OK, I’ll warn you, this is an epic post. Far longer than intended, but it’s just that I’ve had the most perfect, blissful weekend.

The sun was shining. I was relaxed. I was surrounded by some of the people I love the most in the world.

And there was chocolate.

I kicked off Good Friday by waking at 6am to finish the last few hundred words of my essay. The relief when it was done was incredible. I went down stairs to where Mr. LA was playing with the children and threw my arms round him! I felt so elated, knowing that all that stands between me and my MA now is my dissertation, and after managing to write 10,000 words in 2 weeks I feel like writing 20,000 in just under 5 months is perfectly do-able. I mean, I’ve come this far…

We spent a few mad hours tidying the house in anticipation of the arrival of my (s)in-laws before heading to the park with the children to enjoy the sunshine while we waited for our guests.I think Carl has high hopes for Jesse and his football skills but whenever the ball comes near him he insists on sitting on it, much to his big sister’s amusement! Probably not the next Beckham then…
So glad to dust off my favourite maxi dress from last summer. I haven’t actually bought any new summer clothes yet but I did spot that Warehouse have repeated this incredibly flattering frock in a new fabric. Very tempted indeed.

Saturday was all about the beach.

We made the short train ride along the coast to Teignmouth. Jesse was incredibly excited about the ‘choo choos’ and kept shouting ‘Hello Thomas’ every time an engine whizzed past. This stretch of railway is beautiful, the train glides through the countryside right next to the water, on a choppy day you feel as if the waves could crash right up against the windows.

As a London girl born and bred I still have to pinch myself occasionally about the fact we live 20min from the sea. This is probably my favourite stretch of local coastline to visit with the children as there’s an amazing playground in addition to the beautiful sandy beach.After exhausting ourselves on the climbing frame and swings we did all the things you’re supposed to do at the beach. We ate fish and chips, strolled along the promenade, hung out in the arcade, ate ice-cream and treated the children to a donkey ride. Or, as Jesse would say, a ‘nonkeeee’ ride…Mmmmm… scampi and chips! I could eat this again right now actually.

We begun Easter Sunday in the only acceptable way… with chocolate.
Izzy slipped on her egg hairband and spent a couple of hours decorating eggs, hiding them and then finding them again with her older cousin Charlie.Meanwhile, I prepared a Sunday lunch of epic proportions. Roast beef, yorkshires, smashed carrots, leeks, green beans, roast potatoes and lashing of gravy. I didn’t take a picture, I was too busy eating.

After all that food we decided to take a walk down to the quay. I love strolling along the river and I love it even more when you stop for a shandy on the way.
A rare shot of Mr. LA smiling. Must have been the rum and coke he was sipping. That or the sunshine went to his head.

Sunday evening was spent eating (again) and drinking copious amount of wine. I was more than a little hungover this morning as we waved goodbye to Mr. LA’s family.

We decided to head into town for lunch and ended up in Nandos. For a restaurant devoted to grilling chicken they do the most amazing veggie burgers. I have mine medium hot with a slice of Halloumi. Yum. After lunch I indulged in a spot of shopping (more on that later) before heading to the park again.

The children were exhausted by the time dinner rolled around this evening. I cooked up a huge pot of beans and the smell of the tomatoes, oregano and garlic bubbling away smelt so summery.

Treated us to some summer berries for pudding. I mix some frozen ones with a punnet of strawberries and soak them in a generous glug of elderflower cordial and a dash of lemon juice. Crumble a little shortbread into some bowls and dollop some vanilla ice cream on top of a spoonful or so of the fruit before drizzling over some of the liquor from the bowl the berries have been soaking in. Delicious.

This evening I intend to do little more than soak in a warm bath (with the window wide open. I love taking baths like that in warm weather, feels kind of decadent), watch an Audrey Hepburn movie (although I’m not sure which yet), eat some (more) chocolate and try and force myself to have an early night with a good book.

I hope you all had a fabulous Easter weekend, filled with chocolate and fun. What were the highlights? Favourite Easter egg??

Loveaudrey xxx