That time again - cat photos from the last few warm days of autumn.

The colour on the trees has been stunning this year, our lovely Maple has only just finished with a gorgeous display of deep red foliage. On a day with bright sunshine and bright blue skies, a little warmth behind the sun and barely a breathe of wind it becomes a necessity to go out and take photos.

A quick wave of a feathered flying toy and suddenly I am surrounded by cats and I can take a myriad of photos.

Gidleigh Park - To celebrate 30 years

Perfect Chaise longue

Emperor bed

When it was our 25th Wedding Anniversary we celebrated with our first Michelin star meal at Purnells in Birmingham, Purnells and stayed at the Hotel du Vin, Hotel du Vin .This was an absolutely fantastic experience, with exciting food and lovely ambiance and a perfect hotel with a friendly feel within a short walking distance. So excited from this experience we said we would treat ourselves in the near future to another Michelin star restaurant however the months passed and we didn't treat ourselves. However I happened to mention that in early November we would be in our 30th year of meeting each other, so any excuse for a treat we booked up Gidleigh Park Hotel and Restaurant. This year it had come out tops in a Times Best 100.

The best part for me, the bathroom, aghhh

For such a treat I even bought a new dress and on Saturday we journeyed down. Of course OH being him made me bring my walking boots so on the way we could have a bird watch!!!!!! Finally after a hike and a few more driven miles under our belt we arrived at 2.00pm to get the most out of our treat. The last few miles to the hotel were interesting, the roads are narrow and high sided through a rain of autumnal orange and red falling leaves. The hotel then appeared in all its black and white beauty. We knew we were in for a treat.

The Pantry

The front door is hidden to the side and opens up to a cosy panelled reception area with soft sofas, huge bouquets of flowers and welcoming staff. I have to say at this point the staff throughout at our Gidleigh Park were truly exceptional, all were polite and friendly with an easy manner without fawning. All we needed to do was introduce ourselves and our bag had disappeared immediately and we were guided and chatted to around the hotel. Before we got to our room we were shown the 'Pantry,' I loved this was an area which had home made biscuits, tea and coffee on tap, access to yogurts and milk. At least three times we would help ourselves to a pot of tea and a few biscuits. Finally after some meandering around a couple of staircases we arrived at our room.

Our room

Our guide took us through everything showing us little wardrobes which even had waterproofs for the walk around the grounds. The beauty of our room was its cosiness, not stark or over designed. The quality just oozed, the typical things were there but other things weren't. No kettles to boil as we have the Pantry! we also had bonuses, a carafe of Madeira in the room!!! as we got shown round the heated underfloor marble made me just yearn to use all the unctuous bathroom facilities, the heated bathroom resting bed!! the modern high sided bath, the beautiful shower, and the opposite facing sinks. As we walked around the view from our three windows was astonishing, the grounds slip down   a terraced slope to the three streams that combined under three bridges into a gentle cascade of a river.

After we had fully stretched our legs around the grounds I definitely chose to make full use of that bath, this being the only special request the OH had put in when booking. More than an hour later I finally reappeared having used the heated bed also. The new dress was put on and finally after much preening we were ready to reappear for our meal. As ever the staff where courteous and so attentive as we arrived in the lovely panelled lounge, and finally we arrived at the decision to have the 'Signature' menu from this 2 star Michelin Restaurant. We did try and take photos of each course but as our conversation ran away with us so we forgot a couple of courses and took photos half way through, oops!!!!! The wine we chose was utterly fabulous from a wine list containing so many bins that it was like a small book!!! We loved the arrival of each course and especially when we tried to decipher what the waiters were telling us it was as most seemed to be French or Italian but fully accented. The surroundings, the meal and the whole ambiance was beautiful.

Fully, quite fully, we were replete from our beautiful meal. Retiring, we rerouted to our favourite 'Pantry' for a tray of tea, and on entering our room OH imbibed a gorgeous glass of the Madeira! The room had been sorted with curtains and blinds closed, the bed turned down and the lighting beautiful and subtle. We finally collapsed into the Emperor sized soft downy bed, so large that you did seem to get lost!












The wind and rain battled through the night however when we woke up we found a bright clear sky and sun burning through into the room. We could of had our Newspaper and a morning tray of tea brought up however being the early birds that we are we skipped the paper and missed the tray being brought up by being the first to breakfast. This was only after another full on soak in that gorgeous bath. Placing ourselves near the leaded windows  the sunlight beamed through and lit our table up beautifully. This time I did risk an Eggs Benedict. So many times I've had horribly pre made hollandaise and over cooked poached eggs however as you would expect the eggs with a rich golden yolk burst after a slight resistance and tumbled over the Benedict.

Photos I didn't know what to do with!!!!!