Cambridge Ghost Tours

I was very lucky to be able to go on a tour with Cambridge Ghost Tours.

Cambridge is a medieval city with great stories about ghosts and the place to hear them is with Cambridge Ghost Tours. Our tour guides, Fenella and Tom had really great personalities which made this tour so enjoyable.

I have been on previous ghost tours in Cambridge. In my opinion, this was much more exciting. They were not just giving you a tour of places, pointing out places that ghosts had been reported about anyone can do that. Instead they tell in such a way that you don't want the tour to end.

This is child friendly and they can curtail the information to suit the youngest person. The youngest on our tour was 8 years old. But of course that is a decision that you will have to make.

Also, as an American I find some tours presume you know who or what they are talking about. This was not the case with Cambridge Ghost Tours. I would be confident to say that even if you do not know who they are talking about, they explain it so you will.

I would hands down recommend Cambridge Ghost Tours as a different way to see the city (and the best ghost tour in town!). They also have special Halloween events- if you are brave enough!

The tour happens rain or shine so dress appropriately! It rained during our tour but it added to the ambiance.

Why don't the English celebrate the 4th of July?

I remember the first time I took my husband to his first fourth of July celebration and when my jaw dropped as an American asked him the question "Why don't the British celebrate the 4th of July?".  I thought the answer was quite obvious but I suppose it isn't.

As Americans, we celebrate the 4th of July because it is the day in 1776 we adopted the Declaration of Independence which was finally signed by all members on 2 August 1776. The colonists felt that they wanted to become independent because the King in Great Britain was raising their taxes and increasing the rules that they had to follow.

The reason why I think it is obvious is because as Americans we would not celebrate the Independence of Guam or other territories that we have. 

But don't worry there will be plenty of celebrating here on the bases, every year RAF Feltwell host a huge event with fireworks, airshow and of course rides!

Happy Fourth of July!!!

Ely Eel Festival

Ely means the isle of the eels and every year it celebrates this through the Ely Eel Festival. They usually have a parade, food and craft stalls and performances. Also the last true eel catcher is there. Its a great day out and can be educational too!

St George's Day

St George is the patron saint of England. The English flag is St George’s cross. This was used by Richard the Lion Heart in the 12th century and his soldiers wore it during battle to distinguish themselves from each other.

St George was a Roman soldier who protested the Romans torturing the Christians (he was a Christian) and died for his beliefs. There is a legend of St George slaying a dragon and saving a princess. St George is also the patron of scouting.

St George’s Day is celebrated on the 23rd of April but is not a public holiday. It is also not celebrated as much as St Patrick’s Day is. It used to be celebrated but the popularity waned after the Union of Scotland and England

Some traditions to celebrate St George’s Day are:

• A rose in one’s lapel.
• Fly or adorn St George’s flag
• Some pubs will have garlands with St George’s cross

Looking for something to do to celebrate St George’s Day, check out this website.  Here are some activities for the kids!

Easter Simnel Cake

This is a recipe for a traditional cake eaten at Easter. It has 11 balls on top to signify the true disciples of Jesus.

Simnel cake

Preparation time: less than 30 mins/Cooking time: 1 to 2 hours/Serves 10-12

Ingredients
For the almond paste (or you can buy marizpan premade from the grocery store)

• 250g/9oz caster sugar
• 250g/9oz ground almonds
• 2  eggs, beaten
• 1 tsp almond essence

For the cake

• 175g/6oz butter or margarine
• 175g/6oz soft brown sugar
• 3  eggs, beaten
• 175g/6oz plain flour
• Pinch salt
• ½ tsp ground mixed spice (optional)
• 350g/12oz mixed raisins, currants and sultanas
• 55g/2oz chopped mixed peel
• ½ lemon, grated zest only
• 1-2 tbsp apricot jam
• 1 egg, beaten for glazing

Directions

1. For the almond paste, place the sugar and ground almonds in a bowl. Add enough beaten egg and mix to a fairly soft consistency.
2. Add the almond essence and knead for one minute until the paste is smooth and pliable.
3. Roll out a third of the almond paste to make a circle 18cm/7in in diameter and reserve the remainder for the cake topping.
4. Preheat oven to 140C/275F/Gas 1. Grease and line a 18cm/7in cake tin.
5. For the cake, cream the butter and sugar together until pale and fluffy. Gradually beat in the eggs until well incorporated and then sift in the flour, salt and mixed spice (if using) a little at a time. Finally, add the mixed dried fruit, peel and grated lemon zest and stir into the mixture.
6. Put half the mixture into a greased and lined 18cm/7in cake tin. Smooth the top and cover with the circle of almond paste. Add the rest of the cake mixture and smooth the top leaving a slight dip in the centre to allow for the cake to rise. Bake in the preheated oven for 1¾ hours. Test by inserting a skewer in the middle - if it comes out clean, it is ready. Once baked, remove from the oven and set aside to cool on a wire rack.
7. Brush the top of the cooled cake with the apricot jam. Divide the remainder of the almond paste in half; roll out a circle to cover the top of the cake with one half and form 11 small balls with the other half.
8. Place the circle of paste on the jam glaze and set the balls round the edge. Brush the cake topping with a little beaten egg.
9. Preheat the grill to high. Place the cake onto a baking tray and grill for 1-2 minutes, or until the top of the marzipan begins to brown.

 Happy Easter!

St Patricks Day

I know what you are thinking, let's go out and celebrate St Patrick's day since we are so close to Ireland. The trouble is you are in England and They are English and St Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland. So don't expect there to be much fuss over here for that. Also, it is not customary over here to pinch people if they are not wearing green so keep your fingers to yourself.

However London does have a parade which is free on the weekend closest to the holiday.

Pancake Day

Pancake Day is also known as Shrove Tuesday. It is the day before Ash Wednesday and starts the celebration of Lent. The history behind it is that they would make pancakes to use up the stuff in the pantry because during Lent you are supposed to abstain from sweets.

My husband and I try to remember when Pancake Day is and celebrate it. The first time we did this was after his accident and I had to take him to an appointment so I said that we should have pancakes for lunch. He said that we should have them after lunch. I was thinking that it would be too much to have lunch and pancakes so I went to the kitchen and got out my American cookbook and my English cookbook and show him both the pictures. That’s when I figured out their pancakes are different than ours.

The pancakes that they make are more like crepes, here is a good recipe for them. Typical fillings will be lemon and sugar or something savoury like sausage meat.

Happy Pancake Day!

Christmas Pudding

You should be starting your Christmas pudding around this time.

Traditionally Christmas Pudding is served on Christmas day but made weeks in advance and fed regularly with alcohol which allows the flavours to develop. Why don't you try to bring in this tradition to your home and make a Christmas Pudding. Make it a few weeks in advance! Alternatively you can buy one from the grocery store. Here is a recipe on how to make your own:

Preparation time: 1-2 hours/Cooking time: over 2 hours/Serves 6-8

Ingredients

• 225g/8oz golden caster sugar
• 225g/8oz vegetarian suet
• 340g/12oz sultanas
• 340g/12oz raisins
• 225g/8oz currants
• 110g/4oz candied peel, chopped
• 110g/4oz plain flour
• 110g/4oz fresh white breadcrumbs
• 55g/2oz flaked almonds
• 1 lemon, zest only
• 5 eggs, beaten
• 1 evel tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 level tsp mixed spice
• 5g/1 level tsp freshly grated nutmeg
• pinch of salt
• 150ml/5fl oz brandy or rum

Preparation method

1. Lightly grease 2x1.2 litre/2 pint pudding basins (glass bowl.
2. Mix all the dry ingredients and stir in the eggs and brandy and mix well.
3. Spoon the mix into basins. Put a circle of baking paper and foil over the top of each basin and tie securely with string. Make a string handle from one side of the basin to the other so it is easier to pick the basin out of the pan after cooking.
4. Put the basins in a large steamer of boiling water and cover with a lid. Boil for 5-6 hours, topping the boiling water up from time to time, if necessary. If you do not have a steamer, put the basins in a large pan on inverted saucers on the base. Pour in boiling water to come a third of the way up the sides of the pudding bowls. Cover and steam as before.
5. Cool. Change the baking parchment and foil covers for fresh ones and tie up as before. Store in a cool cupboard until Christmas Day.
6. To serve: steam for 2 hours and serve with brandy butter, rum sauce, cream or homemade custard.

For show, right before serving flame the cake.

Enjoy!

Halloween

Halloween is not as celebrated in England as it is in the States.

You will not see the British decorate their houses(this goes for other holidays except for Christmas). You might see the odd jack-o-lantern but that is it. They might take their children out to trick-or-treat usually between 5-8.

Just because a house doesn’t have its front light on doesn’t mean it is not participating in Halloween so if they are not participating they just won’t answer the door. Sometime teens are naughty and if you don’t give them treats, they will egg your house.

If you don’t want to stick out in your English neighbourhood, you could just put a jack-o-lantern on your doorstep and decorate the inside of your house.

There are other ways to celebrate:

• Have a Halloween party and invite your British friends over to see what the fuss is all about!.
•  Go to a pumpkin patch like:
• Miton Rectory Farm Shop- Landbeach Rd, Milton, Cambridge CB24 6DA 01223 860 374
• Christmas Hill Farm Shop- Station Road, Lakenheath,  IP27 9AB 01842 861144

Trick or Treat!

Why don't the English celebrate the 4th of July?

I remember the first time I took my husband to his first fourth of July celebration and when my jaw dropped as an American asked him the question "Why don't the British celebrate the 4th of July?".  I thought the answer was quite obvious but I suppose it isn't.

As Americans, we celebrate the 4th of July because it is the day in 1776 we adopted the Declaration of Independence which was finally signed by all members on 2 August 1776. The colonists felt that they wanted to become independent because the King in Great Britain was raising their taxes and increasing the rules that they had to follow.

The reason why I think it is obvious is because as Americans we would not celebrate the Independence of Guam or other territories that we have. 

But don't worry there will be plenty of celebrating here on the bases, every year RAF Feltwell host a huge event with fireworks, airshow and of course rides!

Happy Fourth of July!!!

St George's Day

St George is the patron saint of England. The English flag is St George’s cross. This was used by Richard the Lion Heart in the 12th century and his soldiers wore it during battle to distinguish themselves from each other.

St George was a Roman soldier who protested the Romans torturing the Christians (he was a Christian) and died for his beliefs. There is a legend of St George slaying a dragon and saving a princess. St George is also the patron of scouting.

St George’s Day is celebrated on the 23rd of April but is not a public holiday. It is also not celebrated as much as St Patrick’s Day is. It used to be celebrated but the popularity waned after the Union of Scotland and England

Some traditions to celebrate St George’s Day are:

• A rose in one’s lapel.
• Fly or adorn St George’s flag
• Some pubs will have garlands with St George’s cross

Looking for something to do to celebrate St George’s Day, check out this website.  Here are some activities for the kids!

Ely Eel Festival

Ely means the isle of the eels and every year it celebrates this through the Ely Eel Festival. They usually have a parade, food and craft stalls and performances. Also the last true eel catcher is there. Its a great day out and can be educational too!

Easter Simnel Cake

This is a recipe for a traditional cake eaten at Easter. It has 11 balls on top to signify the true disciples of Jesus.

Simnel cake

Preparation time: less than 30 mins/Cooking time: 1 to 2 hours/Serves 10-12

Ingredients
For the almond paste (or you can buy marizpan premade from the grocery store)

• 250g/9oz caster sugar
• 250g/9oz ground almonds
• 2  eggs, beaten
• 1 tsp almond essence

For the cake

• 175g/6oz butter or margarine
• 175g/6oz soft brown sugar
• 3  eggs, beaten
• 175g/6oz plain flour
• Pinch salt
• ½ tsp ground mixed spice (optional)
• 350g/12oz mixed raisins, currants and sultanas
• 55g/2oz chopped mixed peel
• ½ lemon, grated zest only
• 1-2 tbsp apricot jam
• 1 egg, beaten for glazing

Directions

1. For the almond paste, place the sugar and ground almonds in a bowl. Add enough beaten egg and mix to a fairly soft consistency.
2. Add the almond essence and knead for one minute until the paste is smooth and pliable.
3. Roll out a third of the almond paste to make a circle 18cm/7in in diameter and reserve the remainder for the cake topping.
4. Preheat oven to 140C/275F/Gas 1. Grease and line a 18cm/7in cake tin.
5. For the cake, cream the butter and sugar together until pale and fluffy. Gradually beat in the eggs until well incorporated and then sift in the flour, salt and mixed spice (if using) a little at a time. Finally, add the mixed dried fruit, peel and grated lemon zest and stir into the mixture.
6. Put half the mixture into a greased and lined 18cm/7in cake tin. Smooth the top and cover with the circle of almond paste. Add the rest of the cake mixture and smooth the top leaving a slight dip in the centre to allow for the cake to rise. Bake in the preheated oven for 1¾ hours. Test by inserting a skewer in the middle - if it comes out clean, it is ready. Once baked, remove from the oven and set aside to cool on a wire rack.
7. Brush the top of the cooled cake with the apricot jam. Divide the remainder of the almond paste in half; roll out a circle to cover the top of the cake with one half and form 11 small balls with the other half.
8. Place the circle of paste on the jam glaze and set the balls round the edge. Brush the cake topping with a little beaten egg.
9. Preheat the grill to high. Place the cake onto a baking tray and grill for 1-2 minutes, or until the top of the marzipan begins to brown.

 Happy Easter!

St Patricks Day

I know what you are thinking, let's go out and celebrate St Patrick's day since we are so close to Ireland. The trouble is you are in England and They are English and St Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland. So don't expect there to be much fuss over here for that. Also, it is not customary over here to pinch people if they are not wearing green so keep your fingers to yourself.

However London does have a parade which is free on the weekend closest to the holiday.

Centre Parcs

Looking for a place to go for holiday that has something for everyone? Centre Parcs might be your answer. You can go Monday- Friday or Friday to Sunday. The closest one in the local area is in Thetford Forest. You can rent out room in their hotel or a villa. They have all sorts of activities so you will not need to leave the park for the time that you are there. The swimming pool is the only thing that is free. They have activities for children such as swimming, bowling, zip line, biking and much more!

They have Starbucks, Cafe Rouge, Bella Italia and a Sports Cafe to eat. There is also a spa that I can highly recommend. I got a relaxing Swedish Massage when we went to visit my in-laws whilst they were staying here. You can have visitors but you have to arrange ahead of time when they will be coming. You can also bring your dogs here but check out the terms before you pack your pooch into the car.

So treat your family and head to Centre Parcs!

Pancake Day

Pancake Day is also known as Shrove Tuesday. It is the day before Ash Wednesday and starts the celebration of Lent. The history behind it is that they would make pancakes to use up the stuff in the pantry because during Lent you are supposed to abstain from sweets.

My husband and I try to remember when Pancake Day is and celebrate it. The first time we did this was after his accident and I had to take him to an appointment so I said that we should have pancakes for lunch. He said that we should have them after lunch. I was thinking that it would be too much to have lunch and pancakes so I went to the kitchen and got out my American cookbook and my English cookbook and show him both the pictures. That’s when I figured out their pancakes are different than ours.

The pancakes that they make are more like crepes, here is a good recipe for them. Typical fillings will be lemon and sugar or something savoury like sausage meat.

Happy Pancake Day!

Burns' Night- 25 Jan

This is not a holiday that the English celebrate as Robert Burns was a Scottish poet but that doesn’t mean you cannot have your own Burns night.

I have had one with my family. You can go to the local butcher and buy haggis. Scots like to say that haggis is a small Scottish animal with one set of legs shorter than the other so it won’t fall of the mountain. If I tell you what it is you won’t try it so skip onto the next paragraph. Haggis is a sheep heart, liver and lungs, minced with onion, oatmeal, suet and spices which is put into an animal’s stomach. I like it, its tends to be a spicy meat, so those that think the food over here is bland, I think you might like haggis.

They will also have neeps and tatties (Swede and potatoes) with their haggis.

You will see people drink scotch whiskey, eating haggis, tatties and neeps and for dessert Tipsy Laird.

They do say grace, toast the haggis, and read out Burns' poems and toast the lassies.  If you are invited, make sure you go as it will be a good night. I cannot write everything they do so check out this page to get an idea.

Check out this website and hold your own Burns' night. It will be a fun night with good food!

Boxing Day 26 December

Boxing Day is another bank holiday that the British have off and it is always the day after Christmas. If that is on the weekend, it will fall on the next weekday.

In Victorian times, tradesmen would come by and collect their boxes or gifts for their good service. It is a day where wealthy landowners gave their servants to have the day off with their families. They were given boxes and leftovers to take home with them. Also churches would collect donations and distribute it to the poor.

Now families often take this as another day to spend together with a quiet meal and watch sports. While others go fox hunting. Also, sales usually begin on Boxing Day so shops can clear out their Christmas stock just like in the States so it can be very busy!

No matter what you do make sure you take time for you and yours.

Christmas Eve at Kings' College

Every year since 1918, King's College Choir has held a A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols which is broadcast all over the world. You can listen to this on BBC Radio 4 and watch it on BBC2 on Christmas Eve. The one showed on TV is recorded a few weeks earlier and the tickets are sold through separate channels.


Jane and I went to the service in 2011. We got there around 8 am and were able to get in. There was a lovely couple who were in line in front of us and they do it every year. If the waiting puts you off, it went by very quickly and the atmosphere was lovely. There are toilets and a cafe on the grounds. We brought little stools to sit on and blankets to wrap up and there are facilities to put these aside during the service. One thing that we learned was when it snowed in 2010 there were a lot of empty seats because people would not wait in that weather so if you think you might not make it in, it is worth going to see how long the line is. They will not admit more people than the chapel can hold.


If you would like to be a part of this you will need to join the line at King's College Chapel via main gate on King's Parade, the earlier (no earlier than 7:30 a.m. you get there the more likely you will get in (they say usually people who queue by 9 a.m. will get in). You won't be let in until 1:30 p.m. and the service starts at 3 p.m. This is not suitable for young children.

For more information, go here.

Hope to see you there!

Christmas Traditions

Christmas is one of my favourite time of year here. There are so many interesting traditions that start to come out and I love every minute of it. Although this is not what all families do, I have tried to compile some traditions that perhaps you can bring to your family.

• My family has crackers (filled with paperhats, toys and jokes and you pull both ends until they pop!) on Christmas that we open by holding the end of one cracker and pulling your neighbor's end. We wear the hats that come in the crackers until the end of the Queen's Christmas Broadcast.  The cracker was designed by Thomas J. Smith in London in 1847.
• England is a Christian country. Families go to midnight mass or to church on Christmas morning to celebrate the birth of Christ and many churches hold carol services.
• Most families eat their Christmas dinner in the early afternoon and have a light meal in the evening on Christmas.
• A Christmas meal usually consists of roast turkey, roast potatoes, Brussels sprouts, gravy, cranberries and bread sauce. Afterwards they will have Christmas pudding and mince pies.
• They don't say "Happy Holidays" here, they say "Merry Christmas".
• They send Christmas cards too. Which were commission by Sir Henry Cole in London in 1843 which came to America in 1875.
• It is bad luck to have your Christmas tree up past the 5th of January.  The Christmas tree comes from 15^th century Livonia (Estonia and Latvia). The Christmas tree became popular in England in 1841. Queen Victoria’s husband, Prince Albert, bought on from Germany and it was illustrated in a newspaper with them standing around it wither their children. The Christmas Tree in Trafalgar Square is provided by Norway since 1947 to say thank you for the support in WWII.
• They believe in Santa but call him Father Christmas. He wears a red suit but in Victorian and Tudor times he wore a green suit. Father Christmas started creeping up in Victorian times along with cards. The concept of Santa originates from Turkey. The children leave mince pies and brandy for Father Christmas and a carrot for the reindeer.
• Christmas stockings became popular in 1870. Coins are usually found in the bottom of the stockings because Father Christmas used to drop coins down the chimney and the stockings would catch them.
• Christmas Eve Superstitions

o    An old wives' tale says that bread baked on Christmas Eve will never go mouldy.

o    At midnight, a certain rose slowly opens and re-closes its petals to salute the birthday of Jesus.

o    Also at midnight, all the sheep in the fields turn and bow towards the East.

Whatever you do, I hope that you too have a  Merry Christmas!