Christmas morning 2013

Ruby wedding Anniversary

Stratford upon Avon weekend away with the family

Baking with Owen

Owen and his cakes

This is my lovely grandson Owen who had an afternoon with me, we did some baking together. He is a good egg breaker . nice and neat, and even washes his hands without being tolds, must have been all the training he has had whilst helping mummy  bake.

Anyway we had a some fun quality time together, and we made three sorts of cakes, fairy cakes, raisin cakes and chocolate with marshmallow, we also used chocolate sprinkles and icing and butter icing.

We made two dozen cakes a dozen for my daughter (his mum) who had to sample all three in the interests purely of taste testing!!!! not a chance she would have loved a bit of cake.


All in all a lovely day with my very special grandson.

Day out to Ironbridge

Chester

Away for a couple of days and wish we had booked for longer, it was so nice, the weather was hot and we were able to walk and not have to worry how far we were walking in case it rained!However we did get a downpour of rain and lightening on tuesday night.
This is where we stayed, The mill hotel and spa in Chester it was a former mill called wisemans mill.

 The mill hotel has a river boat that you around the canal and the city walls of chester.Also there is a spa and gymnasium, beauty treatments and a luxurious pool to swim in, we used none of it this time too busy sightseeing.

 Canal waterway and some of the new eateries and pubs that have opened, great for nightime.


Boathouse pub ..outside

The Bear and Billett





The Cross Keys ..Joules pub

Inside Joules pub, Gary had been on a mission to find this one and we werent disappointed , the slumbering monk beer was delicious, so we went in again the next day.

We also went into The Tap, The Pied Bull,  many more to visit when we go again.

Of course it aint all booze and cruising and real ale, Oh no the other half of this couple is mwah me, and I like a bit of culture Oh indeedy.
We started out on a nice warm evening intending to have a bit of a walk, but completed the tour of the city walls and the following photos are view on the way around the 3km walk.

I also just love old cathedrals , Abbeys and so we had to visit Chester Cathedral and it was beautiful.

 Since the last time we had visited some 30 years ago much had changed, including a sculpture and a garden in the quadrangle of the cathedral. A bookshop and gift shop and also a restaurant.

Inside the cathedral is this beautiful garden where we rested and enjoyed the view as did many more people.

This is the sculpture we hadnt seen before, the sound of the running water was very peaceful and tranquil.

Chester has some marvelous shops, I could do a weekend alone just shopping, however enjoyment was what we sought and these beautiful painting caught our eye.

Theres me by the paintings, we treated ourselves to two miniature ones to bring home with us.
Would we go again....ABSOLUTELY.