The day we met in Chester

It was with great reluctance that on Saturday morning we said goodbye to Shropshire, where we spent what must have been our best holiday in many years.

The weather, for starters, was in complete contrast to last year's Welsh washout. After a false start on our first day, which was gloomy with some persistent showers, it gradually got warmer until we were treated to a veritable heatwave in our second week.

But let's make a little jump to our second day first.

It was the Monday of our first week when we got up early to make the one and a half hour or so journey to Chester for a most exciting event: the long awaited blogger meet-up with Vix and Lynn and their partners, Jon and Philip.

Needless to say, I'd been counting down the weeks and days and finally the hours until 11 o' clock that morning.

When at about 9 am we set our satnav and drove off, in my mind's eye I was imagining two other cars doing the same from different directions, to arrive at our designated meeting point, Chester's Upton Park and Ride, at approximately the same time.

As the hours became minutes and we were nearing our destination, I was getting quite nervous: what if they didn't like me?

Then, while driving through a residential street, our satnav, the silly thing, declared that we had reached our destination. Luckily, I'd come prepared and, after following signs to the famous Chester Zoo, we made it to the Park and Ride with minutes to spare.

We were the first to arrive, but soon our fellow travellers, who'd had the same problem, arrived in convoy. I can tell you, it felt quite surreal to see Lynn and Vix, whose blogs I've been following for years, get out of their respective cars.

It turned out that there had been no need for nerves, as we hit it off right away.

Lynn did seem to be a bit put off that we weren't the same size, which scuppered her dreams of living next door to each other and raiding each other's wardrobes!

After taking photographs - in case we'd forget later - and exchanging of presents, we hopped on the bus which would take us to the town centre, the girls sharing the naughty bench in the back.

Obviously, there wasn't the time for proper sightseeing, but what I did see out of the corner of my eye looked enticing enough to warrant a return visit.

We decided to explore the town's plentiful charity shops first, with Jos following us around, trying to capture us all in action, which wasn't an easy task with us darting around and chattering away.

But we were all too excited and the goods on offer too bland and expensive, so that in the end I was the only one who didn't leave empty handed.

I considered buying this cute little clutch, but baulked at the price, then spotted these emerald green, Italian made heeled jellies, which looked brand new, were only £ 3,95, and exactly my size!

By then, hunger and thirst directed us, guided by the app on Jon's phone, to the nearest Wetherspoons for a spot of lunch, where we were introduced to this legendary establishment's delights.

After a lengthy lunch, there was still time to visit Chester's vintage shops. Here, Jon's app did let us down, but with the rudimentary town map I'd printed off the Internet and accompanied by lots of head scratching, we finally managed to find Bridge Street, Vix and Jon leading the way through the grand looking Grosvenor Shopping Centre.

After a disappointing first shop, we did manage to find some reasonably priced true vintage in a shop called Soho's, which was located upstairs in the magnificent old black and white building you can see above.

Although a lot of oohing and aahing took place, again I was the only one making a purchase.

Both Vix and Lynn insisted on taking a photograph, so thank you girls!

All too soon, it was time to make our way back to the bus station, where we asked a chap to make this photograph of the six of us together.

Imagine the ensuing hilarity when said chap turned out to be our bus driver!

Back at the Park and Ride, we said our goodbyes with heavy hearts, vowing we will do it all over again next year.

Back in our cottage, we excitedly opened our presents, feeling as if Christmas and our birthdays had come at the same time.

Vix and Jon's  included a pretty Summer frock and jacket, a copy of The Face dating from 1980, with my then idol Siouxsie on the cover, and a brooch I'd admired on Vix's blog for me, as well as a Think Britain apron, flat cap, pocket square and Tootal scarf for Jos.

Lynn and Philip's presents came in one of Lynn's famous Doodly Bird bags, and included books and magazines (which I forgot to photograph), a scarf, brooch and earrings, a gorgeous handmade wall hanging and a sweet little photo wallet and miniature grooming set for Jos.

This was definitely one of the highlights of our holiday, and my heart still makes a happy little jump whenever I think about this day, which by now is already an unbelievable two weeks ago.

And, as we were all visible on a Monday, I am linking Vix, Lynn and myself to Patti's Visible Monday at Not Dead Yet Style.