Frugal Frump to Fab - 2015

VJsmum

lessonlearned wrote: »

Such a shame - we have all this culture and history on our doorstep but are really struggling to access it. I know there ha e tobe cutbacks but surely the provinces can do better than this.

On the one hand they say they want to promote tourism and yet on the other they close everything down or operate on such restrictive opening times you can't get in.

Rant over .......

How about Crich? my (southerner) mum and dad loved it there... Steam railways? Severn valley perhaps?

I have found a new website http://www.theviviennefiles.com/

currently working through the archive. some great things on here.

lessonlearned

Forgot all about Crich.....not been there for years.

With a bit of juggling Weve managed to come up with - hopefully - nice itinery.

Today they are Going to see the company where my son and DIL work. I can't divulge too much but they work ina company which deals with alternative energy research so as the parents are engineering university professors this will be right up their street.

Then tonight they are going to the Trip to Jerusalem - all the other attractions shut at 5 but I daresay they will have their picture taken at RHs statue......:rotfl:

Tomorrow it's the Industrial museum and then dinner at one of Derbys trendy hot spots. Saturday is Warwick coming back via Birmimgham to meet the old PHD crowd.

Sunday is Chatsworth with a farewell bash on Sunday night at DS1s house then they fly off to Lisbon on Monday.

Phew.........

So Hopefully they will have had a nice flavour of England. They will back again next May of course - not sure how long they will stay but I daresay we can do some more sightseeing then. Already There is talk of Wales.

Despite all the feasting and fun I'm still doing ok with the healthy eating. Ive not lost weight this week but at least Ive not gained any. Ive just had a nice healthy Greek saladfor lunch.

For dinner ive got a couple of venison sausages to use up. They are very rich and meaty so you only need a couple to make a good hearty casserole, especially if you add a good slug of red wine.

Did anyone watch the new Jamie Oliver this week. It's all about healthy eating - with dishes from around the world. Good hearty healthy "peasant" cooking - my favourite type of cooking. I think I might invest in the book. I must admit Jamie is looking better - much trimmer and healthier - he was getting quite corpulent.....

I must admit I'm really enjoying get back into cooking again, the fruit and veg are really good at the moment so it's easy to rustle up a feast for very little.

Right off to pick up the car, cook dinner, pull out a few weeds in the garden..

Ps forgot to mention - booked a hair appt for Saturday.

maman

Lots of great activity and positivity going on here, lovely to hear all about it.


My DH could bore for England (and often does;)) about the state of tourism. I live in a big city which doesn't have a Tourist Information centre. They are funded by the local council and ours was a victim of the cuts. To me it seems so short sighted as tourism is a big industry. That's one of the reasons DH is so busy because as well as doing guided walks they meet cruise ships and offer general tourist information.


:T on your new job ellsbel. I don't think it matters what it is or how old the people are who work there. What matters is that you've done enough and said enough to be employed and you're making a start. What sort of dress code is expected?


I've had a brilliant day out today with old friends. We went to a Turner exhibition and that was enjoyable but best of all was the glorious sunshine (and the company of course). We sat in the museum garden for coffee beforehand and enjoyed it so much we went back there for lunch afterwards. I wore skinny jeans, ballet flats and my pale pink Jigsaw top. I had a little cardi with me but didn't really need it.

lessonlearned

Ive had the laziest day - sitting out in the garden, soaking up the sun. Bliss.

hopefully this lovely weather will continue for a while.

Rummer

lessonlearned wrote: »

Ive had the laziest day - sitting out in the garden, soaking up the sun. Bliss.

hopefully this lovely weather will continue for a while.

Sounds like an ideal day!

Ellsbel

Completely agree with the comments about the tourism industry - there are so many run-down, or closed, visitor's attractions around the country that are crying out for an injection of cash and enthusiasm; it's sad.
I also had a lovely day yesterday - overindulgence on both food and drink, but I'm not sorry as it was a most gorgeous, long and enjoyable lunch - even if I am feeling a bit wiped out today!
Smart casual for work maman - I've a couple of staples to be going on with, then as the weight goes down I'll start building some new looks - at an awkward stage at the moment where my current jeans and trousers are all too big, but I can get the smaller size ones done up - yet!
Lots and lots of house fabbing for me today, and menu planning for the week ahead.
Have a lovely day everyone

shandyclover

This week has been a bit stressful for hubby and I. He is working very hard trying to get investment, I battled the remains of a horrible flu, and slogged my way through a final uni assignment. So yesterday hubby suggested we both take some time out and we went for a leisurely long bike ride through picturesque Ironbridge. I am not as fit as him so I had to get off and push my bike through a few steep parts. Was also feeling a bit sluggish as I'd indulged in a bit too much focaccia before we set off .DD1 bought hubby a bread machine a few Christmases ago, and he's recently developed a hobby of throwing stuff in the machine to knead, and baking home made focaccia when he's frustrated- great for him, he's has the metabolism of a race horse - dangerous for me. Never the less was a gorgeous afternoon cycling through sun dappled forest paths. We then splashed out and had a cup of posh coffee in an expensive pub by the river and made a conscious effort to forget our worries and enjoy the moment. I fit into a pair of jeans I have no been able to wear all year (yeay!) and teamed it with a simple white camisole, coral colored zip up hoodie, and black and white scarf and black trainers. I wore a touch of make up and for the first time all week felt human LOL.

Ellsbel

Glad you were able to take time out for yourselves shandy, hope things get easier soon.
It's amazing how it can lift the spirits to just put on a bit of make up and get out to do something different isn't it? Sounds like you had some idyllic scenery to look at too

lessonlearned

Well done Shandy - that sounds like a lovely day. It's the little things tnat make all th difference.

Well today it's been "hunt the rail tickets". DS2 put them in a safe place and has no idea where they are......I e ransacked his room, the study, the Lounge and dining room, nothing, nada.......

At 29 he really ought to be more organused ........:rotfl:

Tonight I am off out for dinner at one of Derbys trendy hot spots so I'm just having a quiet five minutes with a cuppa and then a soak in the bath before I get dolled up.

Ive no idea what to wear.......I currently have one pair of jeans which sort of fit. All the 18s are hanging off me, the 16s are just a bit too tight........maybe a maxi skirt.

I'm actually very tired and not in the mood for going out. Hey ho.... I'm sure I'll enjoy it when I get there. It's times like this when I miss OH. Sometimes I find it a real chore going out without him, I have to really push myself to make the effort.

I think a quiet weekend is called for. Tomorrow morning im at the hairdressers - and the farewell bash on Sunday night so nothing too onerous.

greenbee

I have the same problem LL. Have to go out, but really just want to collapse in a heap after a busy week (week 3 with builders here too, and that's definitely taking it's toll... however the outside of the house looks fabulous... pity about the inside!).

I'm sure we'll both end up being glad we made the effort to go out.