Cake confession

An irreverant blog entry today - I thought I better qualify my claims, at the top of the page, of being a 'champion cake baker'. Actually, I can't claim to have won any championships - nor have I entered any.

Above are some cakes I baked this morning with my friend and sister-out-law Sylvia. Ah, the joy of food colouring! We very much went for the rustic and homemade look, as you will observe...

I love buses

People think it odd, but I absolutely love buses. Going on them, that is. I don't mean that I am some sort of bus-spotter, noting down registration numbers with glee (those people do exist, oh yes).

I know a lot of folk think that getting the bus is a pain, but I have never seen it like that. Even with a pushchair, which I admit can be a struggle on the bus (especially when you have a driver with a dislike of buggies), going on the bus is, I think, enjoyable. You can read, listen to music or just observe the huge variety of people who choose the bus as their mode of transport.

I am always amazed at the strange items people choose to transport by bus. A few months ago I saw a woman seemingly using the bus as a removal van, with the help of some friends. She even had a fold up bed along with her. It made me wonder what the story was behind that. Just today a man on the 43 caused much annoyance by trying to transport two massive standard lamps. I myself caused much consternation when I took a huge homemade chocolate cake into work on the C2 in 2005.

I have never really understood the naysayers when it comes to buses. I have heard people refer to buses as 'pov wagons' (hmm...very PC!) and so on, but people from all walks of life use them, especially in London. They're a pretty levelling experience, and a social one as well. People tend to speak much more to each other on the bus than on the tube or other forms of transport. There's something sociable and communal about them, I think.

I wonder whether any snobbery about buses stems from Thatcher's hideous comment about how if a man (what about women - do they exist too?) finds himself on a bus after the age of 27 (was it 27? if so, why?) then he can consider himself a failure. In other words, we should all be driving round in cars, sealed off and alienated from each other, contributing to poor air quality, climate change and sitting in endless traffic jams - then we've really made it.

What utter nonsense. All hail buses!

Please Mr Postman...

We were posting the 268 cards and letters that everyone signed a couple of weeks ago as part of the Amnesty International session. I think we basically filled up the post box! It was extremely satisfying...but this video really isn't very interesting. I apologise. Happy New Year!

Haringey Green Party Amnesty International card signing a success!

Haringey Green Party this afternoon took over Hornsey Vale Community Centre and hosted an Amnesty International Greetings Card signing event. People from the local community joined us for mince pies and Christmas cake (both made by me!), and together we signed over 250 cards and letters to individuals and groups at risk around the world.

Jean Lambert, Green MEP, who was the Justice and Human Right MEP of the year 2005, was in attendence.

It gave us the opportunity to meet local people and get to know them as individuals, which is rather hard when, for example, canvassing on the doorstep! It also shows the people in Stroud Green that we are active and busy all year round - not just at election time. I absolutely loved meeting the people who came along - it was heartening that people would make the effort to come and sit in a hall with us and sign some cards to people in far-flung corners of the world.

At this time of year, when everyone is rushing around trying to organise Christmas, it can be good to take time out to consider those less fortunate than ourselves. By reaching out to them by sending a simple message of goodwill, we can not only boost their morale but also perhaps help to secure their safety. The arrival of these letters and cards let's the powers that be know that these people are known about around the world - they cannot simply be made to 'disappear'.

In short, a postive and worthwhile afternoon! Thanks to everyone who attended and made the event so successful and enjoyable.

After we had cleared up the hall, I had a brief sojourn to a very dark Stationers Park, which is right next to the community centre. With the smell of mulled wine in the air and the sound of carols being sung by the choir, I have to admit to feeling properly Christmassy!

Haringey Green Party Amnesty International Event is a success!

Gearing up for Amnesty International Event

Delivering leaflets in the dark - always a joy! This picture was taken this afternoon in Stroud Green, where Chris and I - plus Clementine, in her pushchair - delivered leaflets for next Sunday's event. As you can see, my fingers remain intact, despite the best efforts of some dogs to deprive me of my digits. (Is there such a thing as a phobia of letterboxes? If so, I am getting close to developing it!).

The leaflets were to promote next Sunday's Amnesty International Greetings card campaign signing event, which is being organised by Haringey Green Party. We'll be signing cards to people at risk around the world, including political prisoners and human rights campaigners. The cards not only serve as a morale boost, but also help to secure the safety of the recipients, who the authorities realise cannot now simply be made to 'disappear'.

We'll be signing the cards along with Jean Lambert, Green MEP, and everyone is welcome to join us. We'll be at Hornsey Vale Community Centre, 60 Mayfield Rd, Stroud Green from 1pm to 5pm next Sunday. Do come join us and help make this event a success!

Keeping the Green flag flying

Here I am, looking somewhat lonesome, waiting for the marchers to arrive at Parliament Square this afternoon. I was setting up the Green Party stall and getting rather cold, despite five layers of clothing. The police reckoned there were 5,000 of us there today - the organisers 10,000. It certainly seemed less than previous years, I'm sorry to say. But it's always a good event, which affords one the opportunity to talk to Green Party members and non-members alike.

A short blog tonight as I am exhausted!