I did not manage a healthy breakfast today because Lara and I set off for Earl’s Court very early today so I just had a cup of tea before we left.

I used to live in Fulham Broadway and regularly travelled along the District Line.  It seems so quaint compared to some of the other tube lines.

We had to change at High St. Ken’ as I managed to get on a Circle Line train by mistake – oops.  Unusually we were then on an empty tube which was weird.

I saw signs that they are upgrading the District Line.  I hope they keep these indicator boards.  I have waited on these platforms at Earls Court many times, to see which platform to go from.

We were at Earls Court for the Cake and Bake Show :-).  It took ages to queue to get in by which time we were hungry and thirsty.

To go with my  smoked salmon bagel and latte I had to have one of these amazing brownies.  I had the salty caramel pecan.  Worth every calorie.

We met Alison and Andrew there and as always, enjoyed their company.  We started laughing straight away as we had both managed to leave tickets at home – well, it was an easy mistake to make :-).  Luckily we all got in.

So what do you do at the Cake and Bake Show?  Well, they have table settings to look at,

cup cakes you can decorate,

speakers you can listen to

Great British Bake Off contestants you can mingle with

and lots and lots of cup cake and decorating supplies to buy.

We did buy some plus they had a Doves Farm stand so I bought some heritage flour and a proving dish.  I try to not have bread at home but on the occasions when we do have it, I am going to make it with quality flour and all natural ingredients.

There was a fantastic display of cakes decorated with a British seaside theme.

People are so imaginative.

We were there early enough to put our names down for a go in this cake decorating kitchen.

Under the guidance of Eric Lanlard, who was extremely charming and helpful,

we decorated a marzipan covered fruit cake.  It was a bit daunting sitting in front of the crowds but we really enjoyed it.

So, despite being tempted by cakes, cakes and more cakes, I only succumbed once to a Brownie so I was pleased with that.  We headed back to Charing Cross and then set off to look for lunch – at 3pm!  We went to Neal’s Yard for a fresh squeezed juice (juice bar closed for staff training) and salad but the Salad Bar only took cash and I didn’t have any.  So we wandered back towards the station and in to Wahaca, a Mexican street food restaurant.  Those margaritas slipped down very easily!  By the way, we had one each, they weren’t both mine.

The food was fresh, spicy and full of flavours.  We had guacamole with Dorito style chips,

frijoles (black bean paste) with cheese which was fabulous.  I did wash that down with a Sangrita which was a bit like a spicy Bloody Mary but made with Tequila rather than Vodka.

Then we shared a tasting platter which had another black bean dish and a potato wrapped something.  These were both delicious and came with lots of salad and veggies.

Followed by spicy coleslaw, chicken and pork dishes plus a cheese and broad bean quesadilla.  It was all really good.

We were home by 6pm and didn’t bother with dinner, apart from a glass of the red wine we started the other night.  I did have some Green and Blacks Butterscotch chocolate too – we were given free bars at the station!  But I left most of it.   So a day that could have been a disaster, was not perfect but not too bad.