Wednesday 25 March 2015

Salisbury

Hello! Sunday found me beetling off to Salisbury to meet up with my oldest (as in 'known the longest'!) friend. We first met in school aged about 7, grew up together, shared a flat at uni and now meet up in the school holidays whenever we can. I arrived a little early having found a much quicker route than the one I usually take, so had time for a coffee and a little read.
 
We had arranged to meet here for brunch:
 It was just like the name suggests, a sort of gentlemen's club type affair with comfy chairs, sofas and stuffed animal heads (although frankly, I could have lived without those!).
 The food was yummy and I opted for a selection of veggie tapas:
Much catching up later, we went for a wander around the city. A little shopping was done - I was very restrained, opting for just a pair of boots for E which were in a sale (her old ones now having a sole which flaps about and makes her look a bit like a street urchin) - fortunately, they fit! We then headed for the cathedral to have a pot of tea (OK and a slice of Bakewell tart!) in the refectory, before listening to evensong. We also saw their exhibition of the Magna Carta - the cathedral has the best preserved of the original 4 which was lovely to see as this year is the 800th anniversary of its signing.

 The cathedral is stunning. Built in the 13th century, it boasts Britain's tallest church spire (123m/404 ft).



We sat in the choir for evensong which was just magical; the choristers singing was heavenly.We then had to power walk back towards the station so S could catch her train. I had a wonderful day and even the drive home was lovely, with the sun setting slowly behind me.

Other happies this week include:

Finishing my primitive stitching Spring embroidery. I'm not sure whether to hang it as it is or tuck the extra fabric behind, so the frame forms the outer edge - what do you think? I may just store it for a while anyway - it would be nice to complete one for each season and then hang them together. 

This week's library books. I am loving 'H is for Hawk' - it's so beautifully written. 'To Kill a Mockingbird' is this month's book club choice. It happens to be my favourite book, so it will be no hardship to reread it. I'm not sure whether or not I'm looking forward to her new one though - it would be so sad if it turned out to be disappointing.
 E sat her Grade 8 piano exam on Monday, so here's a photo of 'Joanna' - it makes me happy because I no longer have to listen to interminable scales!
 The hyacinths are blooming in the garden - this is one of the ones by the front door and its scent makes me very happy when I come home:
It's still cold enough for cups of butternut squash soup though!
 Finally, loaf of the week: Focaccia Pugliese with tomatoes and garlic. I made it this morning and am desperately trying to resist trying a slice as I have a Parent's Evening to go to later and I don't want to breathe garlic fumes over E's teachers!
Anyway, that's all for this week's happies. I hope you've found a little something to make you smile too this week.
Toodle Pip. x

18 comments:

  1. Lovely Salisbury, I haven't been for a while but it's always such a pleasure to have a wander round. Well done E, grade 8, that's an amazing achievement. I went to a children's music competition at the weekend and I was eavesdropping on a conversation where a lady was saying how many advantages and jobs she had had because she was able to play the piano. The spring embroidery is lovely, I'd like to make something like that. I'd vote for tucking the fabric away behind the frame so that it's nice and simple and doesn't detract from the picture. I hope you enjoy the focaccia. I did parents' evening last night. My jeans were not zipped up for some of it. Sigh. CJ xx

    ReplyDelete
  2. sounds like a wonderful trip. I embarrassed K by wearing purple tights to parents evening.......

    ReplyDelete
  3. What a lovely day out! The tapas look delicious, and the photos of Salisbury cathedral are impressive. We had coffee in the refectory a few years ago, and enjoyed the view. Your spring embroidery is very pretty, and making a set of the seasons sounds like a good idea :)
    Cathy x

    ReplyDelete
  4. How good to meet up with an old friend and enjoy a veggie tapas, that and your soup and loaf look totally delicious. I love your hyacinth too, I have blue ones in the garden and they smell heavenly. I wouldn't have enjoyed seeing the animal heads either.xxx

    ReplyDelete
  5. Such lovely happy things! Your day with your friend looks like a lot of fun. I love the look of your embroidery and your bread, both look terrific. The library books of the week are wonderful; I've read all except H is for Hawk but I've been wondering about it lately as it keeps coming up as a suggestion on Amazon based on the books I've browsed. I'm glad to hear it's good.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Your primitive piece turned out so beautifully!! You should be so proud of it!!! And how fantastic to meet up with your old pal....nothing better and that restaurant looks so cozy! The cathedral was jaw dropping. I would just sit and stare for hours if I could! I would say that all of these pieces are just so awesome!! From the bread to the blooms!! Outstanding!!! Nicole xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  7. I am pleased that you enjoyed your visit to Salisbury. It is fairly close to us so we go quite often but are still discovering new things about the city. Last time we walked out to the water meadows behind the Cathedral, it is so peaceful there after the hustle and bustle of the city streets. Well done on finishing the Primitive Hare design, I like it as it is with the fabric showing. I have H is for Hawk on my Kindle ready to go on e I have finished my current book, good to hear that you are enjoying it. xx

    ReplyDelete
  8. Salisbury is a great city isn't it! Your embroidery is very pretty, as it is, or with others for the other seasons, it will be lovely on your wall! xx

    ReplyDelete
  9. What a lovely day out you had with your friend. The pictures of the Cathedral look wonderful. Your Spring stitching is simply gorgeous and I think like you say it would be nice to create one for each season and hang them all together. :)

    ReplyDelete
  10. It's always a joy to read your blog post. What fun to have visited the cathedral and stay for evensong. I love your embroidered season picture. The design reminds me of the vintage ones from the early 19th century. May I have a slice of that yummy looking bread? Have a wonderful weekend :)

    ReplyDelete
  11. What a lovely day out! Not sure about the embroidery. I am a neat freak and think that maybe you should tuck in the edges... pretty as they are! That loaf looks AMAZING!!!

    ReplyDelete
  12. That focaccia looks delicious. Love the virtual tour round the cathedral.

    ReplyDelete
  13. I'm feeling very hungry after reading your post! That bread looks particularly good :)

    ReplyDelete
  14. I love Salisbury too, the cathedral is just beautiful...hmm that bread is making me think it's lunch time!

    ReplyDelete
  15. I've been to Salisbury once to visit the cathedral but we didn't have time to visit the town, it looks lovely. As do all the other things in your post :-) The embroidery is wonderful.
    Amalia
    xo

    ReplyDelete
  16. Some lovely photos there! I love your leaping bunny embroidery...and I love it with the edges exactly as they are.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Great photos of Salisbury and I'm pleased that you had lovely weather for your day out x

    ReplyDelete
  18. I used to visit Salisbury a lot as a child. The cathedral is stunning. I hope that you enjoyed H Is For Hawk. It's been my favourite read of the year so far.
    Leanne xx

    ReplyDelete