Mummy’s Jolly to Chester

Sometimes .. just sometimes .. Mummy needs a break from the blue eyed boys … and this weekend I got to go away with the husband ( the brown eyed one )  to celebrate our 7th wedding anniversary ! 7 Years … 7 years .. you get less for … well .. you know ….

We went off to Chester with plans of just relaxing and being together .. just the two of us .. away from the mad hustle , bustle , buzz and high energy life we live normally !!  And thats just what we got … we stayed at a beautiful B & B called Stone Villa Chester just off the Hoole Rd ( http://www.stonevillachester.co.uk).

This was the ultimate in calm and chill !! Dave greeted us as long lost friends .. settled us into our gorgeous room ( With the most enormous & fabulously sparkling en suite) gave us the little housekeeping chat ( wi-fi .. very important for a social media addict like me !) then invited us downstairs for tea & homemade cakes !!! Dave and Kirsty couldn’t do enough for us .. from booking our restaurant tables to giving directions to where we needed to go to local information to ensure we were completely happy ! The B & B itself was meticulously clean and homely … a calm , quiet and friendly place where you could relax in the lounge or just lay your head at night ! We particularly loved the complimentary sherry at reception … a truly British tradition alive and well at Stone Villa

( Oh and just as an aside .. the breakfasts were immense .. and I can highly recommend the porridge … cream , honey & drambuie if you please .. a great way to kick start your day !!) . We will definitely be returning … whenever we get to escape .. erm I mean the lovely opportunity to visit again !!

We met with friends in the evening .. my very best friend who I see too little … we had a fantastic evening of food and wine  and a jolly good catch up ! Just what the doctor ordered !!

The next day , after a rather naughty but gorgeous full English we headed off to Cheshire Oaks for the brown eyed one to buy himself some new trainers ! The joy of himself is that he’s pretty easy to please … so the task was not an arduous  one thankfully !!  We then stopped in at the Tourist Info point to purchase discounted & fast track entrance tickets to Chester Zoo ( A very lucky stumble upon as we were fully prepared for full price!!) and off we went ..

Now going to a zoo is always fun .. going to a zoo as a mother of 3 without the children .. is quite possibly one of the most bizarre experiences!  I loved seeing the animals .. I loved being able to be as excited as I wanted to be without the eldest rolling his eyes declaring loudly & sullenly ” Muuuuum …..!!”  and I loved not having to stop every 5 minutes for a toilet break .. drink .. ice cream … However I did feel a little bit lost and spent quite alot of time announcing ” I wish the kids were here ” ! Never satisfied …. ! Chester Zoo is a must if you are in this part of our wonderful country … so much to see and do (if you’ve got the kids with you !!! ) It’s a fantastic day out for all the family !! Loads of open spaces for picnics and resting .. plus plenty of facilities & snack huts with indoor facilities should the Great British Summer return !! ( I mean rain ..)

Our weekend doesn’t end there .. well you have to make the most of it .. who knows when the next child free one will be ????

We headed back to Stone Villa then popped round the corner to The Faulkner pub and had the most amazing burgers … I opted for Black Pudding & Chorizo burger … Uh-Maze-Ing !!!  and totally adequate to refuel this Mum on a mission !! (Along with a cheeky pint or two of lager !! Dontcha know …)

We then headed back to Cheshire Oaks to watch a film .. The World End ! As a Simon Pegg fan … This Geekfest was just what I needed (and we missed the big storms too .. Double bubble bonus)  I also had a close encounter with a minion ….. who knew they were so BIG !!!!!

On the Sunday  after another immense breakfast at Stone Villa ( See aforementioned Manna from Heaven … I mean ..porridge) we headed into Chester (a 10 minute walk from Stone Villa)  and walked the city walls ! Chester is gorgeous .. so ye olde worldy .. yet so modern , vibrant and bustling .. without being busy and oppressive  ! I loved it !!!  A perfect end to a perfect weekend ….

But by golly I missed my boys ……….!!!