Dream Destination: Mainland Japan

Tokyo

For those of you that have been following this blog recently, you will know that last month I started a new series called Dream Destinations, to allow me to explore locations for that next trip we might take! The next big escape we will plan (once we have our house stuff sorted, please refer to China post if this makes no sense!) will likely be Asia, as neither D nor I have been before and it is right at the top of our bucket list. Having visited lots of places in Europe and North America, it is time to visit somewhere that will be a lot more challenging to get around and a much bigger culture shock, depending on where we go.

Mainland Japan (which for the purposes of this blog post I will call 'Japan') is the next stop on this series, and as it's a little more manageable in size than China I am going to explore the cities right across Japan that can be hit up in one super-trip.

Why Japan?
As some of you might already know, I am a huge history buff and love anything to do with the world wars in particular. Japan's role in the second world war in particular is fascinating and I want to go there and explore what I can on the ground. Tokyo is a huge metropolis that I want to spend a few days getting lost in and Hiroshima is at the top of my list for a visit. I have visions of cherry blossom trees, tea ceremonies, mountains and lakes, bright lights, bullet trains, fast cars and great food.

Major cities/attractions?

Mt Fuji

• Tokyo Old meets new in Japan's capital city, home to over 13 million people.
• Hiroshima This one needs very little explaining, the sight of the devastating nuclear attack by American forces. I imagine it would be extremely surreal to stand in the very place the bomb fell and reflect on the devastation that humans can wreck on one another. 
• Mt Fuji There are a few towns that offer exceptional views of the iconic Mount Fuji, some nice spa hotels in and around there offer guests the chance to soak in natural hot springs with an uninterrupted view of this dormant volcano
• Kyoto Large swathes of this city are protected by UNESCO, as so many monuments and relics in the city have been spared demolition of war and foreign forces that other locations in the country have suffered. 

Getting there?

To get from Dublin to Tokyo around October time will set you back £500 (approx) for each person. However, there are no direct flights so watch out for transfer times in airports as this can really make the journey lonnnng.

Getting around?

A Japan Rail Pass costs approximately £285 per person for two weeks, and it allows the user access to the network across the entire country. Alternatively, if the self-guided touring isn't your bag, there are some good tours including this 14 day trip from Intrepid Travel, which will set you back £2535 per person (excluding flights) and hits up some major headline locations, including Tokyo, Hiroshima and Kyoto.

How long do you need? 

I would anticipate a trip to mainland China would take at least 10-14 days to see it properly and at a relaxing pace. 

Autumn in Kyoto

When to visit?

The weather is kindest to tourists in Spring and Autumn, Spring being the time of year when you get to see the famous cherry blossom trees. 

Non-negotiables?

Hiroshima. 

Ground Zero at Hiroshima

Spring cleaning your home 101

There is a change in the air. The mornings and evenings are brighter and the sun is certainly making itself a little more available. Spring is always a chance to open the windows, clear the air and declutter. Let the winter air out and the fresh spring air in!

With this in mind, here are a few tips and tricks to help guide you spring cleaning in 2016.

1. Make a list.
Putting down on paper exactly what needs to be done can really help you visualise, plan and prioritise. This list will be applicable to every zone, be that an area or a room, and you will start at the top of the list and work your way to the bottom each time - checking off as you go. 

2. Take your time
Spring cleaning involves attacking every room and area of your home, so spread it out. You aren't going to get to it all in one day, so take a month and schedule time for each room or area in the month. So by the end of March, say, all your jobs are done, and it's only taken 1-2 hours out of each weekend and a few weekday tasks that are a bit shorter.

3. Delegate, if possible. 
A problem shared is a problem halved, so get everyone who lives in the house to help out. Husbands, children, heck - pets if you can strap little cloths to their feet.

4. Do a stock inventory before your spring-cleaning-month is here
The weekend before, add any extra cleaning supplies to your grocery list. Make sure you have the right sprays, cloths, sponges, bleaches, wipes - and of course the nice smelly candles for when you're putting your feet up with a cuppa in your sparkling new castle.

ZONES:

Kitchen/dining:

• Oven - clean the inside, take out the internal shelves and either run them through the dishwasher or give them a good scrub in the sink. While this is happening, fully clean the doors. 
• Fridge - take out and thoroughly clean each shelf and drawer. Clean the inside of the fridge and replace all the shelving. Best to do this on a day before you plan a major grocery shop.
• Cupboards - remove everything from each cupboard one at a time and dust and then scrub with water and dry thoroughly all the shelving. Replace items and move on to the next one. Clean the front and back of each cupboard door. 
• Wash skirting boards and hoover or dust ceiling and walls, including any air vents, pictures, mirrors etc. This will remove any dust and cobwebs.
• Clean the inside windows and windowsills (and the outside ones if you can brave the cold, I would hire a window cleaner for a professional gleam!)

Living area:

• Wash and dry any cushions covers/throws on the sofa, and if possible have your sofa shampooed/cleaned. 
• Wash and dry any fabric curtains (or have them dry-cleaned) or if you have wooden blinds, dust and wash those. 
• Declutter any old magazines or papers lying around that could be got rid of. 
• Dust and polish all wooden surfaces.
• Wash skirting boards and hoover/dust ceilings and walls.
• Clean the inside windows and windowsills. 

Bedrooms:

• Buy new pillows to replace any current ones. I wouldn't say this is necessary for spare rooms or pillows that aren't used often, but for your daily sleeping pillow, I would do this. 
• Wash and dry and curtains/blinds.
• Wash skirting boards and hoover/dust ceilings and walls.
• Clean the inside windows and windowsills. 
• Clean and organise your wardrobes - dusting where necessary and clearing out any clothes you no longer wear so they can be donated or got rid of.

Bathrooms:

• Wash every washable surface with bleach or cleaning products. 
• Clean taps very thoroughly, clean shower head and bath taps too. 
• Wash your bathroom bin.
• Clean tiles and grouting. 
• Scrub your bathtub clean.
• Wash and dry and curtains/blinds.
• Wash skirting boards and hoover/dust ceilings and walls.
• Clean the inside windows and windowsills. 

Other:

• Organise garage area and garden shed if applicable, dispose of any rubbish appropriately and tidy and organise the area. 
• Dust all doors (including the tops of doors) and shine all the handles. 
• Digitally spring clean - purge your inbox, back up your folders, save your photos. It is a good habit to get into as you approach each new month to save photos and organise them from the previous month. Each three months it is worth ordering any prints you might like to ahve hard copies of. 

How do you attack Spring Cleaning? What's your favourite thing about getting it done? Let me know in the comments below! :)

Recipe: Albodingas, mash and griddled asparagus

I am always on the hunt for a good recipe, that can fit in with the Slimming World plan and is tasty, nutritious and that my husband and I can enjoy on a week night! I found this recipe in an old copy of Slimming World magazine, so it fits the bill nicely.

Albondigas are Spanish meatballs, in a tomato-based sauce. You could play with flavours here and mix in some chillis, chorizo, anything you can think of! I kept this attempt plain and simple.

Ingredients:
For the meatballs:
794 g lean minced pork (though I am using beef)
3 garlic cloves
1 egg yolk
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp ground coriander
1 tsp ground nutmeg
1 tsp ground cinnamon
salt and pepper
For the sauce:
fry light
1 onion, finely chopped
1 garlic clove
2 x 400g chopped tomatoes
1/4 tsp artificial sweetener
1 tsp smoked paprika
salt and pepper

Handful fresh flat leaf parsley

Method:

1. Put the mince, garlic, egg yolk and spices in a bowl and, using your fingers, mix well until combined. Season. Cover and chill in the fridge for 1-2 hours.

Getting the mince mixture ready

2. To make the sauce, heat a large frying pan sprayed with fry light and add the onion and garlic.
Cook over a medium heat for 5-6 minutes. Add the tomatoes, sweetener and paprika and bring to the boil.

3. Reduce the heat to low, cover and simmer gently for 12-15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

4. For the meatballs, make small balls from the mince mixture (allow 5-6 per serving). Add the meatballs to the sauce in a single layer and stir gently.

5. Continue to cook over a gentle heat for 12-15 minutes, or until the meatballs are cooked through and the sauce has thickened. Remove from the heat and season to taste.

Bubbling away

6. Serve in warm bowls, scattered with chopped parsley.

While all the above is going on, I made the mash and griddled the asparagus in a dry griddle pan so it charred nicely. (This takes about 4 minutes each side).

The easiest and tastiest asparagus ever

Let me know if you make this - I would love to see pictures. If you are on the SW plan, this is free (aside from any margarine you might put in the mash). Enjoy! :)

Finished product

Book Review: War Horse

For those of you who have been following my blog for any length of time, you will know that I have been on a bit of a mission to swot up on my knowledge of both World Wars. As part of that, I have been trying to bring the era to life through books and films and TV. War Horse was one of those novels that I really wanted to read for that purpose. I first became aware of it, after having seen the stage production on a visit to Toronto. The stage production really blew my mind, the staging was ingenious, the costumes and the way they portrayed these huge beasts and the terror of war on a stage was mind-blowing, I would really recommend it to anyone.

The book tells the story of Joey, a horse who has been sold to a farmer. Joey finds himself being trained to work on the farm, threatened by the farmer who has purchased him. He finds a very loving relationship with the farmer's son, Albert. Joey and Albert are separated when Joey is sold to the army and goes to fight on the front line with British soldiers. In his time at war, Joey fights with the British, is captured and employed by the German army, and manages in an extraordinary twist of fate to find his way back to Albert once again.  

The book is charming, short and lovely, and definitely a children's book. The whole story is told from Joey's point of view, which is lovely. It is WW1 for kids, which isn't necessarily a bad thing, maybe just not what I was after.

Overall score - 3/5

World Book Day 2016

Today is World Book Day - a celebration of literature around the globe. Should it be an international holiday? I think so. I love the traditions that surround this day, people dress up and really get behind the imagination of it all. I thought this would be a great chance on SDWC to really reflect on reading, which is such a huge passion of mine. Why do I love it so much?

There is something magical about reading. It has the power to literally transport you anywhere. I am currently reading Oliver Twist (review to follow soon) and I was really struck by the magic power of Dickens' words during the week. I was sitting on a train, commuting to work, and rolling through the foggy Northern Irish countryside. Except I wasn't. I was on Fagin's coattails as he navigated and trundled through tiny, dirty, dark, Victorian London streets. I was totally there with him. I was in two places at once. My mind was able to decipher these squiggles on a page and simultaneously put me in Victorian London while I was physically north of Antrim. You can time travel to places you would never be in your whole life. It expands your horizons. It's pure escapism. You can be in any story in any part of the world, in times gone by, in times that haven't even happened yet. You can be in space. You can be at sea. All through your eyes and ink on a piece of paper. It is pure magic.

The printed word changed everything. It was fundamental in the development of the world and the human race. With knowledge comes power, and books give people that knowledge. Books are imperative for understanding the world in which we find ourselves. We learn about the past, the future, the present. We become informed, intelligent, and we develop. Hitler's book burning in 1933 has sinister imagery, the image of depriving pep. In 1821, German journalist Heinrich Heine said, somewhat prophetically, "Where they have burned books, they will end burning human beings."

So here's to the printed word, the wonderful stories, the past, the present, the future, the wild, the wicked, the hilarious, the dreamy, the magical, the real, the sad, the uplifting, and the romantic. How will you be celebrating World Book Day?

Spring TBR List 2016

Spring reading - something about those two words that conjures up lovely feelings of new-ness and relaxing. It feels like no time ago when I put up my winter reading list! I have been looking forward to spring and without further ado, let's see what I have lined up for next season's reading.

Spring TBR

1. The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins
The thriller everyone has been talking about! I am looking forward to reading this and seeing what the fuss is about. I really enjoyed Gone Girl, which I imagine will be similar in vein to this novel. I understand filming has begun for the October release, which I believe stars Emily Blunt. Just one of my idols, no biggie. *faints*

2. 1914-1918: The History of the First World War by David Stevenson
I have actually started this book a long time ago, and it is DENSE. I really wanted to get more knowledgeable about both World Wars, and really knew nothing about the first. So it is fascinating learning all about it. I wanted to make some space in my reading calendar to really get my teeth into it instead of getting only about five pages read in bed at night.

3. Fallen by Lia Mills
Part of getting to know WW1 (and 2 when it comes) is bringing it alive through fiction and film. I have a good few historical fiction books I want to get through, and this one is set in Dublin - merging Irish history of the time with the war-time drama. (In the post)

4. A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin
Part of my 2016 resolutions was to pick up this series and also start watching the TV show - so this will begin in earnest in the Spring with the first installment - A Game of Thrones.

5. The Life and Loves of a He-Devil by Graham Norton
A little light comic relief following the epic Game of Thrones in the form of Graham Norton's memoir. I picked this up in the Kindle store in the January sale for either £0.99 or £1.99 - pennies! So I thought it would be a good fit at this point in Spring. (Kindle read)

6. Little White Lies and Butterflies by Suzie Tullett
Even lighter relief to ease me into the summer months - some relaxing chick-lit. People often look down on chick-lit (even the name of it as a genre has that effect) but when it is written well, there is nothing more relaxing than a nice story, told well. It goes well with a bath, with a glass of wine, or as I am hoping with the creeping temperatures of a lazy summer garden. (Kindle read)

So a mix of chick-lit, non-fiction, historical fiction, memoir, thriller and epic fantasy. A well-balanced season I think! What have you got up your reading sleeve for spring? Do you like to plan your reading? Tell me in the comments below, I would love to know.

Dream Destination: Northern and Eastern China

My heart and head lies in travelling. There are so few places under this big blue sky that I would not go. I wanted to start a new series on the blog, looking at bucket list trips - where is on my radar, and where D and I might look to go for that next big escape.

We have pretty much been putting our lives on hold for the last couple of years, trying to get our house building project underway. Every time we think of going somewhere or spending any money, we feel really guilty, knowing we should be putting away for our house. We are really hopeful that the build will start this year, and I really look forward to sharing that with you all! And, providing everything goes well with the build, we can look forward to getting back to planning lots of trips! I thought it would be good to start this series to explore potential locations we might go, and also to look at the fanciful locations we would love to go, but our budget probably won't allow.

The first place I wanted to explore in the Dream Destination series was China. I have never been to Asia before, and it is definitely going to be explored in the next couple of years, as a matter of urgency! China is such a huge place, I want my first trip to focus on the north and east of the country, so we can take in cities like Beijing and Shanghai.

The Great Wall of China

Why China?
China's ancient history is a massive draw for me. Marry that with the world's largest population, where east is starting to meet west in many ways, and where large modern glass skyscrapers are nestled in cities alongside ancient architecture, and you have yourself a very interesting trip indeed. Aside from that, the more I look into this fascinating country, the more enamoured I become with its practices and its countryside. I simply need to visit.

Tiananmen Square

Major cities/attractions?

• Beijing, China's capital, is a definite must. The Great Wall of China is very easily accessible from this sprawling mega-city. The Forbidden City, featuring palaces of ancient dynasties, are a major tourist draw. Temples, palaces and pagodas beckon, while Tiananmen Square offers a glimpse of history in a more modern China.
• Shanghai This big, bad, bold, modern city is enticing and exciting. I would love to spend one say looking up at the vast skyscrapers, and the next exploring old town and the Old French Concession in the city. 
• Xi'an Home of the Terracotta Warriors, discovered in 1970s, The city's Muslim Quarter has a vast array of street market stalls to explore. 

Getting there?
Unfortunately, there are no direct flights from Dublin, and all involve a stop. However, flying Dublin-Beijing and Shanghai-Dublin, you can expect to pay just under £500 per person return.

Getting around?
Public transport in China is plentiful and cheap. Metro systems are available in cities, and overnight trains and long distance buses can take passengers between locations. I am looking into the possiblity of a guided tour, as when visiting several locations, it will make it easier getting around, knowing the worry is on someone else!

Hard sleeper - night train

How long do you need?
A trip like this would need a minimum of 10 days, and preferably two weeks.

When to visit?
The weather is most favourable in spring or autumn, and I think we would look to go in October, when most people say that it is comfortable in Beijing and Shanghai.

Non-negotiables?
Beijing, Great Wall and Xi'an.

Terracotta Army at Xi'an

Book review - The Invention of Wings

**This review may contain spoliers**

This book had been on my radar for a long time, following the novel making the Oprah 2.0 Book Club list. I don't tend to read along with book clubs like this, but I certainly pay attention to the titles that make the lists and add them to my excessive TBR pile on Goodreads, which is a site that if you aren't aware of - please, please go right now and make an account. (You can thank me later.) I was aware of Sue Monk Kidd, having read her Secret Life of Bees a few years ago. I really enjoyed SLOB, so knowing the author, the premise of the novel and the fact that Oprah said it was good, I was expecting really good things.

Besties

And, my oh my, was I delighted I picked this up.

The Invention of Wings follows the paths of two main characters - Sarah Grimké, a girl born into a wealthy family in Charleston, South Carolina; and her slave, Handful. Sarah (along with her sister Nina) were powerful figures in the early abolitionist movements, and did a lot for the rights of women in America. I learned after reading that Handful was also a real character, gifted to Sarah at a young age. She died soon after, though. Sue Monk Kidd gave an interview where she described Handful as "but a footnote in history" and this novel was a telling of what might have been. We meet the girls at quite a young age as the novel opens, when Handful is gifted to Sarah. Sarah knows from a very early age that she does not want to be part of a society than can tolerate, much less exploit, slavery and persecution. The novel then follows both Sarah and Handful through their lives, as they are parted and ultimately find one another again.

The character of Sarah's mother ('Missus' as she's known to the slaves) is a powerful figure in the novel. She is the overseer of the prisons in which both Handful and Sarah find themselves. She is the master of Handful, and Handful's mother, Charlotte, whom she treats deplorably. Sarah, as would be typical of girls from well-heeled families of the time, was expected to be seen and not heard. Opinions, hopes, dreams and aspirations were all discouraged in favour of obedience, religion, looks and behaviour. Sarah knows that there is more to her character and should be more to her life than that which is offered to her in Charleston society. Sarah's desire was to follow her father's footsteps in the field of law, however she is reminded that women don't have those kinds of choices.

"Your father believes you are an anomalous girl with your craving for books and your aspirations, but he's wrong. Every girl comes into the world with varying degrees of ambition, even if it's only the hope of not belonging body and soul to her husband. I was a girl once, believe it or not. The truth is that every girl must have ambition knocked out of her for her own good."

This was one of the most desperate sentences I have ever read. There is a constant comparison throughout the novel of the struggle for women and the struggle for freedom for slaves. Handful describes Sarah's prison as of her mind, and her own prison as of her body. Both are in prison, though. Handful's treatment, and that of the other slaves in the household, was upsetting and unrelenting. The story of slavery as a wider narrative will never be anything other than shameful and upsetting, and this novel was no different. Charlotte and Handful are, like all slave women, unable to read and are uneducated (though Sarah tries to give Handful a taste of freedom by teaching her to read, for which she is severely punished). Charlotte's rebellious character allows her to tell stories she would otherwise not be able to, as she tells her stories through her quilts. Her rebellion served to shame Mary (Sarah's sister) when she comes back to the house later in the novel, shame her with the facts of her story and shame her that this is how it is communicated. 

The novel is a glorious passage of time, and does an exceptionally good job of switching between narratives flawlessly and convincingly. We see a slow progress and development of the abolitionist movement, as passing from Charlotte to Handful, generation to generation, when little freedoms and victories are won to ultimately lead us where we are today.

Absolutely recommended. 

Overall score - 5/5 

SunnyDays Now on Instagram

Instagram has only been in my life for, like, a year, max. I was properly late to that party. But I have fallen hard, guys. It's so interesting to see what everyone you follow gets up to, and I find it really motivational seeing how other people organise their lives, lose all the weight, wear all the nice clothes, you get me.

So come join me over on Instagram and let's nosey at each other's lives! :)

sunnydayswithc - Instagram

I'm also on Twitter - @sunnydayswithc - so you can have a nosey at my ramblings and thoughts. 

Tips for getting back on track

1. List anything you feel went out of control. 
Seeing it on paper will help, and will allow you to look at this and take each hurdle individually, giving your mind clear space to start making solutions. List beside each 'problem' what actions you can take to make that 'problem' disappear.

2. Take 30 minutes to meal plan your next week.
This step is crucial if your diet is what's been let go. Take a look, with your planner, at any social commitments you have coming up in the next week and how this will affect your meals, and plan accordingly. This might mean batch cooking and timing things to be taken out of the freezer, or it might mean having to rejig your cooking time to make sure you have dinner ready earlier than you usually would. Whatever system you use, make sure you face the next week with a meal plan for each day (including snacks) and a grocery shop done to make sure you have what you need to get back on track.

3. Plan, plan, plan. 
Make your to-do list for the week, and slot these tasks into your planner, so you know what needs to be done each day. You will feel much better when you are on top of your to-do list.

4. Get back into a routine.
Your body works best when it's in a routine, so try to keep to the same bedtime and same getting up time as far as possible. It takes 21 days to make a habit, so let this be the month you get your body clock regulated.

5. Schedule in me-time.
This is so, so important. It is easy to get overwhelmed and to burn the candle at both ends. It is so important to schedule in time to look after yourself, mentally and physically. Take a look at your planner for the next week and make sure to schedule in physical and mental me-time. On a weekly basis, I block out certain time spots when I turn my phone on to airplane mode and make sure I cannot be disturbed. I will block off time to read, to have a bath, to do a face mask and a bit of meditation, to take my dog for a walk. Anything that relaxes you, keeps your interests up, and gives you time to reset. Also important is to schedule exercise, at which I am getting better. Block off an appointment with yourself, and show up.

6. Inspire yourself.
Google inspirational quotes. Pinterest some pictures of your goals, create a vision board. Every day, remember where you want to be and remember what you need to do to get there. Nothing is more important than making yourself happy and proud. Grow continually. Time is something you cannot save and cannot get back, so use it wisely to be the best you can be.