h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Had a great day yesterday - very successful shopping with J in the morning. Found the most wonderful pair of shoes from Australian shop Mimco. Taupe suede, heels but not spindly stilletoes, flattering cut, colour tones perfectly with the shoe bows that my bouquet maker made, and a woven feature at the back.

Then we headed to The Merchant hotel, Belfast's finest 5 star joint. It's a former bank, the the ornate ceiling and carvings inside hark back to the days when banks' head offices had to be showy and ostentatious. J is a regular visitor to the hotel - her boyfriend often guest vocals with the live jazz group on a Sunday evening. Won't be this Sunday, though: listed artists only, as the hotel is booked solid (as are most other Belfast hotels) due to the MTV EMA ceremony taking place.

Afternoon tea was exquisite, and the staff were attentive and friendly. When I'd booked it they asked if it was for a special occasion, and I said yes, her 18th and my recent 50th. So when we'd finished the dainty sandwiches, scones with jam and clotted cream, and as many of the little macaroons and mini chocolate mousses as we could manage - they brought out a pair of small birthday cakes, complete with a candle in each. They apologised that there was no pianist today to sing for us, but reminded us to make a wish as we blew out the candle.

After lunch I ran J to Lisburn, where she was about to start a 6 hour stint covering for her ballet teacher, who's stuck in Spain and not allowed to fly.

I took Max out for a jog, then Rog and I bought some stones to fill in some holes that the naughty puppies have been digging (and dragging muck all over the floors).

Gave myself a mini spa session in the evening with some goodies I'd got from Lush. Can heartily recommend the Buche de Noel cleanser, Love Lettuce face pack and Gorgeous moisturiser.

Wonderful, wonderful.

I am so jealous you have a daughter to do things like this with. (I look forward to such events with my daughter-in-law, though.)

There can't be anywhere in Germany - or on the mainland continent at all - that serves afternoon tea that way. Unbelievable.