Day off #6 (Chatsworth House).

To see all of our photos click here. We got some really good ones!

Yesterday we went to Chatsworth House to visit the gardens and then the house. We wanted to visit on our week off anyway, but when we heard about the sculpture exhibition we couldn't wait! I didn't really know what to expect but we were both stunned at the size of the gardens and how completely beautiful they are, and we would definitely recommend a visit if you haven't been before. We can't wait to go back!

My tips would be as follows:

- try and catch the sculpture exhibit before it finishes on 30 October 2011.

- take a picnic and find a pretty spot to have your lunch. The cafe and restaurant prices are extortionate (£5.50 for a plain sandwich anyone?!)

- use the map they give you at the pay station and make sure you see everything, but don't be scared to wander up and down the pathways to see what you can find. We found an amazing lake which wasn't printed on the map and it was utterly beautiful and peaceful.

- if you don't want to pay to visit the house and the garden and you just pick one, pick the gardens! The house was impressive but the gardens are so much better (in our opinion).

We easily spent about 3 hours here and soaked up every bit of the gardens that we could. We also made sure we saw every sculpture which was tricky as they are spread out and some were not so easy to find, but it was well worth it. I particularly liked the lion and the giant feet!

We got a few photos inside the house which was very grand and impressive, with plenty of old and new artwork and furniture to nosy at.

Just click on the link at the start of the blog post to see the full set of photos. I hope you've enjoyed a sneak peek into day off number 6! Not many days left now unfortunately :(

You have read this article adventures / diary with the title . You can bookmark this page URL https://oscarthemaori.blogspot.com/2011/09/day-off-6-chatsworth-house.html. Thanks!

10% off - Delly Dumpling on Etsy.

Hello everybody! Adele here from Delly Dumpling. As a little 'thank you' to all my Facebook followers and to readers of Lily loves Lola I am offering 10% off my ready-made phone cases in my Etsy shop! Simply enter the code SEPTSALE10 at the checkout. Don't forget to share this with your friends!

Please note that at the moment the code only applies to the ready made cases currently for sale. Please keep sharing the page with your friends and I hope to be able to offer a code for custom orders sometime soon.

Thank you! xx

You have read this article share the love with the title . You can bookmark this page URL https://oscarthemaori.blogspot.com/2011/09/10-off-delly-dumpling-on-etsy.html. Thanks!

MY DARLING XI SHI

To you she's a dog.  To me she's an adopted child who is short, hairy, and hard to understand... and I have no problem with that.

 

 

You have read this article with the title . You can bookmark this page URL https://oscarthemaori.blogspot.com/2011/09/my-darling-xi-shi.html. Thanks!

Day off #5 (Pottering).

It started to rain yesterday morning and didn't stop drizzling all day, so instead of heading outdoors we changed our plans around and did indoor activities instead. We popped to Cineworld to see the final Harry Potter film (I call myself a fan yet I've waited this long to see it!) which I enjoyed it but thought the beginning could have been a little more fast-paced, but I am sad that it's the end.

Then we popped to Hobbycraft to get me some storage for my beads and things, and some ribbon too. Our dining table is constantly full of charms, beads, cotton, sellotape, wrapping supplies, so I wanted something that would be able to store the lot. I found this amazing pink carry case which has two layers to it. I also got a bead case which has lots of smaller compartments which is perfect for my charms and beads. It makes finding them SO much easier.

After a spot of lunch (ham sandwich and a made-by-my-friend cupcake to be precise) we watched a few episodes of '24'. We've almost finished series 5 now! It only seems like two minutes ago we were starting series 1!

Thanks for the cupcake Katy! It was delicious.

After a spot of jewellery making, knitting and blog reading I did my workout for an hour (this) which killed me and then it was time to get started on tea! Jonathan made the most amazing lasagne (with a little bit of help from me) using this recipe and it was absolutely delicious! Throw in some homemade garlic bread for good measure and you've got an amazing tea. Plus we have leftovers! :)

The sky was beautiful last night and I managed to get a few snaps before it disappeared. What a lovely, chilled out day...

You have read this article diary with the title . You can bookmark this page URL https://oscarthemaori.blogspot.com/2011/09/day-off-5-pottering.html. Thanks!

Day off #4 (Bakewell).

To see more photos click here.

Yesterday we had a drive to Bakewell in Derbyshire to spend a few hours there. I have wanted to visit for a while and as we have got a whole week off this week, off we went! First stop was lunch and as Felicini was right next to where we parked we headed inside. It was empty when we arrived but soon filled up with other hungry folk. They had a 2 course for £11.95 type scenario so I had a mixed platter for starters which had hummus, stuffed vine leaves, mozzarella and a few other bits and bobs, followed by a goats cheese pizza. Jonathan had a seafood risotto to start and then steak and chips. We both enjoyed our food and felt stuffed, but ready to do some wandering and sightseeing.

The shops in Bakewell were delightful. We found so many different little shops selling all sorts of nice things for the home and all manner of trinkets. One shop was stuffed full, from floor to ceiling, with antique teacups and saucers and things. I could have spent a million pounds in there! I had to be pried away from there before any damage could be done.

We had a wander up to the church which was very atmospheric and beautiful and then back down through some residential streets having a good old nosy at people's houses.

We had a great afternoon and lots of fun, as we always do together. Bakewell is a lovely little place which I would recommend visiting if you fancy a few hours somewhere. I stopped off for a bakewell slice before we went home which I had all to myself as Jonathan doesn't like them. Bonus!

Have you been to Bakewell? Or do you live here? Lucky you!

You have read this article adventures / diary with the title . You can bookmark this page URL https://oscarthemaori.blogspot.com/2011/09/day-off-4-bakewell.html. Thanks!