Cooking, for me, is a calming and enjoyable experience.
The apartment we live in has 28 windows running around three sides of our upper floor, so wherever I stand I can see the city below us. I love to work at a bench, kneading or chopping, grinding or mixing and being able to see all around me. The preparation of food can be a meditative experience as I stand and work and gaze out, soothed by the everchanging view of the unpredictable British weather.
Because we are so high up and have so many windows, the views are amazing. I love seeing the seasons change and perhaps the most beautiful time is dawn….
……..the sun rising through the mist that swirls around the trees below us is one of my favourite sights.
Sometimes a stormy dawn will fill the sky with vibrant colours contrasted against grey and turbulent skies….
… and a bright dawn fills me with happiness
In the winter the snow reflects the light back, brightening the morning.
Even on grey and rain filled days the apartment is filled with light. There’s something so cosy about being inside, in the warm, when the rain lashes against the windows.
And the bliss of being inside when the snow piles up on the sills outside while you are inside, surrounded by warmth and the smell of something wonderful cooking.
I do love living here. Not one day is the same as another and each day’s view is different.
Soon, though, the change is going to be more dramatic and you will be treated to a new and very different view from my window.
The Bear and I are off, embarking on an adventure that will mean a total change in the way we live, the things we see and the food we cook and eat. I have to do lots of sorting and packing and sharing out the things we can’t take with us… there’ll be chances for everyone to win DVDs and cookery books. And I do mean everyone. Some things I give away will have to be sent to UK people only, simply because of the postage costs… but a light weight DVD? Well I am sure I could afford to post that almost anywhere.
In six months time or so, we will be living on the other side of the world as the Bear will be working for three years in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. And I will be going with him.
The Petronas Towers, Kuala Lumpur
Imagine the difference in the views…..imagine the difference in the ingredients and the cooking…imagine the fun we will all have.
The Bear has been to Kuala Lumpur many times and took the following pictures they will give you an idea of the vibrancy, the colour and the busy bustling city….
Traffic in Kuala Lumpur
Beautifully illuminated fountains in Kuala Lumpur
The KL Monorail
The skyscrapers really do seem to scrape at the sky
… and it’s not all traffic and building… there are palm trees and beautiful fountains everywhere.
Things change all the time and I know this is going to be a big change but that’s good.
Change is exciting and I hope you’ll enjoy the changing views and changing food and recipes with us.
Oh Wendy, how exciting! I’ve been to KL a few times and loved it. Really interesting architecture, culture, and of course absolutely amazing food. I will really look forward to reading about your experiences there, and your foray into Malaysian cooking. And I will admit I’m just a wee bit envious!
We are so looking forward to it…there’s a lot to do between now and the summer (houses to sell, packing, sorting and finding a new apartment) but what fun it is going to be!
You’ll love it – the food in KL is next level. I’m off there for a 2 week holiday in March – excited!
I can’t wait to go… the only thing I worry about is that at the end of three years I won’t want to come back!
It looks lovely – quite green too.
You will get used to the bright blue skies though!
Good Luck in Kuala Lumpur! It sounds like a great adventure.
What is really nice, is that we wont have to ‘miss you’ because you will still be able to blog and FB 🙂 Looking forward to hearing all about your Malaysian adventures esp the food. You’ve got to get out of K-L because the rest of the country is even better!
I’m still jealous – just found another place to let you know 😉 x
Malaysia? How exciting! Your adventures will be quite the read.
j
What a fantastic opportunity, though scary and exciting in equal measure, I expect. Lots of opportunities for writing on Malaysian culture and cooking to look forward to. The six months will fly by!
hopeeternal
‘Meanderings through my Cookbook’
I’m so excited for you 😀 I can’t wait to see what kind of meals you come up with over there, Wendy! Oh… and can I have the apartment you’re leaving behind please? :p
Oh my goodness, how exciting! I will miss the views from your current apartment though, I love those windows and those views. I very much look forward to hearing about your Kuala Lumpur adventures and seeing the view from your windows there though.
The temperature is going to be on average 28 C all year….so I don’t think I will be doing slow cooked meat very often. Maybe I should just jack up the air con every so often and pretend we are at home in the cold and make us stew and dumplings?
@ Janice – we are going to have more time together as he won’t be travelling so much and we are going to make the most of – weekends away,exploring, whenever we can!
@ Annette – leave the children and you and G come over! You can stay with us!
@Jasmine… ohh the lovely, lovely food!
@hopeeternal – I can wait to set off – and in 3 years there I am sure I can pick up some tasty recipes we could all manage to get the ingredients for!
@Catherine – swap from Glasgow Uni to Nottingham and you can rent our place! You’d love it!
@Kath.. I shall make sure our new apartment has fab views of KL and then, of course, there’ll be new views out of wherever we go to stay.
This is going to be the biggest and best adventure of our lives!
Wow – that’ll be a great adventure. I’m sure you’re going to love it. Not sure that I envy all the preparation but I bet that will fly by. Don’t be a stranger, though. I for one really want to hear about life in KL.
It sounds so exciting. What an adventure. So glad you are going to share your adventures with us – I bet you’ll have a great time.
Exciting times! Does this mean you’ll be posting from the Twin Towers? I have this image of Catherine Zeta Jones and Sean Connery dangling from the top bridge up there…
Hubby and I went there for our honeymoon and had a fabulous time with all the street food and markets. Sounds like you’re in for a lot of fun and look forward to hearing about your adventures!
Ohhhh the amount of STUFF I have to sort… packing and sorting, never mind nipping out to find an apartment, while working up to the last minute. It is going to be truly wonderful though and I am longing for September (because we will be there then and what’s not packed won’t matter!) I’m going to give away quite a few things, so keep watching!
Loving the pictures. And enjoy the eating in KL! 🙂