Family Trip - Day 2

On the Saturday of our weekend trip we had quite a busy day! I had booked swimming for 9.40 for 7 of us so we all quickly got ready for that. There was me, Lee, Rob, Beth, T, and Caroline. So only 6 of us! But it was lovely. They were operating a wristband system so we got an hour swimming which was absolutely fine by us. T played in the baby pool and swam in the big pool, which he is very good at. The jacuzzi area was open too so we went in that for a bit. It was lush. 

We got back to the caravan and I had a shower and then we all dispersed for a bit. Beth went to offsite to a shop. I did some cross stitch. T and Rob played around about. When Beth got back we all had lunch together in the caravan I was in, lots of bits all together. T went for a nap and then my mum, Norman, Lee and I decided to go to the entertainment venue to play there for a bit. Peter, Rob and Neil joined us. We played on the 2p machines, I beat Peter at air hockey twice and he beat me once, and a few of us played pool upstairs. 

I bought ice creams for Peter, Beth and I (no one else wanted one) and we ate them outside. Beth and I shared with T and then he wandered off to find my mum and Peter so she and I chatted for a bit which was nice. Lee and Norman went back to the van, not sure what Caroline, Neil and Rob did, but my mum, Beth, Peter, T and I went to the ranger station because we had booked an experience feeding alpacas! At this point it was only about 4pm so we got to cuddle BABY RABBITS for a bit. Oh, I remember, Caroline and Rob went to a nearby museum and Neil went for a walk. 

The ranger station has games in, and a cafe, so we got a drink too, and RABBITS. There's five all together and they take it in turns to be held and try to keep the numbers down. I'm not usually a fan of small animals like rabbits but I was very brave and held TWO different ones. They were so tiny and so soft. Beth loves rabbits so she was in her element. T and Peter played Connect 4 and my mum sat and had her drink.

Then the ranger took us over to ALPACAS. This was £10 each and it was about worth that, it was pretty cool. There were four alpacas all together, one cream and three chocolate. We got to feed them which was really cute. I am glad we did it! 

We walked back to the caravans where Neil was getting tea ready. He had got a few different quiches with potatoes and salad and dips and stuff. It was perfect especially as the weather was so hot. Beth, it turned out, had left her purse in one of the shops she went to, so she went to retrieve it and was very glad it was still there! Meanwhile, I got busy blending frozen margaritas for whoever wanted one. I bought a blender recently and I've been enjoying blending all the things, so we had decided to make two different types of frozen cocktails. The margaritas were delicious but strong!

After tea we did a quiz that I had written and played some other games and just basically had a good time before bed. 

I hadn't felt well so had ended up on the sofa in the living room, where I was joined at 8am by T

And here we are sharing ice cream with him after lunch

Rabbit!

Peter and I and yes he apparently did have to pull that face

Beth cuddling a rabbit

T and I, he is such a cutie

Playing Connect 4 with uncle Peter

Many many pictures of alpacas, they were so cute

And finally, my delicious cocktail

Family Trip - Day 1

Asi n previous years, we went away for the weekend in July with my family. We used to go camping, but we have also done other things. While baby T is little, we have decided static caravans are the way forward. We went in one last year in Norfolk, in Hunstanton, and this year we booked to go to Billing Aquadrome which is near Northampton. It was about two and a half hours drive for Lee and me, but we stopped for lunch on the way. We got to Billing Aquadrome about 2.45 but we couldn't check in until 4pm so we sat in the main entertainment area - which is called The Venue - and had a drink. 

It was really hot so we sat outside and I had a lager, but it wasn't actually that nice which was a shame... Never mind! We eventually got the keys and drove round to the vans. I had booked them over the phone because we wanted to be close to each other, unlike last year when we were just a bit too far apart from each other for comfort. So we were next door but one to each other on River Meadows, which is one of the closest 'streets' to the main areas. The park is huge, I'm glad we weren't any further away. The vans were absolutely identical so Lee and I chose one and opened the windows in both caravans because it was so hot inside. 

My mum and stepdad arrived not too long after us and my aunt and uncle the same, and then my cousin Peter. By this time it was about 4.30 and I had booked swimming for 5 people at 5pm. My mum can't fully swim because of the ongoing problems she is having with her mastectomy scar, but I had persuaded her to bring her swimming costume and come with us. So me, her, Lee, my uncle Neil, and Peter, all headed off. The swimming set up was a bit confusing but it was fine once we were in the pool. There was a slide so my uncle and Peter went down it a couple of times. My mum just sat on the side with her legs dangling in, keeping her scar dry, chatting to us. It was lovely, I'm glad she came. 

I have been having a really crappy time recently - more on that later - and we haven't been swimming because of my mum and a few other things, so it was so nice to be in the water and just let myself float and relax. In fact, I managed to relax for the whole weekend, barely thinking about difficult things at all. I cried in the pool which was a huge release too, I must have needed it. It was also really cool in the pool so that helped. I've doubled my dosage of antidepressants so the heat has been absolutely killing me. 

We got out at 6pm when the pool shut and headed back to the caravans, where Rob, Beth, and T had arrived. T was thrilled to play with some fans, which was adorable. Lee and I were cooking on Friday so we got started on that. We made a Mexican baked rice thing which we've made before and which we really like. We made one with beef and one with vegetarian mince, plus sour cream, cheese, a mountain of guacamole, and so on. It did take quite a while for it to be done, but it was worth it. Everyone enjoyed it! 

Rob had made all the desserts for the weekend and I had requested tiramisu which he had made and it was SO GOOD! I am so grateful! It was soft and coffee filled and delicious. We just chatted for the rest of the evening and had some wine, we were all tired after the week but it was so good to be together. 

Lager in the bar outside the Venue. I really only drink lager when the weather is hot

T playing with Lee's rechargeable fan, too cute

And finally tiramisu!

Six in Leeds

On the 12th of July I went to Leeds to see Six with my mum, Sam, Jodie, and Mel. We have had the tickets since last August or something ridiculous like that. I have obviously seen it before but my mum hadn't, and wanted to. We had originally booked to go with Jac, but then she wasn't able to make it, so Jodie asked her friend Mel instead. I had met her once before but not for long, so it was nice to see her again.

Lee and I went to my mum's first and we had some lunch with her and my stepdad, and then she drove us to Leeds. We parked close to the theatre and walked up the Grand arcade. It was when the weather was stupidly hot so we were already sticky and sweaty, but never mind. Sam and Jodie were in the Cosy Club having some lunch, so my mum and I walked down there. I've never been in before but I quite liked it. My mum and I had a drink as we had eaten. Mel arrived and had a drink too. Then, just before 4pm, we headed to the theatre. It was stupid hot in there, old buildings suffer in the heat!

They had two showings of Six that day, as it's only short, and we had booked to see the earlier one. The place was absolutely rammed and as my mother said, mostly with women. And young women, too! The show was really good, as it always is. The Anne Boleyn appeared to be from Huddersfield or somewhere close which made her accent absolutely hilarious. I enjoyed it, and when it finished, my mum said 'Absolutely fabulous!'. So that was good, I was glad. She would see it again!

We had finished a bit earlier than we thought so we were early to Zan Asian where we had booked to eat. It didn't matter because it wans't very busy, so we got a table upstairs. It was SO hot in there and the air conditioner was like snowing? And not working great. Never mind! I ordered a blue cocktail - love me some blue shit - and we ordered food. I had Penang style grilled tofu which came with veg and peanuts on, and was yummy. The whole restaurant is Malaysian and I would like to go back and try more dishes. I wasn't sure what to get for mains but ended up going for Rojak Mee, which was tofu in a peanut sauce with noodles. It was nice but the noodles were a bit soggy for my liking. Still, it was good to try

After we had eaten we all just said goodbye and my mum drove us back to hers. Lee came to pick me up a bit later and then it was home time! 

This was a peach and pineapple something cocktail, it was pretty good

And this was a special, can't remember what, but also good

In the theatre before the show started. We were on Row N I think, and had a really good view

At the end, when you're encouraged to stand up and take photos

And another

A picture of the post outside

My blue cocktail

Tofu starter

And tofu main... fortunately I like tofu!

Lunch Out with Roslyn

On the 6th of July I went to Sheffield to meet up with my friend Roslyn. We had decided to go to Cambridge Street Collective, but it's not easy for me to park near, so I was going to park at Middlewood and get a tram. But Ros said she would pick me up from Middlewood, so that's what she did! We parked near City Hall as she has a disabled badge, and walked to the collective. 

I haven't been before but I know a lot of people in Sheffield really rate it. We walked round for a bit looking at all the different food options there are available. Then we went in the photo booth! The pictures are so cute! We each got a smoothie too and sat down at a table to drink them. It was still early so I wasn't quite ready for lunch.

But we both decided to get Korean corn dogs so we ended up sharing a whole platter. As we're both vegetarian we both just got the dogs with cheese in, which melted a lot and was yummy. With it we had rice and chips and fried cauliflower. That was REALLY yummy. The corn dog had kind of solidified by the time we had finished eating, which was a bit of a shame, but never mind. 

We walked through to a place where it turned out there was a podcast festival going on, which was a bit odd. But there was a book shop so we went in there and browsed for a bit. I don't think either of us bought anything though! Then we went in Pete McKee's shop. He is related to my friend Lolly so I knew the shop was there, but hadn't been in before. They have a vending machine where you get a mystery tiny print of Pete's art, and I got this really cute one of someone playing guitar. I love it! 

We walked through TKMaxx browsing, but I just bought some soap and a coral colour nail polish which I've decided is this summer's polish for my toes. Because it's just my toes and I don't care that much about them, I just keep painting over them when they chip until the autumn when I take it all off. My friend Amy does this and it is excellent for toes in summer, I would recommend!

Ros took me back to Middlewood and we sat in the car for about forty minutes still chatting! It was actually really nice. It was past 4.30 by the time I got home! I had been wearing this long pink tie dyed skirt which I got off Vinted although it's Yours originally. I have been wearing it a lot! With it I wore my newer Hamilton t shirt which just says Awesome, Wow on it. I love it! 

I really can't remember what type of smoothie this was but it was delicious

Our photo booth photos were really cute! Ros is really tall so yes she slouched!

The Korean BBQ stuff we shared - it was better financially to share, and there was more then plenty for us 

The little print I got out of the vending machine in Pete's shop

And my outfit when I got home!

Lunch with Philippa

On the 2nd of July I went to Penistone to meet up with Philippa for lunch. I usually don't mind driving to Sheffield but asked if she minded coming closer to me. She didn't, so we decided to go to Holme Coffee House in Penistone. It's a gorgeous cafe, and it's always busy, but they don't take bookings. So I got to Penistone at about noon and went in to get a table. I ordered a coffee and read my book for a bit. I also took photos of these earrings that I got on Vinted!

Since I got my stacked lobe piercings in June, I have had to wear light earrings in my first holes so as not to pull on the new piercings. Plus I wanted some ice cream earrings, so I looked on vinted. I found this seller selling soooo many cute earrings, so I spent a tenner and got all of these! So cute, I have been making my way through them. 

Philippa arrived about 12.30 so we ordered food and drinks. I went for avocado on toast with mushrooms on feta, while Pippa went for mushrooms on toast with avocado (the garnishes were different!). I had a hot chocolate which was nice. We were chatting and chatting and the place was busy and then got quieter. For pudding they have a range of cakes but I went for a scone with jam and cream, which was lovely. We were STILL chatting but not really taking up space by this time because it had emptied out. But we decided to get one last drink - I had a latte I think. We finally said goodbye just before 4pm and I went home via the Co op. Lee was going out to a gig - not coming home after work - so I needed something for tea. 

It was a lovely day! 

The cutest earrings that I got, I've been enjoying the lollipop ones in particular

Massive hot chocolate

And my toast with all delicious stuff on it 

And finally my scone

Films of the Month - June

I only watched seven films in June which was just a stupidly low amount! I think I was just busy though so didn't have much time to sit down and watch films! So here's what I did see:

Lee and I watched Beetlejuice Beetlejuice as we hadn't seen it before. We both love the first one and we liked this, I think it was a good sequel

I blogged previously that Sam and I went to Penistone cinema to see The Salt Path and Cabaret, in the same day. I had read the book (reviewed here) so I was keen to see the film. And I liked it! But I did know the story so as I said I got more out of it than Sam did. A lot of the dialogue is really quiet which is annoying, but it really does look pretty.

And THEN all the stuff about the story not being true came out. I - along with Sam and my book club - have been agog at every new revelation. I am finding it interesting on an objective level about what 'truth' is and how everyone has their own version of it. I totally believe that Moth has some kind of degenerative illness, but it seems like it's really atypical or unknown. But no one should have to disclose private medical history, so I am sad that happened. I believe too that Raynor Winn has the right to be known by whatever name she wants to be known by. Where I fall down is over the financial stuff. It is fascinating and I don't think the story is over yet... 

 

Anyway, Sam and I saw Cabaret in the evening of the 7th, which was delightful as always

Jac and I watched Groundhog Day together virtually, which was nice. I haven't seen it in absolutely years so it was cool to see again

I watched Trainspotting again for the first time in forever. I need to watch the sequel soon too

I am trying to make my way through all of Heath Ledger's films and am going to write a zine about each film, so I went with this. I liked it, Heath is delightful in it, very scuzzy which is how I like him

Finally Lee and I watched Bill & Ted Face the Music while we were away on holiday in North Yorkshire