HAVE AN AMAZING WEEKEND

A MUST SEE

I was told by a friend, this is a must see this summer in Bristol. The Bristol Old Vic has set up and enormous outdoor arena to bring us the World's greatest pirate adventure. I'll be booking our tickets tonight!


Treasure Island trailer from Bristol Old Vic on Vimeo.

GORILLA HUNTING

We had a great day riding all over the city hunting for gorillas. It was an amazing way to get to know Bristol and find some hidden gems that I would have otherwise never come across.

 We met some families doing the exact same thing and shared some of our stories, secrets and pictures with each them. It's not a contest but it would be neat if it was. We have yet to find all 60-it will be a continued project over the summer. My butt is still in recovery from our four hour bike ride!

Bristol has Gorillas but most big cities have the same charity program running through the summer. It's a great and inexpensive way to keep the kids entertained either in your own city or on vacation.

Happy hunting! xoxo

BEACH DAY

GET YOUR WELLIES OFF

BRISTOL GORILLAS

Sixty unique Gorillas sculptures are appearing to celebrate Bristol Zoo’s 175th birthday year. Click on the map to find them all. MAP 


What a brilliant way to see our lovely city. I think Connor & I will have to check out a few locations today on our bikes. 


I'll make sure to bring the camera! 

CUSHIONS I ♥

SOUTH WALES

Dunraven

Dunraven

Dunraven Beach

Ogmore Castle

Ogmore Castle

EDIBLE FLOWERS

Our farm shop Able & Cole is offering seasonal edible flowers to be mixed in with salads, rice or cakes for instant color. 

Calendula 
Cornflower 
Chrysanthemum coronarium 
Nasturtium 
Antirrhinum 
Dianthus 
Viola and Pansy

SCHOOLS OUT FOR SUMMER!

BLACKBOARD LABLES

Tom Joules Wellingtons

I love this store, great duds and a fabulous selection of wellingtons.

MY DREAM QUILT

WONDERS OF WESTON

http://www.wondersofweston.org/

WESTON-SUPER-MARE

Grand Pier

Tonight Husband and I drove out to the traditional seaside resort town of Weston-Super-Mare. I didn't realize how close it was, literally down the road from us ( 29 km south west of Bristol ). I miss living beside the waves so much that when we do take the time to go anywhere near them, I'm like a kid in a candy store. I will be spending many sunny beach days there this August with C.

We stopped and talked to a man and his son digging for treasure in this case nuts and bolts from the old grand pier. He told us that the old pier burnt down 3 years ago and the new pier is now the most expensive built pier in the UK; he also told us that he usually goes looking for treasure in farmer's fields - fun!

It was an entirely brilliant night that I won't forget anytime soon, you know a place has magic when it makes you feel like you're on a vacation.  If I haven't mentioned before I have an amazing husband, I feel super blessed.

 Here are a few pictures... xoxo

Grand Pier

Birnbeck Pier

PEACOCK HEELS

LISSIE- WEDDING BELLS

PROCRASTINATE

BIRTHDAY CAKE

Connor's birthday cake: Carrot cake with mascarpone in middle, cream cheese icing, topped with chopped  pecans and sprinkles .

It was gone by Sunday!

EXPLORE, DREAM, DISCOVER

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” – Mark Twain

BATH RACES

What a fab night at the Bath races we had. It was Sizzler night and our package included a Pimm's,

a burger, a race program and a £2.00 tote voucher. We looked over the first race choices and  I wasted no time in  making my bet. I knew after the betting was out of the way I could sit and look at all the chameleon styles and people watch until the race started.

The races are the best place to see fashion, in my opinion. The dress code was smart casual but you always have the ladies who recognize this as a perfect opportunity to pull out their fancy dress, five inch heels and hats! The men looked superb and I think took the attire award last night, a few men dressed in Warren Beatty like suits and WOW, amazing! 

I did well with my bets but more importantly had a lot of laughs. One of the big moments of the night happened on the final race,  Firefly jolted his jockey off and made a run for it before the race had even started . People were running all over the course trying to stop him and it was hugely entertaining for the crowd. Firefly was my last bet and I'm pretty sure he would have done well if he hadn't got away! 

I will definitely be planning another trip to the races this summer. It's a great night out for everyone. 

Time to head downstairs and ice the cake, make the food and decorate the house for Connor's birthday party. We are having a BBQ tonight and then heading off to Laser Tag.

Have a great weekend! xoxo

WW- MISS KNIGHTLEY

WHAT A SIN

Yesterday I had a technician come to the house to have a look at my 1975 Singer sewing machine. He told me it was ready for the skip. I had 3 broken gears and the price to fix it would be over £100.00.

The only time it was used was when I set it up for C to practice on toilet paper. I was pretty excited about this sewing machine; it was the same age as me, it was a Singer and we got it for a steal with the sewing table for £25.00. At the time, I thought it was the deal of the day, but clearly it was not. What a sin!

LIVE SIMPLY

THE LOFT- MICHAEL MCINTYRE

I asked my Husband if we could go up to the loft (attic) yesterday to go through some of my clothes. His response made us break out in stitches of laughter both thinking of this Michael McIntyre video. He said, "why don't I  go up and pass things down to you". Over protective husband or, does he really have loft girls strolling around, that are wearing the clothes I'll never fit into again?!



We never did, get up to the loft!

THE ROYALS VISIT CANADA

I was at the gym the other day and after my swim I caught the Royals visit to Canada on the news. I stood there in my bathing suit watching the entire half hour report amazed at how relaxed and comfortable they looked. It brought tears to my eyes.
(I'm a huge romantic and royalist). I've only seen the Royal family here once and it was more of a performance. I'm not sure we would ever see Will and Kate walking the parade lines in the UK. That being said, I've heard people were lucky enough to run into her on London's Oxford high street doing a bit of shopping for the honeymoon. Maybe this is how the new Monarchy will roll. Many of my friends have posted similar pictures to this on Facebook and it's wonderful to see. I believe I'm not the only one in love with this fairy-tale. xoxo

FUN

Yep, this looks fun!

SECRETS

Ever had a secret that you wanted to tell so bad but you can't,
I've had a few of those this week. xoxo

LOVELY FOOD

I am obsessed with these two things right now. Caprese Salad &
The Ploughman's Platter.

I usually make a great Caprese salad at home but for the Ploughman's The Apple located at Bristol's Harbourside has been voted the best Ploughman's in the city. My mouth is watering now, I might have to suggest this fantastic lunch to Husband. Have a great weekend! xoxo

ADELE- ITUNES FESTIVAL

Adele performing Make You Feel My Love last night at the Itunes festival in London. This was our wedding song. If only I could remember our dance steps...

I LOVE TEA

GRILLSTOCK 2011

Last weekend we went to Harbourside Grillstock the UK's biggest BBQ festival. As soon as we walked in we heard they were having a chilli eating competition and since Steve, Connor and I all love chilli (con carne ) we thought it would be fun to enter. What we didn't realize is that it was a "hot chilli competition" 

The rules are simple…

A maximum of 15 contestants line up on a long table on stage. Each is presented with a chilli, which they must eat. Next, they’ll be issued a hotter chilli which again they must eat.  One by one, the heat will be too much and competitors will bow out gracefully albeit with streaming eyes, burning face and sweaty brow.

The competition continues in this manner until only one contestant remains.

The winner this year will get a Macs ProQ® Frontier BBQ Smoker worth £159.99 along with a selection of BBQ sauces & seasonings. The winner also receives ultimate bragging rights.

All contestants will be required to complete a health questionnaire and sign a form stating they understand the side effects!  


Connor and I quickly exited the competition and went to find a front row spot to cheer on Steve as one by one he downed the hottest chilli's in the world. It still makes me cringe! Here is the video of Steve departing the contest after eating 6 crazy hot chilli's. ( If you drink the sugar milk or throw-up you are out of the competition). I felt so bad for him, he was not a happy camper. I'm pretty sure it will be a long time before Steve will eat anything chilli related. He is the one on the far left, don't forget to watch the girl on his right. The winner was a Canadian living in Scotland who comes to Bristol every year just for Grillstock. He ate at least 15-20 chilli's.

ROYAL WELLIES

 I like to be a free spirit, some don't like that but that's the way I am. - Elizabeth II

THE NEXT SERVICE WILL TERMINATE... IN LOVE

CANADA DAY IN TRAFALGAR SQUARE

My Canada Day was awesome!

Although I'd heard Trafalgar Square was the place to be and always a great time for Canada Day, the reality blew me away. There are A LOT of Canadians in England and I talked to many as I was a volunteer at this massive Trafalgar Square event. Some are in the country on two year work visas and some were on holiday, but most have made the UK home and came down to celebrate after hearing how popular the last six years have been.  It was like being warped  back to Canada. I expect, throughout the day, at least 20,000 people visited the square, although that was not the only place to find Crazy Canadians celebrating. After we turned in our volunteer badges, we headed to the Maple Leaf Pub for some famous Quebecois poutine and a chat with John Sleeman notably from Guelph, Ontario, ( My husband's town. ) who was in the Maple Leaf Pub serving up his brew. After our fill of  poutine and a few beers, we headed back to Trafalgar Square for the main event (Blue Rodeo). L used her lucky charm and guided us right into the VIP section of the concert. It was a sparkling end to a great day. I hope everyone had an amazing Canada Day.

 I miss you Canada. xoxo