gin

A Day Out?

Tim MaidmentLeave a comment

Lady M and I met up with the ex-Lady M, the Charleesi, and J today to visit the Richmond Gin and Food Festival – a last minute decision taken yesterday after the Charleesi spotted an advert.

Being a total extravert, I was champing at the bit to see some life, while Lady M was concerned about being out among people. Despite the nerves though we got to Richmond by bus and had our first real gathering of the clan in the open air setting of the Old Deer Park.

For me, the biggest excitement was that for the first time in over a decade I was able to afford to do more than just window shop. The reason for this is that my first wage from the new job came through this week. Between working full time and a significant uplift in pay grade it is a lot more than I’m used to seeing in my account.

So, rather than batting my eyelashes at Lady M, there was a lot more parity and confidence in being able to indulge in trying and buying the various wares on display. Money has been a major cause of worry over the years, so the knowledge that I had a budget that would give me room to breath was… unusual. As a result there was a lack of underlying tension to the day, at least as far as my brain and gut feelings were concerned.

And oh my, the food and drink were amazing. We have bought a number of new gins for the shelves, and I discovered that I love a good moonshine, or at least the wheat-based ones on sale today as opposed to the usual corn base. All in all, a really good haul, some nice memories, and I was well fed into the bargain.

Groggy Morning

Tim Maidment1 Comment

We had a grand adventure yesterday – a last-minute expedition with the Charleesi and two out of the three Ladies M to visit the Magnum pop-up store just off Bond Street. We managed to converge in the right place despite the best efforts of the rail network, which saw platforms 1-14 out of action at Waterloo for much of the day. 

Unlike last year, when the pop-up had been in Covent Garden, the venue is in a quieter side street. This meant we were able to walk straight in without queuing. It was the first time that the ex-Lady M and Lady G had been to one, so the Charleesi and I quickly educated them and we soon had the confections pictured here before us: as delicious as the company one might say.

With our sugar fix sorted for the day we then started a long ramble through London, taking in Foyles, Forbidden Planet, and perhaps the occasional drink along the way to keep refreshed. By mid afternoon we started to go our separate ways, as the Charleesi started to flag, so Lady G and I went in search of a nice gin bar pop-up we’d seen back in Covent Garden before we did battle with public transport again.

We eventually got back to Maidment Towers, to find Lady M more recovered from her horrendous migraine attack, and so over pizza we nattered away into the small hours.

I’ve had to be up early to open the library this morning, but despite only four hour’s sleep it feels totally worth it. A grand adventure in good company. What more can you ask for?