Week at home

Over the August bank holiday week, I went home. Mom retired on the Friday before the bank holiday so we celebrated. 

During the week, the weather was nice so one of the days we went for a walk over highgate common, through the woods.

We got a little lost at one point but finally found the car park. On the way home Dad and I convinced mom to stop at the Vineyards for lunch and a glass of wine. I forgot to take any photos but we enjoyed some very tasty sharing plates in the sun with a bottle of white. 

Mid week we went to a spa for the day and then a few days later a picnic by the river.

We need up having to take shelter a few times when the rain started but it was still nice.

Mom and I also went shopping and I treated her to lunch as payment for waiting with me while I got a new phone. It was a lot more complicated than I expected and took a lot longer. (Part of the reason it took so long to get the photos downloaded.)

Picnic and Pampering

After a pretty busy day on Friday, we planned a quieter, more leisurely day on Saturday. So we went to Bushy Park for a little walk and a picnic. We ended up doing a lot of walking.

Dad enjoying

Mom was too hungry to smile.

Posh Picnic

We walked through some of the woodland part and I found a new lily pond I hadn't seen before. Bushy Park is huge.

On the evening we were all knackered so we got a bali in and did some pampering. Dad does enjoy a good face mask and we even convinced mom to join in.

Trying the pout.

Dad's was invisible - he was a little disappointed at this.

Music at Prideaux Place

On the last Friday of my holiday we spent the day doing a little shopping. St. Eval candle shop wasn't too far away and they sell their candles at half the price you can find them anywhere else. Plus they last for ages! We also found a nice farm shop with a great cafe (though the shop was crazily overpriced) and the usual craft fair was on in Padstow so I started my Christmas shopping. (Not kidding - got my first present sorted).

Dad has been getting up stupidly early and going for an early morning run, sometimes before sunrise. He makes the rest of us look lazy but there is no way we are crazy enough to get up that early when we don't have too so he's on his own. On one of his runs, he found a beautiful field full of wild flowers, and took mom and I to see it. It was quite amazing.

On the Friday evening, we went to Music in the Park at Prideaux Place, a beautiful house only 5 mins drive from the caravan. They do an outdoor concert every year to raise money for the NSPCC. This is the first time mom and dad have been down there for it so were very excited. We took a picnic of grilled chicken, cheeses, salad, garlic bread and wine (plus some cider for dad who was driving), and strawberries and clotted creams, and chocolates for desert. We thought we were well prepared with our picnic and blanket. But some others put us to shame. They had chairs and tables and tents! 

I also found out that some wines may contain milk. I have yet to figure out how how but it says it on the bottle. 

The concert had 3 bands, an Irish style trio, a band with a brass section and a fantastic female singer, and an Elton John tribute act.

View over the crowd at sunset. 

Dancing - all older women

We had a great time though we did wish we had chairs - we all had numb bums by the end. And should have taken blankets as we were getting a little chilling towards the end. We ended up back at the caravan with a G&T, so great end to a lovely day.

Chestnut Sunday

Thankfully we get a lie in on Sunday morning. Sunday was the Chestnut Parade inBushy Park. I did go last time so we grabbed the blanket and got a place by the parade route.

Waiting. 

There were a lot of military bikes and cars, as well as a parade of old cars which made Craig quite happy.

This dog was loving life.

Old taxi.

Banger!

There were also some interesting bicycles.

We walked through Bushy Park into Hampton Court and started to over heat. We wanted to find a deli to get a picnic, but that prove surprisingly hard in Hampton Court. I had expected to find quite a few but there was nothing. We eventually found a grocery store with enough to make us happy and a shady spot to have a picnic. 

Starving.

Bushy Park

Over the weekend, I went to Bushy Park, a few minutes walk from my flat. The weather was amazing so I took a picnic and sat in the sun.

Main walkway

Going posh for the picnic

Chilling

Diana fountain

After lunch and a lay in the sun, I took a walk around the park (mainly because I wanted to find the cafe).

Long walkways

And practically stumbled over some deer, relaxing in the shade. Not sure how was more shocked. Mostly me as they had very large antlers!

You could easily miss them

Relaxing.

Very large antlers!

Eyeing me suspiciously.

They started eyeing me up, so I moved on.

Got a wolverine-style hair style going on.

The cafe is in a deer safe area and has some lovely walkways, streams and shaded patches. And cake!

Stream

Sun!

I didn't realise how large the park was until I got home and check my Fitbit. So spent the rest of the weekend recovering. ;)