Weekend with Rachael

In the middle of March my friend Rachael came down for just about 24 hours. I had invited her to see the new house and she had managed to get cheap train tickets so she said she'd come overnight. She was arriving into Wakefield just before 1pm so Lee and I went off to collect her. Lee went into a couple of shops to get some stuff we needed, and then we got Rachael. We got back here and had some lunch, just toast and stuff. 

Lee went off to band practice and Rachael and I sat and watching old music TV. She has chronic illnesses too and had warned me that she wasn't feeling great, and neither was I because I was still recovering from my work weekend away. So it was fine, of course, I understand. So we did nothing. I was doing some of my cross stitch and we chatted a lot, so it was fun. Usually when we meet up we're either about to go to a gig or it's just after a gig, so we're always rushing off somewhere else. She's a Libertines fan too; I met her through the fandom over twenty years ago. She was at uni at the time and we spent ages chatting on the phone! It was good fun to have this time to chat too. 

Lee got back from band practice and we headed off to the Waggon and Horses in Oxspring for tea. It's a decent, traditional pub and it's tiny, so booking is advised. I had carrot and coriander soup which was nice, and then halloumi 'burger' which wasn't really a burger. Never mind, it was nice.

We got back about 8pm and Rachael and I watched some Death in Paradise as it turns out we both like it, so we went way back to Series 1. It seems so old and quaint now, cute! 

We weren't late to bed which I definitely needed. In the morning we went to Holme Coffee House for brunch. They have moved across the road in Penistone to a bigger premises, which is good as it's always busy. We had to wait for a table but it was less than fifteen minutes so not to worry. They've changed the menu slightly but still got my favourites. They also now have an alcohol licence so one of these days I will have to go and try one of their cocktails! We did have to wait a bit of time for food but it was good when it came.

I had avocado, cheese and fried egg sandwich. Rachael had the same and Lee had poached eggs on toast. We had cake for afters too - millionaire shortbread for me! By this time we were worrying a bit about getting Rachael to the train on time so we went off quickly to Wakefield. 

It was lovely to see her, nice to just sit around and not be rushing off!

I got these ridiculous mini egg earrings because Sam I think shared them in a group chat and I liked them so much. I think she and Jac got some too

Carrot and coriander soup in the pub

Halloumi burger - I think this has changed since last time I had it, and I wouldn't order it again

I got this dress off Vinted a couple of weeks ago so wore it out for the first time. It's a bit gapey on the bust but it's fine

My nails on Sunday morning - it was a Barry M metallic polish and I liked it, but it peeled badly at the ends

Smashed avocado, fried eggs, and cheese, in a ciabatta

And dessert

And here's a picture Rachael took of the three of us in Holme Coffee House's new home!

Busy Day!

On the 13th of March I had a very busy day! First of all I went to Wakefield to see my friend Stacey and her little girl, E, who has just turned three. She's in her Frozen era so was dressed like Elsa, with sparkly shoes and everything. We played a bit but she had a nap so Stacey and I had the chance to catch up, which was well overdue and really nice. 

I left about 1.15 and drove to Leeds, parked in Trinity car park, and then went round to Bundobust to meet Sam. I had seen that they had brought back some of their Indo Chinese dishes and I wanted to try them, so I asked if anyone wanted to meet me there and Sam said yes. So we ordered two of those dishes, and a bunch of others, and shared them all. They were all nice, but I think I liked the chaat best of all, as usual. I had a mango lassi along side it. 

We considered going to the Corn Exchange but I had mentioned going to Hotel Chocolat and I also needed to get home before rush hour, so Sam decided she would go to the Corn Exchange after I had gone and we went for a drink instead. I had a mint hot chocolate which was nice, as always. I didn't mind not shopping as I didn't want to be spending money anyway! 

I got home before 5pm which was perfect, that last thing I wanted was to get stuck in traffic. I rested for a bit before getting dressed in different clothes to go to a get together with my book club. It had been Jane's birthday and she invited us all over for nibbles and a book swap. It was a lot of fun! I think there were around ten of us all together, out of the fifteen of us in the club. I just had some dips and fruit as I was still full from lunch. I took about 8 books I think and managed to only bring four back with me! 

I left there about 10pm I guess; Lee came to pick me up. Jane only lives at the top of our hill really, that's one of the good things about living in Penistone because my book club and my craft club are here! 

Nice lassi as usual, but I'm not too keen on the little sweetie things they put in because they taste of aniseed! I should have asked for it without them but I forgot

Bread, curry, chaat, veggie 'prawn' toasts, bel puri, and more

Hot chocolates in Hotel Chocolat, the only problem is that the cocoa whip acts like an iceberg and makes all the hot chocolate spill over the top

And these are the books I came home with!

Work Weekend Away

Without doxxing myself completely I'm going to talk about a work weekend away that I had. One day a week I work in a community centre that I love, I've worked there for nearly ten years and it's very close to my heart. For my other job I work in a co op doing all kinds of financial things; I do bookkeeping and payroll for a number of clients. There are five of us and we live quite spread out, but we meet online once a month for a business meeting. Someone suggested that we have a bit of a business weekend, so it was planned for the beginning of March. Three of us are in the north and one of us lives in a housing co op that has guest rooms, so it made sense for us all to meet there. It was only in Leeds so not a long drive for me. 

I set off on Friday afternoon and easily got there, met two of my colleagues (one of whom I haven't met in person before), then waited for another one (who I also haven't met). The final one was coming on Saturday morning, so the four of us just chatted and then ordered curry to share, all vegetarian. We ended up watching two episodes of How to Get to Heaven From Belfast which is Lisa McGee's new thing. She wrote Derry Girls and I loved that, so I was pleased to see the beginning of this too. 

We finally went to bed wayyyy too late. My room was absolutely tiny so just the length of a bed and not much more space, but it was very cosy and comfortable. I got up on Saturday morning and had breakfast with my colleagues before rushing off to pick up the final one of us from a nearby station. We then got into the business stuff, doing all kinds of thinky things! For lunch we had avocado toast and the leftover curry. We had a tour around the co op which was really lovely to see, too. 

We did more business stuff and finally finished around 5.30. We flustered a bit over food but eventually ordered Thai food, which I went to pick up (the car was very useful!). It was DELICIOUS. The best Thai food I've ever had, for sure. One colleague had brought some board games so everyone else played those, but I'm not a board game person so I did some cross stitch and mostly joined in with their laughing. It was funny! We watched another episode of How to Get to Heaven From Belfast before bed; I was incredibly tired when I finally got there though. 

On Sunday morning we were a bit slower to get going but we did eventually, and had more discussion about the business and where we want to take it. For lunch the colleague who lives there cooked Moroccan stew and cous cous for us which was so good. We did our final sessions and finished around 5.30 again with a 'check out' with each other. We had booked a table at Ecco Pizzeria so I drove us all across there. I'm not usually one for pizza but it was SO good. Two colleagues shared two vegan pizzas and I shared a vegetarian one with someone else. It was delicious. There were a couple of slices left so I brought them home and ate them on Monday evening. 

I dropped people back at places before bringing myself home. I got home about 9pm and was absolutely exhausted so I just lay down in the bed to relax. It actually took me a week to fully get over it but I guess that is life with fibromyalgia!

Look how tiny my room was! All the buildings are made from straw bales that is plastered; this room just had a tiny window at the top of the wall

The blossom was out, though, and looked so pretty

This artwork in my house was lovely, I would like to know where it is

And here's the shared pizza on the Sunday evening!

A Diagnosis and a Trip to York

On the 5th of March I went to York to see friends, but first of all I need to talk about a hospital visit a couple of says beforehand. 

I've been suffering with massive and chronic fatigue for years now but it flared up wildly last autumn and I was really unwell. I saw a fabulous GP who took me really seriously and referred me to rheumatology. We both suspected I have fibromyalgia, but I have some high infection markers that are consistently high (since August 2020 at least) so the GP wanted to check that I didn't have anything more sinister than fibro going on, like rheumatoid arthritis or similar. I eventually got an appointment on the 3rd of March so I went off to the hospital before work to check. (I work in an office on Tuesdays). The doctor I saw was really helpful and thorough but agreed that it is most probably fibromyalgia so she discharged me back to the GP. 

The GP had given me some painkillers for night time back in January I think. They mostly work and help me to stay asleep so that's really helpful. So for now that, plus graded exercise and rest, is the only treatment available to me. I just have to pace myself, and take things slowly. I am really used to doing that anyway, so that helps. But it is useful and helpful and a relief to actually have a diagnosis and not just be fobbed off as lazy, overreacting, or similar. Lee is relieved too. 

So that was Tuesday. On Thursday I drove myself to York and parked at Rawcliffe Bar Park and Ride. I'd never been there before but it was really good and I would park there again. The bus into town took barely any time at all! I got off at the theatre and walked up High Petergate towards the Minster. I considered going in the Minster and probably would have had enough time, but I wasn't sure. I took a photo of Precentor's Court because I watch the TV show Patience and that's where she lives. I sat for a while outside the Minster because the sun was lovely. I bought some fudge and some chocolate then came back to the Minster as I wasn't sure where Leanne was.

We caught up with each other and went into Ask for lunch. She had suggested it because it is in the old Assembly Rooms which are absolutely gorgeous inside. I had a cherry blossom mocktail, bruschetta, and lentil ragu pasta, all of which were really nice! We chatted for a long time but finally left. We walked round to Card Factory and then I was thinking what else we could do, so suggested going to the shrine of St Margaret Clitherow on the Shambles. I've been before and so had Leanne, but not for a long time. We walked through and then arrived at York Ghost Merchants, of course. 

Leanne collects the ghosts and has around thirty, including a bunch of rare ones. I only have a few, but I do love them. The queue can be humongous but it wasn't on this day, so we thought we might both like a new ghost and joined the queue. We were only third, so had to wait around fifteen minutes before we got in the shop. 

I considered a few ghosts but eventually went for a small one that is red with black and white markings. I love it! Leanne bought a big one and we left the shop and headed just a few shops away to the shrine, only to find it closed! It was locked up and everything! We were upset! Not to worry, really, as we had bought the ghosts instead. Leanne and I then said goodbye and she headed off to the train station. I walked through to King's Square and basked in the sunshine there a bit too. There was a busker playing and he was really good, so it was nice to listen to. I gave him some money. 

I went through to Parliament Street. I had arranged to meet Jacqui for coffee and cake at around 4pm, and it was 3pm by this point. There's a shop on Parliament St called This Shop Is So Gay so after I had rested for a bit I went in. It's really fun, it has lots of fun and funny things for all your queer friends. I bought myself some badges which are cute. I was considering going to Betty's for a cup of coffee when Jac messaged me and said she was done with work so would come and meet me. I asked if she minded going to Betty's and she said no, so that was good because I really fancied it. It's such a York institution! 

There was a tiny queue there so I joined it but I was very soon sitting at a table, and no sooner had I ordered a drink than Jacqui arrived. We both ordered the small patisserie plate which was lush, just enough for me, and then I had a coffee too. We sat there talking until it was nearly 5.30 when Betty's shuts. We walked round to the bus together and I got back on the park and ride bus. I left the car park about 6pm and got home about 7pm! 

In all it was a lovely day and I walked absolutely miles, a really long way! It was so nice to see Leanne and Jac and play tourist in York a little bit. I put my new little ghostie on the shelf above my desk, of course. 

Outside the city walls, I took this photo

Amd this picture of this very old building on High Petergate

Looking up at the Minster

And down at this little model of the Minster and surrounding area just in front of it

This is the street where Patience lives in the eponymous TV show, which I really like

Another view of the Minster from near St Michael le Belfry which is one of my favourite churches in York although it's all covered in scaffolding at the moment

Inside Ask, I had bruschetta to start with

Then took this photo of the beautiful rooms

And this one

Lentil ragu

I took this photo outside Margaret's shrine but I was disappointed we couldn't go in!

The queer shop on Parliament St - do visit it if you're in the area, and Portal Bookshop which is near the Shambles, which is a queer bookshop

My new badges and my new little ghostie!

Tiny patisserie plate in Betty's

And finally, my new ghost among its friends on my shelf

Barnsley Zine Fair February 2026

Saturday the 25th of February was the fifth Barnsley Zine Fair and I again had a table and could sell all my zines! Jason at the Civic has done so well with it and people are now coming from all over the place to table - this time we had people from Fife, Edinburgh, London, and Cambridge! So many people came to buy things, too - there was a steady stream all day which is great. Of the 60 stallholders, thirty of them had never tabled before so that's an amazing ratio! I am so thrilled that it's doing so well.

Lee and I got set up around 10am. I had done loads of copies of my zines in the weeks previous and we had spent a long time putting them together. I had also done copies again of Lee's zine Primark Punks (The Non Punk's Guide to Punk Music) which he made about ten years ago but which we haven't copied for a while. I had some new signs for my stall which I think really helped sales, so that's good. 

As I said there were people through all day. Someone said they had bought the previous two issues of my zine Tracks of My Years so they were pleased to buy the third one! It's always nice to hear that people have enjoyed my zines and want more. I saw some friends like Chris, Gears for Queers from Fife, and Chloe, who has been at each of the fairs too. She's one of Barnsley's young makers, who I LOVE and love to encourage them, so it was nice to see her. A few people asked me to trade, which I also LOVE - it's like a present because you never know what you'll get! I spent way too much money on zines myself, oops. 

When the fair finished Lee and I went to the Market Kitchen for tea. We both had fresh pizzas from Neros which were really good. Mine was olives and feta, dunno. Lee's was just margerita. Then we bought brownies and took them home. We relaxed all evening; I did read some of my new zines! 

I was wearing this new striped dress that I got off Vinted although it's from Shein originally. I got the same one in grey, but I love the peachy colour of this one. I love the fact that the stripes go in different ways, and I of course love the pockets! I think I'll be wearing this a lot this summer especially. It is a teensy bit shorter than I really like to wear with tights, so I will probably wear it with leggings. That's fine, at least then I'll be comfy! 

It was a lovely day, but tiring. 

My stall all set up before the fair started 

Pizza, I love fresh pizza and this was really good

My dress when we got home. Lee had bought a new chest of drawers which is what's in the boxes next to me

Here's everything I bought and traded, including a couple I had traded with my friend Cassian a few days earlier. It was a good haul!

Lunch Out with Philippa

On the 19th of February I went to Sheffield to meet Philippa for lunch. I saw her at the beginning of January so it hadn't been too long, but it was lovely to see her, of course. It was her turn to choose and she chose to go to the Depot Bakery in Hillsborough Park. I've been before but only once, and it's a really cute little place. 

I got there quite early because you sometimes you have to queue for tables, but I managed to walk straight in and get a table. No matter because I had my book with me and I ordered a dark hot chocolate while I read. Philippa arrived soon enough and we sat chatting and eventually ordered food. I went for avocado on toast which had a ton of beetroot on top which I don't like. But I'm a grown up and I did try it to make sure I don't like it. Which I don't! The rest of it was really good. 

We went up to the counter to choose pudding, and I had a salted caramel brownie and a latte, which were both good. We were chatting on and on, like we do. I love Philippa so much, she's one of my favourite people and I'm so glad we're friends!

When we had finished eating we went for a wander in the park, taking it slowly as we're both disabled, so that's okay! We went through the Walled Garden to begin with and saw some plants coming back to life and a lot of friendly birds and squirrels. There was a Little Free Library so I picked up a book from it. Then we walked down by the duck pond and looked at the ducks and geese and so on, and then walked back up to a bench where we sat for a while chatting some more!

We finally said goodbye and I headed back to my car to go home, but I was glad we had had chance to catch up!

Dark chocolate hot chocolate which I always really like, it was nice

Avo on toast, I'm a basic bitch

Brownie and coffee

In the first bit of the park - look at the lovely robin!

A very cute little free library

Signs of spring

And Philippa taking photos of that too. I loved this!

Ducks and swans and geese by the pond - sadly we didn't have anything to feed them

Finally Philippa took this of us, which I love, we're so cute!

Valentines Weekend

On the 13th of February I went across to Huddersfield to see "Wuthering Heights" with Sam and Jodie. We knew we were going to hate it but wanted to see it anyway just so we could get really annoyed about it. We were going to the 4.30 showing so I set off about 3.30 and parked, then went to Wetherspoons where Sam and Jodie had been having a drink. We headed across to the cinema and I got a Tango Ice Blast and we had each taken sweeties. 

The film was in fact dreadful. If you want me to care about Cathy's sexual awakening she needs to be around 17, not 35 like Margot Robbie is. And I love Margot Robbie! But she wasn't right. Martin Clunes was good but in general it was terrible. We all felt the same. 

We walked up to TJ Thai for food. I've been before and it's always nice in there. I had tofu tempura, which there was loads of, and tofu and vegetable massaman curry. It was delicious and I was really full! I drove home and was freezing when I got home so just got into bed. Lee was in Leicester seeing Ross Noble with my cousin Rob (a Christmas present for Lee and birthday present for Rob) so I was by myself until about midnight when Lee got home. 

On Valentine's Day Lee and I swapped presents. He had got me some Lush goodies and some sweeties. I had brought him cake from Slatterys the weekend before but I also had Slatterys chocolate for him which he liked. So we were both happy! We then went into Barnsley. 

I had a ruby ring that I bought myself way back in like 2014 or something, but the ruby was damaged and I must have banged it more recently because the fracture was showing badly. I had talked to Lee about going to the vintage jewellery stall on Barnsley market to see what they had. They had tons of ruby rings and I tried a few on, but I ended up really liking this one, which was actually the first one I tried on. Once I had traded in my old ring for the gold, I only had to pay £50 for this one. Lee was like, yes that's fine, pay it. So I did!

We went in the Lounge for lunch. I really wanted an iced coffee so had one of theirs, which was nice. I had a buddha bowl with Turkish type of flavours; I wasn't particularly hungry so this was perfect for me. It was delicious! We walked back through the indoor market and the Young Makers Market was on again. We've been a few times and it's just so good - there are so many enthusiastic young makers and I like to support them. We bought some curry and samosas from two tiny kids (helped by their mum and grandma) and Lee bought some artwork from a teenager, it's really freaky artwork but Lee loves it! 

We just relaxed for the rest of the weekend but I was glad we had gone out together during the day. 

I wore my new T shirt on the Friday night, I decided I wanted one of these slogan t shirts and picked it up pretty cheaply online. It was made in a factory that is NOT a sweat shop, it is certified and proclaimed on the label, so that's pretty cool! 

Wearing my Sometimes Antisocial Always Antifascist t shirt, it's soft and comfortable too, I love it

Sign in TJ Thai

Tofu tempura 

And my delicious curry

Valentines presents from Lee

The new ruby ring, I've worn it loads since I got it

Delicious decaf iced coffee

And my buddha bowl!