Blogmas 11 & 12 - Beer!

Hello there,

Welcome to days 11 and 12 of Blogmas! I'm thinking that a post every other day seems to work well - unless I suddenly start doing something wildly exciting...Todays post is one that's been sat in the draft folder for a few weeks so it's about time I published it.

Recently we ambled off to Ringwood Brewery. Now in the past we've been to a whiskey distillery, a gin distillery and a vineyard (Not all in the same day I hasten to add), but no beer yet - until now.

Ringwood Brewery is probably the most local beer producer near to where we live in Hampshire and is the beer of choice when I'm taking presents to friends here in the UK and abroad. We'd heard good things about the tour they ran and as we had tour vouchers to use and beer presents to buy we had the perfect excuse.

I like beer, but I'm not much of a drinker and so decided to drive. Now in the past I've always found tours like this tended to be a bit one sided against the non-drinkers, well not this one. We all met in the bar and straight away they offered you a beer of your choice and unlimited soft drinks for the drivers and decent half-pint portions they were too. They didn't make you feel like the odd one out for not drinking so for that alone they get a big thumbs up!

I'm not going to go into technical details about the ins and outs of brewing (purely because I'll get it all wrong and mixed up) but the tour was relaxed with plenty of time to ask questions, peer in all the corners and taste the hops used. There were lots of us on the tour, easily 20+, but it didn't feel too squashed or hurried.

After the tours, we went back to the bar where the beer drinkers could try the rest of the beers on offer. It seemed to be unlimited samples for the time we were in there! There certainly seemed to be some happy people when we left. They kept me topped up with soft drinks so I was happy too.

Even the non-drinkers got a chance to pull some pints! This was really good fun and a nice extra, not sure I'm cut out to be a barmaid though.

At the end of the tour, we were all allowed to keep our glasses. After an (expensive) exit through the shop, I think it was a really good way to pass a wet and miserable morning and very good value for money. If you're ever in the area, I'd really recommend this, especially for the non-drinkers/drivers.

This character seems to be the Brewery emblem.

Thanks for reading

Cathy
xx

Blogmas day 10 - candles burning bright

Hello there,

I think I am developing a bit of a candle addiction! I seem to be gathering a growing collection and this morning I decided it was time to dig out some of my Christmas ones.

My absolute favourite scent at any time of year is cinnamon, but it's been so hard this year to find a good cinnamon scent that doesn't have clove as well (which isn't so nice and reminds me of the dentist too much).

I bought this little candle from Primark a few weeks ago on the off chance it would be good. Oh my goodness - it's better than good. For something so little, it works so well. The whole house smells of cinnamon and it's lasting really well. I'm heading back to Primark soon to try and buy some more, but I have a sneaking suspicion they may all be gone.

I was so pleased though when I received the Winter Berry candle from my Secret Santa - Thank you! You picked a perfect pressie

I have a little side table that I use to keep candles and bits and bobs on, when they're all lit, it makes the whole room feel warm and cosy.

I've had the house candle burner for years now and it makes me smile every time I unpack it.

Sephora Advent Calendar update - day 10 was another travel shower cream, peony scent. I have quite a collection of travel and sample sizes. For me, it's a really good way of trying something before you commit to the full size product - plus it's handy for weekends away.

Thanks for reading 

Cathy

xx

Blogmas day 8 & 9 - Chichester Christmas market

Hello there,

I can't believe we're at the end of the first week of December already!

Day 8 of Blogmas saw us taking a trip to Chichester for a bit of Christmas shopping and some lunch. I've mentioned Chichester before on the blog. It's a lovely little town that's just far enough away to make it feel like a day out, but close enough to get there in around 40 mins from Southampton. It also has a great mix of the normal high street shops you'd expect to find plus a good selection of independent shops. It's become a Christmas tradition to have a day out there every year (more about traditions next week).

We didn't realise that the Chichester Christmas market would be there which was a lovely surprise. It's very different to the normal German type markets that seem to the popping up everywhere at the moment. This market was showcasing local producers, food, crafts and even had donkeys and hot chestnuts. I could have spent hours (and a small fortune) here.

Some of the items for sale were beautiful, this large wooden horse was one of my favourites

Who remembers Bill and Ben the flowerpot men? I certainly do

I was tempted to buy one of these spiders as a Christmas present - I wish I had now - d'oh!

The town of Chichester is so pretty any time of the year, but Christmas always seems a bit more special

The market even has it's own Mary and Joseph with donkeys - from Hayling Island Donkeys

Bad blogger that I am, we stopped for lunch which I just ate with no photos - but take it from me - it was yummy!

I'm combining day 8 and 9 as day 9 just consisted of lots of queuing at the Post Office and general pottering.

Sephora Advent Calendar update, day 8 was very cute red note cards with 'I wish' written on them. I can see me using these easily and pining them onto the fridge or above my desk

With the notecards from day 7 - these were odd.....

Day 9 was a beautiful red nail varnish called 'Cherry Popsicle' - this might just be my Christmas Day choice

Hope you're enjoying my version of Blogmas. I'll try to update every day or at least every other day, but if work overtakes me - it might be a bit late!

Thanks for reading

Cathy
xx

Blogmas days 6 and 7 - quiet days and Christmas music

Hello there,

The last couple of days have been pretty quiet, which doesn't make for exciting Blogmas material. So during this lull (aka normal life) I started thinking about Christmas music.

I have all the Christmas CDs in the car right now and I find I keep playing the same ones over and over again. So here's my top 5 favourite - what do you think? Are there any here you love or hate?


(Yep - Die Hard 2 is a Christmas movie in our house)

I remember being in New Look in Oxford Street once when this was playing. The two young girls next to me were so horrified - they thought it was so rude! I think it's kind of beautiful and very sad.

I like this Mariah Carey song - and I'm proud of it.

This anti-war song seems even more relevant this Christmas.

Finally, this is a such a classic and is Christmas all wrapped up for me in one song.

I could have done way more than 5 - maybe I'll add some more later in the month. 

Sephora Advent Calendar 6 was a cute mini bath bomb - very good! Day 7 was place cards (I think...) photo to follow for that.

Thanks for reading

Cathy

xx