The Empress of Blandings.....

You may think that The Empress of Blandings is the name of a prize pig in a series of books by P.G. Wodehouse and you would be correct but it's also the name of a great little eatery out near Cadnam in the new Forest that we love to visit when Lyndhurst and beyond is just too busy with traffic. There are P.G. Wodehouse quotes and references all over the main dining area which adds to the fun and the ambience. Also the food is lovely!

Our friend from Oz...

We had a great reunion a few weeks ago with our dear friend Sonia who emigrated to Australia quite a few years ago. We had a little gathering for her at my house. It was so much fun and although the years have passed our friendships are as strong as ever. We miss her so much with her enthusiasm for everything. Next time maybe it won't be so long between visits.

Sandra,Lorna, Sonia, Ann M and Ann W.

Antique Hunting in Leek.

As Chris and I headed to the many Antique shops in the nearby town of Leek we found we had got there before the shops were even open so a word of advise don't go Antique-ing before 10:30 in the morning! There are shops with several floors in old mills so they have a vast array of delights to look at. I always knew we would have no room in the car to take anything large home so I was very disciplined but I loved browsing and I am really looking forward to going back there one day when I have moved house and have space to fill.

I see this cabinet displaying quilts somewhere in space I don't have right now!

A Day at Chatsworth

I was looking forward to visiting Chatswoth again after so many years. We picked the best day for weather, only intermittent showers. We had a beautiful drive through the Peaks and got to Chatsworth late morning. Between showers we were able to visit the beautiful house and gardens. I was only disappointed that I missed a photograph of a herd of deer as we drove in and they were not there as we drove out later in the day. I learned once again to always have my camera handy.  I was pleasantly shocked that we were able to take photos AND flash photos inside the house, after years of being told off in New York, including one mortifying incident when my flash accidently went off in The Met right in front of a guard, it was very refreshing to be able to snap away to my hearts content in such a historic house.  (And yes Xenia it WAS that time when I didn't actually know how to turn the flash off and you had to do it for me!)  We had a very late lunch in nearby Bakewell at a great place called 'Bygones' then headed back to the cottage stopping for photo's and dodging the rain showers. I am now enjoying watching the BBC series about Chatsworth as I feel it is virtually my home!

Beautiful Chatsworth in the Courtyard

The Painted Hall

Looking up from one of the galleries

One of the guest bedrooms

Books in the Library

The Great Dining Hall laid for a state banquet with Victoria and Albert

Xenia, Anastasia and Chris in the sun.

The entrance to the famous maze.

A very comfortable yet beautiful bench.

Detail of the bench.

Chris, Xenia and Anastasia finding shelter wherever!

The 'Squirty Tree' or Willow Tree Fountain.

Anastasia and Xenia

The Cascade

It was getting colder and colder.

Lunch in Bakewell but didn't have a Bakewell Tart!

Changable weather meant amazing skies.

I love England!

A stunning rainbow as the rain chased us home!

We brave the Trafford Centre!

Call us crazy but as Bank holiday Monday was wet and we were looking for something to do that was indoors we decided to brave the Trafford Centre in Manchester. On the way we saw signs for Lyme Park (Mr Darcy's Pemberley in the BBC adaptation of 'Pride and Prejudice') so popped in for a quick photo in the torrential rain. Once in the area of the Trafford Centre navigating the car parks were enough to disorientate me but actually, once we got a map and our bearings it was easy to find the places that we wanted to check out. We had a nice lunch at TGI Friday's then back to the car via some of the homeware shops.

Love these signs for my kitchen from BHS

One of the signs in situ

I KNOW it's not the Trafford Centre! Lyme Park in the rain

Part of the Trafford Centre

Can you guess it was raining?

Lovely window display

A Trip to The Peak District

We hadn't been to the Peak District for about 14 years so we were really looking forward to a break in a cottage up there over Easter. We found the cottage easily it was in a place called Waterhouse, The weather wasn't great but the cottage was comfortable and warm. We visited friends who live locally after church on Easter Sunday it was lovely catching up wth them after about 14 years.

Arriving at the cottage

Testing the sofa

Unusual plant holders!

Very unusual!