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 70th 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
