Soothills Bakery

Stayed local for a later brekkie yesterday (as Jan had a lay in after a late night out!). Initial plan was to go to the Strawberry Tavern in the re-vamped Locks Heath Shopping Centre. Met outside for the opening time of 10am. 1010 the doors finally opened, with the man opening up announcing that the kitchen was closed. So we aren't recommending them!

So - wandered across to Soothills Bakery. We have been there before, but it has had a revamp since.

Soothills Bakery Locks Heath

 

Very busy with queues for the bakery part - huge choice of loaves/cakes etc. They have about 7 tables down the side for those eating in. We got one down the end, which was nice enough, as the others would have the queued people a bit close for comfort!

Not bad value - £11 for 2 large breakfasts with coffee and lots of toast included. You have a 2 out of 3 choice of beans/mushrooms or tomatoes. Sausages quite spicy - and get 2 fried eggs/sausages and bacon.

Busy old week so have not walked together much. Plus when the weather has been bad with heavy rain showers we tend to go out separately (Jan gets wet as limited time choice for dog walking with work!).

Jan went off down to Bournemouth with her friend Heidi to see the the Back to Broadway touring musical which we saw in February in Reading. Even better than the first time, and her friends daughter Rachel is a true star!

Some of the cast of Back To Broadway - Rachel 3rd from left

 

Highly recommend seeing it if you can - its touring until October around the UK .

All the dogs poddling along. Polly's had a better week with her wobbly legs, and has the occ rest day just helping out with the gardening,

Polly. Still ball obsessed after 11 1/2 years!

Helping mummy gardening

 

whilst Peggy gets a long walk.

Long walk with no slow wobbly dogs for Peggy!

Wheat fields growing - Peggy kept vanishing!

 

Jake is still loving being out and about in his stroller,

Alert and happy Jake

though is doing really well when having a walk in between being pushed considering he is quite poorly.

This isn't a dog who wants to give up walkies!

But he is happy! Jessie seems content with the short and long walks.

Happy Jessie

Until next week...

Keep reading our blog!!

The Coffee House, Bishops Waltham

Last Saturday we took a trip to Bishops Waltham and visited The Coffee House for brekkie. 

It's on the High Street just along from Josie's, one of our earlier visits.  Must be competition but they both appeared to be doing well. It was a nice day and several people sat outside.  We went inside which was very pleasant, people were friendly and a very nice breakfast menu.

We both went for the full English and when it was delivered, piping hot I must say, it looked delicious.

And, it tasted as good as it looked.  Everything was obviously freshly cooked and we had marmalade as well for the toast. Coffee was extra.

Bishops Waltham is a really nice place to wander around, bit different from the usual town centre.  Plenty of little gift type shops and sweetie shops as well as good choice of food shops. I was particularly looking for a birthday pressie and we found a really nice little shop called Bomb Cosmetics and I bought a Little Hottie. It was very nice, take a look.  On the way home we found a very interesting house.  Jan has been telling me about this for ages and I must say I wondered what she was talking about. But, sure enough we came past a house with some mannequins looking from an upstairs window. Apparently they change every so often. We don't know the story behind but maybe someone does and can let us know.

When we got home we picked up the dogs and went for a local walk.  We did Titchfield canal again, mainly because it is easy for Jake's stroller and also they can get in the water to cool off. It was looking very summery along there this week 

Lovely flowers along the bank.

Horses and foals enjoying themselves

Jake and Peggy having a paddle and Jessie thinking about it.

A few pictures from earlier in the week when Polly was out with us too.

Just to prove Jake can walk when he feels like it.

And just because I like it.

Bye for now

Margaret  x 

More outings than brekkie week!

Oops - sorry this week's entry is late. Missed on brekkie out last weekend as Margaret busy celebrating her birthday by going out for lunch practically every day (Happy Birthday Margaret!).

I managed to drag her to Sprinkles on the Bank Holiday Monday as a birthday treat (obviously against my will!). As we have been there a few times we know its good. Maple and banana pancakes were yum!

Lots of walks throughout the week though. Jake continues to hold his own and seems to really enjoy his walkies out now, with more time looking alert and settled in his stroller.

Jake checking out the Hamble river view

 

Best investment Margaret has ever made we think!

on the way down to the beach

Polly is still pretty wobbly, so only manages the shorter walks, but otherwise happy helping her mum out in the garden

My beautiful Pol

 

or sleeping - occasionally on Peggy!

Peg actually tolerated Pol using her as a pillow!

 

Zonked

Weather improving so always trying to head to walkies with water for the dogs to cool off. Plus seems to bring out the wildlife too.

Jan's daily visitor

 

Slowworm at Holly Hill Park

Have headed up to Whiteley woods,

Mega jump for Jessie!

Enjoying walkies - eating wood as normal!

Peg checking out masses of tadpoles in Whiteley Woods

 

Warsash Beach,

Peg and Jessie playing chase

Jess practising her marching

 

Holly Hill as well as our usual walks this week.

Back to normal outing tomorrow! Due to Jake being poorly our bigger outings (we were heading to Sussex to the 'Paws in the Park' show but on delay, plus Jan's working).

And Jan's tadpoles now out in the wild as their legs growing, bye bye froglets!

Next entry shortly! x

Garsons Garden Centre

Once again we decided to stay local for our brekkie this week.  We went to Garsons Garden Centre along Fontley Road, Titchfield. It has recently been refurbished and they now do proper breakfasts. The restaurant looks very smart and you can look out over the the outside gardens.  There is a nice veranda to sit out to eat in the summer, we weren't quite warm enough for that yet.

We went for the full English again.  You can choose to have a small meal of 4 items of your choice or the bigger meal of 8 items.  We both chose to have the larger one. You can select what you want from all the normal breakfast choices, chose how you want your eggs and include toast as 1 of your items.  Coffee is not included.  

It was certainly not one of the cheapest meals we've had, for the two of us including coffee it came to around £18.  It was all well cooked and very enjoyable although it could have been a little hotter.

We've done very well on walks this week too.  Now that I have got the stroller for Jake there is no limit to where we can go. We have been to the Forest of Bere which was lovely, still a few bluebells left and beginning to dry out although some areas still a bit muddy.

 

Did cheat a bit with these bluebells, they are in Jan's garden.  Bere forest too long a walk for Polly.

This stroller is an absolute Godsend.  Jake can still get out and have a little play but ride the long bits.

We can have a little play as well, you're never too old.

Peggy is not attacking Jan, honestly.

This week we've also been down to the shore at Warsash and along the canal in Titchfield.

Well Jake may be getting a rest but we aren't.  Hopefully doing us good, instead of a very slow amble each day we now do a couple of miles of brisk walking.  All for now, more next week.  Byee... Margaret x