill Watterson

Are you a Calvin and Hobbes fan? I am. The strips are a classic. And I am a pearls before swine fan too. So I was giddy to read about a partnership.
Here is the article where Stephan Pastis writes about the experience and below is the comic strip that started it. It tells so much about the much known reclusive nature of Bill Watterson in trademark Stephan Pastis style.



Enjoy!

Happy Dusshera and Happy Friday!

Have you ever visited the Creative Commons section of Flickr or Wikipedia. These are the archive of photos available to all without the usual copyright restrictions. You can use and distribute these and make them your own in art or collages! Isn't it wonderful.

Go on crazy and make them your own. Here are some I found. Hope you enjoy looking at them.

Wishing all my Friends and Family a very Happy Dusshera! Today is the day we celebrate the Vijay (Victory!) of Good over Evil.
Wait for the Stratford upon Avon itinerary on Monday. Happy Friday guys, hope you have a super relaxing weekend.

What are you reading?

Happy Wednesday! Middle of the week can feel so blah. Waiting for Friday, yet you are done with almost half the week. I just dropped in to tell you what I have been reading.

I have been reading these smallish books.
I have reached only up to the first few chapters in A Novel In A Year. Its an edited, added version of Louise Doughty's newspaper columns, published weekly over a year. She writes about a realistic goal of achieving a manuscript, at the very least an idea for a Novel manuscript within a year. I found the book interesting, helpful or not I need to find out. I will keep you informed on it.
Edna O'Brein's Girls in their Married Bliss is a funny novella about two married friends. One of them is a self pitying  housewife who leans on the other one for everything from cover ups to safe havens. While the other friend who is a trophy wife, level headed yet equally frustrated has enough problems of her own. The narration by Baba, the protagonist is funny, not deep, yet entertaining. It's a quick read, I am halfway through it.

What are you reading? Anything new/old you hope to complete reading this month. The new Lena Dunham personal essays seem like a good idea. But it won't show up in our library as yet. Also I am so waiting to get my hands on this one for so long.

Have a good Wednesday!

The one with the castle - Day Out at Warwick

We spent the last Saturday in Warwick. It was a fabulous day to be out and the bonus, I got to see my first ever castle. I thought I will put out a little itinerary in case you are looking for a day out kinda break. And let me tell you, the trip could easily be kid friendly, since there's so much to do.

We had booked a train journey a day in advance. And my resourceful husband got a deal of 2 on 1 on the castle tickets. You could find number of offers clubbed with train and bus tickets from anywhere within UK. So I suggest you do a quick search before you do your bookings, ask around, could save you multiple quids.
We booked a Cross Country train journey from Coventry station to Leamington Spa and to Warwick from Leamington Spa. We missed the Chiltern Railways train from Leamington to Warwick since our first train was delayed. But the good news was that there was a second train in ten minutes. Can you believe it. We were so relieved. I suspect its a pretty busy route and you can find multiple trains throughout the day. The train journey cost us about 15.50 Pounds. It was real quick, almost 30 mins in total.

We walked from the station to the Castle Entrance in town. The walk in itself was beautiful. The town is old and you can find multiple local businesses which have been there for ages. Little dress shops, quaint restaurants, bakeries all adorned with flower baskets and topiaries. You can easily take a bus or a taxi ride, but I highly recommend the 10 minute walk.

We got to business straight away. To the castle, got the tickets and went in. Besides my wide eyed grin looking at a castle in flesh, everything was perfect. The weather, the temperatures and the flowers of course.

You can do so many things at the castle. Its a complete kid friendly zone and one could find frenzied, costumed kids all over the place. After all they had a real time castle to frolic and play fake princesses. I almost joined in.

You can do so much. Take your sandwiches or Aloo Parathas along to make it a picnic.

You could take a trek up the multiple towers. The hard work promises fantastic views of the castle and the greens all around. You can see the river Avon and a pretty little boat house. Come back and tell me if you are not inspired to paint!

Walk into a display that shows you knights and Richard Neville the Kingmaker is preparing for battle. Its a little spooky with man like statues and voices. If that's your thing,

Looking for ghosts anyone?

After you have went through that creepy display, very informative if you are paying attention, you find yourself at the entrance of a fabulous smelling Pizza Place. We wanted to head straight to their dining room, I am not even exaggerating.
And then shop for some souvenirs. The shop was cute, except the prices, pretty steep. I wish I had brought that World Map though, would make a great decor piece.

Come down from the towers for picturesque trees and pathways.

You can walk into the Peacock Gardens. And believe it or not, walk straight into at least half a dozen beautiful, human friendly peacocks. The gardens are beautifully landscaped turning them into bird perching spots. The riverside is accessible through here and the walk can be extremely romantic (provided your partner is feeling the same :).

End your Castle trip with a wonderful Birds of Prey show. Its right near the Peacock Garden and unless it's raining, there ought to be shows throughout the day. Ask the attendants. The show was pretty cool with a young (it was huge and young) vulture taking flights above the guests' heads. And a really handsome owl flying on cue. It was something that the kids and adults would equally like.

Out of the castle there is an amazing smelling tea shop, The Oken Tea Rooms. Get your afternoon tea here. As soon as you enter all your senses are attuned to fresh baking and tea of course. And the interiors are too lovely.

I had the fresh scone, which was filling. Next time I would pick one of their renowned Cream Teas.

Now I am gonna tell you about a secret street which is not so secret, but is so tranquil you will think no one knows about it. There is a small street right beside the Main Castle entrance. When you walk through it the surroundings transform into something from an old French movie. You have to go and see it for yourselves. Red and blue doors and a tucked away garden at the end (which is on a ticket! but I'd definitely go if I visit again), with a great view of the castle from the outside.

I am already planning a day in Warwick outside the castle. Its such a beautiful place, you can make it a day without shelling out any money for the castle. If I do go, I ll be the first one to let you know and
if you have any secret hideouts, I am all ears.

Have a great day and week!