A fun weekend

[English Bloke]

My wife and I went out to a fund raiser wine tasting for my daughter's school on Friday. It was by ticket admission or pay on the door and there were 34 different wines (68 bottles) covering the full gamut of whites, rosé and reds from bubbly Champagnes to robust Ports and Madeiras.


There were tasting notes prepared to guide the inexperienced (me) with pencils to jot down your own observations when hunting out the "pine sap", "lemony citrus" or "undertones of almond and old leather" should the fancy take. (I haven't a clue about any of that so I just followed the notes). There was also an expert on hand who when I chatted to him seemed most enthusiastic about selling me a case or two of any that I particularly liked. I didn't take him up on his kind offer.


We went along with our chums Arthur and Sarah.


It was a crackin' night. My wife was driving so no worries about having to spit them all out.

The Kilt is a new made to measure Scottish National Tartan from Bob Chalmers (Bobilishious Kilts). It's Lochcarron Strome (16oz) 30 pleats and to sett, three buckles, double fringe. Laaaaaverlee it is.

[English Bloke]

Next morning we were up early and off with daughter and son on a "Dad's big adventure". No-one knew where we were going except me...


A beautiful "Indian summer" morning, we headed south, passing all the turn-offs for some really exotic locations.


And after a couple of hours we finally arrived.


A wonderful world of chocolate, the exhibition weaves through the factory and packaging plant where tons of chocolate products are manufactured each day.


It covers the story of chocolate from the discovery of the cocoa bean to the latest confectionary offerings and the philanthropic endeavours of the Cadbury family in the creation of the town of Bournville.


This particular bit of the Museum was designed by Aardman Animations (Wallace and Gromit) and was used in the advertising introduction to the British soap series Coronation Street.




We had lunch outside in the fresh air. It was difficult to get my little girl to sit down for five minutes in the midst of an enormous adventure playground.


Smashin' day out and bags of deelish choccy bought and brought home.

[English Bloke]

On the way home we stopped off at the shops to grab some beers and then on to a BBQ. The steaks were very welcome after all that driving.


Most were quite a bit ahead of us but the party went on into the wee small hours.


Nice to see my boy had a great day too.

The Kilt incidentally is a Nicholson Ancient 8yd Lochcarron Strome (16oz) pleated to sett. Not made to measure but exactly my size. I got it on ebay for a handful of peanuts.

[cessna152towser]

Great pics John, looks like a wonderful way to spend the weekend.

[CMcG]

My wife and I went out to a fund raiser wine tasting for my daughter's school on Friday. It was by ticket admission or pay on the door and there were 34 different wines (68 bottles) covering the full gamut of whites, rosé and reds from bubbly Champagnes to robust Ports and Madeiras.

What a great way to raise money... by raising one's wine glass

English Bloke, you have quite an enviable collection of kilts. How many are you up to now?

[MacMillan's son]

Very nice John! Looks like a fantastic weekend with friends, and your lovely family. Good looking kilts too!

Cheers,
Brooke

[piperdbh]

I want to come hang out with you, John. That's the best weekend plan I've heard of in a long time.

[Santa Wally]

What a great family outing, I'm sure the smell of chocolate pervaded the air as you ate. Your family was full of smiles. That was a 2 thumbs-up day for sure.

[Downunder Kilt]

Wine, chocolate and a BBQ, crikey you have a hard life EB. Looks like you, the family and friends had a great weekend. Good one mate. Thanks for the pics

[Spartan Tartan]

Looks like a nice weekend.