Burford Garden Centre...

I live on my own since my lover of 52 years died. Well I actually live with Harriet my totally wonderful Cocker Spaniel. I'm fine, enjoying my own company...who needs men anyway!

BUT I miss male company and especially miss going out for lunch, I'm a 'foodie'; you see, SO out of the blue a really nice man called Anthony telephoned me a couple of days after my birthday to suggest, as he had missed my party, he would take me out for lunch. He suggested Burford Garden Centre. Actually he could have said KFC, and I would have said 'YES!'

I had a date...well no, not a date, but I was going to go out into the world again. I have been alone for so long...panic set in as I realised I had been slopping around in baggy trousers and sweatshirts for almost 2 years. Must pull myself together! I opened wardrobe to see masses of delicious clothes, but I had to admit that I seem to be one size bigger now, also as it was just an invitation to lunch with a friend...so go casual. That's a decision, looking in the mirror I looked like an overweight frump. No perhaps 'smart casual' is better. Another look in the mirror, a change of plan, when do I get to go out now I am not in London...SO SMART was right...that wasn't right, so I finally decided on a camouflage dress that was in fashion but sort of casual. I didn't look right but I heard a bang on the front door. Too late, that was it, one last look in the mirror, yes I looked pretty stupid but as it wasn't a 'date' it didn't matter I suppose.

It was a sunny day in Cirencester, and it was really nice to see a friendly face. We chatted away all the way to Burford and I relaxed, well the bloody camouflage dress which was buttoned down the front kept opening up and my white legs looked sad…must buy some tanning stuff next week.

Well when we arrived at the garden centre it was packed, even on a Wednesday. We strolled through the departments, each one more amazing than the next. They don't only sell flowers but everything else you could wish for. Beautiful fabric covered boxes, one just has to own one, the garden furniture is to die for, the china all handmade and really 'wantable' candles in every colour, in every shape. I could go on, but I can't do it justice, you have to go there to see for yourself.

Who does the buying? They should open another nearer in Richmond or Kew, they would clean up...

But then we found the restaurant and dutifully adjusted our masks and...the queue was long, but I was hungry and as we shuffled forward and gave our names and addresses as we didn't have the APP! On every marker on the floor we moved and on the pillars there were menu...my stomach was rumbling now. Nearly there. I had decided on the salmon and Antony on the filo pastry filled with cream cheese. We passed the desert counter which was a bit strange as it maybe should have been at the end of counter with the coffees and drinks. Finally we arrived...'1 Salmon and 1 filo tart please,' Antony said. Then came the funniest answer from the lovely lady behind the counter, 'that comes with 3 salads', immediately she started to pile on giant spoonfuls of couscous, bean selection and raw carrot and something sliced and white????? 'No thank you' I said 'I don't eat salads, have you anything else, there are some new potatoes can I have a couple of those?' The poor girl looked so flustered, 'no you can't, the Salmon comes with 3 Salads!' I glared at her and repeated, 'I do not eat salad.' The poor girl by this time was red in the face and said she would go and ask the manager. When she returned she said, 'NO YOU HAVE TO HAVE THE 3 SALADS WITH THE SALMON!' Then she added, 'the manager says you can always leave the 3 salads and just eat the tiny piece of Salmon!' Anthony was about to go through the same conversation but was better behaved than me and just accepted the 3 bloody salads! The Filo pastry case was about 3" x 3" and the 3 salads spread right across the plate dwarfing the tart...it was then that we started to laugh. So did the rest of the queue...as we moved on to pay loaded with 6 salads and doubled up with laughter the lovely assistant said I could have some Coleslaw too. (Need to look at the recipe book regarding this as it was just grated carrot and white cabbage with no dressing, really bland!)

Needless we won't be back to eat at the garden centre, what a disappointment...

But how wonderful is the actual garden centre... there is a READING ROOM filled with amazing books and I'm hoping the buyer may buy my DESIGN BOOKS and enjoy my latest book, my MEMOIR called 'no darling it's called BAD ORGANISATION.' I have suggested that I do a 'signing' there...so keep your eyes on their website and maybe we will meet and IF you buy one of my books I will sign it for you.

Meanwhile, www.shoestringbooks.co.uk to see my titles.