Picture borrowed from here.
Wednesday, 10 June 2009
roman respite
So, I disappeared there for a bit! Things have been a bit hectic the last couple of weeks. But there is light at the end of the tunnel. More specifically, the gorgeous light of Rome. We are off next week - and it can't come too soon!
Picture borrowed from here.
Picture borrowed from here.
Tuesday, 26 May 2009
Thursday, 21 May 2009
a day out in... norfolk
Actually, a weekend away! We have been talking about going to Norfolk for the day for a while, and last Wednesday made a impulsive decision to go for the weekend. So we booked a b&b. All in the space of ten minutes! How exciting!
Bright and early on Saturday morning, we took ourselves over the border into Norfolk. Our first stop was lovely, lovely Holt. We only had two hours parking, which is no where near enough, even though it is a small town.
We had been before, so I knew exactly where I was heading. We hit the charity shops, and had lunch at the wonderful Byfords (coffee, victoria sponge and a chicken and chorizo pasty).
We then had a nose around an amazing 'antiques emporium', where I fell in love with a bicycle, of all things. Is it weird to buy a bike from an antiques shop? It was an old Triumph, that had been painted a pale jade green. Oh, so beautiful.
But common sense won, and I didn't get it.
It was then on to Cromer, where we wandered past rusty, yet beautiful, old tractors, sat by the beach huts, and ate the first 99's of the year. It was back to Byfords in the evening for dinner. S had a salad and I had, um, pie and mash.
The next day we worked our way along the coast, from near Blakeney (where I saw my first ever starfish - admitedly dead, but you have to take what you can get!).
On to Wells, where we went to Big Blue Sky and drooled over the lovely handmade items, and in to a crazy shop, housed in the old railway station that sold books and pottery. There was no owner to be seen, just a bell and a sign that said 'ring loudly for assistance'. Ooh, and a whole shelf of King Penguin books.
We had no luck finding somewhere to eat, and (after exhausting all possible options) ended up in MacDonalds in King's Lynn! But it was a fun ending to a fab weekend.
Bright and early on Saturday morning, we took ourselves over the border into Norfolk. Our first stop was lovely, lovely Holt. We only had two hours parking, which is no where near enough, even though it is a small town.
We had been before, so I knew exactly where I was heading. We hit the charity shops, and had lunch at the wonderful Byfords (coffee, victoria sponge and a chicken and chorizo pasty).
We then had a nose around an amazing 'antiques emporium', where I fell in love with a bicycle, of all things. Is it weird to buy a bike from an antiques shop? It was an old Triumph, that had been painted a pale jade green. Oh, so beautiful.
But common sense won, and I didn't get it.
It was then on to Cromer, where we wandered past rusty, yet beautiful, old tractors, sat by the beach huts, and ate the first 99's of the year. It was back to Byfords in the evening for dinner. S had a salad and I had, um, pie and mash.
The next day we worked our way along the coast, from near Blakeney (where I saw my first ever starfish - admitedly dead, but you have to take what you can get!).
On to Wells, where we went to Big Blue Sky and drooled over the lovely handmade items, and in to a crazy shop, housed in the old railway station that sold books and pottery. There was no owner to be seen, just a bell and a sign that said 'ring loudly for assistance'. Ooh, and a whole shelf of King Penguin books.
We had no luck finding somewhere to eat, and (after exhausting all possible options) ended up in MacDonalds in King's Lynn! But it was a fun ending to a fab weekend.
Thursday, 14 May 2009
a break from bargains
We interupt the bargains of the bank holiday weekend, as I fear it was getting a bit over the top!
My parents came up to visit last weekend, which is always fun. I never thought I would end up living so far away from them (it's about a two or three hour drive), although I am dealing with it better than I expected.
On Saturday we wandered round town, drank coffee, didn't eat cakes as they had sold out, and went for a walk in the evening. I was supposed to cook dinner, but changed my mind at the last minute, and we picked up takeway on the way home (which made everyone far happier).
Sunday morning we went to the car boot sale, which was a bit rubbish. I think I used up all my luck the weekend before!
We then went to Belton House for the day. It is one of my favourite National Trust properties. There are some beautiful formal gardens, and lots of big open spaces as well.
We got there just as it was opening, so had a chance to wander round the outside of the building taking pictures before it was covered in visitors. Somehow I have managed to end up with lots of pictures of details, rather than overall pictures of the place, but you get the idea.
The statue below was the inspiration for the book 'The Moondial' and where they filmed the children's tv series (back in the late 80s / early 90s). I vaguely remember it, but Mum got very excited by this!
We also went into the house, rather than just the grounds, which was beautiful. There were two vast libraries (my favourite rooms) and a gorgeous Chinese-style bedroom. They have recently started opening up the basement rooms, so we explored the butler's pantry and the wine cellar, as well as the stunning kitchen.
Overall, a lovely weekend.
My parents came up to visit last weekend, which is always fun. I never thought I would end up living so far away from them (it's about a two or three hour drive), although I am dealing with it better than I expected.
On Saturday we wandered round town, drank coffee, didn't eat cakes as they had sold out, and went for a walk in the evening. I was supposed to cook dinner, but changed my mind at the last minute, and we picked up takeway on the way home (which made everyone far happier).
Sunday morning we went to the car boot sale, which was a bit rubbish. I think I used up all my luck the weekend before!
We then went to Belton House for the day. It is one of my favourite National Trust properties. There are some beautiful formal gardens, and lots of big open spaces as well.
We got there just as it was opening, so had a chance to wander round the outside of the building taking pictures before it was covered in visitors. Somehow I have managed to end up with lots of pictures of details, rather than overall pictures of the place, but you get the idea.
The statue below was the inspiration for the book 'The Moondial' and where they filmed the children's tv series (back in the late 80s / early 90s). I vaguely remember it, but Mum got very excited by this!
We also went into the house, rather than just the grounds, which was beautiful. There were two vast libraries (my favourite rooms) and a gorgeous Chinese-style bedroom. They have recently started opening up the basement rooms, so we explored the butler's pantry and the wine cellar, as well as the stunning kitchen.
Overall, a lovely weekend.
Tuesday, 12 May 2009
Monday, 11 May 2009
bank holiday finds: volume three
So, it's been a while since the bank holiday, and I am still posting about it - sorry!
So this was another car boot sale find. And the point that S was about to disown me.
Yes, it's a toy crib.
No, I don't have kids.
No, I don't have the space for it.
But it's so cute!
Just look at the fantastic transfers.
I love the blue bear riding on the back of the pink swan. And the dear!
Thankfully, I've worked out that it can be dismantled, so it can be tucked away for a while - and hopefully S might forget about it!
So this was another car boot sale find. And the point that S was about to disown me.
Yes, it's a toy crib.
No, I don't have kids.
No, I don't have the space for it.
But it's so cute!
Just look at the fantastic transfers.
I love the blue bear riding on the back of the pink swan. And the dear!
Thankfully, I've worked out that it can be dismantled, so it can be tucked away for a while - and hopefully S might forget about it!
Wednesday, 6 May 2009
bank holiday finds: volume two
I never thought I would get one of these! A printers tray has been on my list of 'things to look out for' for a while.
On Saturday, while we were in Norwich, peering through the window of the printer's museum, I pointed them out to S, and told him to keep an eye out for them. Wandering round the car boot sale on Sunday, he muttered under his breath, 'is that what you are looking for?'
It was leaning against the car, slightly behind the table - I would have walked right past it.
On Saturday, while we were in Norwich, peering through the window of the printer's museum, I pointed them out to S, and told him to keep an eye out for them. Wandering round the car boot sale on Sunday, he muttered under his breath, 'is that what you are looking for?'
It was leaning against the car, slightly behind the table - I would have walked right past it.
When asked the lady how much the tray was, and she referred to it as a printer's tray, I thought that was a sign she knew what she had and was going to ask a ridicuous price. Instead, she asked for £2.
Sold!
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