Monday 28 April 2014

Wine Tasting Weekend Away




Hello Kittens. I've just returned from a fabulous weekend away wine tasting with my sister, and I have to say I can't remember the last time I had so much fun! On Friday evening we got the train from Euston and headed to Bosworth Hall where the event was held. The train journey was just over an hour, and we got into the party spirit by indulging in a few glasses of Rose. Boswoth Hall is a beautiful Grade II listed mansion in the Warwickshire countryside, and a 20 minute taxi ride from Nuneaton which is the nearest station. 

We arrived just in time for dinner so quickly checked in and freshened up before heading down to the restaurant. Meals were buffet style with a good selection of courses. After dinner we headed to the bar to check out the wine selection. A few bottles and a good gossip later and we were ready for bed.

The next morning we woke bright and early and headed down for a hearty cooked breakfast. Wine tasting started at 9:45 which feels like a ridiculously early time to be drinking, but hey, when in Rome.

There were 14 of us on the course which was run by Thirty Fifty. Our host Erik Falck was brilliantly knowledgeable, put us all at ease and happily answered questions from us eager beavers. Throughout the day we tasted 17 different wines, including a blind tasting, and learned how to pair wine with food, Old World versus New World Wine, how to blend different grape varieties and how to assess value for money in a bottle of wine. The course ran until 4:00pm and included lunch with specially paired wines. It's fair to say by the end of the course everyone was feeling a bit tipsy and in good spirits. I would recommend the course to anyone who likes drinking wine and would like to learn more about it. Would be brilliant for a girls weekend away, hen do or romantic getaway. 


The following day we made the most of the pleasant Spring weather and wondered around the hotel grounds which were absolutely stunning. If you ever visit, do take advantage of the hotel facilities and book in for a spa treat. 



Great weather, beautiful venue, great company, yummy food and fabulous wine. My idea of heaven. We are hoping to make this an annual treat. Seriously can't recommend it enough. Cheers!

Tuesday 1 April 2014

Mothers Day Lunch


This weekend was Mothers Day here in the UK so on Sunday I headed to Essex to spend the day with my family. My sister invited me and my Mum over for Sunday lunch, although she forgot to mention that I would be cooking! Luckily I enjoy cooking so I didn't mind. Once the food was in the oven and the veg was prepped, we got onto the all important business of a good girly catch up and gossip over a bottle of wine.


I hadn't seen everyone for ages and it was lovely spending time with niece and nephew






Soon enough it was time for dinner. Pork with roast potatoes and veg was the dish of the day. There was cheesecake for pudding but that got demolished before there was anytime for photos!



My Mother hates posing for photos but I managed to sneak a few. Doesn't she look lovely!


And here is a very rare one of the two of us...


A few more random snaps from our afternoon together...



It was such a lovely day. Must do lunch with the fam more often.