The Big Adventure

Goldiegirl

wildesavings wrote: »

The children are far too young to be wishing it all away and I've loved the time at home with them. You're right. But one eye on the future helps with the more 'trying' days :rotfl: As for the diary..... I'm seriously toying with the idea but not sure it would be very interesting lol

it's so worth doing a diary, I highly recommend it. It helps you focus on what's important to you, and it tends to evolve into a whole of life thing rather than just about finances. I've always enjoyed reading other people's diaries, as I've picked up so many useful tips, and how people live their lives is endlessly interesting. Go for it!

I don't know if anyone has seen the news today, but they were reporting on the Biggin Hill 75, to commemorate the most intense day of the Battle of Britain. 24 Spitfires and Hurricanes took off to fly around the South East, and eight of them flew over my house!

PS. The cake is very nice

Secret_Saving_Squirrel

I am making blackberry brandy, as recommended by a friend. Hers was delicious last year. Going off tomorrow with my plastic boxes to collect my ingredients!

gallygirl

wildesavings wrote: »

As for the diary..... I'm seriously toying with the idea but not sure it would be very interesting lol

Please, don't let that stop you, it didn't stop the rest of us :rotfl:.

Looking forward to hearing about the cruise GG .

Watty1

Goldiegirl wrote: »

I don't know if anyone has seen the news today, but they were reporting on the Biggin Hill 75, to commemorate the most intense day of the Battle of Britain. 24 Spitfires and Hurricanes took off to fly around the South East, and eight of them flew over my house!

Theoretically should have been able to see them from our house - but - as it was overcast and cloudy Mr Watty and I drove to next village which was directly underflightpath and saw the out ward and return journeys.
Made me think how terrifying it would have been to live in this area 75 years ago.

Goldiegirl

Secret_Saving_Squirrel wrote: »

I am making blackberry brandy, as recommended by a friend. Hers was delicious last year. Going off tomorrow with my plastic boxes to collect my ingredients!

That's a good idea. I've been thinking of doing compotes and pies, but brandy sounds very interesting

gallygirl wrote: »

Please, don't let that stop you, it didn't stop the rest of us :rotfl:.

.

:rotfl:

Watty1 wrote: »

Theoretically should have been able to see them from our house - but - as it was overcast and cloudy Mr Watty and I drove to next village which was directly underflightpath and saw the out ward and return journeys.
Made me think how terrifying it would have been to live in this area 75 years ago.

My mum lived in south Essex during the war, and she saw some of the fighting, but as she was a child she said she found it exciting rather than terrifying. But as an adult it must have been so frightening to know that the fight for the country's very survival was happening overhead.


Incidentally, my aunt got married on 15th September 1940, which was a day of massive bombing raids. She was a very formidable woman, so the old story is that the Luftwaffe didn't want to get on the wrong side of her, so they kindly stopping bombing for the duration of the service!:rotfl:


We used our English Heritage membership again today, and went to Eltham Palace. It's a 1930's Art Deco mansion and the medieval Great Hall, plus the gardens. Highly recommended

Watty1

ohh Eltham Palace sounds lovely. When I have more time NT or EH membership is a treat I am promising myself - till then I'll read about it on your thread

Karmacat

That *does* sound good - and its in Greenwich? I could get there ... roll on retirement! I'm lunching at Wakehurst Place today my mum and my sister are back from France

Goldiegirl

Watty1 wrote: »

ohh Eltham Palace sounds lovely. When I have more time NT or EH membership is a treat I am promising myself - till then I'll read about it on your thread

It's the first time we've been really able to use our memberships, so I'm hoping there'll be lots of other outings for you to read about!

Karmacat wrote: »

That *does* sound good - and its in Greenwich? I could get there ... roll on retirement! I'm lunching at Wakehurst Place today my mum and my sister are back from France

It's not actual Greenwich, but the London Borough of Greenwich. The nearest train station is Mottingham (only a short walk away) and I think that's on the Charing Cross and Cannon Street lines. Eltham Palace is worth a visit if you can get there, as there's a lot to see. Hope you are enjoying your visit to Wakehurst Place. I went there some years ago, but remember liking it there.


We had some rain over night, and now have a full water butt :T


Dinner this evening is one of those experimental ones.... falafels. I've never had a falafel in my life, but I thought it's time I tried them

greent

Secret_Saving_Squirrel wrote: »

I am making blackberry brandy, as recommended by a friend. Hers was delicious last year. Going off tomorrow with my plastic boxes to collect my ingredients!

I've been very successful in collecting blackberries for about a month now (planning more crème de mures) - but haven't seen anywhere that I can collect brandy! :D

xx

Goldiegirl

greent wrote: »

I've been very successful in collecting blackberries for about a month now (planning more crème de mures) - but haven't seen anywhere that I can collect brandy! :D

xx

Had to Google creme de mures, but that's another great idea.

(You can collect your brandy from the off licence!)

Verdict on falafels......okay for a change, but we won't have them often. The recipe said to drizzle tahini sauce over the falafel, so I made a special point of being some. This was another 'new to us' thing. i was going to get into making our own, but that's another thing that won't happen. I can't get the oily peanut flavour out of my mouth. yuck