1 year, 18 days since the start of the 1st lock down in March 2020.
Happy 18th wedding anniversary to us! The day started with snow that actually pitched. Very unlike the 12th of April 2003 when it was so mild I could walk in the grounds of Dumbleton Hall in just short sleeves.
We had a leisurely breakfast and exchanged cards - I always try and get Colin a token gift based on the theme for that particular anniversary - the 18th is porcelain. I had got Colin a porcelain Villeroy and Bosch right handed espresso cup! He was pleased.
I was rather doubtful as to how the weather would be later but as it started to brighten up we headed for the National Trust Hatchlands Place and as we got closer the sun came out. Although it was bitterly cold the snow did melt on the sun and we were able to sit out for the first time and enjoy a cafe latte and in my case a chocolate brownie - there were even a couple of donkeys to stroke.
We walked in the sunshine around the estate and then decided to find somewhere for some lunch although we had not booked anywhere in advance and as the 12th of April is the first day that non essential shops and restaurants and cafes are opening (for outside seating only). Surprisingly we managed to get a table at the Plucky Pheasant which is a place I had already identified to take Hester and Brian to when they come down for her delayed birthday present at the gin distillery nearby. This was out first time properly eating out and it worked very well. The food was delicious and everyone well paced out. However, the temperature was still low since the snow of earlier in the day so the blankets provided were much appreciated.
We headed back home in the afternoon, stopping briefly to drop-off card supplies at Card Collection on Molesey. When back I popped out to get some grab shots of Teddington High Street for the editor of the TW magazine as she has some advertising planned tomorrow.
Finally it was the event of the day, the first meal out at a restaurant for probably about 7 months since we were on our brief trip to Derbyshire last September. I amazingly had managed to book a table at 7.30 at La Dolce Vita - an Italian restaurant that we have never actually eaten at before. In the event it was very well organised with plenty of space between the tables and most importantly, a good menu so for the first time in ages we could choose what we wanted to eat rather than what we had in the fridge. I started with spicy king prawns and then keeping with shellfish, went onto a spaghetti marinara and we finished by sharing a Panna Cotta with the perfect wobble. It was a chilly day but a good anniversary in the circumstances - happy 18th anniversary!
