It feels like that festive feeling’s been cranked up a notch, now that it’s finally December. I’ve already heard The Pogues about ten times (…not through choice! I’m not a fan!), the advent calendars are out and… and why the hell am I starting every single blog post at the moment like a bloody Christmas newsletter?! There’s something in the water, or maybe it’s the fact that I’m full of Christmas cheer (read: food and booze) after spending a very festive afternoon up at The Celtic Manor over the weekend.
I had absolutely no idea that The Celtic Manor were opening up a little rink in their rooftop garden this Christmas until an email popped into my inbox a couple of weeks ago inviting me up for a festive afternoon of ice skating and scoffing. I mean, the last time I went ice skating was around ten years ago and I ended that session flat on my back with my legs in the air (…easy now), but I conveniently forgot all about that small fact right up until I stepped (/slid) out onto the ice. Luckily, the rink isn’t too big and it isn’t too busy either – much quieter and cosier than the one at Cardiff’s Winter Wonderland – so there was no worrying about clawing my way around the outside while I found my feet or fears of getting clipped by a cocky Torvil and Dean wannabe (I’m not jealous at all). It’s also covered, so come rain or shine (or snow?) you can skate until you slip. There’s also a bar serving drinks and food (the Currywurst with sauerkraut was really good) if you’d rather watch the slip-sliding rather than partake in it yourself… π
As for me, I didn’t end up flat on my back like last time, but I was very wobbly! If I wasn’t holding onto the barrier then I was crashing into it! π
AprΓ¨s Skate, Sunny and I headed to The Mulberry Bar just off the lobby for a very special Christmas Treat. On weekends running up to Christmas, The Mulberry Bar is serving a Festive Afternoon Tea for groups of up to eight. I’d never had a normal afternoon tea let alone a festive one, so I had absolutely no idea what to expect – soggy cucumber finger sandwiches and teeny weeny cakes, maybe? I definitely wasn’t expecting to come away feeling like I’d just scoffed a three course meal, but the funny thing was, I pretty much had! After three courses of beautiful finger food (from smoked salmon Γ©clairs and truffled henβs egg brioche rolls, to fig and armagnac tartlets), including hot tea (Danish Pastry flavoured, of course…), a festive cocktail and mince pies to finish off, I was stuffed (…There was totally room there for a Turkey/Stuffing joke, but I’m going to spare you this time!)… Sunny pretty much had to carry me out. And not a soggy cucumber sandwich in sight!
Thanks so much to the lovely lot at The Celtic Manor for inviting me – it was such a lovely treat! π