Autumn in Cheltenham

Cheltenham is the place to experience seasons. Each one paints the town in a different shade, and every feeling evoked is different. For autumn, it is a content, chill-in-the-air, wrapped up feeling that always comes back.

For the past four years, a tradition has formed. It's been organic, unspoken and beautiful, and I'm so pleased to share it with you all. My mum and I meet up for a weekend of shopping, eating and attending events at the literature festival, and it is wonderful.

Of course, this year was different, as was last year – because now that university is over, the years roll into each other and I forget how long ago it was since I was eighteen, and time is once again a lost concept to me. I must figure out a way to control it, or at least understand it, again.

I met Cloey and we walked through the university grounds on our way to town. I was finally granted the chance to take some photos of the vibrant pink leaves pinned to the side of one of the buildings, after years of passing them by on the way to lectures. How beautiful can autumn get?

 

I miss this place, but not enough to return. Lu wrote a poignant post about revisiting old homes and she captures it exactly. I sometimes wonder if more good friends are people I have yet to meet.

Some say Francis Close Hall – the campus for humanities and arts – is like Hogwarts, but that would do it an injustice. It is its own, and in these photos you only see a snippet, so if you're ever in Cheltenham, take a walk through the grounds of my old university campus. It's a treat at any time of year.

That was on Saturday. On Sunday I met my mum for breakfast and autumn looked different again. I love that – it can be cold and sunny, and then misty and grey, yet still a sense of cosy happiness permeates the atmosphere no matter what the weather. 

The promenade was voted as one of the top 5 high streets in the UK in 2011 and it's easy to see why. Walking along the promenade at any time of day or year constitutes, in my opinion, walking along some of the most beautiful leafy streets of New York or London, an action figure beneath tall, great architecture, of which I could only dream to be a part. Go upstairs in The White Company and you'll see what I mean. 

Did you know that trees that shed leaves are deciduous? I learnt that word today on dictionary.com. That website is probably my most visited on my computer at work. I feel so fortunate to be able to learn new words every day.

The ground is littered with these done-with amber leaves, ready for winter. It's such a short time, autumn. I'm sure next week it'll be gone. But reflecting on my weekend in Cheltenham at my favourite time of the year has extended that first feeling of autumn, and the pictures are here to stay, with this post, in my archives for whenever I get a little nostalgic for this time of year.

I drove past my second year house, walked past my third, and saw the homes of my best friend and then boyfriend. For a moment it felt like I could knock on each of the doors and they would be there, at each stage of our lives. I sat in these scenes with people I hardly ever see anymore, or even speak to. 

Why does time change things into mere memories, when all the pieces, people and things that make up these scenes, when you break them down, essentially stay the same? 

What does autumn feel or look like to you? Link me to your favourite autumn posts, I love reading them!
 

A Trip to Whole Foods - Cheltenham

On Friday, my mum, dad and I traveled to Cheltenham for the weekend for the Literature Festival. On the way in I asked if we could stop at Whole Foods - they didn't need much persuading. I absolutely love Whole Foods. Its products may be slightly above my budget but it's worth just having a wander around the store for the experience. There are lots of freebies and unique products.

Upon arrival we were met with our first free tasters - hot & spicy quinoa chips. I thought they were quite tasty - very light and definitely spicy. My parents weren't that impressed but I grabbed a handful... or two.

Then - oh gosh - THEN, we spotted this table where there was a basket of bread and two types of nut butters to try. Needless to say, my sweet free day went out the window.

The brown one was a hazelnut and chocolate spread - basically Nutella - but so much better because it was made in store, with a better quality chocolate, and nothing extra added. The other butter was salted peanut. Yummaaaay.

I just think this nut butter station is so cool and I would be making my own peanut butter every week if I lived near a Whole Foods. You can choose from unsalted peanuts, salted peanuts, cashews and hazelnut & chocolate. All so tempting, but I went for the salted peanut butter. All you have to do is grab an empty tub, hold is under the machine of your choice and press the green button. It will stop when it's full - so clever.

 

A nut-lover's haven - and this was just one section of a whole row:

Chocolate pearls - yummy, but expensive.

The aisle of tea. Look at all that green tea.

 Just. Yes.

And my favourite - the nut butter aisle:

Where to look first?!

I'm thinking of writing a whole post about nut butters. I'm a little bit obsessed.

I found my dad eyeing up the fruit juices. He settled on the Superberries juice - a combination of blueberries, grape, acai and blackberry. I tried a little bit and it was a bit too sweet for me, but a refreshing alternative to water.

I didn't buy any of these appealing San Pellegrino cans but they looked seriously good I had to take a snap. I absolutely love the orange flavour so I think the blood orange would go down well. Grapefruit looks interesting, although I'm not sure why it's in green packaging?!

I did, however, buy some coconut water. This stuff has been hyped up for about a year now and I've been wondering what all the fuss is about.

I chose the peach and mango flavour - the ingredients said that the drink was purely coconut water, mango puree and peach puree so I had high hopes.

However, after one sip of it I was utterly repulsed and left incredibly disappointed. It didn't taste like peach, mango or coconut at all. It had a savoury taste to it, and it reminded me of what I can only imagine raw chicken juice would taste like. Just, nasty.

Mmmmm sweets. Here, my mum and I tried some chocolate biscotti and chocolate brownie. The brownies were delicious but the biscotti was not to either of our tastes.

But look at the array of cakes and macaroons

Loved the burger cake.

We decided to get some of Mrs Tilly's tablet after eyeing up all the confectionery. Tablet is the Scottish name for fudge, and the texture is crumbly and melt in the mouth - unlike regular fudge. It is really bad for your teeth but so moreish and too good to pass up.

Oh, so many crisps. We picked up a few bags - and I have to say my favourite was the Mackie's crispy bacon. They were so smoky, so bacony. So good.

We decided we had picked up enough stuff to last all weekend and headed to the checkout. The staff were friendly and relaxed, and it was nice to see that they weren't made to wear ugly office-like uniform, but jeans, tshirt and a Whole Foods apron.

There was a cafe area which I did not visit this time, but would recommend it for breakfast or lunch. Their croissants, coffee and soup are all so delicious and there are lots of fresh sandwiches, sushi, pizzas and more made in store. Have you visited Whole Foods?

Coffee at Costa - Birmingham

You can't go shopping without stopping for a coffee break. Well, that's my motto anyway. Rhi and I were looking for somewhere a bit different, but all we wanted was some coffee to re-energise, and ended up going to Costa.

You can't beat a small black Americano. That creamy, caramel coloured foam on the top.

 Or a giant Bourbon!

Utter amazement.

It tasted pretty good, too. However, it was surprisingly rich and I only managed half of it. So, this is a biscuit for sharing. Who'd have thought?

There is a new Costa opening in Abergavenny which I am very excited about and will be visiting as soon as possible. I would definitely choose to go to Costa over Starbucks or Caffe Nero... I think it's their array of sweet snacks that I like: giant biscuits and mini muffins, and not at ridiculous prices. I also find it is a lot more relaxed and homely in Costa, and the staff in this particular branch were lovely.

Where is your favourite place to recharge on a busy shopping day? I think another one of these will be in order this weekend when I head to Cheltenham for the Literature Festival - it's going to be a busy one.