Almost a perfect day!

Mmmm, a bit different to yours methinks - in fact the opposite! A day out with all the family, on the beach in the sun with the sea warm enough to swim in. Pony rides on the beach followed by a barbecue. Hunstanton perhaps.

I had a perfect day on Thursday. Was on a short break in South Wales. Lovely sunny blue sky day. Walked in lovely gardens of the house where we were staying. Pub lunch outside overlooking river and ruined castle. Managed the stepping stones easily (younger folks wobbling and screaming (had to talk DH over - "come on, you'll be alright. The next one's easy" ) Then ice creams at the beach. And back to lovely garden. And orange and lemonade with cheese and onion crisps at pub in the evening, again overlooking the river.

Unfortunately it was slightly spoiled when the huge door handle on an ancient gate, grabbed the knuckle of my thumb. Blood all round.

Is it ever quite perfect? Came close.

Perfect days can be weather dependant.

I love South Wales. Where did you stay?

Thursday was perfect for me too.
DH and I climbed Wetherlam in the Lake District and it was quite a struggle, but we made it to the top just as the cloud lifted and we had fantastic views of all the southern Lake District fells.
Then we went down to Tilberthwaite and the sun shone and it was just so beautiful.
We were staying at the Skelwith Bridge Hotel and dinner was excellent.
What more could I want

A perfect day for me would be the whole family to come here for a barbecue, with lovely sunny weather and for them to stay into the evening so we can all sit in the garden and chat by candlelight

Same here KatyK nothing could ne nicer

Your day sounds good though jingl I laughed at the talking your DH across the river on the stepping stones. Aren't WE supposed to be the frailer ones?

Sometimes the simplest things are the best. Sat on the harbour wall at Padstow with the whole family, in the sun, enjoying a glorious Cornetto. That day is fixed in my memory for ever. The pleasure of it is almost painful because we're all so mich older now, and some are no longer with us.

I do agree with you Papaoscar family are everything.

However on Thursday I took my DH to a surprise birthday lunch at a fabulous café called The Quince Tree near Henley on Thames. If anyone lives near there you must go it is the best café/shop/pub I have ever been too.

Anyway as we sat there toasting his 69 years I said 'Let's freeze this moment in time' and then the tears came.

It would have been perfect if our son and 2 grandsons could have been there with us.

Petallus we stayed at Merthyr Mawr, near Ogmore-by-sea.

You hit the spot, NanK, I suppose you can't have the pleasure and not the pain.

My perfect day will be on Monday when I collect DD and 2 x DGS from Teeside airport. The house will be clean ( and again in 9 weeks when they go home!) and freezer and cupboards full of food. Hopefully flights will be on time and no problems.

Enjoy Tiggy. I hope the sun shines throughout their visit.

Thanks Nfk. I too hope it is at least dry especially the week after next when the Spanish crowd arrive as well and I shall have 5 little boys under the age of 7.

Thank you janea for reviving some very happy memories. We celebrated our Silver Wedding anniversary at the Skelwith Bridge Hotel 31 years ago and I was pleased to hear it is still good. I remember walking by the river to Elterwater on a perfect summer day.

Perfect days can come quite out the blue, can't they? I think it's good, in the times when you're feeling down, to remember that one could be just around the corner. No matter how unlikely it may seem today, it could be there.

The hotel was lovely Annsixty, and the dinner/bed&breakfast rate very good value for money.
I think that little area, Elterwater, Loughrigg, Little Langdale and Tilberthwaite is heaven on earth.

Jingl you are so right. Never give up hope that things will get better

Such a contrast: last Sunday was perfect - sunny and warm; gourmet picnic in beautiful estate by the Thames; watched GSs and DS2 frolicking in the swimming pool; enjoyed lovely gardens. Today, marooned at home by miserable drizzly weather. In fact, drizzle seems to be turning to rain. Bah!