Virginia Wine Tour

Today we went on an organized bus tour to visit two local wineries.  The first, Cana, near Middleburg is just five years old.  It had beautiful views of the vineyards and the countryside beyond.

Our tasting took place on the upstairs terrace..

The second stop was at the Winery at Bull Run, just outside Manassas.  

This is a very large vineyard, using both modern and traditional methods of production..

There were many visitors - partly perhaps because there were two weddings taking place this afternoon there.

Friday at the Bargain Loft

You never know who you will come across at the Bargain Loft..

Exercise at Lake Anne

When I arrived at Lake Anne today for the Women’s Club meeting, an exercise class for young Mums was underway in the Autumn sunshine by the lake.

Goodbye Christopher Robin

I went to see this film today with a friend.  It was charming, beautifully filmed,  very moving  and I would definitely recommend it - either in the cinema or on DVD.

The movie theatre - Angelika - is a very new one in the brand new Mosaic shopping centre near Fairfax.

On the outside of the cinema was a very large screen playing (rather loudly) public information films about pollution in the Chesapeake Bay.

There was an unusual store in the Centre, dedicated to creating ‘leisure’ spaces in your home and outside.  As well as a wide variety of outdoor furniture, there were pool tables, pinball machines, shuffleboard and lots of bars..

Also a home gambling table - not sure how that works!

There were also luxury versions of Monopoly..(Lauren?)..

...and Scrabble..(Maggie?)...

A decorative and patriotic sailing ship..

Altogether quite a selection!

(Shuffleboard - needs a long room!)

Flaming Food!

We returned to the Japanese Hibachi Grill this evening - this time ready to take a few photos to document the preparation of our dinner.  Firstly there was the searing of the grill plate.

Next some egg juggling..

Ultimately of course you can't make an omelette (or egg fried rice) without breaking eggs..

Next the vegetables, meat and fish.  The meal for all participants at the table (five of us tonight) is cooked together.

A little bit of showmanship with the cooking of the onion..

A few minutes later, all is cooked and served and it is all over apart from the eating!

Walk in the Woods

The Women's Club had organized a walk at Riverbend Park this morning, but it had to be cancelled.  A friend and I did the walk anyway, with her little dog, Maddie, who led the way.

Lots of leaves down..

But not very much evidence of changing colours in the trees..

We came across a large hawk - but at a long distance.  Possibly a juvenile Coopers Hawk.

We also came across part of a wasp or hornets nest, fallen from a tree.  It was very tenuously attached to a small branch..

As the morning went on the sky cleared a little..

Nice to have a canine friend as well as a human friend to walk with..