We’ve decided that we like blogging. It doesn’t matter whether anyone reads what we write, in fact we quite like the idea that they don’t, but we do love reminiscing about all our adventures and effectively keeping an illustrated journal for the future. Who knows, maybe in fifty years time an inquisitive grandchild will ask us what we did with our weekends, back in the days before household robots, flying machines and time travel. And if they do, it would be nice to have one’s memories all gathered together in the same place before the passing of the years erodes the little details which were so hilarious at the time.

So we thought we would expand the scope of our little site to non-Doris related adventures – beginning with our recent birthday celebrations. The little one was turning 28 and, despite her best efforts to let the day pass completely and utterly unremarked upon, we ended up making quite a fuss of it. Which, lets face it, was always going to happen. We love an excuse for a fuss.

It all started on the Thursday evening with a birthday-eve celebratory Chinese. It broke our one-takeaway-a-week rule but hey, we got over it. Friday was a work day unfortunately but it was broken up rather nicely by a surprise lunch at Fishers in the City. The little one had suggested the standard Bar R but the other one had taken it upon himself to book Fishers instead, an excellent decision which was very well received! One of us had pan-fried scallops with scallop mousse and a scallop broth followed by a Goan seafood curry (which was AMAZING!), the other one of us had mussels in white wine, cream and garlic and then the classic fish and chips. Really lovely food. Two glasses of wine later we strolled back to the office very happy and content.

Chocolate cupcakes were enjoyed (in the usual awkward manner) in the afternoon then at five on the dot we headed to Ricks for drinks with the uni girls. A few prosecco later it was back home for the customary curry – Thursday Friday night is takeaway night after all…

Saturday we had chores to do but we also managed to fit in a trip to John Lewis (it wouldn’t be a weekend without it….) and Alice in Wonderland in 3D at the cinema. Hate to say it as we’re usually big fans of Tim Burton but we found it pretty slow.

On Sunday we headed north to Dunkeld where we’d booked a night away at the Hilton. The little one’s aunty and uncle had very kindly given us a Hilton gift voucher some time ago and this was us finally getting round to using it. We started with lunch at The Taybank, a little live music pub which specialises in stovies of every variety you can imagine. We’d been once before and couldn’t resist going back for a plate of the original good stuff (predictably yummy) and the slightly more adventurous Cullen Skink stovies with a poached egg on top (absolutely fantastic!).

After checking in to the hotel we went for a walk along the river bank towards the cathedral, stopping every few yards for various photo opportunities. The thing is, we were meant to not buy each other presents this year, 2010 being a year of frugality and saving-for-the-wedding. But we’re not very good at that…. and so the Little One had been the delighted recipient of a Nikon D3000 which she was keen to try out.

We started our evening with our customary mini-break trivial pursuit challenge. And a bottle of champagne. OK so it’s not very rock and roll but we love it! A highly unimpressive start by one of us prompted the Little One to practically give away a couple of answers, a strategy that would become much-regretted as the slow starter galloped into the lead in the final throes of the game.

We were surprised to find, as we walked into the restaurant, that a dinner dance was underway. Yes, that’s right, we were part of a full on ceilidh. Only in Scotland can you hit the dance floor for a quick Gay Gordons between your starter and your main course. It was all a little bit twee to be honest, as was the fact that the hotel had seated the four couples under the age of 60 in one particular section of the restaurant… *Friends!*

But we did have a lovely dinner and it was brilliant just to get a night away and a bonus Monday holiday from the office. We heart mini-breaks!

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