Friends Reunited.

We've just got back from a wonderful few days away visiting friends and relatives in Norfolk. It was lovely to relax and be looked after by my parents, and to catch-up, having not seen each other since last October.

We made the most of the short visit, spending one of the days in the delightfully old-fashioned and unspoilt Suffolk town of Southwold. We walked to the end of the pier and also around the interesting little shops along the high street.

We spotted this in an Estate Agents window - hmmm...very expensive sheds they have around here(!)....

But very beautiful sheds....

We're talking very select beach huts, compact and bijou, arranged in neat rows...

Painted in glossy, cheerful, summery colours....

...with stunning views out to sea!

To round off the day, we visited 'Nutters', where my daughter bought handfuls of tasty jelly beans of beach hut colours!

When we got back from our day trip she carved a pumpkin ready for the Halloween visitors.

Which we lit and placed on top of the well outside my parent's house.

Another very exciting day was one which I had been looking forward to for ages. We had arranged to go and visit Teena of Kitschen Pink in her beautiful self-built home. (We knew each other as young children, but had lost contact when Teena moved to Norfolk.) We hadn't seen each other for 30 years...so there was a lot of catching up to do!

Lots of tea was made on the beloved aga in her gorgeous 1950's style kitchen and we talked for several hours and ate delicious homemade lemon cake. Isn't her kitchen fabulous? - they have worked so hard sourcing, renovating and fitting the original 50's 'English Rose' metal cabinets and adding suitable accessories and adornments.

Thanks again Teena - it was sooooo good to spend some time with you and to meet your adorable son - thanks for making us so welcome. (Let's not wait another 30 years!)

Teena also showered me in gifts, which I have enjoyed finding homes for now that we are back in Somerset. This dainty figurine stands on my tiled bedroom fireplace....

A rose printed china cream jug holds a hydrangea head on a kitchen shelf....

And a black floral glazed bottle has found its place amongst some Carlton ware. My gifts also included homemade crab apple jelly and apple juice - what a treat - thanks T! xx

Now its back to work and getting up to date with all the laundry!

Have a great week,

Niki x

PS: A few of you think I would have been clever enough to have made a souffle! (See post below) -No way! I'm not the best cook; this is my version of a shepherds pie! I use an egg yolk mixed into the mashed potato and red Leicester cheese grated on the top.