Beginning of June

A few things from the beginning of June which don't warrant their own post but which I'll write about briefly. Actually, on the 30th of May Lee and I headed out ...somewhere. I can't remember where and I haven't written it down in my diary. I think we probably went into Barnsley but I don't know. But I did wear this new dress that I got on Vinted. It's similar to the Topsy Curvy and Carolina Dress Room ones but it doesn't have a label in it. I LOVE the leopard print pattern and it's just so cute. I wore it with handmade earrings from Loud Mary which are also leopard print and loud and which I love a lot too. I have worn this dress a lot already! 

On the 3rd of June I went into Barnsley to see Chloe and Laura. It was a while since we had been to Barnsley and it was better for me as it meant I didn't have to travel far. We met for coffee then had a quick walk round some shops. I bought three books in The Works but not sure I bought anything else. We went for lunch in the Market Kitchen. I had a halloumi kebab and chips from the Greek place in there I think. We then just sat for ages chatting at a table. It wasn't busy so we weren't taking up space. We finally said goodbye about 3pm probably. 

On the Thursday I went to Sheffield to meet my friend Philippa for lunch. She had suggested Mandala Cafe down on Chesterfield so after I had been working in the morning I set off to meet her. I've been working loads recently - I have a big new client which is great because I am earning lots of money - but it has meant that I have been working a lot more. It's been tiring!

I had the thali with Pippa because I can rarely resist a thali - I just love having little bits of all kinds of things to eat. It was all tasty. I also had a brownie for pudding. Pippa and I chatted until around 3.30 I think, and then I had to go to Barnsley for an x ray on my wrist. I've been having problems with it for months and had seen the physio about it and he wanted me to have an x ray on it. My appointment was at 5.05 but I was worried about being late due to Sheffield and Barnsley traffic, and Lee couldn't take me as he also had to go to the hospital at about 4.30. I actually wasn't at the hospital - my appointment was at one of those NHS centres in town and city centres so I was actually in the middle of Barnsley at the Glass Works. This worked out way better for me as I could park more easily. 

I was there really early and had my book with me, fully prepared to sit and wait, but no sooner had I checked in than they were calling me through. There were two x ray technicians and they joked that they had been bored for a bit so were glad I was there earlier. It was great because it meant I was home before 5pm and could wait for Lee.

We headed off to Sheffield again - do keep up, it was a busy day - for Lee to play his first gig with his new band, Lax. His old band, This Is Not A Drill, split up because the drummer has moved to York, so Lee has formed a new band with his bass player, Brian, Leah, who he was in a band with ten years ago, and their friend Joel who they've all known forever. Leah is singing which she hasn't done before so she was nervous. We got to the Lughole and I sat reading my book and talking to Brian's partner Lisa. And drinking Hooch. I was a little bit young to drink Hooch in the late 90s but my mum loved it! And I have to say I like it too. 

Lee's band sounded great, I enjoyed it. We talked to a bunch of other people and stayed for the other bands too. We left at about 10pm I guess. We stopped at Burger King on the way home to get tea for both of us. It was fun! I was wearing my 'Sometimes antisocial, always antifascist' t shirt and these 'nope' earrings. I don't remember where they came from but I was loving wearing them! 

Brunch with Lee I think in Barnsley? I think it was in the Lounge but I'm really not sure now

Ridiculous leopard print dress! I love it so much. It's so soft to wear, too

Handmade earrings

Halloumi kebab in the Market Kitchen with Chloe and Lolly

All three of us shortly before we said goodbye

The books I bought in The Works

Oh and in among all of this I managed to finish cataloguing my zines! I started this before we moved house but ran out of time so chucked a bunch more in a box and have then been working on getting them all sorted. This is what over a thousand zines looks like! I got rid of lots and got them all nicely sorted into sizes. This area in our house is on the middle landing in a bit of a random area. On the other side is a bookshelf filled with my crafting magazines, and above these zines are a bunch of my ornaments and crystals on display. It's a nice use of an area that would otherwise be a bit forgotten. It's just outside Lee's office/one of the spare rooms

Thali I had with Philippa. Part of it on the right was like a deconstructed onion bhaji and it was the best bit I think

Brownie, I do love a brownie

My NOPE earrings, haha

Hooch in the Lughole later on

And finally Lee's band on 'stage' - Lee is on the left there to the right of the speaker stack

Holiday in Morocco - Day 8

On the last day of our holiday we weren't being picked up for our transport to the airport until 3pm, so we had plenty of time to hang around beforehand. We perhaps could have gone in the pool and then got showered somewhere in the hotel afterwards, but we couldn't be bothered. Instead we checked out, left our suitcases in the hotel, and set off out to explore the shops near the hotel. We had spied them before but hadn't looked. But they weren't very interesting so we didn't buy anything. We were a bit unsure what to do - and maybe all a bit fed up of being together - so eventually decided to sit in a cafe that was nearby. It was a nice bar and it had shade on the terrace so we went there and sat. 

We had drinks and then ordered some lunch. I had a prawn and avocado salad which was lush, I would eat it again right now. We sat there for about three hours all in, I reckon. Eventually we headed back to the hotel and sat in the foyer for a little while and then got the transfer bus back to the airport. 

It's a small airport so we got through security really quickly and then sat in a cafe there. It had decaf coffee which was very exciting to me as I hadn't had any all week. I think we shared some crisps. You could see the tan on my arm which was exciting because I didn't think I had tanned that much!

We eventually went to the gate and waited a bit and then finally got on the plane. I think it was a bit late setting off. Sam and Jac both dozed again so I read and listened to music. I finished my second book of the week and had to start something else. We finally landed about 11pm and then had to wait for a bus to take us to the terminal and then had to wait for bags etc. I said goodbye to Sam and Jac who were staying over at the airport. I had a nightmare getting back to my car, the less said about that the better. I was wound up as I was driving home so even when I got home at 1am it was 3am before I calmed down enough to go to sleep! So it had been a long day but I was finally home and happy to see Lee and the cats of course. 

The next day I did very little except unpack. My last photo is of what I bought at the argan oil factory. I did also buy a bracelet in the market - it is silver with diamantes so very bling!

Here we are in the airport with drinks and crisps

Tan line from where I had been wearing my hotel band all week

The airport as we were walking to the plane

Agadir behind us as we were taking off

View out of the window as the sun was setting

And another

And here are my souvenirs - two lots of argan oil, some almond butter, and three perfumes which are so nice and strongly scented. Oh I brought presents for everyone too, but not pictured. I bought Lee some saffron in the market, for one!

Holiday in Morocco - Day 7

The 27th of May was our last full day in Morocco. It was also my mum's birthday but I had got permission to be away on her birthday so it was alright. We wanted to get down on the beach in good time to make sure we got sun loungers, so we were all awake quite early. I was really sore and achey though, so I laid in bed for an extra half an hour when Sam and Jac went down to the beach, and that meant I could just take my time to get ready. I was down on the beach by about 10.15. 

It was warm but not boiling, which was perfect. We got talking to a family next to us so asked them to look after our phones and bags etc so that we could all go in the water together. We didn't go too deep because the lifeguards kept whistling, but we managed to swim which was lovely. There were a few clouds but it was fine. And there were people walking their camels along the beach which was cute to see. 

We eventually went back into the hotel and had a drink or two in the bar that was nearest the beach. I can't remember if we had lunch although I'm pretty sure we did as we hadn't had any breakfast. We tried to sit somewhere else in the hotel but it turned out to be for higher up quests than we were. No matter! We sat round the big pool and all went in again, for the last time. Waah!

When we headed back to the room we found a black cat that someone had fed, so I spoke to it of course. Then on our patio a cute grey and white cat had made itself at home on one of our chairs! We got showered and mostly packed to leave before tea, and then headed to the restaurant and the bar. The food still hadn't been great for me but it was fine, I managed. We wandered down to the beach to watch the sunset which was gorgeous - I'm glad we managed to catch it eventually. 

We had a couple of drinks in the bar before bed! 

A man walking his came down the beach

Looking out at the sea. Because it was the Atlantic it was quite rough but not too bad to swim in

Looking towards the casbah on the top of the hill

The little black cat that was busy eating some biscuits

And then the one that had made itself at home on our drying laundry!

Sam took this of me in the big pool last thing and I love it - in one of my most natural habitats in a pool

The big pool as we walked through after tea, it looked so pretty

Watching the sunset

It looked so good

I'm pretty sure we did get a picture of the three of us together, but I only have this one of me. It's cute though

The hill and its writing once again

And another sun picture just before it went below the horizon

Holiday in Morocco - Day 6

The Tuesday of our holiday was the best one weather wise I think. We did nothing except sunbathe and sit around the pool. I took precisely two photos, haha. We probably had breakfast and probably just sat about until lunchtime so that we weren't in wet swimming costumes to go into the dining room for lunch. Sam sat by the bar reading her book and Jac and I sat by the big pool. I went and got us ice creams and drinks about 3pm or something. Sam came and joined us and we all went in the big pool. 

We showered, got changed, had tea, had some drinks, etc. The weather moved in about 8pm while we were sitting outside eating - the mist rolled in and I think it might have even had some spots of rain, but then it came out quite nice again. 

A very chill day! 

The big pool when Jac and I were sitting there in the afternoon

And the view from the restaurant when the mist rolled in

Holiday in Morocco - Day 5

On the Monday of our trip we went on our final trip, to see some goats! Jac had happened upon this trip and had booked it, which Sam and I didn't mind, of course. We got up super early and went for some breakfast and were down in front of the hotel waiting to be picked up by 9am. We were picked up by a lad in a little van. There were two other people already there, so there were just five of us on the trip.

The drive out to the goats was out of the city and it took about thirty minutes. We went past a lot of desert scenery which was interesting to see. It was hot out there, too! We pulled up at the side of a road where there was a bunch of goats sitting under an argan tree. We had previously learnt about how goats help the argan tree nuts come off the tree so they can be harvested. We could get right up to the goats and the goatherd gave us some argan fruit to feed them. There were some standing in trees too which I've always wanted to see, so that was cool. 

There was also a baby goat that the goatherd gave to some people to hold. Jac was very brave and held it, I stroked its little ears and it was so cute! When it got fed up the person holding it put it down and the goatherd picked up another baby one, so I was glad to see that the babies didn't have to be held if they didn't want to be! 

Then we had our THIRD AND FINAL TRIP to the argan oil factory. It was just hilarious at this point! Jac and I both picked up some other bits including presents. Our guide asked us if we would like to see the mosque and we were like ....we've been. So before long we were back in the van heading back to the hotel. We got back about 11am and had a drink in the bar, in the sunshine! 

I think we probably had some lunch but I'm not sure. By 1pm I was sitting under an umbrella by the rectangular pool sunbathing a bit. We swam too of course. Sam went to shop and came back with ice creams and cold drinks, which makes me think we didn't have any lunch actually, dunno. Not sure! It's a long time ago now. I had started a new book. I'm quite certain that we went to the big pool again as well for a swim. 

We went and got showered as usual and watched some weird telly while we relaxed. Then we headed to one of the restaurants on the hotel complex. There were three that we were allowed to eat in as we were all inclusive, but two of them didn't have any vegetarian options (they were very small set menus). The third restaurant was totally fish, and as I will eat fish, and often do on holiday if there isn't other choices, we decided to go there.

It was right near the beach so it had a nice view of the setting sun. I had fish cakes and then a salmon fillet with sauce and rice. The salmon was gorgeous but the rice was a bit odd. Never mind! Then I had chocolate fondant with ice cream which was lovely. We had plenty of local rose wine. When we had finished we walked out on to the prom to look at the sea. There were tons of people walking around which was nice to see. It was warm and so beautiful! 

We most likely had another drink in the bar before bed!

On the drive on the way to the goats

Look at all the goats including the ones in the tree! It was so cool to see them

Here we are standing under the goats!

These two wanted to be our friends

I liked these two little ones sitting together too

And here is the BABY GOAT that Jac held, it was so cute

Drink in the bar back at the hotel

Here I am sunbathing 

The view from my sun lounger

Me and Jac

All three of us, trying to stay out of the sun

Afternoon snacks

The book I was reading

Food in the restaraunt in the evening

The three of us again

And finally a bunch of pictures of the beach and sea about 10pm