What would I do without you guys?

I have had a lovely summer, not the summer I had expected.  No work, very tight budget, a poorly papichen and Mamilein and being asked to be a god mother.  Thank you to all who have been there this summer I love you all.  I've been on day trips to Manor Houses and palaces, the seaside, baby music lessons and a wildlife or two.  It has been a summer full of memories.

It's My Birthday!

"Happy 35th Birthday!"  G.O whispered at 12.01am this morning, I smiled sleepily and then went back to sleep.  Only to sit bolt upright and say "What do you mean? 35!" 

"Yes, that's what app on my phone says,!"  He replied, "I'm 38!" He looked sheepish and a little confused.  He is 34 and I am 3 years (4 years now, until November) older than he is, what is confusing about that? "Ah he said, stupid app!"

G.O made up for it though in the morning (the real morning, not stupid o'clock) by presenting me with my gift (a Kindle HD, I have wanted one for a while now, I have too many books, and yes you  can have too many books!) and a beautiful heartfelt card. 

 

Last year I didn't receive a card, I was told it was at work" and that he would get it to me when he returned to work.  I never got the card that said "Happy Birthday to my wife" on my first birthday as someone's wife.  This is still a sore spot as you can tell.

 

We lounged around the house, I replied to Facebook and text messages and Skyped my parents in Germany.  The we decided to go out for a spot of lunch.  I have always wanted to go to the Crazy Bear restaurant in Stadhampton.  It is a wonderful kooky place with a bear hidden in the ceiling and reception housed in a double decker red bus.  When we arrived I looked everywhere for someone to talk to but the place was deserted, just as I was about to give up a man emerges from the floor, I should have looked down!  "We have no places available all weekend, you should have booked!"  "We were just passing anyway!" I lied. 

 

Just when I thought my fate was to go to the all you can eat Chinese buffet and partake in a spot of ten pin bowling, like a spotty teenager (I love bowling, I'm just being dramatic) I remembered a pub that we had visited years ago.  It have a lovely garden with lots of nooks and crannies, you can sit around the table behind a hedge and never be seen by another sole again.  G.O couldn't remember a thing, even as we pulled into the car park he wasn't convinced he had ever been there before.  As we walked through the garden and he saw the  building he said "I do remember this place we sat over there!" 

The place hadn't changed much, it has a very chilled, calm vibe and as we arrived we were greeted by the landlady who showed us to a table tucked away in a nook by the, thankfully unlit, fire.  The menu was simple,  I can't cope when there is a lot of choice, and they had a set menu to choose from.  I went for the dressed crab and Sea bass, with crushed potatoes and G.O  had the risotto and belly pork.  (Simple menu but it still took the pair of us ten minutes to remember what had to eat).  We sat and chatted, putting the world to rights as only we can, we made some exciting decisions (I won't share just yet)  one of which was that we would make the Mole Inn our new local, everyone needs a place that they always go to, Pizzeria Venezia anybody?

 

 

To The Manor Born

Great Weekend

It was lovely to spend some quality one with the G.O this weekend, especially as we were able to leave the house.  

We have recently joined Costco. I know we are very late to the game, but that place is awesome.  Everytime we go I am amazed at the range and sheer volume available.  They were selling full size swimming pools, enormous flat screen TVs, a sofa in a box and a canoe! 

It never ceases to amaze me, just what is on offer. I have feeling that this could be the best/worst thing we've ever done.  I have to confess I have become slightly addicted to their pretzels and love nothing more than curling up on the sofa munching away.

On Sunday we decided to make the most of the glorious weather and our National Trust membership and visit Hughenden Manor, just outside West Wycombe.

Hughenden Manor was the home to the charismatic and colourful Victorian Prime Minister, Benjamin Disraeli, who lived there from 1848 to 1881.

We were able to tour the house on our own and browse among an extraordinary collection of personal memorabilia.  I find it amazing that we are allowed into these huge and wonderful houses and garden and are able to explore as we choose.  Sometimes the houses feel warm and inviting and other times, especially when they are "dressed" for the occasion, they feel creepy. Particularly the cellars (I don't like cellars).
While we were there we learned about  Hughenden's secret wartime past (map making) in the Second World War room in the cellars.

 Like I said the cellars are creepy, I wandered around half expecting to see, feel, or hear something otherworldly.  I watch way too much Most Haunted.

After our tour of the house, we took a stroll around the amazing gardens and woodlands.

Then we found a nice, sucluded spot and had a picnic.  It was one of those idyllic moments you hope to have.

I was once told by a very good friend, Mrs F, that to make the most of your NT membership you need to visit at least 6 venues, as of Saturday our July 2013-July 2014 count is 6, I think we've made our annual quota.

1.  Waddeson Manor

2.  Stowe

3.  Waddeson Manor

4.  Buscot Park

5.  Basildon Park

6.  Hughenden Manor  

Grateful

I would like to thank everyone for all the cards, emails, messages and visits over the past couple if weeks.  It is lovely to feel so loved.

Here are a selection of the lovely cards.

Made by the gorgeous Panda class ( and some tigers).

So much love, thank you all. xxx