First - refreshments at Costa:
followed by a mooch around some of the shops in the Arcade (Amanda has yet to decide exactly what she wants from me for her birthday).
Out, and a stroll round to Cellini on Rose Crescent, where I once again took her picture outside the jewellers from which we purchased her engagement ring and our wedding rings 35+ years ago:
More walking, arriving at Seasalt, from where her present(s) and other items were purchased:
To Heffers bookshop. Its once glorious stock of academic books has dwindled over the years, to be replaced by ever-growing selections of greetings cards, games and touristy knick-knacks. Ho hum.
More walking - arriving back at the Grand Arcade, where we took the opportunity to store our shopping in the car, before heading back out to The Ivy for lunch:
Absolutely no prizes for guessing what I ordered:
Amanda's "minute steak":
which she seemed pleased with:
Obligatory selfie:
Chocolate ice cream for yours truly:
and Amanda enjoyed her "Black bee honey and white chocolate cheesecake with mango sorbet, honeycomb and edible flower":
The birthday girl was presented with a celebratory (and complimentary) chocolate profiterole:
More mooching around the shops and then home to collapse and, still sated from lunch, to decide to postpone the eating of further celebratory pre-purchased cheesecake, panna cotta and birthday cake until tomorrow...
A good day.
