Showing posts with label birthday. Show all posts
Showing posts with label birthday. Show all posts

Saturday, 18 February 2012

A Wonderful Country Break: Combe House Hotel, Devon

 What a fantastic week we have just had.

My husband was celebrating his birthday, and as a special treat we booked a few days away in a sumptuous country house hotel,  Combe House Hotel, Honiton, Devon.  You can find the website here, and its full of useful information.

I highly recommend it.

As you know I am a keen cook, but it was heavenly not to set foot in my kitchen for 3 days.  The food at the hotel was divine.  We ate beautiful breakfasts of fruit and yoghurt, followed by delicious traditional English cooked breakfasts, such as kippers, poached eggs and smoked salmon, and of course, eggs, bacon, sausage, tomatoes and mushrooms.  All scrumptious, served with coffee, home made bread or toast, and homemade marmalades and jams.  What a wonderful start to the day!

We spent the two days there exploring the Devon countryside.  Inspiring Dartmoor, and pretty seaside towns, just lovely.

In the evening we ate more fantastic food.  The menus are on line, if you follow the links above.  And as we were there on Valentine's Day we had the bonus of a Tasting Menu, which was amazing, with the addition of a wine list planned to accompany the meal.

The service was flawless.  Our little girl was the only child there, and was treated with such kind consideration.  She had her supper early, and was happy to stay in our room, while we ate.  (My husband and I took it in turns to pop up and check her between each course.)

The three nights away were a great tonic, we slept well, and  we were really relaxed.  If you are looking for a wonderful treat, then do have a look at this delightful place.

The building dates back to  Tudor times

Set beautifully on a hill

Lovely stone

The front door

Looking into the restaurant

A view from our room

And another

Horses grazing in the fields

Our room was very comfortable

Our little girl had this perfect sofa bed,
she was delighted with it!

Beautiful vistas

The bathroom

Portraits of past residents

Are all around the hotel

Along with lovely prints

The radio was tuned into Radio 3,
very relaxing

Morning coffee break, with home baked biscuits

Lovely lighting in the evening

A Romantic atmosphere

He used to wander the moor!

So very comfortable

Perfect lighting

This old Georgian kitchen is wonderful

It can be rented for parties


The vegetable garden was just waking up from the winter

Old, established trees

And of course lovely little snow drops.

Monday, 12 December 2011

Happy Birthday !

Yesterday was my eldest son's 25th birthday.  We had a quiet celebration at home; a venison casserole for lunch, and a birthday cake instead of pudding.

I really had to squeeze the 25 candles on the cake, which had been baked  and decorated to his specification, though the stars were an addition from his little sister. (I'll put the recipe and instructions, such as they are, on my other blog.)

Celebrating his birthday yesterday, set me  thinking.  I realised that I have now been a mother for over half my life.  My son is now older then I was when he was born!  It takes some adjusting to.

I always find my children's birthdays are times to count my blessings.

And I love anticipating what the future will bring us as a family.








Advent is a time for waiting and anticipating, so this is my little Pause for Advent,  which is co-ordinated by Floss.

I do  hope you have time to spend a few moments looking back at happy memories and looking forward to exciting futures.