Has Spring sprung?

It was lovely to wake up to blue skies and sunshine today and the forecast was for mild, Spring-like conditions! We were told not to get complacent, though, as tomorrow is set to be wet and windy...

Sophie had two appointments this morning, for Reiki and to have her nails done, (not at the same place as my Mum, I hasten to add!) so we arranged to go out for lunch when she was all finished. We decided to go to Beckworth Emporium and risk having to wait.

When we arrived, the car park was heaving and upon arrival at the restaurant we were told there was indeed a forty-minute wait. This gave us the chance to mooch about and have a good look at the tremendous range of goods they had for sale, from greetings cards and wrapping paper to furniture, and everything in between. And that wasn't including the food and drink! I wondered whether they have the goods on sale or return? Surely, they can't carry such a huge amount in stock? There is even a large shop selling clothes as well... it's almost like a department store with plants!

I treated myself to three soaps and a tube of hand cream and we had a look at the plants outside. The weather was beautiful with blue skies and plenty of sunshine. What a tonic! As we were meandering among the plants, the buzzer started vibrating so we hot-footed it back to the restaurant to be seated.

We were hungry but we ordered sandwiches - a Club Sandwich for Sophie, and a cheese and spring onion one for me, both accompanied by chunky chips and salad. We also ordered an Aperol Spritz each. Delicious!

We lingered over lunch, mainly because nobody came to ask if we wanted anything else, or to ask if we wanted to pay. In the end, Sophie had to go over to a cash desk and pay there.

Before heading home, we had a look at the food side of the store and I bought two slices of cake to have at home with a cup of tea. Keith had gone to see Sileby play, and Sophie wanted to walk to the field gate and see the horses that were being kept in the large field next to our estate so we set off, hoping Mooney wouldn't follow us.

Just a little muddy!

We could see the horses in the distance but they were intent on munching a big stack of hay and weren't going to come over to us! A robin alighted on the fence but then flew off, and Sophie remembered when Monty used to accompany us on our walk to the gate, bless him!

We walked back and chatted to Lynn who had set up a garden group to tackle our two greens. We have taken back control of the maintenance of the trees and bushes, and I was delighted to see daffodils, crocuses and snowdrops flowering in the front green. Lynn said she wanted to rope people in to help and I had no problem with that!

At home, I made a cup of tea and we settled down to enjoy our slice of cake. I had chosen an apple and almond cake but when I cut into it, it was frozen solid! I was not happy!

We spent the afternoon relaxing in the kitchen and Keith arrived home and said it had turned colder outside. He watched England play Scotland in the rugby while Sophie and I enjoyed a game of Scrabble. Predictably, Sophie beat me but I thrashed her at cards!

As we'd had a substantial lunch, we skipped dinner and watched two episodes of Gone Fishing where the scenery looked gorgeous. I then watched ten minutes of The Banshees of Inisherin which was on Channel 4 to see if it was worth recording. At the first advert break, I decided it was but headed to bed!

Soap!