Spirits of Salford Hall

Another lovely week end, this time despite the awful weather. On Saturday we left fairly early and made our way to Stratford-upon-Avon, always a favourite place of mine. It was a grey and wet day, but we started the day with a coffee at Debenhams and then we went for a wander around the market and shops. It wasn't quite as busy as usual though there were still plenty of tourists around. Of course we had to visit The Nutcracker Christmas shop! We had lunch as ASK Italian, always a good choice. By the time we had lunch the rain was getting heavier, and with no umbrella we were getting wetter! So we decided to call it a day and head to a nearby garden centre. When the park and ride bus came along, the bus driver let us ride for free - what a nice man! Then, when we got to the garden centre they were handing out glasses of Prosecco. How very civilized!

We checked into our hotel - Salford Hall - around 3pm. Its where I stayed for my birthday. Its a lovely old building, more National Trust than Best Western with wooden beams, wood panelling and creaky floor boards. I love it there, the building is well over 400 years old and apparently has several ghosts in residence. I am glad to report that the only spirits I saw were the vodka and gin in the bar! 

A little history -

One of the most commonly seen ghosts at the hotel is that of a nun. She was believed to have been murdered at the hotel way back in the 17^th century, and has been seen consistently by staff and guests alike since then, mainly on the lower floor of the building.

Other ghostly goings-on include guests feeling as though they are being watched by unseen eyes followed by shadowy figures that appear and disappear before their very eyes, as well as the ghost of a stable boy that leaves a foul smell behind him and the figures of two monks striding through the hotel, only to disappear into thin air.

A gaggle of giggling girls is often heard in the reception area of the hotel and the figures of two priests have been seen walking through the courtyard.

In the evening we had a drink by the log fire in reception, lovely spot to just sit and chill. We got chatting to another couple who were really lovely. It was a wonderful end to the day.

On Sunday after a good breakfast, we headed to the Valley. It has a garden centre and several shops such as Fat Face, the Works, Pavers etc. The weather was much better on Sunday, with the sun coming out to shine on us for much of the morning. It was a great week end and one I hope we can repeat soon.

 

Mamma Mia 😊

Another week end over, how do they evaporate so quickly?? But at least it was a great one. On saturday afternoon we headed over to Lichfield. After a short walk around town, and a stroll down by the cathedral we wondered down Bird street to find somewhere for an early dinner. We had decided to throw caution to the wind and not book. There are so many restaurants in Lichfield we were sure we would find somewhere for dinner. We ended up at an Indian restaurant called Lal Bagh, dinner was delicious though they did bring me out a korma the first time and not the korahi I have ordered. Luckily they were able to rectify the mistake quickly! I think its somewhere we will return too in the future.

After dinner we were off to the theatre to see Arrival - an Abba tribute band. This is the first time we had seen them, and they were fantastic. It was a lively show with lots of costume changes and a great selection of Abba songs. A lot of thought and effort had gone into presenting the show, and it really paid off. It was a great night, I sang way too much. I suffered for that the following morning - LOL!

On Sunday we headed off to East Midlands outlet centre to meet up with a friend, someone I used to work with but haven't seen for a few years. It was so lovely to see Amie and her beautiful little girl Bodhi. She is such a gorgeous and happy baby. It was so nice being able to catch up and spend some time with them both. After we'd said good bye,  Paul and I went for a little look around the outlet centre. On the way home we stopped at a garden centre near Derby, one that we haven't been to in a long while. It was nearly 3pm when we got home, how can a day fly by so quickly!

I've been so happy this week end thanks to two gorgeous girls, a lovely husband and a little bit of Abba 😊

Code breaking @ Bletchley

Last week end was the first of this years Open Heritage week ends, and I had free tickets for Bletchley Park - famously home to our code breakers during the war. We left home early and by 9.30am we were just pulling into the car park. We've been to Bletchley several times, but its such an interesting place and there is always something new to see. We spent several hours wandering around the different buildings looking around the exhibits. I think you learn something new every time you go. By about 3pm we were ready to head off, and made our way to our hotel.

We were booked into the Doubletree by Hilton at Milton Keynes football stadium. Unusual venue, but a lovely hotel. When we checked in, we were given free welcome cookies - they were still warm! How civilised is that - and they were delicious! We did have a fair old walk to our room, half way around the stadium - LOL! The room was lovely, spacious and  well stocked (tea, coffees, shampoo, hand creams etc) We knew we weren't at a Travelodge!

After dropping our bags off we headed over the road to MK1 to look around the shops. Didn't buy much, but it was fun looking. And then it was time for dinner at Prezzo, food was lovely and my cocktail (pink gin, Prosecco, lemonade and raspberries) was fabulous! It was a lovely end to the day.

Sunday started with a rude awakening!!! The fire alarms went off at 7.45 am, oh my god the noise was deafening! Everyone had to evacuate the building. Not how I expected to start our Sunday. Luckily I was already up and nearly dressed, but a lot of people were outside in their PJ's. Glad it wasn't raining!! Breakfast was brilliant, everything tasted good.

From the hotel we made our way to Canons Ashby (National Trust) a property we both love. We did the taster tour of the house which lasted about 45 minutes, and then spent the rest of the time outside. It was a beautiful day and we were happy walking around the gardens. We really didn't want to leave. There won't be many more chances this year of sitting outside and enjoying the sunshine!

 

 

 

From Blake to Christopher Robin

As with any week end, this one was over way too quickly. But it was a good one! Saturday morning we popped into Burton to run errands. First stop was at the pawn brokers to buy Euros as they have the best exchange rate. Boy is the pound weak against EVERYTHING at the moment. I could weep! Whilst there we cashed in the dollars we had, we have no plans to return to the States any time soon so it didn't seem worth hanging onto them. Once errands run, we had coffee and then headed home.

Later in the afternoon we headed over to Lichfield, we got there about 4.30pm. We had a little while to look around the shops and then we headed to ASK Italian for dinner. Thanks to a free voucher I finally got to try an Aperol Spritzer - its so orange! But I liked it! Dinner was so scrumptious, I had the tagliatelle with green beans and pesto (oh my god, I think I have turned into a vegetarian by default). We had plenty of time so we shared some gelato and then strolled back across town to the Garrick to see Blake. They have been around a long time and I thought it would be nice to see someone we haven't been to see before. Ok, so my verdict - they have good voices, but (you knew there was one coming!) the song choice was very bland, especially in the first half. Things picked up a little in the second half (or maybe the glass of wine in the interval helped?). Our biggest issue was the fact they talked too much, I am sure there was more talking than singing. Its not what I bought tickets for - so would I go and see them again - no! The highlight of the night was tweeting the Opera Boys to tell them they were so much better than Blake, and they replied to say - Can we retweet that! Which they did - LOL! It was great having a night out though which included a box at the theatre! Almost felt like a grown up....almost!

On Sunday we went to the Red Carpet cinema to see Christopher Robin, what a great film. So cute and very well done. We loved it, I wanted to rush straight out and buy a big cuddly Winnie the Pooh! I am so glad we were able to go and see it. On the way home we stopped a big furniture shop to have lunch in their coffee shop, that was nice. Lovely week end!  September is going to be an action packed month, so many things going on! But what a good start to the month this was!