ROCKING YOUR WORLD FRIDAY - 27TH OF 2026

 Good morning all, it is Friday time for us to clock the silver linings and positive moments from the last 7 days 

So last week we headed to our old home town of Stafford for a trip to see the Shakespeare play at the local theatre.  In the good old days it was held at the castle but increasing costs had it transfer post pandemic and it has remained at the local theatre. 

Given the ridiculous heat wave we were struggling with we made two fundamental changes.  The first is we took my car as the air conditioning is more effective and we decided against going to Trentham gardens first.  Technically I don't believe there have been any changes or additions fairy wise since our last venture so we headed straight to the hotel.

We managed to access the room straight away and I'd requested a specific room which is far enough away from the bustling street at night not to be affected by the noise but also because it had air conditioning. 

We enjoyed tea and cake as part of the package when we first arrived (although hubby had a beer) so I got to enjoy both pots of tea - definitely a win in my book 

In the evening we had a two course meal, we had steak for our main meal and then I had a knickerbocker glory which was unusual, but I remembered my Mum talking about them so thought I'd try. 

Hubby however had a crumble and custard and given how hot it was he decided in hindsight that it wasn't the best choice, but he enjoyed it nevertheless. 

Hubby enjoying his meal. 

I love the reception area 

We had a mooch after tea and saw this staffy figure

The following day we headed out for a mooch around and to see what had changed.  

We started in the church over the road known as St Chad's it has a definite Kilpeck feel to it.  There was a volunteer who had all the information about the church and gave us a guided tour and the church warden was lovely as well. 

There was a fab mouse trail around the church 

this pew end of a green man had been cast and you could buy the wall plaques so we purchased one

the masonry work in the church was amazing, a total of 14 dragons included

After we headed to the local charity shop and I found ample amounts of books (much to hubby's bemusement I'd faithfully promised I wouldn't buy any more until we'd catalogued what we've got). 

Then on to the other church St Mary's where I saw some lovely textile work. 

Then on to a few shops, we popped to the Picture House which is now a pub but was a cinema when we were there so we have fond memories and then a bit more shopping where I found an independent bookstore which was a delight. 

We had a lovely early tea and had lemon cheesecake for dessert. 

Then off to the theatre

Th

This was a model of last year's set. 

and this year's set

waiting for the play

The play was amazing set in the 1920's very Peaky Blinders-esque and incredibly well played. 

We had a second night enjoying air conditioning and so slept well and then the following morning we packed up and headed home, due to the heat we didn't stop at Chatsworth but came straight home. 

We enjoyed the rest of the weekend, chilling and trying to reduce the heat in the house. 

Monday and my sister came for tea, it was lovely to catch up (as always) and Tuesday our son, daughter-in-law and grandson came for tea.  Wednesday was a mighty long day but I got lots done and Thursday has been a day of catching up. 

I hope you've had a great week.

ROCKING YOUR WORLD FRIDAY - 27TH OF 2025

 Morning all tis Friday time for 

So last week we headed to our old home town of Stafford for a couple of days away, we stayed at the hotel where we had our first official date and had a lovely room with a view over St Chad's Church at the front.  The journey down we went over the hills as we wanted to enjoy our annual visit to Trentham Gardens to visit the fairies, the weather looked changeable but thankfully it stayed dry during our visit.

The first one Bridget greets you on the bridge 

then Spidey under the Arbour

This one is always stunning and with the sun catching it it was even better. 

To say they've been there a number of years they still look amazing

And I love the feeling of motion in them

There is even a new set of wings for people to try out when they visit. 

These are giant and along the path by the lake

Fledglings up on the hillside

And we stopped for another cuppa at the bottom of the lake to say hello to this one

Then onwards to our destination, we had booked a package deal which meant tea and cake on arrival.  Hubby didn't fancy tea after all his driving but I definitely fancied both cups of tea and we shared the cakes

I love the eclectic items hanging over head

We wandered the town, areas of which are mighty pretty

Then got ready for our evening meal 

Which was lovely and finished with a beautiful cheese board

We went for a wander around the town the following day and saw the advert for the play we were due to see that night. 

We also wandered into the Picture House which is now a Wetherspoon's pub but still retaining a lot of its original features, we sat up at the top where many moons ago we took my sister and brother to watch Jurassic Park. 

We found this sculpture of Isaac Walton on the River Sow leisure walk

and this one of a bowler next to the bowling green

After an early evening meal which was lovely, we headed to the theatre, a far cry from the complex Cornish stage design last year, this was very much pared back and with a hint of RSC about it, the book cases moved at certain points during the play.  Hubby felt that they represented the educated mind of Hamlet and the dust was representative of the blinkered view of all those around him. 

The play was exceptionally good and we both really enjoyed it. 

I'd booked Chatsworth to break the journey up on the way back, this is the leather room with the famous trompe l'oiel of the violin and it is the leather room because that is what the wallpaper is made from.

The rose garden looks lovely at the moment and the smell of the roses was well worth the wander. 

We got back home and on Sunday we had book club, unfortunately my sister has been poorly and so she couldn't make it and my daughter-in-law hadn't finished the book so it made for an awkward conversation to be honest.  The book we were reading was The Handmaid, my niece has gone on to read the further two books all of which she said are quite different.  I then had a play with some scrapbook layouts that are still not completed if I'm honest, but it was nice to have a catch up. 

The working week was busy and I'm gearing up for the annual audit so a definite focus on the year end file which thankfully is almost there. 

Thursday and time to enjoy some fresh air, we had time out in the garden, hubby cleaned the plastic on the extension, then he cut the neighbour's tree that overhangs our arbour and was starting to cause issues, he hoovered the top of the arbour off as there were a load of catkins on it from spring that had got stuck and then cleared the side of the house where a few weeds had sprung up.  In the meantime I worked my way around all the pots that we have and planted this lot out to try and bring a bit more colour to the garden. 

A very productive day but rather tiring, we then had showers and then tea and then settled down outside for a few hours of reading under the arbour which was bliss. 

Life is made up of the moments that we remember, the memories that we make, anchoring yourself in the moment, definitely makes the memories stronger and more positive and I'm very grateful for all that I have and all the blessings I have. 

I hope your week has been as blessed. 

Hugs

ROCKING YOUR WORLD FRIDAY - 26TH OF 2024

 Morning lovely people we are back at Friday once again, it really seems to come around some quickly 

Well last Friday we headed off on our annual jaunt down to our old stomping ground of Stafford, we had every intention of going to Trentham Gardens as we have done the last couple of years, alas the traffic was very much set against us and despite trying various alternative routes it simply was not meant to be, so we headed to the hotel albeit very early. 

Once there and parked up we had a drink in the bar and then went for a mooch around the town, one of our visits includes a visit to the Picture House where we took my brother and sister when they were little to see Jurassic Park, it is now a Wetherspoons pub, but still has a feel of the old cinema.

The ceiling really is still very beautiful and it is probably in better condition than when it was used as a cinema if truth be told. 

We got into our room at 3pm, we had requested our favourite room which we learnt wasn't available so we got a free upgrade to a 4 poster suite, which was lovely. 

The view was great, we were overlooking St Chad's church

We had an evening meal in the restaurant where hubby took me on our very first date 34 years ago, genuinely where does the time fly. 

Afterwards we had a mooch around the town, the square looked pretty.

Saturday and after breakfast we had a walk up to the castle it is only a couple of mile out of the town albeit most of it is on an incline, thankfully that means it is pretty much all down hill on the way back. 

When we got there we had a look around the exhibits and hubby had great fun trying on some of the armour. 

Outside we had broken cloud and blue skies, we attempted to follow the trail around the castle but got scuppered near a particularly muddy/nettle ridden part, so we hacked our way from the other side and picked the trail up. 

After we had completed the same we walked back into town, had a pint at the Picture House, mine being an alcohol free cider and then headed for a shower and then out for tea at Zizzis which was lovely.

We finished our meal and headed around the corner to the Gatehouse theatre the venue for the 'castle Shakespeare' play for the second year running.  This year it was Twelfth Night with Seann Walsh starring as Malvolio, the whole production was simply fantastic and I definitely think Seann missed his calling in life!

Sunday and after breakfast we headed off to Chatsworth, we arrived just in time for our visit to the house.

Whilst we had seen the Childhood memories display before, there was a new display showcasing a fashion designer who had used the former Dowager as inspiration for their collection, the items were rather lovely. 

I loved how they got the motif on the jacket to match the skirt. 

This was very pretty although the sewn shells in the dress not so practical from a washing point of view. 

The painted hall was surprisingly empty of people (first time ever)

We sat outside on the sky space seat in the courtyard

And had a wander around the garden before heading home. 

The rest of the week has as always galloped along at a merry old pace mainly in relation to work but it has also been fairly unbearably hot with a heatwave affecting the UK.  Hubby returned to his volunteering role recently and looks like he may trial it again to see if it is still suitable. 

The hospital have written to say that his thyroid and calcium levels are stable so that is another thing ticked off the list and the other test I had recently has come back normal, so we are making progress. 

I hope you've had a grand week.

Hugs