Tiny Hedgehog, Large Rabbit, And Marvellous Mouse House

There were two or three shops I wanted to visit in Norwich, so early on Monday morning we set off - planning to start with breakfast and then shop. The weather was dry and sunny. First stop - the Cherry Leaf coffee house in St Giles. Neither of us had been there before. My original plan had been The Waffle House, but that didn't open till 10, and we didn't want to wait an hour.

It was very quiet, we had a good chat with our waitress. Unfortunately the baker doesn't deliver croissants on a Monday, so I had a bacon roll- and Bob had 'Posh' breakfast [poached eggs, on spinach on toast]

We then walked round to M&S - stopping at the Wood Green Charity Shop. I bought a Jane Greenoff Sampler book for £1. It hasd a lovely photo of the Catherine Archer Redwork Bristol sampler at the front, and useful pages at the back for charting, and recording personal projects. In the middle, tips, techniques, examples and ideas. I can see this book becoming very useful

M&S was singularly disappointing - I wanted to check out their LED candles, which a couple of people had recommended to me. I found an assistant who did not know, She went off to check.  No, they didn't have any, you need to get them online. She suggested I should buy them in Thorns, as she does - I said I'd got some M&S loyalty vouchers and Thorns won't take them as payment! 

Then up the hill to John Lewis. I went off to get Bob's present [his birthday on Saturday] and he went to look round electronics&tech. We had a pot of tea, and shared a scone. The JL Christmas decorations section was bigger and brighter [but no LED candles] They had a little 6 piece Christmas Matryoshka set, like the one Liz got me a few years back

Look carefully- there are only FIVE figures. Where has the baby gone? 
That's not right, said the woman next to me. 

Indeed not, I replied, after all, Jesus is the Reason for the Season

I was a little sad that so many of JL decorations appeared to be imported from China

The little pinecone hedgehog with the sisal bristly face and front was cute [Rosie would like it] was £9. In 2016 Wilko sold the identical one for £1 - you can buy this from A****n for £20. I speculated as to whether I could make one from a cone and a couple of old toothbrushes...

The lady next to me said "All these decorations cost around £8, how much does it cost to do this whole tree, do you think?" I think she was shocked when I said I thought you'd need around 200 pieces, so that's £1500 or thereabouts! Neither of us purchased anything.

Bob and I walked back to the car [he bought my Christmas present on the way - not a surprise, but I'm asking him to keep it till December]

Jarrolds windows were bright and colourful - with a one metre tall Sylvanian Rabbit dressed as Mary Christmas/Mother Christmas or whatever you call her

Home for a late lunch and then working on my latest project, which will be revealed later in the week. 

Before I forget, top marks to The Mouse House in Lincoln for good customer service. I'd ordered a gift for my SIL in London, as her birthday was last week. She went to move her bins out, after all that rain - and discovered a very soggy parcel pushed behind them. She realised it was cheese [and a box of damp crackers!] and just about deciphered the company name - but there was no legible delivery note/gift card etc, just soaking paper. She rang them, and they managed to find the order on their books. The assistant said it was from us, and also that it had been dispatched via Royal Mail over a week before - so if it had been on the ground in the rain all that time it was not safe to eat. A replacement parcel was sent immediately, and she has received it now. Thank you Mouse House.