Christmas Trip To Chester

As I mentioned in a few posts last month, my friend Liz and I like to take a Christmas trip in December, usually when all of our shopping and preparations have been completed and we can have a little time spoiling ourselves guilt-free

It didn't quite work out like that this time around due to my lack of organisational skills but there was still plenty of time to shop (and eat)

I love Chester because it's beautiful and festive. I love the medieval buildings and the sense of history. There's literally so much to look at! There are a great range of shops too, although it doesn't take much to impress me, being a country dweller anything more fancy than a Tesco will win me over

Our usual routine is to set off around 9.30am, have a coffee and brunch stop on the way and arrive at our hotel around midday. I use Premier Inn regularly with my job so I am on their mailing list and find out early when they have their end of year sale. I can usually book a night in Chester for £19 - £29 which is a real bargain - worth looking out for if you fancy a trip yourself

Once we've stashed our bags we head off for the first round of shopping. Sadly, this year the weather was less than kind to us and because I was battling a chest infection I was bundled up in my scarf, bobble hat and layers of vests to stay warm and dry, which was not conducive to getting my shop on. Furthermore, I had managed to dress myself in a fetching combo of burgundy cords, brown ankle boots, a green tweed jacket and a burgundy bobble hat - the overall effect was one of 'miserable Christmas elf'. There's a good reason I don't do fashion posts!

We did some last minute gift shopping and stopped at a patisserie (tea for me, coffee and an AMAZING raspberry tart for Liz which I forgot to photo) and I bought Christmas stockings for Matt and I from The White Company

We hit the Christmas market and partook in cups of hot mulled wine and cider, the wine in particular was delicious!  

We popped in to Hotel Chocolat, my ultimate favourite chocolate shop and happened across a very sweet, very tired 9 week old puppy who was being socialised as part of his training ... to be a guide dog. He was so cute and it was quite amazing to think that he will be someone's lifeline one day. Look at those whiskers!

As it started to get dark it started to get more Christmassy

We went for dinner at Barton Rouge, an Indian restaurant only five minutes walk from the hotel. The service was excellent and the food was delicious, if a little hotter than expected! I'd highly recommend it

The next day, after a good lie-in and laying waste to a hearty all-you-can-eat buffet breakfast we hit the shops again. Liz laid her recent diet to one side for this trip and I have to say, I've never seen her eat so much!

After a Debenhams splurge (YSL counter for Liz, Ojon for me) we stopped at a little tea room for refreshing glasses of raspberry lemonade. The tea room was in a crypt, which gave it a certain atmosphere

We finished our Christmas shopping and headed home in the afternoon, a little less laden than last year. I think the combination of feeling rough and the miserable, drizzly weather affected my shopping urge. Which was actually pretty good for my bank balance!

Despite our reduced shopping, we did have a wonderful time. I love our little trips and I'm already looking forward to the next one. Although, the evidence might suggest that perhaps we already spend too much time together ....

Great minds think alike!