get together

Yesterday to celebrate a friend's birthday eight of us went for afternoon tea at Luton Hoo. The whole afternoon was just lovely, stunning house, picturesque gardens and the weather perfect. The afternoon tea was delicious served by friendly staff and when we were replete we spent the rest of the afternoon exploring the gardens it couldn't have been better. I would highly recommended the experience. www.lutonhoo.co.uk/afternoon-tea-0
 

Christmas preparations have got the better of me, where has the time gone? My friend Sue suggested, for one night only, we turn her son's games room, at the bottom of their garden, into a 'Winter Wonderland'. We would invite friends for mulled wine, mince pies, a get together and a chance to buy unique gifts. We planned it, made and baked things and It all went extremely well, quite overwhelming really!

Last weekend we had a girls weekend in Newcastle a bit of shopping, good food, a sprinkling of culture and lots of chatting and laughter. My friend Susie owns a flat in West Jesmond and kindly invited Daryl, Amanda and I to stay. The good food started as soon as we got off the train, a very tasty tapas in a Spanish restaurant. The next day we went to the coast, Tynemouth, and had classic fish and chips. Before our lunch we had browsed around the flea market, held on the Victorian station platform at Tynemouth.

We have had a couple of family weeks and the weather has been kind. A few days in Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire visiting relatives in particular celebrating my nephews 18th Birthday. Alice went to Egypt for a week, enjoyed it but it was somewhat marred by having her ipod and money stolen as well as prickly heat. Bobbin has been given a spring hair cut, like a shorn sheep, she looks very cute though!

My dear friend Leanne is organising a Tabletop Sale to raise money for Recovery insight a self help support group for people affected by Bipolar Disorder. If you live in the St Albans area why not have a table and make money from your unwanted items or alternatively come along and bag a bargain.

If you would like to book a table (£8) or you have any unwanted goods that you would like to donate please contact: Leanne on 07876 715152 

Saturday 5th February

On Tuesday we went to East Sussex for a couple of days, mainly to Hastings to see Alice. The hotel we stayed at on the seafront, the White Rock Hotel , was very friendly and we would happily recommend it.

We had a hectic weekend in Yorkshire, with family, celebrating Steve's mum's 80th birthday. The surprise celebrations started with a family meal at the Mill House restaurant, Skidby Mill. We calculated It's the first time in about 15 years that all eleven of us had sat down to a meal together, how that time flies! We couldn't stay long because Alice had to get back to University.

we took advantage of two of the many St albans Festival events, Larks in the Parks and St Albans Alive! Sue and I had a lovely day on our craft stall at Larks in the Parks, it was like a village fete, and because it was local we knew lots of people to say hello and chat to. I just wonder if they will put it on next year, with all the expected local government cut backs, shame if they don't.Yesterday we went to St albans Alive!

On Tuesday I had a nice 'crafty' morning with my friend Sue. I was showing Sue how to crochet roses and spirals, we both agreed the spirals would make interesting necklaces. Sue showed me some of the things she is working on at the moment, I like a show and tell, it's good to share ideas.