Trip to France - Day 2

The Monday of our week in France was a lovely sunny day, and the view from Alison's front window is just so typically French and beautiful, I spent some time just looking out of the window enjoying myself. Lee had to work Monday and Tuesday because he didn't have enough days left, so he worked from Alison's house. He ended up sitting at the bottom of the stairs to talk to colleagues, but he was able to join us for croissants for breakfast which were of course delicious. 

Then Ali and I went to Lidl to get a few things. I got some chocolate for Lee and I and some wine - I love how cheap wine is in France but thanks to Brexit you can't bring as much back as previously, so I just bought what I would drink that week. We got back about 12.30, and about 1.30 my mum and Norman arrived! They had made really good time from Caen (you have to get off the boat really early). We sat in the conservatory chatting for ages, and then about 3.30pm we cracked out the fizzy wine and had a drink. 

We helped Alison to cook - she made a beef bourgignon for herself, Derek, my mum and stepdad, and a chestnut and mushroom bourgignon for me. Lee doesn't like either of those, so he had chicken goujons alongside Alison's mum. Everyone was happy, it was fine! We had them with mashed potatoes, green beans, and sprouts. At Lidl I had bought some coffee mousses so some of us had those too. We played cards in the evening and it was just a nice, chilled day. That was the vibe of the whole week, really, it was pretty chill! 

Looking one way out of Alison's front window - isn't it just so beautiful and peaceful?

And looking the other way. This boulangerie was shut for two weeks which was a shame, but there is another one just a bit further up

My mum and I celebrating with wine not long after she had arrived

And my vegetarian bourgignon later. I haven't ever had anything like that before but I really liked it

Trip to France - Day 1

The day after Lee's brother's wedding we tripped off to France to stay with my godparents for a week! It was weird how it turned out to be only four weeks how we got back off the cruise, but it was just the way it worked out with everyone. My mum and stepdad drove down to Portsmouth and sailed overnight, so they didn't get there until the Monday. They took a suitcase of our clothes with them which was nice. Lee and I got the plane to Limoges from Manchester.

We got there nice and early and went through security, then bought Lee some headphones in Duty Free because he'd forgotten his, and then we went to the pub restaurant thing and got breakfast. I had a veggie breakfast which was nice enough. We popped into WH Smith for chocolate and then we sat and waited. It turned out we were waiting just near our gate, which was useful, so once we could queue Lee did. Finally we were on the plane. It left a little bit late but it caught some time up and it's such a short flight anyway, so we landed about 3pm local time. 

Alison was in Limoges airport waiting for us. It's a tiny airport so we just had to get through passport control and then found Alison. Derek was waiting outside in the car, so soon enough we were heading to their house which is about an hour from Limoges, towards Angouleme. It's an area that I've been to a few times and it's not my favourite place in France but it is nice. 

Alison's mum lives with them so once we got back we said hello to her and then we just chilled out. Alison had already planned to make a roast dinner - roast chicken for all of them and nut roast for me, and alongside there was leeks in cheese sauce, sprouts, green beans, and more. It was delicious! Then she had bought a Paris Brest cake for pudding from the boulangerie/patisserie across the road from the house. I've never tried it before and while I don't love praline it was really delicious and I'm glad I had some!

In the evening we ended up watching TV together - we browsed Netflix and ended up deciding on Yellow Jackets which Lee and I had been meaning to start. We liked the first episode so we'll definitely watch more. 

Even though they live in a small town the skies at Alison's are just gorgeous. I also love that they have shutters on all the windows cos it makes it really dark to sleep which I like. I took a photo of the stars just before we went to sleep. 

Veggie breakfast in the airport. Lee had a fried egg and hash brown sandwich, I think

I took this photo from the plane somewhere just over France I think

Paris Brest cake - you didn't need a lot of it because it was rich!

And finally the stars last thing

Lee's Brother's Wedding

In the middle of October Lee's brother Andrew got married to his fiancee Libby and it was a lovely day! They live in Newcastle and that's where the wedding was. Lee and I would normally have stayed over and seen his dad too, but we were going away the day after, so we had to go there and back in one day. So we set off nice and early, and got some breakfast on the way, and got to the venue only just after eleven o'clock. Which turned out to be before almost anyone else and we had come the furthest! 

We talked to lots of Lee's family which was nice, and took our seats about 12.30 with our friends Paul and Lianne. Paul has known Andrew for years and they're close, so it was nice to see them too. The ceremony started just before 1pm. Libby looked absolutely beautiful - her mum made the dress and it was absolutely gorgeous and she looked stunning. Her hair is to die for too, and it looked so good!

After the ceremony there were photos outside and donuts to eat which were all vegan. I had one of the orange ones with creme inside which were delicious. The decor of the room was all autumn themed which was really nice, including handmade crocheted pumpkins which were so cute. We went outside to be in some photos and the weather was very changeable but the sun did come out for a bit. 

At 5pm there was a pizza van outside so we ordered margheritas each and chips. There was vegan pizza too for the vegans. Then there was dancing and bubble machines and I asked both of my adult nieces for photos and they nicely indulged me, haha. They're 19 and 20 now and delightful and it was nice to meet Caitlin's boyfriend too. 

Lee and I left at about 9.15 because we had to get home, but it was such a pleasure to see Andrew and Libby get married. They're so right for each other and it's so lovely! I was wearing a Lady V dress that I've had for a couple of years now but don't wear often, with a very old pink cardigan over the top. 

My nails on the way there - it was an Essie polish with an OPI glitter over the top and it looked really nice, I really liked the effect

The venue all set up, looking so cute before anyone else arrived 

Here I am all made up outside - my main make up bag was already packed to go away so I had to improvise!

Here I am in this gorgeous Lady V dress - I loved the pattern and thought it was nice for a wedding

Here's Lianne and I outside

Some of the gorgeous flower displays inside, so fitting for mid October

And more - didn't it look lovely?

Donuts! It was a nice touch while photos were happening

And the wedding cake! 

Here's Libby in her absolutely stunning dress that her mum made 

And here it is from the back. It was just so pretty!

I liked this sign that they had hung outside

Lee's sister Kim and me when the sun was out

Kim and her husband Steven

Lee and I - he had to dress up smart and he wasn't impressed

Lee's mam Bev and me 

Lee's mam and stepdad Gary and all their kids - Daniel, Kim, Libby, Chris, Andrew, Lee, Bev and Gary. Yes she has five kids!

Libby and I in a quick photo

Lianne and Paul and Lee and I - not a great photo of any of us but it was the best we could do I think

Pizza! It was fresh and delicious! 

The vegan pizzas Paul and Lianne had

Finally here's my niece Leah and I later on when we had all had a few drinks!

And me and my other niece Caitlin... thanks girls!

A Lush Facial and Lunch in Leeds

For my 40th birthday back in January, my cousin N bought me a voucher for a facial at a Lush spa. I've never been to one before but I've got friends who rave about them so I was intrigued to try one. I hadn't got round to booking it before but then I thought it would be a nice treat for early October. I invited N to come along later to meet me for lunch, which she agreed to. We decided to go to Rosa's Thai restaurant in Trinity because it's just opened and we both like Thai food. 

I set off really early before my appointment, intending to have a little wander through some shops, maybe get a drink of coffee before my 12 o'clock appointment in the Lush store. However, when I got to the car park, there was a queue to get in because the car park was full. That would have been bad enough but then someone had broken down in the queue which was causing chaos. I did eventually get in and get parked, but I had had to wait about half an hour and I was only just on time for my appointment! I had rang them to let them know but it meant I arrived a little bit flustered! 

But I was shown downstairs into the spa area and I had a little conversation with the therapist about my skin. She showed me the room, which was absolutely lovely - very quiet and relaxing, with nice lights and furniture and things. She told me how to undress and get on the bed and so on, and to then ring the bell to let her know she could come in. I ended up undressing almost completely - I could have kept my bra on but it was more comfortable without. The blanket covered me fine. The bed was heated which was absolutely gorgeous - I could have comfortably fallen asleep on it I think. I do find it hard and painful to lie completely flat on a bed, which I mentioned, so she raised the head of it slightly for me. 

She used about eight products I reckon, and she did a proper thorough massage of my neck and shoulders, which I really like. When the clay mask was drying on my face, she massaged my arms and hands, which was really nice too. The music is specially curated to match the facial, which feels like a nice touch too instead of it just being the plinky plonky stuff they usually have in spas. The facial lasted about forty five minutes and I really appreciated too that she just got on with it instead of trying to make small talk (which I hate). 

At the end, she quietly told me to take my time in getting dressed and then meet her outside. My bones felt all warm and relaxed so it did take me a few minutes to kind of come round and get dressed. I went upstairs and bought some products - I needed some more shampoo, and I liked two of the products she had used on my face so much that I bought them too. Then I also bought some Halloween shower gel which smells like cherries and is glittery. 

By this time it was almost 1pm which was when N and I had said we would meet, so I rushed down to Rosa's Thai. It's new in Trinity but neither of us can remember what was there before! N was running an errand for me, bless her, so she arrived a little bit after me. 

I had summer rolls which were really spicy but also nice, and then a tofu penang curry, which was nice and hot but the vegetables were a little bit weird. I also had a homemade lemonade which was delicious too. After lunch we went into a couple of shops but then said goodbye and I drove home. N is going travelling in November so it will be a few months before I see her again!

I was wearing a new t shirt that I got from Simply Be. It's a Joe Browns one. I really liked the pattern on it and it was in the sale so was onlyt about fourteen pounds or something like that. It's really comfortable and I think I will wear it a lot! I wore it with this old Scarlett and Jo skirt which is nice for the cooler months because it has netting and lining underneath it. 

In the treatment room in the spa. The bed was quite low to the floor which was good for me, too

Post facial, in Rosa's Thai, waiting for N. I think my skin looked lovely! 

Homemade lemonade

Summer rolls and N's spring rolls which were freshly cooked

My curry - N had king prawn pad Thai I think

New t shirt with a cute print, and old purple skirt

And here's what I bought in Lush

Lincoln Zine Fest 2024

The beginning of October saw this year's Lincoln Zine Fest! I think I've been to every one of them and I'm so glad we could go. I've been by myself, and with Lee, with Sam and Jac, and last year my mum went with me because Lee was playing a gig somewhere. This year he was sort of getting better from being unwell, but he was determined to go. As it was, I drove there and he drove back, so at least he didn't have to drive both ways.

We got there about 10am and got all set up and stuff. We went down to the cafe when it opened and I got a latte and a vegan sausage roll. Lincoln Zine Fest isn't huge but it's always nice to see people and talk to them. We saw Lou and Si of course, and Chris who lives in Barnsley was sitting next to us, and we got talking to some new people too. I bought a couple of zines and I also got Lele to buy me a piece of artwork for Christmas, which I will totally have forgotten about by then. 

I had a toasted teacake in the afternoon and probably another drink too? Lee went to look at a record shop which was of course fine. We packed up at four and drove to the waterfront where there are a bunch of restaurants. We actually ate at Wagamama there several years ago. But this time we had a gift voucher for Ask so we went in there. It was only about 4.30 so it wasn't very full. We shared some bread to start with, and then I had vegetarian carbonara! I really miss meat carbonara so I was really excited when I saw this on the menu! It tasted really nice. I also had a strawberry margarita which was lovely. 

We finished about 5.45 and set off home. There was a lovely sunset on the way home, so I snapped a picture. I like the drive to Lincoln, it's never that stressful and just always nice to do. I was wearing my Topsy Curvy galaxy print dress and I got several compliments on it! It is nice. 

Here's my stall all set up and ready to go! The museum is a really nice venue, with a lot of space and light, perfect for a zine fest

Down on the waterfront after the fest

My cocktail

My meatless carbonara, it was really nice!

Lovely sunset on the way home

And my dress when we got home

Films of the Month - September

I watched fourteen films in September which wasn't bad to say that I was away for a week of it. Here's what I saw: 

Sam and Jac and I watched 24 Hour Party People together which was my choice, I love it and it was fun to watch together

I watched Dial M for Murder on the BBC; I haven't seen a lot of Hitchcock films but I've heard of this one of course and probably seen a zillion parodies of it, so I thought I should watch it. I really enjoyed it. I ought to watch more old films, really 

Netflix recommended this to me and as I like Anne Hathaway I took a chance on it. I didn't love it but I did like it; I'm glad I've seen it but I probably won't watch it again

I dunno why I fancied watching Mary Poppins Returned again, but I did, so I did. I think it's an okay sequel. I still don't like Ben Whishaw

I've been watching the new series of the Famous Five on the BBC and I think they're really good remakes, I've thoroughly enjoyed them and think they're really good for kids. The last one in the series was really cute

I watched the second Kingsman film because I'm absolutely just making my way through them again. It's not as good as the first one but it is still fun

I listened to the audiobook of this book over several weeks while commuting, and when I saw there was a film I wanted to see it, especially as it stars Philippa Soo, because I like her. I don't think it stood up to the book, but it was okay 

Lee and I saw the beginning of Just Married while in our cabin on the cruise, and I thought it was quite fun so I watched it. I love Brittany but the film overall is just a bit forced and flat 

As we were on Mykonos my mum and I were talking about Shirley Valentine. I'd never seen it so I thought I would. I really liked it, it's a classic for a reason! 

Netflix recommend this to me too, and as I like Natasha Lyonne I decided to give it a go. It's a bit harrowing, and moving, and very understarted. I would recommend it if you like that type of film

I watched the second Addams Family animated film because it was on the BBC. I've seen it before but didn't remember much about it. It is cute

I've never seen Drop Dead Fred but I really like Rik Mayall so I thought I would take a chance on it. It's a cute film, I didn't like the lead woman though

I watched the Broadway recording of Hamilton just because I love it and the songs. It is so good, I just love it

Finally, Sam and I saw this in the cinema and it was just so good - I really recommend it. Kate Winslet is brilliant