The best kind of nostalgia
It's been a magic few days. I do love spending time at my parents' house - the house I grew up in - even though it's a cold place so I always catch a cold and end up sneezing the whole time. Happened again, even though I wrapped up warm and put the electric blanket on at night. Oh well. It was truly wonderful to spend time with my parents. Dad was in good spirits, pottering about with the aid of his cane, and seemed to enjoy having company during the day. We spent a lot of time reading together in the living room.
Mum took a day off work to spend with us and we went into Tavistock, which I haven't visited in years. It was grey and damp but it was still a beautiful town. The sort of place I can imagine a Midsummer Murder happening ;) Very picturesque and atmospheric. It was nice for Anthony to see a bit more of Cornwall as well. We had lunch at a very nice posh pub and in the evening, Mum and Dad did a nice little roast ham joint and we feasted wonderfully. I've noticed that I eat more when visiting relatives as I'm not snacking throughout the day when away from home. That's probably a good thing, but I am a grazer by nature and it's a tough habit to break. I did make dinner one night, a meaty pasta bake that I like to make for Anthony who helped me with it's construction very kindly and my parents were pleasingly appreciative, which is always nice. As they'd been cooking for us each night, it only seemed fair.
Anthony and I spent a day enjoying nearby Plymouth. We wandered around the city's museum, managing to avoid the very loud and excited class of school children also visiting that day. We looked at the exhibition about what happened to Plymouth during the First World War which was very informative and both sad and inspiring, so much loss but so many amazing things happened too. People really did pull through together. We then went to do a bit of shopping, Anthony had to endure Primark where I found a nice wool skirt suitable for work and a white and green striped long-sleeved top, also suitable for work. I'll try and take pictures at some point soon to post here, as well as pictures of what my parents bought me while on their most recent cruise. I really can't resist Primark, I love so much of their style. I saw a dress I liked in New Look which I'd love to buy to wear on Christmas Day but I'll restrain myself for now. Anthony found some Tottenham Hotspur socks for his friend in Germany whose mad about that team, it'll make a nice present to send him for Christmas plus chocolate for his long-suffering wife.
On Wednesday we took Dad out for a walk around the Barbican, a lovely area which is all eateries and galleries and crafty little shops, strewn among narrow old streets, down by the harbour. There's loads of boats out on the water and it looks so like it must have done so long ago. I've always loved it. We spotted a wall where engraved stone plaques were hung in memory of people lost at sea, very moving. We took a brisk walk, admiring the beautiful view, I was quite lost in memories, until it was time for lunch. I got to take Anthony to the Ship Inn which I'd enjoyed so much with my Dad last year and they both got to watch me demolish a Ploughman's Lunch and tease me about it.
I love getting to read the books I've purposefully at home for such occasions, I love looking at the photos my Mum has covered the walls with, I love hearing all the news but my very favourite part of spending time at home were the evenings. As it's now hit autumn and the weather is so crisp and chilly now, my Dad lights the fire in the living room in the evening. The sky is dark outside and we all sit together and watch TV. I'm so fond of Sir Donald Sinden's shows about the history of the West End's theatres and we watch them together before watching the Tennis ATP Tour Finals, Mum exclaiming loudly about whoever's on screen while the cats make themselves comfortable on and around her. My parents have two black rescue cats, Amber and Millie. I adore them but Anthony is very much a dog person and he doesn't like cats at all, maintaining they are evil. They eye him and try to make friends but he tells them firmly to make friends with someone else lol. Those evenings were so wonderful, Mum, Dad and I would reminese, telling stories and jokes until I was crying with laughter. I'm so lucky to have that kind of relationship with my parents and I treasure it. My Dad, who is not a man given to being particularly verbally emotional at all, told us we must come back soon. I hope we will. The times I go to visit them are rare now but they are so precious.
Mum took a day off work to spend with us and we went into Tavistock, which I haven't visited in years. It was grey and damp but it was still a beautiful town. The sort of place I can imagine a Midsummer Murder happening ;) Very picturesque and atmospheric. It was nice for Anthony to see a bit more of Cornwall as well. We had lunch at a very nice posh pub and in the evening, Mum and Dad did a nice little roast ham joint and we feasted wonderfully. I've noticed that I eat more when visiting relatives as I'm not snacking throughout the day when away from home. That's probably a good thing, but I am a grazer by nature and it's a tough habit to break. I did make dinner one night, a meaty pasta bake that I like to make for Anthony who helped me with it's construction very kindly and my parents were pleasingly appreciative, which is always nice. As they'd been cooking for us each night, it only seemed fair.
Anthony and I spent a day enjoying nearby Plymouth. We wandered around the city's museum, managing to avoid the very loud and excited class of school children also visiting that day. We looked at the exhibition about what happened to Plymouth during the First World War which was very informative and both sad and inspiring, so much loss but so many amazing things happened too. People really did pull through together. We then went to do a bit of shopping, Anthony had to endure Primark where I found a nice wool skirt suitable for work and a white and green striped long-sleeved top, also suitable for work. I'll try and take pictures at some point soon to post here, as well as pictures of what my parents bought me while on their most recent cruise. I really can't resist Primark, I love so much of their style. I saw a dress I liked in New Look which I'd love to buy to wear on Christmas Day but I'll restrain myself for now. Anthony found some Tottenham Hotspur socks for his friend in Germany whose mad about that team, it'll make a nice present to send him for Christmas plus chocolate for his long-suffering wife.
On Wednesday we took Dad out for a walk around the Barbican, a lovely area which is all eateries and galleries and crafty little shops, strewn among narrow old streets, down by the harbour. There's loads of boats out on the water and it looks so like it must have done so long ago. I've always loved it. We spotted a wall where engraved stone plaques were hung in memory of people lost at sea, very moving. We took a brisk walk, admiring the beautiful view, I was quite lost in memories, until it was time for lunch. I got to take Anthony to the Ship Inn which I'd enjoyed so much with my Dad last year and they both got to watch me demolish a Ploughman's Lunch and tease me about it.
I love getting to read the books I've purposefully at home for such occasions, I love looking at the photos my Mum has covered the walls with, I love hearing all the news but my very favourite part of spending time at home were the evenings. As it's now hit autumn and the weather is so crisp and chilly now, my Dad lights the fire in the living room in the evening. The sky is dark outside and we all sit together and watch TV. I'm so fond of Sir Donald Sinden's shows about the history of the West End's theatres and we watch them together before watching the Tennis ATP Tour Finals, Mum exclaiming loudly about whoever's on screen while the cats make themselves comfortable on and around her. My parents have two black rescue cats, Amber and Millie. I adore them but Anthony is very much a dog person and he doesn't like cats at all, maintaining they are evil. They eye him and try to make friends but he tells them firmly to make friends with someone else lol. Those evenings were so wonderful, Mum, Dad and I would reminese, telling stories and jokes until I was crying with laughter. I'm so lucky to have that kind of relationship with my parents and I treasure it. My Dad, who is not a man given to being particularly verbally emotional at all, told us we must come back soon. I hope we will. The times I go to visit them are rare now but they are so precious.