We Came We Saw We Ate Cake... and an FO

Today I arranged to meet my dear friend Christine in the city, for a couple of hours of coffee, cake and knit-talk.
 
I haven't been into Aberdeen since the summer, when The Girl and I scoured the charity shops for a Little Black Dress and pressed our noses against the glass of the windows of Dulcia, staring like starving urchins at the cake display within.  We didn't indulge that day, and ever since, I have been hankering to return.  Today was that day!

And oh me oh my, I was not disappointed!  I was very controlled and began my lunch with a super-fresh salad of avocado, feta and grapefruit.  Seriously good.  And then came the cake... a giant chocolate muffin which actually tasted of real rich dark chocolate instead of fag-ends (Tesco, I am looking at you!) and the best coffee I have had in years.

But Christine's cake took the biscuit (as it were!).
She chose a cupcake from the amazing selection above.
I believe the strawberry made it healthy ; )

Christine's splendid knitting and matching cupcake!

We talked knitting and families, and knitting some more.  I consulted her on the colours for my Kvosin hat, as she is far more experienced with fair-isle than me.  Now I know where I was going wrong - hooray!  This swatch is the muddy "before" version.  You'll have to wait for "after"!

We popped into Wool For Ewe, the city's yarn shop.  I was pleasantly surprised.  I will definitely be back!  I escaped with a pair of KnitPro Spectra points and a 100cm cable, ready for my Kex Blanket, and buttons for my Shalder.  Buttons for my Shalder!!!  Have you any idea how long I have been searching for something suitable?  Not even Duttons in York could help me, but Wool For Ewe had exactly the right thing.

All too soon, it was time for my train home, clutching some unexpected gifts from Christine, who is in clutter-clearance mode in preparation for a move to Glasgow.  Sob!  But I can't complain about 4 new-to-me back issues of The Knitter and a fab fab fab vintage pattern-drafting book which I will show you another day. Oh - and a lime green Herdy key-fob to match my mug - hee hee hee!
Christine - thank you again!

I will leave you with a picture of my new socks.
This is another pair of Stripes Alive! in Online Supersocke 100 Paradise Color.
Most of the first sock was knitted during my excursion to York.
Sock Two was the work of a week of evenings.
I love the almost-neon yellow stripes in this colourway :D
How could anyone feel low with such happy socks on their feet and such a good friend?  Woo hoo!