I am not asking for sympathy - and I am sure none of you will care (please don't send the RACV number) but I am absolutely stuffed and in need of a holiday ...
The last hurrah was a great lunch at the Arden Arms in Stockport with Anne and Kathy - a charming old pub with a long history.The land on which the present ‘Arden Arms’ pub stands was originally a market garden. The current hotel 'Arden Arms’ was built in 1815, in a contemporary late Georgian style.
The interior of the pub today is classified as one of only 250 remaining pub interiors (out of over 60,000) in Great Britain that remain of outstanding heritage interest.
The Arden has a multi roomed layout with a fine curved wooden bar, the original tiled floors and a tiny snug you can only reach by being invited through the bar. - As Anne knew the owners Joe and Steve - we were fortunate to sit here for our lunch. As we waited for our table we sat in the cobbled courtyard, now a beer garden where there is still evidence of the stables that would have once existed. Apparaently down the steep stairs to the cellar one can visit the mortuary slabs, testament to the time when inquests were held at this historic pub. No - I did not do this.
To the rescue ... a charming English 'bobby' straight out of 'Sunhill' offers to carry my case up the stairs - phew!!! their is a goddess after all.
Arriving at Clapham Junction - I trundled my case up Northcote Rd to Matt and Glenn's and virtually fell in the doorway- the house was unusually quiet- I had almost expected to see Adele there - devoid of visitors for a day or two - Matthew off on an impromptu business trip to New York - just Glenn and myself made our way to The Thai for one of the best Thai meals I have had outside of Thailand itself. I certainly needed the Tiger beer to wash down the chillies ... Slept well.
Today I have decided to rest - changed my plans to see Chris till tomorrow - I've spent the morning sorting all the 'stuff' I have accumulated (mainly books and leaflets), reconcile my credit card expenditure (and give myself either a case of shock or melancholia) as it turned out I've had so much fun - I don't care - then I headed to the post office to send myself yet another parcel! Lazed away at Gails's Artisan Bakery over a coffee and the best croissants outside Paris - and then lay on the couch watching Le Tour and now watching England make a meal of Australia's bowling in the test - Juliet E and Kathy B you will no doubt be enjoying this!
Believe it or not - not a single photo has been taken today - I'm having a day off before a weekend with Dylan and Tessa - heading off to Sussex - hopefully to Charleston Farmhouse - possibly to Rye or Eastbourne overnight and may be if I'm in luck a quick call in to Sissinghurst on the way back - I'm sure I'll need all my photographing energy for this.
The sun's out here - fluffy clouds are racing past against a baby blue sky - the wind is whooshing through the tall oaks in the back garden - and as I look out the window I see my friend the squirrel is back on the old chestnut tree branch. It's humid which helps release the beautiful scents of the roses, honeysuckle and herbs in the garden - think I may just have to get out there - pick a raspberry or two off the bush - and meander over to the St Mary's cemetry to check out the old gravestones.... will I be able to resist a photo? doubt it.
Love to all - Lxx
It does sound like you need a rest but as long as you are having a great time, just enjoy. Remeber there is plenty of time to rest when you get home. Will let you know about the footy tomorrow, all the boys are back so it should be a good game for the start of our birthday celebrations.
ReplyDeleteThanks Wendy - I am so 'out of' the footy scene - I cannot even remember who is playing - but I did get 2 sms in the middle of the night about the B'day celebarations and a free poncho - Didn't make much sense after too many reds and it was 2.30 in the morning!
ReplyDeleteGo Cats! hope they get back to the winners list. Lx