New Tattoos for Lee and me

Lee and I both went to The Ink Station in Heckmondwike for new tattoos in early May. We had had the appointments booked for absolutely forever so I'm glad it finally arrived. I went over first as Lee was working. I had seen some of the lacy/henna type tattoos that Nini does and I asked her to design one for me, which she did. She started tattooing that, doing the heart first. Then she did the black pattern which goes all around my arm. I had to bend my arm right back which meant my shoulder hurt for a bit afterwards!

Lee turned up about twelve. His tattoo was Vault Boy from the Fall Out games but dressed as a punk. His friend Zoe had designed it for him. Nini did a couple of tweaks and did the colours. I think it looks fab! It was a bit bloodied in this photo which isn't surprising as it was a lot of ink altogether! He's happy with it

While I was there I booked a tattoo with Kim in November. I've been wanting to have something by her for a while as she's really talented, so I'm really happy I could book something. I'm going to have a Hello Kitty I think, but I've got a while to think about it! I also need to get my foot tattoo retouched - it had a whole rainbow in it but it turns out I'm allergic to a lot of red and purple inks, so those colours have totally dropped out of it. Nini was shocked at how much has gone! But my foot hurt so much I will have to psyche myself up to get it tattooed again!

I think this is the 20th tattoo for me now, I will have to count them. 

The carbon never comes off my skin at first, and obviously I didn't want to rub too much

Lee's! They're both on a similar place on our forearms

Tea Out with Sarah

At the beginning of May I had plans to see my friend Sarah in Sheffield. I hadn't seen her for ages because we'd both been ill and her whole household had had Covid, so we had had a few cancelled plans. But we managed to get together for tea. As I'd been at the snooker for the whole day previously, I knew I would be achy and tired, so Sarah suggested meeting at Wagamama at Centertainment because it's easily accessible. Perfect!

I had had my hair cut earlier in the day - it needed a good cut so I had about three inches taken off the length. I pulled on my heart print Simply Be dress which I generally wear with bright blue tights, but as I wasn't feeling 100% I decided to put leggings on instead as they're comfy and cosy. Sometimes I need that!

I got to Sheffield in good time as there didn't seem to any traffic. I went into Wagamama and asked for a certain seat (thanks disability) and then some water very quickly as I needed to take some painkillers (thanks ongoing womb issues). The greeter accomadated me wonderfully, with a smile, telling me it was no problem. I like it when staff are like that! I appreciate it! 

Sarah arrived not too long after and we chatted the whole time. I love seeing Robyn too obviously but it was nice to see her just by herself, and Robyn was fine at home with her dad. We ordered mushroom bao buns to share, then I went for the vegan sticky "ribs" which are new, and the tofy raisukaree, which I usually get because it's just so nice and I like it a lot. Sarah went for pork gyoza and duck donburi, I think. 

We then decided to get desserts too. I went for banana katsu which came with ice cream and caramel sauce. It was quite bizarre, as it was obviously deep fried, but the ice cream did make it like a dessert and I quite enjoyed it. Sarah had the smoked chocolate cheesecake and enjoyed that. We said goodbye eventually, and when I got home I got into bed to watch Schitt's Creek while Lee went in the bath - I needed a good rest and an early night!

Post haircut - it is still very long yes!

I remembered to take a photo of Sarah and I in the restaurant

Tofu raisukaree, full of vegetables and absolutely gorgeous

Sticky "ribs" - I don't know what they were made  of but the taste was bang on

Cherry blossom lemonade which was really nice and refreshing

Banana katsu - I would eat it again

And me in my heart print Simple Be dress!

World Seniors Snooker Championship in Sheffield

So only two and a half weeks after my mum and I spent Easter Monday in Sheffield watching the World Snooker Championships we were back at the Crucible to watch the Seniors Championship. This was much less well attended and a lot cheaper than the main one, but no less fun. We first had tickets for August 2020 but that obviously got cancelled, and this is when we moved our tickets to. 

Lee took us to Sheffield early as he had to get back to work, so we walked along Norfolk Row to Marmadukes where we sat outside and had some breakfast. I had a toasted teacake and a chai latte, both of which were nice. We then went across to the theatre. We were right on the second row this time and I'm told you could see us on some of the coverage! Rob Walker was there again, as he had been previously, but this time he was in a sweater and jeans rather than a suit. We spoke to him which my mum was really pleased about, I took a photo of them. 

We saw two matches before lunch which were both good - Rory McLeod was very good. We slipped out before the final frames of the second match because we needed to get some lunch. We went to the Head of Steam just in the theatre square. I had a vegan chicken sub which was nice enough. 

We headed back to the theatre for 2.30 for the second session. I was in pain - ongoing womb issues - and around 4.30 I snuck out and sat for a while in the foyer. My mum joined me just after 5pm, saying she wasnt bothered about seeing the very end of the fourth match. I would have stayed if she had been, but instead we walked down to the station to catch the 5.30 train. We only just made it as there was a platform change, but it was okay!

It was another good day, I really enjoyed the snooker again. It's good being in the atmosphere and my mum had a good day. 

Chai latte

My mum and I enjoying the sun

Back in the Crucible

Rob Walker chatting to us before the first match - there were only about 40 people in the first session!

Vegan chicken sub

Second session I think

My mum and Wayne Cooper, who won his match. He's a local lad too, he's from Bradford

And my mum and Rob Walker sometime during the morning

Lunch Out with Laura

On the 3rd of May I went over to Huddersfield to my friend Laura's. She wanted to take me to the Blue Teapot in Mytholmroyd which is a vegetarian cafe. I left my car at hers and she drove us over. She's never driven me anywhere before so that was a treat!

As was the cafe! It's not huge and we hadn't booked but we got a table. The menu is pretty huge and I was quite overwhelmed because I could choose literally anything! So many things caught my eye, including the breakfasts and the halloumi burger, but I decided to go for something I wouldn't have at home and ordered the mezze platter. 

It had flatbread, fried mushrooms and aubergines, hummus, halloumi, tabbouleh, olives and falafel, and salad. It was so good! Laura had the mezze salad which was kind of similar. Then I went for the chocolate and rapsberry cake and Laura had coconut and raspberry cake. I thoroughly enjoyed it and definitely want to go back soon!

I didn't get a picture of my outfit because Lee was on a video call so couldn't take one, and I was in pain so I wanted to go and lie down for a bit. I'm having a few gynaecological issues still and have been in some pain, but lying down helped. 

Weekend in Durham

The weekend of the first bank holiday in May we went to Durham to see Lee's family. We hadn't seen them since Christmas so I thought it would be nice to go up and see everyone. Plans got changed a couple of times but we stayed at Lee's dad's house. He and his wife are about to move to Chester-le-Street so this might be the last time we stay at their house near where Lee grew up. It'll be weird! 

We took our cats to my mum's on the Saturday and had lunch there before setting off (thanks Mum!). We got to Lee's mam's about 2.30 and stayed there for a while talking to her and Lee's stepdad before going to Lee's dad's. We went out in the evening with Lee's dad and Mary, to the same Italian restaurant we went to at Christmas with them. It's really nice - it's all fresh food and they did a vegetarian calzone for me even though it wasn't on the menu. I knew I wouldn't be able to eat it all so cut it in half to bring half home to eat on Monday - which I did, and it was delicious! 

On Sunday morning I had a bath in the massive bath with a bath bomb which was lovely. We had breakfast then headed to Lee's mam's. Lee's brother Andrew and his girlfriend Libby were already there, and then Lee's friend Paul and his wife Lianne arrived too. Paul is an honorary member of the family at this point haha. Andrew made stir fry for everyone - vegan for me, Paul, Lianne and Lee, and chicken for everyone else. We played Trivial Pursuit which was stupid, and then a different game. Lee's sister Kim turned up but I didn't get much chance to speak to her, which was a shame! 

We stayed there until about 7pm and then headed back to Lee's dad's. He and Mary had thoughtfully bought us a bunch of vegetarian food from Greggs as they were concerned about what they could feed me so I had a pasty and a vegan sausage roll (I'm veggie not vegan, as a reminder). We watched a film and chatted before bed. 

In the morning we popped in on Lee's mam before setting off home. We picked up the cats and came home and relaxed for the rest of the day! 

I forgot to take outfit photos because I was too busy having fun, but I did get a few photos... 

Funghi al aglio, which were delicious

Roasted vegetable calzone 

I think this was an Avobath bath bomb from Lush, but I'm not sure. My stepcousin bought Lee and I a few each for Christmas which is lovely!

Vegan stir fry - it was delicious

Playing Trivial Pursuit in teams

I did get a picture of my outfit on the Monday - this gorgeous clouds dress from Yours, plus my black footless Snag tights, and my white ballet Converse. It's a lovely spring outfit I think!

Twilight Spa at Gomersal Park Hotel

I mentioned to Lee in early April some time that we should go for another spa evening as we both like them and they're very relaxing. He had a look online and managed to find a deal for the Twilight Spa at Gomersal Park Hotel near Batley, so he booked it for the end of April. It was a very busy period for me but I knew I would like it, so it was fine. 

We actually got married at Gomersal Park Hotel way back in 2005! My dad had been the quantity surveyor on the extension, and we liked the hotel and the suite in which we got married. We stayed over a few years ago, maybe on our tenth wedding anniversary, but I can't remember exactly when. The spa wasn't there when we got married so I'd wanted to try it. We had it booked to go in November 2020 but thanks to Covid and the tiers we were in, it had to be cancelled. So I was glad Lee found a deal.

We arrived around 4pm and found the spa reception. We were offered a welcome drink of juice and then got changed and were given a little tour of the spa. There's a small pool, experience showers, a sauna, steam room, ice, foot spas, and then a hydrotherapy pool/hot tub which is outside. We went in there first of all - it was absolutely gorgeous. We then used the foot spas too.

The deal included a 30 minute treatment, either a facial or a back massage. I went for a facial at 5pm while Lee had a back massage. I really enjoyed mine - she did a lovely facial and left my face feeling really soft, and she also did some of a massage in my hair which was lush. Lee isn't sure if he liked his massage or not - he's never had anything like that before! 

We went in the pool for a little bit before we had pizza and prosecco at 6pm. Lee had a margherita and I had a veggie pizza with goats cheese and vegetables on it. They were delicious! Since Lee doesn't drink alcohol I go to have his glass of prosecco too which I'm not complaining about! Once we'd eaten we headed back outside to the hydrotherapy pool as it was just so lovely. 

There weren't many people in the spa which obviously made it feel really special and luxurious. We went and swam in the pool for a bit - it was also nice and warm in there which made my body feel better. Then we went back into the hdyro pool right up until just before 8pm when we had to get out. 4 hours was a really lovely amount of time to spend there though!

We got home about 8.40 and once again got into bed as I was so tired and achy. Lee made hot chocolate and we watched the latest episode of Derry Girls which was really nice. I would recommend the spa for sure if you're local! The dressing gown fitted me pretty well even though they were all the same size, and the treatment beds were nice and wide and sturdy so I felt really safe when I was lying on it. Definitely one of the better spas for plus size people!

The outdoor hydrotherapy pool - it was steaming warm and had lots of lovely jets

Feet in the foot spa - this was nice and warm too 

Lee took this one of us

And this one of me outside in the pool. My swimming costume was from Simply Be earlier in the year - as we swim at least once a week I tend to wear through costumes quite quickly!

Gorgeous fresh pizza

And this is the pool - it wasn't huge but nice to float in

Day Trip to Manchester

At the end of April I went to Manchester to see my friend Amy. I saw her in February but we had been meaning to get together for a bit of chat and craft time, so I headed over. There was an accident on the way there so it took me a bit longer than it should have, via a diversion, but I got there. We chatted at Amy's for a bit then left her girls with Mike and headed to the Tea Hive in Chorlton for some lunch.

I've been there before but not for ages. Amy likes it as they have plenty of vegan options. I went for a triple decker halloumi sandwich which was lush - definitely did not scrimp on ingredients at all. It had tzatziki and hummus and olives in it too. I also had an orange hot chocolate which was lovely. 

It wasn't too busy so we felt we could linger, and we both did a little bit of cross stitch. Amy wanted some pointers as I do so much of it! We ordered cake and hot drinks a little while later too. I had chocolate salted caramel cake and a coffee, which were both lovely. 

We wandered across the street when we left the Tea Hive to Lily's deli. We've been to the restaurant in Ashton before, and I've been to the deli before and bought delicious snacks. I bought some puri, and some snacks for Lee and I to share. Oh, I had also bought him a brownie in the Tea Hive too! 

We headed back to Amy's house. It was getting on at this time but I didn't want to get stuck in traffic, so we sat in the kitchen for a while with both girls and Mike. Amy and Daisy were making some dandelion honey and some Easter nests, and I played with Robyn while she was sitting on the table. It was a good time! 

I finally set off back about 6.20. My satnav told me that Woodhead Pass would be the quickest way and I stupidly believed it. It ended up taking me nearly two hours to get home! By that time I was so tired and in pain that I went to lie in bed until it was time to go to sleep!

Absolutely gorgeous halloumi triple decker sandwich

Chocolate salted caramel cake

Amy and Daisy making Easter nests. The whole family is vegan hence the other project of dandelion honey

And here's little cutie Robyn (I was just next to her to make sure she didn't fall off the table)