A lovely birthday

 My birthday started with a lovely long across-the-world video call from Rosie in NZ.  It was so good to see her and speak to her again and we are so fortunate to have this lovely way of communicating now.

The girls and I didn't have to go too far to celebrate my birthday today.  We booked a meal at Tomatitos in Hay-on-Wye.  I had never had Tapas before, and we chose a lovely selection of plates including Potatos Bravas, Gambas Pil Pil (prawns in garlic sauce), Fresh anchovies (totally different to tinned!!), meatballs, Crackers with Membrillo and a lovely goats' cheese, chicken wings, and a couple of others I can't recall.  Scrummy.  Mind you, two glasses of Rioja at lunchtime = very tired birthday girl by the time we got home!!  We chatted with some lovely people on a nearby table, and when she heard I'd been to Petra, she recommended a book which she knew I would love, The Dovekeepers by Alice Hoffman.  Well, I had a rash moment when I got home and Mr Amazon is sending me a paperback copy tomorrow.  I will need to "work nights" to catch up on all the books I have to read :)

I was looking in the window at Addyman's and they had the classics beautifully bound and with painted edgings.  Gabby treated me to my favourite Bronte novel . . .

Then in the other Addyman shop, more . . .  I treated myself to Tess, my favourite Hardy novel.

The wool was from Booth's and is for the brim of my work-in-progress bobble hat.  Now I can back to the inner brim, which apparently I should have started with!

Too nice not to take a photo of.  Made from old sari fabric.

I took a photo of titles so I could check them out back at home.

Temptation.  Fortunately I have LOTS of embroidery skeins.

The bar had a lovely atmosphere.  Would love to go there again.

It was market day and Tam bought herself a couple of plants and treated me to a White Foxglove.  She also brought me a bottle of my favourite cider from her local Deli, along with Crab Pate, which will be my special treat for tomorrow's lunch (and until it runs out).  I will buy a good loaf of crusty bread from the Baker's in the morning.

Of course, a lunchtime drink is fatal and I had to have a Time Team nap when I got back and the girls had gone home.  I have had such a lovely day and chatted to friends in Hay.  It has always felt like a second home to me!

Tomorrow is going to feel very flat!  I've just subscribed to History Hits though, which was my joint present from my kids.  That will give me something to look forward to every day and it doesn't take up any room!!!