Tea and a mooch!

Sophie had asked for a long lie-in this morning - she was still shattered from last week so we were happy to oblige. Unfortunately, at just before 9am, a load of banging started up across the road, which woke her up. I knew that it would, and just wished that they had started work a little later!

We had a lazy-ish morning, and I sorted a lot of financial stuff out, as I tend to do on a Saturday morning! At 1pm Sophie and I headed over to Olney for a mooch about and a cup of tea. We managed to find a space in the busy little car park in the middle of the town and, after buying the newspaper, headed for the first of the charity shops we had seen. I remember when Olney was stuffed full of antique shops, but these have mostly gone with just the odd one or two about. There now seems to be a lot of dress shops, tea-shops and gift shops on the busy high street.

Sophie picked out a jacket and a dress in the first place we went to, and I added a DVD of Mrs Doubtfire to the pile. It's one of our favourite films, but we have never bought the DVD! From there we walked through a narrow alleyway to a small restaurant that serves lunches, as well as cakes and afternoon tea. They were full and the wait was 20 minutes so we went off in search of sustenance elsewhere. Luckily, we stumbled upon Teapots, and we were lucky to bag one of the last free tables. We just wanted cake and tea, and I chose a walnut and coffee confection while Sophie went for lemon drizzle. The staff were lovely and very friendly and efficient.

Next to us, a couple were obviously on their first date, and we tried not to hear too much of their conversation! The cakes were delicious - moist, and baked by someone who knows their stuff! We lingered over the tea as both of us loved the ambience of the cosy little tea-room.

After we'd finished and reluctantly left, we wandered back along the high street and had a good look in the shops. By now, it had started to drizzle so we were pleased that there were quite a few shops to pop into. I was amazed by the variety of houses on the main street - there was even an old lace factory that now looked like it was a private home.

We went into another two shops and Sophie bought a top from another charity store. She had a good bagful today! Because the weather had worsened we decided to head for home, but I bought a bottle of Bordeaux white and some fancy crisps in the small Tesco Express before going back to the car.

It was a real Autumnal day today with the leaves literally flying about and carpeting the paths and roads. Back home we relaxed, and while Keith cooked dinner, we started watching Mrs Doubtfire. After we'd eaten a delicious home-cooked chicken pie, we watched the rest of Strictly Come Dancing, but I lost interest and decided to catch the new Rebecca film on my Kindle Fire. I don't think the original starring Joan Fontaine and Laurence Olivier, and directed by Alfred Hitchcock, can ever be beaten but I enjoyed it nonetheless!