Wightwick Manor

If you love all things Pre-Raphaelite and William Morris, then you'll love Wightwick Manor.

Unfortunately, photographs were not permitted of the interiors, which was such a shame.  William Morris wallpaper and tapestries covered the walls.  There were paintings by Burne-Jones and Rossetti to admire.  It was all stunning.

For a Pre-Raphaelite lover like myself, this place was an absolute dream.

Can you make out the writing just underneath this window?

It says:  Welcome ever smiles and farewell goes out sighing.

This is by far, one of the best National Trust properties we've visited.

We'll definitely be back for another visit.

*

Coughton Court

Come and join me on a trip to Coughton Court.

Unfortunately, I have no photos of the beautiful interior of this stunning 600 year old Tudor house, as we didn't go inside this time.  The tickets are timed, and it was a two hour wait!!!

So we enjoyed a stroll around the gardens and grounds instead.

Why don't my borders look like this?

Such a pretty place to visit.

Next time, I hope to get photos of the interior for you.

*

Glad you all seemed to like the Chocolate Brownie recipe.  If you do try it, please let me know how they turned out.

*

In search of the yummiest Chocolate Brownie recipe

Since returning from our little trip to Cambridge, where we ate the World's scrumptious Chocolate Brownies, I have been on a mission to find the yummiest Chocolate Brownie recipe.

I tried a couple of sub-standard ones, until a friend confided her recipe.

The Brownies were so delicious, that I'm going to share the recipe with you all today.  Though I'm sure you all have your own perfectly fantastic version already.

Ingredients

100g Milk Chocolate

200g Dark Chocolate

400g Soft Light Brown Sugar

250g Butter

4 Large Eggs

140g Plain Flour

50g Cocoa Powder

Heat oven to 180c/160c (fan)

Line a baking tray.

Break all the Chocolate into pieces, and put it in a saucepan with the butter and sugar.  Gently melt, stirring occasionally.  When melted, remove from the heat.

Stir the eggs into the Chocolate mixture, one at a time.

Sieve in the Flour and Cocoa Powder.

Give the mixture a really good stir, before tipping it into the baking tray.

Bake for 30mins.  (My baking tray was quite shallow, so I reduced the cooking time by 5mins).

Cool completely before slicing into squares.

Violet actually baked the ones in the above photograph.  So if a 6 year old can make them, anyone can.

*

The Colour Run

On Saturday, hubby entered Birmingham's very first Colour Run.

For those of you who have never heard of it.  It's a Fun 5k Run (or walk, or dance) in aid of Save The Children.  Every kilometre there are paint stations where you're pelted with powdered paint.  Each paint station is a different colour.

This is him wearing his pristine T-Shirt before the race.

Nearly at the finish line.

And, afterwards.  

Violet didn't want to go anywhere near him, as he was covered in paint.

Apparently, we're all doing it next year! 

(Only if he wears a tutu and rainbow wig).

*

Holiday 2014 - Jersey

We're just back from a wonderful holiday in Jersey.

Beautiful sandy beaches with hardly a soul on them. Bliss!

A lovely day spent at Durrell Wildlife Park , which isn't like any other (dare I say it) Zoo I've been to before.  

Can you see the little baby Gorilla hanging upside down?  Totally gorgeous.

St Aubin's harbour - which brings back wonderful memories for me.  I used to stay here with my mum, dad and brother.

Elizabeth Castle, which we paddled out to - the sea wasn't quite out as we made our way across the causeway.

Could this little girl get any sweeter? 

 I've told her that, under no circumstances, is she allowed to turn 7.

A rare photo of yours truly - check out that tan line!!

I didn't take as many photos as I normally do - I was probably just trying to enjoy myself and soak up all of that wonderful sunshine.

Goodbye Jersey - hope to visit again soon.

*