Took mum on the Grand Tour this morning starting off with Rochford and tea and toasted teacake in the Beehive Tearoom
Then a slow drive to Hockley where I bought chintzey crockery and a good as new blackboard.
Mum stuck to spotted blouses and magazines.

Drove home like a winner, stopping for the elderly, thumbs up to white van man for letting me go first (disabled badge helps) mum in sunglasses, and me ultra cool in cotton African motif dress. Did have a major womanly moment though as we waited at the lights under the railway bridge. I didn't feel particularly ethnic so why the zebra outfit. I put it down to dryness, you know...menopause.

In one of the charity shops we visited there was a Bargain Box...everything 20p. Or UNDER. With mum's brakes fully on, (I think) I stooped over, on the pavement, to have a rummage..... An owl spoon holder, cute blue floral pot with lid and wooden triptych depicting faces of a religious bent. Happily handing over 60p to Eileen, I stuffed the goodies in my handbag, and orf we went.

Today's Menu will be chalked up on the blackboard just like they do in the Beehive Tearoom...
We'll be eating....Chick Pea Pasties, mashed potatoes, fruity chutney and peas.

Talking of gorgeous.
Last night's Meatloaf was fabulous.
I'll post the recipe tomorrow. 

Now I must fly...I have trinkets to rearrange, pasties to make and the kitchen table needs moving and tarting up.