R.I.P. Saffy

SHOPPING: Cheshire Oaks (Chester)

A second visit to Cheshire Oaks this year (our first was in March). We set off at 8am and arrived promptly at 10:30. We had a great time, securing a hoodie from Oakley for my birthday and not a massive amount else really. I blew £26 on Hotel Chocolat.... also some Lindt, and Rose got some books. I also came very close to blowing £1600 on an Aquaracer, but once again the strap just wasn't right and I decided to pass. Such a shame. Oh well, maybe next time!

MEAL OUT: Grey Goose (Gilmorton)

An early birthday meal for me because of my heart monitor appointment on Monday. As usual the food was pretty damn perfect. We had a complimentary tomato soup taster starter, and then I had my usual steak and chips, while Rose had lamb and mash potato. So full after that, we decided to share a sticky toffee pudding and banana ice cream. Another fantastic meal at the Goose.

Horse of the Year Show - Birmingham NEC Arena

Having given it a miss the last two years after 2014's tedious 'Dressage' heavy programme, we decided to return in 2017. Unfortunately I wasn't able to get the day off so Rose went on the train in the morning and I followed on arriving at about 5pm.

Just in time for an hour's break!

It was the usual mix, scurry, mounted games, showjumping and a performance of horse skills. The showjumping was good to watch but the number of refusals was incredible and fences were tumbling left right and centre. I picked a woman jockey to win and she promptly got thrown off when the horse refused and she ended up dangling off the horses neck and knocking the fence over herself.

THEATRE: Rumours

A decent farce about a party where the guests find the host with a bullet hole through his ear and his wife missing. As the first guests to arrive try to keep the secret from the other guests (who gradually find out) multiple arguments kick off until eventually the police arrive and the guests have to pretend to be each other to put them off the scent. Definitely one of the better plays we've seen at the Harborough Theatre, if not quite up there with 'The 39 Steps'.

24th Wedding Anniversary

'24' written in tea lights in the back garden. Seemed like a good idea at the time, but lack of gas for the lighter and the wind meant that I decided to light only every other tealight (there were approx 200), but even then I got 90% there and half of them were blown out with one big gust of wind

Apart from that we had a lovely dinner, melon balls to start, followed by Tesco Chicken Chasseur and Dauphinoise potatoes, followed by Raspberry and Lemon frangipane.