Puddings, fancies, fun and frolics

Firstly I want to say thank you for your concern about my 'little turn' the other day. I did used to do that regularly in my early 20s, but haven't since until the other day. Hopefully it's a one off fluke, and as you'll see from the rest of this post I've been feeling much better.

Hubby and I have had the step-children since Tuesday, and had decided that one day this week we'd take them up to the Peak District for a day out. Initially the plan was to go hiking, but given I hadn't been well we decided just to visit one of the many Peak District towns for the day, and actually the weather turned out so abysmal that it turned out to be the right choice.

I have a thing about Bakewell Tarts, and for that reason alone I decided I wanted to go to Bakewell and try an actual Bakewell pudding (turns out it's nothing like the tart but equally lovely). So, yesterday we were up bright and early to set off up to Bakewell. Given the poor weather conditions there was no glamour to be had, but the new hiking boots certainly came into their own at keeping my feet warm and dry. It was raining so bad when we first parked that we could barely leave the car. I'm glad we did though, Bakewell seems to be a lovely place. First was the breathtaking river which you have to cross on a bridge in order to get into the town. It hinted at the beauty that might be in the town during more pleasant months.

Bakewell itself is like a rabbit warren of little winding lanes, but it was no time at all before hubby and I found our favourite things... charity shops. I managed to bag a gorgeous pair of Banana Republic trousers in one of them. It's rare that I come across a nice fitting pair of trousers, so I didn't hesitate to hand over my £4 when I did find them.

As we wandered about the beautiful lanes, looking in boutiques and admiring the eleventy million 'original Bakewell pudding shops' the weather became even worse, and soon we were looking to take shelter in that wonderful British institution, the pub. It was time for something to eat anyway, and luckily we chose well with the Red Lion pub which served reasonably priced and humungously portioned dinners. I had Steak and Ale pie with potatoes and veg... I could scarcely finish it so there was little chance of me sampling a Bakewell pudding.

After dinner we took to the streets again. The weather had improved slightly, and at least enough for us to enjoy antiques shops, craft shops, boutiques and the most enticing little curiosity shop I think I have ever visited in my life. There were so many things in there, antique, vintage and vintage style, mostly for the home and every direction we turned there was something else to take our eye. We came away with a new soap dish for the bathroom and lots of ideas of how to display some things around the house. Don't you love robbing ideas from things you see in shops?

We finished off with tea and I finally got the chance to sample a delicious Bakewell pudding, then it was time to go home and we were all completely exhausted but the vote was unanimous, Bakewell is definitely a place we all want to revisit in the better weather.

Up early again this morning, it was time for the step children to get collected and then hubby and I were off to Bicester Village to check out their sales. The weather was appalling again and we spent much of the day sheltering in shops. I usually love Bicester Village but the sales weren't as great as they usually are. Nonetheless I managed to get some outdoors trousers at an absolute bargain price from Helly Hansen, a pair of shoes from Clarks for £10 and 2 things that I have always wanted but not been able to get, and which weren't necessarily bargains but I've waited such a long time for them. The first is a Le Creuset kettle. It's a proper whistling kettle that you heat up on the stove, and the tea is so very hot from it, it's fantastic.

However, the piece de resistance, the jewel in the crown, the item I have wanted for so very very very long and finally have was a Vivienne Westwood bag. Look at how happy I am in this photograph holding it just after I've bought it.

I just keep looking at it... I can't believe it's mine. I think I have to agree with Vix's assertion, I am most definitely a bag lady, I should just give in to the lust. It's most strange, I used to be such a shoe bird. Anyway, here's a close up for you all to drool over... I know I am. Whatever you have planned to see in the New Year... have an amazing time.