My 2009 in Pictures

I didn't begin blogging until September and so a great deal of what I did in 2009 never made it online, so here is a rundown of my year in images!

The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes

Yesterday we decided to go to the cinema. We had hoped to go on an Orange Wednesdays ticket, but apparently by the time I text the code they weren't issuing anymore because it had just been so busy. We still went nonetheless to see The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes.

Hubby had been fully prepared not to enjoy this film, he even said as much to me before we left since he had read some poor reviews of it, but as a Sherlock Holmes fan I was still eager to see it. I have to say, it was really really good. Granted there was lots of CGI in it, but actually how else are you going to have an image of a partially built London bridge in a film? You're not! It was very much an action film, and the way that Holmes was portrayed, I think, was more believeable than the gentlemanly images of yesteryear acted out by Peter Cushin or Basil Rathbone. I thoroughly think that Holmes was a bit of a scally, and this comes across excellently in the film. Both Jude Law and Robert Downey JR play their role excellently. It isn't hard to spot that this is a Guy Richie film, but I love his style of filming and so this film for me was a real winner. I say if you are looking for an action adventure with some laughs along the way then you could do worse than to go and see this film!

Post Christmas Sales? What a load of old cobblers

I thought I would give blogging a rest for a couple of days whilst I got on with other things, namely reading Alice in Wonderland, and trying to make my first ever garment, a pencil skirt. I have however been up to a few things along the way.

On Monday the step-children were spending the day with us, and we decided that we would go tobogganing at the Snowdome in Tamworth, which is about a half hour drive from where we live. Anyway, the weather was appalling with freezing fog patches all the way there, and when we got there there was an enormous queue to get into the car park. Having driven all the way there though we decided to stick it out and get in, only to be told at the reception desk that it was fully booked and that "Booking is advisable at this time of year" . We were gutted. I've been tobogganing before, as has my step-son, but hubby and my step-daughter haven't so it would have been really nice. There was nothing we could do though since we hadn't booked... but we have booked for the coming Saturday so all is not lost.

Feeling more than a tad disappointed we decided to try to find Tamworth town centre, however, we immediately hit a huge queue of traffic and more fog and decided to cut our losses and head over to see my mother-in-law back in Coventry. Our timing must have been just right because they were just dishing up one of my favourite meals, Corned beef hash, and having made far too much there was plenty for me and my step-son to tuck into. After that my father-in-law put the wii on and we got a chance to make our own wii characters and play each other at some of the sports games. The bowling is really good, it's quite realistic so we all played each other and I'm pleased to say that I beat my father-in-law hands down lol. Soon it was time to leave, and I managed to persuade hubby that we should stop off at Central 6 (retail park) on the way home to check out the sales at TK Maxx. As soon as we arrived my step-daughter and I absconded to outfit to check out the Topshop/Dorothy Perkins/ Warehouse sale. I'm glad we did too. I was browsing around, picking out lovely things and wishing I was a size 8 so that I could buy them when I decided to look at the shoe department. Here I found my one solitary sale purchase, a pair of sky high purple patent shoe boots. They are fabulous... I gave up wearing sky high heels recently because I had been suffering with my back, but I've decided I'm not going to be bullied into flatties by an ailment and I'm breaking the shoes in to wear tomorrow night. They are huge and I am about 6ft 5 when wearing them, but hey, I don't care! My step-daughter also bought a gorgeous pair of peep toe shoes, half blue suede and half black leather with a chunky heel they are fab. They are both Dorothy Perkins and quite honestly there wasn't anything else worth buying.

Yesterday we collected Mum early in the afternoon, and her, hubby and I went off to Leamington to do some sale shopping. We would have gone to Birmingham or Bicester in previous years, but with mum having been so unwell of late I don't think she would have been up to such a hardcore shopping expedition. When we arrived in Leamington it was dull, cold and raining... but on the plus side it did mean I got to use the Celia Birtwell umbrella that Mum had bought me for Christmas (every cloud has a silver lining). I desperately hoped to find something in the sales in Leamington, but I was sorely disappointed. I found 2 dresses I liked in House of Fraser, but neither fitted, and aside from that there was nothing I could find. I spent a total of £7 on food, and that was it. These sales are great for my bank balance because they are absolutely pants. Every time we have been shopping since Boxing Day hubby and I have been astounded at the poor sales... Mum on the other hand will never go home empty handed and bought a pretty purple handbag from a little gift shop called Samantha Jones.

It's a while since we had all been to Leamington and something which I found really surprising and an obvious marker of the current economic climate was the amount of vacant shop premises... even the beautiful 'bar and grill' is now boarded up. Who would have believed it? Anyway, having looked at the sales I'm glad that I am learning to make my own clothes since there is nothing at all 'buyable'... apart from huge purple shoes of course!

Just Chillin'

Yesterday started the trend for nice relaxing days. Mum had spent the night at ours on Christmas day, and so we all woke up fairly late in the morning and had a leisurely breakfast. Mum didn't feel too well, I think I had given her too much rich food, and Bailey's whining during the night had kept her awake, nonetheless she was still up for a wander around the first day of the sales. We decided to only go as far as Coventry city centre, but when we got there it was absolutely packed. It seems that much of Coventry had decided to do the same as us. The adverts on the TV had promised 70% off here, and 50% off there... but actually none of us found a sale which had much more than 30% off in any shop. I did buy however a delightful gold tone bulky bangle from Monsoon, which was a 50% off bargain, and I also bought a cute little fascinator from New Look. It's kind of like a sequined pill box hat on a headband which is going to look delightful with whatever I decide to wear on New Years Eve. Mum bought some earrings from Monsoon, and some tracksuit bottoms from Debenhams, whilst hubby managed a pair of trainers, which was just what he was looking for!

Later on in the evening, well after shopping and walking the dogs, hubby and I went to my Mum's house for Boxing Day tea. It was lovely, mum had made us vol-u-vents and mini sausage rolls with salad. It was a welcome light meal which was just what we needed after the previous day's over indulgence. On the way home from mum's we managed to stop off at the Greyhound pub and buy our tickets for the New Years eve party... which was fortuitous since the bartender informed us that they were going quickly. It is such a shame that my mum isn't going to make it this year since she has been so ill of late, we'll have to do something else with her to welcome in 2010.

Today was another lazy morning, but as we already knew we were only going to take the dogs to Coombe Abbey for a nice long walk in the brisk December air, there was no reason to rush. We again had a leisurely breakfast and I even had time to read a couple of chapters of Alice before we set off on the short drive. We are always nervous of driving with Alfie in the car since he is so terribly car sick, but he was very good today and even found himself a nook perched above the handbreak on the way home. We had a lovely walk around the grounds of coombe, where I pondered why I only ever wear mini skirts in winter?? I think it is the protection of the leggings underneath them that I love lol. The dogs had a terrific time, and we left just before it started to get really cold. Now we are home and I'm going to have a lovely relaxing bath before making our Chicken Saag and Chapati (from the curry cook book I bought a few weeks back). This evening I don't know what to do. I'll either cut the fabric for the pencil skirt I am hoping to make, work on my CV or cruise the online sales... decisions decisions!

Christmas Day

The Christmas Day festivities are over for another year, and my what an enjoyable one it was this year. It was nice and quiet spent just with family and everything went really well... even Alfie and Bailey managed not to have a set to... which really is a major achievement.

The step children were staying with us on Christmas Eve, so we woke up early on Christmas morning and I made us a lovely breakfast of poached eggs with bacon on toasted muffins. (I don't ordinarily eat breakfast, but while I have been on leave from work I have been trying to get into the good habit of having breakfast every morning). Once breakfast was dispensed with and the 8lb chicken was in the oven, we all began to open our gifts. It was lovely taking it in turn to open presents... some were surprises and others I had had some hand in picking. Mid-morning there was a knock at the door, and it was my mother in law and her partner. They were the first to try my home-made Christmas cake which I had been talking about for months now. The cake was delicious, very heavy but just perfect. While I was in the kitchen I even overheard hubby saying what a good cook I am... not bad for a girl who set fire to her mums kitchen some years back attempting to cook a stir fry! Anyway, they had brought some presents for us all to open, which was just lovely, but it was a flying visit as they had lots of other family members to get to, so I sent them home with a generous slab of my Christmas cake since I know we would not get through it all.

At lunchtime the step children were collected, and shortly after I went to collect mum and Bailey. After a cup of tea and preparing the vegetables for dinner mum opened her presents. She loved the bag that I had made for her (see earlier post), which made me so happy. She is going to use it very soon. She was absolutely delighted with all of the gifts which had been bought for her, from the pug and fairy ornament we had bought for her, right through to the shoe ring holder and chocolates that some of my friends had bought for her. She really appreciated every gift. Soon after this we sat down to dinner. My starter was delicious, and a surprising success with hubby and mum... and dinner was divine. We couldn't go onto pudding immediately after though since we were so stuffed... so instead we settled in front of the TV to laugh through Christmas comedy shows, and walked the dogs. Pudding was somewhat less of a success... lets just say that pudding was very much my taste, but not necessarily everyone elses. Nonetheless, there were plenty of nibbles to stock up on and no-one went to bed on an empty stomach. We really did all have a lovely Christmas.

In terms of my presents (pictures above), they were all wonderful. I got:

A vintage Gladstone leather handbag;

A 1950s vintage sewing table (for storing all of my sewing stuff);

3 True Blood novels;

Some Laura Ashley Rose Pot Pourri;

Alice in Wonderland, the novel (which I have to say was very perceptive of the friend who bought it for me);

The Ministry of Sound Electronic 80s anthems album (which is FABULOUS);

Enya Album;

In bloom body wash and moisture cream;

Cat earrings;

Celia Birtwell umbrella;

Celia Birtwell handbag organiser (this is a fantastic invention which makes changing handbags much easier);

A retro shopping list pad;

A Guinness Gift Set (joint present with hubby);

Chocolates;

An amber and haematite bracelet.

I hope that all of my blog readers had an equally enjoyable day!

Santa Claus is Coming to Town

Well, Christmas Eve is finally upon us. The Christmas presents are all wrapped... I've watched about 10 different versions of a Christmas Carol (and never get bored of it), we've been to collect our 8lb chicken from the butchers and I've planned our Christmas day menu. We have my mum coming over for Christmas dinner and I'm going to do:

Starter - Fifteen Christmas salad;

Main - Roast chicken with roasted vegetables and potatoes;

Pudding - Mulled fruits with ice cream.

My homemade Christmas cake is ready and we had the delightful task of food shopping yesterday (which was pretty horrific, Asda was a nightmare). Today I've iced my mint chocolate Christmas cupcakes, which we will take when we go to visit my brother-in-law later today. (see below)

I've not really done much of anything else. I'll have to do some last minute tidying later and then we will go to midnight mass at St. Georges'... I don't think I'll be allowed to open a present after midnight mass because when mum came over yesterday we opened an early present each. I opened one from mum which was a delightful pair of earrings with cats on them, hubby opened one from mum which was a book about sculpture (he loves sculptural art), mum opened one from us which was a fantastic Pug keyring and my step son opened a book about Lewis Hamilton from hubby and I. My step daughter opened her new phone today to charge it... so I think we are early presented out!

This will be my last post until at least Boxing Day now (possibly later) so I would just like to wish everyone who reads my blog a very MERRY CHRISTMAS.

Upcycled Childrens Jeans to Handbag

Well, isn't it absolutely typical that as soon as I get a break from work where I don't have to study I come down with a stinking cold. It's only a head cold but it's meant I've had to spend the past 2 (valuable shopping days) in the warmth of my house taking hot blackcurrant drinks. The time at home hasn't been a complete write off however since it means I have managed to get crafting with my sewing machine. During the summer mum put her eyes on a denim handbag and I set myself the challenge of making one for her. Not a copy, but something inspired by it and reflective of my Mum's style. I bought a pair of children's jeans from the second hand shop and some other bits and bobs, and never made it any further. Having had some time on my hands I set to making the bag, which is now wrapped up for her for a Christmas surprise. The bag, as I said is made from an old pair of children's jeans. It is fully lined with some lovely cotton fabric, and fastens with a zip. It's quite roomy as I made a circular base (which is all reinforced) and has a mobile phone pocket inside. It has 2 shoulder straps and is decorated with an eclectic mix of home made patches, a vintage brooch, a home made corsage and so forth. I'd love to know what you think as this is the first bag I have EVER made. I hope she is pleased with it on Christmas morning.

Busy going nowhere

It's been one of those weekends where I don't seem to have spent a great deal of time in the house, but I haven't done a great deal either. Part of this I think is because my nearest and dearest all seem to be dropping like flies with one ailment or another which has left me with some minor sniffles, but nothing to blog home about!

Yesterday I had arranged to go to the pictures with Mum to see 'A Christmas Carol', but when I called her in the afternoon to arrange times etc she wasn't well enough to go to the cinema. We made an alternative plan to buy a DVD and watch it at her house. We really wanted Alice in Wonderland, but as none of the shops in her locality had it we decided to get another version of 'A Christmas Carol' instead. So we watched that and ate some goodies while Bailey relaxed on his new Christmas bed. Then I went home and spent the evening sewing and watching TV with hubby... who has been feeling a little under the weather with a head cold.

Today we arranged to go see our friends to exchange Christmas presents and to see their scan picture as my friend is having another baby. She already has a delightful 2 year old and I think they are really excited about their second. We were there no longer than an hour though before hubbies head cold started to develop into full blown man flu. Keen that no-one at our friends house should come down with his lergy we made our escape double quick and went to stock up on Beechams hot blackcurrant. It had been the plan that we would collect mum and all go to the carol service at St. Georges', but alas hubby wasn't up to it so I dropped him home, grabbed a quick snack, collected mum and we went to the carol service. It felt so Christmassy as it was all in candle light and it was really busy. We sung all of the traditional carols before I dropped mum home and headed back home. Now I've just finished a delightful beef stew for dinner (thank heaven for my slow cooker) and I'm about to bake some mint chocolate cup cakes. Those will be for visitors over Christmas who do not like fruit cake. No rest.........

Biscuits, Brandy and Buddies

Well, I've had a couple of jam packed days in the run up to Christmas, and in the advent of the start of my Christmas holiday.

Earlier in the week I spent an entire evening baking my 'Prudence's Banana Bites' doggy biscuits for people at work who had requested them. I love making them, and I have to say Pru, Alfie and Bailey love me making them too, but they are so damn messy. At least I know EXACTLY what the hounds are eating though, which is always a comfort since you never know what additives are being thrown into their snacks. Anyway, I delivered these to some happy recipients and had some requests to 'experiment' with kitty treats, so I'll be trying out tuna biscuits come 2010.

Yesterday was our team Christmas gathering. Our meal was planned for 1 o'clock at the historic St. Mary's Guildhall. Despite the fact that it had been snowing the day before, snow was forecast for yesterday and it was blisteringly cold I was adamant that I was going to put a nice frock on. So I wore my trusty (sleeveless/ cold) vintage Brimell black dress, red tights and my over abused 'ruby slippers'. The problem if you keep everything for best is that none of it gets worn, and then you put weight on and it goes off to a charity shop virtually untouched which is why I was adamant about wearing the dress... I should make a New Years resolution to wear everything more! Back to the Guildhall; we all walked into town at about 1pm, and I have to say I've never been in the great hall at the venue before but it's awe inspiring. It's all stained glass windows and humongous oil paintings. Suits of armour abound the place and despite the fact that the food was somewhat ordinary the venue was anything but and everyone seemed to have a really good time. I got some great handwarming jobbies too as my secret Santa. You press the button, they heat up, hey presto warm hands.

I've worked on my team for in excess of 5 years now and as such many of my colleagues are people I would count amongst my friends. Early next year due to a restructuring exercise our team is split and we won't all work together anymore. As such I was really surprised that so many of the team dispersed as soon as coffee was over, it was only 3pm and ordinarily a much larger group would have 'hit the town' as it were. Nonetheless, 6 of us made our way to the Varsity to begin the festivities. I used to love the Varsity as a student, but now it just seems draughty and ... well... studenty. We had a couple of beverages in there, and then crossed the road to the Golden Cross. At least they had a jukebox, which I dutifully topped up and set out to embarrass myself with my choice of music. I started off safely with 'Fairytale of New York' and descended (depending on what your opinion is) into New Romantic Bowie and Adam and the Ants. My drinking buddies thought there was some reprise when 'Layla' started blaring out... but when I explained that I had mistakenly put Layla on thinking it 'Lola... L-O-L-A Lolaaaaaaa' they all fell about in fits of laughter... it's a good job I don't take myself too seriously! From here we moved onto the Windmill on Medieval Spon Street. By this time (8pm) I had drank copious wine and Brandy pop, and although I wasn't drunk I was freezing. Hubby dutifully came to collect me and I scurried home to my warm house and ... well... fell asleep... Who say's I'm not Rock 'n' Roll?

Today was the first day of my Christmas leave. I've been really looking forward to this break since the previous 2 years I have spent all of my leave studying... this time I can sew, and bake and ... play questionable music to my hearts content! I had a few matters to deal with this morning and so a lie in was out of the question, but afterwards I dropped by to visit mum for a couple of hours. I arrived home in the middle of the afternoon... just long enough to put a wash on and count out some pennies from hubbies piggy bank before rushing out again to collect him from work. Then we went straight to the pub to meet up with a couple of hubby's friends/colleagues. They are really lovely and I have met them before. We all chatted for what seemed like a long time but in truth I'd have loved to be able to stay longer. One of hubby's friends has offered for me to come to his house so that his wife can help me learn to cook Indian food. Of course that was an offer I could not refuse since I am determined that I will no longer be buying my curry sauce in jars, but making authentic herb and spice filled Indian delights... I'll keep you posted on how that goes but needless to say I'll be holding him to that offer.

From the pub we went to my mother-in-laws house to collect the step-daughter and had the pleasure of trying out the father-in-laws new Wii. How addictive is that game? I have to say that I rock at the fencing, I really showed that computer game who was boss... but it got it's own back at the tennis. I can quite see the attraction with the Wii... unlike for many other computer games. Now, I'm finally home and settled with a cup of tea and just about to go and watch Wossy... ah the stuff that Friday evenings are made of.

Throw for the Sofa

Sometime ago at the Criterion Theatre's vintage sale I had bought a delightful piece of wool fabric. At the time I had intended to turn said piece of fabric into a lovely mini skirt... but reading the blurb on a Cath Kidston book about using vintage fabrics in the home to achieve my favourite 'shabby chic' look a few weeks back convinced me that actually I should fashion it into a throw for the back of our sofa. Then the piece of fabric was put in a bag and forgotten about... until I read this blog post which reminded me that I had intended to do this. At the weekend I finally got it out of the bag and carefully made it into the throw of my dreams, and washed it because it had that smell (that I secretly love) that second hand shops and vintage bins of fabric tend to get. Is it odd that I like that smell? It's a smell that promises of long forgotten treasures isn't it? Anyway, here is my beautiful woollen, tweedy, shabby chic. home-made throw... ta da!

Watch with Mother

If you follow my blog you will be aware that my Mum has been unwell of late. She has had Shingles, and topped off with the family death earlier in the year too it's not been a nice couple of months. Her shingles have kept her pretty much house bound, and my busy schedule has meant I've not really been able to devote as much time to her as I would have liked to. This weekend I made a special effort however. Yesterday, the weather was bearable, that is sunny and cold but not raining. In the morning hubby and I went to a few local shops and bought some house related goodies; a long overdue bread bin, a juicer, a pestle and mortar and some (more) cookery books. Then we went and collected Mum, and hubby deposited us in the town centre. It was so so busy with the bustle of Christmas shoppers, nonetheless we managed to get around a fair few shops. Mum bought some Christmas presents for people, as did I as I'm so disorganised there were still a few outstanding ones. Then we looked in some clothes shops, I tried on the worlds worst hat in River Island... a great big fluffy thing which was just awful, and I bought a few essential oils and incense. After a few hours, hubby came to get us and dropped us back at my Mums' where I was to spend the evening. It was nice spending some time with her and catching up as it's been such a long time since I have done that. We walked Bailey (her pug tsu), and had some lovely ham sandwiches whilst watching A Christmas Carol. We moved onto a 1920s (yes that old) version of 'As you like it' staring Laurence Olivier, and ate Brie with crackers, washed down with Port and lemonade... how very civilised. We finished off the evening with a corny horror. It was so nice and I really enjoyed it. It's really important, not just at this time of year, but all year round to make time for the important people in life and both last weekend and this weekend have reminded me of that.

Surely not two weeks before Christmas

Over the weekend we noticed what appeared to be a spillage in the kitchen, right in front of the kitchen sink. Hubby cleared it up... but then it mysteriously reappeared, and developed into a small pool of water. Hubby traced the leak to the stop cock, and I called our plumbers out earlier in the week. Unfortunately, to access the leak they have had to destroy some of the cupboards, there is damage to the plaster work and my Minton floor doesn't look too healthy either! We're waiting for the man from the insurance to come out tomorrow and assess the damage, there are strange whiffs of damp and what little storage space we have in the kitchen has been further reduced leaving cleaning products on top of work surfaces and the crockery stuffed into anywhere we can get it. Definitely not what we needed only a couple of weeks before festivities begin!

Friends and Food and a Wonderful Mood

This weekend has been such a busy one but in a really good way, tremendous fun. My best friend and her fiance have been trying to get to Coventry for sometime to visit us both and what with my studies and then recent events it just wasn't happening. Finally, however, we made plans for them visit this weekend, and they did. Yey!

Saturday morning was fairly busy. Having been visiting my Mum on Friday evening (who is still rather sick with the shingles) I hadn't got round to making the Banana custard cream pie from the hummingbird bakery cookbook that evening and so Saturday morning was a bit of a mad dash to make my pie and have a bath. The tension showed and my first pie crust was disastrous since I stupidly baked the ceramic baking beans into it, and had to throw the entire dough away and start again. With a little perseverance however I managed to get the delightful dessert on it's way and to relax a little in a hot bath.

Following on from a little housework, I head over to Mums' again to keep her company for a few hours before our house guests were due to arrive.

During the late afternoon our friend's car pulled up outside our house, and they were here, weighed down with Christmas presents for both hubby and I, the step-children and my mum (my friend knows my mum very well since we were at uni together the first time around). The table at Cosmo was booked for 7.30pm and I have to say the poor weather and apparent lack of any taxis at the usual rank made it look very much as if we would miss our reservation. Thankfully we didn't, we arrived on time and took to our table, ordering a bottle of wine and getting ready to stock up on the Pan Asian buffet. I had been to Cosmo a week earlier, but it was lunch time, and far less busy. Saturday evening it seemed to be filled with hairdressers on their Christmas parties... and lots of very tight sequined dresses Dynasty style! Nonetheless, we didn't hesitate to tuck in to the lovely food. In general I know that the all you can eat buffet style places aren't good, but at least the seating areas and the high spec decoration of this one make it feel more like you are actually in a restaurant rather than a service station. The food could be kept a little warmer, granted, but there is a great selection to be had. We devoured as much as we possibly could and talked about wedding plans, houses, and caught up in general on life's little events since it had been at least a year since we had last seen each other. With a full belly and happy heart we set off in search of somewhere to dance. The first stop was the Tudor Rose. Ok, it's a pub, there's no dance floor, and it's not exactly select, but this was the pub where I first started going when I was first allowed into town and it never fails to bring back happy memories. The DJ in there still remembers me when I go and request Boom-shak-a-lack, despite the fact I've not been there in years. After one drink though we were too hot and so carried on further to the Escape Bar at Priory Place. This bar in an old fire station is usually a good bet for a decent bit of cheesy dancing. There was a band on and immediately the fact that I had dressed for the chilled December weather made me feel... well... overdressed... warm but overdressed. It didn't stop us dancing and drinking until the wee small hours though. Finally we peeled ourselves away from the bar and head home where we stayed up to the wee smaller hours chatting and drinking wine until we were all fit for bed.

Sunday morning (just), I managed to peel myself out of bed and make sausage sandwiches for our guests whilst finishing off my delicious pie!

Then we all went over to my Mums' house. She was so pleased to see them both and we all had pie and tea, and a good old natter. Mum's dog Bailey really had a great time as everyone was giving him lots of attention and after a couple of hours catching up it was time for our friends to hit the motorway and head home. It was so lovely of them to take the time to spend a whole weekend with us, and we all so enjoyed catching up with each other. I think that the partying is catching up with me now though and a bath and an early night seem like a wonderful prospect.

Birthday Treats Part 2

Right, well, yesterday ended up being such a busy day that I never got to update you on what else we did for hubby's birthday. We had both booked yesterday off work to do something, just the two of us. It was a welcome break since both of us work our socks off, and rarely have time to just kick back. Sunday evening however, we had still not decided on a place to go. A couple of weeks back we had toyed with the idea of going down to London to see a show, or going pony trekking in Derbyshire. The theatre trip wasn't too practical because we would need to be back for the dogs, and we were hesitant to book pony trekking in light of the recent weather conditions in the UK. Anyway, somehow on Sunday evening we stumbled upon the idea of a day out in Worcester. Despite this town being a mere one hour drive from Coventry neither hubby nor I had ever visited, and so Worcester it was.

We set off from Coventry a little later than anticipated what with having to inflate the tyres on the mini and the like, but nonetheless we arrived in Worcester at around 12pm. The bite of the winter frost could be felt as soon as we ventured out of the car park, and so it wasn't long before we found a delightful tea room called 'The Boston Tea Party'.

Decked out in New England style, and with every sort of tea, coffee and munchie possible it wasn't long before we were refuelled and ready to hit the town. The thing that struck us about Worcester was the amount of small, independent type gift shops. It's such a welcome relief from a place like Coventry, and so useful in the run up to Christmas. There was a fantastic shop which was awash with Cath Kidston (yes I was in heaven), whilst other shops sold fantastic and unique novelty gifts, candles, old fashioned sweets... all kinds of everything really. We were really carried away by it all, and took the opportunity to stock up on a few Christmas presents which we knew we would not have the chance to get once back home. Eventually, we decided to tear ourselves away from the gift shops and pay a visit to the glorious Cathedral, which we had passed on the drive into the town. The Cathedral was only a short walk and once you reach it you are in awe of the stature of the building. Worcester isn't the largest town and yet there lies this impressive work of architectural art, imposing and inspiring. Once inside we were greeted by a very friendly lady usher who gave us a leaflet and told us a little about the church before sending us on our way to enjoy the setting in our own time. Enjoy it we did.

The Cathedral was so flamboyant with marbles intricately carved in an array of colours, gold leaf work and huge stone carved screens. We're both fond of visiting Cathedrals, not just in the UK, but also on trips around Europe, and yet this was perhaps one of the best we had seen. Indeed York minster is vast, but not nearly as ornate. The highlight for me was the tomb of King John, and the best thing about it was that it wasn't hidden away behind glass, you could actually go up and touch the tomb of a once monarch. The stained glass was breathtaking, and what with a trip to the crypts, the gift shop and the coffee shop we were in the Cathedral well over an hour.

After our awe inspiring tour of the Cathedral we ventured back out onto the cold streets of Worcester to visit more shops and find somewhere to eat. It wasn't long before we saw a beautiful building, a former church, very grand and again quite imposing which as luck would have it was a Slug and Lettuce pub. Knowing the chain, we decided to go in. It was beautiful inside, really atmospheric. We pulled up a table in a quiet, dimly lit corner and ordered our delicious food... and trust me it was delicious, and the staff were really friendly too. It was the perfect end to a lovely day. Once it had gone dark we decided to head home to our wonderful hounds, content with our lovely day out and adamant that we will be back in Worcester again in the not too distant future.

(By the way, for those of you wondering what I bought hubby for his birthday, I bought him a lovely leather Jill Corbett hat. She's a designer we discovered on our honeymoon in Edinburgh who makes these delightful made to measure leather hats.)