So close, we can smell mortgage freedom!

MatyMoo

Delurking to say there is a vineyard at Frithsden in Hertfordshire which I don’t think is too far from you? Also an excellent gastro pub 2 minutes from it called the Alford Arms. 

themadvix

Thanks for delurking @MatyMoo, but it doesn’t look to do tours or have a winery yet… they seem to be in the position of getting planning permission still.

Karmacat

The other kinds of places that do really swanky tours are really posh hotels ... you can eat there, and you get a tour of their kitchen garden   The one I've linked to is near Marcus Wareing but it wouldn't suit your needs for a pressie - not quite enough for one of them, and too many people, but I've put the link in anyway so you can see what I mean Garden Tours | Gravetye Manor in Sussex Countryside

I really do see your difficulty!

EssexHebridean

There is a Vineyard in Cambridgeshire - not sure if that's too far? https://www.chilfordhall.co.uk Looks like they've had cancellations of tours for this season, but they may be planning on reinstating for next year? 

How about a restaurant voucher for somewhere nice otherwise - there are options there for everything from terribly posh places to far more down to earth - we absolutely loved Smiths of Smithfield when we ate there back in its "owned by John Torode" days - I think it's changed hands now. 

MatyMoo

themadvix said:

Thanks for delurking @MatyMoo, but it doesn’t look to do tours or have a winery yet… they seem to be in the position of getting planning permission still.

Oh no, that’s such a shame. It seemed to be doing so well when I lived nearby 6 years ago 😢

themadvix

Afternoon all,

EH - I've often seen the signs for Chilford and thought about going there. Such a pity they've cancelled for now. Their tours link doesn't seem to be working currently, so I'm guessing they've taken it down until they know when they can start booking. So a great idea, but unfortunately it doesn't seem like a goer. Thanks for that Karma... I need to talk to Sis about this again today, I think.

Have had a very busy day so far as main client dropped a decent-sized rush job in my lap last night, on top of a busy Cambridge day today and quite a bit of related work. There's also a large project coming next week (now, was meant to be this week) from main client and a large-ish project from UK client, which should have arrived today (but hasn't). Have actually managed to get main client's project finished (more or less - waiting on confirmation of something from him), but will manage expectations and he can have it back later tomorrow. My plan for the rest of the afternoon is to a) get a walk in (once the school traffic has died down) and b) get caught up with some of bits for Cambridge boss/friend. I also need to arrange some meetings, but as I'm only around three days next week, I might put that off until then, so I don't look quite so unavailable! Today's work has been helped by Cambridge boss/friend not being available for our usual catch up.

In between work, I've made the most of the sunshine by getting a load of washing done and out on the line, having a shower at peak sunshine time and putting the dishwasher on. The best of the sun has gone now, but we were doing really well - nearly  a kilowatt coming in at one point, which is pretty good for us at this time of year. Have also ticked a couple of smaller 'preparing for the weekend' jobs off the list - cats' water fountain is clean, recycling put out - exciting stuff!

MS things:
* Clicks, HW done
* YG Safe points topped up (YG has gone very quiet - wonder if that's because I'm very near payout - I've certainly got plenty of opinions on the news if they're interested!)
* PA surveys - quite a few of these
* Didn't have bulgur wheat with dinner last night, but a tiny portion of quinoa that has been in the cupboard for forever - very glad to get it out of there. It's something I try to want to eat, being a complete protein, but it's just not very interesting! 

Gratitudes:
* A lovely evening class - just the two of us, so it was quite relaxed and I've finally got the awful procrastination-inducing homework out of the way
* A lovely late afternoon walk yesterday - I wandered round the woods where the sun was catching the leaves beautifully and then did 15 mins at the allotment (the woods are adjacent) just weeding a bed. It was wonderful.
* Lunch outside in the sunshine today

Have a good afternoon all!

themadvix

Morning all,

Another night of poor sleep, so I am feeling very sleepy this morning - more caffeine is next on my to-do list. Fortunately, because of yesterday, I'm quite ahead with work, so I'll be able to have a gentler day today. The piece I'm expecting from UK client now isn't coming until 24 November, so I don't need to worry about that yet. I'll get my Cambridge stuff up to date this morning and return the piece of work to my main client. He may have the next piece ready, I'm not sure, but if he does it would be good to make a start on that.

Dinner last night used the last of the basmati rice and the last naan from the freezer. I was going to do bulgur wheat but Mr MV had a specific rice craving, so we had rice. I might make some more breads today if the yoghurt in the fridge is still OK - it's definitely at the point where I need to use it up though. There's some leftover dal in the fridge - will have to decide whether that's dinner tonight or tomorrow. And I need to check the fridge veg to see if there's anything needs using in there before we go away. I also need to make some jammy buns for taking away with us - I plan on doing ginger flavoured buns and popping some hm rhubarb and ginger jam in the top.

I forgot to mention I was paid by Cambridge yesterday - Amex card cleared, £62 to the mortgage cc as minimum payment and the rest transferred to savings. Definitely need to look at how much we're putting in pots for the cats though - I had to borrow from their holiday fund to pay for their food yesterday - and there's meant to be enough in the general cat pot for a vet's visit (on top of their boosters, due March) and there's nothing in there...

We are currently listening to 'cat music' in our house. Wondering if it'll help chill out B&W cat so he doesn't shout at us so much/pee on the floor. It's generally quite relaxing - a bit like the music they play in spas, except when there's noise that sounds like scrunching paper! The cats seem to like it - it makes them pay attention, which they don't to normal music!

MS things so far:
* Quite a few PA surveys, including the longitudinal one - about £38 there when it's all cleared
* 1P surveys
* £4 Y Live survey (no sign of the cheque from them yet)
* Clicks and HW

Gratitudes:
* Nice chat with Dad yesterday
* Washing was nearly line dried - just needed a couple of cheap-rate hours on the airer
* Our trip to Brussels and the football bookend the train strikes, so we should be unaffected - phew!

Have a good day all!

LadyWithAPlan

Oh no the cat pot is underfunded ! That just asks for a vet bill ! 

Glad you have so much decent work on 
Loved the whatever you wear wear it with a smile comment ! 

Even if it’s a great thing this wedding  I can imagine at a primal level one does feel unstable about your dad having a different wife 

on gifts the vineyard tours etc sound great - I know the ex head of Bollinger has invested in a project in Kent way which I am v excited about but probably not till next year .. unless you wait to book 

if your sister is doing virgin experience type thing why are you discussing with her as it seems from how I am reading it that you are coming up with some great ideas and she is moving the goal post each time 

if they do drink - champagne or wine - you can get v expensive pair of glasses possibly engraved eg Mappin and  web. Or look on Harrods on line for personalised gifts 
this way they can have a joint gift  just for them - or matching personalised bathrobes or a set of beautiful plates 
high end china can be a great gift vs ornaments which are more of a personal taste 

or a spa day or weekend at a nice hotel ? 

Or a dinner on a train eg orient express style ? 

Or I had great fun at Waitrose cookery school - they give you alcohol before and after plus everything is pre chopped and loads of chefs on hand to help - maybe pair that with a hotel? 

Or some big dance thing like cirque de soleil or 
I think Black Friday Eurostar are dropping cheap tix as well -

QueenJess

That sounds interesting… I’m off to Google cat music now….!

rtandon27

Cat music? Everyday is a school day  - lol