Sunday 15 September 2013

Last Days of Summer ...

Hello all!!!

I have not posted in a very long time. Few reasons for that: firstly, I felt I have not many interesting things to say and secondly, I have been away on a 5 week summer holiday and frankly when you are on holiday, you are allowed not to do things that you usually do.
But I am back now. Last two years have been very, very stressful at work (in particular the last one), so this holiday is exactly what I needed. Things are much better at work now, I am relaxed and my batteries are totally recharged and I am happy. I am busy and productive and I am enjoying life.
But let's see how my summer holiday looked through the pictures:

I went to the beach almost every day of my 5 weeks holiday. I loved the water, but even more, I enjoyed the sunshine on my skin. It was hot, over 35 degrees, just how I love it ( I ADORE being hot):







Saw some interesting and beautiful sights. One of them was The Old Bridge in Mostar in Bosnia and Herzegovina where water is cold/ freezing/ clear/ beautiful:



I had many, many, many coffees and some seriously good food. Amongst others, figs (my favourite) and water melon (you have to have lots and lots of water melon in the summer. It is a must):











I celebrated my birthday and had a few beers (these pints are not all mine!!). My mum and I made my birthday cake. As it is the tradition in our family, the cake is made very late at night. Not because we want to but because we are busy and only have time at the end of the day. I remember as a kid waking up late at night going to the loo, only to find my mum in the kitchen making a birthday cake for me, or my sister, or my dad. At the end of the day, after working and doing all sorts of other things, she could only get time to make it late at night when everybody was asleep. Even though she'd have to get up early the next day for work, we never had a birthday without her making a cake. And it was always delicious, as was this one we made together at midnight (full of walnuts and chocolate), just as my birthday came. My mum making sure we had our birthday cake on our day is one of my best memories of my childhood. 








And so, my summer has been more than fabulous. I spent good quality time with people I love; I read 7 books in 4 weeks (only one rubbish, i.e. John Grisham; all the others were actually quite heavy going and not what you'd call a summer read, but I enjoyed them all). I came back to London recharged, refreshed and full of energy to do and see things. 

I hope you all had a good holiday and you soaked up the sun until the next summer. The weather is grey in London now but I am o.k with it. We actually had a good few sunny days here too and I managed to squeeze in a few barbecues when I got back home to London.

I'll leave you with my favourite tune of the year. The new Arctic Monkies' song. I cannot stop listening to it and I cannot believe how good they still are. Turn up the volume, here is to a fantastic and great autumn:



See you very soon at Boye By Red.

Red xx

3 comments:

Rhodesia said...

Sounds like you had a great time. Hopefully you are now stress free for a bit :-) Have a good day, Diane

Unknown said...

So glad you had a good summer and have returned rested and recharged. That cake your mom makes looks so delicious, and how sweet that it's a birthday tradition. Your looks heavenly!

p.s. thanks for all your comments!

xo Mary Jo

Natalia | Look-A-Porter said...

Happy belated birthday, darling! Glad to hear you had such a wonderful holiday. I absolutely agree with you about watermelon - if I could live on it all summer, I wouldn't mind at all. I love it so much.
You know, late night cake baking was a regular thing in my family, too. It was me who was responsible and since I worked until late, I'd always find myself baking it as late as midnight. :) Oh, good old days... By the way, any chance of having a recipe for your birthday cake? It looks so delicious.
xxx