Sounds like a very nice B-Day SG, and the pics are lovely. What's a ploughman? Do you have a menu link for the place had dinner?

Ploughmans is what was originally deemed to be a ploughman's lunch. In other words the man that followed the horses on the farm. Traditionally it is cheese, bread and pickles, although this varies greatly. Check the smallprint when you order one (or better yet have me as a natve guide).

It's on the Wetherspoon's menu, but FTR - extra mature cheddar, Melton Mowbray pork pie, pickle and a side salad garnish, with a malted grain baguette.
And here is ASK - higher prices if you compare. They are great value in London, but London prices extend to Berkhamsted, hence no starter or dessert at our table.

Thanks Juni! :)

Actually, I meant Newport OH...a little tiny piece of land with two bars, on route 66 in The Great White North. Have you heard of the country concert? It's around those parts.

However, I've been to Newport Aquarium and it is fantabulous!

The 'rents are home today.
Drive me crackers as they do (sometimes, only sometimes) I did miss them.
I tried to live pretty much by their rules, but still felt a special effort was necessary today in terms of cleaning. Okay, Mum's rules - Dad's just involved the garden and as it's been raining since Sunday it's pretty much taken care of itself.

Anyway, got Mum some flowers to welcome her back. Very simple because she'll be annoyed if I spend too much money. Got them to open nicely though.

Am providing a pick n choose meal on a sort-of tapas basis, because they don't know exactly what time they'll be back. All the food can be eaten over the next few days anyway, so if they've eaten a late lunch, or snacked (I know my parents) it won't go to waste.

ETA - the platter list
Orkney crab pate
Tiger prawns
North Atlantic prawns
Chilli & coriander king prawns
Honey Roast Scottish salmon flakes
Peppered mackerel
Lemon mayonnaise dip

Pic 1 - the flowers.
Pic 2 - the M&S fish platter which forms the backbone (!) of dinner. I'll report in more detail when I find an appropriate food thread.

How sweet of you! Very nice, Sundae! The flowers are really gorgeous. :flower:

Only about half an hour to go until...

12:34:56 7/8/'9

Unless you are in a country that puts the day before the month. Then you'd be a month early. :D

First thing Mum said - literally the first thing, "Did you water the baskets out front? They're looking really parched."

Luckily it improved from there on in.
Although the lavender simmering granules I bought her (she loves the smell of lavender) were overpowering apparently, and she made retching noises to get across how she felt.

She loved the food and drink at least.
And had no other complaints, so I guess the interior was up to muster - or at least close enough that it wasn't worth making a deal out of.

I got a kiss for the flowers though. Reckon I gauged those just right :)

Beautiful flowers, and that fish platter has my mouth watering. :) Must go find food!

Mia (parents' cat) is behaving more normally now they're back. Normal for her anyway. And even though they disappeared off at 08.30 this morning.

Well, she seems happier, and that's a relief. Diz is my darling, but he is a jealous cat, and can be a bully.

And I had a great counselling session today!
And pottery this afternoon.
Feel really positive.

Excuse the sly digs at Mum in #4328.
I should swallow them for 24 hours and see if they still bother me. 9/10 they won't, so I shouldn't mention them. I am glad they're back. In fact we talked and laughed and enjoyed tea so much I completely forgot to take pics of the full spread. Which is a good thing, really.

Living vicariously through other people's happy posts here - lovely to see them all, especially a splatter of them from SG!

My billy goat has a pet (or symbiant?) turkey.

Get out the video camera.

Yea, Awesome news. What did you get?

We bought a bunch of chickens at the feed store a couple weeks back, but one was funny lookin'. He appears to be a broad breasted white, yummy. I've been considering a small flock of traditional birds so we'll see how this guy fares in the goat yard as turkeys are apparently not supposed to run with chickens due to disease issues. Video when I get a chance.