Whizzpopping snozzcumbers

Tomorrow will be Roald Dahl Day 

How will you be celebrating?  

A party? (Download a party pack with activities here).

I'll be doing a few of the activities with Violet, and also reading her my favourite Roald Dahl story - George's Marvellous Medicine.  (Though I also fancy visiting the Roald Dahl museum in Great Missenden).

What's your favourite Roald Dahl story?

It's also the 50th anniversary of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory - here's a link that will take you to The Vanilla Fudge Room (previously unpublished chapter).

Here's a link to win a special 50th anniversary collectors edition, signed by illustrator Joseph Schindelman. Together with a special Puffin edition signed by Quentin Blake, and a selection of other Charlie and the Chocolate Factory goodies. All you have to do is choose your favourite book cover design.

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'And above all, watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places. Those who don't believe in magic will never find it'  - Roald Dahl

Greyfriars House, Worcester

On a very wet Bank Holiday Monday, we drove to Worcester to visit Greyfriars House.

It was built in 1480, but what I found fascinating was the story of the brother and sister (Matley & Elsie Moore) who lived in the property from the 1940's until the 1980's.

The interiors, including all the furniture, belong to the Moore family, and this is how they actually lived.

Matley & Elsie saved the property from demolition and started to restore it.  Apparently collecting glass/windows from bomb damaged buildings during WWII. 

The siblings are also responsible for saving the timber framed shops opposite from demolition too.  Giving these to The National Trust on the understanding that they have to stay as commercial premises, not even allowing the rooms above to be rented out. 

They gave Greyfriars to The National Trust in 1966. Though they continued to live in the property until their deaths in the 1980's.

Love this bowl.

This was Matley Moore's actual bed. Can you imagine sleeping in this room in the 1980's? 

Did you see the start and end dates for the sampler above?  Commenced 1851, when Georgina was 8 years old.  Completed in 1926 when she was 83.  That's one hell of a work in progress.

This one's a beauty.  Don't you think? I love all the flower detail.

Hope you enjoyed this little outing.

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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.

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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.

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

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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.

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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).

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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.

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