2012 Retrospective: My Baker's Dozen Part 1

What: 2012 Retrospective: My Baker’s Dozen Part 1 
Where: Across Europe
When: 2012

As the year comes to a close, we all get a bit reflective. I believe it’s important to look back over the year’s highs and lows, the moments you won’t forget, the new people you have met, experiences shared and enjoyed and the lessons learnt. As such I will be compiling a series of posts entitled a Baker’s Dozen* – 13 experiences to be had in different countries, continents and cities across the fields of events, bars & restaurants, fashion and art. 

Hope you enjoy reading my review of 2012 as well as the forthcoming 2013 Baker's Dozen blogs as much I will enjoy organising, researching  and experiencing them!

and so Starting with the essential 2012 Baker’s Dozen retrospective

(in no particular order)

1. The London Olympics in July, August & September – I have never felt so proud to be English or albeit ex-Londoner, The build up and Danny Boyles spectacular opening, the hoards of volunteers and incredible athletes! I had the privilege to wave flags for both England and Germany at multiple events this summer. I took my dad to see the Women’s football final at Wembley, saw a Judo Final, The Men’s Marathon, Women's Team Archery and Beach Volleyball with my husband and some of the Para-Olympic Athletics, Boccia and Fencing with my both my parents at the Olympic Park. Every moment was utterly brilliant mainly due to the overwhelming positive atmosphere each day and at every single event. I raise a toast to London 2012 Olympics… jolly good show!   

2. Soundwaves festival in July – Has to be up there as the best festival I have ever attended and there have been a few (Festival recommendations 2013 to come.) A festival in the middle of the  gorgeous island Tisno on the Croatian coast, blue skies even bluer sea, ridiculously beautiful people and seriously talented musicians. A truly magical experience.

3. Passing my driving test in December. Cannot express my joy at passing both my theory and driving exam first time, especially as it required having to endure over 15hours of driving theory lessons taught only in German (and no at that point I didn’t understand a word!) I am really keen to get started on those road trips! 2013 Auto club here I come…

4. Oktoberfest in September – ok not the proper one in Munich only the Frankfurt version. But being that this was the first time I have ever donned a dirndl or drunken so much of the frothy stuff it was good enough for me. Plus watching the Germans go slightly bonkers dancing to truly odd schlanger music, all being dressed up, standing on tables and singing drinking songs was actually hilarious!

5. A cocktail ring making course at the The London Jewellery school in August- In a drive to reawaken my creativity and thanks to a Groupon voucher I attended a 2.5hour cocktail ring making course at the end of summer. I am really pleased with the results and am looking forward to attending the intermediate and advanced courses next year so I can start sharing the skills! (more info and pictures to follow in 2013) http://www.londonjewelleryschool.co.uk/

6. Celebrating my Fathers 70^th Birthday with my whole family in London in October – Daddy reached a milestone and I was very pleased to be able to celebrate with him on his special day. We enjoyed a family photo-shoot at the fabulous Andaz Hotel in London  london.liverpoolstreet.andaz.hyatt.com followed by lunch with extended family. The picture book we created for him stirred up lots of happy memories too as well as some engaging stories. Happy Birthday Daddy!

 2012 Retrospective continues shortly...

* Definition: A baker's dozen, devil's dozen, long dozen, or long measure is 13, one more than a standard dozen. The oldest known source for the expression "baker's dozen" dates to the 13th century in one of the earliest English statutes, instituted during the reign of Henry III (1216–1272), called the Assize of Bread and Ale. Bakers who were found to have shortchanged customers (some variations say that they would sell hollow bread) could be subject to severe punishment including judicial amputation of a hand. To guard against losing a hand to an axe, a baker would give 13 for the price of 12 in order to be certain of not being known as a cheat. Specifically, the practice of baking 13 items for an intended dozen was insurance against "short measure", on the basis that one of the 13 could be lost, eaten, burnt, or ruined in some way, leaving the baker with the original legal dozen. The practice can be seen in the guild codes of the Worshipful Company of Bakers in London. en.wikipedia.org