New Year's day 2010

J and I headed up to Hampstead Heath to welcome in the err, teenies. Unfortunately the rest of North London had the same ideas but it was still beautiful as ever. We saw lots of sweet little robins, some pretty jays, parrots, and a shaggy grey dog the size of a small lion (I think it was a lurcher). No sign of the goose with broken wings we spotted the other day though. I hope he didn't come a'cropper on the ice...

Rush hour on Parliament Hill.

Gorgeous sunset views from the hill.

Had a good chuckle at these Christmas lights in Kentish Town.

Nigel Slater's coffee cake recipe...

As if my gut hasn't expanded enough over the festive season I decided to welcome in the New Year by baking an enormous coronary-inducing coffee cake...  I found an excellent recipe by the venerable Nigel Slater: www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2003/sep/28/foodanddrink.shopping. Tempted to agree that it's the best coffee and walnut cake ever!