More of a Fizzle than a FUSE

Another hot week-end, will it ever end?? I am starting to wonder! Another week end where activities were curtailed due to it being too hot out to do anything. So, on Saturday we took a tootle out to Woodlands Garden centre. Its one of those really big ones with little shops inside - The Works, Peacocks, Lakeland etc. Always a nice place to wonder around, though it does tend to get quite stuffy inside due to the glass panels in the ceiling. We had cold drinks and a wonder around, before heading on to the Gate in for lunch. The afternoon was spent pottering about at home, catching up with post, writing a few letters and a whole heap of trying to stay cool.

Sunday morning we headed over to Lichfield, somewhere we like to wander around on a Sunday. I love the Flying Tiger shop, so full of wonders and things you never knew you needed. After a little shopping and flat whites at Café Nero's we headed down to Beacon Park for FUSE - billed as an art and music festival.  I can only say we were disappointed! I know we were in the right place, as we had our bags searched before entering the area that was cordoned off the festival. Where was the art? We didn't see any, and there wasn't any music while we were there (maybe musicians only play later in the day!) There were a few stalls selling crafts, and a few food vendors but it only took minutes to walk past those. Plus there was absolutely no shade at all, even at noon the stall holders looked like they were going to melt. So on all counts this festival failed to deliver - oh well, you live and you learn.

After leaving the festival we found a bench in the shade near the park entrance and just watched the world go by. We got married in Lichfield many years ago and had photo's taken in Beacon Park after the ceremony. So, for us lots of happy memories held within the Park.

We had a quiet afternoon at home, even the house was too warm inside. And to further add to my distress, we've now watched all the episodes of Call the Midwife that are on Netflix - oh no!!!

We were of course not watching the World Cup, all interest was lost earlier in the week. Though I am pretty sure most of us are very proud of our young England team and Harry Kane for winning the Golden Boot. So much to be proud of!

Good bye week end - it was a pleasure knowing you, alas you left too soon!

 

 

Ragdolls in the woods!

And as we head into the third week of heat wave, the UK's worst since 1976 (yes, some of us remember the summer of '76) I am slowly losing my sanity! Never a summer person, I am struggling with heat and sleepless nights. I know there are those of you out there that are having it much hotter - but this is England!! We don't cope with weather extremes of any sort, the country is not geared up to deal with it! LOL!

Anyway, on Friday night we headed over to Conkers Amphitheatre to see a Four Seasons tribute band called the Ragdolls. I love Frankie Valli and was so looking forward to this. The amphitheatre was a lovely setting for the show. Set in the middle of woodlands, its quite magical. We took along cushions to sit on, and got drinks from the bar. Then we were all set for the show to start. The Ragdolls were great, fab voices and dance moves! They covered lots of Frankie Valli  songs and a few others for good measure. It was a lovely evening, and as the sun set we enjoyed the music in this woodland setting.

Saturday was HOT! Neither of us wanted to venture far or sit in the car longer than we had too. So, a trip into Burton to do some shopping and brunch at Bella Italia is what we did. The food was delicious - yum! We were home by lunch time throwing open every window we could to try and let some air into the house.

Of course important stuff was going on during Saturday afternoon, the England V Sweden quarter final. Oh My God......we won! The first time since 1990 we have made a semi-final. I believe none of the current England team were even born then! Needless to say the country is in a state of excitement. Could this be THE YEAR??? I'm not a football fan, but who would not want their country to win.

Sunday was EVEN HOTTER. A quick trip to the shops was all we wanted to do. The rest of the day was spent at home, catching up with a bit of housework, and watching a bit of Netflix. And, I finally got around to making my little teddy. For my birthday I got a Teddy in a tin kit, everything you need to make a tiny ted. It was fun to make him, he has his own little pillow and blanket. So cute!! He is named Humphrey (after a character in Death in Paradise - which I love!!)

There endeth my week end. Someone please tell me this heat wave is going to end....SOON!!

 

Heatwave!!

Well as England swelters in the midst of a heatwave, the week end finally rolled around. I am always happy when Friday gets here! For us it was going to be a quiet week end, after having been away a lot during June, we wanted to keep this one low key. So, on Saturday morning we headed over to Lichfield for a couple of hours. Its a nice city to amble around and not really do much, and that's exactly what we did. A little look around the shops and market, and a coffee at the Lounge of Lichfield, where we were able to sit outside and watch the world go by. Don't you just love people watching? Sometimes you just find yourself wondering ....why???

On the way home we called in at Barton Marina as it was still early and had a wander around before heading the Waterfront for a drink. Could have sat there all afternoon on that shady veranda with a cold drink. All I needed was a good book! The rest of the day was spent at home, I am still trying to catch up on a lot of things - including my holiday journal from Belfast.

On Sunday morning we were up early to head back to the Marina to see Jurassic World - Fallen Kingdom at the Red Carpet. I love these films, and this one didn't disappoint. Lots of big fierce dinosaurs and people getting eaten! It did surprise me how many small children were in the audience! I hope they weren't hiding under their beds last night. With the end of the film, we see the world entering a new era, where Dinoaurs and humans will be forced to live side by side. Be interesting to see where evolution will take this.


After the film, we had lunch in the Red Carpet bistro. Nice, but a little disappointed that they had forgotten to plate up something we should have had and then we were over charged too.

Anyone who knows me will know how much I hate the summer and in particular this hot weather. Please someone tell me this isn't going to last much longer!!!!!