Stockport Noir Crime Festival

 On the 31st of January I headed over to Stockport to go to a crime fiction festival. I saw it advertised absolutely forever ago and bought myself a ticket. I would have been better if Lee had been there with me to carry books and so on, but I didn't want to spend the money on two tickets, so I sucked it up and went by myself. I took my things in a backpack, which did help. I took my lunch and drinks and snacks etc with me too so that I didn't have to leave the venue. I set off really early which meant I did get a space in the car park. Such is life with a disability! 

Even though I was there early I still had to queue a bit to get in. It was fun though, everyone was just really excited to be there. Once I got in I picked up a lanyard and a goodie bag. Inside was a proof copy of a book that I haven't even heard of, so I'll look forward to reading that! 

There was tea and coffee and then everyone went in to the main hall for the first panel. The first panel was debut authors and I think they all did brilliantly. Immediately after each panel were signing lines. I have to say that these could have been better organised. Plus when I've been to other lit festivals, I - as someone who uses a walking stick - have been pressed to go to the front of the lines so that I didn't have to queue. That didn't happen here so I ended up in some pain, which was a shame. After the second panel I even asked one of the organisers if I could go to the front of the queue, and while he did help me he did it with some bad grace which made me feel even worse. If I could give feedback on this to the authors I absolutely would, but I haven't seen how to do that (yet?). It left a bit of a bad taste in my mouth. 

The panels were all great though. The moderators asked some really amazing questions and everything was funny and insightful. I really liked the sound of a LOT of the books, so I bought four from the bookstall that was in the venue. I do think their prices were very high, but I had some Christmas money to use so that's okay. 

I ate my lunch in the break out room, which was also where the signings were, so it made space a bit squeezed. I would prefer if they could do that differently next year too! I got talking to a woman I was sitting next to in the main hall, so that was nice. 

The final panel of the afternoon had Elly Griffiths on it. I have read most of her books and have met her twice before, but I hadn't bought any of her new series which features time travel, mostly because it sounds a bit weird. But it sounded interesting so I did buy it so that I could get her to sign it. I wore my Bruce Sprinsteen t shirt especially for her as she's a big fan (which is why Ruth Galloway is also a fan!) so we talked about him and how much we love him, haha. 

I didn't stick around too long after the last panel, and managed to get home in good time so that I could rest for a bit. I had ended up carrying a lot of books and other stuff, by myself, which I'm proud of, but I was tired! 

My freebie tote bag

All the panels, these are backwards in time but not to worry! 

Proof I was with Elly! 

And here's what I came home with! Bad Deeds was the book I got for free. The top right is a chapter sampler but Rebecca was really interesting and her book sounds really good so I got her to sign this sampler for me and will probably buy it when it's out. Everything else just sounded really interesting so I bought them and got them signed!

Lunch Out in Meadowhall

On the 30th of January I went to Meadowhall to meet up with Lolly, Georgina, and Debz. Debz moved to Yorkshire last summer and we have been meaning to meet up with her for lunch for ages, and finally orchestrated it! Georgina had been asked to review Maki and Ramen, which is a new restaurant that's opened up in the Oasis, so she asked if we could all go, and they very nicely said yes! So thank you to the people there for having us, it really was a pleasure. 

Lolly and I got there first and waited for a bit then got seated. We were in booth seating which was comfortable enough except that the seats were quite a bit higher than the table. It made it a bit uncomfortable to be sitting there for a bit, but that's my only complaint. Georgina and Debz arrived and we all looked at the menu and ordered what was possibly way too much food but it was all SO good. 

I had a mocktail which was delicious, as I was driving, and some Tofoo katsu curry with rice, some pumpkin croquettes, vegetable gyoza and vegetable sushi. Everything came out as it was ready which I like. Everything was SO delicious. The sushi was plentiful too - you got like an entire roll of it so lots of it! Everyone enjoyed all their choices too. I would really recommend the place - in fact, I took Lee in the middle of February and he was impressed too. More on that later. 

After we had eaten we went for a little bit of shopping. I bought some bath bombs in Lush and enjoyed looking at lots of make up and perfume that I really didn't need but liked to browse anyway! We wanted to go into Hotel Chocolat for a drink, but it was busy, so we went to Carluccios instead. I had a coffee and it was quite small for the price of it, which was a bit annoying. No matter really. 

It was so nice to catch up with Debz after so long, and see Georgina and Lolly of course! 

Again thank you for having us, Maki & Ramen. I will definitely be going here again! 

Birthday Weekend

On the 23rd of January I went into Sheffield to meet Chloe and Lolly for lunch. It was to celebrate Chloe's 50th, which was back in November, but we had had to cancel it a couple of times. So we were glad to finally get there! We had booked into the bottomless lunch at Tsuki so we headed there. Chloe and I were ridiculously early, which was my fault, and we sat outside in the cold until the restaurant opened. We went in and it wasn't much warmer in there! Our table was right in the window, which didn't help, and the seats were cold leather and the tables are marble, which also didn't help either. I ended up sitting with my coat on for some of if!

Lolly arrived and we ordered food and drink. We had decided no alcohol but it's still really good value as we had so much food. I can't even remember what I had and neglected to get any photos either. I did have some fried rice and another hot dish which I didn't get last time when I went. They were both good!

After we had finished we went for a wander into some shops, including Pete McKee's gallery where we all got some of the vending machine prints. This time they were iconic musicians; I got Alex Turner and Debbie Harry and Lolly gave me her Sister Rosetta because she already had it. They are now on the wardrobe doors in my craft room where I have lots of photos and artwork. I'll try and take a photo one of these days. 

We went in the Chocolate Bar for a drink and I had a piece of caramel shortbread to go with my hot chocolate. After that we said goodbye to each other and Chloe and I headed back to the tram to go home. 

I got home and probably relaxed for a bit. I'm dealing with chronic illness as always and often have to come in and just lie down for a bit to rest myself a bit. It's fine, I just know I have to do it! Lee and I then chilled out for the evening until my friend Von arrived. She lives in London and I haven't seen her since last April so she hadn't seen the new house yet, so she came up because it had been my birthday too. She got to ours about 10pm so we showed her round the house, chilled a bit, then headed to bed.

In the morning we went and picked Sam up at the station and then headed to Tesco. We bought LOTS of supplies, we probably went overboard but never mind. Lee had headed out for the day so the three of us just unpacked everything and then sat in the living room with a playlist on that was from like Kerrang TV twenty years ago when all the videos had Dave Grohl in them in one guise or other.

Sarah and Robyn arrived around 2pm I'm guessing, and the five of us chilled out some more, playing with the tattoo pens and stencils that Chloe had given me the previous day. We had a bunch of snacks and Robyn ran around looking for the cats. They had been very suspicious when Von arrived and because Lee was gone, and they were less than thrilled when a small child arrived. We had a good laugh together. Jac couldn't be there and we missed her, and our other rainbow pal Cinders, who is all the way in Edinburgh! Hopefully we'll be together again soon.

When Sarah and Robyn went the three of us just drank more and watched ridiculous music videos and talked to Lee when he got back. I don't even remember where he'd been, but somewhere. 

On Sunday morning the three of us went to Holme Coffee House to meet Jodie for brunch. I love it in there, it's so good. They're moving into a bigger premises soon just across the street. It was lovely to see Jodie as always. We went back to mine for a bit before Von took Sam and Jodie back to the train station before heading home herself. It was lovely to have friends in my new house now we have so much room for people to stay! 

Caramel shortbread in the Chocolate Bar

And the only photo I managed to get of the three of us

Kiki relaxing on me looking very cute

And Poppy looking very suspicious about Von's presence in the house

Sam bought me this I'm Not Okay card which is literally ridiculous, I love it so much

Me and Sarah when she arrived

Sarah drawing on Robyn's skin, she loved it

I can't remember what brand it was, but this was the nail polish I was wearing that weekend. I'm trying to get back in the habit of painting my nails often, I have enough polishes to last forever!

And finally here's my brunch in the coffee house on Sunday morning

My Birthday and Tuesday 20th

My birthday was the 19th of January and it was a pretty low key day. On Monday mornings I go to a craft club in Penistone that I've attended since 2018 and am now leading, so I didn't want to miss that. So I took a chocolate cake to share with people and headed off. I was working on a Christmas cross stitch that I've been doing for months, but I finally finished it at the beginning of February I think. Ready for next Christmas! 

Lee had been working from home in the morning but he finished at 12.30 just as I got home so we headed out to Wentworth Garden Centre. We went to the Bothy for lunch; I had a chickpea sandwich thing I think, it was nice. And chunky chips! Lee had a margherita pizza and skinny fries. Once we'd eaten - which took a while because service was a bit slow - we walked round the pet shop and bought some new toys for the cats. We walked round the shop and the garden centre bit but didn't go into the farm as it was really cold. Then we went into the cafe about 3.30 and had a cup of coffee and cake. I had a Victoria sponge bun which was lush! 

When we got home we just chilled out for the evening. Poppy was being cute so I took a photo of her. We watched Oliver! which I haven't watched in forever. I'd forgotten how long it is. Lee was not too impressed with it but it was cute and I liked it.

We both also had Tuesday off as I wanted to go to Slatterys in Manchester. It isn't open on Mondays or we'd have gone then. No matter, we headed off there for midday. I had some kind of toasted sandwich with goats cheese and something else. It was fine, not too exciting. Then I had the wicked chocolate sampler which is four pieces of cake and two chocolate pots - one with melted chocolate in and one with cream in. I never eat all this when I order it, so brought it home. I had a hot chocolate too. It was so good as always! Lee always complains I never take him to Slatterys so he was glad I did.

When we had finished we went into Manchester itself, to the Northern Quarter. We parked on a street and wandered around, going into a bunch of record shops and other shops. Lee got a couple of records. I don't think I got anything. Oh, I lie, I did get some presents for people on Fred Aldous. 

It wasn't too long before we set off home, and got home in good time over Woodhead Pass. We just chilled out again in the evening. I was wearing this Hell Bunny dress though that I got off Georgina a couple of years ago. I have to wear a top under it or it's too low on my chest, but I love the colour and look of it! 

Lunch on my birthday itself in the Bothy at Wentworth Garden Centre

Cute little Victoria sponge bun in the cafe a bit later

Poppy looking very cute. This is one of the new sets of bedding I bought, she's been sleeping there loads

The two little tins I had got from Elsecar Heraite Centre the day before my birthday. The bottom one is a pill box which is always useful to have. I love vintage tins like the top one, I have a similar tobacco tin that is slightly bigger

Hot chocolate in Slatterys the day after my birthday

My main course. Lee had a jacket potato with tuna

Lee went and told them it was my birthday and I got this sparkler, it was cute!

My wicked chocolate sampler - from the top there's chocolate fudge cake, raspberry brownie, cup with melted chocolate, chocolate orange something, and a piece of caramel shortbread, then the chocolate cup with cream in. It's all so good but rich!

Some blue skies in Manchester! Hasn't the weather been miserable? It's just past the middle of February as I write this and I swear it's been raining since New Year's Day 

Cute little map of Manchester I saw in one of the shop windows

And here's my outfit when we got home

January 17th and 18th

On the 17th of January I headed to Wakefield to go to a lace making class. When I went to Pudsey Lace Fair last October I met the Bridge Lacemakers who meet in Wakefield every month, and this was the first time I could make it. As a reminder, I used to make lace as a kid, did a little bit about thirteen years ago, and then got everything back out again in February 2025 when someone at craft club wanted to learn. While I remember all the basic stitches, I don't always know how to start things off and finish them. I had spoken to one of the organisers who said she's a tutor and would help me, so I packed all my things and set off. 

It was held in Wakefield city centre, somewhere I've never been before but knew vaguely where it was. I parked and went in with some others - we were the first there though. In all I think there were about fourteen of us. The day is held from 10 until 3pm, and you take your own lunch, although there is tea and coffee available too. I could visit three times before having to join, but I've already decided I will join when I go again in April as I think it's good to put my money towards a dying art like lacemaking. I couldn't make the dates in February and March which I did warn the group about - I didn't want them to think they'd put me off!

Susan helped me get started on this piece straight away as I already had bobbins wound and ready to go. I made this mat a zillion years ago when I was little, and didn't fully understand how to start it. Susan helped me and I learnt a lot from her! I managed to complete a quarter and a little bit during the day, which was good going. However it's now nearly a month after this and I haven't yet picked my lace up again! Maybe soon! 

When the day had finished I drove back home, popping into Tesco on the way home to get cake. It was nearly my birthday so I wanted a cake for home and one to take to craft club, and I needed vegan stuff because our vegan friends Paul and Lianne were coming. They arrived at the station about 4.30 I think, so Lee and I went to pick them up. 

We showed them the house and Lee made vegan chilli for us all, and then we just chilled out for the rest of the night. Paul kep choosing vinyl for Lee to play and we were just chatting. They had been in Sheffield for an art thing, and were staying for lunch with us on the Sunday too. The table wasn't booked until late as my mum and stepdad were at church, so Paul suggested that we went to Elsecar Heritage Centre as they had enjoyed it there previously.

So around ten on the Sunday morning we set off there. We went round all the antiques bits and I even ventured upstairs. I'm so glad I did because I found this vintage sewing machine which had to come home with me! I've been wanting one for ages to just have as an ornament, and this one is so pretty. I think it actually would work - when I turn the handle the needle goes up and down - so I might give it a go one time. 

We went into the nicer cafe for a hot chocolate each and a sit down. We didn't go in many more of the shops as we'd spent a long time in the antiques centre! So then we set off to the Dunkirk pub. It's not that far from our new house and I've heard rave reviews so I wanted to go it. Lee's mam and stepdad came down too, and my mum and stepdad, so there were eight of us in total. We got there a bit earlier than I had booked, but could sit down anyway. 

My mum and stepdad arrived eventually and I opened presents. I got some lovely things including a wine cooler from my mum, champagne from Lee's mam, and chocolate and stationery from Paul and Lianne. We ordered food, I don't think service was particularly fast but we didn't mind as we were chatting. I had Yorkshire puddings and grayv to start with, and then a chestnut roast with all the trimmings and vegetables, and cauliflower cheese. It was so good, I've rarely had a nut roast like it. For pudding my mum and I shared some puddings, but neither were really that good.

Lee's mam and stepdad took Paul and Lianne home which was brilliant. Lee and I got home and watched two films for the rest of the evening. I had been wearing my star print Simply Be dress that I hadn't pulled out at Christmas so I thought it would be nice for my birthday. I also wore my newish Dr Marten boots. They're black and pink and I love them, but I did get a bit of a blister on one ankle. Next time I needed thicker socks I think! I'm determined to break these in. 

Starting off my new lace piece - the threads were left over from my previous project and I had rewound them 

Chocolate cake for craft club

And a Bluey cake for me. I have to say though that it wasn't very tasty

My nails were a dark red polish from Zoya

Sunday morning - my sparkly tights and pink and black boots

A better picture of the polish showing off the sparkle in it

Hot chocolate

My nut roast and another Yorkshire pudding, before I added vegetables

Chocolate malt cake - which was nice - with a weird ice cream, which wasn't

In my star print sparkly dress when we got back, before we got in our pyjamas to relax for the evening

And here's the lovely vintage sewing machine I got! 

Singin' In the Rain Manchester

On the tenth of January I headed across to Manchester to see Singin' in the Rain with Jac, Sam, and Jodie. We had booked the tickets absolutely forever ago and it was the first event I had planned in 2026. I love the film of Singin' in the Rain but have never seen the stage show so I was looking forward to it. 

I set off about 11am I think. The sun was out but there was still a lot of snow on the hills. The roads were fine, though, so it was a pretty drive across Woodhead Pass. I got to Manchester about twelve, as planned, and eventually found the car park I wanted and parked. I walked through to Pho where I had arranged to meet the others, who were already there. 

I had summer rolls with peanut sauce and tofu curry, as I always do. And it was good! We walked through to the Royal Exchange Theatre which I've been to once before, it's cute as a theatre. We were on Row B which was in the "splash zone". I was right on the edge, too. 

The show was absolutely brilliant. Really faithful to the film and the actors were all really good. I really did get splashed during Singin' in the Rain which happened just before the interval. During the interval the staff had to come and dry the stage, it took a while! We had ice creams in the interval. 

The second half was just as good and we all enjoyed it. It was dark and cold by the time it had finished - it was the matinee showing - but I got back in good time back over the moors. 

I stopped on the way before Woodhead Pass to take this gorgeous photo of the snow and the sky

Summer rolls

And tofu curry

The stage before the show started

And with my flyer

Here we all are! 

And the staff mopping water off the stage in the interval!