A Much Needed Break

Heythrop Park Hotel

Cotswolds, UK

A relaxing and much needed destination for a weekend away as we reach the halfway stage in the renovations at the bungalow. 

 We had a quick pit stop on the way, to have a much needed coffee each and share a tuna, sweetcorn and pasta salad.  It was a five hour, but relatively easy journey from home to the Cotswolds.  SatNavs are brilliant things. 😀

When we arrived we settled into our room and then a had a lovely meal before settling down for our 'Tribute Acts' weekend. 

The first night's entertainment was a Bryan Adams tribute  ... Bein' Adams.  He sounded just like the real thing according to Alan who is a big Adams fan.

After a multi-course breakfast on Saturday we had a lovely lazy day.  Exploring the hotel, reading,  drinking coffee and just generally unwinding.   Alan has needed this time-out for a while.

After a very lazy morning we both enjoyed the Kyle Minogue tribute 'Kyle Fied' in the afternoon. 

Followed by the Madonna tribute in the evening, before the masses piled into the theatre venue to watch the England world cup match live on the big screen. 

 We retired to our room, where I fell asleep instantly and Alan managed to stay awake long enough to see the first half.  Neither of us are football fans ... sorry.  😄

Meanwhile, back at home Ginger is very happy with Uncle Jason, who has been busy watering the garden for me and relaxing himself. 

I'm sure he was tuned into the football match, he's much more of a footie fan than us. ⚽️

Sue xx

 

The Middle Aisles Reeled Me In

 

4th Aldi - £26.38

This weeks shopping for your perusal.  I nearly shared it the other day, but it would have clashed with Sue's lovely shopping display on Monday.

I was hijacked twice on this shopping trip.  

Once by the plant trolley outside, after all how could I resist such an unusual plant for just £1.89, then once I had reached the usually very ignorable middle aisles, I spied something deliciously green.  Two little pie dishes for £2.99, I popped them in my trolley along with a dispenser for washing up liquid that will look wonderful in our soon-to-be new kitchen.

The receipt.

I was surprised to only spend £26.38 really, but not buying alcohol worked in my favour.  Two little dishes will last so much longer than a bottle of wine!!

Here it is on the worktop at home, it doesn't look much but it really was all that I needed for now to go with the things that I already have.

Do you get tempted by the middle aisles in Aldi or Lidl?

Sue xx

Just a Simple Sort of Day

 

It was just a normal, simple day ... but I photographed it. 

Starting with breakfast of what I already had on the go, some orange juice and a Weetabix with the last of the stewed apple from the freezer.  I must do some more, stewed apple and Weetabix goes so well together.  It's good to start the day with two of my five a day, and yes these measurements of orange juice and apple were the exact amount needed to qualify.

Don't worry about it being dry I did add a good splash of soya milk after I took the photo. 😄

The while the washing was whizzing around in the machine I got out the pegs and put the line across the garden.  I never take the washing machine for granted after washing everything by hand for many, many years.  Some things are worth appreciating.

All pegged out.

It wasn't terribly sunny but the breeze kept everything moving and it was all dry for late afternoon and put away by bedtime,

While the washing was drying, I did a bit of tidying, a run through with the hoover and had a bit of a top up of the spice tin.  

It's always good to check what I have and what I might need to buy soon. I have just about enough of everything at the moment, and spares of the things that are almost running out.  The onion granules ... the tub with the spoon in ... are running low, but they are a bit stuck together so I need to chop at them with the little spoon for a while whenever I need some.  I will persevere until they are all gone and then I have a new pack waiting to be broken into..

Lunch was a nice simple affair of scrambled eggs on toast with my usual coffee.

https://youtu.be/HeBteQW7_kA?si=Oss3vMUJxKBMj6z8

It was eaten in front of the television while I watched a 'new to me'  YouTube channel called The Hidden House.  It's a lovely relaxing watch, especially over some tasty food and a coffee.

Later I sat outside and read a bit more of my book.  I do want to get this one finished so I can take a nice new read away with me for the weekend.  I'm nearly there.

For my tea I had decided on some pasta, so I had a bit of a pasta cookathon so that I would have some more for later in the week.  It just makes sense to make three times what you actually need, if I don't use it all it can go into the freezer before we go away.

I had found half a tins worth of tuna in a little tub in the fridge, so I had a simple tea of pasta, peas and tuna liberally sprinkled with grated cheese.  It was very tasty, again eaten in front of the television this time watching The Chase.

I am really looking forward to having a dining table when we move into the bungalow!

 

I was feeling peckish halfway through the evening, so I raided the fridge and had half a tub of my recently stewed rhubarb with the last of a tub of yoghurt.  Swiftly followed by another black coffee.

Yes, I can drink black caffeinated coffee just before bedtime and still fall asleep within minutes. 😁

Just an average sort of day in my life, but photographed as I lived it.

Sue xx

Remembering ... with Flowers

 

Look what came up in my Facebook Memories this morning.  I shared it years ago and it felt very appropriate.

As I had just been out into the garden to take some photos of the flowers that we currently have there.

The potentillas ...  Anemone 'Ruffled Swan'

Two bees were busy buzzing around, much more interested in the flowers than they were in me.

The sunflowers.

The cherry tomatoes.

One of the many figs.

And the little vegetable bed, with the intense heat of the last few weeks the Rocket had gone to seed, but the bees loved the flowers so they are staying in situ for now.

The bee drinking station that I always have in the garden.  The birds love it as much as the bees and other insects, so it needs topping up daily.

The reason for me photographing some of the flowers in the garden ...

... I was remembering Suky.

13th October 2011 -  6th July 2024

  💖🌹💖

Sue xx

 

Rhubarb and Renovations

 

I've been a bit slow to pick the first lot of rhubarb this year, so yesterday I just went out and pulled off half of the stalks.  I just pull and cut until I know that I will have enough chopped rhubarb to fill my largest pan.  

Cooked with just a smidge of water and minimal sugar it doesn't take long to do.  Every year I wonder why it takes me so long to get around to actually doing it.  😄

Once it was done and cooled down, I divided it between four tubs, two for me and two for Alan.  I had some of mine with my yoghurt for breakfast this morning.  It was absolutely delicious.

I'll be doing an action replay next week as there is at least the same amount of rhubarb left in the garden.

https://youtu.be/40ZKOC2L0XM?si=glLFVDSph3988A9Z

The plasterers finished on Wednesday, a day earlier than planned as they had another job to do the next day.  They worked late into the evening to complete ours.  As you can see from this YouTube walk through, they have done an excellent job of it.

Alan is back at the bungalow again today painting some more of the walls and perhaps a couple of ceilings.  He wants one coat on in the main room if possible, before next Monday when the 'screeders' will be at the bungalow to screed the floor and get it ready for the underfloor heating.

Then he will be able to have some time off as we will not be able to walk on the floor at all.  Hence me booking us a long weekend away starting on the 10th, where there will be no tools, no work clothes, just rest, relaxation and the spa for Alan, and rest, relaxation and a couple of good books for me.

Sue xx