Seasidegal's Scrimpy Retirement Diary!

milann

Your vase sounds amazing 👍

Seasidegal58

Thanks @Sun_Addict and @milann. 😃

I'm just waiting for DD to get ready then we're out for lunch in town ( I can hear U2 being played in the bathroom so she's in the shower!😁). I've not been to this restaurant before but DD said it has a very good reputation. Afterwards we're off for a mooch - DD has seen some gloves in a shop that she really likes and that I said I would buy for her as a Christmas present. We ran out of time to buy them on my last visit and I want her to try them on beforehand.

I'm expecting it to be heaving in town though as the Christmas market here is extremely popular. On my way to DD's from the station yesterday the taxi driver said he has had no complaints about lack of business over the last three weeks as he's been run off his feet (or should that be wheels!🤔).

Seasidegal58

Yesterday we ordered a taxi to take us to the restaurant DD had booked for lunch as it was over the other side of the city from her home. The traffic was absolutely horrendous and the taxi was late (no fault of his) and we were 20 minutes late for our table but the restaurant was very forgiving and said everyone was arriving late because of the Christmas traffic. Our taxi driver was rather downbeat compared to the driver I had the day before and said there's a serious shortage of taxi drivers in the city at the moment as about 350 drivers gave back their badges during the pandemic and have now got other jobs. He said the buses were the same - the bus company had been hiring drivers from Northern Ireland (though whether that has left a shortage of bus drivers in NI I don't know!🤔). 

Anyhow the lunch was lovely - one of the best meals I've had in the city. DD treated me and I paid the tip.
Afterwards we walked back into town - it started bucketing it down so we decided to miss the market. DD bought some cards and wrapping paper, I bought some skin tonic in Boots and a birthday card. The shop with the gloves unfortunately didn't sell DD's size but she bought her OH a tie in there for Christmas. 

By that time we were thoroughly drenched so decided to go home. We had takeaway pizza for dinner. 

Today we went back into town for brunch in a restaurant on the river which was nice. We had spicy Bloody Marys with our meal!🍹DD wouldn't let me pay. 
The weather was clear and mild fortunately but the town was mobbed and the market rammed.  We decided to leave the market - I'm going to go in tomorrow when the crowds are less. DD did some more shopping, I bought some face powder and then we queued at the famous cafe which took a while but we wanted to do our usual Christmas ritual of the cafe's mulled wine and mince pies and DD is working tomorrow. There was a separate long queue into the cafe's shop so I'm going to visit it tomorrow. 

DD bought me a really lovely hat for Christmas - just what I've wanted for a while. A black fedora style with a little feather (looks like pheasant sort) on the side. 👒
Anyway we managed to get a cab back - DD is writing her Christmas cards and I'm doing my diary!

SCRIMPY MSE THINGS 
Apart from the above, I bought the mulled wine and mince pies and taxi home. 

DD also had a load of Christmas cards that she has collected over the years and didn't want. So I've got a good few packs to take home for next year!👍

beanielou

Sounds like you have had a great weekend 

Seasidegal58

Thanks @beanielou - I always enjoy myself with DD. We have a lot in common and get on very well!😀

Sunshine_girl2

Great to hear you are enjoying your time with DD . Enjoy walking round the markets tomorrow. 

Seasidegal58

Thanks @Sunshine_girl2 - rain is due tomorrow!  I just hope it's not as bad as yesterday's deluge!☔️

Munchin

Hi SSG - your weekend sounded amazing 

milann

Enjoy being with dd….nothing better 👍

Seasidegal58

Thanks @Munchin - glad to see you back!👍
@milann - she is my favourite person to shop with - DSis coming a close second!

DD had to go into work for a meeting today so I wandered back into town when I got up. The weather was dry and mild again and thankfully the crowds had lessened although there were a few coaches in the car park where people had travelled in to shop. 

The queue for the shop outside the famous cafe was a lot smaller than yesterday so I only waited about 10 mins before they let me in. I bought two boxes of chocolate Christmas owls for DSis and her OH, the cafe's famous large Fat Rascal for me and some mince pies for DD and her stepson who lives in.  The queue for the actual cafe was as long as ever though!

The nice Italian cafe/deli where I had lunch last time I visited wasn't open so I went into a similar place nearby. It wasn't half as good as the other place so I don't think I'll go there again although the prices were the same. It sold itself as Italian but wasn't really and I preferred the cheese and wine I had before. 

I had a wander around the Christmas market - there were some really good stalls selling foods, alcohol, Christmas decs and crafts but to be honest I've bought most of my presents and wasn't in the market for more things for me.  Good to see the stalls being patronised though. 

I'm back now - glad I decided to come back as it's buckleting down outside now - DD is bringing in a Thai takeaway on her way home. 

Tomorrow I've a midday train home and DD is catching one up to the Highlands to join her OH and her dogs - she'll be there until into January and I'll be flying up just after Christmas to spend a couple of weeks. 

When I get back I'll have a quiet week though may go the cinema. 

SCRIMPY MSE THINGS 
Today's spends were my lunch, goodies from the famous cafe and taxi back as my knee had began to hurt.  I'll also reimburse DD for the takeaway tonight. 

She also sorted out some more cards for me to take home - this time some funny birthday style ones.