I suggested a McDonald's breakfast as a treat, so we left a little earlier than planned and drove to Weston Favell. Rather than go through the drive-thru, we went into the restaurant and enjoyed the egg and sausage McMuffins, hash browns and orange juice.
We had a fairly good journey to Oxford until we reached the M40 and were held up for about fifteen minutes. We arrived at Peartree Park and Ride by lunchtime and were soon sat on the bus for the short journey into Oxford city centre.
We made straight for the Ashmolean Museum and enjoyed a hot drink in the busy café in the basement before having a look in the gift shop, which had several beautiful items for sale. I chose a new journal and a pen, and Sophie bought a little bag and a postcard. We then headed up to the top floor to look at the paintings, slowly making our way back down to the ground floor, taking in European art, beautiful artefacts from India and Nepal, and looking at fascinating maps of Europe and Asia.
At 2pm we left and made our way to Ship Street, popping into a gorgeous cheese shop to see if they had any Comté. The shop only specialised in British cheeses so they let us try two similar ones which were delicious. We picked out the Lincolnshire Poacher and bought a healthy chunk to nibble on at home this evening.
No 1 Ship Street was opposite and the restaurant was quiet. We took a seat by the window so I had a good view out onto the busy street.
Our waiter was friendly and attentive (I suspected he fancied Sophie!) and told us about the fishy specials on the board: whole lobster Thermidor at £45, and oysters. We chose the set lunchtime menu with mushroom croquettes to start followed by brisket on a bed of mashed polenta. We ordered a carafe of Portuguese red and settled back to enjoy Sophie's birthday meal.
The food and wine were very good and it was lovely to sit and chat. There was no loud music and the staff were very discreet. We almost had the place to ourselves! Some more diners did arrive so that allowed us to people-watch!
We indulged in a dessert of Basque cheesecake (one of the staff added a birthday candle!) and Sophie enjoyed a Dirty Martini cocktail, made expertly by the Maitre D'. He was delighted when Sophie said it was one of the best she'd ever had!
Neither of us was in any hurry to leave as it had been such a lovely, enjoyable lunch. We paid the bill and walked the short distance back to the bus stop, which was mobbed with people all trying to get onto the bus back to the Park and Ride. We decided to wait for the next one, which arrived a couple of minutes after the previous bus had left. It meant we had seats!
There are a lot of roadworks going on around the Park and Ride, and when we exited the car park we had to turn left and go up to a very busy roundabout before getting back onto the A34. Unfortunately, our journey home was slow and we became snarled up in several traffic jams along the A34 and the M40.
We arrived home at about 6.30pm, and Vikesh asked if he could come over and see Sophie and give her the gifts he'd bought for her. We rushed around tidying up, and he arrived just before Keith came home from the pub.
Sophie did extremely well! Vikesh had ordered wrapping paper with photos of her all over it, which was hilarious!
Before she opened her presents, she made us cocktails and used her new spoon!
Vikesh bought Sophie a pair of Birkenstock sandals for her birthday, as well as a little black furry cat keyring, a pack of black cat playing cards and a lovely Japanese cat tee-shirt. She was delighted!
Vikesh stayed all evening and it was lovely and relaxed. Keith watched the snooker on the television, and it was great to sit and chat and have a laugh. A perfect day!
Some photos, courtesy of Sophie, from today:
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| Sophie's favourite painting |
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