Anniversary Trip to North Yorkshire - Day 7

Our last day of the holiday was also our wedding anniversary! Yep, we got married twenty years ago in 2005 when I was 21 and just before Lee turned 23. So young! I can't believe it to be honest. But we had a good holiday and on our anniversary I had booked for us to go to a spa in Helmsley. So we got up early, opened the cards from all our parents, and set off to Helmsley. We weren't super close to Helmsley, it was about forty minutes away, but it was so worth it. 

We have been past The Feversham Arms a zillion times when we've stayed in Helmsley, but have never been in, not even into the hotel for a drink or anything. But I knew there was a spa so I had booked it well before. It was a few hours in the spa, plus one course of food and a drink each. As previously, neither Lee nor I are that bothered about any spa treatments, so we didn't both to book one. 

So we turned up about 10 o'clock and got all signed in and everything. The spa is one of the best I've been to and I would highly recommend it, especially for the money we paid for our day. Inside there is a relaxation space, a sauna, foot spas, a steam room, and an experience shower. However, the weather was pretty good so we mainly just stayed outside. Outside there is a terrace, a hot tub which was actually TOO hot, and a heated pool. It was SO warm, it was like bath water and it was gorgeous. I think it might have had salt in it too because it was so nice to float in. Around the pool were chairs and sun loungers. 

So we got changed into our costumes and headed outside. I had a book to finish and another one to start, so I sat and read for a bit. We went into the pool and into the hot tub, although Lee just sat on the side of that. It rained for a little bit but we were in the pool so really what did it matter, we couldn't get wetter. We had a hot drink each by the pool.

We went in to eat at about 12.30. The vegetarian option had something in it that I'm allergic to, so I went for the smoked salmon open sandwich instead. I do occasionally eat fish and it was delicious, so I really didn't mind. I had let them know it was our wedding anniversary so after our main courses they brought out a plate with some chocolates on, which we shared. 

We went into the inside bits in the spa. Lee used the foot spa and I moved around the steam room and ice shower and stuff for a bit. But the weather outside was too good to waste, so we went back there and swam in the warm water and went in the hot tub. It is a gorgeous spa. It was so lovely. So relaxing. Just really what we both needed! We finally left at about 3pm I guess, and drove back to the cottage. 

Once there, we relaxed for a bit, got showered, and headed out to the Wheatsheaf Inn where we had booked a table the previous day. Our table was right by the bar and it was really cosy and cute. For starter I had cheese souffle and for mains I had a prawn and smoked salmon salad with chips, because again the vegetarian options were no good for me. We didn't have dessert so we just headed back to the cottage for our last night. We packed up some things which made it easier in the morning. 

We did head outside last thing to look at the garden. As it was only a few days past the longest day, the sky was so light and beautiful.

In the morning we got everything into the car really quickly and headed home. We managed to get home about 1pm because we did stop for food on the way back. It was a lovely holiday - pretty restful and calm, which we needed. But we did a lot of fun things too, which was good! 

Anniversary cards in the cottage before we set off. That door behind them was the secret staircase where my mum and stepdad's room was

The welcome drink at the spa, I think it was orange and mango

The hot tub - it was so lovely and mostly I had it to myself. There were maybe ten other people around in total throughout the whole day

The heated (warm!) outdoor pool. Beyond that is the hotel, which is fancy!

The novella I was finishing

Coffee outside, that's Lee just beyond. They were very generous with the towels which I like!

And the library book I had brought to start. I liked it, but thought Ellen was a massive snob

Smoked salmon open sandwich for lunch with salad

The very cute chocolates we got

Lee in the foot spa in the inside area of the spa

A sauna I think

And two steam rooms. I went in one of them for a little bit

The terrace - as you can see, it wasn't exactly awash with other guests. I think there were maybe five people on spa days like us, and four people using the pool who were staying at the hotel

The pool again, just a bit later, before we left

In the pub later

Cheese souffle

Smoked salmon and prawn salad, which was actually a starter, but with chips it was a good main

And my last photo... goodnight! We were happy to get home to the cats the next day

Anniversary Trip to North Yorkshire - Day 6

On the Wednesday of our trip, my mum and stepdad left at about 10.30. They had planned to come for five nights which was of course fine, but they obviously didn't have to rush off in the morning because we were still staying there. So we had some breakfast and we helped them load their car, and then they went. 

First of all Lee and I went to Rosedale Abbey which took quite a while to get to, and turned out to not be worth it at all. I am sure that I've been before and found it a really cute village with little shops and stuff, but we could only find Rosedale Glass. It's a working glass factory and their pieces were absolutely gorgeous, but expensive. We couldn't find any other shops so instead, we went off to Goathland. I have been before but it must be thirty years ago and I don't remember it. Having been, I wouldn't say it's worth a special trip. It's tiny, for one thing. For another, the street parking is for twenty minutes only and the car park there is like a fiver for all day which is fine if you want to stay all day but not so fine if you only want to be there an hour or so.

So we stayed twenty minutes. Fine, whatever. There's a row of shops so we went into those. One of them was selling golliw*gs which......... is a choice. There was even a sign that said 'This is not offensive!' I'm not sure that they get to decide if it's offensive or not. The sign also asked you to not take photos, which totally reads to me like they known it's wrong, they just don't want the controversy over it.

So. We didn't spend anything in there. They're all cute gift type shops but we're trying to not spend much money. I did buy some butter tablet for me and for my mum. It turned out to be really nice and I should have bought more. We looked at a tea shop for something to eat but mindful of the parking restrictions outside we decided to just go. 

Goathland is known as the place they filmed Heartbeat, so it's got a lot of that stuff about. The train station was used in Harry Potter, too, so there's a lot of that about too. I took some photos, but forgot to get one of the garage in Heartbeat which operates as a cafe. We ended up going to The Inn on the Moor for lunch. It's a lovely country pub and the staff were all lovely. I had a hummus and falafel wrap which was absolutely delicious. 

We drove to Grosmont and found a junk shop which had all kinds of wonderful things in it. Lee bought some kind of video game something, I can't remember what. I got four books for a pound each! Bargain. We went into the Co op next door which had some frankly weird things in it. We needed a few bits and we got pasties for tea. Then it turned out that the steam train was coming through again, so we decided to stay and watch it. Tons of people were doing the same which was nice. There were a few very excited small children.

We got ice creams from the shop at Grosmont station. We then went over to Egton to book a table for tea the following day. We had had The Wheatsheaf Inn recommended to us so we went. It's a small pub but the menu is good, so we booked a table. We sat and had a hot drink each; Lee's was a ridiculous hot chocolate with marshmallow skewers, and I had a coffee. It was nice to just sit, honestly. We headed back to the cottage after that to relax for the evening. We watched a film and had bits for tea as usual. It was a restful day!

In Goathland, on the one street they have

The shop that is used in Heartbeat, as you can see by the name

Falafel wrap for lunch with chips

Looking across the station

This is the dining train, which I would love to do one day but it is quite expensive... Maybe for our silver wedding anniversary?

My ice cream, strawberry and vanilla

And here's the steam train! So cute to see

Finally, here are the books I bought

Stockport Zine Fair 2025

Saturday the 14th of June was the first Stockport Zine Fair, run by PippyMakesZines! I met her at Barnsley Zine Fair back in February 2024 and followed her and her sister on Instagram. Her sister Lolah lives in Sheffield and dresses in like a goth Lolita style which I really love, so I'm always happy to see her. So when I saw Pippy was doing a zine fair in Stockport I applied for a table and was happy to get one. From our house it's only about an hour to Stockport so it's ideal. 

We set off about 8.15. I was driving because Lee has been having some problems with his knee which makes driving painful. We managed to find Merseyway shopping centre and parked on the top for all day. We went down in the lift and the Stockroom, where the fair was being held, was just near where we came out. We went in and found our table as well as a whole information pack for traders which was really thoughtful and really helped!

We got set up and the fair opened at 10am. There was a steady flow of people all day, it was really busy! I had a ton of conversations with people about what zines are, what I write, the type of zines I like to read, and so on. I traded with a woman maybe a little older than me who had really cool designs of stuff, and with a youngish person who was SO happy to trade with me. I will ALWAYS trade - I love it, it gets my zines into more hands, and it gets me more zines that I might not otherwise have had a chance to read. It's just so lovely. 

Kirsty and Vicky were also trading, Kirsty sells their own zines and Vicky has a distro and sells zines by a bunch of people, so it was nice to catch up with both of them. Jane Claire Bradley attended as a buyer; she was one of the organisers of Grrrl Con which I went to twice in 2016 and 2017 so it was lovely to see her and I happened to have a Grrrl Con 2017 zine that I made that I gave her. 

At lunchtime Lee went out to get lunch for us. I ended up with an egg sandwich and a veggie sausage roll from Pound Bakery; Lee got a jacket potato from a van in the precinct. He also told me that there was a donut van right outside the Stockroom so we decided we would go there when the fair finished. 

I started a new cross stitch - I have been working on other crafts but as we were about to go on holiday I needed something that was more portable than the lace making I've been doing. This is a kit from Caterpillar Cross Stitch that I have had for a while but hadn't started. I love those first new stitches on a brand new piece of cloth. 

The fair finished at 3 and we got packed up. Then we headed downstairs and out into the precinct. We walked to Zizzi to have something savoury. We weren't extremely hungry so we shared a margherita pizza, some fries, and some courgette fries. It was just enough for us. Then we went back to the donut stall and had donuts, ice cream, and chocolate sauce. It was delicious! 

We set off home about 5pm; Lee drove this time. We got home just before 6 and rested for a bit - we had had a very difficult week so we needed it. Then I just watched some crap TV before bed. My last photo is of everything I bought, traded, or was given. The purple post it note was given to me by a small child and while I'm not entirely sure what it's meant to be, I love it! I am going to stick it in my journal soon!

The first few stitches of my new cross stitch, I will try to remember to post it when it's finished!

My stall all set up - we sold out of quite a few things!

Donuts in the sunshine - it was spitting with rain a bit too but we managed to escape it

And here's everything I got - well, I say I, really this was between Lee and I

Afternoon Out at Elsecar

On the 8th of June I didn't plan on doing anything as I had had a busy week, but Lee was a bit down because he had been working really had, so he suggested that we went to Elsecar Heritage Centre. That was fine by me, so we got dressed and headed out. When we got there it was obvious that something was happening as it was really busy. But we managed to get a parking space easily and headed in. It was an outdoor market and it was really good! I'm glad we went. I picked up some wax melts, we bought pies to eat later, and we got some presents too. 

We went into the antiques centre and I saw a tanzanite and diamond ring and it was just my size and absolutely gorgeous, and just £39. I got 10% off it and was really pleased! 

Then it was lunchtime and I was hungry, so we looked at what food was available and decided to sit in the pub part and order food from an outdoor stall there. They didn't have tons of veggie choice but they had a falafel and spinach burger so I got that. It took a while to come but it was delicious when it did! It rained a bit so a bit of us got wet but we were under an umbrella. Lee got a chicken kebab and really enjoyed it, so it was worth it. 

We went round the rest of the centre and the rest of the market stalls but didn't pick up much else. Lee went into the record shop while I sat outside. We should have picked up coffee for the way home but forgot. 

We got home about 4pm and Lee took this photo of me in my handmade dress that I picked up at the clothes swap in May. I had been wearing it the previous day in Penistone, too, but didn't get a photo. It was comfortable all weekend! I had a long nap which I must have really needed, but I'm glad we had gone out after all. 

The ring that I bought, I love the colour of the stones

Here we are waiting for food

And my gorgeous dress when we got home!

The Pogues in Leeds

For Christmas Lee bought me tickets for the Pogues in Leeds. I know it's not the same band as Shane is dead, but it is four of them, and with Spider Stacy on vocals, so I was excited to go. Lee and I so rarely go to gigs together that it's nice to every now and then. We both love the Pogues so much that we were excited to see them. 

We set off for Leeds at just after 5pm. It was the very hot Mayday but we made it to Leeds in good time and parked in The Light. I had booked a table at Tamatanga for 6.30. I've been before but Lee hadn't and I knew he would like it. As we were a bit early we went into the new amusement arcade in the Light first. I haven't seen it before but it's got a bunch of things inside. We played air hockey where Lee won and Mario Kart where I won! I think it's nice to have an arcade in there, I would go again. 

Then we headed down to Tamatanga. We were early but there weren't many people in so it was fine. It was also nice and cool in there with strong aircon! I ordered two Peachy Blinder cocktails as they're on 2 for 1 before 7pm, so I had to! Then for food Lee had Punjabi butter chicken with naan, and some tama chips alongside. The chips were really spicy and delicious. I went for chaat bombs and black butter lentils, with rice. I probably had both exactly those last time, but never mind! They're both delicious.

We sat there for a while just chatting which was nice as Lee's new job is really full on and we haven't had a lot of time to chat about it. We eventually left Tamatanga, put my bag in the boot of the car because I don't think it would have been allowed in the venue, and headed up to the Academy. It was about 8pm and there were so many people around because the weather was nice. We didn't want to go in yet because we had standing tickets and didn't want to stand for too long as neither of us would have been able to. We finally got in about 8.30. I haven't stood downstairs at the Academy since it was the Town and Country Club back in the late 90s! Hah. We were right at the back where there are actually several banquettes for seating. I managed to get a seat! I couldn't see the band from where I was sitting, but it meant I could have a rest. If I leaned on the sofa too I could see, so it was fine. So good for me! 

The band came on about 8.50 and played for nearly two hours. They are so good live, really proficient and melodic. They played a ton of stuff that I wanted to hear including I'm A Man You Don't Meet Every Day which we had at our wedding and at our vow renewal. It was so beautiful! They did two encores which was fun. It was just a really good atmosphere and we both enjoyed ourselves. 

We got home about a quarter to midnight and unsurprisingly headed straight to bed! 

Lee in Tamatanga

And here's me

Peachy Blinder cocktails, what a ridiculous name haha

Chaat bombs, they are so good

Black butter lentils and pilau rice

Lee took this photo as mine didn't come out very well. I actually didn't take many photos but I did ring my mum so she could hear a couple of songs, and send a couple of voice notes to my friend Cinders. Including A Rainy Night in Soho which was SO beautiful live!

Spa Day with Lee

On the 29th of March Lee and I headed off to Harrogate for a spa day. Last summer I lent my car to a friend of mine and she bought me a spa day for two to say thank you. It was at the Majestic Hotel in Harrogate and it was for four hours in the spa, a 50 minute treatment each, and lunch. It was a lovely gift! I booked it for Lee and I and he went for a foot and arm massage and I went for a gel pedicure. We ordered food too, and set off in good time. We stopped at a services for coffee on the way up, and got to Harrogate about noon. 

We signed in at the spa and went to get changed. The locker rooms were nice but the lockers were a bit difficult to use. But then we got into the pool area and we were the only people there for a bit! The pool was lovely - really warm. Because we have paused our gym memberships for a few months while my mum was having cancer treatment it is ages since I've been swimming much, so each time I get into water I really appreciate it. The water was warm so we swam up and down for a bit. 

There is a spa pool in the pool area so we got into that. It wasn't that warm, and unfortunately it had loads of sand in the bottom of it which was annoying. But we liked it. We sat for a bit on lovely loungers too, and then it got a bit busier. There was also an experience shower, a steam room, and a sauna. There's an outdoor hot tub too but it was closed, which was a bit of a shame. Some parts looked like they needed some upkeep, too.

At 2.15 we headed downstairs for treatments. My manicurist was really lovely but the station we were at didn't have all the equipment she needed so she was frustrated. My pedicure didn't turn out perfect but I liked the metallic burgundy colour and it was fine - and it's on my toes so I didn't worry too much. Lee liked his foot massage more than the arm one. We met back upstairs about 3.20 in time for lunch. We got like a cute bento box with salad, couscous, cheese for me and chicken for Lee, and dessert. It was nice, although not tons of food. 

We went back into the pool area and swam a bit more, and then went back into the spa pool which was much warmer than it had been first thing. I had a few minutes in the steam room and then in the sauna while Lee read his book. We left the pool area about 4.30pm and got showered and changed and headed home. 

It was a lovely day, I'm glad Lee and I got to do it because it was a nice relaxing afternoon 

In the pool area when we arrived and as you can see, had it to ourselves

And here I am in it, about to swim

Downstairs in the old cellars for my treatment

The spa pool - you can see all the sand just underneath the hand rail

Here I am in what should be my natural habitat

Lovely view over Harrogate from the area we had lunch in, and you can see the hot tub outside that was empty

And here's my nails later on

Trip Out with Lee

Ever since I went to Wild Cafe in Marsden back in November, by myself after I had seen a client who loves there, I wanted to take Lee. I thought he would like it and I wanted to go back. We had a free Saturday so I booked a table for us at noon. We ran some errands first and then set off about 11am. We got there about 11.45 and Lee was befuddled because you park further up the lane and then have to walk down to the cafe and the wellness centre (which I also really want to try at some point). There were only a couple of tables taken so we went straight to ours. 

I have to say that I think service was a bit slow. And there were plenty of members of staff available. BUT then I was thinking that maybe that's the point - it is a wellness centre and it felt kind of nice to be just kind of sitting, with nothing else to do, chatting to each other. Life has been really busy for us recently so it was nice. I won't complain too much. 

I had an elderflower lemonade which was one of the nicest things I've ever drunk. Lee had a karma cola which he liked. Then for food he went for avocado on toast which I had last time. He had it without feta as he doesn't like cheese. He had roasted harissa potatoes too, I had a couple of them and they were nice. I went for Thai peanut tofu curry. It was SO nice. It had SO many peanuts in it which I really like as I love them. It was nice and spicy and just tasted lovely. A good choice for me! We also shared some hummus dip, which tasted lovely but was really quite liquid which I found a bit weird. 

We had decided to go to Lick in Holmfirth for pudding so we didn't have any in Wild Cafe, but we had a hot chocolate each. It was so good. We had it with dairy milk but it was also available in vegan milks. It was actual chocolate flakes melted, which was delicious. I think the cream was vegan squirty cream. It was a lovely treat!

We drove into Marsden itself and parked. There aren't tons of shops but there were some charity shops so we had a wander in those. We looked at the river which was lovely, and it was tempting to sit out in the sunshine at the pub, but we didn't. Instead we drove to Holmfirth. They're doing roadworks right in the middle of Holmfirth but we managed to get parked near the bus station so then we walked around and went into a few shops. We bought bread in the bakery and butter and cheese in the cheese shop, and then went into Lick. It's all vegan ice cream and I just love it. I went for peppermint stick, which is new, and chocolate. I usually get a tub but went for a cone. Lee had strawberry and chocolate. 

We looked at the river in Holmfirth too. It was very pretty! It was nice and warm and I only needed a cardigan to walk around in. My cardigan was my pink zebra print one, I have been wearing it a lot recently. I was wearing a Joe Browns dress that I got last autumn. I love it, and it has pockets! I had grey Snag tights on underneath, and my boots. I'm not yet out of the boots! 

Elderflower lemonade with delicious flowers in too 

Thai peanut tofu curry, also with edible flowers

Lee and his avo toast

The hummus, which I wouldn't get again. Fortunately there are plenty of other things on the menu to try next time!

Such a nice hot chocolate - very recommended

Looking up river in Marsden

And looking down river - I love the mill at the end with the stilts

I was wearing new earrings that I had got just a bit before when I was at Meadowhall. They're from Accessorize and they were in the sale for just a couple of quid. I love them, they're green and I just love the colour

Standing on the bridge in Holmfirth with Lee

Ice creams from Lick

Looking at the river in Holmfirth

And finally my dress when we got home