Pleased to meet moooooo!

After a lovely, relaxed start to the day, Sophie and I drove to Olney to do a little shopping and have lunch. It was very Autumnal driving over and because of the wind, the leaves were coming down thick and fast. We took a very scenic route via Cogenhoe, Whiston, Castle Ashby and Yardley Hastings.

We had difficulty parking on the main road and also in the market square, so we were forced to drive back the way we came. I spotted a sign for long term parking and we found a lovely free car park next to a leisure centre. It was a short walk into the town and we called into a little vintage shop first where Sophie found some beautiful old glasses.

Sophie spotted more glasses in the charity shop next door; where on earth is she going to display them all? Our last stop before lunch was in the Willen Hospice shop and Sophie bought a lovely dress and a pretty, blue jumper that will look great with her Levi's. We strolled over to the Oxfam bookshop, noticing that a previous favourite, Teapots, had been taken over and was now called Simona's. We might have to try it again! The bookshop was closed for lunch but now it was about 1pm and we were both hungry. The Courtyard Brasserie was busy and we took the last table by the window. We both ordered the special Club sandwiches, and shared a bowl of chips and a portion of coleslaw.

As ever, the food was delicious and the staff friendly and attentive. It was lovely to sit and relax and chat. When our plates were cleared away, we asked for the menu and picked something sweet to eat. I chose the coffee and walnut cake, while Sophie indulged her craving for a fruit scone with jam and cream. We also shared a pot of tea. By the time we'd finished, we were stuffed!

Before heading back to the car, we called into The Nest at No 7 (used to be The Nest at No 9) and the place was packed out. I offered to buy a set of Tarot cards for Sophie but she said we'd look on Amazon. There were loads of pretty items in there, but they weren't cheap! We also called into another charity shop, Mercy in Action, and I bought two books and two boxes of Christmas cards! I've started early!

We retraced our route back home and Sophie asked me to pull over so she could take some photos of the Autumnal trees in Castle Ashby.

A little further along the road, we came across a field of black bullocks, and two were standing by the fence, so we stopped the car and went over to say hello!

They seemed as interested in us as we did with them, and stood staring at us, and every now having a sniff of our hands. The others in the herd soon followed and all but two came over to inspect us! One delighted in twanging the metal wire strung along next to the fence and kept rubbing his chin on it! He also licked my hand, and his tongue was rough and raspy! They were all black, scruffy and covered in bits of grass, but they were lovely and it was great to stand and talk to them for a little while! 

We reluctantly said goodbye and headed home where we relaxed and sat with Keith in the kitchen. We stayed sitting at the island until 8pm when we had some cheese and biscuits, accompanied by a glass of Port. It took us a while to get the cats in again tonight, the little monkeys, but by 10pm, both of them were in.

Keith and I watched a great Liam Neeson film on Channel 4 later in the evening, called Honest Thief. It was a little far-fetched, but enjoyable nonetheless!