The photo I posted yesterday to accompany my ‘Cherie’s Place Thought’ was taken by Mr C whilst we were enjoying a lovely lazy sunday.

Our first port of call was a boatyard near Trevor basin to board a longboat for a leisurely lunch as we travelled along the canal (the lunch experience was a Christmas gift). The boat journey culminated in spectacular views as we travelled across the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and back. WOW!

After our lunch experience we were not quite ready to return home. We parked at Blackwater Meadow marina near Ellesmere. From there we had a gentle stroll along the canal path and through the Ellesmere Tunnel, taking in the view of Black Mere pool before retracing our steps to the marina and our car.

By the time we arrived home after our Saturday jaunt, the weather had changed from sunshine to rain and the small cupcake enterprise was nowhere to be seen. Just after we entered the house Mr C realised his spectacles were missing and, upon checking found that they were not in the car. He phoned the Boathouse where we had eaten lunch. The spectacles were found where he had left them on the window sill by the side of of the table where he had been sitting. The lady who answered the phone said that they would be put on one side, ready for him to collect the next day.

I offered to take Mr C on a Sunday jaunt to collect them, having lunch out on our way home. We discussed a few options and Mr C decided he would like to go to Wollerton Old Hall Garden. I was up ready and waiting in plenty of time but there was no sign of Mr C even starting to get ready. I filled the time by installing a program to allow me to upload videos from my camera. When it was installed I worked out how to use the program and uploaded the short video I had taken whilst I was in Brussels. When I had finished there was still no sign of movement from Mr C (he was doing some historical research) so I turned my computer off and chivvied him along.

Eventually he was ready although by this time it was getting rather late for lunch and I had almost gone off the whole idea. Mr C decided to drive; maybe that was his plan all along

When we arrived at the Boathouse Mr C was informed that somebody had already picked up the spectacles and was asked if it was a relative! Coming away empty handed we made our way to Wollerton Old Hall Garden, eventually arriving at 2 o’clock. There was a rather long queue to the cafe which I insisted we joined as I had a feeling they would run out of things if we didn’t. My prediction was correct, they had already run out of most things. I opted for a slice of bakewell tart and cranberry presse. After lunch we enjoyed a walk around the gardens which are looking spectacular at the moment.

When we got home I suggested to Mr C that he phone the boathouse again and leave his number in case his spectacles were returned. With a bit of reluctance he did so to be told that they would go and investigate and ring back, which they did, advising Mr C that his spectacles could not be found. We thought that was that until the phone rang a couple of hours later and Mr C was told that the spectacles had been found and they would be put in the safe until Mr C was able to go and pick them up!

As we were leaving our house this morning I noticed one of the neighbours and a young girl at the end of their drive writing on a flip chart and I wondered what they were up to. As we drove past, we noticed a table with cakes that appeared to be for sale. By now a couple more children had arrived and they all waved at us. We paused at the end of our road and decided to drive round the block to enjoy a bit of neighbourly fun. We purchased three cakes because we were on our way to pick up my mum for bit of curtain shopping. As we were doing this, some homemade lemonade arrived. It looked rather delicious but I didn’t think three cups of lemonade would travel as well as the cakes.

When we arrived at mum’s house, Mr C informed her that he had a surprise for her. After she got in the car, we ate the cakes and then made our way to the curtain shop. Mum purchased her curtain material whilst Mr C and I checked up on the fitting date for our new curtain rail.

Next, we drove to Ellesmere in order to have lunch. I chose an egg salad sandwich and old fashioned lemonade to make up for missing out on it earlier. The first drink however had to go back because when I poured it into the glass some rather strange brown bits fizzed to the top of the drink!

After lunch, we watched the swans on the lake for a short while before returning home via the Battlefield farm shop near Shrewsbury. We bought fresh meat and vegetables and mum tried to tempt me to buy some chocolate that was on the counter. I told her you could only have one naughty thing a day unless you count wine with dinner (it is Saturday ).  As I said this I turned round and noticed a stand with fridge magnets including one that made my laugh after my comment to mum.

I think someone is trying to tell me something!! What do you think?

I then went home to freshen up and visit Mum for an evening meal of slow roasted lamb.  It was delicious.  I had to do a slight detour on the way because I had forgotten to take a picture of the decorated cross outside the parish church.  The lighting wasn’t quite right and in hindsight I should have used fill in flash.