Family Holiday Day 1

My family books a weekend away every year. We used to go camping but since baby T was born we've gone in static caravans instead. He is three now! So not a baby. But this year we had decided to go to Kent and to take my step cousin K along with us too. 

As Kent is a long way Lee and I decided to stop off for a couple of nights on the way. We booked somewhere near Peterborough which is not the most glamourous place but it turned out to be the nicest Airbnb we've ever been in. It was lush!

In the morning of the 8th of July I had work meetings, so Lee pottered about packing the car and playing with the cats and then we set off just after midday. We stopped at a service station for some lunch and got to the Airbnb at about 3pm I'm guessing. It was in the middle of one of the many heatwaves and it was HOT. The house was in the middle of nowhere. The owners lived there too - there was their paart of the house then a door to the self contained annexe we were in. It had a kitchen living dining room and then upstairs a bedroom and bathroom. It was very cute! Then there was also a flat downstairs which had some people in the first night we were there. 

The owners greeted us and offered us an ice cream each and iced water and there was beer and apple juice in the fridge which was welcome. It was a really well appointed cottage. But the main event was the POOL! Lee and I probably would have used it anyway but the fact that it was thirty plus degrees meant that we really wanted to swim!

We got changed and headed out to the pool. There were sun loungers around it but we were hot and bothered so got straight in. It was lovely! It was heated so not freezing and there were floats so we just floated about for ages. We honestly could have been abroad. 

We got out about 5.30pm I think. I had a shower in the fancy bathroom which was nice. We sat and watched a couple of films and we had sandwiches for tea. About 9pm I think we wandered back out to the pool to dip our feet in and watch the sunset. It was still so warm so it was refreshing to dip our feet.

Just before we went to bed we went outside to look at the stars. The place really was in the middle of nowhere so we could see hundreds of them!

Look how beautiful the pool was. The steps were in this near corner which was great for me. It was SO welcome, I couldn't believe we were in Cambridgeshire either!

Sunbathing but I had forgotten to take anything for my head so had to use my towel 

Obligatory leg picture. There were a few clouds but really not many

Later when we went out to watch the sunset

So beautiful! It would probably be a waste to have an outdoor pool generally in the UK but when there's a heatwave I would love one!

Lee and I

Dipping our feet

When the sun had disappeared over the horizon

And some stars later on before bed

Drinking in Barnsley

On the 5th of July Lee and I went with my mum and stepdad to Barnsley for an afternoon out.  We were technically celebrating my mum's birthday which was over six weeks before this but I was away and then we hadn't had chance. So we decided to go out in Barnsley. We met mid afternoon at The Botanist. They had their Sunday lunch menu on so I think everyone else had roast dinner with Yorkshire puddings. I had a vegan burger which was delicious, I would have that again. I had a strawberry pornstar martini which was very good too. 

We had a couple of drinks with lunch and then we went into the Salt House for a drink or maybe two. The last thing we did was go to Dolly's Desserts for ice cream. I had bubblegum flavoured which was nice! We went home not long after that. I was wearing a Joe Brown's dress that I've had for ages and I love the pattern of it but the top is a bit too big on me now so I think I'll donate it. I also wore this green shrug on the top, which I do like. 

Vegan burger with chips and coleslaw

Strawberry pornstar martini, I could go one of those right now!

Ice cream cone in Dolly's

And my outfit when we got home - with the glamour of the aircon unit's hose hanging out of the window next to me!

End of June/Beginning of July

The 26th of June was our wedding anniversary! 21 years! Yes our parents really did let some children get married, how terrible of them! We didn't have massive plans but Lee ordered a record he wanted and I asked for another watch. I have a fancy Olivia Burton watch that Lee's dad and stepmam bought me for my 40th, but I wanted another one as well. I was looking on Next and liked these RSPB ones so Lee went for the one with kingfishers on it. He ended up ordering it to our old house so had to go back there to get it! He did get to speak to the neighbours though.

I met up with Gillian for brunch on that day; we went to Holme Coffee House in Penistone which I love. I had veggie sausage, avocado, cheese and egg in a sandwich which isn't exactly on their menu (it's two sandwiches squashed together) but I've had it a few times. I'm sure we had cake as well but I'm not sure what we had. 

It was so hot so Lee and I decided to go to the cinema. He wanted Nandos so we went there first. I had a mushroom wrap I think. Then we headed across to the cinema to watch Toy Story 5. It was so cool in there it was amazing! We both really liked the film, too. 

On Saturday we went to my mum's. Her little part of her street has a 'festival' every year and this year Lee and I went. First of all we were all at Mike's house and he did a barbecue so we had veggie burgers. Then my mum's favourite local band The Broken Amps came to play a little set on some spare grass that there is. They were really good. Then we all went to Richard's where he did curry or gyros so we ate well there as well! The England match was on so some people were watching that but I was just chatting to my cousin K and my mum and stepdad. I didn't get any photos that I'm happy posting, sorry! 

The following week I had a normal busy week including a trip to the hospital for an x ray on my painful wrist which turns out not to be broken but is still painful at times. I worked - I have a big new client and I was working a lot in June and July to get things done for me - and then on Friday I went to Glossop to meet up with my friend Helen.

It's about halfway between the two of us and it's a nice drive from mine so I set off nice and early. I parked on the street and went into a couple of shops. Helen arrived just after me and we went into the outdoor market where there were some nice stalls including a fruit and veg stall where we both bought delicious strawberries. We went into the market hall which is now run as a food kitchen, and we got an iced coffee each. We sat outside to eat it - still so hot - and then decided to order food and keep sitting there. We didn't really owe anyone anything! I went for a mezze platter which was delicious. We chatted until about 2pm when Helen needed to go and make sure she could pick up her youngest in time. We got a picture just before we said goodbye!

The watch Lee bought me for our anniversary, I've worn it every day since I think!

My sandwich at Holme Coffee House. Now they've moved they have aircon upstairs but even that couldn't really cope with the heat

Lee and I in Nandos on our anniversary

My mezze platter in Glossop

And finally Helen and I! 

Little Trip to Hebden Bridge

On the 18th of June I went to Hebden Bridge to look catsit for my friend Janet's cat Missy. I met Janet through blogging like fifteen years ago and we've met a few times. She had asked for a catsitter and I fancied a night or two in Hebden Bridge so said yes. I had work and then a visit to the dentist on the Thursday, and then I ate tea with Lee before I set off. Missy miaowed at me so I fed her as soon as I arrived and then sat down to chill. I watched some Poirot on Netflix and did some of my cross stitch and otherwise just hung out with myself.

Janet's spare room is very comfortable so I slept well except for Missy screaming for food. I fed her about 7am and went back to sleep for a bit, haha. In the morning I rested for a bit and then drove into the town centre and parked. I walked hither and thither looking in all the shops. I had arranged to meet my friend Ava for lunch but she had something to do first so I had time to wait. I had a coffee and bought a book in one of the charity shops but otherwise didn't buy much.

I went to Leila's Kitchen to wait for Ava as I had had it recommended as good for veggie food, and as Ava is vegan that worked out for both of us. I read my book while I was waiting, and when she arrived we ordered. I had hummus and falafel and a thing that was like Persian tzatziki (that's what the menu said!) and lots of bread. It was really good. I then had a piece of coffee and walnut cake. It was really hot in the cafe but it was in the beginning of the heatwave so it wasn't surprising. 

When we'd eaten I took Ava back to Todmorden where she lives and then went back to Janet's. I watched some more TV and read my book, but wasn't sure what to do for my tea. I could have ordered something but I wasn't enamoured by any of the offerings on Just Eat. I've heard that Woody's Pizza is really good so I got back in the car and drove down to it. It was SO busy so I placed my order but had about forty minutes to wait so I went round to a cocktail bar and had a drink while I was waiting. 

The pizza was just mushroom but it was delicious! I enjoyed it. I hung out with Missy some more and watched more Poirot. (It's on Netflix! Go watch!) I wasn't late to bed which Missy was glad about it. It had been a lovely day though!

In the morning I had a shower and then went into the centre for one last time to get an ice cream. I would have had one the day before but I was full after lunch so didn't. I ate it sitting in the car before driving home. My mum and stepdad were at mine when I got there because my stepdad was helping Lee build the catio for our cats. It looks so good and they are loving it! 

Looking down into the river off the bridge in the town centre

The graffiti of Sylvia Plath, as is tradition. I also love the little Moomin next to her

Looking at the bridge

My lunch

And my cake

The book I was reading, which was good

And my ice cream on Saturday morning

Busy Weekend

I had a busy weekend in mid June which necessitated three trips across Woodhead Pass, fortunately before it was closed because of the wildfires, which as I'm writing this still aren't quite under control. It's a faff to go over the M62 from my new house, plus I really hate that motorway and much prefer Woodhead.

On the Friday Sam and I had tickets to see Jesse Malin. We've seen him a bunch of times and really enjoyed him, so we wanted to go again. In 2023 he had a spinal stroke which has paralysed his bottom half, so we weren't sure if he would ever tour in the UK again. He has had a lot of rehab and he can now stand up thanks to some braces on his lower legs. Even though he can't feel them! It's madness. So we were excited to see him again. 

We met at about 4pm at a coffee place and had a drink and then went over to Viet Shack for food. There was tons of veggie choices but I went for fake chicken loaded fries with a peanut type sauce. It was nice. I think we shared some veggie spring rolls, too. And I had a delicious mocktail, I can't remember what was in it but it was good. 

We walked over to the venue and Sam queued up for us. She had emailed for access but no one had replied and in fact access was really rubbish and I ended up complaining to the venue about it. But we got in eventually and were about six rows back from the front which gave us a great view. Jesse was great - he stood up for about four songs and sat down for the rest which is fine of course. He played a ton of his own songs, and a cover of The Pogues and a cover of The Clash like he usually does. He was enthusiastic and told all his stories. It was a lot of fun. 

I got home and to bed, and then got up quite early the next morning to go with Lee to Stockport Zine Fair. We went last year and had a great time so I was pleased to get a table again this year. We arrived in good time and got set up but it turned out we had forgotten the new badges and stickers I had got made so that was a bit annoying. My prints sold well though, which was good! 

I bought some zines and traded a bunch too. I also bought these Lord of the Rings cat stickers, I love them so much. We decided to not stay in Stockport for tea but we did get some donuts from a stall outside before we set off home. We just chilled out when we got home because zine fests are tiring!

On Sunday I had a quiet morning before setting off for Glossop to meet my friend Amy. She couldn't meet until 2pm so I went a bit earlier and had a sandwich in About Thyme by myself, reading my book, before she arrived. We got cake and coffee when she arrived and sat chatting until about 3pm, when About Thyme closes. So we went round to The Lounge and sat outside on the patio which was lovely as it was nice and sunny. I just had a drink as I wasn't hungry, but Amy had some chips. We left about 5pm, it wasn't enough time with one of my oldest and best friends! 

Mocktail in Viet Shack

And my loaded fries

Jesse's first song, as he was standing

And later on, when he was sitting down. His backing musicians sounded great too

It was a really good night

The book I was reading. It's really good, it's about an Irish woman with an abusive and manipulative husband, and about how she leaves him. I really recommend it

My table all set up in Stockport

Very cute cat stickers

Donuts with ice cream and chocolate sauce, I bloody love donuts

All the zines I bought or traded

Coffee cake in About Thyme - it's a really cute cafe in Glossop and I've been a couple of times

Amy and I just before we said goodbye on Sunday afternoon

Day Trip in Sheffield

On the Sunday when Lucinda was visiting I had thought we could go to Sheffield for lunch and a wander about, so we decided to do that. But I also knew that the UK Aids quilt was in Wakefield and was leaving that day, so I suggested that we went to see that first. It was a bit stupid to drive north to Wakefield and then south to Sheffield but it was worth it. 

The quilt was amazing to see, it was so emotional. I took photos of the panels that were about famous people, but otherwise didn't. I also took a photo of a panel that was covered at the request of the family, which shows that even now there is a stigma about dying of Aids. I also liked the panel dedicate to South Asian victims. I'm really glad we bothered to go. 

We (me, Lee and Lucinda) got in the car and headed to Sheffield. We parked near City Hall because there are several disabled spaces there and they're really central. We walked through to the Cambridge Collective because by this point it was lunchtime. It was a good idea to go there because it meant we could each have what we wanted. Lee had a jerk chicken burger and Lucinda had Pad Thai. I had pumpkin katsu loaded fries, and a bao bun which was basically the same thing, which I hadn't realised in the descriptions, so I got a takeaway box and took the bao bun home to eat the next day. I also had a Pimms which was lovely, so summery!

We went for a walk round the shops near Cambridge St, and ended up going as far as the Devonshire Green although not much was open round there. Lucinda was hoping to find a piercing place that was open and I probably would have got another ear piercing alongside her, but we couldn't find one. 

We went into the Chocolate Bar for hot chocolate and cake. I think I had mint flavoured but I can't remember now. We left Lucinda not long after that so she could walk down to the train station and we could get home as I was very tired from the day before and needed to rest. Lucinda and I had used the photo booth in Cambridge Collective - it's near the Korean food booth and the photos are so cute. I have of course put them up on the mirror in my craft room alongside a bunch of other photos of me and my friends! 

Some info on the way in

A panel for Freddie Mercury

And another one

The covered up panel

A panel for Mark Ashton. By the way did you know that the Reform council in Durham refused to give money to Durham Pride for their event, so the miners donated like £10,000 to them. A perfect example of why we all need to stand together (and a reflection of what happened in 1984 between LGSM and the miners). It made my heart happy to read

And a panel for Keith Haring

My delicious lunch. The fries were much more filling than I anticipated

Caramel shortbread that I had alongside my hot chocolate

And finally the very cute photobooth photos

As always, I'll be waiting in the photobooth at the underground station...