VOTE FOR ME NOW I'M BACK!!!

I did get interviewed and you can see it and vote for me, if you are so inclined on my sidebar.If I win I will be donating the prize money to help raise a roof in Mozambique

So I'm back, and I'm exhausted, which comes of thinking that of course I can get up at 5am drive for three and half hours up from Devon and then across Birmingham rush hour, get to work, apply make up, drink coffee and do a full day's therapy.... and now I'm just a tad tired. So writing this with energy supplied by getting home and eating two pieces of ham!

My weekend was lovely....

Started with just getting off the motorway as my petrol light was shouting at me, buy fuel now or else! Fortunately sorted that and picked up flowers for both sets of friends.

Arrived at Max's to be handed a glass of fizz within seconds of getting through the door. And then got into some serious four hour chatting, before going on to J&Ds for the night.

Saturday J and me went to Dartmouth, the sun came out, and it was quite warm in sheltered spots. We did the shops, lovely summer skirt for me and new earrings for both of us, before we got to river front, which had to be walked along even though it was cold there.

Dartmouth is where the Naval College is, for the training of Officers in the British Navy for the last couple of hundred years, so the town is very old with many lovely old houses placed climbing up the hills round the town. It is an estuary town, and looking out towards the sea entrance there is the old fortification of Dartmouth Castle.

Once we'd reckoned on having done enough walking to merit food it was off to the Cherub. This is an Elizabethan pub that has been in use for hundreds of years. It's really snug inside with an open fire and dark wood panelling all round with a rickerty staircase going up two floors to the 'Ladies' Going here is an absolute must. As it has, as far as I'm concerned the best view out of any toilet window anywhere. It's of the tumbling roofs below, to a view of the harbour between the buildings.

There was however a disaster, there was no crab.... so I had to make do with prawn sandwiches to go with my scrumpy cider!

Back to J's to walk the dog in the park and then to check out the estate agents windows for a house for me! Couldn't see the one I've had my eye on, so not sure whether it's still for sale. But there wasn't any point in checking it out since not ready to move yet.

On Sunday the three of us and Lucy the dog went to Dawlish Warren beach for a long walk. More sun, and crashing waves. So, as ever when I go on any beach the pockets of my coat are filled with interesting stones and sea shells....

And back for the longest Sunday lunch in the world all cooked by D whilst J and got through the bottle of fizz I'd brought with me. Scallops and prawns in a white wine and cheese sauce, followed by roast duck with a red wine and thyme dressing. After this the only sensible thing to do was sleep so we all retired to various corners of the house to nap (sleep of the alcohol!!) before finally having steamed syrup sponge about 7pm.

All of which is why I was prepared to be exhausted today as being at J&Ds house for Sunday is one of my most favourite activities in the world ever.To be with good friends, with great conversation and lots of laughter whilst sharing food and wine is unbeatable in my book.

So just got to wait till April now to visit both sets of mates again, either side of a visit to St Ives in Cornwall where another friend has very kindly relocated to, so I can visit her!!!

Pictures when I get round to downloading them