Stuffed!

I was lucky enough to spend my 10th anniversary at Tyddyn Llan on the edge of the Snowdonian mountains near Corwen recently thanks to my ever-so-generous husband. He treated us to a gastronomic extravaganza and it was certainly a memorable date. We were absolutely dazzled by the culinary genius of Bryan Webb and the delicious creations which emerged from his Michelin starred kitchen. 

Our evening got underway in the grand lounge where we perused the menus. After a long discussion we decided that given the special occasion and that we both had comfortable clothes on(!) we would go all out and plump for the 8-course taster menu. Of course we could manage it all, it was just a matter of going slowly but surely, surely? Little did we know that 8 would become 10.........

So having squinted to read it, what do you think? Just about ticks every box in my book. The sewin, by the way, is native trout found in the River Towy. 

The more we ate, the more we laughed. The more we laughed, the more our bodies groaned for a break. By the time our spring lamb arrived we agreed there was simply no room for liquids let alone any gas from the sparkling water so that was the end of the drinks. It was a good call. We made it to the end and oh how we patted our middles proudly! It was the same satisfaction I imagine a marathon runner to feel as they cross the finish line. I was doubly delighted that by the time dessert arrived all other diners had left the room and now that we were alone I could reach for my camera and snap away gaily where previously I had been forced to show restraint.

The lightest option I thought - rhubarb, orange and champagne trifle

Chocolate cheesecake -  not such a light option!

Funnily enough I hadn't given my outfit for the night a great deal of thought in terms of the expanding middle that would need accommodating. Instead I had gone for rich and beautiful colours thinking purely of the decadent restaurant we were off too. 

My dress is an incredibly rich damson silk dress reminiscent of Audrey Hepburn in its style I feel. It is modest but so elegant and feminine. I bought it several years ago from a local boutique. It is from the Betty Jackson two collection so a bit younger and more exciting than her usual collections. The snazzy handbag came from a little local dress agency and cost about £10 many months ago. One side is entirely beads and odd buttons and is irresistible in its sweetie type way. Apparently this is a shared bag. It's meant to be on a 50/50 time split with my daughter. Whenever it's my turn I always smile as I open it to find a child's lipstick, a couple of plastic coins and invariably a hair slide or two. My fabulous corally pink shoes were from the Radley outlet store in Lincolnshire and were just under £50 down from three times that figure. I just find these colours scrummy altogether. I think I was just about as edible as my incredible meal that night!