Norwich Dragon festival

Norwich Dragon Festival 2009

Norwich will roar into life as the first ever dragon festival takes place at various venues around the city. The festival aims to reflect dragons as an integral part of Norwich's local history.

Better get your flame-retardant clothing ready, as the first ever Norwich Dragon Festival flies its way into the city between Saturday, 31 January - Sunday, 22 February, 2009.

The festival entails three weeks of flame-filled activities including exhibitions, puppet shows, story-telling, talks, films, arts and crafts and a dragon trail.

The aim of the festival is to celebrate dragons as part of Norwich's vast culture and history, with the fiery creatures being a part of the city since the Medieval Ages.

The festival will call at 15 different locations around Norwich, including the £2 million renovated Dragon Hall on King Street, and many venues will exhibit their displays for free.

The Dragon Festival

The fire-breathing creatures have been given the support of many companies throughout Norwich to bring them to the public domain.

"There's over 15 organisations involved from all across the city and about 30 different events," said Christina Lundberg, communications manager at Norwich Heritage, Economic and Regenerations Trust.

"The activities are mainly aimed at families, but there's treats for the young people at heart and talks that are also aimed towards adults," she added.

A dragon in the spandrels at Dragon Hall

One of the main dragons that can be seen at the festival is an incredible 581 years old, placed in the spandrels (rafters) of Dragon Hall.

"We've had groups who've liaised with community artists to work at filling our other spandrels at Dragon Hall, because we only have one dragon there at the moment," said Gina Woods, learning and development officer of Dragon Hall.

"Even though there is only one, it is rather famous, being 581 years old," she added.

Young people have been able to get involved in filling the remaining spandrels of the hall.

"Filling the triangular spandrels has been really fun and creative. We have a felt dragon made by Catton brownies," said Gina.

The history of Norwich's dragons

Ever since the Medieval Ages, Norwich has had a history of dragons.

A Dragon on St John's Cathedral, Norwich

"The dragons are mainly related to St George, the great dragon-slayer, and Margaret, the maiden he rescued," said Christina.

"Dragons have been carved in Norwich since Medieval times and they boomed around the Industrial Revolution, where the creatures were incorporated into the architecture of the buildings.

"Snap dragons were involved in the Annual Guild Day on St George's Day and various dragons can now be found throughout Norwich.

"People in Norwich have really taken dragons to heart".

Now the penguins come to Norwich

People are being asked to keep their eyes peeled for a colony of penguins across Norfolk this winter.

We've had elephants in Norwich, hippos are heading for Wymondham, camels visited Brundall last week and next it will be the turn of penguins.

Life-size emperor penguins brought to life with the artwork of poorly and disabled youngsters will be showing off their new looks at The Forum in the new year.

The sculptures, decorated by youngsters from Quidenham Children's Hospice, Sheridan House School in Southborough, Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital and Eagle House in Banham will be displayed from Wednesday, January 28 until Sunday, February 8.

Each group has created their individual animal sculptures by transferring the youngster's images on to the fibreglass penguins through a series of art workshops.

Whats happening in Norfolk over the coming months‏

I am sure that as the weather gets ever colder you are all starting to look to the summer and start making plans for the summer holidays in the hope that we do actually get a summer this yeas. I have compiled a list of what's happening over the coming months, that way if anything takes your fancy you can pencil the dates in your diary.

I have included links to all of the relevant web sites. Just click on the name of the event.

25th & 26th March ~ East Anglian Game & country fair

10th May ~ Dragon boat festival at Oulton Broad

1st & 2nd July ~ Royal Norfolk show

23rd & 24th July ~ Lowestoft Air show

20th December ~ Ice sculpture trail


There are many other events including the easter funfair at chaplefield & also during July there is the lord mayors festival, which has a great parade on the Saturday night.

If you want any further information on any of the events we have now been to them all & I can highly recommend them and some are free.

See you all soon
Lisa
X

Icing spoon ~ update

As soon as I felt well enough I have decoarted the offending spoon & last night we had a presentation ceremony, Kizzy did see the funny side of it, I wish that I had my camera handy as her face was a picture.

...My life is like a stroll on the beach...As near to the edge as I can go...Thoreau...

Spicy root soup

I think I need some good old fashioned comfort food, so I am going to try this later, it was on GMTV this week and looks like just what the doctor ordered.

Ingredients

2 tablespoon olive oil

**2-3 tablespoons korma or balti curry paste**

2 small onions, chopped

1 tsp mustard seeds (optional)

1 tsp cumin seeds (optional)

2 leeks, chopped

3 carrots, peeled and chopped

2 medium potatoes, peeled and chopped

2 parsnips or 1 small celeriac, peeled and chopped

1.2l vegetable stock,

200ml natural yogurt or double cream, plus extra to serve

Method

1. Heat 2 tbsp of the oil in a large pan, add half the onions and fry until just starting to colour. Add the curry paste, mustard and cumin seeds for the last minute of cooking. Add vegetables and stir until well coated. Pour in the stock and bring to the boil. Reduce the heat, partly cover and simmer for 30 mins, until the vegetables are tender.
2. Purée the soup in batches, then return to the pan and stir in the yogurt. Taste and add salt, if necessary. Reheat gently, then ladle into bowls and top each with a spoonful of yogurt or cream.

**I have to say that this was the most yummy soup, BUT I didn't use 3 Tablespoons of curry paste, I used 3 teaspoons and it was just right, it was spicy but even Abi ate it.**

New years day 2009

New Years Day at the beach

Lyn & roger at Sea Palling

Partners in crime

Roger waiting for his chips

Abi ~ she says that she doesn't like having her photo taken !

Abi & Kirsten ~ Look at the left of Abi & you can see just how close they were to the seals.

Abi & Kirsten

Horsey Gap in the sand dunes, the beach was closed as the Seals breed from November onwards.

The viewing platform at Horsey gap

Just lazing around yards from the viewing platform

Hot soup & Crusty rolls at the beach on New years day, this is now a family tradition.

Notice Abi has her boots on! and poor Bramble had to paddle his puppy paws and it was freezing.

Just sitting around waiting for us too get back with the chips, a 25 minute wait....... you wouldn't think the beach would be so busy on new years day!

Chips........Hot soup & bread rolls the new years resolution of No junk food didn't last long.

She has that look in her eye, as if she is about to do something!


Happy 2009

Christmas Day Chez Lovell

Christmas Day
Chez Lovell


Abi as usual was the last one up, we had to send Kizzy up to wake her as everyone was waiting for her to open presents.

Notice the Christmas sack. ( Most of the time )


Guitar hero was one of the hits
of Christmas along with some of the Wii games, Dan's present & he had to wait his turn. The wii was on most of Christmas & the only time that we had the television on was when we watched Mama Mia which Grandma loved.



Christmas isn't complete without a glass or two of Bucks fizz for breakfast, along with

Christmas lunch ~ why are we waiting? yes I forgot to defrost the prawns for the prawn cocktail, not just of Christmas day, but again on boxing day.

Dan was a bit worried that he had eaten too much


Dan is completely chillaxed.....or did he just get bored waiting for his turn on the Wii

I think that everyone was chillaxed.

Just like sisters very competitive! ! ! !

Christmas Eve Chez Lovell

Bramble modelling the latest in canine headwear.

Good evening
Well I am glad to say I am nearly there, Paul is just wrapping the last few presents and Kirsten has iced the cake,

Just how she managed to break the wooden spoon in the icing, I really dont know.

Kirsten & Abi Licking the bowl ! the bowl they found a lump of wood in.

just got to keep the cats away from it now.
We had a lovely afternoon baking so now feel absolutely stuffed as I love baking but I rarely seem to find the time lately.
This morning we were at the butchers at 8o'clock and then had to take Abi for an emergency dental appointment thankfully its only her wisdom teeth coming through so hopefully the pain will subside in a day or two.

The picture of Bramble in his Christmas hat is a result of seeing Alison's gorgeous pictures of her dog, this picture took me nearly an hour to get & a very cross dog.