Catch up

So much happened last year. I got a temporary promotion, I broke my wrist, we barely spent any time together as couple and, the worst thing to happen, we lost our beloved cat. Heartbroken doesn't even begin to cover how that made us feel. He was our boy, our companion, our little dude. 

The other big thing that has happened in the last couple of weeks also started last year. On my birthday we got the phone call we had feared for years. Our landlord wanted to sell our home. The home my husband has rented for almost 25 years. The home where we had our first date. The home where I first met my step-daughter. The home where we made his family our family. The home where we have laughed, cried, argued, grieved. So many emotions came over me as soon as I got the call. I was at work on my lunch break and I ran on to the shop floor to tell my manager and burst into tears. I didn't know what we would do. I was heartbroken and I had to tell my husband we had to leave our family home. 

Then we got told that because our landlord knew how much the house meant to us and how much we loved living there he wanted to sell it to us. The next few weeks were a total blur. A mix of meltdowns, financial advisor appointments and solicitors emails and phone calls. Fast forward to the 27th February and we got the call from our conveyancers to say we had exchanged! I can't say it was easy and smooth sailing, because it wasn't. None off that matters though and it was all worth it to be able to say its our home. No more 6 monthly rental inspections, no more having to think like a landlord when we decorate, no more having to wait for approval for things to get fixed. Yes, we know that it is all our own responsibility for everything now, but it feels so nice! 

We went out to celebrate that night and then the next day we spent the day apart, as I had plans with my Mum and my Sister. 6 months ago Mum decided we needed a treat and that she wants to start making more memories together, so she booked us on a Pullman Dining Train Journey. And it was INCREDIBLE!! We got on the train at 0940 and we did a round trip to Carlisle and back. The scenery was so beautiful and the weather was perfect for watching the world go by. 

It felt like we did nothing but eat all day. We started with a lovely light breakfast of yoghurt with granola, berry coulis and heather honey, followed by a choice of pastries or fruit loaf. Endless tea and coffee! About an hour and a half after we finished breakfast the lunch service started. First came the champagne and canapes for pallet cleansers. Starters followed which was smoked trout with leaves and a potato and chive salad, served with bread and butter. I am not normally someone that eats fish but this was delicious! The smoked flavour was perfect and it wasn't dry, the potato salad was the perfect pairing for it. Then came the main course, wow! Beef cheek with maple glazed vegetables and saffron mash. The beef was so tender, you didn't need a knife, it fell apart. And the flavour, my goodness, it was so rich but not too much at the same time. After the main we had the course I had most been looking forward to. The cheese board! I thought we may just get a small plate with a one or two cheeses but they bought round the biggest cheese board I have ever seen! There was a strong, creamy cheddar, a mild brie, a heavy blue, another cheddar made with nettle and I think a wensleydale that had cinnamon and apple in it. I couldn't decide which I wanted and was really stuck for choice until I heard a few people asking to try a bit of everything, so that's what I did! Every single piece of cheese was delightful! Dessert was a gorgeous, light, coffee and chocolate cake, a bit like a tiramisu. Then chocolates and more tea and coffee! Lunch service lasted about 5 hours, it was really lovely. You could take your time and enjoy every course, all whilst getting VIP treatment and looking at the stunning views. 

It was a lovely treat from Mum, we are now looking for our next thing to do! Mum and I also took ourselves away to Harrogate for a couple of days last year and had the best time. Since we lost Dad its difficult for Mum to do things like that, so to be able to get here away from home for just 2 nights was brilliant for her. She thoroughly enjoyed herself, found the M&S and shopped 'til she dropped! Harrogate is definitely a place we would go back to. Just need to find the time to get there with her again.