Happy Birthday!

I actually enjoyed my birthday this year.

The awful build up and anticipation of reaching a significant number last year sent me spiralling down for a few weeks before, finding that everything going wrong related the speeding years.  I suddenly decided I was dressing too young for my age and needed to have a major clear out.  Needless to say, I tried the clearout idea, but am too sentimental so just tried to pack away a few things!

This year I looked forward to a day of being spoilt and suddenly understood what parents meant when they said that they didn’t really want presents.  I felt so much more grateful for the cards and kind thoughts and deeds, although the thoughtful gifts were very much appreciated.

I do always expect it to be a sunny day, marking the beginning of springtime so was a bit disappointed to wake to a dull gloomy morning.  But no need to worry, by the time we had arrived in Richmond and found a tiny parking space by the river, the sun was shinning for the walk across the picturesque water meadows to find Petersham Nurseries.

We have been meaning to visit for some time and there has been a bit of gossip in the press recently about the difficulty of having a Michelin star in a quirky, bohemian place where the waitresses wear wellies and there is mud on the floor!  It is utterly charming.

The walk to Richmond along the riverbank from this direction is so pretty and we soon discovered an intriguing set of flint archways and a tunnel through to iron railings.

This had taken us under the road into the terrace gardens and at the top of the hill was a very special little Café, called the Hollyhock.  Enjoying a coffee on the terrace looking out across the river, felt like sitting in a tree house.  We’ll be back!

Tea with the Gals, beautiful gifts and a delicious rhubarb and custard crumble cake with candles from Borough Market finished the afternoon and I arrived home to find Mini Darling had been busy in the kitchen and had built a stunning tower of cardamom cup cakes with candles glowing all around and Major Darling had been in charge of a delicious plate of canapés. 

The Chief cooked a tasty steak supper on the BBQ, I think our new neighbours might think we are just slightly bonkers!