Time flies...

This week has flown by in a whirlwind of work...

On one of my days off my Mum came to visit, which was lovely to have a catch up, as I've not seen her for a few months, and it meant I got a belated birthday present

I've managed to make a couple of mood squares this week.

First one with a sparkly birthday flower in the middle

And the second was another learning square for me.

I have seen pictures of people's c2c blankets. So instead of working in either rows, or from the centre outwards, this is worked from corner to corner. I thought it would be quite complicated, but once I got in to the rhythm of the pattern I enjoyed it. So I think I will be using this pattern again in the future...

Short and sweet this week, but here is a look back at November...

London town...

Last week we took our little trip up to London.
We couldn't leave until after hubby had been to his specialist appointment, but that didn't have the outcome we were hoping for, with more waiting around for an Mri and then a long 7 week wait for results, so we have to put our life on hold a bit longer!

So, we found our hotel easily enough, not far from Victoria station, dropped off our bags and ventured straight out again.

We took the bus to Westminster, and headed to South Bank, as I think its a nice area to relax.

We needed to pin-point certain areas to go to, as hubby's knee was not up to wandering aimlessly! After a stroll by the river, we sat back and watched the world go by.

The weather had a temporary blip with a heavy rain storm, we found a little nook to shelter, and watched everyone frantically dashing past getting soaked.

We tool the bus back to Victoria and found a colourful Mexican restaurant for dinner. We had an enjoyable meal, the food was lovely, just a shame the service wasn't quite up to par!!

The following morning was a hot one, and we had to get suited and booted for our pre-booked Afternoon tea (well morning for us!) at the Ritz hotel. This was actually a prize I won last year at work, this included the travel and the hotel. I felt a bit trepidatious about going but it was an experience not to be missed. The staff were a delight and we felt at ease immediately as our chosen tea was poured from a silver teapot into delicate floral cups.

On the cake stand were a selection of finger sandwiches, little macaroons and cakes

When it looked like we were finished with the first round, we were asked if we would like to try the scones, well it would be rude not to! They were still warm! With a dash of clotted cream and jam, oh my goodness these just melted in the mouth!

Of course whilst eating you were eyeing up the delightful cakes, dying to tuck in, but before then they came round with a hostess trolley with the 2 cakes of the day, and the sticky toffee cake was too hard to resist!

By the time we got to that lovely top layer of the stand we were struggling, didn't know where to put it all, but what a waste, we had to try!

So we had more of a taste test rather than devouring it all

The little cream dome, that turned out to be heavenly, with an oozing peach centre

whilst the macaroons were crisp, yet soft and textured and simply scrumptious. I run out of adjectives, it was all just good enough to eat!!

Of course it was all taking place in the most exquisite surroundings

The room was light, airy and totally decadent

And I've never been so impressed with a bathroom before that I had to take pictures 

I would recommend this experience to anyone, truely high class, but beware of eating too many sarnies, leave enough room for cake!!

We could hardly move we were so full, so we only ventured as far as Green park, just around the corner, and we didn't budge for a couple of hours. The sun was beautiful and warm, and we watched with fascination the steady stream of people that wandered by.

Our next stop-off was to Covent Garden, another favourite haunt of mine. With music, comedy, circus, statues there is always a host of entertainment.

Another rest-point for us was back down by the river again, but this time on the other side

For the evening we had booked the theatre, courtesy of my Mum, who had given us vouchers in the past. We had chosen to see the Lion King, and it totally lived up to all the rave reviews.

The performance was brilliant and the costumes fantastic, the slight downside is that we were surrounded by school parties, you almost felt too old to be there!!! But they were reasonably behaved and didn't spoil the show at all. So thats another attraction that I recommend you add to your to-do list!

Then it was just the journey home, always the worst part, and then back to reality. It may have only been a couple of days away, but it was a break that was much needed, and did us the world of good. 

So enough of my gushing, I will just leave you with this weeks mood square

There was no hard decision about what colours to choose for this week.

Blue - blue skies, the river, and royal blue

Yellow - warm sunshine, happiness, and gold

Cornwall 2014

So this past week we have taken our annual holiday down in Cornwall, to visit my dad. Its not turned out quite like our usual visits, firstly we have gone earlier in the year than usual,  hence the weather has not been so great, plus with hubby's knee still not fully functioning it meant day trips out weren't possible. But of course we made the best of things, spending time with family, relaxing and still managing to see some of the gorgeous coastline...
Its a very long train ride, which actually flew for me as I got engrossed in my book, and thankfully we had some space to enable hubby to stretch out...

We had a lazy morning to recuperate, playing with the cats

a chance to crochet and a spot of lunch al fresco. After which  we took a little stroll around the harbour,  popping in to a few of the local galleries to see the latest pieces.

Oh and we stopped for the obligatory cream tea, of course! 

The next day the weather was changeable so we took a trip to the local garden centre. Garden centres these days have a bit of everything,  not just plants, although there were some beautiful blooms too

We checked out the gifts, books and fishes and there would be no doubt that my favourite would be the bunnies...

And a beautiful, coastal  drive back

I do love how the Cornish hedgerows are left to their natural, wild state

so much prettier than trimmed and controlled. Then it was back round to the familiar sight of the harbour

The following day was the only fine one we were going to get, according to the forecast, so we intended to make the most of it!

The plan was to drive the south/west coast and make some stop-offs along the route

We headed to Marazion and the unmissable sight of St Michaels mount, a sight that you can't tire of, and which changes with each season and change of light...

Further along to Penzance we stopped at LongRock

Going through Newlyn and Mousehole, we made a refreshment stop at Lamorna Cove

We had a hobble down to see the lovely sands at Porthcurno

We had a long stop-off at the Minack theatre, an outstanding outside theatre, a vision from one outstanding actress who carried on with the building of it, right through to her 80's

Surrounded by beautiful gardens

Set with idyllic coastal views

Can you imagine watching a production in such a setting?

Amazingly Hubby managed to combat all the steps, and he said it was worth the effort, but he did pay for it in the evening

By this time the day was slipping by rather quickly and we'd yet to have lunch

So it was a rush trip to Lands End.. But everything closed up and no food was available, my second, and yet again disappointing trip to this destination

So it was onwards to Sennen Cove, where we found a lovely little pub to have our meal

We carried on further north before looping round to come back down, stopping briefly at Zennor for refreshments

It was an amazing, packed day, which we all thoroughly enjoyed, but it did wear us all out...

The weather was appalling the following day, but we all needed time to recuperate 

In the afternoon, there was a break in the clouds

So we took a short drive to Poldhu

where, of course, we had to indulge in a tasty refreshment

On our last day, we decided a town was our best option, so we chose Penzance, which was not too far to venture

We strolled round the town, a stop off to indulge in a bit more cake, and down historical Chapel street

On our last night, we decided to eat out at one of the reputable, 'foodie' restaurants, and the food ceratinly lived up to its name...

Before we knew it, the week had flown by. It gets harder and harder to leave each year, and go back to a town, and i definately hate that we only get to visit once a year. I miss seeing my Dad more often, and its such a beautiful, relaxed, friendly and arty area...

But... Until next year......