Apologies to those of you who have come in search of my usual weekly bullet points. I feel like posting something a bit more substantial today. Just to confuse you further, I’m actually going to go back in time to last weekend when we took the train to Salisbury to celebrate my Grandmother’s 80th birthday…

Izzy had a party to attend in Exeter on Saturday night, so Jesse and I travelled alone, arriving a little after midday. A crowd of us spent the afternoon exploring Salisbury in the sunshine. My mum and her siblings grew up in the city and I have many happy memories from visiting my Gran as a child.

The cathedral was glorious, especially as the Birmingham Symphony Orchestra happened to be rehearsing as we wandered round. 

Later we headed to the local playground so Jesse and my aunt’s dog, Scamper, could have a run around. I spent hours and hours here when I was little. I remember my dad teaching me to use the monkey bars for the very first time in this park.   

On Sunday morning my Gran’s house was a hive of activity. I busied myself in the kitchen, helping my mum assemble the huge cake she had made. Its ribbon was adorned with old photos of my Gran looking particularly glamorous. I made the topper using paper straws, pretty pink twine and my alphabet stamps. 

Carl and Izzy arrived just before midday. The party itself was held at Leaden Hall School. The venue was beautiful and even had its very own rose garden. The weather was perfect too, and the children were free to roam the playing field. I have such fond memories of similar events from my own childhood. I only wish they had more cousins to get into mischief with!

We enjoyed the most delicious buffet in the conservatory. Dessert was particularly spectacular, with a choice of pavlova, profiteroles, lemon tart and fresh summer berries. I had one of everything. Naturally.

I’m so pleased I got a good photo of the brithday girl…

After the meal there were speeches and Izzy sang for her Great-Grandmother. We took a million family photos on the lawn outside.

In case you’re curious, I wore an ancient polka dot dress and my beloved navy Shilo heels, both from LK Bennett

The afternoon slipped away and we reluctantly said goodbye. I felt exhausted, but content, as we travelled home on the train. I’m very lucky to have such a wonderful family.

Love Audrey xxx

PS. If you simply can’t bear not knowing what we got up to this weekend, why not take a look at my Instagram feed?