J is for jam-packed

1. A lovely jaunt. We spent a wonderful day down in Wiltshire yesterday with my grandpa visiting Stourhead (Well spotted, Bubble Fish!). Being pretty new National Trust members, we're always keen to use our membership cards - albeit paper jobs which I'm convinced will one day blow away. Grandpa on the other hand has been a lifetime member for many a year and his membership card is in a mighty fine faux leather case, complete with state of the art Dymo card number - nice and sturdy. After a warming lunch in the restaurant, we set off on the circuit around the grounds, through the grotto, over the bridge, past the pub and back up to the top for a well-earned cup of coffee and a sit down. We certainly slept well last night thanks to all that country air.

2. Breakfast with Julien. Actually, it was at Chez Julien with Mr M - but Julien was there and made me a very nice hot chocolate. We do like this little deli - they have such scrummy French nosh - but like so many little businesses they have been hit hard by everyone, including us, tightening their purse strings. This morning was a lovely treat, as were the Toulouse sausages for dinner. I really do hope they survive this.

3. An afternoon of je ne c'est quoi and jolly colours.
We have taken this week as holiday and it couldn't have come at a better time. We decided to stay at home and indulge in the things that we don't often find the time to do - leisurely breakfasts together, day trips, guilt-free time spent on hobbies, cafetiere coffee...that sort of thing. I had a go at capturing the dahlias which are still going strong.
I'd forgotten how therapeutic sketching in the garden with a fresh cup of coffee can be. Tomorrow I'll hopefully be using those new scissors for a spot of sewing!

4. And finally, the lucky reader to receive The Dressmaker is...
Mr M took great delight in picking the name out of the measuring cup. Congratulations! I hope you like it as much as I did. It seems rather apt with a certain wedding on the horizon...