Linda has recently retired. She now has the time to embrace life, laugh a lot and do all that she loves. Discover what that looks like for her and let her adventures inspire you…
LIVE
I always judge restaurants by their signature meals. If a chicken tikka masala is good, then it is a good curry house. Similarly, a cafe can always be judged by its carrot cake. So when I decided to check out an artisan bakery, it had to be carrot cake to accompany my green tea with lemon. The Running Fox at Felton is nine miles north of Morpeth and opposite a beautiful bridge. The carrot cake was divine. My other half loved his coffee and walnut cake. Despite being a Tuesday lunchtime, the bakery was fully booked. They only had a half hour free on one table. We were served straight away and had ample time for tea and cake. I can recommend a walk to the very old church and round the art and craft gallery, Studio 5, to burn off any calories. We shall definitely return for afternoon tea at some point but will be sure to book this time.
LAUGH
This is the week of five close family birthdays. After presents are bought and wrapped, it is time to think about my husband’s evening entertainment. We gather together and share a meal. Then the fun begins. As this takes place the night before Bonfire Night, we always have fireworks in the garden. Each year is slightly different. Two years ago, we bought boxes with continuous multiple bangs, which were hilarious. One year, the box of goodies created huge clouds of smoke. We could barely see two feet in front of us. Last year we had crazy rockets, which were very loud. They also shot up erratically. The description on the box is never quite what happens. Who knew that a Catherine wheel could mark the fence? One year, we had a faulty rocket, which was not fun. To add to the general air of fun, each year we find different glow sticks. We have had bangles, necklaces and sword-shaped glow sticks. These started off as a source of light. Now they are a source of fun. It is a hilarious night that gets a mention throughout the year.
LOVE
In 1972, my family moved to Bath in Somerset. A new clothes and home designer had set up a shop called Laura Ashley and I fell in love with her ideas. I made clothes. I bought clothes. I decorated rooms. I still do, although the dressmaking days are over. I still shop there but most of my purchases are now wallpaper. Although the clothes are very different today, a recent retro shirt was a replica of a pattern that I had made a dressing gown from during 1972. Haha! I know she is not to everyone’s taste and not every garment has her trademark flowery patterns any more, but I am still in love with Laura Ashley shops after all these years. It is almost a lifelong obsession.
I try to live, laugh and love each day xxx
