Another Saturday, my favourite day of the week and no excuse for a lay in. We were up bright and early so we could head up to Bakewell for the monthly farmers. Its well worth a visit and was very crowded as usual. We both love to look at all the lovely local produce that's for sale. There are many stalls, selling all manner of stuff. We ended up buying lots - venison and cranberry pies, cheese, apple crumble, handmade chocolate - all the usual healthy stuff. Ho hum!!! The weather wasn't great, and there was a fine drizzle in the air all morning. But hardly something that was going to spoil our morning.

We didn't spend too much time in Bakewell itself today, but we did go to Lavenders for tea and popped in to look around the craft market. I think I must have some sort of internal radar for Alice in wonderland merchandise cause I found a really cute bracelet on one of the stalls. Made me day! I suspect the bracelet was made using a pendent, and I may well consider turning it back into one at some point.

And this afternoon I caught up with my lovely friend Lesley for coffee and cake at our local Costa's. Its always nice to see someone special, and just chill out over a skinny caramel latte! Its been a good day, luckily our Saturday's usually are.

Another week end, and I find myself thinking....where did it go?? By my standards this was a very quiet week end, after an exhausting week at work, I was too tired to do much of anything. However we did decide to have a trip into Derby. Not the most exotic location I hear you cry!  Maybe not, but half an hour in Lush whisked me away on a voyage of discovery accentuated by the heavenly scents of faraway places- making this a most heavenly week end. The joy of Lush is being able to try the products, to get your hands in bowls of warm water and experience the luscious soaps, scrubs and bath bombs. Its so easy to close your eyes and drift away on a magical journey. This time I was transported to California with the smell of oranges and sunshine!! Needless  to say I spent way too much....oops.

After wandering around Westfield for a while and doing some more Christmas shopping (it is only 64 days away you know) we both decided we were tired and in need of lunch. Thankfully Derby is not short of pubs, and we stopped at the very pleasant Argosy to revive ourselves. The sizzling chicken was good, but the baked vanilla cheesecake with pieces of honeycomb on top was fabulous! Just what a tired Kathie needed.

Not every week end is going to take us somewhere new or exciting. But if you look closely enough, there is wonder and joy all around. It's sometimes stopping to enjoy the little things that makes an ordinary week end a heavenly one.

Could this be classed as a heavenly week end - I guess heavenly is in the eye of the beholder! Its been cold, dark and wet, but we've had a great week end. Yesterday morning was spent at Thomas Cook's - by the time we left two and a quarter hours later our holiday to Orlando was booked. It always pays to walk in with a plan, printed out on-line quotes and the patience to sit and wait till they go thru all their options and finally price match the quote you hold in your hand. But now we have something to look forward to and something to get us thru the winter.
The rain carried on into today to the point where local roads were under water and the whole world looked washed out and grey.  But we ventured out to the Pipeworks to do some Christmas shopping. The car park was a nightmare, and you have to ask yourself ......where do all these people come from? People would barely let you out of your parking space before trying to drive into it. If its this bad now, what will it be like nearer to Christmas?? But even tho it was a wet and miserable morning, it was one i got to spend with Mr Ivans - what more could I ask for!  Maybe only one thing.....that Subway served their breakfast specials till noon, not 11am - LOL!!

Travelodge Doncaster - be warned, its not actually in Doncaster! Its just off the A1 on Junction 38 near Carcroft. Not far from Doncaster, bit misleading to say the least. Thankfully we knew this, worth doing a little research! Apparently the Bay City Rollers stayed here back in the Halcyon days - what a claim to fame! The hotel was clean and comfortable, but in need of a refurbishment. It looks a little tired! The hotel is on a service area, and there is a petrol station and Little Chef on site.

You can exit the hotel straight onto the A1 northbound, however there is a back road that takes you thru some country roads and onto the southbound carriageway. Very handy if you're not heading north! If you get the hotel room at a good price, then its definitely worth snapping up. Just don't expect the Ritz!

My love of sharing my travels seems to have over flowed from Facebook. I love to post photo's and take you all on a pictorial journey with me when ever we are away. But a picture doesn't always tell the whole story. You can admire a photo and think - that looks pretty - but often you won't really know where that photo was taken. For some just admiring the photo will be enough, but maybe there are others who like me have inquiring minds and want to know more. I always want to know more!! Every piece of  information fills my mind with more questions.

Last week end we were away in Doncaster, well the general vicinity ! Whenever I say we're going to Doncaster, i am usually met with one question.....WHY??? Do i have enough time to list the reasons?? I fear not, so instead let me tell you about what we experienced of this lovely area.

As with any week end, shopping was involved! I'm sure you didn't doubt that for a moment! Lakeside is located on White Rose Way and as they name suggests situated by a lake. A couple of hours happily spent exploring, tho by far my favourite store is  Hallmark. Up to 75% off and 3 for 2 on stationery items.....would be rude to refuse. The great thing about Lakeside is that there are two hotels very close by, a premier Inn almost on site and a lovely new and sparkly Travelodge a short walk away. And a lovely big Beefeater too. Doncaster's football stadium is also very near by, and we were there on game day. There were crowds outside the Beefeater, but they caused no problems.