I am back home from a wonderful week of gallivanting around with hubby celebrating our wedding anniversary. We have really had a wonderful time and really enjoyed it all but, in truth, we both admit to feeling relieved to be back at home and sort of back to normal. We still haven't exchanged contracts on the houses. I won't bore you anymore with that issue. Suffice to say that I don't rate solicitors very highly just at the moment.
Anyway, back to our jaunts. After a lovely meal at a local pub on the Wednesday with good friends, we carried on our days as normal until the Sunday when we went up to London in the afternoon and had dinner at The Ivy which is known as much for its celebrity clientelle as it is for its menu. We checked in a little early for our allocated time slot and so had a cocktail while we waited. Pina colada? Yes please.
We were shown to our table which meant that we had to walk past Ricky Gervais who was having a meal with friends. Now, he's not my favourite person but he did flash me a lovely smile so that was nice. I'm also 99% sure that Jake Wood (East Enders' Max Branning and current star of Strictly) was there too but I couldn't be sure. Anyway, the food was lovely. I had calves liver which was beautifully cooked. I also had a glass of expensive champagne as a treat as Grandad had offered to buy the meal for us. In retrospect this was a mistake because, when presented with the bill for our evening (which was expensive but it was a special event) he decided that he wouldn't pay for it after all and gave us some cash towards it. Not quite what was offered but there you go!
From The Ivy it was on to Euston station where we were catching the sleeper train to Edinburgh. Now, I know that that is not everyone's idea of the way to travel but I have never been on a sleeper train and really wanted to give it a go. Our train didn't leave until 23.30 so we had time for a couple of drinks and then I decided it would be a good idea to buy a bottle of Prosecco for our journey or for the next night. Needless to say, we didn't drink the Prosecco and ended up bringing it home with us.
The train journey was fun and I found it really comfy although the champagne may have helped in that department. I slept really well although the cabin was very cosy and there really wasn't enough room to swing a cat in there.
We even ventured down to the lounge because we could where hubby ordered a beer and I had a cup of tea. It was really a silly thing to do but it was fun.
The next morning we had tea delivered to our cabin, got dressed and then arrived at Edinburgh bang on time.
We were both feeling a touch jaded but the weather was glorious and our hotel room wasn't ready so be dropped our bags off and went for a wander. The fresh air did us both the world of good.
That evening, after hubby had watched the football, we went for a stroll up to the castle which looked spectaular. The next morning we went and did the whole tour and it really was fantastic. Worth every penny of the £16 entrance fee. There was so much to see and so much of it was very moving. I loved it. We then did one of the underground tours which I had done before with friends. It was as good as I remembered.
Too soon it was time to get back on the train to return to London. We travelled first class which was nice. Free drinks and sandwiches all the way if you wanted them. We finally got back home at about 8pm, weary but elated.
On the Wednesday we were out again with my sister and brother in law who treated us to a super curry. We had a great evening chatting and catching up. As usual, we said that we should do it more often and, as usual, we probably won't! We always mean it when we say it but life has a habit of getting in the way sometimes.
On Friday we drove down to Salcombe in Devon where I had booked us into a very swish hotel for the evening. We had a room that overlooked the estuary and had it's own balcony, sun loungers, complimentary gin and sherry and a bed and bedding to die for. It really was wonderful and I felt very relaxed and comfortable there which says more than anything else about how lovely it was.
Hubby had never been to Salcombe before but I had been several times with Jonathan and I wanted to show hubby what a lovely place it is and he wasn't disappointed. He enjoyed it very much.
We went to all of the places that I used to go with Jonathan and we had a cup of coffee and a piece of cake in his favourite coffee shop.Our evening meal was fabulous. We ate at The Victoria Inn. Food, staff, service and atmosphere all fab.
Our visit stirred a few memories for me about times I had spent there and it was quite apt that it would have been Jonathan's 31st birthday on the day that we travelled home again.
Now, I should be putting photos of Salcombe here but I can't find them at the moment. Typical.
So, that's it for now as far as our celebrations go. We still have dinner at The Ritz to book but I think we will leave that for now. The next things looming are the imminent arrival of grandchild number 4 who is already a couple of days late and the house move.
Oh yes, and just before I go, if any of you like a good read I can recommend India Knight's latest book called In Your Prime.
I confess to being a huge India Knight fan and, if I was a writer, I would want to write like her. Her style really appeals to me. I have all of her books and I refer back to them often. This latest book is aimed at women of my age...in the last third of life apparently...and is full of her experiences and tips/advice on things such as exercise (yoga all way and no running!), beauty basics, health and dealing with ageing parents among other things. I more or less read the book in one sitting but I have it on my iPad and I really think I prefer reading a 'proper' book. Must be my age! Anyway, I shall be asking for the 'proper' book for Christmas if anyone asks.
Love to all.
I feel that I have loads more to talk about but this will do for now. Need sleep!
xxxxx
Oh..... I've found a few Salcombe photos. Enjoy! Xx
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