Meeting A Friend in Skipton

On the 15th of April I headed to Skipton to meet up with my friend Nathaniel. I've known him online for years and we have met up before but not for ages, so it was beyond time to! We decided on Skipton which I like as a place to go out for the day and which Nathaniel had visited only a couple of weeks before.

I set off in good time but my satnav took me through Bradford where traffic was crawling, so it took me 90 minutes to get there. I would go to Skipton via north Leeds, so that was annoying, but anyway. I got there. Then I couldn't find a parking space, disabled or otherwise, so I ended up parking on double yellow lines which absolutely feels illegal but it is allowed. I was near someone else disabled which made me feel better about it!

Nathaniel and I went into a few shops including the crystal shop in the arcade that I've been in before and really like. I bought a few crystals but nothing outlandish. Then we had lunch in a pancake cafe! I love pancakes so it was very much my jam. I had a savoury crepe with creamy cheesy leeks, which was delicious. I think I had an iced coffee, too - I'm very into them at the moment. 

After lunch we walked up to the museum to have a look around. They have a first folio of Shakespeare's so that was really cool to see. We went in a few more shops and then it was getting on towards 2pm so I needed to go as my parking was running out. We had bought scones from a stall on the market, but I went into a bakery and bought some delicious things to take home too. Then as we were standing outside a woman asked us to hold her bike for a moment while she went in. It was a big, heavy thing so we of course obliged. Then Nathaniel walked me to my car and we said goodbye.

I went home a more sensible way and it didn't take me as long that time, thankfully. I was tired when I got home though! But I had bought a pair of Dr Martens off Nathaniel and couldn't resist trying them on! I will have to wear them in the winter. I had a lie down for a bit before I went out again for book club! 

Leek crepe, delicious

The first folio - they didn't realise it was genuine until not that long ago

Nathaniel and me outside the bakery I think. Skipton has a lot of cute, independent shops and I would really recommend it

And the Dr Martens when I got home!

Lunch Out with Chloe and Laura

On the first of April I headed to Meadowhall to meet Chloe and Laura and Franklin. I had a work meeting in the morning so it was past noon by the time that I could set off, so I didn't get to do any shopping beforehand. Never mind! I met up with the others outside Maki and Ramen. Laura and I had been there together and separately a few times, and we thought Chloe would love it so we wanted to take her. 

I can't remember what she chose but she was very excited about it, so that's good. I had some sushi and a vegan bacon noodle thing, it was fine but I'm not sure I'd get it again. I had a mocktail too which was lovely, they have nice ones in there. 

After we had eaten we went to Hotel Chocolat for drinks, I'm pretty sure I had a mint milkshake which was nice as always. Once we had done in there we took a photo outside (thanks Franklin!) and then Chloe went home and Laura and I headed to Yours Clothing. I needed some new leggings and some trousers to wear to the gym, so nothing exciting but I managed to get some. We had a look in a couple of other shops but again nothing too exciting. 

I headed home not too long after, so didn't get chance to look round all of Meadowhall at all, but I'm sure I can some other time. I was wearing my Nineties print Topsy Curvy dress which was comfy, and a checked cardigan. When I got home there was a man laying a new patio for us - he did a brilliant job and I really like it and can't wait to get out there in the summer! Anyway he liked my dress too, haha. 

My lunch, it was really good

Chloe has designed me some stickers and I LOVE them. I will be selling them at zine fairs and so on, along with some prints that I've made

Finally here we are outside Hotel Chocolat looking lovely!

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!

First Week of February

I'll put the first week of February all here as nothing is really worth a post of its own, but there were photos I wanted to share. On the 2nd of February I went to see Jacqui in York because she hadn't been able to come down for my birthday. I just went to hers and we ordere curry and watched Groundhog Day. Nothing special but it was nice to spend time with her. 

On the evening of the 5th my mum and stepdad came for tea. They didn't stay over, although they could have, but we had tea and a couple of glasses of wine and it was a nice time. On the Friday I went off to Manchester to meet my friend Helen. We had booked Slatterys because we both love it and she hadn't been for a while. I had been more recently but never mind, it's always delicious! I had the doorstep rarebit with mushrooms on, which were really garlicky, and the strawberry and marshmallow dippers. And a hot chocolate, of course! I had also promised to take Lee some cake home as an early Valentines present, so I did that, which we ate over the next couple of days. It was nice to see Helen of course!

On Saturday I went for lunch with my friends Gillian at The Dunkirk which is only about ten minutes drive from my house. It's also only about ten minutes from her new house, so it's ideal for us to meet! I had been for Sunday lunch the day before my birthday but hadn't eaten from their main menu, so we decided to go. The vegetarian choice was a bit lacking and I do sometimes eat fish, so I had prawn and avocado on toast which was SO good, I really enjoyed the prawns. For dessert I had orange creme brulee which was again really good. I don't really like creme brulee but I've had it before when it was orange flavoured and enjoyed it. We chatted for a bit and it was really nice! I rested the rest of the weekend though. 

I had been working on this cross stitch for months, since like October or something. I knew I couldn't finish it for Christmas so that was okay, but I am glad to have finished it and will frame it ready to be put out next Christmas. I've done several like this before, from Caterpillar Cross Stitch. I have one for each season and they are now up on the wall on one of our staircases (we have a three storey modern town house) and I love to see them. This one was a joy to stitch, I like the penguin and some of the baubles best! 

Hot chocolate as always in Slatterys

I love a rarebit but never make it, maybe I should! 

And my gorgeous dessert. I didn't eat it all so brought bits home to eat later, as usual 

Prawn and avocado on toast with potato salad and I had chips alongside, too

Orange creme brulee with two shortbread biscuits

And my finished cross stitch, isn't it lovely!

Friday 7th November

On the 7th of November my friend Helen came over to Penistone to see my new house! It was lovely of her to come over as she lives in Manchester so it is a bit of a trek. She got here about 11am I think. I was still getting ready because I had had a malfunction with the shower and ended up having to wash my hair over the bath with tepid water. Not ideal! Oh well!

I showed Helen round the house and then we headed up to Holme Coffee House for lunch. It's by far my favourite place to eat in Penistone, although there are other places that are good. I had Turkish eggs which I've had before but they were ever so slightly funny this time, which was a bit disappointing. Oh well! I'll get something else next time. I had a piece of flapjack too, before Helen had to set off back home. She had told me it was really foggy over the tops, and the fog then came to Penistone. I had to pop out to get something I had bought off Facebook and it absolutely came in, it was loopy! I took a photo of a spider's web on a railing because it was covered in dew and very pretty. 

I was wearing my galaxy print dress and leggings, and then this jumper. I got it at a clothes swap way back in May or whatever, but I hadn't worn it until now because it's a winter jumper. It's very thick and cosy and I love the print on it. I've worn it loads since then, it's lovely! 

Once I was home I got into my pyjamas and around 5pm my cousin Peter arrived! He was coming to see us and the new house, which was lovely, of course. Lee made something for tea, I can't remember what now, and for the rest of the evening we watched films and relaxed. Peter had come a long way so it was extra nice to see him! 

Turkish eggs in Holme Coffee House

Squidgy flapjack

I remembered to take a photo of us just as Helen dropped me back off at home before she set off back

The fog moving in as I went out somewhat over the tops

Spider web

And here's my outfit!

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

Lunch and Cinema with Sam and Jodie

On the 6th of April I headed over to Huddersfield to meet up with Sam and Jodie. We had seen that there was a showing of a recording of the musical SIX, which we all love, so we booked tickets. Then we decided to get lunch first, so we met at midday at Harvey's. 

I've been to the one in Holmfirth but hadn't been to Huddersfield since this one opened, so it was nice to go. They have a few veggie options but I went for a bhaji burger with hand cut chips. I also got a mocktail called The Pink One which was all frozen and strawberry flavoured and sweet and very delicious. The food arrived quickly and it was nice, I liked it. The chips were really good. 

After we had eaten we got in my car and went down to Dixon's. They make milk ice which is sugary and cold and lovely, and I love it. I hadn't had it in ages though so had asked if we could go. I had a medium tub with raspberry sauce and wafers. They do do other flavours of ice cream but honestly why would you bother? The plain one is so good. 

We went down to the cinema and easily parked. We got into the cinema and had about fifteen minutes to wait before the screening was open so we sat and chatted for a bit before going in. Then we went in, got our seats, and waited for the show! 

It started with a very cute little interview with each of the original six queens. They had reunited in 2022 to play their parts again at a special show at Hampton Court Palace and that's what the recording was from. It was SO good. I listen to the music a lot so I'm really familiar with that, but I forgot all the bits in between the songs and it was really fun to get close ups on them. I had a great time.

It finished just before 4pm so after that I just drove home. I was wearing my rainbow sparkly sequin Converse because it's officially spring and I don't need to be wearing boots anymore. I was wearing a t shirt that says 'weekend' on it, it was from Simply Be ages ago and it's really soft and comfortable to wear. With that I was wearing one of my flamingo skirts. 

Bhaji burger and hand cut chips

Waiting in the shop on Leeds Road. They have one in Lockwood too which I should go to with Lee soon

Ice cream! Well, milk ice. Delicious and cold

We all had exactly the same thing

Cream t shirt and flamingo skirt

Rainbow and silver sparkly Converse, worn with pink footless tights from Snag

Lunch with Chloe and Laura

At the end of March I went to Barnsley to see Chloe and Laura. We meet up every few weeks or so and usually go to either Meadowhall or Sheffield because that's best for Laura, but I had asked if we could meet in Barnsley. It worked out really well for me because I had been unwell all week since getting back from Skegness, so it meant I didn't have to go far. 

Chloe came to my house and talked to my cats while I was still getting ready, and then I drove us both into town. We parked in the Glassworks and walked through to Coffee Boy to meet Laura. I had a caramel milkshake in there, which was pretty nice. Then we headed into some shops. Lee had told me there was a new plus size clothing shop in Barnsley and in fact there's two. One is where Yours used to be and it's like Yours only cheaper and nastier and just weird. In fact they were both weird. There were lots of things we all quite liked, but then they had weird seams or whatever. So none of us bought anything. 

We headed into the market where I wanted to buy a new walking stick. I left mine in Sarah's car which was incredibly stupid of me, and I don't have another. Laura said that anywhere selling bags and luggage would probably have sticks too, and she was right! I chose a pink and silver one which I really like. It was only £17 which was good! we all got some little bits, and then headed upstairs to Market Kitchen. 

The Thai place isn't there anymore which is very annoying although in its place is going to be a Japanese counter I think which is quite exciting, but it wasn't yet open. So I went for Turkish food, as did Laura. Chloe got a pizza. I got the vegetarian mezze platter which was delicious. It came with bread as well and it was really good but I think it was slightly overpriced. 

We had dessert; I had a brownie and some bubblegum ice cream from Dolly's. I didn't eat all the brownie so brought it home and ate it later. We sat for ages chatting before heading to TK Maxx because I needed... something, which I have now forgotten. Oh, a new water bottle to fit in my handbag! We said goodbye and I got Chloe and I back to my house. 

I was wearing one of my Scarlett and Jo skirts that I wear all the time, but with it I was wearing this confetti knitted top that I don't wear often. It came from Primark about ten years ago and it's super cosy and stretchy. I thought it was a cute outfit together. I will have to remember this jumper and wear it more! 

We forgot to get a photo of the three of us which was a fail, but we did have a nice time!

Halloumi, humus, cacik, baba ganoush, and not pictured is the bread 

Bubblegum ice cream which was very delicious

And my outfit, the jumper is so cute up close!

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