After a couple of laps of the small car park, we found a space and made our way over to the Willen Hospice charity shop. I found a pair of black trousers that were perfect for work and Sophie bought a dress and a top. She was looking for a more formal dress for an awards event she's going to on Monday night, but didn't have a lot of luck, bless her!
We sloshed our way over to the High Street where we looked in two other shops. I found a lonely Christmas gonk, so he came home with us, and Sophie found another top for work. It's been the wind that has affected us most today, sending our hair all over the place and leaves flying everywhere. The rain has been patchy but it was horrible to be out in the nasty weather!
At 1pm, we'd had enough and walked to the lovely brasserie tucked away in a courtyard. Both of us were hungry, ordering a burger for me, and a club sandwich for Sophie, both accompanied by French fries. I enjoyed a glass of Merlot, while Sophie chose a Pinot Grigio. The staff were lovely and friendly and the restaurant was buzzing pleasantly with people enjoying their lunches. This has rapidly become one of our favourite places to eat, as the food is good, the prices are reasonable and the staff are welcoming.
We lingered over the meal but neither of us had room for a pud, so we paid the bill and left. Sophie had mentioned we had hardly any bottles of white wine at home, so we popped into a slightly posh wine shop on the main square.
The woman running the shop welcomed us and asked if we needed help, but we both wanted to browse and take our time. Upstairs, I could hear loud voices and laughter, so I asked if they had a restaurant or wine bar. The woman explained it was a private party enjoying wines but said we were welcome to sit on the sofa downstairs and enjoy a bottle if we wanted.
We had a good look at the wines, which weren't cheap, and the party from upstairs all came down and mingled in the shop. The shop owner asked if they wanted to try a Riesling, and apologised about it... I have no idea why as Riesling can produce beautiful wine. One of the men, a real pretentious prat, refused, saying he would never drink Riesling! What an idiot! Was he perhaps put off by Blue Nun from Germany?
I was actually looking at a Riesling from Australia while he made his pompous speech, and the woman offered us a taste of Canadian Riesling. Sophie immediately said it tasted of apples, which it did, and quite tart ones at that! It wasn't for us, but I bought the bottle of Australian Riesling and Sophie picked out an Austrian wine made from the same grape.
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| I love the name on this! |
We made our way home through the wind-blown, sodden countryside and noticed that The Falcon at Castle Ashby was closed up. I'd received an email from them last week saying they were closing the hotel and restaurant and turning the place into a "Wellness" retreat by the Spring of next year. We weren't surprised, as the prices were astronomical and the once lovely welcoming and hospitable coaching inn had been turned into a place that locals certainly didn't go to.
Back home, we put the heating on, lit the candles and kept the cats in, much to their disgust, but what on earth was the point in going out? Keith was watching Sileby play (I was amazed the game still went ahead) and came home looking frazzled by the wind.
We spent a pleasant evening reading and watching football and Keith and Sophie presented me with a whisky advent calendar again! I was delighted with the present and can't wait to try out the different whiskies throughout December!
We watched Love, Actually this evening and it was wonderfully warm and entertaining. Outside, the rain came down even harder, and the wind gusts were forecast to be 50mph! Phew!
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