Busy Weekend

It has been a busy pre-Christmas Weekend; full a lot of good things, so I am now sat down at teatime on Sunday enjoying a rest in front of the television. Thank fully unlike the rest of the country we have been spared significant snowfall, however it has been really cold.

Friday started ordinarily enough with a trip to the gym while Marion attended her aquasise class in the pool. The advantage of the cold is that it does not take long to get into the swing of the activity as an antidote to the cold. In the evening we had planned to play bridge with a starter of fish and chips. Now fish and chips is a real treat, especially from our local shop, which luckily is one of the best chippies that I know. It was great, plump haddock well fried with fresh chips and lashings of tartare sauce. Washed down with a lovely glass of Portuguese white.

It was almost as though Laura had returned home unexpectedly for that treat alone. The bridge was though not good. I am in a run of bad hands, for the first time for two sessions I actually bid and played a hand. Still the great thing about bridge is there is always something to keep the interest.

After a late night talking to Laura there was no lie in as we were off to the monthly food market in Malton. As it was a pre-Christmas market it was necessary to get there early. There are many local producers who have stalls at the market. Marion’s favourite is the Syrian refugee who sells halloumi cheese. Today Marion bought some smoked halloumi. It was delicious the salty flavour complimenting perfectly the smoky taste. There were many other treats including our favourite chocolate producers, Butterfly Chocolates from Pocklington. They combine top quality chocolate with innovative flavours. Marion is a particular fan of the white chocolate with cardoman. Me, I am more of a fruit and nut man.

We met our friends Iain and Barbara at Roost Coffee and after a quick caffeine boost we parted our ways. The men and Laura to the football, Marion and Barbara back home. As an added bonus the Boro won, although the display was not entirely convincing. A superb curry that Marion had cooked rounded off the day. Delicious!

Sunday brought a well-deserved lie in, and I fetched the Christmas decorations from the loft. Marion and Laura did the artistic stuff while I provided the labour. The house now looks a picture set-up for Christmas. After eating that halloumi cheese we headed out to deliver the last of the local Christmas cards. Laura and I ended up on the seafront and had a coffee in a seaside café. The tide was out but even in that condition the sea was impressive. Then it was home for a relax on the settee. A great busy weekend, which will finish with a relaxing evenings television.