Wine Tasting Weekend Away

Hello Kittens. I've just returned from a fabulous weekend away wine tasting with my sister, and I have to say I can't remember the last time I had so much fun! On Friday evening we got the train from Euston and headed to Bosworth Hall where the event was held. The train journey was just over an hour, and we got into the party spirit by indulging in a few glasses of Rose. Boswoth Hall is a beautiful Grade II listed mansion in the Warwickshire countryside, and a 20 minute taxi ride from Nuneaton which is the nearest station. 

We arrived just in time for dinner so quickly checked in and freshened up before heading down to the restaurant. Meals were buffet style with a good selection of courses. After dinner we headed to the bar to check out the wine selection. A few bottles and a good gossip later and we were ready for bed.

The next morning we woke bright and early and headed down for a hearty cooked breakfast. Wine tasting started at 9:45 which feels like a ridiculously early time to be drinking, but hey, when in Rome.

There were 14 of us on the course which was run by Thirty Fifty. Our host Erik Falck was brilliantly knowledgeable, put us all at ease and happily answered questions from us eager beavers. Throughout the day we tasted 17 different wines, including a blind tasting, and learned how to pair wine with food, Old World versus New World Wine, how to blend different grape varieties and how to assess value for money in a bottle of wine. The course ran until 4:00pm and included lunch with specially paired wines. It's fair to say by the end of the course everyone was feeling a bit tipsy and in good spirits. I would recommend the course to anyone who likes drinking wine and would like to learn more about it. Would be brilliant for a girls weekend away, hen do or romantic getaway. 

The following day we made the most of the pleasant Spring weather and wondered around the hotel grounds which were absolutely stunning. If you ever visit, do take advantage of the hotel facilities and book in for a spa treat. 

Great weather, beautiful venue, great company, yummy food and fabulous wine. My idea of heaven. We are hoping to make this an annual treat. Seriously can't recommend it enough. Cheers!

Girls Weekend in Liverpool

As a belated birthday present to my friend Jess, this weekend we headed to Liverpool for a night out. Celebrations started on the train with a bottle of bubbles, and a couple of hours later we arrived.

After getting dressed up we headed out for cocktails

Next up was dinner at Circo, where we were treated to an impressive freakshow performance during dinner.

Birthday girl was invited to the stage to perform!

Dinner was lovely. I had the confit if duck to start, pork belly for main and a hazelnut and chocolate brownie for dessert.

We woke up the next day with sore heads all round. After refueling with a fry up we took advantage of the good weather to blow the cob webs away with a stroll around the docks.

 We had an amazing time and want to make it an annual trip. The last time we went to Liverpool together was 7 years ago. Here is a little then and now picture.

Love Friday's

On a Friday night there is nothing I like more than cocktails with the girls. Cocktails always feel like such a treat and girly catch ups just don't happen often enough for my liking so the minute we got a date in the diary I started getting excited.

The 4 of us met up in Carnaby Street and sunk several bottles of wine at The Blue Posts pub. Feeling tipsy and hungry, we headed to nearby Cha Cha Moon and ordered a ridiculous amount of food. We shared a selection of starters, and I had the duck curry for main.

I couldn't resist a few cheeky snaps of me and the girls

Next up was more cocktails at Bittersweet which is a fairly new cocktail bar in Soho. The venue was gorgeous, the cocktails not so much. I am a massive fan of sours so when I spotted the Pisco Sours I went in for the kill. It looked pretty but was a bit of a let down. Far too bitter for my liking. The Espresso Martini wasn't much better.

It was such a warm evening we decided to seek out a roof terrace, and Vista @ The Trafalgar most certainly did not disappoint. 

The space was gorgeous with awesome views of the London skyline at night

After a few vodka and tonics and gossip galore, it was time to make like Cinderella and leave the party. I wish all Friday's could be like this.