Out shopping

Today was a lovely day. Although the weather was cold and dank Tuesday is a day when Susan is not at work. Today we went into Maidstone and cleared up a few financial issues, did a bit of Christmas shopping and went to Hobbycraft where this shot was taken. There are lots of opportunities for interesting shots in this store - see here for an earlier shot.

We were able to have a free coffee at Cafe Nero owing to a collection of stamps on a loylty card which had been in my wallet since at least 2007. After some more shopping we went to The Brenchley for lunch, a new pub that has just opened in Maidstone. Susan was keen to look inside as the building used to be a bank and she worked there when we still had the old money - no sorry, not that long ago, it must have been 1977 or so before she went off the college to train as a teacher.

They've done well with the conversion, retaining all the old wood panelling and wooden floors. Ham, eggs and chips came in at £3.95 and was surprisingly tasty.

After lunch bought some Christmas cards from the United Reform Church - where I always go to get my cards - they sell cards on behalf of charities, mine this time were for Alzheimer, Diabetes, Lifeboat and The Perennial Gardeners.

In the l=afternoon we travelled to a vineyards at Biddenden and Chappel Down (Tenterden) to buy some English wine and Kent produce for hampers that Susan is creating for several people. Tasted the wine first of course and was offered mulled cider and a mince pie - all of which were well received.