This morning dawned bright and clear, and although Sarah and Andy were arriving mid-morning, I still got up and went for my walk. I was glad I did when saw these beautiful boys - the pale one stood and posed for the photo, looking at me with his great big eyes!
I was slightly nervous waiting for Sarah and Andy to arrive - what if we didn't like them - we had invited them to spend the whole day with us! I needn't have worried - from the moment they got out of their car we got on fine (Sarah did say later they had similar thoughts!) Malcolm was the perfect tour guide, taking us to all sorts of wonderful places. I have previously blooged about some of them (one day I'm going to learn how to put in a link to previous posts!!) Malcolm took this photo of Sarah and me, with the wonderful Victorian railway viaduct, which crosses the River Tweed, behind us. I'm squinting a bit as the sun was in my eyes!
We had a wander round the shops in Melrose (Sarah was delighted to find a shop which sold cake glitter!) then after a lovely lunch at the Waterwheel Cafe, near Selkirk, we had a look round the sights of Hawick, before getting back home in the late afternoon. Of course Sarah and I headed out to the studio, while Malcolm and Andy sat out on the deck enjoying a glass of wine. It was such a lovely day, we decided to have dinner out in the garden. We started with soup - roast red pepper, tomato and sweet potato. As you can see, I served it in teacups (with some fresh basil) - we once had soup served like that in a posh restaurant! It's great if you only want a small helping, so you don't spoil your appeteite for the main course!!
Malcolm did the main course - pot-roasted brisket (a Donald family secret recipe - but if you want to know, just ask!) served with Ayrshire potatoes, turnip, cut green beans, Yorkshire puddings and of course lots of gravy. There is just one problem - I forgot to take a photo - but I think this photo shows how good it was
Of course there was pudding!! A sort of cheesecake in a glass - it was delicious (if you would like the recipe, leave a comment and I'll e-mail it to you!)
here are the other three about to tuck in
and just relaxing and chatting
Sarah brought me a very special present - something that she made for me ....
.... a Victorian pillar box (you know I have a bit of a weird thing about pillar/post boxes!). I will have to get a nice frame to put it in - it is so lovely I think it will have to go up on the wall in the house, rather than in the studio.
We had a wonderful day with our new friends - hopefully one day soon we can visit them in London!