Dougal!

Oh, I enjoyed that extra hour! I had my lie in, but it was still quite early when I did get up. JR went to the gym, and when she came back, I took Archie out for quite a long walk, as he was being left in while we went out for brunch. The day was moistish, but no rain - the expected downpours did not eventuate. 

I had booked a table at Argyle Place, our splendid local cafe. We’ve been before and the meals were superb. So we were really looking forward to brunch. And it did not disappoint. For the first time ever, I would award it, on my impossible scale out of ten - a TEN! I could not fault it - even the background music was spot on - subdued, good sound system, no screechy vocals, in fact, it was all instrumental, I think. So much so that I mostly forgot about noticing it - which is how it should be. A daily changing menu, and VERY reasonable prices. They make all their own pastries and cakes, too. Oh, and gorgeous pink basins in the toilets, with Aesop hand soap, which JR tells me is top notch stuff. Pleasant service, too, without the ‘optional’ service charge already added on - it was actually ‘optional’.

A super menu, and I could have chosen a few things, but I was very happy with my eventual choice - feta, date and sweetcorn fritters, with a green salad and a beetroot sauce. (Cost:£8.50) EPIC! (Extra) JR was also very happy with hers - bacon, avo, toasted sourdough etc. (Extra 2)

On the way home, being without Arch, we popped in to see Dougal and his mum, who greeted us with his usual crazed enthusiasm. What a boy he is! I took dozens of photos, mostly all just of a hairy black blur, but at least I got one I can use, only by making a strange noise to make him pause and look at me.

I then enjoyed the England/New Zealand women’s rugby match, and indeed, the women’s football after that, while JR took Archie out for a longer walk, as the rain still hadn’t arrived.

A grand day to begin British Winter Time.