Bastille Day !!

Google France has just a perfect image for Bastille Day

This year we are having a quiet Bastille Day - mainly due to the amazing heat the UK is enjoying this weekend - I am with many many others for whom heat triggers additional medical symptoms - MS is not a heat fan but by staying indoors and taking things easy it's do-able :)

And by it being Bastille Day we will of course be opening a bottle of vin francais - but which one?

Red - Chateau de Petit Thouars - a gorgeous 2009 cabernet franc

Red - Tesco Vintage Claret  Bordeaux  - a deep intenseive red

White - Jean de la Roche Sauvignon Blanc - a crisp white from Calais Wine

White - Oisly et Thesee, 'Les Mazelles’ Sauvignon de Touraine 2010 - full of gooseberries and kiwi from S H Jones

Bubbly - Nicolas Feuillatte Brut - the best champagne in my eyes.

It will probably be a red  as it's bbq steak tonight but may mean a trip back to the Loire Valley in the near future to replace stock - Chateau de Petit Thouars is just outside Chinon. It's a stunning chateau with rolling lawns, a beautifully manicured garden, and great vineyards producing fantastic Cabernet Franc wine and Cremant de Loire sparkling. Definitely a place to visit in the Loire.

And it will not be Nicolas Feuillatte as we're saving that for next weekend when we travel Brussels on Eurostar - special mini break which I'll share next time.

Looking behind last weekend was amazing !! I organised a trip to Birmingham for my work colleagues to watch The Lion King at Birmingham Hippodrome. Thee are few words to descibe it - unbelievable costumes and set.

Travelling by train to Birmingham was for a change quite enjoyable.We all had seats on an uncrowded train which arrived on time in New Street - thanks Cross Country. Before the show we met with everyone outside The Old Fox Pub just next door to the theatre, beautiful weather just added to the pre-theatre wine/beer.

A trip to the theatre is never complete without sweets and there is the perfect shop on the corner, opposite the pub. Mr Chill's Traditional Sweet Shop has all your favourites - ours being liquorice allsorts, vimto bon bons, rhubard and custard and chewing nuts. Such a great place full of childhood memories and of course sweet treats.

After the show we invaded the Big Wok - a great chinese restaurant - their buffet has a huge variety including a large salad bar and sushi range - perfect for Slimming World members. Starters and mains devourved we moved onto puddings and took great delight in trying to make a perfect ice cream cornet shaping the ice cream from the serve yourself machine - a little practice needed maybe.

A great weekend with a perfect finish on Sunday - Andy Murray winning Wimbledon