Mystery solved

Ive had 2 cinema freebies this week. On Tuesday, I took the kids and the young mans girlfriend to see "Win Win" (free tickets courtesy of showfilmfirst). I hadn't read what this film was about, and it took me a while to suss it out, but I have to say I really like it. The story is basically about an American lawyer who's business is in trouble. He makes a decision - which he knows is wrong - and the film is all about the impact that this decision has on his family. It is very touching in parts, and very funny in parts. It features no really huge "stars" and it is better for it. It is very well written and each actor and actress plays their part superbly. It does have a feel good factor. We all loved it.

My 2nd cinema freebie was tonight.

Ages ago, I signed up to the newsletter for "Off the Shelf" - the literary festival that we have in Sheffield. If you remember, I won the tickets to see "Germaine sodding Greer" from this newsletter. Well, I must have entered another competition because they emailed me at the beginning of the week to say that I could choose any film from the children's film festival "Showcomotion" at the lovely Showroom Cinema. The kids didn't want to go, so hubby and I went along.

As well as the free tickets, they also had a bit of a party going on, so we got free cake too!!!! Fab Freebie!!!
The film we chose to see, was "Red Dog". A true story written by Louis de Bernieres (he of Captain Corelli fame). We were also introduced to the young producer of the film who had flown all the way from Australia to be at the festival. The film was absolutely brilliant and although we were possibly the only ones in the whole cinema without kids, we enjoyed the whole atmosphere too. If you get chance to go see it, do.
We had chosen to park the car and travel into town on the tram. I was thrilled that whilst we were waiting for the tram home Jack Sparrow turned up again! This time I was braver and asked if I could take his photo. It turns out that he is busking outside cinema's that are showing the new "Pirates of the Carribean " Film.
He really has the mannerisms of Jack Sparrow and he entertained everybody that he met. He got his guitar out for me while we were waiting for the tram.
And the very kind tram conductor let him continue to entertain us on the tram.
Mystery solved.

Englands green and pleasant land

My daughter had to work today poor thing, so we had to get up early to take her. We had decided to go for a walk just over the border in Derbyshire. We are so very lucky to live this close to the Chatsworth Estate, and because of our early start, we got there before the bank holiday hoards. The trees in the woods are currently displaying every conceivable shade of green.

No matter how many people turn up to look around Chatsworth, there is always enough places to park, and more than enough room for everyone. The house, park lands, gardens and estate are enormous.

I felt so sorry for 2 ladies that had made a long trip from Essex to see the house - from the outside it is currently wrapped up like a huge parcel whilst the stone work is being restored. I feared that this would not be there only disappointment though as they were on the trail of Mr Darcy - they had an obsession with Pride and Prejudice. Ive been here many times and never managed to see Mr Darcy. The ladies had not done their research very well, and mentioned that they couldn't believe that people used to live in houses this big. I told them that it was still lived in today by the family, and they couldn't believe it. Hubby and I toyed with teasing them - we were going to tell them that we all lived in houses like this in the north!

We wandered across to the Estate village of Edensor.

Its a perfect little place. The churchyard has a couple of famous people buried in it.

The first one is Joseph Paxton and his family. Joseph was head gardener at Chatsworth for a while and created the fabulous gardens that we see today. He also designed the Crystal Palace in London.

This grave was so difficult to photograph because of the sunlight and also the shade of a large tree, but it is the grave of Kathleen (Kick) Kennedy - sister of JF Kennedy. She was married to one of the Dukes of Devonshire but died in an aircraft accident whilst cavorting with one of my neighbours - Peter Earl Fitzwilliams of Wentworth. The plaque on the ground mentions JF Kennedy visiting here in 1963.

We happened upon these guys - we called it a stag party!

It was really sunny but fairly cool in the strong breeze whilst walking in the park. By the time we got back to the car after a long walk, it had gotten very busy.

I managed to come home with a great freebie. One of the residents in a cottage near the plantation had dug up lots of Victorian bottles near her garden and had left them by her gate for passers by to take. She told me to take as many as I liked, but hubby would only let me bring these few as he knew he would end up carrying them. I'm cleaning them up and they will be displayed in my kitchen. The little white vessel says it is made in the "republic of Ireland" and one of the bottles says "Derby" on it. Great freebies.

Tea Towel Freebies

I was contacted by Al at www.all-tea-towels.co.uk to see if I would review a couple of their tea towels. In return I could keep the 2 tea towels. Never one to turn down a freebie, and realising that the kitchen would benefit from a couple of these lovely linen ones, I picked this.. ...and this one.

My photos don't do them justice, they are very pretty and possibly the loveliest tea towels I have ever owned.

I don't have a dishwasher - well I do, a six foot six inch one! He usually washes, but doesn't wipe, so armed with my lovely linen tea towels, I joined him at the sink. We are trying to keep the kitchen tidier and drying and putting away the pots certainly helps.

I loved these tea towels - I don't know if I would pay £6.50 each for them, but they are a lot nicer than the ones you get in the supermarket or at Dunelm Mills. Perhaps having just saved a few thousand pounds on a new kitchen I might! I imagine they last a lot longer too. However, the "Sale" section of the website has some good bargains though, so nip across and take a look.

If anyone wants me to review camper vans, spa days, restaurant meals etc, you know where to find me. xxx

Fab Freebie

This weeks fab freebie
Courtesy of the "Freebies Forum" on MSE is a new "foam" hair dye to try and 2 vouchers for a further 2 bottles - worth at least £18. I shall let you know if its any good.

Some of you asked how to join up for freebies on the site - here is a link to the forum.

You have to read it on a regular basis, and you have to be quick sometimes but you can blag some amazing stuff. One year I got almost all of my Christmas Prezzies for free!

Reasons to be cheerful

You know I LOVE a good freebie! Well a month or so ago, my sis noticed that the new L'Occitane shop in Meadowhall shopping centre combined with Woman and Home magazine was having a pamper night - £10 per ticket. Did I want to go? Well yes, so I tried to get us tickets, but they were all sold out. However, about 2 weeks later, an invite appeared through my letter box with 1 free ticket!! (I think this may have been because I once had a free trial of Woman & Home via Martin Lewis's Money Saving Expert website - freebie forum).

So last night night - I toddled along. What a fabulous "pick me up" evening. I was treated to 3 glasses of champagne, sandwiches, a make up session (I could choose between makeup, a facial or hand massage) and a goody bag containing 12 full size products worth £78! Now that's what I call a freebie. I have to say that the products are divine. I also have to say that the staff in the shop were all really lovely. I now want to be as young, and slim, and beautiful, and fragrant as a L'Occitane Lady.

Also - whilst on the subject of freebies, if you take an old dried up mascara to the Clinique counter in Boots, you can drop it into a box they have and walk away with a free Clinique mascara (offer only on until early next week I think). I don't know if this applies to Clinique counters in other stores too, but Boots in Meadowhall had plenty left.

Freebie Hunting is one of my favourite hobbies!