Monday 12 November 2012

A Tale of Two Cities.



No not the cathedral, but still pretty impressive to my mind. On Wednesday Sue K and I had a jaunty day out. We had a wander round Norwich, fortunately it was just the day for a jaunt as it was a little chilly but very sunny and NO wind or rain. We chose well we thought.


Here at the market is Sue with an encredibly well endowed brain. I have no idea about the provenance of said brain but it also is a pretty impressive edifice!


This paving slab is just one of many interesting memorial slabs to be found in the city.I particularly liked this one as my Grandad was a joiner, and through my dad, my husband has inherited his huge wooden tool box with several box planes like this one.

We spent time in Paperchase...and a few pennies too! We had a cappucino here:


And we were VERY GOOD and didn't have any cake as we were saving ourselves for lunch!


 No I wasn't sitting in the cupboard under the stairs though it looks like it. And yes, it is a blurry shot, but you just be thankful for the fact!


Then, much against my will, Sue DRAGGED me into this lovely little shop. It is an independant  shop with some fab clothing. Remember  Adini? I had a fair few pieces of theirs in the 80's but then they went 'off' a bit. But they had some nice pieces in here. The owner, Richard was such a nice chap, we saw the photos of his family dogs and chatted dogs for a while.


To be honest it was such a lovely old building it would have set anything off to advantage. We oohed and ahhhed all over it!


These lovely one-offs from Poland caught our eyes. Yes, I know, more grey! But they were gorgeous clothes. AND Richard was having a sale! What more can I say? I have a Very Special Family Occasion coming up next month so I was on the look-out for something nice to wear.


I must say in my own defence that I was positively strong-armed into these purchases. Oooops, this purchase. However, Richard was so nice he gave me two lovely shopping bags like these:


And a beautiful scarf which I haven't photographed. If you live near enough, do pop in and have a look yourself, you won't regret it! (Perhaps your wallet will but I take no responsibility for that!)

Then we were off again. We were both so overcome we had to pop into Waterstones for a quiet browse round the books and then we had a nice sit down and a cold drink. STILL no cake! Oh, yes, then we had a quick walk round the Cath Kidson shop and came out feeling a little UNDERwhelmed. Perhaps we are getting all Cathed-out?

Eventually we finished up here:


This is where the old Waterstones used to be. It's a lovely building.


Just a bit awkward to get much of it in shot without including all the passers-by! Anyway, we had booked so we sailed in.


My starter, stuffed zuccini flower oh! The flavours were wonderful!

Sue had stuffed tiny peppers:


Mouthwatering! Then there was vegetarian canneloni for Sue:


And sea-food bucatini for me:


Both of which were sensational. The aromas, the flavours, really brilliant. We had been given mixed reviews about Jamie's in various places, but we were very pleasantly surprised and impressed. Good service, everywhere clean and comfortable, and  excellent food.  We were so stuffed, I'm afraid we couldn't manage any i dolci! So we never did get our pudden'!

Then we tootled off (sedately, after all that food!) to catch the bus at the Park and Ride, and drove back to Sues in time for a quick drink before I shot off to my melodeon lesson down the road. It really was a quite perfect day. As Sue noted, everyone seemed to be amazingly pleasant to us, we chatted and joked all the way round Norwich and had a terrific jaunt. Don't you just love it when a day goes as well as that? Even without spending money! Thanks for your company Sue it was great fun.

Now I'm afraid I am so fatigued with all this typeing and remembering all that food and spending, that I am going to have to split the post, and tell you about my exciting weekend of musical mayhem next time. I will be quick, honest!

36 comments:

  1. Looks like a great day out. Decent weather, blue skies, Andini clothes shop (I love that sort of thing) lovely lunch.... everything sounds right up my street can I come next time?!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You know I think we should have a Texile Treasury Coach Party...we could do Jamies, the Clothing Shop, pop across to the Egg Shed...ooooh, yes, that'd be a great day out! You'd be more than welcome!Lx

      Delete
  2. We loved Norwich when we went this year, that arcade that Jamie's restaurant is in looks fab. My daughter, Miss A,has just seen your picture and laughed! Who's that she asked, Lynne I said, she's really funny, she LOOKS funny she said! I told her you lived in Norfolk and you said we could meet you when we came over again! She looked a little worried!!! As you will understand, she's quite literal, and not so good at anyone who is a bit different! Ironic really!!! Might just be me popping over for tea!!! :) x p.s. daren't show her the hat picture! X

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh Ada, that is so lovely! I do know just what you mean, top hats, clown faces, pretty scary, actually. I mean it...let me know if you are ever across this way. Lx

      Delete
  3. A brilliant day dear Lynne thanks for your company too. Sorry about the blurry pic I was probably laughing at the time! There was a lot of laughter I remember, and eating as well as spending.....xxxxxxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Just a Poifeck Day! And wasn't everyone nice? We must do something similar soon. But perhaps not shopping this time.............Lxxx

      Delete
  4. Sounds like you had a lovely time! Might have to go to Jamie's at some point - your dishes looked delicious!
    Claire

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Claire I can recommend it, we certainly enjoyed our meal to the full.

      Delete
  5. What a grand day out! Thank you for sharing!
    Victoria xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Victoria, it was a blast, really a great time was had!

      Delete
  6. Looks like a great day! I love the art nouveau facade of that building, really stunning...and the food looks amazing. I've never had a stuffed Zucchini flower, but have always wanted to try one...we've got a Jamie's Italian here in Bristol...hmmm, I feel a foodie jaunt coming on! Rachel x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was my first as well, Rachel, lovely, just layers of flavours. A hint of chilli (I think he puts chilli in lots of his dishes, but not, to my mind, overpowering.) Do go and blog about your meal, I'd be interested in hearing about another restaurant.

      Delete
  7. I just love girlie days out, dipping and diving in and out of shops, cafes, wine bars even. You looked like you had a great day. I haven't been to Norwich for ages and couldn't fit it in on our recent visit to Wroxham. Might have to remedy that.
    Patricia x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Let us know when you're due a visit - we could all meet up for coffee in the 33 cafe....then lunch at Jamies! Hey, I feel an Event coming on!

      Delete
  8. Oh you absolute ladies of leisure! Did you see my hubbie - he works across from that coffee shop, so that's where we always go and I've tried just about every cake they do! And Paperchase! Don't get me started - Rachel and I were drooling over wrapping paper in there a few weeks ago. Everything they have is just ... edible. xCathy

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I could have spent a bomb in there, Cathy...had I not already blown it with the Natural Clothing Company! I probably had my back to your hubbie's place of work as I took the photo - dear me what a small world it is to be sure!

      Delete
  9. I remember Adini too, in fact have only recently had to admit that one lovely floaty skirt was just past it and needed to be chucked out. But I had had twenty years use out of it, not unusual for me I might add as I hate clothes shopping. Also not a fan of plates of arty farty food! It does nothing for me at all, but the day out with a friend? I remember those fondly. Sadly they don't happen any more, unless you count the ones with my best friend, aka my husband, and they are special indeed.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Totally with you on hating clothes shopping, normally as am so self conscious about size...I don't really KNOW what my real size is these days, and I hate that I don't usually have much choice. But these clothes were very forgiving (that's partly why we all loved Adini, right?).

    As to the food - well, I'd agree with you there too about arty farty food, but to be fair, though the plate of little stuffed peppers drizzled with Balsamic DOES somewhat resemble exactly that, it really wasn't that kinda food at all, it was robust, plentiful and served in a very no-nonsense manner- give or take a drizzle of dressing!

    And if you love being with who you're with - that's very special, who-ever they are!

    ReplyDelete
  11. No 33 is my usual first stop for coffee after parking in St Andrews-They do a good breakfast. Must have a look in that clothes shop have always just walked past before.
    Gillx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Go in at your peril, Gill! No, it's a lovely shops and some beautiful clothes in all price bands. It's funny, my friend Sue always uses no. 33, Cathy Potter Jotter is a frequent visitor...I think we should definitely have a Meet Up there for coffee one day, what do you think?

      Delete
  12. I was standing waiting at the till in Morrisons today and the woman in front of me reminded me of you - so much so that I did a double-take and then stared - she caught me at it too - bit embarrassing. You have a doppeldanger in East Sussex. :) (This is what comes of baring our faces on our blogs.)

    That food at Jamie's looks fantastic - what a treat! Our closest Jamie restaurant is in Brighton and I have often walked past it and wondered if it's worth eating there...might give it a go now. Was that grub very garlicky..looks like it is...yum.

    Oh you know what? Your day just sounds wonderful all round. All of it - clothes, stationery, coffee, lunch, a friend to share it with. Perfect.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Wendz I can honestly say, I have NEVER been any where near East Sussex! I must indeed have a doppledanger. Actually I do that all the time - recognise facial types and think I know the person; my husband is always hissing at me 'you do NOT know that woman, leave her alone!'

      I've no idea what Jamie's are like in other cities, one or two people have had negative experiences, but all I can say is we had a great time in Norwich! Give it a go! Oh....garlic...hmm an expected amount, I'd say, but then I love garlic. Not excessive, I'd say. Lx

      Delete
  13. Nothing beats a great day out with a chum ... the addition of cake is good mind you, I think you and Sue need a rerun, with cake included ;)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think it's safe to say, Annie, that we will manage to ingest our fair quota of cake at some point in the near future!

      Delete
  14. I think your photographs are really good, show Norwich off very well. Never been into Jamie's, is it very expensive? Food looked very good.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Actually we thought it was very reasonable. In fact the whole thing was quite in-cheffie if you get my meaning. There were starters under a fiver and mains from, oooooooh anything from about £7 -ish to around £15.00 Don't take this as gospel, I can't remember exactly, but the prices certainly were'nt puffed up as you might have expected them to be. Lx

    ReplyDelete
  16. Looks like you had a fabulous time Lynne, I love catching up with old friends, especially when there is a little retail therapy and eating of delicious food involved :o) xox Happy weekending lovely Lynne x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was lovely, Penny. And ok, we had a nice lunch and I bought some lovely things, but we've had equally good times just browsing, or discovering lovely new places to visit.

      My Saturday will be spent shopping for mum and spending time with her, and Sunday Jim and I are taking our granddaughter her birthday present. And it may include yet another lunch out! Lxx

      Delete
  17. Hi Lynne, Oh my, it looks like a perfect outing. What a wonderful way to send a day with a dear friend . . . I must call my best friend and make a date to do the same:)
    Have a great weekend.
    Your blogging sister, Connie :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Connie, get on that phone right away! You know it makes sense! Lx

      Delete
  18. Just the kind of day I could do with, as it sounds wonderful. I'll just have to wait as I have a trip to Germany next week to see my family and the added treat of the Christmas Market and a Mediaeval Fayre. Can't have everything can I?
    Glad you enjoyed your jaunt.
    Jo x

    ReplyDelete
  19. Hi Jo, yes it was a lovely day out. Bet you have a brill time with your family and ow I wish I cold be there at the Christmas Market! Take lots of photos, now, won't you? Lx. (and enjoy your cuddles with the little one!)

    ReplyDelete
  20. Wow, Norwich looks really nice, I have actually been there but I don't remember it much at all, and not looking as beautiful. That clothes shop looks good, I really do prefer to support independent traders rather than big multinationals,
    Sue Xxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. So sorry Sue, I missed your comment! I do enjoy going into Norwich - doesn't happen often as I'm over the west of the county, but it is a lovely city. I too prefer the independent traders, I loathe the homogenised creep of the multinationals.

      Delete
  21. Shame your photo is blurry Lynne as you look lovely in it. Funny seeing you walk around all the same old paths as me. Like you we end up in No.33 quite a bit, when we can actually get a table, but the food makes the wait worthwhile doesn't it. Often found hiding in a dark corner if I lose my students for a while. Glad for the review of Jamie's as not been that interested to be honest, but it sounds ok.

    Can't believe after all that you were off and out to a lesson at the end of it all.

    X

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ah, no, the blurrier the better! I think there are quite a few of us who enjoy similar shops and 'jaunting experiences'.
      Went again to Jamies this weekend with my other half, didn't book, small crowd at the doors for opening but we were seated swiftly. It got steadily fuller as we ate. I can only say that the service was excellent, young, cheerful staff who really know their stuff - in an unaggressive manner. And the food did not disappoint this time either.Lx

      Delete

I'd love you to comment, maybe join in the conversation - I always try and reply if I can.Anonymous spammers take note: you will not be published. Genuine posters having difficulty will be accepted. Thanks so much for visiting!