Well, this week could not come soon enough for me. The last few weeks have been particularly hard – I've been very much missing people, social buzz and doing anything with friends that isn't just another walk in another park with another cup of tea in my flask.. however appreciated those have been. I am practically welded into my walking trousers and shoes and it's about time that my 'old wardrobe' (of similarly crap clothes, to be fair) came out to play!
So we VERY much enjoyed our first pub lunch, up at the Hand in Hand off the common. The sun was out, we ordered several picky bits to extend the eating frenzy, and that first pint of Peroni top, in a proper glass, was magnificent…
Followed up with a BBQ for the 6 permitted, chez Dora. It was of course bloody freezing and the girls particularly spent half the night hugging the fire pit.
And as a result the house and our clothes reeked of smoke the next day – but of course still well worth finally being able to get a group of us together and to chow down on BBQ sweetcorn, padrons and mighty fine steak & chimichurri sauce ciabattas. Fab. No boys photos – they were round the corner, doing man stuff with the BBQ, excellent provision of scoff.
Back to the pub yesterday – this time the Black Swan at Ockham for a much looked forward to catch up in person with the 'two Helens', my uni chums. We braved the cold for 3 hours, as it was just SO nice to be off Zoom and seeing each other properly. Helen V even celebrating with a cheeky lunch time gin, good effort..
Still laughing at the knob who landed his helicopter in the pub field and wandered in wearing sunglasses to come for lunch – we were all wrapped up in hats all thinking 'twat', while he clearly thought we were very impressed!
And today just back from my first ever trip to Wisley! Yes, I know its less than 1/2 hour away and that I've driven past it a gazillion times, but Fiona McAnena has recently joined and kindly offered me a wander round – so off we went! Am still laughing at Fiona trying to get on her tiptoes to be a similar height to me in the pictures.. no chance!
But amazing that again the sun came out and we sat on a little bench in a total sun spot, supping our tea/coffee and having a really good chat. Lovely to see Wisley and all it has to offer. Including (yes I'll admit it) the delights of being in a huge shop with lots of 'stuff'. What a treat for the senses, my first shop other than Waitrose, and waiting in its car park, in far, far too long. And I discovered I am oddly quite a fan of strange sculptures – here the fruit & veg one by the massive glasshouse – a cracker!
Thanks to everyone who's been part of a week that has made me feel a whole lot better, more positive about some of the (hopefully) good things to come and that there is still a worthwhile life to be lived, despite the challenges of our times. Cheers to you all! And roll on the weekend… x