Bank Holiday shenanigans

At last August Bank Holiday was  here, and that can only mean one thing....the arrival of my best friend Mandy. Its become a wonderful tradition that she comes up to stay with us every August. Paul picked her up from Tamworth station, and they arrived back at home just before 6pm. It was so lovely to see Mandy again, it had seemed like ages since we last met in London. So this year we decided to do something different, and instead of going out, Paul went out for Chinese take away. I think it worked out quite well as it was a chilly and wet evening, and we were able to get cosy at home, have a natter and eat yummy Chinese food. Oh, and of course there was wine involved.

On the Saturday morning  we woke up  a very  grey and wet day, but we were up early and set off for Lichfield. There was a huge food festival on all week end, with stalls set up all over the city. Sadly the weather let us down and there were several rain showers. We had a look around the shops (who can walk Flying Tiger without going in) popped in the post office (where the girl behind the counter tried to sell me 80 £1.25 stamps.....NO....I said 8...geez!) and wandered around all the stalls (sampling things here and there as we passed) We had a lovely morning, though we had to seek shelter under some leaky scaffolding when the rain became more than a drizzle. We stopped for coffee and also visited the cathedral, which is beautiful. There seemed to be lots going on, and many people milling about.

On the way home we stopped at the big furniture store and had lunch in their coffee shop which was very nice (great idea Mr Ivans!) Saturday afternoon was lovely, the rain had stopped so we were able to sit out in the garden and chat whilst enjoying a damson gin and tonic. When we came in from the garden we got my laptop out and decided to do some shopping at Stationery heaven and split the postage between us. Now, that was fun and I could have spent a fortune! I had to show a lot of restraint. It was fun sharing that experience with a friend who understands the joy of buying pretty writing paper!! That was followed by a sparkling red wine before dinner, I never even knew such a thing existed but it was very nice! We had dinner at home and then 'discovered' the BBC's version of Picnic at Hanging Rock so we watched a couple of episodes. Very lovely chilled evening.

Sunday was WET! We visited Woodland garden centre, which is about 30 minutes away from us. Its a big place with lots of other shops inside like the works, Peacocks, Lakeland etc. It was nice to look around, though we were staggered at how busy the car park was. Strangely, when we went inside the garden centre it did not seem as manic! When we left we got soaked running from the centre to the car, it was pouring and there were huge puddles of water everywhere. I could have literally have poured water out of my trainers. But we stopped for lunch at the Gate Inn, and that was nice. Finally we headed home, I was eager to change out of my wet clothes! The rain never stopped, so we had a very cosy evening at home watching TV, and chatting. Oh, and looking at what theatre shows we might like to see together at Christmas.

On Sunday evening we all went to Spice Touch for dinner, another August tradition. It was a lovely evening and the food was delicious. The restaurant was very busy, so I am glad I booked a table. How quickly the week end flew by, before we knew it Monday morning had come around and we had to take Mandy back to the station. That's the part I don't like - having to say good bye. But at least we know we had a wonderful week end, and the best part is that I will see Mandy again in October.

 

 

Home for the week end

This week end has been a busy one, at 6.30am on Saturday we were up and getting ready for a trip down south. The day did not get off to a very good start as the road leading to the motorway was blocked and we had to turn around and back track till we found an alternative route....grrrr!!

Being a Saturday morning, the traffic was not too bad and by about 10.45am we were at Lakeside in Essex. Its a big mall just before you hit the Dartford Crossing. We stopped at Bella Italia for breakfast (a rather spicy frittata for me!) and coffee, then had a look around the shops. I found a lovely parka in Primark which I just couldn't leave behind. After a couple of hours, which was a welcome break from the car, we were on our way again to my parents house in South London.

When we got to Penge, there was nowhere to park - what a surprise - NOT!! We ended up in the next road which was not great as we had a bedside table for mum, which Paul had to carry all the way to their house. I don't think parking in Penge will ever improve no matter what new initiatives they introduce.

It was great to see mum and dad, especially as I had to cancel my trip last month. As some of you will know dad has been in and out of hospital all summer and not been in the best of health. Its been a worrying time, so you can imagine my delight to see dad looking well and much more like his old self. Still frail, but he's up and about and I cannot tell you the change in him since the last time I saw him at the end of June. We had a lovely few hours with them, Paul did some gardening for them and we chatted with dad. In the evening Paul and I went out and got a Chinese takeaway which was delicious and cheaper than what we buy at home. Not everything is more expensive down south! I was so sad when it was time to leave, saying goodbye almost breaks my heart 😢

As we aren't able to stay with mum and dad at the moment, I had booked us into a Holiday Inn express near Dunstable, a half way point home which meant we didn't have to do that long journey in one go! The hotel was nice but we found the staff very unwelcoming, how disappointing. I think HIE could do way better. Breakfast in the morning was good, and there was a nice selection. It amazes me though to see how people pile their plates up as if they are worried the food will run out! It was pretty chaotic and not really enough seating!

On the way home we stopped at MK1 for coffee and a tootle around Primark. A great place to stop if you are driving along the A5. Our final stop for the week end was Whilton Locks garden centre where I got another book (I couldn't resist) and a lovely new diary for planning next years adventures. We definitely prefer coming home via the A5 more things to look at and places to stop. A tiring week end but a really nice one.

 

 

Let's go vintage

Saturday morning found us up early to head off to RAF Cosford for their new event - a vintage and handmade festival. Arriving early, we had time to park and have a little walk around before heading down to Hangar one to access the festival. A smaller event than the food festival last month, there were lots of stalls to look around but not much choice on the food front and a fraction of the vendors we have seen  at Cosford before. It was fun looking around, even though we didn't buy anything a part from jams and chutneys. We did have a nice lunch, followed by ice cream!

There was lots of 1940's themed musical entertainment, first up was a George Formby tribute which was very good and so funny! His mum was sitting in the front row, which made us all smile! We also saw the Ronnies and Gloria Sunset. Both good too, but we really missed the Bluebird Belles. The music was definitely the highlight of the day. Sadly the spitfire fly over was cancelled, I expect this was due to the windy conditions. The weirdest thing of the day was hearing the Ronnies performing Wuthering Heights (the Kate Bush hit) in a 1040's swing style. It did not work - at all!

We stayed at the festival will about 2pm, then walked over to the RAF museum. Its a really interesting place, with lots of exhibits to look at. The museum is free and I can highly recommend a visit. It took us about an hour to get home. I am glad to say the rain held off till we were home, how lucky is that!

 

 

Visiting Shakespeare country

Early on Saturday morning we set off for Stratford Upon Avon, its about an hour away from us and by about 9.20am we were at the park and ride waiting for a bus into town. I love Stratford, its a wonderful place to amble about pretending to be a tourist. Our first stop was the market which was mostly bric-a-brac. We had a wander around and then headed of for coffee. We found a new coffee shop in Bell Court with tables outside, it was a lovely spot to enjoy a coffee and do some people watching.

After our coffee break we had a walk around the shops and then headed down to the park, by this point it was already really warm. So we sat in the shade and watched many tour parties go by. In seemed to be one after another, all led by someone holding an umbrella. Its quite comical to watch. At noon we decided to take a boat ride down, what a lovely way to spend an hour - just bobbing down the Avon. When you get on the boat you get a hand held audio guide which tells you about the buildings and sites you are passing. I think this must be new, I don't remember having an audio guide in the past.

Next, it was lunch time and we made our way to the Giggling Squid, a lovely thai restaurant. I couldn't resist the name! The food was delicious and we would definitely return. After lunch we thought we would walk to the church to see William Shakespeares Grave. its about a 20  minute walk from the town centre, but thankfully mostly in the shade. When we got to the church it was closed for a wedding. I wasn't best pleased, this is the second time we've walked up there and its been closed. So we had a wasted journey. Its not a very nice area either, there are many  homeless people around the church, most of whom seemed to be very drunk and behaving very inappropriately. I don't think I would bother to walk there again.

A part from the wasted trip the church it was a lovely day, and I do love Stratford. There is always something new to see or do.

Sunday was a very quiet day, and today.....was our first day in our new office. Everything is unpacked and put away. That was a challenge, our drawers are teeny and I am sure the cupboards are smaller too. The building is spacious though, and sat here in my corner I can't see a soul. I have seen some interesting things from the window though, a Shetland pony, a bus and a vintage vehicle. I didn't even know there was a road behind the building, let alone such a well used one.  I'll get used to it - I'm sure?!

 

 

August?? What happened to July?

Somehow, without me even noticing August has arrived. 2018 seems in such a hurry to leave us, you can already notice its starting to get dark a little earlier in the evenings and soon the shops will be full of Christmas merchandise (don't roll your eyes -lol - you know its going to happen!)

Not had a chance to blog the past couple of weeks due to a very nasty stomach virus which pretty much wiped me out for the best part of a week. Not just me, but husband too! I honestly don't ever remember being so horribly sick. You know its bad when you don't even have the energy to pick up a book!

Prior to this we had attended a food festival over at RAF Cosford. It a great event with lots of stalls (so lots of goodies were sampled) live music and cookery demo's. We got to see the Bluebird Belles who we love, they perform a lot of numbers from the 1940's.  We had a great time, and spent a few hours just enjoying the festival. In the afternoon we headed over to the RAF museum, its a very interesting place and Paul loves all the old planes. It was a very good day out!

What else? We went to see Mamma Mia 2 which we loved. What a great movie, I loved the way they wove the story around the songs. And it was great to hear so many great songs from Arrival! I felt totally inspired to go out and buy Arrival on CD.

So currently having a manic week at work, not only the busiest time of year but we are moving offices next week and are currently surrounded by packing crates. Tomorrow I must pack - my cupboards are full of hard hats, first aid kits, safety boots etc. What a joy that will be, ha ha! And then on Monday a new chapter of my FG adventure begins.