Tori Amos and Belle & Sebastian

On the 8th of April I went to see Tori Amos in Sheffield with my friend Janet. And then four days later I went to see Belle and Sebastian in Manchester with my friend Sam. So here's a quick post about that week. 

I'm not the world's biggest Tori Amos fan but I like what I've heard by her so when Janet posted asking for someone to go to Tori's Sheffield gig with her, I jumped at the chance. We booked tickets forever ago but all too soon it came round. Janet came to mine first because she wanted to see the new house, so I showed her round and then we set off to Sheffield. We parked at Middlewood and got the tram to City Hall. We went into Pho for food and I had something different to what I normally have! I had veggie spring rolls and tofu rice bowl I think. They were nice but as nice as what I usually have - so lesson learned. 

We walked round to City Hall and easily got in and up to our seats which were right on the left side of the balcony, with such a good view! My friend Stacey was also there so she came to speak to us briefly. The support guy was ....fine. I've heard worse support bands but he wasn't thrilling either.

But Tori was great! I knew she was going to be good but I was blown away. She played two pianos at several points, playing different things on each one. What a talent! She had some backing singers who sounded great too. It was just such a beautiful time, listening to her play and letting the music wash over me. I loved it.

We had a bit of a problem getting back because the trams were stopped, so we got a taxi back to Middlewood, but it was fine. I got back in good time and went to bed! 

That was Wednesday, and on the Friday morning my mum came over to mine. It was the eighteenth anniversary of my dad's death so we had decided to go out for brunch near me. As I went to meet her I realised my blue badge had arrived! It has already made a massive difference to my life which I'll explain in further posts, and I am so glad to have it. We went up into Penistone and did a few errands before we went into Holme Coffee House for food. I had shakshuka which was nice. It was nice to see her and I'm glad we did it. 

The day after, the 11th, we were planning to stay in, but then I realised I needed a new suitcase to go on holiday as both our bigger ones are broken. So I suggested to Lee that we went to Fox Valley to buy a new suitcase from The Range. It's really close to our new house - much easier than going into Barnsley - so we've been going there much more. We got what we wanted in The Range and then walked round to The Old George coffee house for brunch. I do love a brunch! I had vegetarian eggs benedict which came with hash browns on top which were really good. I think I had an iced coffee, too. 

On Sunday I relaxed for most of the day before setting out about 5.30 to Manchester, to meet Sam. We both like Belle & Sebastian and have seen them a few times, although not for ages. They were playing their first two albums in full, one night after the other. Same wanted to go to both but I couldn't afford that, so I said I'd go on Sunday. Jacqui went with her on the Saturday night and they had had a good time too. 

I parked in a disabled space which was only a few yards away from the venue which was great! I met Sam and after not too long we were allowed in as we had access. We were taken up to the balcony in the lift and shown to reserved seats. They had a runner to go to the bar for us which was great too - she was really useful! B&S were absolutely great - really joyful and fun as they always are. I had such a nice time and I'm glad I went even though it had been a really busy few days! 

My food in Pho with Janet

Tori's stage before she came on

Here she is playing two pianos, such talent! 

Taking a bow at the end

Shakshuka in Penistone on Friday

And vegetarian eggs benedict at Fox Valley on Saturday

Belle & Sebastian's video before they came on

And plenty of photos of them playing. It was, like Tori, just joyful to sit and listen to them

Easter 2026 - Day 3

On Easter Sunday Lee and Peter and I headed to my mum's. She wanted to see Peter so invited us over. She and my stepdad went to church so we went over about 1.30pm and then all five of us headed out to Newmillerdam for a walk. My mum lives near to it and it is usually lovely, so we went down in one car. My stepdad has just bought himself a mobility scooter which is much better as he can go a lot further than when he is walking. We parked and he put that together and then we headed over the dam itself to the far side, where we walked. 

It was sunny but cold so I had my big coat on, but it was so nice to be out in the fresh air. Peter kept disappearing into the woods and found a big stick which he was pleased with, and we talked to some ducks and so on. We stopped at the gatehouse cafe for a drink and went inside. We had to squish a bit round a table but as we were just having drinks it didn't matter. I had an iced coffee which was delicious. 

We turned back round and walked back towards the car park rather than going all the way around the dam, which I'm honestly not sure I could do anyway. We wanted ice creams but the ice cream van at that side was SHUT! Oh no! But the one on the other side, where we had parked, was open. I had a screwball which I always loved when I was a kid. I sat in the car to eat it so that my hair didn't get everywhere in it.

We went back to my mum's house and hung out there. We ordered pizza for tea and played some games and stuff. We would have stayed later but Lee and I had promised Peter we would watch Airheads before he went home the following day, so we didn't stay that late. It's a fun film, we enjoyed it.

I was wearing this new dress. I went browsing on Simply Be because I needed a thin dressing gown for my upcoming holidays, and found a couple of Joe Browns dresses in the sale, so got them. I love this one - it's really floaty and lovely, I think I'll wear it al ot over the summer. For this day, as it was cold, I was wearing tights underneath, but I wouldn't normally need to. 

Peter ready to dive into the water (which he of course didn't) 

Squished up in the cafe. We bought some duck food from here too!

Lee and my stepdad

Views around the dam and Peter posing for me, he's very amenable

Ice cream in the car

And finally my dress when we got home, including Katniss who had demanded to be let into the garage! They're all obsessed with it! 

Easter 2026 - Day 2

On Easter Saturday we had a lazy morning with my cousin Peter, had some lunch at home made up of god knows what found in the fridge and cupboards, and then headed into Barnsley. I had booked us a game of bowling at the new Superbowl that is in the regenerated town centre near where the main library is. I haven't been in there before so didn't realise it's like a whole arcade up there. I will say that getting up to the bowling was annoying - there's a lift but it requires a member of staff/key to make it work, and he wasn't downstairs when we got there so my cousin went upstairs to ask him to bring the lift down. That's fine if you're with someone able bodied but if you're not, what then? 

We played our bowling game first. If I score over hundred I think I've done well and I did! Plus I relaly enjoyed it. I should have booked two games really but not to worry. Lee won of course but Peter and I were really close to each other. Then we played some of the other arcade games - air hockey (which I won at because I always do) and then one of those basketball games. I had a go first and did way better than I thought I would, but then I did play basketball for my school back when I was fourteen ish. Then Peter had a go and did way better than me, oh well! 

We left Barnsley and went to the Toby Carvery near where we used to live for tea. Lee would go there all the time but I have to be in the mood but when he suggested it I agreed and Peter did too of course. I don't get any vegetarian mains, I just get Yorkshire pudding and all the vegetables and it's plenty for me. The man serving insisted I had two Yorkshire puddings so I didn't complain! 

When we got home I sorted out some things that we had brought back from my mum's attics. I found my pink tiara which I have had for almost thirty years and which I wore to death in my teens because I was a fucking Manics fan and we all did it. I also found this gorgeous photo of me, Stacey, Gemma and Helen on the day we left school back in 2000. Stacey and I went to sixth form together but lost touch until we were 24, we've been friends ever since. We got back in touch with Gemma when Facebook happened and I've met up with her a ton of times since, but I haven't been in touch with Helen since I left school. It's weird how life happens isn't it? 

Anyway I love this photo - we all look so young and beautiful and vibrant and full of life. As someone said when I posted this on Instagram, it's giving Derry Girls. Too cute. 

When we had sorted some things out Lee and Peter put them in the attic. Oh actually I think earlier in the day they had worked together to put a couple of shelves up in the attic, which was so helpful and I'm so glad Peter helped because I really couldn't have done! 

Lee is quite good at bowling - we all did better with the barriers up though

Here's Peter going as well

I put Lee and I in as Bee and Lee so then had to add Peter as Pee which he wasn't too happy about haha

Peter on the basketball game thing

Carvery! So much deliciousness!

Wearing my ridiculous tiara from when I was a teenager

And finally the photo of all four of us, so cute!

Easter 2026 - Day 1

My cousin Peter came to stay with us for Easter, which was lovely. As at New Year, we didn't do tons of things, but we did enough and had fun! He arrived about 5pm on the Thursday afternoon, having taken the afternoon off work, and we made some tea and gave him some Easter eggs and watched films for the evening. 

On Good Friday we went to Yummy Yorkshire for brunch. I had only booked it the day before so the only tables available were outside, which are little wooden booths and which have heaters, so I thought it would be okay. We turned up and got seated and ordered hot drinks. The waitress offered us blankets as well as the heater, which were welcome because it was incredibly windy which was making it cold! 

I went for a vegetarian breakfast which came with halloumi, which was nice. Then for ice cream I had chocolate something and mint choc chip, with a fudge stick. Peter and Lee enjoyed their food too. I haven't been there in ages and we had been dithering about where to go for days so I'm glad I thought of there. 

After brunch we headed off to Dunelm to buy paint which I'm sure they used to sell but they don't anymore? So that was annoying. We did pop into Tesco to get tea for me and Peter, as Lee was off to a gig. Then we headed to Wickes where we did manage to buy paint. It's a dark teal colour and it's for Lee's office which he has wanted to paint ever since we moved in. I've kind of got used to all the cream in the new house and don't mind it, but he does. 

Then we came home. Lee headed out later to a gig, so Peter and I made some Easter nests and had some tea. By this time I was feeling really crap - a flare up of my fibromyalgia I think - so I'm not sure I was very good company but Peter and I watched two films anyway. We watched The Aristocats and The Wedding Singer which are two films I really love! 

I had been wearing one of my pairs of ice cream earrings for going to Yummy Yorkshire for ice cream, aren't they cute? 

Oh yes, this is the new patio that was laid just before Easter! We're buying a catio so all the cats can go outside, too, and I want a table and chairs for this area too. There's already a bench on the right hand side which was left by the previous owner

Peter's hot chocolate was absolutely huge

We got a cute photo of all of us

My veggie breakfast, the green stuff is guacamole not peas

My ice cream - I prefer tubs to cones 

Peter and his ice cream

A few cute Easter nests that we made, we did make a few more

And finally my ice cream earrings!

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!

Afternoon Out with Sam and Jac

At the end of March I went to Leeds to meet up with Sam and Jac for a bottomless brunch and drink and chat and catch up, all of that good stuff. We went over a number of bottomless brunch options and finally decided on Neighbourhood on Greek Street, which I haven't been to before and I don't think Sam or Jac had either. We met about 11.45 which meant we got the early bird brunch which was a bit cheaper!

There were a few drink options to choose from but we all started with pink prosecco and then more. The waiters were really quick at offering more drinks, which I always appreciate in a bottomless brunch. I went for shakshuka which came with bread and then I ordered some tater tots on the side. 

We were sitting on high seats but they were kind of okay except my legs were dangling a bit which did get uncomfortable for me. But it was a good brunch! When we had finished we went to Slug and Lettuce where we had reserved a table which was just as well as it was extremely busy. It was full of hen parties and stuff! 

We had quiiiite a few more drinks and chatted a lot of nonsense. We drank some blue shit, of course. We did some shots, which is always is a terrible idea. It was a lot of fun and I was wearing a Scarlett and Jo dress that I didn't get a picture of. I got the train back to Barnsley and Lee picked me up and then I went and laid down for a couple of hours until I felt less drunk! 

A picture when we arrived in Neighbourhood, and to prove I had put some make up on for the first time in forever 

Shakshuka and toast

And delicious tater tots 

Me and Jac

And Sam with one of her many drinks

I of course had to have a Baby Guinness

2 for 1 cocktails in Slug and Lettcue and some blue shots, no idea what those were

And tequila rose, which I'm not sure I even like but will definitely drink

Here we all are looking cute!