Sunday evening

I've just been too busy since my lat blog to do any writing. Friday I had a phone call from Val saying a trip to the vineyard was planned. So ofcourse I wasup for that. We had a god day, the sun was shining and it was a pleasant ride to Halfpenny Green. The craft shops were busy and again I went to my favourite and got more Christmas presents. I am very good at getting my shopping early as my funds do not allow me to go and buy lots all together. We looked in the glass engraving shop. Lovely things, some not too expensive, when Val spied a beautiful glass lamp. It was very heavy, not at all fussy but very nice. We were surprised when the engraver told us the price and that was that, with a little help from me, she bought it. It holds either and tall thin candle or a short stubby one and although I wasn't there when she lit it I'm sure it looks fabulous. It really was a bargain. We then had a look around the other shops there, and I of course found my way to the garden centre, but it seems as if it was too late for ordinary garden plants although they did have lots of insect eaters which although they are interesting are not for me. and there was also lots of herbs, which I am ashamed to admit I don't really know how to use, except of course, the usuals like parsley, sage, etc. But most of these were things that I wouldn't know how to use, like pineapple sage and clemetine sage, myrtle and such like. Still it was nice to enjoy the smells. I'm always happy among plants. Saturday I had a text from Rob asking if I wanted to join him and Chun on a trip to Wolverhampton. We had said a few says ago that it would be good to have a look around that art gallery there, as Rob had been a little while ago and had seen that a new extension was being opened. So again I escaped the house work and met then in town where we spent a lovely time in the art gallery. I was really impressed. The pop art section was so interesting with clothes to try on from the sixties, I think I've still got some similar at the back of my wardrobe ! The young girls there seemed eager to try them on and Rob had a go at a fur trimmed mock sheepskin. The when we went into the georgian rooms Chun put on a beautiful dress.( Photos will all be on flikr shortly ) and a hat that nearly broke her neck it was so large and heavy. We also tried the new cafe in there. The food was good although it would have been nice if they had used the dumb waiter to transport food up the stairs instead of having us carry the trays. Not because they were heavy but because the stairs were not really easy to negotiate carrying them. I might make a mention of this on their web site if I can. Today has been another good one with Stu coming and spending it with me. He went and had a pint with Rob Hadley and then came back to a delicious, although I say it myself, dinner. We then had a little after lunch aperitif, some whisky liqueur that I bought back from my Scottish holiday, and a good time was had by us both.