Apologies

Evening everyone.

Firstly, I'd like to apologise for not posting anything yesterday. I fully intended to but the day was, mostly, beyond my control. It was my birthday yesterday and also my mum's and her twin sister's. From the moment I got up it was a busy, busy day!

Firstly, my youngest daughter, who lives with us, had bought me gifts and wanted me to open them before she went to work. Hubby had bought me a much needed laptop and a beautiful birthday card too. Eldest daughter then popped in on her way to work with a gift. I had various phone calls and text messages to answer which was lovely then it was quick shower and out. Firstly, we visited my aunt with a card and bunch of flowers to wish her a happy birthday. Next, it was on to mum's house to to take cards and gifts. Hubby had suggested taking mum out to the local garden centre for breakfast so off we went. My middle daughter works here so it was lovely to see her too. By the time we got mum home safely it was almost lunch time. I just thought that we were going home but hubby had hatched a very nice birthday surprise with youngest daughter. She had bought me gift vouchers for Joules which is a shop I love but tend to only buy in the sales as it can be quite expensive and hubby had arranged to take me to the Peak District for a run out, coffee and cake and to spend my vouchers and birthday money. It's lovely having money to spend as we only tend to have spare cash to spend on ourselves at birthdays and Christmas. I bought a lovely purse which was £14.95 instead of £39.95 and a scarf that was £7.95 instead of £19.95. I also bought a brand new white stuff blouse from the cancer research charity shop for £7 that I spotted while waiting for Hubby as he looked for yet more books! 

After this, we went for a drive through the very picturesque countryside and stopped off in a little village called Longnor (made famous in the TV series Peak Practice) for coffee and cake. 

stormy skies but it didn't rain

The winking man rock. As you drive past there is an eclipse of a hole in the rock that's shaped like a face so it looks like its winking.

You can see for miles on a clear day 

We have often stopped here over the years and usually it is very nice. Unfortunately, I was quite disappointed with it this time. There were only two other customers in there and the two young waitresses were sitting chatting and looking at their phones on a table. When a couple came in, the man had to ask them to be served and one nudged the other to get up! Also, my cake which is usually really good was dry and virtually inedible. Such a disappointment. We then popped into Leek and had a walk around the market and a few shops then stopped for a whippy ice cream. After this I went into my favourite little boutique which had a sale on. I bought a lovely jumper that was £16 instead of £26. 

Once we got home it was a steady stream of family and friends which was so nice, youngest daughter treated us to a take away which was a real treat not having to cook. By the time the last visitors had left it was almost 11pm. Far too late to start blogging. 

Today we have been to the New Vic Theatre which is a theatre in the round. I have never been before and my son's friend offered us some complimentary tickets as he works there to see the story of Philip Astley who is regarded as the father of the modern day circus and was born here in Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire. 

It was fabulous and would definitely recommend it to anyone. My sister had bought me a bar of chocolate and some jelly beans as part of my birthday gift so we took them with us to save buying snacks at the Theatre which can work out expensive not to mention the huge queue to purchase them! 

What do you enjoy doing for entertainment? Do you prefer gifts or money to spend for your birthday?  

Jules x

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