August 2007 Archives
YORK
Posted by Debbie Atkinson on August 24, 2007 7:43 PM
We've just enjoyed a break in York and the surrounding areas - my favourite place in the UK and possibly in the world. York racecourse was packed. We managed to pick a winner each but the best bit for me is peering through the binoculars at the moneyed set across the track. You can tell the real money from the nouveau stuff. I've never seen such fat old mutton dressed as spring lamb. Backless and almost frontless dresses and stiletto heels just weren't the right things to wear in biting gales and feather designer hats look distinctly comical when worn at a tilt after too many glasses of cheap bubbly.
If you're ever in that area and fancy a superb meal in a country inn you can't do much better than the Nags Head at Pickhill (pictured above). We've been going there for 30 years and we've never had a poor meal.
We had half a day in Helmsley (above) and ate our butties from the superb deli in the sun by the river. It was a shame to have to move on but we wanted to visit Thirsk an I was desperate to see what was in the sale at the Patricia Dawson shop - you may have seen her clothes at the Southport Flower Show - so easy to wear and colourful.
I must just pass this on - while we were away a friend texted an error that was spotted in an ad feature for a health and beauty spa. "Go on soil yourself !" - brilliant!
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THE FLOWER SHOW
Posted by Debbie Atkinson on August 17, 2007 4:41 PM
Went to the flower show today and now feel sick from a surfeit of hog roast barm cakes, peanut brittle and fudge! The craft tent was interesting and there were a few bargins to be had here and there - it seemed fairly empty to me considering the weather - maybe the weekend will be busier. The display of bentleys was fascinting and there were a couple that had a price tag similar to the amount the London son is hoping to spend on a flat!
Last night we had a lovely meal at La Vina in North John Street, Liverpool. All the tables were lit with candles and the Spanish style dishes were absolutely excellent.
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THE GLOBE
Posted by Debbie Atkinson on August 8, 2007 8:09 AM
After the Innocent Fete (see below) we went to a performance of Othello at the Globe Theatre on the Southbank. This was my little bit of culture for the weekend and I'm really glad we went. We had seats at the front of the upper circle (if you go it's worth paying £1 each for cushions)and all downstairs is standing. Having seen all the standing audience wilting during the two-hour first half I have vowed never to buy standing tickets.
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THE INNOCENT FETE
Posted by Debbie Atkinson on August 8, 2007 7:33 AM
We had a wonderful time over the weekend at the Innocent fete in Regents Park. Our younger son works for this fantastic little drinks company so the whole family, including cousins and great nephews went along with around 50,000 other like-minded people to enjoy London's hottest weekend of the year.
The Innocent son was part of the Drum Club
In sweltering temperatures and under clear blue skies we saw duck herding, welly wanging, ate some of the best food ever at sensible prices and enjoyed free Innocent smoothies of all colours and descriptions.
And in the middle of Sunday afternoon we boogied to the fantastic soul sounds of Geno Washington and the Ram Jam Band! When I heard that the band would be appearing I emailed all the children because I couldn't believe that this icon of the '60s would be in the park. "Who is he?" they all wanted to know. So just for once I was one up and I was able to give them the low down!
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SHIRE HORSE CENTRE
Posted by Debbie Atkinson on August 2, 2007 8:03 AM
A friend told us about the Shire Horse Centre at Cotebrook (ten miles from Chester) and also about the Alvanley Arms, a 16th century coaching inn next door. We went yesterday - it's a great place for a day out, especially if you have children. There's a charge to get into the centre (around £5) but there's plenty to see and if you choose to you can walk for miles in lovely countryside.
There are some young shire horse foals at the moment and lots of beautiful piglets, just wandering freely among the picnic tables. I'd love to have brought a couple home for the garden. You'll also see the trees planted last month by Prince Charles and Camilla. We had lunch in the pub - brie and apricot sandwiches - delicious!
I meant to pick up some new Cheshire potatoes on the way home but forgot - so we'll just have to go back!
En route we called in at the Blakemere Craft Centre - a strange sort of deserted place but I found a lovely selection of satin and sequinned shoulder bags and gorgeous colours for £6.99 so I didn't come away empty handed.
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This page contains an archive of all entries posted to Deb's Days Out in the August 2007. They are listed from oldest to newest.
July 2007 is the previous archive.September 2007 is the next archive.
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