LOVELY MORNING!

Breakfast at Heighley, little mooch round the garden centre, into Morpeth and Rutherfords where Helen bought two pairs of sandally trainer type shoes and I treated myself to some rather lovely Moda in Pele espadrilles. Back home to read the papers - well to look at the pictures! Helen and Bill set off for the rugby a while ago, bearing the cake which they are delivering to the party people, leaving Charles and I to do a quick tidy up before the girls had a good gallivant at the dog park.

Now going to have a couple of quiet days - I hope - before starting to think about the cake stall Helen and I are doing next weekend. Really there's little point them going home considering they'll be back again on Friday!

FIREWORKS!!

Did not appreciate these being set off late last night - and nor did the girls who clearly thought we were under attack, causing major outrage and panic on their part and resulting in a very late night for all concerned.

Helen and Bill are leaving later today. They're off to the vital Falcons/Bath match, dropping off the hockey cake on the way. It's for a surprise party for their daughter's boyfriend and I'm looking forward to seeing the photos.

We're all of to Heighley Gate for brekkie in a little while. Nice

ALL WEDDINGED OUT!

Had enough now.

The "One Show" street party finished us off to be honest. After a day when the Beeb excelled itself, it let itself down big time with this programme. bet they don't do a live broadcast like that for a long time. And I also bet they won't be asking the objectionable, smug and self-opinionated Angela Rippon back any time soon. Can't stand the woman.

WHAT AN EVENT!

Surely there is no other country in the world that does pageantry like the Brits. Fabulous!

LOVE IS IN THE AIR!!!

Royal wedding day!

Love it. All the pageantry, the music, the pomp, the dress...

...can't wait!

LOOKING FORWARD...

... to a couple of days with Helen and Bill. They won't get here till evening as Bradford have done that crazy thing with the Spring holiday a couple of weeks ago, followed by Easter weekend, followed by Wedding/May Day. Helen reckons they only do six days in school during April.

Sounds good to me!!

MASTERCHEF FINAL

How brilliant was that?

Every dish was fantastic. How Tim did everything that he did in three hours I'll never, ever know.

Any of them could have won - but I'm SO pleased it was Tim!

THE HOCKEY CAKE...

... is done!!
After a bit of a panic yesterday, I changed the plans and ended up painting an image of James in typical goal-scoring mode. This went onto a plaque in the centre of the cake and was surrounded by a border of hockey sticks and balls.

At the back of the cake is a little cheerleading Rachel, because behind every great man there is an even greater woman!!!

AM IN HEAVEN!!!

After weeks of sub-standard coffee at home and having to make regular trips out for cappuccino, we are now the very proud owners of the DeLonghi Magnifico, bean to cup machine.

It is out of this world and we are both as high as kites now with all the caffeine we've consumed this afternoon!!!

SPENT ALL AFTERNOON...

... working on a sugarpaste model of James (not son James, but niece's boyfriend) in his hockey strip (he plays for Tynemouth) My sister told me it's the white one, Charles told me it's the white one...

... but this evening I find out it's the RED one!!!

What a bloody pain!

Admittedly, I wasn't too happy with the way it was working out, but I thought a few tweaks in the morning would sort it. Now I need to start all over again. In fact I'm going to change the approach and go for a painted plaque as there's no way a new model will be dry enough by Friday.

Oh well - what's a lost afternoon between families!!

BIT OF A NIGHTMARE TODAY!!!

Thought I'd just rustle up the hockey cake - no problem, but it's proving a lot harder than I anticipated. That'll teach me for getting cocky!!

HAD LUNCH...

... at Jesmond Dene, having given up on the idea of going to the beach. Lovely food, as usual, but now feel absolutely stuffed and very uncomfortable. Just want a few days of eating very little, before Helen and Bill come on Thursday, when no doubt, we'll over-indulge once more.

Have made the Madeira sponge for the hockey cake this afternoon. Still have no photos to work from, but have been promised them tomorrow. Just wanted to make a start with it, so I can get it covered tomorrow and then spend a couple of days working on the figures.

Charles is driving his Mum over to Carlisle now, where he'll meet his brother to swap her over. I think they were intending to go for a meal - but I bet they don't! (If they feel anything like as gross as I do, they won't anyway!)

HEY!

Where's the sun gone?

It's cold outside this morning.

Bit of a shock really.

May well have an impact on any plans for this morning. The Ship at Newton doesn't seem to have the same appeal as it did yesterday!

UP EARLY AGAIN!

What I would give for a lie in, just for an extra hour or so. It would be sheer bliss. If this carries on I'll be going to bed at 9pm!!

Don't know what we're doing today.

But do know I'm supposed to be making a hockey celebration cake for the weekend for my niece's boyfriend, but as yet have no photos to work from, so can't make a start on it really. If I haven't got anything by end of play tomorrow, it's going to be pushing it to get everything ready by Friday.

GOOD DAY!

It may have been a busy day, but it's been a good one.

We had a lovely time with James, Claire and Lucy. They're all good eaters fortunately!

The weather has been absolutely perfect. I honestly cannot remember a holiday weekend when it has been so good.

We're trying to decide what to do tomorrow, before Grandma has to leave during the afternoon. Charles is thinking Newton-By-The-Sea would be lovely if the weather's nice - but I suspect half the population of Northumberland may have the same idea, so I'm not so sure. If we DO go we will need to get there early as parking is so limited.

I know we were only there last week, but it's so idyllic there that it would be really nice to take Charles's Mum. Plus - the girls would love it. So, we'll make a decision in the morning

OKAY...

...WHO GOT UP AT 5AM AND WENT TO THE LOO...

...AND WOKE THE DOGS UP FOR THE DAY, EH?

CLUE: IT WASN'T ME OR CHARLES.

JUST IN CASE YOU THINK...

... that it was a bit mean taking Grandma to Amble for fish and chips instead of cooking for her at home, I should like to clarify that it was HER request the last time she was here and we weren't able to fit it in then, so thought we'd take her this time instead!

GRANDMA'S HERE!

Fast asleep in the chair, with Rose on her knee!

The girls had their pre-grandma's visit bath last night, so are looking extremely beautiful. We even managed to get their fringes cut. That'll do until we get them to Woofcuts in a couple of weeks time.

Trying very hard not to listen to the match today, especially as Blackpool's equaliser went in the very moment I entered the living room!

Spent the morning getting ready for tomorrow's lunch. There'll be six of us and it's turning out to be almost a Christmas dinner!!

Taking Grandma to Amble later for fish and chips.

LOVELY DAY AGAIN!

Been down to Morpeth, both a bit argumentative! Charles went to collect a prescription and then got home and realised it was still on the counter at Boots, so has had to go back again - won't improve the mood at all.

I've made some goodies for the next few days as we seem to be having a houseful again.

The girls are about to go for a romp in the dog park, before coming back for a bath and a fringe trim! We tried to get them into their hairdressers, but couldn't get an appointment until May 10th and they really can't wait till then!

BACK HOME...

... after a very pleasant afternoon at the hairdressers. Have gone a slightly more ashy shade of blonde. Like it!

Gave Charles a shopping list to do while I was being pampered - and now need to go back to the shops tomorrow to get all the stuff he forgot! Great!!

WHY AM I...

... so tired today? I mean, I know I've been up since the crack of dawn, unlike Charles who's only been out of bed for an hour or so, but I'm feeling absolutely shattered and could quite happily go back to bed for a bit more kip.

HOWEVER MUCH...

... you enjoy having visitors, it's always rather nice when they've left and you can just get back to normal (whatever that is) for a while. Not that I'm saying I'm glad John's gone - just that it's nice to relax for a bit.

Mind you, Charles's Mum is coming next - on Saturday - so won't be relaxing for long!!

Off to get my roots done today. (Haven't been for two months, so pretty desperate now.)

BACK TO NORMAL...

... for a few days, before the arrival of the Mother-in-Law at the weekend!

John has just left after two days during which we have crammed in an awful lot. Today was a tour of Charles's school (John's a headteacher as well, so was really interested!) then into Morpeth for coffee, a visit to the craft centre and then the most amazing tapas for lunch, sitting outside in the courtyard.

We've had a fab time and now have another convert to the Toon Army after last night's match.

Just going to clean up, recharge the batteries and then plan the shopping for the weekend!

GOING UP TO...

... Coldstream this morning, as John has requested a quick visit to Scotland!!!

Then driving back down the coast to Bamburgh and Newton-By-The-Sea, taking the girls with us for a good old romp on the beach. Then it's back home, quickly see Christina, go and pick up James before heading to Landmark for our pre-match meal. After that, who know what'll happen - I just hope it's not a complete rout!!

NEVER...

... going to cook slow roast belly pork again!!!!

What an unmitigated disaster. I NEVER have culinary disasters - but I certainly did tonight.

Mind you, the fact that I had consumed the best part of a bottle of Chevry Chambertin during the cooking process probably didn't help, but it was quite simply the worst meal I've produce in living memory.

I'm really glad James and Claire didn't come and join us!

LOOKING FORWARD TO TODAY!

It's always good to catch up with old friends.

Having a go at slow roast belly pork this evening. It may not come up to the standard set by Embleton hall, when three of us opted for the pork and then thought we'd died and gone to Heaven - but I'll give it my best shot. Trouble is, there are more recipes than enough for it and they're all slightly different, so I'm just going to go with instinct and hope for the best!!

THE DOG PARK

We're just back from the dog park. The girls have had a right old chase around. They've sniffed every blade of grass, chased each other, lain in wait and pounced, said "hello" to all the locals tending their allotments, rolled over and over in the grass and dirt, come home for a good brushdown - and are now sleeping contentedly in front of the telly.

Hope the weather stays like this for a while. It really lifts the spirits.

GLORIOUS MORNING!

Just lovely.

I love this time of year and it never ceases to amaze me that all the plants that die down for the winter really do reappear in the spring! The garden's looking pretty good actually although I'm a little concerned about the tree fern which is still showing no sign of new fronds. Usually, when we uncover it in spring, there are loads of little fiddleheads waiting to unfurl, but there's nothing there yet. Hope it's okay.

Charles is still not feeling wonderful. He's had a lazy start to the day and has just taken the dogs out (a little reluctantly I think - but the walk will do him good I'm sure!)

HAD A...

... lovely evening with James and Claire at 'Orchid' by the Quayside. Excellent meal, but unfortunately Charles wasn't feeling too good, so he didn't enjoy it as much as the rest of us. He went straight to bed when we got home and was feeling hot and cold, so this is probably the beginning of the holiday bug. Typical!

SPENT THE MORNING...

... in the kitchen! There's a change!!

Got loads of stuff prepped for Monday when John is coming to stay for a couple of days. We met up with him in Oxford at the Old Ws reunion. He was one of four boys that hung around with four of us girls, right from the first day really. We stayed good mates all the way through college, but then, as you do, lost touch.

It'll be lovely to have a proper catch up though. Mind you we're forcing the NUFC/ManUtd game on him on Tuesday evening. Hope he won't mind!!

Going to have a quiet afternoon, before heading over to James and Claire's this evening. We're helping to store some of their stuff away in the loft so need to take stepladders with us, but after that we're off to the Quayside for a Chinese. Looking forward to it.

Charles must be recovering from last night (although he can't have been drinking as he was driving) as he's taken himself off to bed for a lie down!! Probably making him cut the grass just pushed him over the edge!

ATTENTION DANNYMATT!

Need you to have a chat with Charles re coming over here during the holiday!

CHARLES IS...

... going out with the staff from Croftway tonight. Celebrating the end of term and the Ofsted result.

Don't know where they're going, but hope they all have a good time.

Mind you - if he gets back really late, HE'D BETTER NOT WAKE THE GIRLS UP!

JAMES AND CLAIRE...

... came up with the idea of rainbow cupcakes, ie rainbow coloured sponge in the style of the large cake I'd made recently.

I have news you two - IT IS NOT A GOOD IDEA!!!

PHEW!

That's a relief!

Apparently the skiing cake arrived home perfectly intact and everyone loved it.

Hooray!!

(Breathes very large sigh of relief!)

BAD NIGHT

Couldn't sleep, don't know why. Awake for hours and then the girls got up at 5.30.

This has left me pretty shattered and bad-tempered.

Need a lie in - even if only till 7.30. That would be bliss!

ANOTHER SATISFIED CUSTOMER!

The skiing cake has just been collected - to rapturous comments and praise I'm delighted to say.

It's always a bit nerve-racking as you wait for the initial response, but couldn't have gone better really.

Now it's got quite a long journey and I can only pray it arrives at it's destination intact. However, in case of emergencies, I've sent a little bottle of edible glue along with it!!

LILY GOES BONKERS!

Our usually placid girl, Lily, had a bit of a worry on last night after James had left.

Clearly there was something (cat? hedgehog?) in the garden, because she was frantically chasing around outside at the front and then racing through the house to the sunroom window and pawing to be out.

This went on for ages and when it came to bedtime there was no way she was going to settle down, which as anyone who knows her will agree, is very strange.

She whinged on for the best part of an hour, before we could get her to settle for the night.

And in the midst of it all, Rose was perfectly calm and quiet and just wanted to go to sleep.

Bit of role reversal there I think!

I WISH I COULD POST REPLIES...

... to dannymatt's comments!

Masterchef woman's voice - yep, irritating in the extreme!

Meningitis - you cannot imagine the speed at which things move once it is suspected. Once our GP had rung for an ambulance, we were in the RVI within 25 minutes. Every minute really does count. I was pleased that when discussing the symptoms on TV this evening, the rash was NOT flagged up as being a definite indicator. Often it is not present in the early stages, and by the time it HAS developed it is often too late. It was good that the focus was on other symptoms which parents could fail to recognise as serious - rather like me, who only called the GP after taking advice from my mother who happened to be a receptionist in a health centre (and clearly had a better medical knowledge than any of the doctors there!) I thought he had the bug that other kids were suffering from in his playgroup at the time.

We were given 50/50 chance of bringing him home.

Thank God it worked out as well as it did.

WHENEVER I HEAR...

... about youngsters dying from meningitis, it makes me not only deeply sad but incredibly lucky that James got though this dreadful illness when he was three years old.

DID GO TO MORPETH...

... but couldn't face driving in my specs as still feel too vulnerable, so popped my lenses in. They felt fine to be honest, although I will only wear them occasionally until I've had my next appointment (which isn't until the end of May) when I will ask what can be done about a new prescription for glasses AND new contacts.

However, it was great to get out of the house for a while. Had an expensive visit to Waterstones, a very large cappuccino and a good look around the shops. Highly enjoyable!

Haven't done much this afternoon, but ended up reading on the sofa with two little Westies curled up next to me. Bliss!!

DON'T KNOW...

... who was up first today - Charles or the girls. I suspect it was Charles as I never heard a thing from the pups room, but whoever it was, it was still too early.

Lily's getting all agitated this morning because there are some little birds pecking around on the drive, within sight but just out of her reach - thankfully. She's pacing around and keeps steering us to the window to go and have a look! Rose, on the other hand, couldn't care less about a few pesky birds. (Neither could I)

Not sure what's happening today, apart from Jim coming round after football and Charles not expecting to be home till some ridiculous time this evening.

Might go to Morpeth, or might not. Who knows?

HELEN AND BILL...

... are leaving today.

We've had a lovely, relaxed time. (Well those of us who aren't at school have!!)

I think they're coming back for the Royal Wedding weekend and then again for 7th May when Helen and I are doing a cake stall for the Toddler Group's fundraiser in the Village Hall.

Next week we've got an old college friend coming for a couple of days. We only met up with him at the reunion in February, having lost touch completely since the Oxford days - but it'll be great to have a proper catch up.

How much cooler is it today? I've just been outside and it is really chilly. Better get all the winter woollies back out again!

5.30 - TOO EARLY...

...TOO TIRED.

WAKING THE DEAD

Last one ever tonight.

Shame - I really enjoyed that series.

I suppose we're in for the usual rubbishy summer schedule now. I think we'll be catching up on a few of the DVDs we have stock-piled!

(Anyone know when 'The King's Speech' comes out on DVD?)

AW THANKS DANNYMATT!!

Your comments are really appreciated.

By the way, I left a message on FB as requested, but haven't had a reply. Just so you know.

You are, of course, welcome at ANY TIME over the Easter break if you need a bit of chill time.

NO CAKES...

... this week.

This is strange!

I've let Helen loose in the kitchen this morning. She's busily cutting out shoes and dresses for a batch of cupcakes she's making later this week and has declared that she's in her element!!

The girls are watching her with lazy interest - ie one eye open.

Bill and I are waiting for her to get done and then we're off to Heighley for coffee/light lunch.

I was hoping the fab weather would continue so that we could go somewhere up the coast, but it was not to be I'm sad to say.

Now - apparently the skiing cake isn't going to be picked up until Thursday - despite me having it in my diary for collection tomorrow. It's a good job it's a fruit cake and not sponge otherwise it would have been spoiling by the time it's eaten.

TIRED!

Did NOT want to be up this morning. Still feeling the after effects of rather a lot of food and red wine. (Gevrey-Chambertin 2009 - very nice!)

Not sure what's on the cards today, although Charles is at work, Helen and Bill are staying for another day and at some point I've got to be in for the skiing cake to be picked up.

WHAT A POOR PERFORMANCE

I know we were missing key players, but we could have just about assured our place in the prem for next season today - and we threw it away.

Very disappointing.

THIS WOULD BE...

... the perfect day to go to the beach, or up to Ingram valley...

...but instead we've got to go to town to change my Mum's flaming jacket!

It was perfectly fine when she tried it on on Wednesday, and she COULD have changed it herself, so I'm a bit annoyed. However, we have arranged to meet James and Claire for lunch so don't really want to alter the plans now. We'll just have to find somewhere to sit outside with our coffees.

Happy Anniversary to Helen and Bill. 29 years! Just seems like yesterday!

HA HA HA!!

Just read Dannymatt's comment about the heavy duty tags. Yes, I can see how you conjured up that mental image. Poor little things!!

Now then, we've actually had a really enjoyable day. Lunch with Xtina and Phil was great despite the earlier confusion, James was pretty chilled when we went to see him and we're just waiting for Helen and Bill to arrive. They may be a bit depressed actually as the Falcons lost a game that pretty much sees them relegated and Bill's footie team (whisper it - the Scum) also lost - shame!

Still - there's a bottle of rather lovely Hautes-Cotes de Nuits breathing away happily awaiting their arrival and this may go some way to cheering them up.

NEW ID TAGS...

... for the girls arrived this morning. Their old ones had got so worn it was impossible to read the contact details, but these new ones look to be pretty heavy duty and should last a while.

We're doing that frustrating hanging about thing again this morning, trying to get an answer from Christina about what time she wants us to go round for lunch.

Oh - there we go - we've got an answer at last! 1pm, so now we know!

YET ANOTHER...

... early start to the day.

6am on a Saturday just isn't funny.

Tried keeping the girls up late, but that doesn't work. How on earth are we going to break them of this habit - well, it's probably just Rose actually, if Lily had her way she'd probably still be in bed now.

However, Charles is out with them for the first walk of the day right now.

We're off to Christina's for lunch later on, then calling to see Jim and after that helen and Bill are coming. So a pleasantly sociable day - hopefully!

GORGEOUS DAY!

Warm and sunny with a gentle breeze - perfect for gardening! Got my planting done, although I was a bit late getting started as I spent more time in the kitchen than I'd planned.

Had a lovely walk with the girls, more of a stroll really. The grass cutter had been round this morning so they had to sniff every little corner just to see if it really was the same place!

Good news in the post today - the Take That tickets - all eight of them - have arrived. Mind you, I've got mixed feelings about this gig. I still think taking Robbie back will not have done them any favours at all and I really cannot imagine how they can possibly top the Circus - but I'm sure it'll be absolutely rocking!!

Think I've messed up James's plans for Saturday. We WERE going to go into town with him and Claire, but since we arranged that my Mum has decided that she wants me to change the jacket I got for her birthday for a smaller size and we can only do that on Sunday once Helen brings it back, so probably won't be up for a trip on Saturday as well. I don't mind, but I'm guessing Charles won't be too keen. I'll see what he says when he gets home. Sorry about the confusion Jim - blame Nan!!!

MIGHT BE...

... a gardening day today I think. I want to get all the plants in that I bought yesterday and Charles has even suggested that, providing he gets home at a reasonable time, he'll cut the grass. Hooray!!

Baking a few cookies and a fruit loaf today as Helen and Bill are coming tomorrow (after the rugby - vital match I understand) and staying for a couple of days. We've agreed to make it a very relaxed weekend, with plenty of eating out so no-one ends up in the kitchen all the time. Sounds good to me.

Looks like the girls are in for their usual lazy Friday. Mind you, they've been up early again, so it's not surprising that they're catching up on their missed zzzs now.

VENUS DE MILO...

... come on dannymatt - you can't leave it at that!!

So the fact that she's 'armless, has something to do with you?

FEEL INCREDIBLY...

... lazy today.

In fact, to be perfectly honest, I think I might have just nodded off in front of the telly for a few minutes.

This is not good. I never do that!

The girls are playing with the new toys I bought them this morning. They're really heavy duty togs with an extra chewy bit on one end and they are currently being mauled and shaken to death!

Oh Charles has just got in. It's early because he's had a hospital appointment - but he's got to go back to Blyth again later, so I don't suppose he's going to feel as if he can relax yet.

DIDN'T GET TO MORPETH...

... but decided to go to Heighley Gate instead.

Actually the driving was okay really, I just feel slightly vulnerable on the left side, but will almost certainly get used to this.

Bought some hebes to replace a couple that appear to have perished in the winter weather. Well I got four hebes, two vincas and a lovely blue iris - AND some new toys and treats for the girls, so they're happy!

AND TODAY...

... I'm going to drive to Morpeth, wearing my specs! Always a good idea you may be thinking, but as I usually only drive when I'm wearing contacts because my vision is much better, but am not able to use them at the moment, I've decided that I've got to do this otherwise I'll never be able to go anywhere on my own.

The last time I went to the RVI I was told that a) I should be able to drive whilst wearing specs and b) I may never be able to wear contacts again because of my problematic left eye, so it's time to face up to it and have a go.

Apart from that, I have no real plans for today. This is pretty unusual and is the result of a gap in the cake orders for the next couple of weeks. Still - plenty of time for practising!

REPLYING TO DANNYMATT!

Model of the kitchen? Pah!

Have had a much better idea.

After watching "Ace of Cakes" today where an amazing cake was featured showing the Baltimore skyline and architecture, I've decided that my next indulgent project will be to produce a montage of Newcastle's finest buildings and iconic landmarks.

It'll take a bit of planning and will certainly be a challenge, but could be a stunning bit of cakecraft if I get it right.

After that I thought I might do Oxfords' dreaming spires for the next reunion in June.

Or maybe I'll just have a lie down and wait for these silly ideas to disappear!!

TYPICAL!

My visitors aren't due to get here till 11.30...

... and I'm all ready, waiting, everything done, just twiddling my thumbs and watching 'Ace of Cakes' on repeat!!

Got up early, made strawberry and cream cupcakes, finished the bit and pieces that had to be frosted today. Checked the skiing cake to make sure all the skiers are still standing (apart from the one who's had a fall and turned into a giant snowball) - so far so good, everything's intact.

Just waiting now...

VERY PRODUCTIVE DAY TODAY

Got everything ready for tomorrow AND just about finished the skiing cake as well. I was in two minds about starting it, and only intended to get the sugarpaste on, but one thing led to another and it's pretty nearly done now. I've got the figures on place and have had to prop one of them up for now, but hopefully once everything's dry, she'll be able to stand on her own two feet (or skis)!

Yet again the girls have been remarkably patient. We went for a very windswept walk around lunchtime, but apart from that they've lazed around all day quite contentedly.

(Can't get the dinner ready, because foolishly I've been assembling the cake on top of the hob and it's now too precarious for me to lift off on my own! Hope Charles isn't starving when he gets in!)

AND CHARLES HAS...

... finally managed to rid himself of his cold...

... by passing it on to ME!

Thank you so much!

DOGGY BISCUITS!!!

Dear Uncle Chris,

We are writing to thank you very much for giving our Mum a new cookery book all about doggy biscuits. There are loads of recipes in there and we expect Mum to try them all out on us.

This will make a very nice change from all the stuff she usually does because we don't get to try ANY of that you know.

We will let you know what our favourite is - although knowing us, we'll like all of them!

You are very kind and we've decided you're our favourite uncle!!

Lots of love

Lily and Rose xxx

TODAY I'M MAKING...

... little teatime treats for when my Mum comes on Wednesday. Actually, there will be a few of us as Helen is also bringing Hannah and Jake. (They're having that weird Spring holiday in Leeds this year, so the schools have already broken up for a fortnight, then the go back for a couple of days, then off for Easter weekend, back, then off for the Royal wedding, back then off for May day. Hardly worth going in at all, I'd say!)

Charles suggested taking Mum to Embleton Hall for lunch as it's her birthday on Wednesday. Haven't been there for a while, so it may be a good idea. I think she'd like it.

A LOVELY DAY!

Forget the bit about cleaning the oven (easy though it was) the rest of the day has been pure indulgence and I feel very spoilt.

We me Christina for coffee in Jesmond. Admittedly she was late, but then when isn't she? When she DID arrive she was carrying the most beautiful bunch of dusky pink roses - for me!

After coffee and a chat we picked up James (hilarious card, Molten Brown shower gel and "Queen of Everything" mug) and went to Jesmond Dene House for lunch. Absolutely delicious. Good wine, yummy food, great company - what could be better?

UP EARLY...

... and got to grips with the oven cleaning.

Now this COULD and usually WOULD have been an insufferable chore, BUT I've come across this amazing gel stuff from Lakeland that you simply paint on, wait a bit and then wipe off - there's no smell, no mess, and the oven ends up sparkly clean in minutes. Excellent stuff! Took no time at all.

Just going to potter around this morning, before we go for lunch with James later. Looking forward to it!

APPARENTLY...

... we're going to the Jesmond Dene House Hotel for lunch tomorrow.

What a treat!

I quite like this Mother's Day thing!

AND on Wednesday MY Mum is coming to see me for the day. Helen is bringing her and we're going to have a girly day, going to the Granby for lunch and then having afternoon tea at home.

Shame Charles will be at school!!

SO...

... THAT plan worked then!!!

Well done to the lads. A good win today!

I SINCERELY HOPE...

... that Pardew and the squad are ready to play out of their skins today. (Well, the squad, not Pardew obviously, but I hope he's got them well up for it.)

Bit of a gloomy start to the day - weather-wise I mean. Looks like we may be in for a bit of a drenching.

We're picking Matty up in Morpeth, then meeting James in town, going to the landmark for lunch and then one of us is going shopping while the others go to the game. The decision for me NOT to go today was purely based on past results. When Jim and his dad go together, we seem to get better results than when I go, so I'm missing out for the good of NUFC!

I also have to buy two birthday presents, and unfortunately, need to get some heavy duty oven cleaning stuff as that's a job I can put off no longer. (I hate cleaning the oven. It's got to be the worst job around the house.)

I'm also meeting up with Christina for coffee while I'm in town. It'll be nice to have a catch up with her.

FINISHED!! YAAAAAY!!!

One Lake District cake completed!

Admittedly you need to use lots of imagination, but hey, that's part of the fun. Isn't it?

Now I can relax for a day or two, I hope!