When I left you guys on Friday afternoon, Nic and I were off to spend the weekend in Kent with his folks. Due to engineering work on the line between Leamington and London this involved us taking a lot of trains, but we did break the journey up a bit by stopping in London to go to the amazing Out of This World exhibition at the British Library. Photos were prohibited so I can't illustrate our visit, but if you're interested in Science Fiction and you're in London, this one is free and it's on until 25th September and you should go, because it's brilliant. Before we left London I made sure to have my photograph taken with one of my favourite characters: 
With Paddington in Paddington. This photo inspired by the wonderful Karen.
I like the expression on Paddington's little face.Poor Nic was absolutely shattered by the time we got to Sandgate, so after dinner and a walk on the seafront we made sure to get an early night. On Saturday we went to Dover to visit Nic's grandparents, which was wonderful. While Nic's grandma looked at every page of his thesis, Nic and I picked some bramleys from the apple tree in her back garden - we're going to have some stewed apple and custard tonight, I think! We also had time to play in the playground of Nic's primary school:
Another comedy shot. Well, if you take 'comedy' fairly loosely...
Saturday night marked the start of the annual Sandgate Festival. This is the third year Nic and I have been down for the festival and I don't want you to get the wrong idea - it is a very small affair, but it's very enjoyable. This year it kicked off with fireworks on the beach. Nic and I wrapped up as warm as we could and found a place to sit on the seafront to get the best view. It was beautiful. The evening wasn't too chilly and the fireworks were beautiful, and the sound of the waves breaking was the perfect background. It was so romantic, and I felt perfectly happy.
On Sunday we had a potter around the stalls that had been set out on the seafront and had a little look around the craft fair, and we took Nic's mum out for a coffee. Sandgate has an excellent bike shop called the Hub with an attached cafe - I think that Jools would be in heaven here, sipping coffee while surrounded by gorgeous Pashley bicycles! I bought a few second hand books and a postcard and mainly spent the afternoon holding my skirt down so I didn't flash my knickers at the people of Sandgate:
Stripey sundress from River Island and jelly shoes from Miss Selfridge
Yes, it's another one of those River Island dresses! Well once you find something that works it's good to go with it, I think. I love how full the skirt is, even though it meant I struggled a bit on the windy seafront not to do a Marilyn. Sunday was ace - Nic and I pottered around and got to hang out with his brother Dom as well as his parents. I feel so lucky to have such wonderful in-laws - they have always made me feel so welcome and so much part of the family, spending time there is brilliant. I was very spoiled as well - Dom and his girlfriend Melissa had a present for us, and Nic's mum gave me a beautiful gift too:
French butter biscuits and wool challisThe biscuits came from Dom and Melissa's holiday to Europe earlier this year and they are delicious. The fabric comes from Nic's mum's stash and it's a lovely woven fabric with a delicious drape to it. I already have a pattern planned for it - this will make a gorgeous autumnal frock! I hope I can do it justice.
We didn't have much time on Monday before we had to leave, but there was time for one last paddle in the sea and some ice creams on the beach:
The water wasn't cold, but the tide was in and it was quite deep.
I got food envy - Nic's strawberry ice-cream was nicer than my raspberry ice-creamAfter hours of travelling it was so nice to get back to our little flat. Going away is wonderful, but so is coming home. I'll leave you on that sentimental note, because Nic has the dinner ready. I'll see you again in the week my loves, with some exciting news. Until then, good night x
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