Attack of the Mega Pickles! 😂

Hi Friends.

Well, our Sunday didn’t exactly get off to the best start! I didn’t even need my usual alarm clock this morning, as Sarah’s hypo alarms woke us both up just before 6am! We both sprang into action to get her blood sugar sorted, and thankfully, once we’d got her hypo under control and made sure she was feeling better, we could start thinking about the day ahead. Unfortunately, our early morning adventure meant we missed church, but thankfully, we were able to watch the service on YouTube instead and worship together from home. By lunchtime, Sarah was feeling much better, so we decided it was time to get out and explore somewhere new. Our destination was the Old Moat Garden Centre in Epsom, and I knew we’d found a winner when Sarah started making all her excited little “woo, woo!” noises! She’d spotted a magnificent metal rooster and immediately instructed me to stand still and wave while she showed you lovely people. Apparently, my job on these outings is to be a smiling, waving photographic assistant! 😂

The Hedgehogs…

But the rooster wasn’t the only metal creature catching our eye! Right next to him were some absolutely adorable little metal hedgehogs, and Sarah just had to take a photograph so you lovely people could see how cute they were. Now, you might think a couple of metal hedgehogs would be a simple purchase, but not in our household! We stood there for about ten minutes discussing where on earth we could put them in our garden at Tranquility Lane. Would they look lovely by the flower box? Perhaps tucked away among the plants? Or maybe somewhere else entirely? We examined the possibilities, considered our options and had a good old think, but sadly, we couldn’t come up with the perfect spot just yet. And so, with a heavy heart, Sarah eventually walked away from her little spiky friends, looking rather crestfallen. Bless her! I think those hedgehogs had already found a place in her heart, even if we hadn’t found a place for them in the garden. 😂 I wouldn’t be at all surprised if we find ourselves back at the garden centre very soon, just to see whether they’re still there.

Attack of the Mega Pickles…

We discovered THE MEGA PICKLES! Sarah spotted this enormous jar of pickled onions and, naturally, there was absolutely no chance of leaving without it. Some people visit a garden centre and come home with a little plant. Others buy a bag of compost. Sarah? She buys enough pickled onions to supply a small army! 🤣 Just look at the size of this thing! This isn’t an ordinary jar of onions; it’s practically a vinegar-filled monument to the humble pickle. I had to get a photograph holding it up for you all to see, because something this magnificent deserves to be shared with the world. I’m now wondering how long it’ll take us to get through the contents. Perhaps we should start inviting friends round for dinner, just so we can make a dent in the supply! Romantic meals at Tranquility Lane might never be the same again. “Would you like a nice steak, Steve?” asks Sarah. “Certainly, darling, but could you pass me the industrial-sized pickled onion jar?” Honestly, I think we may need to establish a dedicated pickle cupboard!

Exploring, Eating and Forgetting the Photos…

We also explored the outdoor area, where Sarah found another opportunity to wave for the camera, surrounded by plants, garden ornaments and all sorts of interesting things to discover. But our little adventure didn’t stop there! We also stumbled across a lovely little café, where Sarah tried their curry made using squashes grown right there on the farm. I opted for a ham and cheese panini, followed by a slice of cake, because apparently exploring garden centres works up quite an appetite! 😂 The food was lovely, but there’s just one small problem with our adventures: we always forget to take photographs of what we’re eating! We sit down, get chatting, enjoy our food and only remember afterwards that we’re supposed to be bloggers who document these things. Sarah and I always laugh about it, wondering how on earth we manage to forget something so obvious. Honestly, we’re lucky we remembered to take any photographs at all today! I must be one of the worst bloggers in the business when it comes to remembering to photograph the important stuff. Perhaps I should start taking pictures before I even sit down to eat. Then again, I’m blaming it on being over 50 now. My brain is clearly too busy remembering guitar riffs, walking routes and enormous jars of pickled onions to remember a ham and cheese panini! 🤣 Still, we had a lovely time exploring, enjoying good food and discovering somewhere new together. After such an early start and a difficult morning, it was just what we needed.

The squash and the trail…

We then decided to walk home, following a route that connected with one of my usual trail walks. And here’s the funny thing: I’d never even realised you could turn off my trail and head straight towards this garden centre! All those walks, and I’d somehow missed this little local treasure. It’s amazing what you discover when you get out and explore. I’ll have to remember that route for future walks. Sarah also found some lovely squash grown at the Old Moat farm, so naturally, those came home with us too. Between the squash and the mega pickles, we certainly weren’t leaving empty-handed! I’m already wondering what Sarah will make with the squash. Roasted vegetables, perhaps? Knowing her, it’ll be something delicious. Meanwhile, I’m still trying to work out whether we bought a jar of pickled onions or accidentally acquired a small piece of garden centre infrastructure! 😂 It’s wonderful finding somewhere new right on our doorstep, supporting local businesses and enjoying a little fresh air together.

Little Adventures, Big Blessings…

What started as a difficult Sunday morning turned into a lovely little adventure! We watched church online, discovered a new walking route and came home with some treats, including the mega pickles! Most importantly, Sarah was feeling better, and we enjoyed some time together. Life doesn’t always go to plan, but there are blessings to be found in unexpected moments. I’m grateful for my lovely wife, even if she does insist on telling me when to stand still and wave! 😂 Wishing you all a lovely Sunday evening, Friends. Enjoy life’s little adventures and remember to count your blessings. God bless you all. 🙏 😀

Let’s walk in Faith together.