thebigfatnoodle

A trip to Little Venice, some photos and a drink + recipe: a honey rum stinger

Posted by thebigfatnoodle on January 20, 2012 · 24 Comments 

One of the many canals around Little Venice, Maida Vale, London

Little Venice – the one in Maida Vale, London

I have taken to going for a brisk 30-40 min walk every day during my lunch break.

In the past, I’ve always eaten lunch at my desk, preferring to work through the lunch hour in the hope that I would be able to leave work on time. However, I’ve come to realise that it’s a poor excuse, not only have I seldom left work on time, I’ve also just used work as an excuse to be downright lazy.

I’ve only been doing these walks since we returned from the holidays and my only regret is that I didn’t start these sooner. Perhaps I’ll feel differently when it’s pissing down with rain but even in these two short weeks, I have come to rely on these walks – I plug in my earphones, pop some music on and just ‘take a break’. During these walks, I’m still thinking about work, trying to work out problems in my head as I walk but unlike sitting at my desk, I’m not getting stressed. Instead, I’ve found myself actually returning to work relaxed and re-energised for the rest of the day. More importantly, if I end up having to pull a late one and not being able to get on the cross trainer at night, I feel less guilty too.

I fell in love with this bird. It didn't give a toss that I was standing right next to it and look at its pink feet! Adorable!

The walk also seems to curb my appetite – I’m still hungry of course – but it makes me hunger for something nourishing rather than naughty. In my head, I do not want to undo the good I’ve achieved simply from walking for half an hour. Does that make sense?

Anyway, the only downside to today’s walk was that I returned to the office with the start of scratchy throat that has only gotten worse. By the time I returned home, I had a full blown sore throat.

But let me digress for a second, my post today is actually split into two parts; the first being a liquid remedy my husband decided we should try to fix the sore throat, and the second is a selection of shots I’ve taken from my favourite place to walk near work. As you’ll know from my recent post, I live in the country but what you may not know is that I still work in London. I love the countryside but I am a born and bred city girl, and I find cityscapes just as rich and beautiful…

So, for you foodies out there, let me deal with the drink recipe first 🙂 – A honey rum stinger

My mother-in-law just presented my husband and I with two new books – honey for him and vinegar for me. They are fantastic – these two books contain historical and medicinal information about these 2 ingredients, but also detail the things you can do with them – from housecleaning and cocktails, to culinary recipes and beauty treatments!

I would seriously recommend you buy these books if you can find them. They're by Margaret Briggs.

This drink bites!

Anyway, we decided to make this cocktail called a Honey Rum Stinger. My husband thought it might work just as well as a hot toddy would and he hoped it would provide some relief for my throat.

I can’t say that it has but I can tell you this drink packs a serious punch – not just from the rum but from the sharpness of the lime juice. if I weren’t feeling so poorly now, and if the temperature weren’t so cold still, I’d have made another, sore throat or not. 🙂

To make this drink, you’ll need: 

1 part dark rum

3 drops Angostura Bitters

1 teaspoon honey (I’d recommend at least 2!)

1 part fresh lime juice

Crushed ice

You just need to pour all the ingredients into a glass or mixing jug, stir well to ensure the honey dissolves fully, and then pour it over crushed ice. it really does sting if the tingle on my tongue was anything to go by.

A honey rum stinger (I'd add more honey than the recipe calls for...)

I think someone told me these are Canadian geese that take a pit stop in the UK during their migratory flight but I could be completely wrong.

Walk with me – A trip around Little Venice 

Little Venice is located in a part of West London called Maida Vale – and it’s only a hop, skip and a jump away from my office in Paddington. it’s called Little Venice because of the myriad of canals that run through the area, and wherever there’s water, you’ll find boats moored all along it. I’ve taken a selection of pictures of the surrounding area during my walk today. Hope you like them and have a lovely weekend ahead.

Lots of love

thebigfatnoodle

Little Venice is packed with lots of different types of canal boats. I always wonder if I can handle living in such a confined space. Probably not. Plus it'd just make me feel fatter than I already feel.

Now this type of houseboat is a whole different kettle of fish. For a start, it's at least 5 times bigger than all the other canal boats!

This is frankly just a floating studio. Do love it though. Wouldn't this turn heads if you saw it floating past you down the river?

It's the unique details that each boat owner adds to every canal boat that makes every walk and every boat I pass a never ending source of wonder. I always feel slightly rude peeking into the portholes whenever I can but I can't help it!

This is a canal boat that has been converted into a little coffee shop and cafe. Cute, isn't it?

in the 4 years I've worked in Paddington, I've never eaten here but that's about to change... I plan to take my team here for lunch as soon as it's warmer.

Lastly, can you guess what this is???

It's one of a few bridges that retract to allow the boats to pass. Neat, eh? And this bridge is 20 seconds from our office. Happy weekend!