2019 -2021 FBAiPDC Officers: Chairwoman: Mardy Narciso Vice: Marie Manalo-Maramba Secretary: Cito Maramba Treasurer: Marife Esclito Mills PRO: Roger Palima Agustin Bernal Lilibeth Thomas Jeanette Thompson Obdulia Sadumiano Edna Lualhati Anayron Rowena Castillo Nicholls Click on the link below for the FBAiPDC Constitution and by-Laws: fbaipdc_constitution_and_by-laws.pdf Membership Benefits: 1) Discounted tickets to the following parties: - Christmas Party - Valentine's Party - Summer Outing - Other parties that may be organised (Easter, Halloween, etc) 2) Free entrance to FBAiPBC Anniversary Party (with AGM) 3) Care to Share fund for members - members can ask for assistance in cases of illness or bereavement (death of immediate family, e.g. spouse, parents, or child) 4) Priority listing in Philippine Embassy Consular Outreach Mission in Plymouth 5) Participation in Plymouth Community Events - Lord Mayor's Day, St. George's Day 6) Planned Benefits - Discounts from establishments (list to be finalised) a) 5% discount at the Asian Food Store, 55 Ebrington Street, Plymouth, PL4 9AA b) 5% discount at the Vasana Promla Thai Massage, 27 New Street Centre, Barbican Waterfront, Plymouth, PL1 2NB - Monthly celebration of members' birthdays - Priority booking and discount on planned trips / outings (e.g. London Barrio Fiesta) - Planned sports activities (Badminton, Martial Arts, Filipino Dance) 7) Language Classes Click on the link below for the FBAiPDaC Membership Form: fbaipdac_membership_form.pdf 15 February 2019, FBAiPDC celebrated Valetine's Day at Copthorne Hotel in Plymouth. The newly elected set of FBAiPDC officers were also inducted on that event by the Mayor of Plymouth, Councillor Sam Davey.
Proceeds of the event was donated to the "Operation Hernia Charity". The donation was handed to Mr Oppong, head of Operation Hernia and Colorectal Surgeon in Derriford Hospital.
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Location: Bodmin, Cornwall Photographer: Rowena Castillo Nicholls Videographer: Rob Nicholls Happy International Women's Day! International Women's Day (IWD) is celebrated on 8 March every year. It is a focal point in the movement for women's rights. International Women's Day 2019 campaign theme: #BalanceforBetter The future is exciting. Let's build a gender-balanced world. Everyone has a part to play - all the time, everywhere. From grassroots activism to worldwide action, we are entering an exciting period of history where the world expects balance. We notice its absence and celebrate its presence. Balance drives a better working world. Let's all help create a #BalanceforBetter. After the Socialist Party of America organized a Women's Day on 28 February 1909 in New York, German revolutionary Clara Zetkin proposed at the 1910 International Socialist Woman's Conference that 8 March be honored as a day annually in memory of working women. The day has been celebrated as International Women's Day or International Working Women's Day ever since. After women gained suffrage in Soviet Russia in 1917, March 8 became a national holiday there. The day was then predominantly celebrated by the socialist movement and communist countries until it was adopted by the feminist movement in about 1967. The United Nations began celebrating the day in 1975. Commemoration of International Women's Day today ranges from being a public holiday in some countries to being largely ignored elsewhere. In some places, it is a day of protest; in others, it is a day that celebrates womanhood. International Women's Group, it looks like I'm the only diversity! International Women's Group had hosted a Chit Chat and Chill Out event this morning to celebrate International Women's Day with coffee, cake and music. Thank you to everyone who came to join us in celebrating the International Women's Day most especially to the 2 very talented singers Lottee Brown and Issa Cambuli. Thank you to Haidee, owner of Cornershop Falmouth for the Pandesal and Pan de Coco that you gave for our event. It's much appreciated. The very talented singer, Lottee Brown. The very talented singer, Issa Cambuli. With the 2 very talented singers Lottee Brown and Issa Cambul and their mentor Vikki St Leger.
International Women's Day at St Austell Brewery with Film, Discussion Panel, Speak Outs and Music3/8/2019 Location: Bodmin, Cornwall Photographer: Rowena Castillo Nicholls Videographer: Rob Nicholls Happy International Women's Day! International Women's Day (IWD) is celebrated on 8 March every year. It is a focal point in the movement for women's rights. International Women's Day 2019 campaign theme: #BalanceforBetter The future is exciting. Let's build a gender-balanced world. Everyone has a part to play - all the time, everywhere. From grassroots activism to worldwide action, we are entering an exciting period of history where the world expects balance. We notice its absence and celebrate its presence. Balance drives a better working world. Let's all help create a #BalanceforBetter. After the Socialist Party of America organized a Women's Day on 28 February 1909 in New York, German revolutionary Clara Zetkin proposed at the 1910 International Socialist Woman's Conference that 8 March be honored as a day annually in memory of working women. The day has been celebrated as International Women's Day or International Working Women's Day ever since. After women gained suffrage in Soviet Russia in 1917, March 8 became a national holiday there. The day was then predominantly celebrated by the socialist movement and communist countries until it was adopted by the feminist movement in about 1967. The United Nations began celebrating the day in 1975. Commemoration of International Women's Day today ranges from being a public holiday in some countries to being largely ignored elsewhere. In some places, it is a day of protest; in others, it is a day that celebrates womanhood. International Women's Day Celebration at St Austell Brewery International Women's Day Celebration at St Austell Brewery International Women's Day Celebration at St Austell Brewery With Maggie Parks and Susie Brown Film, Discussion Panel and Speak Outs Film, Discussion Panel and Speak Outs
Location: St Ladoca's Church Church of St Crida St Cuby's Church St Michael Penkevil Church St Rumon’s Church St Philleigh Church St Just in Roseland Church Photographer: Rowena Castillo Nicholls Videographer: Rob Nicholls In the Philippines, we religiously and devotedly celebrate Easter. It's a national holiday on a Maundy Thursday and Good Friday plus Black Saturday and Easter Sunday, you end up with 4 days holiday. Bisita Iglesia or the Seven Churches Visitation is a pious Roman Catholic Lenten tradition to visit seven churches on the evening of Maundy Thursday. During the Seven Churches Visitation, the faithful visit several churches – sometimes seven, sometimes fourteen, sometimes no set number depending upon the particular practice – to pray before the Blessed Sacrament in each church. First church for our "Bisita Iglesia" is the St Ladoca's Church. 2nd church for our "Bisita Iglesia" is the Church of St Crida. 3rd church for our "Bisita Iglesia" is the St Cuby's Church. 4th church for our "Bisita Iglesia" is the St Michael Penkevil Church. 5th church for our "Bisita Iglesia" is the St Rumon’s Church. 6th church for our "Bisita Iglesia" is the St Philleigh Church. 7th church for our "Bisita Iglesia" is the St Just in Roseland Church, my favourite church. A legend says that Joseph of Arimathea may have brought Jesus ashore here. Whether that is true or not, many people do feel the presence of God here, just as people have through the centuries. Maundy Thursday
Maundy Thursday is the start of the main Easter celebrations in the Philippines, which is part of the larger Holy Week celebrations. According to Biblical tradition, Jesus was crucified on the Cross on a Friday (hence, “Good Friday”), and Maundy Thursday commemorates the events leading up to the Crucifixion. Maundy (also known as the “Washing of the Feet”) is a religious rite. A re-enactment of the Lord’s Supper and Jesus washing his disciples’ feet are often observed on this day. Filipinos traditionally visit either seven or 14 churches (this tradition is called visita iglesia or “to visit churches”) where this re-enactment is held. Good Friday Good Friday is part of the Christian Easter Week celebrations (also known as ‘Holy Week’). Good Friday is two days before Easter Sunday, which normally coincides with the March Equinox and may also coincide with the Jewish Passover. Good Friday in the Philippines is a national public holiday commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. The crucifixion is symbolised by the Cross and, according to the Biblical Gospels, it was by this ancient form of death penalty that Jesus Christ sacrificed himself and died so that he could save humanity from their sins. Easter is a solemn holiday season and many Filipinos abstain from activities they may deem as ‘worldly’ (e.g. drinking alcohol). On Good Friday, many choose to abstain from eating meat and often pray and fast as part of their religious traditions. Masses are held in the early afternoon to commemorate and reflect on Jesus’ crucifixion. According to Christian scriptures, Jesus died on the cross at 3pm, so it is at this time in the mass that people become silent and meditate on Jesus’ sacrificial death. Catholic Filipinos observe the Stations of the Cross as part of the Good Friday mass. These ‘stations’ are often paintings or sculptures that depict specific moments of Jesus on his way to be crucified. They are also often re-enacted by actors as part of an Easter procession. In the Philippines in particular, some people even go so far as to crucify themselves on a wooden cross to symbolise their devotion, as part of their penance or vow. Black Saturday On “Black Saturday,” preparations are made for the late-night Easter vigil at church. There, the Gloria is sung, and some call it “Glorious Saturday.” In some places, an effigy of Judas is hung and burned up, though sometimes, he is blown to pieces by firecrackers. At midnight, the fasting and mourning ends because it is finally the day on which Christ arose from the grave in victory. A 4am on Easter Morning, a ceremony commemorates the meeting of Mary and Jesus after the Resurrection. The black-veiled image of Mary is unveiled by one or more people dressed up like angels, and sometimes, the veil is tied to balloons or a dove to be carried away in the air. The image of Christ also is unveiled, and flowers and confetti fall down on the statues of both Mary and Jesus. Bells ring and fireworks explode in the sky. Legend has it, however, that if the veil is removed only with difficulty, bad luck will accompany the year to come. Location: Trelusback Farm
Photographer: Rowena Castillo Nicholls Videographer: Rob Nicholls The weather had been really lovely. Sunny and warm. I had a wonderful day at Keith Wilson's Trelusback Farm. In the morning, we had a fantastic talk on ORKS, Online wildlife Recording for Kernow and Scilly from our guest speaker Steve Crummay, Chair of The Environmental Records Centre for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly Advisory Board. In the afternoon, we had a walk around Keith Wilson's lovely farm. We've seen loads of amazing wildlife. Thank you Keith Wilson for your hospitality. Thank you Steve Crummay for the very informative talk. Thank you Gloria for Purple Buddleia. I had an enjoyable and fun filled day. Location: Botallack Count House, Botallack, Cornwall
What a brilliant day!!! Me and Rob Nicholls were so delighted to received "The Swift Long Service Award" and a gorgeous Swift pin badge in recognition of 5 years' volunteering with the RSPB (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds) at the RSPB's Pre-Season get together in Botallack Count House. We also had a lovely coastal walk on the cliffs. Loads of amazing wildlife flying around. When we got home I have a letter confirming that I have been accepted and enrolled in my Teaching course. Hooray. Today is my lucky day. It's going to be a a very busy Spring and Summer season for me. As of this moment, all my days are now officially fully booked. Thank God, I'm good in multi-tasking and I have an excellent time management skill. I can juggle my work, school, my volunteering activities with RSPB (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds) and CBMS (Cornwall Butterfly and Moth Society). But the most important thing is, I love what I'm doing and I enjoy every moment. It gives me happiness, contentment and self satisfaction. God is great, all the time! He answers all our prayers. Location: Fraddon Village Hall
Thank you to everyone who attended the Cornwall Butterfly & Moth Society Annual General Meeting at Fraddon Village Hall today most especially to the following: Dave Conway for agreeing to chair the AGM, Debi Phillips and Russell Hemmings for the catering (the cakes and sausage rolls were delicious), Richard and Felicia Mary Jones from the Bumblebee Conservation Trust, Madeline Lowe, Pat James and Tony James from the Cornwall Moth Group for bringing some stick insects and some of their collection, Lee Slaughter and Lisa Slaughter for the book stall, John Chappel and Kate Jones for lending and setting up the projector. Special thanks to the 3 brilliant speakers - The Bude Water Vole Project by Teagen Hill of Westland Countryside Stewards, Our Return to Langkawi Island by Tony James and Life of a Keeper and our Conservation Projects by Sarah-Jayne Cooke of Paradise Park. Welcome to the new trustee: Andrew Carey and Simon Riley. Congratulations to all the lucky winners of the raffle and the auction. Money goes to purchasing a bench in memory of our honorary chairman, Barry Ofield Happy birthday to my number 1 fan, my staunch supporter, my loyal ally, and most of all, the one and only love of my life. Your love makes every day of my life so warm and sunny in the cold weather of Cornwall. I feel so blessed coz God gave me the most loving and caring husband with an excellent IQ. 19th February is your special day and I‘m going to be your PERSONAL GENIE on this day. Your wish is my command. (take note only on your birthday. bwuahahaha...) I love you to the moon and back - Rowena 🎂🍻🎁🎉🎊🎈💜❤️ Happy birthday Rob! Wishing you more blessings, good health and happiness. May all your dreams and wishes come true. Loads of love, hugs and kisses from la familia CASTILLO - Daddy Leon, Mommy Angie, brother Russel, sis-in-law Myla, Gabrlel Angelo, Miguel Angelo and sistah Rachel 🎂🍻🎁🎉🎊🎈💜❤️ This is what greeted Rob, the birthday boy when he came down this morning. This is just the beginning of the many surprises I have for this birthday boy. More is yet to come. Thank you mommy Angie and daddy Leon, brother Russel, sis-in-law Myla, nephew Gabriel Angelo and Miguel Angelo, sistah Rachel, auntie Joy, cousin Katherine and Jameson for all the fantastic and fabulous gifts you gave to Rob. I'm 100% sure that he will enjoy opening them later on. Your generosity and thoughtfulness is much appreciated. I'm sooo lucky and blessed to have such an amazing family. Viva La Famila Castillo. 💜❤️💙💚💛 Location: Jamie Oliver's Fifteen Cornwall, Watergate Bay, Cornwall Dining with spectacular view of Watergate Bay for Rob's birthday meal at Jamie Oliver's Fifteen Cornwall. The food is sumptuous as always. For starters, I had mussels served with fennel and ciabatta while Rob had monkfish cheeks served with preserved lemon. For mains, I had ox tongue serve with watercress and horseradish while Rob had potatoes served with pancetta, olives and capers. For desserts, I had vanilla panna cotta served with pomegranate and pistachio while Rob had rhubarb tart served with creme fraiche. We really enjoyed our meal. Thank you to the superb chef and excellent staff. Cheers! Location: Watergate Bay, Cornwall After that sumptuous birthday meal at Jamie Oliver's Fifteen Cornwall, we went for a walk in Watergate Bay. Although there was a very thick fog, it's actually warm. It's not that cold. Loads of wildlife around. Location: Home Sweet Home, Grampound Road, Cornwall
What a wonderful day. Had a sumptuous birthday meal at Jamie Oliver's Fifteen Cornwall. Had a lovely walk in Watergate Bay. And now it's time for the birthday boy to open his gifts. Rob had an enjoyable and fun-filled time opening his gifts. Thank you mommy Angie and daddy Leon, brother Russel, sis-in-law Myla, nephew Gabriel Angelo and Miguel Angelo, sistah Rachel, auntie Joy, cousin Katherine and Jameson for all the fantastic and fabulous gifts you gave to Rob. I'm 100% sure that he will enjoy opening them later on. Your generosity and thoughtfulness is much appreciated. I'm sooo lucky and blessed to have such an amazing family. Viva La Famila Castillo. 💜❤️💙💚💛 A simple but memorable birthday celebration. Location:
Our Lady Star of the Sea & Saint Anthony Catholic Church, St Mawes, Roseland Peninsula Pendeen Centre, Penzance Geevor Tin Mine to Levant Mine and Beam Engine, Penzance Trewellard South Cliff to Whealcock Zawn, Penzance Roscommon Cliffs to Botallack Head to the Crown Engine House, Penzance St Michael's Mount, Marazion, Penzance Photographer: Rowena Castillo Nicholls Videographer: Rob Nicholls The weather is gorgeous today. Finally, I had a day of sunshine. Hoorah! Attend the Sunday Mass at the Roman Catholic Church, Our Lady Star of the Sea and Saint Anthony in St Mawes in the morning. After the mass, off we go as quickly as we can to Pendeen Centre to attend the "Pre-Nesting Gathering of Chough Watchers" Unfortunately, we were a bit late as it took as one hour and forty five minutes to get there. After the talks from great speakers, we went for a few miles walk from Geevor Tin Mine to Levant Mine and Beam Engine to Trewellard South Cliff to Whealcock Zawn to Roscommon Cliffs to Botallack Head to the Crown Engine House. It was an enjoyable and fun-filled walk while chatting with all the lovely people who loves wildlife most especially the Cornish Choughs. And Jenny me told me all the stories about Levant Mine on our way back. Very educational. And of course, our day is not complete without seeing the Cornish Choughs. We saw 2x flying gracefully. We heard them first before we saw them. We even saw 1x Peacock on the coast path. My first butterfly for 2017. Looking forward to see more this coming weeks. After the walk, we went to Marazion to admire the beauty of St Michael's Mount. One of my favourite places in Cornwall. It never seizes to amazed me. Super duper tired. I have no more energy to cook so we just went for a Chinese buffet. Hmmm happy tummy!!! Location: Fraddon Village Hall
Photographer: Rowena Castillo Nicholls Videographer: Rob Nicholls It's great to see friends and fellow wildlife enthusiasts at the Cornwall Butterfly and Moth Society 2017 Annual General Meeting. Thank you to everyone who came most especially to our 3 brilliant speakers - Steve Crummay (of Explore in Cornwall, A Wildlife Expedition to Lake Baikal), Paul Browning (Butterfly Photographing in the Pyrenees) and John Chapple/Kathryn Jones (Birds in Cornwall through the years). Special thanks to Russell Hemmings and Debi Philips for their fantastic work in catering. Congratulations to Barry Ofield, CBMS Honory Chairman. And to everyone involved in making this event a huge success, a massive thank you! Looking forward to another excellent summer of butterflies and moths! Cheerios!!! Location:
Our Lady Star of the Sea & Saint Anthony Catholic Church, St Mawes, Roseland Peninsula The Rising Sun Inn, St Mawes, Roseland Peninsula St Mawes Harbour, St Mawes, Roseland Peninsula Castle Cove, St Mawes, Roseland Peninsula Home Sweet Home, Grampound Road Photographer: Rowena Castillo Nicholls Videographer: Rob Nicholls Today is a special day. It's the "??" birthday of my husband Rob Nicholls. He's another year older and another year wiser. Growing older is like wine, you get better as you age. Aging doesn't matter unless you are cheese. Hahaha... To start our day, we attended the Sunday Mass at the Roman Catholic Church, Our Lady Star of the Sea and Saint Anthony in St Mawes in the morning. Then we went for a Sunday roast at The Rising Sun. The food is superb and the cake was lush. Had a great time listening to all the funny anecdotes of Rob Nicholls about boats and sailing while having some drinks. After that hearty meal, we went for an enjoyable walk and jumping on the beach. And the winner for the highest jump is no other than the birthday boy. Rob had a great time opening all his presents when we got home. Of course, the highlight of the evening is my present - PANASONIC VIDEO CAMERA. He absolutely loves it. He has a new toy to keep him busy bee. Location: Hall for Cornwall, Truro
Photographer: Rowena Castillo Nicholls Videographer: Rob Nicholls Had a really enjoyable and fun-filled evening at the Hall For Cornwall for the Sing-a-long-a Grease. Been singing and dancing all throughout the evening. Location: Home Sweet Home, Grampound Road
Photographer: Rowena Castillo Nicholls Videographer: Rob Nicholls I know what you are thinking, that celebrating Valentine's Day is quite " cheezy"! But what can I do, I am a hopeless romantic. In my teenage years, I fell in love with "Sweet Dreams", a series of over 230 numbered stand-alone teen romance novels. Later on, I became engrossed on mystery by "Nancy Drew", a fictional American character in a mystery fiction series and "The Hardy Boys", a mystery series and the detective handbook. A few years later, I became a huge fan of "Historical Romance" most especially the one written by Judith Mc Naught and Johanna Lindsey, who are now my favourite authors. I keep 2 sets of copies on all their books, one in Cornwall and another one in the Philippines. I never get tired reading their books. Rob surprise me with some lovely flowers, chocolates and a gorgeous card in bed. As soon as I got home from work, I quickly cooked our Valentine's Dinner. Starter - Mixed Pulses Soup. Mains - Roast Organic Duck (marinated overnight in tangerine and ginger), Roast Cornish Pork (marinated overnight in lemon and rosemary) served with roast potatoes, onion stuffing and steamed veggies. Dessert - Chocolate Sponge Cake served with Kelly's Chocolate and Vanilla Icecream. Sooo lush! Location: Home Sweet Home, Grampound Road
Photographer: Rowena Castillo Nicholls Videographer: Rob Nicholls The festivities continues with the young ones... Our 1st starter was LENTIL SOUP. Our 2nd starter was POMEGRANATE and CLEMENTINE salad. Our main course was NOODLES with PORK and CABBAGE and ROAST PORK with WILD RICE. For dessert, we have quite a few selections from CHOCOLATE CAKE, CHOCOLATE MOUSSE, MACARONI SALAD and the ULTIMATE CHEESEBOARD. I have 13 different kinds of ROUND-SHAPED FRUIT on my fruits tray. In the Philippines, 13 round fruits are traditionally are eaten on New Year’s Day since 13 is considered a lucky numbers. The best part is that fruits are filled with lots of vitamins and nutrients and can also protect against certain types of cancer. LENTIL is for luck. With their coin-like appearance, lentils are a natural symbol for luck. BLACK-EYED PEAS is for success. Black-eyed peas represent success because each pea represents a coin and a whole serving equals prosperity. PORK is for progress. Eating pork on New Year's Day symbolizes progress in several countries, as the pig is known for pushing forward. NOODLES is for longevity. A long noodle represents a long life. CABBAGE is for prosperity. Greens of any sort symbolize the almighty dollar. Have some cabbage and prosper in the New Year. POMEGRANATE is for good health. With so many delicious seeds inside a pomegranate, it's easy to understand how it represents an abundance of health, fertility and prosperity. ORANGES is for abundance. The Chinese culture considers oranges to represent good fortune, wealth and gold. In addition, oranges naturally ripen this time of the year, so you'll also enjoy an abundance of vitamin C. GRAPES is for happiness. Try the Spanish and Portuguese tradition of eating 12 grapes at midnight on New Year's Eve - sweet ones supposedly lead to 12 happy months. Gold, Yellow and Brown are the colours for 2017, the year of the rooster. Location: Home Sweet Home, Grampound Road
Photographer: Rowena Castillo Nicholls Videographer: Rob Nicholls HAPPY NEW YEAR TO MY FAMILY, RELATIVES and FRIENDS!!! It’s been an enjoyable evening. Just me and Rob. We had our midnight dinner. Our 1st starter was LENTIL SOUP. Our 2nd starter was POMEGRANATE and CLEMENTINE salad. Our 1st main course was NOODLES with PORK and CABBAGE. Our 2nd main course was ROAST PORK and WILD RICE. We're sooo stuffed. We could not manage to eat the dessert. No more space in our tummy. We'll just have the CHOCOLATE CAKE, CHOCOLATE MOUSSE, MACARONI SALAD and the ULTIMATE CHEESEBOARD today. We’ll just be chilling out at home and we’ll continue eating the rest of our food. Yum yum yum… I have 13 different kinds of ROUND-SHAPED FRUIT on my fruits tray. In the Philippines, 13 round fruits are traditionally are eaten on New Year’s Day since 13 is considered a lucky numbers. The best part is that fruits are filled with lots of vitamins and nutrients and can also protect against certain types of cancer. LENTIL is for luck. With their coin-like appearance, lentils are a natural symbol for luck. BLACK-EYED PEAS is for success. Black-eyed peas represent success because each pea represents a coin and a whole serving equals prosperity. PORK is for progress. Eating pork on New Year's Day symbolizes progress in several countries, as the pig is known for pushing forward. NOODLES is for longevity. A long noodle represents a long life. CABBAGE is for prosperity. Greens of any sort symbolize the almighty dollar. Have some cabbage and prosper in the New Year. POMEGRANATE is for good health. With so many delicious seeds inside a pomegranate, it's easy to understand how it represents an abundance of health, fertility and prosperity. ORANGES is for abundance. The Chinese culture considers oranges to represent good fortune, wealth and gold. In addition, oranges naturally ripen this time of the year, so you'll also enjoy an abundance of vitamin C. GRAPES is for happiness. Try the Spanish and Portuguese tradition of eating 12 grapes at midnight on New Year's Eve - sweet ones supposedly lead to 12 happy months. Gold, Yellow and Brown are the colours for 2017, the year of the rooster. Location:
Pendower Beach, Roseland Peninsula Home Sweet Home, Grampound Road Photographer: Rowena Castillo Nicholls Videographer: Rob Nicholls Went for a lovely walk in Pendower Beach with Kate today. Such a lovely weather. Sooo bright and sunny. We saw quite a few sea birds and a carcass of a young dolphin on the beach. After our lovely walk, we went back home to have dinner with Kate, Simon and Marc. Location: Home Sweet Home, Grampound Road
Photographer: Rowena Castillo Nicholls Videographer: Rob Nicholls Merry Christmas to one and all... Yehey it's Christmas day! I can now open my gifts! Thank you to everyone who sent me messages, cards and most especially to those who sent me these lovely gifts. Your thoughtfulness is much appreciated. Me and Rob had been busy cooking and preparing our Christmas dinner. It's so much fun doing it together. We're like kids playing. We thought we should do this every weekend. Hahaha... For starters, I had prawn cocktail with mary rose sauce and Rob had baked camembert with rosemary and honey plus garlic bread. For our mains, we both had my succulent, moist and juicy roast turkey with all the trimmings. I must say that my roast turkey is simply the best. For dessert... we're supposed to have... chocolate bombe for me and Christmas pudding for Rob but we're already sooo stuffed that we decided to have it later on. After all day, comes the best part - opening of gifts!!! Thank you to everyone who gave me some lovely pressie. My gorgeous stepdaughter Anna and Becky plus their friend Nick came over in the evening. We all had dinner together and some drinks too. It's really great to see them on this special day. We even had an enjoyable game of scrabble on which I won. Location: Home Sweet Home, Grampound Road
Photographer: Rowena Castillo Nicholls Videographer: Rob Nicholls Nochebuena is the Spanish word for Christmas Eve. In Spain, Latin America, and the Philippines, the evening consists of a traditional family dinner. In the Philippines, the traditional dinner comes at midnight after the family hears the late evening Mass known as Misa de Aguinaldo. For our Noche Buena, I've cooked a honey-glazed Ham with with pineapple and cherry, homemade apple sauce, wholemeal Da Bara bread, pickled chestnut, onion and beetroot, green and black olives, a luscious cheeseboard, macaroons, assorted pies, loads of different variety of fruits and a lot more... We had a feast!!! Location: Home Sweet Home, Grampound Road
Photographer: Rowena Castillo Nicholls Videographer: Rob Nicholls A few more hours and we're celebrating Christmas, the birth of Jesus Christ, our Saviour. The Castillo-Nicholls home is ready for the celebration. My dinner table is now set. Cheese board are all laid on the board plus biscuit, chutney, piccalilli, pate and pickles. Fruits are all in the basket and tray. Mixed nuts are on a jar and basket. Pastries and cake are on the tray. Mince Pie are on a plate. Got a gingerbread house too. My ham is now roasting in the oven. My turkey and lamb are marinating in the fridge. Wine, beer, cider and champagne are now cooling in the fridge. My Christmas tree outside is twinkling. Ohhh sooo excited! But it would have been best if I am with my family - mommy Angie Castillo, daddy Leon Castillo, brother Russel Castillo, sis-in-law Myla Castillo, nephew Gabriel Angelo and Miguel Angelo and sistah Rachel Castillo. How I miss you sooo much most especially at this time. Love you loads. Hope next year we are all together. Location:
St Just in Roseland Church, Roseland Peninsula The Quarterdeck, Nare Hotel, Roseland Peninsula Home Sweet Home, Grampound Road Photographer: Rowena Castillo Nicholls Videographer: Rob Nicholls Happy 7th Wedding Anniversary my dear Rob Nicholls!!! I love you for your thoughtfulness… Your understanding way… And for the countless little things you do for me each day… I love you for the hopes and dreams you’ve helped to make come true… But most of all I love you for just being you… With all my love, today and always... To start our 7th Wedding Anniversary celebration, we went to our favourite church, St Just in Roseland Church, to thank God for blessing us with a wonderful life and for keeping us together despite our cultural differences and our love for each other to keep going stronger each day. To celebrate our 7th Wedding Anniversary, we had a meal at our favourite restaurant, The Quarterdeck at The Nare Hotel. For starters, I'm having a "braised pig's cheeks with red wine lentils, pancetta and sage" while Rob is having a "creamy wild mushroom with poached eggs and roasted brioche". For mains, I'm having a "corn fed chicken breast, sticky shallots, rainbow chard, carrot puree and tarragon croquette" while Rob is having a "fish cake with rocket salad, tartar sauce and frites". For dessert, I'm having a "honeycomb cheesecake with oat crumble and lemon/thyme sorbet" while Rob is having a "roasted plums with candied almonds and vanilla sorbet". The food is sooo lushed! Superb! After that lushed and superb 3 course meal, a lovely cup of coffee is just what we need while relaxing and watching the amazing stormy sea. To end our celebration, we had an anniversary cake for us. We went home and loads of presents awaits for both of us! Yipeee! Hooray! Location: International Convention Centre, Birmingham
Photographer: Rowena Castillo Nicholls Videographer: Rob Nicholls The Cornwall Chough Watch Team won the RSPB's President Award. Me (Rowena Castillo Nicholls), Rob Nicholls and Mark Hayhurst went up to the International Convention Centre in Birmingham to received the RSPB's President Award in behalf of the Cornwall Chough Watch Team during the 125th Annual General Meeting of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds on 8th October 2016. The award was presented to us by the RSPB President, Miranda Krestovnikoff. Miranda Krestovnikoff is a British radio and television presenter specialising in natural history and archaeological programmes. She is also an accomplished musician, as well as a qualified scuba diver (which has led to co-presenting opportunities in programmes with an underwater element). It’s a great pleasure to be part of the Cornwall Chough Watch Team since I moved to live in Cornwall in 2009. I felt so much at home being out there on the cliffs watching the Choughs on the North Cornwall Coast and on the Roseland Peninsula. And to be part of the team who won the RSPB’s President Award is just brilliant. It’s an honour to attend the 125th Annual General Meeting of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds at the International Convention Centre to received the award in behalf of the team. It’s a once in a lifetime experience. Something I will treasure for the rest of my life. Cheers to a wonderful year in the Chough World. Cheeeooowww… www.cornishchoughs.org/2016/10/chough-watch-team-receive-rspb-presidents-award/ www.cornishchoughs.org/2016/09/chough-watch-on-the-radio-today/ www.cornishchoughs.org/2016/09/chough-watch-on-the-radio-today/ |
Rowena
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