When I awoke after another comfortable night’s sleep Mr C presented me with a small pile of presents for my birthday. I had a lot of fun opening them to find a couple of books, a Wrendale mug (to add to our collection) and the much-anticipated expansion pack to my board game Apiary.

After a slow start we had a late breakfast in Weatherspoon’s. Their expansive breakfast menu caters for everyone. The St Albans Waterend Barn had an open fire, a lovely welcoming atmosphere and Mr C was able to indulge in a full English breakfast.

We lingered a while before mooching around Dyas and Waterstones whilst we waited for St Albans Museum and Gallery to open at 11am. The museum’s current exhibition is about prisoners and crime which we found interesting and thought provoking. The museum is housed in the former town hall, where amongst other things, an octagonal courtroom, subterranean cells and the Assembly Room can be viewed.

After our visit it was a little too early for lunch so we left the museum’s tempting food options behind, deciding instead to visit ‘The Bookshop on the Hill’ which has an adjoining café. Mr C consulted Google maps and headed in the direction of our hotel, but when we arrived, he realised that we had been walking in completely the wrong direction to where the bookshop is located. Mr C then plotted a new route which found us back at the museum where we walked a short distance down the hill to find the bookshop.

The bookshop is independent and not part of a chain which meant it was lovely to explore. We browsed the eclectic offerings with Mr C lingering a little longer than me. The bookshop is rather small so I waited outside and noticed that I had a missed called from mum. I thought she had phoned me to wish me a happy birthday so I tried to return her call only to find that her mobile phone was now switched off.

Unfortunately, the café adjoining the bookshop is not open on Tuesdays! We walked the short distance back to the museum and its tempting food options and enjoyed an ‘artisan’ toastie in the former courtroom.

We walked into the nearby Maltings shopping arcade away from the noisy streets so I could phone mum back on her home phone rather than her mobile. She was surprised to hear from me and it transpired that she had pressed the wrong button whilst trying to phone a friend to take her to a morning gathering. The arcade turned out to be not as quiet as it should have been. Whilst I was on the phone some workmen were noisily dragging some scaffolding next to where I was seated.

Next, we walked to St. Albans South Signal Box which was a longer walk than anticipated. We arrived to find that it was closed and only opens on Sunday’s. We walked back to St Albans via a different route and were drawn to revisit the Cathedral.

We had refreshments in the café first. The Cathedral had the same calming ambiance that we had experienced on the previous day. It was interesting to see the Cathedral lit in different colours as dusk descended.

After our busy day it was time to return to the hotel to chill out before dining in ‘The Ivy’ where I chose my usual dish, fishcake with crushed peas and then truffles to follow. As the evening progressed, what was a slight chilliness as we started our meal turned into a full-on cold blast from the empty side of the room.

The waiter who took our payment had already checked that the heating was turned on and working normally when the ladies on the table next to us complained that it was cold. It was only when I said that the cold air was coming from the empty part of the room that he frowned and had a light bulb moment. There was a door at the far end of that room that someone had left open by a merest sliver that no one could see. He was thankful we had solved the problem and apologetic in equal measures.

We had a nightcap in Weatherspoons, where we were able to warm up before returning to the hotel for the last sleep of our mini adventure.

One of our friends arranged a breakfast gathering because her family were over from Germany for a few days.

There was much fun and laughter and the extensive menu options proved a challenge for some. For me, the small vegetarian breakfast hit the sweet spot.

All too soon it was time to part ways leaving Mr C and I in the ‘not quite’ ready to go home mood. We eventually settled on a visit to Bridgnorth where we had fun on the recently re-opened cliff railway.

We took the train down the cliff from high town to low town and enjoyed a delightful walk along the river bank where I saw my first goslings of the year. One of the goslings was so cute and funny, climbing up the steep river bank then slipping and rolling back down, only to be determined to reach the preferred spot for grazing.

As we made our way back to the cliff railway to ascend into high town Mr C helped a young jogger who tripped over a curb and hurt herself.

Back in high town we sought out ‘cake’ and settled on Violet’s Tea Room, where we knew we could sit outside and soak up the rays even if it was a little chilly. We both chose ginger and lemon cake which was delicious.

After our ‘naughty cake’ indulgence, we headed off home in time for our usual Sunday pre-dinner aperitif with Mr C’s parents.