We set off for Market Harborough at about 11am, giving ourselves time to park and walk to the restaurant. We were a bit early so we were able to do two shops on the way - The Attic, which sells very good quality second-hand clothes (including designer brands), and a new one for us, the PDSA shop on the market square.
Sophie found some tops that she liked, and armed with our purchases, we made our way to Pizza Express. We were seated in the window so we could see the comings and goings of everyone shopping in the town, and given paper menus. Our choices were the usual - doppio doughballs with three dips, plus halloumi bites to start, followed by a "Forza" chicken pizza. With a glass each of Chardonnay, we were in heaven! It had been so long!
We'd asked for the pizza to be served after our starters, but everything came at once. Our lovely waiter apologised, but we were faced with an array of food!
The experience did not disappoint, and we enjoyed a delicious meal, beautiful wine (I loved the deep colour) and great service. The restaurant was pleasantly busy, and it was a real joy to be able to eat out again, and even better that it was courtesy of our eBay transactions!
After we'd paid the bill on Sophie's phone (very contactless!) we waddled over to Waterstones and spent an exceedingly pleasant half-hour perusing the shelves. both downstairs and upstairs. I picked out a recipe book for soups, and a "bee-bomb", a little grenade shaped container with wildflower seeds, which I intend to sprinkle in the garden. Outside, it was pouring with rain and dark clouds had gathered overhead. Luckily, by the time we were finished browsing, it had stopped and we made our way into Tesco where we bought fruit and chocolate for the pavlova tonight, and a bottle of Champagne to drink while watching the songfest.
Sophie found a beautiful dress in her next charity shop, a green Max Mara dress that will look fabulous in the summer (if we ever get a summer this year). However, her real finds - probably of the year, if not the decade - were two dresses in The Attic. This is not a charity shop, but a secondhand outlet selling on unwanted designer clothes, bags, shoes and accessories. To her absolute joy, she found a Diane von Furstenberg dress and a brand new Warehouse frock which still had the tag, and was priced at about £70. She bagged the designer dress for £25, and the Warehouse one for £35!
The sky was full of rain again so we called it a day and drove home the scenic way, which was full of muddy puddles. Back home we relaxed for an hour (I fell asleep) and made the meringue for tonight's pavlova. While it was cooking, we played Scrabble and enjoyed a cocktail - our now very pleasurable Saturday evening habit!
Keith put the finishing touches to our evening meal and it was very good indeed! We just about managed to wash up and clear away before the Eurovision Song Contest began at 8pm. It was time to open the Champagne, and enjoy!
Halfway through the evening, we ate the pavlova and then settled down to watch the remaining songs and the scoring. Unfortunately, as I had predicted, we did abysmally and didn't receive one single point, not even from Malta who traditionally support us. We really must be the outcasts of Europe because of Brexit!
Italy won with a heavy metal song that I thought was awful. I voted for Switzerland and Azerbaijan, and I did say to Sophie that we would try and go next year. However, I don't fancy going to Italy - it would have been great if a different country had won so we could experience a new city!
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