Skip to main content
Tag

Robert & Neha

My 2018 Review – The Busy Year filled with the Unexpected

By Friends & Family, Gigs & Shows, Happiness & Joy, Health, LifeNo Comments

In January my mum, brother, brother’s fiancee, nephew and I watched Peter Pan’s Musical Adventure in Blackpool. I went to Leeds to spend time with Robert and Neha. Robert & Neha are two of my most dear friends and favourite humans. Here are some photos:

peter-pan-blackpool-2018-0

Blackpool Tower

peter-pan-blackpool-2018-2

Mum feeding the 2p machines and feeding her habit at the same time.

Leeds-2018-0

Left to Right: Me, Robert & Neha.

Leeds-2018-1

Monopoly!

February started with a spring clean. I thought and wrote about The Cycle of Life. I shared some lessons I’ve learned from life.

In March I wrote about homelessness. I aided Steve, my housemate in his hunt for a cockatiel. Here is a photo of Steve’s cockatiel:

Chakuro-the-cockatiel-March-2018-1

Another photo of the extremely cute and chirpy Chakuro.

April began with my attempt to answer some of the most difficult questions in life. Steve and I visited Beeston Castle in Cheshire. I got creative and made a number of Pumpkin Spice Scented Candles:

Beeston-Castle-Cheshire-April-18-9

Me.

Beeston-Castle-Cheshire-April-18-8

The entrance to the main ruin (2). From the bridge was a sheer drop of at least thirty feet.

handmade-pumpkin-spice-scented-candles-0

My batch of handmade Pumpkin Spiced Scented Candles.

handmade-pumpkin-spice-scented-candles-1

One of my Pumpkin Spiced Scented candles. They just need some witchy charms tying to each jar.

For my birthday in May, my good friend Simon and I visited Warkworth Castle & Tynemouth Priory and Castle. See photos below. I published a blog post about how to support someone with mental illness.

Walkworth-Castle-May-18-3

The most well preserved.

Walkworth-Castle-May-18-4

Remains of Walkworth Castle (1).

Tynemouth-Castle-May-18-3

Tynemouth Priory and Castle remains (2).

Tynemouth-Castle-May-18-6

Simon (right) and me (left) in the stone coffins. I couldn’t believe that we both fitted perfectly.

Mum and I visited Harry Potter Studio Tour and London. Mum shared a story about St. James park:

When my mum was a little girl, she lived in London with her mum and dad (my grandma and granddad). Every Sunday, while her mum was making the Sunday dinner, her dad would take her to watch the changing of the Guard and then into St. James Park to feed the ducks.

From My Blog Post: Harry Potter Studio Tour and London with Mum.

In June I was fortunate to unexpectedly see A-Ha with my good friend Jayne. Endless things broke including my boiler, car, new laptop and washer dryer.

July saw Jayne and I visit Chester Zoo. Here are some photos:

chester-zoo-with-jayne-July-18-8

Butterfly (2).

chester-zoo-with-jayne-July-18-1

A close up of the baby elephant.

chester-zoo-with-jayne-July-18-5

My new lover! He’s the strong, wooden, silent type.

chester-zoo-with-jayne-July-18-11

This gorgeous beauty came to say hello and flirted with me (by winking with her big eye and long eyelashes) when I said ‘Hello Gorgeous.’ to her as she passed by.

I found myself disappointed. It was unexpected, but I managed to find the positive side to disappointment.

In July I continued working hard to improve my health. This included starting on FreeStyle Libre Flash Glucose Monitoring System.

September was particularly busy. A good friend, her son, two of his friends and I got close to wild animals at Blackpool Zoo. Here are some photos:

Blackpool-Zoo-September-2018-7

This photo of a penguin is most probably the best photo I’ve ever taken. The penguin was swimming at great speed, although you wouldn’t have guested. I looked at this photo when I got home and it looks like it was taken by a professional. A total fluke.

Blackpool-Zoo-September-2018-12

Another of the beautiful tiger. Blackpool Zoo have two tigers from what we saw. The tiger is more than slightly moist because of the rain.

Blackpool-Zoo-September-2018-14

This is how close we got to a Lion. Able to look in its eye and see the intelligence, along with the hunter instinct. He appeared to be eyeing us up as a snack. Blackpool Zoo had two male Lions living in the enclosure together from what I saw. They seemed pretty well bonded and one went and groomed the other while we watched.

Blackpool-Zoo-September-2018-15

Quickly becoming my favourite animal, the giraffes. What I love about giraffes is that every time I’ve politely called over to one (in different Zoos I might add), they come over. They look at me with their big black eyes and some times, if I’m really lucky, they let me take a photo before they walk off.

Still in September I was unexpectedly (and lucky enough to be offered) a spare ticket to see the spectacular Shania Twain.

In October I self-published a poem Sometimes High, Sometimes Low:

sometimes-high-sometimes-low-by-Antony-Simpson

Click for Full Size Image.

My mum, Kelly, my mum’s friend, her daughter and myself saw Matilda.

In November I went to a wonderful wedding and I watched Fantastic Beats: The Crimes of Grindelwald.

In December I had a great Christmas, shared with loved ones.

Overall 2018 was a busy year filled with the unexpected. Hopefully 2019 will be less busy, but with many good times, shared with friends and family. I’d also like lots more creative output from myself.

Write soon,

Antony

mental-health-wisdom-banner

Share on Social Media:

Leeds Last Weekend

By Friends & Family, Happiness & Joy, LifeNo Comments
Leeds-2018-0

Left to Right: Me, Robert & Neha.

Last weekend I went to Leeds to visit Robert & Neha. I attended their wedding in India a couple of years ago, see My India Adventure (Part 2) – The Wedding.

Robert & Neha are two of the most gorgeous, kind and wonderful people that I know. I am so lucky to have them both in my life.

I arrived in Leeds on Friday night. We talked, catching up on the last few years, drank wine and had the most awesome handmade pizzas by Robert.

On the Saturday we had a mooch around town, visited the oldest pub in Leeds (well it would be rude not to!) and had a game of Monopoly.

Leeds-2018-1

Monopoly!

I was the first out of the game, Neha had Lady Luck on her side, but in the end Robert won. We watched some of the wedding video, some Netflix and ultimately chilled.

This is what life is all about, I thought to myself on more than one occasion throughout the weekend. Spending time with people you love and care about. Having the time to converse and connect. To share good times with one another.

We’ve promised each other to do this more often. So Robert & Neha, if you’re reading this, my turn to host next time. I doubt I’ll be able to top the superb job you did. But I look forward to giving it a try and having another fantastic time.

Blog soon,

Antony

mental-health-wisdom-banner

Share on Social Media:

My India Adventure (Part 7) – Agra Fort

By Adventures, Friends & Family, Happiness & Joy, History, Inspiration, TravelNo Comments
IndiaJuly2015-Agrafort-0

Agra Fort Information Stone.

On the same day that Robert, Neha, Michael, Neha’s family and I visited The Taj Mahal we also visited Agra Fort. I don’t know enough about Agra Fort’s rich history, but I do know about a legend…

Legend has it that the Emperor who built the Taj Mahal inherited Agra Fort. He desired buildings made out of white marble inlaid with gold and semi-precious gemstones, like the Taj Mahal. So he knocked down some of the existing buildings and rebuilt his own.

The Emperor was later deposed by his son and imprisoned in his white marble buildings (see photos Inside 5 and Inside 6 below) until he died. From his prison, the Emperor could see the Taj Mahal, where the ashes of his love rested.

It looks like it was quite a luxurious prison to me. No doubt he had staff to feed, water, bathe and cloth him. Along with maybe a few guards to make sure he didn’t try to escape.

Here are some photos of Agra Fort:

IndiaJuly2015-Agrafort-1

Agra Fort Entrance.

IndiaJuly2015-Agrafort-2

Agra Fort Outside (1).

IndiaJuly2015-Agrafort-3

Agra Fort Outside (2).

IndiaJuly2015-Agrafort-4

Agra Fort Inside (1).

IndiaJuly2015-Agrafort-5

Agra Fort Inside (2).

IndiaJuly2015-Agrafort-6

Agra Fort Inside (3).

IndiaJuly2015-Agrafort-7

Agra Fort Inside (4).

IndiaJuly2015-Agrafort-8

Agra Fort – you can see The Taj Mahal from a window.

IndiaJuly2015-Agrafort-9

Another Agra Fort Information Stone.

IndiaJuly2015-Agrafort-10

Agra Fort Inside (5).

IndiaJuly2015-Agrafort-11

Agra Fort Inside (6).

IndiaJuly2015-Agrafort-12

The Third & Final Agra Fort Information Stone.

IndiaJuly2015-Agrafort-13

Agra Fort Inside (7).

IndiaJuly2015-Agrafort-14

Agra Fort Inside (8).

In the next blog post in the series, I’ll tell you all about a permanent reminder I got to remember my India adventure. It will be published soon, so check back regularly for the next update.

Write soon,

Antony



I aim for posts on this blog to be informative, educational and entertaining. If you have found this post useful or enjoyable, please consider making a contribution by Paypal:


Share on Social Media:

My India Adventure (Part 4) – Delicious Food

By Adventures, Friends & Family, Happiness & Joy, Inspiration, TravelNo Comments
IndiaJuly2015-food-0

Throughout the week I ate delicious food. But I only took photos of alcoholic drinks, LOL.

The food throughout my stay in Delhi was absolutely delicious. So tasty, that I tucked in and totally forgot to get any photos of the fantastic meals I ate. Indian food is mostly vegetarian with vibrant colours, is rich and spicy in taste. Meat dishes were those with chicken. When eating out Menus split dishes by North and South Indian food.

By far the best meals I had were those with Neha’s family at Neha’s parent’s apartment. They were exquisitely tasting dishes that amazed my tastebuds and were complemented by great company.

But there are three particular meals out that I’ll always remember. The first was a lunchtime treat with Neha’s sisters and brothers-in-law on my first full day in Delhi. The second was the Wedding meal. And the third was a meal in an Officers Mess at an Army Base arranged by and with the immediate family.

Food I Liked: Alu Matar (spiced potatoes with mixed veg), Butter Chicken
Chana Masala (chickpeas), Naan Bread, Garlic Naan Bread, Pulao Rice and many other dishes that I can’t remember the names of.

The desserts were like gifts from the divine. I enjoyed them all including RasMalai (which was my favourite), Gulab jambu (a sticky sweet deep fried dough), Sweet Milk Pudding, Payasam (sugar, milk and noodles) and other delectable desserts that I can’t remember the names of.

In the next blog post titled My India Adventure (Part 5) – Gandhi’s Grave & India Gate, I will be writing all about Gandhi and India Gate. It will be coming soon, so keep coming back to check for updates.

Write soon,

Antony



I aim for posts on this blog to be informative, educational and entertaining. If you have found this post useful or enjoyable, please consider making a contribution by Paypal:


Share on Social Media:
×