Manor Heath Park with Lennie and Iris

Still here...

....Has been a bit of a difficult couple of weeks with family health but will be back soon.x

Mapp and Lucia....

Completely addicted to the Steve Pemberton BBC adaptation 

Was also lucky enough last week to pick up four of the six EF Benson books from the Thursday market for 50p each!!! - Must try and find the earlier TV adapt with the late lovely Geraldine McEwan and Prunella Scales.
....and one day, one day we MUST go to Tilling (Rye).

Au Reservoir!

Perishing Hebden and Dosa heaven

We popped to the Sunday Market in Hebden and had a little scurry round - it was soo soo sooo cold - clearly lots of people had decided to stay indoors, so we managed to get a Dosa and a cup of chai (usually the queues for this stall are soo long) and George surprised us all by eating most of it! - Coconut and potato curry wrap for the win.
He did have a jumper on but demanded to wear his fireman jacket....precocious, moi?

Coffee and customer service

Friday was another gorgeous cold, crisp, blue sky and sunshine day. My favourite type of day, We popped along to the Indoor market mid-afternoon time with George zooming along on his scooter.

As the Coffee shop was all but empty save for two older chaps who looked rooted there, we took the chance to perch on the high stools and have a drink. 

I'd known for a while that they were part of a group who are rather renowned for roasting their own beans and knew from experience how incredibly popular they were, but as I usually visit with offspring in tow the most I have ever had was a quickly grabbed Frappe one summer's day. 

This time, I ordered a Peaberry, Jon an Ipanema and we got a tea for George (maybe it's a northern thing, but rather like me he has been drinking milky tea now since about 18 months of age). 

The drinks were impeccable, served in small individual cafetiere with a little jug of milk - perfect strength and clearly made by someone who has a real understanding of coffee; however the service was weird (we were clearly together but she took the order one person at a time and went off to make that individual drink before returning for the next order) plus the general demeanour was dour, disinterested and as though we were putting her to great trouble (I guess most people here must just choose to order the house blend latte/capu/espresso?) but when you carry a huge selection of teas and coffees surely it is to be expected that someday, somebody might want to order them... I know children are annoying, I know he spilled some tea (which I mopped up) and I know we might have been a pain ordering three different drinks, but you were soo quiet I thought you'd be glad of the trade. I'd really like to return, because your product was excellent, but I was soo put off by the service. If you want to work in a customer facing role, it really helps if you don't fucking hate people. 

Thursday - treats and everything.

The Bear delivered on taste and style as always, beautiful deli salads and flatbread and all a lovely treat courtesy of Lennie and baby Iris after most enjoyable our tramp round the Thursday market. I was also gifted a great bit chunk of Lancashire crumbly. 

Royal Blood

Royal Blood - Ten Tonne Skeleton (Official Video): http://youtu.be/eD7NZTQ3QxY - I know, I know, It does sound a bit like Muse but I can't help myself...

Star of the week

So very proud... George got star of the week, for his dancing! - we had to go into assembly and he was presented with it on Friday morning. So afterwards we took him to The Bear for breakfast as a celebratory treat. We chose their platter which suited us perfectly...G had the fruit, I had the sourdough toast and Jon had the pastries. We also shared coffee, hot chocolate and an elderflower fizz.

Lennie and Iris

I had a lovely visit from Lennie and Iris today...

Beautiful girls.

Pusskins

Thirty SEVEN....

It's my birthday.....

Little trip to Perrydore Cottage in Dorstone near Hay in Herfordshire 

Beautiful place only marred by me going and picking up a flu bug that put me to bed for three days...SOB. 

Managed a jaunt into Hay for beetroot ice cream, presents and a shop.

Note to self....don't go on holiday in January, it's a pants month and whether at home or away you cannot escape that...

Blackbird

We got the chance to sneak out for a cocktail while Graham and Pop looked after George and went to the lovely new bar 'Blackbird' on Water Street. 

I had a Blackbird Bloody Mary - very nice if a little heavy on the celery salt, and Jon had an Old Cuban, lots of rum! - thankfully we walked home and Graham came back for the car!