Autumn 2015

A whistle stop remembering of the best bits of 

October and November 2015....

 I met my mate Cuckoo for lunch in Birmingham. 

I didn't get any nice photos of us...but she got a nice one of her sharing a cab with Matt Lucas!
(long story)

She very cleverly edge one of Cleggy's vintage jackets with Liberty fabric - which he LOVES.

 The ceiling in the (poor neglected) workshop started to cave in so we got that sorted

 and painted the outside

 The kitchen and lounge got some finishing off bits done

 Cleggy and I did a photoshoot for one of his books at our favourite school in Salford. 

 (Cleggy did his back in again moving this old piano)

 A visit from Hettie. And Granny. 

Who ended up with a crochet stool cover on her head.

We visited our friends Penny and Neale and marvelled at the view from their barn...

...and spent many a boy free Sunday morning antique treasure hunting...

Stockport Vintage Village

 Cleggy and I ran one of our Early Years conferences in Exeter. 

 Our flight landed nice and early so we had time for a wander - 

it's SUCH a beautiful city!

 with some ace shops

 We had lunch at Bill's

 marvelled at the Cathedral in the afternoon sunshine...

THEN had an evening with mates Helen and Greg

What a flaming treat.

Kenzie passed his Duke of Edinburgh bronze award - and the school had a celebration evening. Lovely!

Halloween is little nephew Wilf's birthday so we made an appearance at his party

THEN, we went to Norwich for another conference. 

Another beautiful city - even on a grey day

This tearoom (Biddys) might be up there as one of my all time favourites!

...and lunch at Jamies - another treat!

...and still time for a wander. 

I'm so glad I did my research as lots of the most beautiful lanes were a little bit off the beaten path

Elm Hill is one of the best preserved tudor streets in the UK - 

it's like stepping back in time

...and some literally from the dark ages:

We came across a brilliant shop (Mr P Milne's antiques and curios) literally unchanged since Tudor times (with the original front door) selling all kinds of treasure. 

Including lots of taxidermy. The man who owned it allowed us to go into his studio and watch him work. Amazingly he had a big live owl in there (roaming free!) who had been in  his family for 40 years! After work he takes it out to hunt in the woods!

We left with a rabbit in a collar box, the woodpecker (in the photo below) and a (nother) white mouse.

Our conference was in the beautiful Assembley House - steeped in history (and featured in the recent film '45 years'!)

(in that jacket again!)

It was work - but loads of fun too. 

We flew back on Bonfire night - and came in to land at 8pm when loads of firework displays were going off! Magical.

I purchased a lovely necklace from Silly Old Suitcase - 

which is now a firm favourite! 

Along with new wooly scarf....which it turns out I've barely needed as Winter has been pretty mild.

So far...

Fee x