Follow the link for the photos https://photos.app.goo.gl/zsVMz89aY9U7w9sJ7
30.4.19:
It
was about 9pm when we arrived home so a glass of cava was most welcome. Well,
that was when we managed to get the cork out if the bottle. Ate a light but
plentiful supper and headed to bed in the guest room of Mary's new apartment
complex designed for older people. Spacious and all any guest would need
especially as Mary had added several homely touches to compensate for the
official notices (7of them).
Weather:
Perpignan
24°, sunny; Birmingham 15°, cloudy (on arrival)
1.5.19: May Day
We
made a leisurely start and eventually got ourselves over to "Pesto".
Met up with Annie and Graham for lunch. We reminisced about their time in
France over tasty food and a glass of wine.
http://pestorestaurants.co.uk/find-a-restaurant/pesto-sutton-coldfield-2/
From there we went back to theirs for a cuppa and more chat. Rounded off the afternoon with a trip to the lovely Sutton Park where we checked out the newly opened Bracegridge restaurant. A pretty swish place with a large terrace overlooking the lake. https://thebracebridge.com/
http://pestorestaurants.co.uk/find-a-restaurant/pesto-sutton-coldfield-2/
From there we went back to theirs for a cuppa and more chat. Rounded off the afternoon with a trip to the lovely Sutton Park where we checked out the newly opened Bracegridge restaurant. A pretty swish place with a large terrace overlooking the lake. https://thebracebridge.com/
Had a hot drink and came home for a cava but still
couldn't open the bottle. Luckily, as last night, Mary had another one in
reserve. Just see how our supper looks almost too pretty to eat. Despite a not
very energetic day, with a relatively early start in view we made it to bed at
a reasonable time.
Weather:
16°,
overcast
2.5.19:
Made
sure that the guest room was clean before handing back the keys. Don't know how
we did it but we were out for 10am to go to M and S to exchange the bottle of
cava that we couldn't get the cork out of, which they did without problem.
Did
the scenic tour around Mere Green, a seriously upmarket (now) part of B'ham.
Trendy bars, brasseries, restaurants and independent shops. Apparently even the
hospice charity shop has a large selection of evening and cruise wear!
Arrived
in good time to take Mum for lunch to the "Red Lion", the village local. Really nice landlord and the food wasn't too bad, either
A
quiet afternoon then it was back to Jill's for the evening.
Weather:
15°.
Sunny soon clouding over, a heavy downpour then drizzle.
3.5.19:
Leisurely
start before collecting Si from Alison's to take him to the station. Stopped in
Moreton long enough for a coffee and as Mum was away shopping, we had another
at the community café. A bite to eat and
then tackled Mum's fridge. Suffice it to say a lot was binned. Tomorrow the pantry and that's a daunting
prospect, I can tell you. Feeling pretty weary, Jill and I abandoned the idea
of braving the rain to go for a drink and instead stayed home and watched tv
Weather:
14°,
same as yesterday
5.5.19: On Safari/Pride of
Lions
Instead
I had a date with Andy and Mary who, by chance, were up from Dorset for a week’s
holiday. Was great to catch up in person rather than by email.
We
had lunch at "The Red Lion" in Long Compton. That's the second Red
Lion in four days! How many before to make it a pride? The place had loads of
character, low ceilings, stone floors, nooks and crannies.
Back
to Jill's for a cuppa and like a home from home, spent the evening in front of
the box.
Weather:
12°,
cloudy
4.5.19:
Took
Mum to the community café to fortify ourselves for a clean up of her pantry. Threw
out at least 8 jars of out of date tartar sauce! There was more besides but you
don't need the gory details. 3 hours later we called it a day with still one
more shelf and the freezer left to tackle.
Well,
it was Saturday night so rather than watch tv, we hit the town! A Pinot Noir in
"the George" and a Pinot Noir in "Thirst Impressions", a new micro pub. But there again,
there's only so much Pinot that a girl can safely drink, so we headed home and
........ watched tv.
Weather:
12°,
Sun, menacing cloud, chilly wind
6.5.19:
Who'd
have thought that it would have been such a cold Bank Holiday. We were spared
rain though which was a boon as Jean and John came down for a catch up.
Had
a walk around Moreton then went off in search of lunch at the Batsford Arboretum.
It was too cold to sit out on the patio so the dining room was pretty busy.
Abandoned the idea of a walk given it was cold and went back to Moreton for tea
and cake.
Arrived
back at Jill's just in time to welcome Jen down from Yorkshire; so tonight there
were three pairs of eyes fixed on some nondescript tv instead of two.
Weather:
12°,
cloudy
7.5.19:
Went
to the village café only to find that it was closed. In true community spirit,
the manageress of the attached shop offered to make Jen and I a drink which we had sitting out on
the terrace.
Took
Mum out for lunch to the garden centre, had a walk around and then tea and
cake.
More
tea back at Mum's and then home to Jill's for another night in with telly, cava
and for a change walnut whips.
Weather:
13°,
sun and cloud with the odd spot of rain
8.5.18:
Met
up with Irene and Margaret who came down from near Melton Mowbray.
Started
off in the "Three Ewes" for coffee and then wandered over to "El
Café" for a tapas lunch.
https://www.elcafe.co.uk/ We were served a great selection which was very
tasty. Had a good laugh and had even more when we ended up back at Jill's for a
cuppa.
Only
had room for a very light supper whilst watching tv. My body is missing the
treadmill and despite the lack of exercise, I'm nevertheless feeling tired from the
overindulgence. Oh, for a stronger will.
Weather:
15°,
rain
9.5.19:
Went
to the village café with Jen. Route planning to the Dales for her and catching
up with emails for me.
Up
at Mum's she was in the starting blocks to go to do her grocery shopping. An
added bonus was Rosie's lunch time stopover just before Mum had to leave. She
and I had a quick catch up over tea and sandwiches.
Mum
arrived home to find me stuck into dealing with the last shelf in the pantry.
Of note this time were the ten out of date boxes of sweeteners.
This
evening Mel and Boo took us to the Marina bistro for some serious tapas. https://www.marinacafebistrostratford.co.uk/default.html
Afterward we carried on along the river to Tiddington to the Baraset House which will be on the agenda next time I'm over. Had
a last drink, well I'd did. The others had hot chocolate! Well, next stop was home and bed. https://www.barasetbarn.co.uk/
Weather:
14°,
rain
10.5.19:
Up
in time to catch a bus to Stratford just after 9am but ****** I found that the
timetable at the bus stop had not been updated by the Council; there were 30
minutes to wait during which time I grumbled about the lack of customer care
and thanked my lucky stars that at least it wasn't raining.
Met
Bernadette as arranged and the first item on the agenda was a coffee at
"Coffee 1" where we started on our catch up.
Some
shopping and a leisurely lunch at the theatre overlooking the river followed.
No
prizes for guessing how Jill and I spent the evening.
Weather:
15°,
sun, cloud, few spots of rain
11.5.19:
Toddled
down into the town for a coffee at "The George" where met and chatted
to a young family. Went over to Mum's and continued to attack her cupboards.
Then
it was back home and up to Alison's where Mel and Paul were already ensconced
for an evening en famille.
Weather:
17°,
sun, cloud
12.4.19. Best laid plans
Up
and out to see Mum as she emerged from church. Then waited and waited and
waited for Karen to arrive for lunch. Eventually found out that she was blocked
in her house by a cycle race so it was a late sandwich lunch and a promise that
we'd meet up in Autumn when I'm back again. It hadn't been a completely wasted
morning as the weather was sunny and the bench in the garden beckoned.
Took
a walk down town with Jill for a cuppa at the George and bumped into Mervyn
with whom I was at school and haven't seen since.
This
evening called around to Kim and Simon's for a drink which we enjoyed sitting
in their back garden.
Supper,
tv, bed
Weather:
19°,
sun and light cloud.
13.5.19:
Last
day in the ancestral stamping ground so I spent the best part of the time with
Mum. We did a couple of crosswords, went for a walk and watched some tv. Took
the bus back to Jill's for an evening of packing, eating up bits and pieces and
finishing a stray bottle of cava in the fridge.
Weather:
19°,
sun and light cloud
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