Random thoughts of a would-be knitter

Sunday, May 23, 2010

(Almost) The Perfect Weekend

Wow! What a wonderful weekend. After a slightly shaky, not to mention queasy, start I hopped on the train to Bath to join my sister for a spot of pampering. She'd spent a pretty hardcore week walking over 100 miles along the Cotswold Way (crazy girl, eh?!) and a bit of TLC was most definitely in order! First off was a trip to my favourite vegetarian restaurant Demuth's where, along with Amanda's friends Claire and Jo, we polished off a whole table full of treats, including chickpea bites, labna, a deli dip platter and some delicious lemon and herb arancini.

After lunch Amanda and I hit the shops for a spot of retail therapy. Shop of the day was probably Bloomsbury, where I found an amazing ring - a sterling silver band with a single silver button on it. Perfect! We were also very keen on All Saints, where we tried on pretty much every dress in the store and had our very own personal shopper! I even managed to buy a pair of skinny fit jeans that actually fit.

After all that shopping it was time for the pampering to begin. Amanda was treating us both to a full spa session and a treatment each, so we headed off to the Thermae Bath Spa. We started off in the open-air rooftop pool and soaked ourselves in the warm, bubbling spa water in glorious sunshine, while admiring the beautiful city skyline. Feeling pretty relaxed, we went down to the main pool for a bit of a swim, then into the scented saunas and foot baths. After two luxurious hours we parted company for our treatments. I was booked into a Balinese Dry Flotation session, which was simply heaven. I think I've got the world's best sister - thanks Amanda!


Sunday, saw me collected from the station by David and whisked off for a picnic and a stroll at Mottisfont. It was so beautiful and the flowers in the walled garden were just stunning. I can't wait to go back in a few weeks to see all of the roses in bloom. To round off the weekend we stopped off for a deliciously cold pint of cloudy cider in the beer garden of The Mill Arms in Dunbridge. I'm a bit sad that D is away now for the week, but aside from that it really was a perfect weekend!

Sunday, May 9, 2010

Enjoying a Week by the Sea

The last week has been a real tonic, taking it easy on the south coast, enjoying long, lazy lie-ins, lovely days out and about on the seashore, and late-night lounging with a glorious glass of wine. Finishing work on Friday night was a great start to the week and a real treat, as my friend Claire and I popped along to South Kensington to visit the Grace Kelly, Style Icon exhibition at the V&A. It was achingly beautiful and oh so glamorous. (But did leave me feel ever so slightly scruffy!)


Saturday morning, I drove down to enjoy the peace and tranquility of Lyme Regis, one of my favourite places to be in the world. D and I rented an apartment in the beautiful Coram Tower for a little bit of the quiet life. It was great to be right in the middle of town and to be able to just pop down to the beach, or the Cobb, anytime we wanted for a stroll and simply to be by the water.

I picked up the needles and have nearly finished my Owls sweater. I even treated myself to four pairs of stunning vintage knitting needles from my favourite Lyme shop, Susie Cole.

We passed many tranquil hours reading some great books, including Remarkable Creatures by Tracy Chevalier (set in Lyme, and featuring one of her most famous inhabitants, Mary Anning) and Tree Surgery for Beginners by Patrick Gale. I also enjoyed a couple of movies, Gideon's Daughter and Coco Before Chanel. D and I visited the Donkey Sanctuary in Sidmouth. They do amazing work at the sanctuary and have up to 400 donkeys at any given time. My personal favourite was a very cute fellow named Mr Walter Baker! I tried to invite him home to stay with us, but I think we might have been a bit tight for space in the Volvo!


Highlight of the week has to be dinner on Friday night - chips on the beach with a glass of something cold and fizzy! What more could you want from life...?

And here is my nearly finished Owls sweater.
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Congratulations Mr & Mrs!

Conratulations to Shona and Iain! The big day finally arrived and what a day it was! The bride was beautiful, the sun shone, the brother of the bride speech reduced everyone to tears, and D even managed to make me look like I knew what I was doing at the ceilidh! (Although the waltzing did make me a little bit dizzy!) It was such a happy day and it was wonderful to see my dear friends so deeply full of joy.

The ceremony was held at St Giles Church in Stanton St Quintin, Wiltshire, officiated by a rather charmingly eccentric vicar, with the reception held at Stanton Manor, where we celebrated with Pimms on the lawn, a hog roast and dancing into the small hours. Sorry for the distinct lack of photos, but I was either busy carrying out my bridesmaidly duties or plain having fun! The button bouquets and bracelets were loved by the flower girls and the wedding favours seemed to go down really well too. (Fingers crossed for a lottery millionaire...)

The happy couple are now off to start married life with their honeymoon in Thailand and Cambodia. Hope that they have a wonderul time.