Cairngorm National Park

At the start of November I fulfilled a desire I've had for a few years and went to stay in the Cairngorm National Park in the highlands of Scotland. The main reason I'd heard of the Cairngorms was because it's home to the UK's only reindeer heard - that's a good enough reason for me to want to go there!

I found our accommodation for the trip by using my tried and tested Google maps technique: go on google maps, find national park, find town within national park that is accessible by train from London, search all self-catering accommodation within this town. Simple! 

This time I was lucky enough to click upon Pine Bank Chalets in Aviemore which had a choice of self-catering log cabins. The one we stayed in was clean, spacious and most importantly very toasty warm.

Origami Fairy Lights

On Christmas Eve-Eve, my boyfriend's parents dropped off a mountain of presents at our flat. Amongst them all was a large, golden bag that was addressed to me from my boyfriend's younger sister Lizzie. I eagerly eyed up this bag for two days: knowing that Lizzie is a bit of a crafter, I knew that whatever was inside would be something good! 

Upon ripping into the bag on Christmas morning I found the most beautiful string of fairy lights, blooming with origami flowers.

Hello World!

Ignoring the frustrations that come from not actually knowing how to make a blog page, I thought I'd plow on and get the first post/introductions out of the way early on.

My name is Siân (pronounced "Shaan" - it's Welsh. I thank my parents for giving me a name that doubles as a conversational icebreaker).

I'm in my mid-twenties and I live in a small flat in South East London with my boyfriend of 5 years.

I work in a science laboratory where I wear a white coat and look like I know what I'm doing.

The initial purpose of this blog is partly to keep a diary of what will hopefully be a busy and memorable year, and partly so that I have a place to keep recipes I've cooked because I keep losing the scraps of paper I shove inside various cookbooks.

Since blog posts usually contain photos, I present to you me:

That is quite possibly the most exciting portrait of me that exists so I hope you enjoy it. Don't let my carefree peace sign fool you, tears of fear were shed before and after this photo.