Christmas lights!

It was fabulous to have a lie-in this morning and I had a lovely night's sleep for once! Sophie was going to go to the gym but she changed her mind so we had a lazy start to our day. By 11am, we were driving over to Weedon to visit the antique centre in the old depot buildings. 

The Old Depot has a long history and the buildings were used to repair and store arms and cannon, as it was so far inland and safe from an invasion on the coast. Now, there are various businesses running from the old buildings, and we love the antique centre and, next door, a shop selling vintage items and all manner of bric-a-brac.

Sophie was on the hunt for a jug and glasses and she found what she wanted, as well as a pretty little pink covered dish that would look great on the windowsill in the kitchen. I scoured the items but didn't see anything I liked.

By 1.30pm we were both hungry so we made our way to the Shires Shopping Village. We were surprised to find there was only one table left in Darlington's, outside in the marquee, although it was quite warm. I think a lot of people were visiting today to start their Christmas shopping! Today has been very cold, and even more, wintry weather is on its way at the end of the week. 

We ordered a Club Sandwich to share, which was delicious, and then fruit pies and custard for dessert. As we're not having a proper dinner tonight, we didn't feel guilty! 

We lingered over our lunch and the restaurant started to empty out. After we'd eaten we wandered over to the shops and had a good look around, marvelling at the prices of some of the items in one of the shops. Everything I liked was hugely expensive, including a beautiful blue painted globe that lit up and was £115! Trust me!

We left Weedon and drove back home as it began to get dark. We were looking forward to going to Delapre Abbey this evening to see the Winter Light Trail and before we left we were able to relax in the kitchen.

We left home at 5.30pm for a booking at 6.20pm, and I ignored Google maps and decided to go through town. I began to wish I hadn't when up ahead the traffic was at a standstill. I'd seen there was an accident in town but it had been two hours ago, and it looked like it was still causing problems, We turned off into a maze of narrow residential streets and wondered where on earth we were. The area looked a bit dodgy, to be honest, and I was mightily glad when we emerged onto the main thoroughfare. The road was closed so we had to go back the way we came and take a different route.

Luckily, we had a twenty-minute window to arrive and we made it on time. We paid an extra £4 to park and made our way to the start of the Light Trail. It's about a mile long and it was beautiful. First up was the walled garden and a bar right ahead of us. Of course, we stopped for a paper cup of mulled wine that set Sophie back £10! However, it was a decent amount, but they had left the cloves in so we had to find them in the dark and throw them out! Ugh!

The grounds of Delapre Abbey are extensive and there were colourful lit-up Chinese lanterns above to mark the trail as well as lights in the trees and in the bushes. At one point the whole path was lit with different colours which were very pretty.

As it was a mid-week booking, there weren't that many people about, and at times it was a bit spooky. I think they missed a trick at Halloween!

Although billed as a "Winter" Light Trail, there were lots of Christmas lights, to make it very festive, and as we near Christmas I would think it would become a lot busier.

We had a brilliant time following the trail and seeing all the lights, and I think a lot of hard work had been put into it. There was a fantastic Disco Maze with glittery balls and fake snow! 

Disco balls!

Children from a nearby primary school had also decorated some baubles which were strung up as we made our way out of the maze...

We came to the end to see the Abbey itself lit up in a range of colours:

At the end of the trail are various stands selling hot food, doughnuts, crepes and marshmallows that can be toasted over an open fire. Sophie and I were eager to enjoy currywurst, but they'd sold out so we made do with a bratwurst instead. Delicious!

We sat at a picnic table, but for £20 you could hire a Swiss cabin for an hour or so and meet up with friends and family while enjoying a cocktail or mulled wine.

Rather than have another drink, we headed home where Sophie made us a hot rum punch. Perfect for a chilly winter's evening!