natjtan Happy Sunday!
At last a Weekend Friday Favourites of things that have made me smile or caught my eye recently. It’s been a while since my last one so let’s get straight into the favourites.
Cheddar Gorge, Somerset, UK
Buttermilk, Vegan, Plant Based Chocolate Bars
I discovered in Tesco’s ButterMilk plant powered peanut nougat and caramel nougat bars which are dairy free equivalent of a Snickers and Mars bar respectively. The peanut was just like a snickers bar, the made my nose itch like Mars bars always did when I ate one when I used to have milk chocolate. The same peanuts to caramel ratio. Please come to Spain!
Koa
Cat snuggles are the best.
UK Trip
View from the highest point of Cheddar Gorge.
Mid last month, yes November, I visited my parents (I can’t believe in a few weeks it’s a new year. I feel like I haven’t even been able to register that this year was 2022 or take any of it in. I haven’t done anything.). They moved a few years ago to a new county and this was my second time exploring the area. They weren’t happy I couldn’t get out of Spanish time. I used to places closing around 20-21.00 and daylight until 17.30. Places close in the UK around 17.30-18.00 aside from larger supermarkets and cities with daylight until around 16.40. They live in the country so around 19.00 there’s little activity. I felt like everything was rushed! It was great however to spend time with them. Happy, sad as I only see them once a year and to see their health not so good. Do as much as you can now, see as much as you can, don’t put off the things you want to to do for later is what they say to me. I’ll share the trips to Bath, Cheddar Gorge, Exeter over the next few months (I still have photos from Hawaii to share 3 years ago!).
Bath
Hooken Cliffs
I revisited Hooken Cliffs however the light wasn’t in my favour (see above 🤦♀️😂) getting there a bit late. I did most of the walk though the collapsed cliff. Once again light was fading, my Mum was waiting for me and I had to made the decision to turn around like last time. It was weird walking through English countryside with the sound of crashing waves. Those two don’t go hand in hand. I shared part of the walk on my Instagram Stories saved under UK#2 highlights.
Doisy and Dam Peanut D&D’s Dark Chocolate Peanuts
When I stopped having milk and finally gave up milk chocolate there are 2 chocolates I miss the most. Peanut M&M’s and Snickers bars. I found in Boots, Exeter I found the biggest isle of plant based vegan chocolates I’ve seen yet. Some were good like Doisy and Dam dark chocolate covered peanuts. They have the small crispy shell taste just like peanut M&M’s. Others were bad. Reese’s peanut butter cups are more widely available now in the UK and I’ve seen then in my local Alcampo in Spain. I’ve never liked them, but ended up buying a load vegan/planted based ones by different brands. Still taste bad. I was caught up in the so many products to try I don’t have here!
As mentioned previously, In Tesco Free From section I found whole host of milk free chocolates. As usual most were too sweet and up there with sugar. I’m not used to so much sugary sweets neither am I used to a huge selection of plants based, vegan chocolates! Most of my luggage back was chocolate. My skin paid for it and I’m still trying to get the craving for junk chocolate and sugar out my system. Sugar is a drug that no one mentions!
Temporary Bike
My bike had a breakdown and required a lot of work replacing any part that moved. I left it with Decathlon workshop while I was away to get the work done, but they didn’t. When I asked about the situation, they realised I didn’t have transport while the other was being fixed and kindly lent me a courtesy bike under their test programme. She was so pretty and smooth to ride!! However in the centre she didn’t take the narrow alley corners well. I was sad to return her yet happy to have my bike back.
New Parc de la Cuitadella Resident
A new duck resident showed up a few weeks ago!
Alchemy of Souls
My latest Kdrama obsession! I started on the plane over to my parents and was hooked. Fantasy, magic, sword fights, martial arts, the lead is a heroine, set in a fantasy land during the Korean Jonsen period. I’m happy to say this heroine is a tough cookie. Sometimes I feel with many Kdramas the lead girl isn’t strong in character. I’ve finished season 1 and looking forward to season 2 when it starts next month on Netflix.
Old iPhones
Last month my phone died a magnificent way. It was getting sticky a few days prior to dropping it on the kitchen floor. The screen went to static. Dead. Thankfully I kept my previous old iPhone 6 which I’m using until a new phone arrives. It’s slow, only updated to 12.0, can’t work music and other apps at the same time, some apps need a newer update to work, however I’m grateful I kept it.
Indoor/Gym Climbing
Due to seeing my parents and life I hadn’t climbed for a few weeks. It’s been great to be back indoor climbing. My fingers have lost strength, but to move, see my friends, channel Koa, escape from life is a good feeling!
Internet Finds
Surprising things you never knew about your cat. National Geographic.
Your cat can recognise your voice. Yes, really. National Geographic.
What’s been making you smile recently or caught your eye? Please share in the comments below!