Bank Holiday Opera and Mocktails!

What is better than a week end? Yes, a Bank Holiday week end! Needless to say I was looking forward to the long week end, and we had quite a few plans - no surprises there!! On Saturday we were up early to head over to Derby for a little wander around the shops. We haven't been there in a while, so always nice to 'spot the new shop'. It was one of those days when we really didn't find anything we wanted, though I came away with a few bits and bobs. We stopped for a coffee, did a little people watching and had lunch at a Thai restaurant we like. The morning really got away from us and by about 2pm we knew we had to start heading back.

Later on Saturday afternoon we headed over to Lichfield, first stop was the theatre to collect some tickets for a show later in the year. Once we had those we headed into town, and who did we see...... Rob from the Opera Boys. I almost didn't recognise him without his suit on - LOL!! He's such a lovely guy, he stopped to chat for a minute or two. Made my day! After a little look around the shops we had dinner at No55, its a wine bar type place. The food was lovely, unfortunately they were showing a footie match on the big screen at the front of the bar and wow - the noise was horrendous. Why do people feel the need to shout at the screen, do they not know the footballers cannot hear them? I am puzzled!  Anyway, we ate and left and I doubt I would go back. I think they are really missing out on the pre-theatre market. Oh well, their choice I guess!!

And then it was time for the main event, off we went to the Garrick to see the lovely Opera Boys. I'm a big fan (some people say stalker, but I think they are being unkind!) and was so looking forward to the show. As always they were fantastic, and even did my favourite song  - Barcelona! I was thrilled as the song wasn't on the play list for this years shows. The theatre was full and the show was great. We had drinkies in the interval, and just had the best evening. This time we were in one of the boxes, loved it! Very good view of the stage, and makes you feel kind of special looking down on everyone else. After the show, we hung around till everyone was gone so we could go and say hello to the guys. I'd promised not to hold everyone up again. The Opera Boys can always be found in the lobby selling their CD's after the shows. A perfect opportunity for photo's and a chat! So, I just happened to say when I was having my photo taken with them, 'guys, you make me look so short' to which Rob relied 'Kathie, you are short'. I feel he could have sugar coated that a little more - ha ha!

On Sunday we went to a craft market at Barton Marina. There were more stalls and better variety this time, so definitely worth a visit. got another cute silver ring with elephants on, there is one stall in particular that I love and we have seen the lady who runs it at various fairs. think I must be one of her best customers now!! After looking around the market we had a walk around the marina, and then headed into Burton on Trent, for lunch at Bella Italia. I had a money off voucher and who can say no to pasta and mocktails? Lunch was good! After a bit of grocery shopping, we headed home for a quiet afternoon. We finally managed to finish season two of 13 Reasons Why - not an easy thing to watch!

It was lovely to be able to enjoy Sunday knowing we also had Monday off.

Alas, I woke up on Monday feeling desperately unwell and spent most of the morning sleep on the sofa. Not how I had planned to spend Bank Holiday Monday - but these things happen! We did manage to visit a local garden centre for a little while in the afternoon, I thought the fresh air might do me some good. After the terrible storms from earlier in the week end, Monday was a lovely warm and sunny day. We even managed to sit out in the garden and had a coffee before dinner, that was so restful. So, that was our week end. No more Bank Holidays till August now - the horror of it!!

 

 

Wedding free week end!

What a beautiful sunny week end it has been in England, the sort of week end you want to be outside making the most of it, not sat in front of a TV. So at 9.30am we were off out on an adventure. We visited Stoneywell a National Trust property, its a small place and you have to book in advance if you want to visit. I thought perhaps due to a certain event taking place in Windsor, that Stoneywell would be quiet. No!! Apparently they were fully booked for the whole day. We had a wonderful few hours, first we did the house tour, its a wonderfully quirky place. The house is built into the side of a hill, so when you go inside one side of the building is actually rock.  As you make your way through the house and move up too the higher levels, you still find yourself looking out at ground level due to being on the side of a hill. The last owner of the house only moved out a few years ago when he was in his mid-80's. I really don't know how he coped with the damp or the steep stairs! Paul and I love visiting though and try to go once a year. When we left the house we stopped for tea and cake in their small but sweet  tea room, who can resist lime and coconut cake! The gardens were looking pretty spectacular with all the flowers in full bloom. I think this year we picked the best week end to visit! We also had a lovely walk through the woods, no teddy bears to be found sadly. We had hoped to stumble upon the famous picnic!!

After leaving Stoneywell we stopped at a local pub called the Copt Oak for lunch, the pub was very quiet so we had a delicious meal and excellent service! I loved the fact that there were no TV's in the pub, and it was quiet. What a lovely day! Its been nice to stay a little nearer to home these last couple of week ends.

On Sunday we headed into Ashby quite early to visit the Farmers Market. Its only a small market, but still nice to look around on a warm sunny morning. We did buy a variety of flowers which I look forward to seeing in our garden. We had breakfast in the pub (very disappointing, I think I'll give that a miss in future!) and then headed off towards Castle Donnington. There were two reasons for this little trip, firstly to try an alternative route to the airport. Not sure this is going to be viable, some of the roads are unnamed and way too easy to miss. We missed one left turn which had us going way past where we should have been. Not being familiar with these country roads I' not sure I would want to do this on the day we fly! However, as we're travelling the week end of Download (very unfortunate) who know what way we'll end up going! The second reason for this little strip to visit Available Cars, a huge car supermarket. On my god - so many cars!! We wondered up and down the aisles, sitting in some of the cars to get a feel for them. My favourite from a colour point of view was the Skoda Citigo - the most awesome shade of green! On a practical level, I think my favourites were the Kia Picanto (yes, I know that's what I have now!!) and the Nissan Micra. But it was just a looking expedition, so I had to wave farewell to the lovely green car!

Our afternoon was spent at home, it was such a beautiful day. Washing dried, a pleasant evening stroll and drinks in the garden. I think we're totally onto something - rhubarb gin and rose lemonade!! The perfect combination for a sunny evening. I'm always left wondering though, why do week ends fly by so fast!!

Ten una buena semana.

 

 

Home Sweet Home

Well this week end for us has been a very quiet one and I wondered whether to write - but why not! For us to have a quiet week end is an unusual event. The weather was lovely over the week end, much nice than expected. So on Saturday we went into Burton to do some shopping, not somewhere we get to often these days. What did I come away with....more stationery! I know, I have no will power. But temptation is my constant companion - LOL!!

From Burton we headed to Byrkley Park Garden centre. Its fun looking around at everything - even the plants! It made me remember we still had our honey pot that we bought a while ago, and Paul hasn't planted anything in it! It does make me wonder, are garden centres in other countries the same? Do they sell everything from books, to shoes to food?

It was a busy afternoon for us, windows were cleaned and new curtains hung, cupboards cleared out and old clothes bagged up for charity. I have to come to terms with the fact, I will never get into them again *sad*. Our reward for all this hard work was a gin and tonic out in the garden. Now a lovely place to sit and enjoy the good weather.

On Sunday we headed over to Charnwood Alpacas in Ashby, we've been there a couple of times to go on Alpaca walks which are great fun! However on Sunday we got there to find the entrance to the farm had moved, and after driving up and down the road a couple of times, we finally located it. I wish I had know we would be off-roading, my little car bounced all the way down the very uneven and unmade track till me landed in the car park! I am just glad we didn't meet anyone coming the other way! The Farms 'Chilli Bean Cafe' is now open all day and is serving breakfast, so we thought we would try it out. The choice is quite limited, but the food was good! My eggs Benedict was lovely, and Paul's vegetarian hash with an egg on top looked nice too. Not sure about the addition of black pudding though - ugh!! After breakfast we drove into Ashby and had a wander through the town, not too much opens here on a Sunday, but it was too nice a day to just go home! Plus I got a new book (nobody tell Melissa!!) it is a retelling of the Disney tale 'Beauty and the Beast'. I am looking forward to reading that.

Sunday flew by too fast. We were able to sit out in the garden and have an al fresco lunch and in the evening went for a walk. Plans to finish my memory box went out the window, about the same time we went out in the garden with a drink - LOL! Week-ends are wonderful, but they are not long enough!!

 

Live from the hay bale 2018.....and beyond!

Yippee!! A bank holiday week end, the best kind of week end as Monday is a public holiday! On Saturday we were up early and on our way by 8.20am. When we arrived at Hardwick hall, we headed to their coffee shop for something to drink, a nice civilised way to start the day. After that we made our way to the Food Festival. We go every year, and I have never seen so many people there. I guess the good weather brought everyone out! There were two big marquees full of stalls, it was fun ambling about looking at everything and sampling all the goodies for sale - cheese, sausages, gin, vodka etc. There was quite a variety, and its always best to get there early before the crowds really builds up. By mid-morning you can barely get near the stalls - especially when you are only 5ft tall! We bought quite a few things, including snacks for lunch.

As usual there was live music, so we found ourselves a comfy hay bale and enjoyed listening. The performer was called Jessica Rhodes and apparently she supported Bruno Mars on tour last year. She was really good, and we ended up staying for the whole set. She performed her own songs plus many covers we knew - a lovely way to spend a sunny day! After the set was over we went over to say hello and to buy one of her EP's. She actually thanked us for staying and listening to the whole thing. Performers obviously notice these things - so bare that in mind next time you're listening to live music and decide to get up and walk away!!

We also went to see a cookery demo by Howard Middleton, who was on one of the earlier Great British Bake Offs. He was hilarious and had everyone laughing, it was more of a comedy performance than a cookery demo!

We ended up staying at the food festival way longer than in previous years, the good weather certainly made a huge difference. When we finally dragged ourselves away, we headed over to Hardwick Hall to look around the house and gardens. Though we have been several times before, we always enjoy going back. We discovered Bess of Hardwick holding court in front of the hall, enthralling visitors  with her life story. She certainly is an interesting character, and for her time a very forward thinking woman. The lady who they have playing the part of Bess really gets into the role, you almost feel you have travelled back in time. It all adds to the experience!!

We had a lovely afternoon, and were both tired by the time we left. On the way home we called in at East Midlands Outlet Centre and had a little wander around, followed by dinner at Pizza Express. Lovely way to end the day, we finally got home at around 8.30pm and all I wanted to do was crash out on the sofa!!!

Bank Holiday Monday was a very warm and sunny day, unheard of for a Bank Holiday!! We headed over to Barton Marina in the morning to see the Greatest Showman at the Red Carpet. I have been wanting to see the film again, and I am so glad we got the chance. I think I enjoyed it even more this time, it really is an amazing film. After the film we had lunch at the Red Carpet's bistro. Lunch was lovely, though a little slow in arriving. Mind you we were both hungry which didn't help - LOL!! The marina was very busy, lots of people out enjoying the sunshine, we get so little of it! Of course we had to join the long queue for ice cream. Thankfully they hadn't run out of Jaffa cake ice cream, I would have been so disappointed if they had! Having found somewhere shady to eat our ice cream, we people watched for a little while before heading home.

Even having that extra day, the week end flew by. But we got to enjoy it, even sitting outside in our garden with gin and tonics - very civilised!