I was off on Tuesday so after running a couple of errands I called in to @waterstones in Sutton for a Cappuccino and also treated myself to a piece of Jewelled Fruit cake. Then I had a bit of wander looking in the shops before going to meet Kath (my best friend's sister) for lunch. We met up at a local Harvester near Morden. We had such a lovely time chatting away we forgot to do a photo of us both, apologies.

Well I hope you all have a lovely Wednesday and stay safe out there xxx

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I had a really lovely day on Saturday meet up with some Instagramfriends. We went into Covent Garden to start getting in the Christmas spirit. We enjoy a coffee before strolling around Covent Garden and some of the surrounding area. Then stop and share a bottle of wine in @tuttonscoventgarden before ending a most enjoyable day of with dinner in Ivy Market Grill.

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I spent a lovely if overcast autumn day with my Instagram friend Helen visiting Basildon Park a National Trust House near Reading, Berkshire. We had such a lovely day visiting this beauty house, the odd cup of tea and plenty of nattering.

Basildon Park is 18th-century Bath-stone house was inspired by Italian Palladian architecture. It's set in 400-acre of parkland. It was designed by John Carr in the Palladian style.

The house was built between 1776 and 1783 for Sir Francis Sykes made his money after joined the British East India Company.

In the 19th Century Basildon's interiors were now finally completed and the estate had a seventy-year period of security. The new owner was James Morrison, a Hampshire born, self-made millionaire. From humble beginnings as an employee of a London haberdasher. By 1820, Morrison was possessed of a fortune he was investing wisely to become one of Victorian England's wealthiest men. Morrison died at Basildon in October 1857.

Basildon Park was occupied by James Morrison's unmarried daughter, Ellen, until her death in 1910. Her demise marked the beginning of a downward turn in Basildon's history. Then in 1914, it was requisitioned by the British Government as an Army Convalescent Hospital.

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The Woodlands Park Hotel is such a lovely old house with such an elegant stair which just cries out to be photographed. So I decided it would be rude not to.

Here's a brief history of Woodlands Park. It was designed by Rowland Plumbe in 1885 for Mr F.C. Bryant, the son of the founder of the match company, "Bryant and May". It incorporated some modern innovations which included making it one of the first country houses with electric light. The house became a centre for Edwardian Society with regular weekend house parties. Guests include the Prince of Wales (who became King Edward VII), Lillie Langtry and Oscar Wilde.

In 1897, a Mr W Benson (a Bond Street Jeweller) bought the house and then sold it to Lieutenant Eustratio Ralli in 1911. The Ralli Family left the house after the Wall Street Crash of 1929.

During the Second World War it was converted into a home for the elderly which continued until 1975. Following extensive alterations it re-opened as a hotel in April 1981.

Information from
www.handpickedhotels.co.uk/woodlandspark/welcome/inspirat...

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On Thursday I met up with my friend, Gillian Hamilton, for Afternoon Tea at the Woodlands Park Hotel in Cobham, Surrey. We had such a lovely time. Gillian choose the Halloween Themed Afternoon Tea and I choose the Savoury Afternoon Tea. We both agreed both were delicious and the service excellent. All the staff were friendly and welcoming which made for a lovely time.

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