The Past Week

A much quieter week in comparison to last week but still pretty good none the less. 

James treated me to some little gifts this week.  This candle smells amazing, rose is my favourite scent, he knows me too well.  

He also bought me daffodils, I love them, such happy flowers, they were my Grandad's favourite flower too so I always like having them around at this time of year. 

I met up with the gorgeous Michelle from Michelle Louise Love for a coffee and catch up in Starbucks.  We both ordered the Pistachio and Rose Mocha which is only available at the moment to card holders but will be on the menu very soon.  I'm not the biggest coffee fan but this I loved and will be heading back soon for some more.

I also attended my first pottery class this week.  It was only a taster class, the full course starts in March.  I can't wait, I've already been scouring Pinterest for ideas of things I could make.

I had a happy post day when the watch I'd ordered arrived.  This is just perfect for me. Time keeping isn't my strong point, hopefully that will be a thing of the past now I have this bad boy on my wrist.

Another relaxing bath was enjoyed, this time with the Intergalactic bath bomb.  This one was a Christmas gift and I'm so glad because I would never have picked this one myself but it was really lovely.  I felt like a mermaid swimming in glitter, it was so pretty. 

And finally a drive out in the Landy with hubby.  Of course I had to include something Land Rover related seeing as this week saw the last ever defender being made, a sad day for any Land Rover fans.

This week has whizzed by.  I can't believe tomorrow is February, what earth happened to January?

~ Gem x

Reaching New Milestones in the Land Rover

Sunday morning in Essex, the weather wasn't so great.  After a couple of hours of rain James decided to set out for another dive in his good old Landy.  As I had nothing else planned for the day I decided to go along for the ride.  We packed some lunch and headed off out into the Essex countryside.

A new route had been planned and we soon started discovering new roads, byways and parts of Essex we'd not seen before.

I never thought I'd hear myself say it, but I actually quite enjoy going out and exploring in the Land Rover.  Plus it is good spending quality time with James.  And it means he has someone to take photos and videos documenting his little adventures.

After a while we decided to stop for lunch.  It was so peaceful, you could literally hear nothing but the birds.

Lunch eaten we set off again along our planned route.

Although, it wasn't for very long.  A new milestone was reached and we had our first breakdown.  The bonnet was up, I left James to do a bit of tinkering and sat and enjoyed a hot cup of tea from a pretty little china teacup.  Who said there can't be some luxuries?

We were soon back on the road, only this time heading in the direction of home.  We actually managed to pick up the end part of the planned route too so not all was lost.

I'm just thankful that firstly the breakdown happened on the main road and not on a byway, I would have been feeling pretty nervous then.  And secondly that James was able to fix it so we could get back home relatively quickly without having to wait for recovery.  And at least it wasn't raining.  I'm certain that wouldn't have gone down too well.

~ Gem x

Lunch at Paper Mill Lock

We have been enjoying some glorious weather in the UK.  Mind you there has still been the odd shower or two, but on the whole things have been pretty good.  On Saturday we decided to make the most of the sunshine and head over to Paper Mills Lock for some lunch cake.

And of course for James this meant we could venture out in the Landy.

I was expecting it to be much busier but fortunately for us it wasn't too bad and we were able to find a table right by the lock, a perfect spot to enjoy a scone topped with clotted cream and strawberry jam.  It was delicious.

Once we had finished eating we walked along the river a little and sat by the edge to enjoy our surroundings for a while. 

We were visited by a beautiful swan, although he didn't stay around very long once he realised we didn't have any food.

James had planned a different route back home.  New roads and little pieces of Essex we have yet to discover and some breathtaking sights to be seen.  Definitely what I enjoy the most when going out in the Land Rover.

And you can't drive through many fords in a car.  Not a problem for the Landy.

~ Gem x 

Green Laning in the Land Rover

Back in October not long after the wedding James bought a 1970's Land Rover with a couple of mates.  They have been working on it ever since.  On Friday it passed it's MOT.  I officially became a Landy Widow.

It was a lovely afternoon, perfect for a drive through the countryside.  

James has been researching all the local green lanes for quite some time, now it was time to test them all out.

It was an experience, something I'd never done before, but I can see why people enjoy doing it.  

The views through the countryside were gorgeous, and like the country walks we go on, you see things that you wouldn't otherwise see, and of course because you are driving you can go that bit further afield. 

No doubt there will be plenty more outings of this sort.  Well it would be rude to let him have all the fun wouldn't it!

Love Gem x x x