Retail therapy and...

...catching up with friends.

This weekend is "Members Weekend" at Pinnacle Crafts so as usual I had Friday off to take advantage of the 30% discount before everything I wanted sold out (I know you can order stuff and still get your discount but it's not quite the same as bringing things home straight away).

A phone call from Suzie on Wednesday and a text from Hilary first thing Friday, confirmed we would all be there.

I have been very good this month about not spending too much as I knew there were several items that I wanted to get and Members Weekend actual falls a week before payday this time.

I met Hilary at the door and as soon as they opened I was heading for the two items at the top of my list as I knew they only had limited stocks - got!!! - so then I was able to wander around at a more leisurely pace. Suzie arrived and we were all shortly paying for what had 'jumped' into our baskets before heading for coffee and a late breakfast. Of course we had to inspect each others purchases and then it was back for "Round 2"...just in case there was anything we had missed. A hug for Hilary who was being picked up by hubby and Suzie & I headed back for another coffee. Inktense colour chart updated with the latest purchases and then back for "Round 3" - I kid you not.

The weather had been very unpredictable with a few spits of rain, grey clouds, strong breeze & sunny spells but when Suzie & I headed off in our own directions I decided to drive up to Langdon Hills on my way home. When I had a dog it was somewhere I went almost daily but since then I haven't even driven through. As the sun had come out I decided to park and sit in the sun reading for a while.

Would you believe this photo...

...and the next were taken from exactly the same spot...

 ...just a bit of Zoom and you can actually see Basildon Hospital.
The view in the other direction is towards the Thames...

 ...and where there used to be two oil refineries...

 ...they are now building the Gateway Port.
It is lovely up on Langdon Hills...

 ...lots of greenery...

 ...trees & shrubs in bloom...

 ...pleasant walkways...

 ...even the parking area is pleasantly laid out...

 ...with a warden's building to the back.
It seems strange that all this beauty can be so close to...

 ...an ever increasing industrial area - the cranes are for unloading ships in the first of the 5 completed 'gates' of the port.
Since I last visited there have been a number of additions...

 ...art works created out of fallen branches...

 and other materials found locally. Along with steps...

 ...that make the steeper areas more accessible.
The warden's building and...

 ...information centre is now used, whilst natural ponds...

...have been tended...

 ...and made safe for folk to view.
A beautiful variety of trees...

...fill the area with different shapes...

 ...and colours.
Next to the car park is this structure...

...it is made completely from recycled items - fallen trees/branches - there is a wall made from glass bottles and as you can see - the roof is planted with grass and woodland plants.
There are more pieces of artwork as you wander around...

...reminded me of something out of Harry Potter.
Which ever way you looked...

 ...there was grass and trees...

...even right up to the parking area. It was lovely just sitting and pretending that work/commuting/city-life were a very long way away and it felt like the perfect end to the day.

I got home and unpacked my goodies just as the weather changed and boy did the rain come down........................................................................