father's day weekend

It was one of those weekends where I barely had 5 mins to myself, which is totally cool - I love socialising - but dear god I'm knackered!

Saturday was spent in little old Surbiton. I'd not been back since Mitch and I moved to Brixton nearly two years ago so it was good to return and meet up with some of my friends who still live in the area. I had a nosey around the charity shops - the ones on surbiton highstreet always had a few gems and I was happy to see that that hadn't changed - before heading to The Grove, the local pub just a minute walk from our old flat. It has a massive beer garden but sadly the weather wasn't great so we ate inside in their newly refurbished restaurant. I had the best tart I've ever eaten. It was huge. Wild garlic and mushroom filling inside shortcrust pastry to die for, plus a side of truffle mash. Heaven. Food was followed by loads of catching up with everyone, much drinking and a rather late taxi ride home (I could not face a 2hr night bus ride).

Charity shop haul - a childhood fave and an amusing purchase originally published in 1945.

The beast of a tart.

Getting in at 3:30 was not a smart move as I had to be up at 7:30 to join the rest of my family for father's day and my nan's 89th birthday celebrations in the New Forest. Needless to say I was a little worse for wear but nothing that some sausage, bacon and homemade oat cakes on arrival at my auntie and uncle's house couldn't sort out! Bellies full we spent the afternoon at one of my favourite places, Milford on Sea. It's not a fancy coastal spot, just a small pebbly beach (with an cafe that sells good icecream) but I love it. We all enjoyed some afternoon tea (including salmon and cream cheese sandwiches, flapjacks and muffins) and some birthday cake back at my auntie's house before driving back to London.

Milford on sea and homemade coffee cake

A lovely weekend but I feel like I need another weekend to recover from it!