Road trip to Wales

Yesterday we came home from a road trip to Wales.

 I had hoped to take lots of pictures as I was the passenger for once and not the driver, but unfortunately the car charger I brought the day before we left to charge my phone didn't work so I have been cut off from the world for three days! Top tip: always buy these things well in advance and check they work before you leave! 

We took the long & scenic route and eventually arrived at good old Shell Island. As it was your typical grey, cloudy, windy Welsh day we decided after last years fight against gale force winds to pitch in the sheltered side of the island facing the hills rather than the sea. 

Weather wise it was like this most of the time, with rain in the afternoon. On Thursday morning it was lovely & sunny and we were able to go on the beach in just our t-shirts. We spent the morning beach combing and rock pooling the perfect time to get lots of photos but no such luck!  

Scorchio weekend

Summer finally arrived this weekend. What is it with our weather? It never warms up or gets cold gradually, it goes from one extreme to the other! This weekend was one such example of this with scorching hot temperatures so we had to get out and make the most of it. 

On Saturday a long walk was in order. Whenever the sun comes out I always catch it on my nose, and a red nose only looks good on Rudolph! So a hat was in order 

I looked as though I was going hunting but as long as it did the job it didn't matter! 

We decided to go to Fineshade Woods, but rather than walk the woods itself we parked in nearby Duddington and walked the perimeter, and when I say it was a long walk I mean it was a looooong walk! Not to worry though was the sun was shining, and as we rounded one corner we could hear the bells ringing in nearby Kings Cliffe and the wedding of my good friends brother which made me smile. 

The smile soon faded though as we reached a field which the path went through which had these guys in it

Cows!! Which as soon as we climbed the stile walked towards us and followed us! I  will admit I'm scared of cows so walked v  fast! 

On Sunday I went to a local antiques fair with mum. Another hot day meant another hat

The fair was at nearby Grimsthorpe castle which despite the name is not a castle but a rather nice house

Mum looking for a bargain. Yes I know we had similar hats on lol! 

It was a good fair bit didn't buy anything but it was nice to look. It was also nice to sample the tea and cakes on the tea room

All this did came at a price though, serious tan lines lol! 

Highs & lows of summer

I had intended to do this post last night but alas just as we are finally given a hint of summer I was hit with a Summer Low:

Hay fever: I love the summer, being able to sit outside first thing in the morning to last thing in the evening; getting out and about without numerous layers on, but it doesn't like me. As soon as June and the dreaded yellow fields arrive I get a heightened sense of smell around flowers like Superman and start sniffling & sneezing, and if I'm really unlucky as I was yesterday puffy alien bug eyes! I think because we haven't really had a summer as such I've been taking it for granted and not always taking a tablet first thing each morning. I learnt my lesson yesterday. I took a tablet just before we left the house, and I mean just, and had my sunnies with me (a hay fever survival essential as well as to look stylish) but didn't have them on all the time. Within half an hour I was sniffling but thought it would ease once the tablet kicked in but come the afternoon my eyes were itching and puffy all because I didn't wear my shades for a few minutes, rookie mistake! As a result I sat all afternoon inside rather than in the sun with cold flannels & spoons on my eyes! 

But where there are lows there are Summer Highs: 

Strawberry Picking: 

think of summer and what do you think of? Ice creams on the beach, Pimms, Wimbledon & strawberries & cream! Luckily we have a PYO strawberry nearby at Rutland Water golf course. So off we tootled yesterday morning to the little blue shack in front of lines of poly tunnels, grabbed a punnet each and went picking. 

 When you enter the tunnel you instantly smell the heavenly smell of fresh strawberries, and even though one of the rules is that you must pay for your fruit before you eat it, I defy anyone not to pop the odd one into your mouth! After all we're only human! And boy oh boy do they taste good, we were picking at them in the car I'm surprised we had any left when we got home! 

A Bon Jovi Birthday

Well today I turned **yrs old! I've had a lovely day with some lovely pressies and lots of lovely cards and well wishes so thank you everyone xx

As I mentioned in my last post the celebrations started last weekend. The week before my boss handed me an envelope and told me to open it straight away. Inside was a birthday card and inside this was a ticket to go with her to see Bon Jovi the following weekend! Cue me screaming and very nearly crying!



Fast forward a week with me being only ever so excited to last Sunday, Because we Can day! We had seats so didn't need to leave early to queue up. We left a cloudy quite chilly Stamford and headed to Villa Park in Birmingham where Mr Sunshine came out to have a sing and dance too. Our seats were good with a great view of the stage



The stage was set to look like the front of a vintage American car, not a radio as I first thought when we sat down lol! As the night went on the video screen above the stage would change to look as though you were driving down the highway with the roof down.



This was my 6th time seeing them and I have to say they didn't disappoint. Mr Jon Bon was as gorgeous as ever and we sang and danced to a mix of new songs and the classics. The only downside was that there wasn't the same chemistry as normal. Richie has been missing from the tour, walked, quit, sacked no one knows, and replacement Richie as we called him wasn't the same. He had long curly hair and looked as though he should have been more at home in Metalica rather than Bon Jovi!

Love & hugs
Jess
Xx