Lunch with Philippa

Towards the end of October I went to Sheffield to meet Philippa for lunch. She suggested we go to Aesthete in Walkley; we've been before but it was in the summer so we sat outside. This time it was much too cold for that! But I agreed as the food had been nice. I had to park on what is practically a vertical hill but I did very good parallel parking and then made my way inside to where Philippa already was. 

It was really busy but she had managed to get a table. I went for poached eggs on a muffin with cubed potatoes, tomatoes, and mushrooms. It tasted really nice but I think the portion was a bit little. I also had a vegan caramel shortbread which was lovely. 

As we were leaving I got a photo of us because I always forget and didn't want to. As you can see I was wearing the jumper that I made - it's lovely and warm without being too big or bulky, so I will probably wear it a lot over the winter. 

Breakfast muffin

Lovely cake for dessert; I had coffee too 

And finally a lovely photo of Pippa and me!

Tea Out with Friends

The night after the Libertines I went into Wakefield to meet two friends for food. My friend Stacey lives in Wakefield and I see her pretty often, and we are friends with Gemma, who we went to school with. Gemma works in the civil service and she has been working abroad for a long time now. She was back to visit, though, so we had arranged to meet up. We were going to go to a new Indian restaurant near Wakefield, so I had arranged to go pick Gemma up in town. 

However, the busses from Gemma's mum's house weren't running properly, and at 6pm when I was supposed to be picking her up she was still waiting. So she said for me and Stacey to just meet up in Wakefield city centre and that she would join us when we could. We were dithering between a Thai restaurant and a Vietnamese one, so I made the decision as I was close by, and chose the Vietnamese one. I didn't even know it existed so I was interested to try it. 

I had just ordered a drink when Gemma arrived and then Stacey did too! So it wasn't what we had planned but it was totally fine, we managed to meet up and have a good time. It seemed like quite an authentic Vietnamese restaurant and it was quite busy for a random Wednesday night. I had summer rolls with tofu and then tofu curry. The curry sauce wasn't exactly what I was imagining, but I'm gladi  tried it. 

Stacey took Gemma home so I could just head home myself. I was wearing a new jumper I got recently from Simply Be. It's rainbow and pastel and knitted and I really like it. It isn't too itchy either, which is good, because I can't stand itchy yarn. I also wore my 'be reyt' necklace that a friend bought me for my birthday back in January. It was the first time I had worn it! I love it, it's very cute 

Summer rolls with a really spicy sauce

Tofu curry with rice

Wearing an old Scarlett and Jo skirt (used to be a dress) and a black t shirt underneath, and this new rainbow knit jumper. I can see myself wearing this a lot over the winter!

Very cute acrylic 'be reyt' necklace 

The Libertines in Leeds

On the 22nd of October I went to see The Libertines in Leeds with Sam and Jacqui. As you may know, they're one of my favourite bands and I like to see them often. I met Sam through them too, back on LiveJournal in 2006, if you can believe it! Jacqui isn't a fan, but she wanted to come to a gig with me and Sam so she booked a ticket with us too. We had balcony tickets at the o2 Academy in Leeds which is okay as venues go. 

So we arranged to meet up at 5pm for food before the gig. I got the train from Barnsley and walked from the station to The Light. That's a fair old walk for me but I took it slow and I was fine, I was pleased with myself! I was early so I went into Tamatanga anyway, where Sam had booked a table for us. She had been before but I never had and it sounded so good. And it was!

Sam arrived and we ordered some cocktails each, and then Jac arrived too. Tamatanga has a good vegetarian menu and a good vegan one too, so I was spoilt for choice. I went for papdi chaat and black butter lentils. They were both SO good. The chaat was spicy and cold and delicious, and the butter lentils were so good. They were almost like Dishoom's black lentils, but not quite. But very close in terms of richness and deliciousness. I had them with rice. 

After we had eaten it was around 6.15 and Sam went to go queue outside the venue. She had volunteered so that we didn't all have to (I find queueing really difficult and painful for me) which I was very grateful for. She got into the venue and got three seats on the right hand side of the balcony for us, so Jac and I followed not too long after. The venue staff let us up in the lift which was really kind of them as I hadn't booked access. We got to Sam and sat down. 

The support bands were fine. We were chatting and we had some wine which was good. Then the Libs! They had a new album out in April so it was our first chance to hear some of these songs live. They sounded really good and the whole thing was just a joy from start to finish. Jac enjoyed herself which was really good too. 

The band finished about 10.45 so we left the venue and walked down to the train station together. Sam had to get a rail replacement bus so she went off to that, and Jac and I went into the station. Again this was quite a long walk for me but I was fine as we were together and just happy after the show. Jac and I sat together for a bit before she went for her train and I waited for Lee. He didn't mind picking me up but traffic around the Academy is awful which is why I had said I would walk down to the station for him to get me there. 

I'm seeing the Libs at the very beginning of November too, so watch out for that post too! 

This was a lychee cocktail and it was nice. They were on 2 for 1 so it would have been rude not to, really

Papdi chaat to start with - the blueberries were a bit of a weird addition but okay

Black butter lentils - I could really eat these again right now

The second cocktail that Jac and I shared while we were waiting - I can't remember what it was but it was nice

Jac and I in Tamatanga before Sam left

The Libertines! This was Carl doing some singing at the front

I just love them so much

At the end just about to take a bow

Sam took this of the three of us, we're adorable! 

And Sam also took this of the outside, too, on the way out

Trip to France - Day 8

And all too soon it was time to go home from France! Boo! We were flying out of Limoges at 3.20pm so we didn't have to leave for the airport until about 1pm. So we had a brunch with my mum, stepdad, Alison, Derek, and Eileen. My mum and stepdad were staying on a few extra days after we had left before sailing home the following Wednesday. Alison and I had gone to the supermarket on the Saturday morning to get provisions for brunch, so on Sunday we were all ready to cook it. 

Lee made pan haggerty which he always makes on holiday and which is delicious. It's a north east dish and Lee's version (which was his grandma's version) is potatoes, cheese, and butter. It's good for breakfast and for tea, whichever! Alison made sausage and bacon for everyone else, and Lee and I had vegetarian Knacki hotdog sausages which were SO good, I wish they were available here. We had avocado and fried eggs alongside, too. It was a good meal to set us up for the day!

At 1pm ish we set off with Alison and my mum to the airport. It isn't too far so before long we were saying goodbye. We had to queue to get through security and it took a while. There's literally nothing to do at Limoges airport so we just went down to the gate and sat, and then queued to get on the plane. The flight passed without incident, and we touched down in good time and obviously as we only had our hand luggage we just went straight to the car. We were back home by 6pm, really happy to see Poppy and Kiki, who were I think also glad to see us! I had such a lovely week and I'm so glad we were able to go. 

Pan haggerty ready to eat

I used to love meat Knacki sausages when I was in France so I'm so glad they do these veggie ones now. I'll look out for them next time I'm in France for sure

And finally, flying somewhere over France I think

Trip to France - Day 7

Saturday was the last full day of our holiday and we did really not a lot at all! We had croissants for breakfast again, and sat around chatting and playing cards, and I was doing some cross stitch too. Lee and I packed our things ready for my mum to bring home in the car. At 4pm we cracked open a bottle of champagne which was delicious, and then we had another one too! Then I had bought a bottle of Cremant de Loire so we had that too. It was fizzy and cold and really good. 

Alison, my mum, Lee and I all worked together to make several curries for tea. Alison made a chicken korma which I obviously don't eat, but I tasted the sauce and it was spicy but creamy and really nice. We made hot and spicy chickpeas (I love chickpeas but Lee doesn't like them so I rarely eat them) and potato and cauliflower curry. We worked on and off during the day all doing it together to get it done, and it was just lovely. 

My mum made some 'froze' cocktail which is frozen rose wine with grenadine and creme de framboise in it. We had it on the cruise and my mum really liked it, so we made some ourselves. We played cards again in the evening - Nomination Whist, which is my favourite card game. I had been wearing my flamingo skirt and my Our Flag Means Death t shirt, but after we'd eaten I went and got my pyjamas on to be comfy! 

Playing cards about 2pm. My mum took some cards on the cruise but we just never got round to playing it, so I was determined we would while we were in France

The first bottle of champagne which was demi-sec which was unusual but really nice

The Cremant de Loire which was also delicious

My outfit of the day

Curry!

Cocktail with raspberries in too

And finally while we were playing games late on

And the other side of the table too....

Trip to France - Day 6

So on the Friday of our holiday, after the disappointment that had been Thursday evening, we woke up in the hotel. We had arranged with the owners to have breakfast at 9am so we headed down then. We were the only guests at the time so we had the huge dining table to ourselves. We had fresh bread and butter, a croissant each, a piece of cake, and jam. The owner had also managed to find some decaf coffee for us and it was lovely!

We checked out at 10am and drove to Brantome. It's a lovely town that has a Friday market, we went with Bettie and my mum way back in 2017. By the time Lee and I got there and because it was kind of late in the season, there wasn't much of the market still left, but we did have a wander round. I bought a little piece of amethyst which I really like. We weren't exactly hungry but we would have had some dessert if we could find it, but we couldn't. 

So we drove to Nontron, which is close to where Alison lives so was on our way back. We parked in the old town and walked through a little bit. We went into a restaurant which had a very small menu, but they had omelettes which I quite fancied. I had cheese and Lee doesn't like cheese omelettes so I asked for just a plain one for him which was fine. The chips were really good too. Then we both had a chocolate fondant cake with cream which was delicious. It made up for missing a nice meal on the Thursday!

We went back to Alison's then and met up with all the others, and then we chilled out for a little bit. At 5pm me, my mum, stepdad, Alison and Derek headed to their local bar, La Beleine, for a drink. It's new and it's really cute. It's also a workers coop so that's incredibly cool. Inside it's really pretty and a bit rustic. I had more Pineau des Charentes which was lovely. At 6pm Lee came to meet us and we set off to Vanessa's bar. In October France had really gone mad for pink for breast cancer, and Vanessa was having an event for that too. There was a band setting up in her bar, and everyone had to wear pink, so we talked to some people and had a couple of drinks. 

Then we went to Larochefocauld (no idea if that's spelt right but anyway) to go to a creperie for tea. I love French crepes, both savoury and sweet ones. On their online menu there weren't a lot of vegetarian choices but the good thing about French restaurant is that it's really easy to order what you like and they can often provide for you. So Lee and I both had emmental and pureed potato in the galette, with an egg on top. It was rich and delicious and I really liked mine. 

Then for dessert I had a crepe Belle Helene. I LOVE Poire Belle Helene so I was pleased there was a crepe. It was quite expensive but Lee said I should just have it. The pear was gorgeous and nicely poached, and the whole thing was delicious. 

After we had eaten we headed back to Alison's. Lee was really tired and he was driving, so we didn't get another drink. It was nice to go out again though! I was wearing my new Joe Browns dress again - I didn't take many clothes because I knew I wouldn't need many outfits. I also put on my new crocheted jumper that I made! I just made granny squares with a variegated yarn, sewed them together and called it good. I'm really proud of my first crochet garment and I think it looks cute. It's really warm and snuggly, too! 

Breakfast all set out for us in the bed and breakfast

The outside of the B&B, wasn't it pretty?

On the bridge in Brantome

And looking the other way. It really is a pretty place

This was a beautiful quilt in a bookshop/cafe in Brantome. I took the photo to show my craft club because a lot of them do quilting

And this one too, isn't it pretty?

How cute was this bicycle resting against a wall?

Omelette and chips in Nontron

And my chocolate fondant

Later when we went down to the new bar

And just outside Vanessa's bar

Savoury galette - I love eggs on top of them like this

And my Belle Helene crepe

And finally here's my outfit

Trip to France - Day 5

Ah, Thursday. What a mess it turned out to be. But we were fine, it really wasn't a big deal, but it was really annoying. I decided to book a night away for Lee and I because I thought it would be a nice break, but actually I wish I hadn't bothered really! But we did still have an okay time. 

I wanted to go to Angouleme to go to Sephora, and Lee wanted to go as well, and my mum and Alison said they would go too, so we had planned it for the Thursday. We set off about 11.30 in two cars so that Lee and I could go straight away to our hotel after we had finished shopping, because it was only about half an hour south of Angouleme. 

We went to a shopping mall outside of the city for lunch. It was raining pretty badly but we went to a coffee shop called La Croissanterie inside. We all had sandwiches and cake and drinks. Then we went into Yves Rocher in the mall and a couple of other shops. I love Yves Rocher and haven't been into one in years, but I restrained myself and just bought some hand soap. 

We went in Alison's car into the city centre itself. I've been to Angouleme a few times - in 2017 with Bettie and Jen, when I was younger on the French exchange, and probably some other time too. It was raining really heavily though so we didn't linger too long outside. Sephora was much better than the one in the Trafford Centre so I got some bits for me and some presents. Lee bought a couple of bits too. By this time it was about 3pm and my mum was getting tired so we went to a different La Croissanterie in the city centre for coffee. 

After we had finished shopping we went back to my mum's car at the mall and Lee and I hopped into it (still in pouring rain... this becomes a theme...) and said goodbye to my mum and Alison. They headed back to Alison's and Lee and I headed down to Montmoreau Saint Cybard. The hotel was a bed and breakfast and it was lovely. It was an old manor house set in pretty surroundings and it was decorated really beautifully inside. Plus they had decorated for Halloween so there were spooky bits everywhere!

We had a lovely room and we were able to check in at about 4.30. The place had a pool so at about 5pm we went down to it. It clearly had used to be an outdoor pool but they had put a glass house over it which helped us enormously because the weather was still wild and windy. The pool itself was warm so it was nice enough to bob about for an hour playing with the balls that were there. 

We got out at 6pm and then disaster struck. Haha, I sound so dramatic. You see, Alison had advised us to book a restaurant for the evening instead of leaving it to chance on an October Thursday in rural France. So we had. Lee had found a restaurant only about twenty minutes away and we had emailed to book, and it was all fine. But then at 6.05pm they emailed Lee to tell us they weren't opening and couldn't accomadate us. Fine, we thought. We would find something. We both had showers and we headed out at just before 7pm. 

Then we drove around for two hours looking for somewhere to eat. Everywhere was just closed or didn't have vegetarian options. We found an Italian restaurant and that was full, and they told us to try the one that was closed! Plus there was a closed road which meant we had to keep doing diversions for miles and miles, which was really annoying. If I had known that we wouldn't find anywhere, I would have gone into the supermarket at 7pm and just got bread and cheese and salad or something, and it would have been fine. I also could maybe have asked the owners of the hotel, but I didn't think about that until later. And then the supermarket was closed. And in rural France there aren't just corner shops open on rainy dark October Thursdays. So we were a bit stuck.

We ended up back in Montmoreau at a pizza shop, just before he closed at 9pm. We ordered two pizzas and two chocolate mousses and some drinks, and we headed back to the hotel. We didn't have any cutlery and the owners weren't about, so we had to take cutlery off the breakfast table in order to eat in our room. We ended up watching Schitt's Creek on Lee's tablet. 

It was fine - nothing too drastic - and we did at least manage to get food eventually. But it was a bit annoying that we couldn't have a nice meal together!

The cake I had for lunch, it was so nice!

My mid afternoon coffee. It beat Costa, that's for sure!

French countryside on our way down to the hotel

The view from our hotel room

The corridor - a little bit creepy but so pretty too

I also really liked the floor in the hotel foyer

The pool - it was deep and long so it was nice to swim in!

Look at the teeny pumpkins on the fancy staircase

This creepy witch was in the foyer

And finally here's my chocolate mousse around 9.30...