Weekly Update!

Sunshine, Haircuts & Afternoon Tea!

This week has been jam packed! I like a busy one now and again, so it's been loads of fun. On Monday the weather was gorgeous, so I went to The Church Inn in Mobberley with Abi, Dave and Tasha for some lunch outside in the sunshine. I had the club sandwich with chips, which was hearty and stuffed with chicken, bacon and salad, I didn't need to eat much in the evening as I was still full.

On Tuesday I ate at the country club, and had one of the specials - eggs benedict but with crab meat rather than salmon or bacon, topped with asparagus spears. It was amazing, and the crab really went well with the poached egg and Hollandaise sauce combination. I stayed at Mo's afterwards, and on Wednesday I took the plunge at the hairdressers and had my hair chopped off, which was scary but I love it! It's so much easier to do stuff with now, and takes ages off getting ready. I ate at The Blue Pig afterwards with Mo on his lunchbreak (see previous post) and then he stayed in the evening.

On Thursday my friend Kirsty came round during the day for tea and cake, bought from Peter Herd, the bakery in the village where I now live. We had a homemade warm hot cross bun each, and then I had a mini battenburg cake, but it was chocolate and lemon sponge with lemon curd, and then half dipped in chocolate! I think I prefer it to the traditional version.

On Friday I went out for a few (non alcoholic) drinks in Piccolinos and Hogans in Hale with Tasha and Abi, and managed to make it until nearly 1.30am before I drove home as I was knackered. Yesterday after a lovely yoga sesh  I spent the day cleaning the flat and preparing food for the Spanish dinner party I had (see previous post).

It was nice to wake up today sans hangover, and I had a great day out with my mum in Chester as a belated birthday present for her. After a spot of shopping (and some purchases in Primark!) we went to Oddfellows for afternoon tea where I have been before. We got mini sandwiches (chicken caesar, cheese and coleslaw, tuna mayonnaise and egg and cress) currant scones with cream and jam, and then a selection of mini cakes - a lemon cheesecake, almond bakewell, tiramisu and a weird thing a bit like a large jellytot (this wasn't so nice!). We washed it down with cups of tea before heading back home, and now I am chilling at home before the start of a new week!

Weekly Update!

Bacon Baskets & Babysitting!

This week started with mine and Mo's one year anniversary, which was lovely. Mo took the day off, so once I had dropped Aum off at school I went back home and he made bacon baskets filled with egg and cheese for breakfast, they were amazing! I've seen them on Pinterest a few times and always fancied trying them; they were super easy to make and a nice variation on a traditional English breakfast. We also went for a coffee at The Church Inn in Mobberley before I went to collect Aum, it is really cute inside and had a log fire burning which was very cosy.

On Tuesday I ate at the Country Club, and went for one of the specials - oxtail dumplings with a soft poached egg and crispy bacon. It was quite small, but I had it with a side of chunky chips (perfect for dipping in a runny yolk), they are so good there! On Wednesday Mo came round, and on Thursday I ate at my parents before calling round to Hannah's with Tasha for a quick hour catchup before bed.

Last minute on Friday Mo and I went to The Moss Trooper for tea with a few others - I shared the meat platter which had black pudding, mini caramelised onion sausages, chicken goujons, onion rings, potato wedges and a pulled pork flatbread for a starter; I didn't really need a main! I was glad that I had opted for the small portion of fish and chips, as it was plenty big enough. It is typical pub grub there, nothing special, but definitely beats cooking at home.

On Saturday we ventured into Manchester on a hunt for some artwork for my flat, however we were late getting in and had an unsuccessful trip so it was a bit pointless really. I babysat in the evening, and for once finished relatively early at 11pm - shame I hadn't planned to do anything afterwards. Today I have had a really nice lazy day catching up with some much needed jobs, and Mo and I have just got back from a chicken roast dinner with apple and blackberry crumble for dessert at my parents, laverly!

Days Out...

The Frozen Mop, Mobberley

Yesterday Mo and I went to The Frozen Mop in Mobberley for lunch with Jack, James, Kelly and MC. It was one I'd suggested as my parents said it was nice and has been done up fairly recently. Upon checking out the menu it seemed like it had a decent choice and wasn't super expensive, as is often the case with gastro-pubs in Cheshire.

It took us about twenty minutes to drive there, and we were closely followed by Mo and Jack on their motorbikes (half the reason why a country pub had been suggested). The weather was gorgeous, so we sat outside, and chatted for quite a while before ordering anything. As I wasn't designated driver for once, I ordered a large glass of white wine, and we got two of the Tasting Platters to share between the six of us. They had pots of melted cheese with onion marmalade and baguettes to dip into it, crackling covered pork belly fritters, lamb meatballs, breaded mushrooms and cheesy breadcrumbed chicken breast - I could have eaten one to myself as a main it was all so tasty. I particularly liked the pork belly fritters, which were served with  a garlic and parsley mayonnaise.

For main (though I barely needed one after that!) I had chicken, ham and leek pie, which had a massive buttery puff pastry lid. It was served with chips and peas, and was one of the cheapest dishes on the menu at just £8.25. There wasn't a great deal of filling, but to be honest that may have just been because the top was so huge! Overall it was a great lunch venue, made even better by the fantastic weather as the beer garden is delightful. If you're ever in the area, or fancy doing a country walk, it would be an ideal stop off for food or just a drink, as the bar menu was pretty impressive, including a selection of cocktails, Prosecco and a few different ales on tap.

Weekly Update!

Spending, Pub  Lunches & Sunshine!

This week has been a bit up and down to be honest. I was on a serious downer after coming home from Benicassim on Monday, so spent the day unpacking and moping around feeling sorry for myself! On Tuesday it was my first day back at work, so it was tiring and really dragged, especially as it is my longest day, finishing at 7.30pm.

On Wednesday after work I went to Sam's and we made pizzas, only for the oven to break! We had to resort to a backup plan, and went to Strada in Wilmslow. I had butternut squash and pancetta risotto, which I actually had the last time I went there a couple of years ago, but it is so good! Sam had a pizza with salami, peppers and chilli which was pretty spicy, but good.

On Friday I went to the Trafford Centre, armed with my birthday vouchers which I had yet to spend. It was quite a successful trip actually. I came away with a chunky gold necklace of dog bones from Topshop, in the sale for £10, and a gorgeous electric blue dress from Miss Selfridge for £20 which has a large lace panel across the whole of the back. I also got a cute pink dress for £5 in the H&M sale along with three little stretchy crop tops in different colours for my holiday, that were only £2 each. 

I worked on Saturday and then went out in Hale with my girlfriends, which was a lot of fun. My friend Abi who we stayed with in New York is now home, so it was great to see her and have a few drinks and a boogie!

Today the weather has been amazing, so I went for lunch at The Plough and Flail in Mobberley with Lydia, and we sat outside in the sunshine. I had fish and chips, it was huge! I couldn't finish it all, but it was delicious. Then we came home and went to the field across the road from my house and just had a good chinwag and a chill out. It has been a really pleasant lazy Sunday, I'm now just hoping the weather stays nice for this week and it goes quickly, as I go to Tenerife a week today!

Weekly Update!

Bowling, Packing and Mud!

This week has been really lovely, a good week to end on before I go off on holiday on Tuesday (so there will be no posts next week). I had a couple of articles to do for Candid, and worked at the pub as usual, so the start to the week was fairly quiet, except I booked a holiday to Tenerife on Monday. I also had my eyebrows threaded on Wednesday, which was a new experience. It was a lot more painful than I had anticipated, but the results were well worth it, even if they are a little thin for my liking.

On Thursday I went to the Museum of Science and Industry (see previous post) which was fun, and on Friday I took Aum and his cousin to the Trafford Centre to go bowling. Aum had never done it before, except on his Wii (!) so it was lovely seeing them do something a little different for once. We had lunch at McDonalds, and then I drove them both home. In the evening I went to Sam's house and got some work done, while he slept off quite a lot of alcohol!

On Saturday it was our three month anniversary, so after my shift at the pub (where I was delivered some gorgeous roses!) we went out for a meal at The Bulls Head in Mobberley. I started with the prawn and monkfish thermidor, which was delicious, and served so prettily in a large pink shell. For main I chose the manly homemade steak and ale pie with chunky chips and minted mushy peas. It was gorgeous, but the portion was massive so it defeated me, and I didn't have room for dessert, which was a shame as they sounded amazing! Sam opted for the mushrooms on toast followed by haddock and chips, which was equally humongous. We went for a few drinks in the Greyhound afterwards before heading home. 

Today has been a very packed day actually. I started off with a trip to the gym, before packing everything up ready for Benicassim on Tuesday. I then went round to Sam's and we had a lovely walk around Ashley, Hale Barns and the River Bollin, although it was rather muddy! Then I caught a quick drink in the Moss Trooper with Mike and Benn who I am going away with, before going back to Sams, where I am now. Bring on the sunshine and music of Beni!