Week in the Lake District Day 3

On the third day of our holiday we went to Carlisle to see my friend Rachael! She and I met online over twenty years ago and have met up many times over the years, but often closer to me than to her. She really likes it when people visit her in Carlisle so we said we would go. We set off early and the fog was still very much over the hills as we were driving up. 

We parked and met Rachael and then first of all we went to the cathedral. I've been before but not for a decade and a half and this time the Museum of the Moon was there! Lee and I have seen it before about five years ago, but it was stunning to see it in the cathedral as it took up so much of the space, and it looked great against the starry sky of the cathedral roof. It was really nice to see and it was plenty busy in there! 

Then Rachael took us on a tour of the shops of Carlisle! She wanted to show me the crystal shop where she goes and where she knows the owners a bit. I bought a couple of things there and we looked at the Hadrian's Wall thing in the pavement and the castle, but decided to not go in the castle. We went in a few of the charity shops as Lee always likes to look. We went in a chocolate shop which Rachael really recommends and we bought some goodies there too. We went in Sostrene Grene which she hadn't been into until recently, although I've been in the one in Sheffield before and maybe somewhere else, can't remember. I like it but I really could spend a LOT of money in there. 

We went in Bordo Lounge for lunch. I really like the Lounges chain as they have a decent amount of choice for a vegetarian. This time, as I am eating fish at the moment due to iron deficiency, I went for a salmon rosti, which was good. I also had a chai latte which was good too. 

We went in more shops in the afternoon and went in a vintage shop selling loads of weird things where I liked a lot of their jewellery but didn't buy anything. Then we went into a cafe for a hot drink and a piece of cake. I had millionaire's shortbread which was very good! 

We said goodbye to Rachael about 3.30 and got back in the car and Lee drove back to the lodge. When we got there, there were rabbits playing on the grass! It was so cute to see! I got into the hot tub which I actually think massively helped my joints that day because I had walked a really long way but didn't feel too bad the next day. It was raining a lot though so Lee lent me his baseball cap to keep most of it off me. 

I had been wearing this Simply Be dress with little blue hearts on it. I love the pattern and the dress but I don't like its cuffed sleeves so really I ought to just shorten them. In the evening we watched films and I did some of my rag rugging. It grows quickly so I was enjoying it. I also started a new book. 

Very low mist over the hills on the way to Carlisle

Going into the cathedral

A really ornate altar

And then the moon sculpture! This picture just not give the proper scale

This one is maybe better

This is the dark side of the moon

Some of the towns along Hadrian's Wall and their Latin names etc. Cool to look at!

The castle

One of the gatehouses which was really cool. There was a record shop just beyond this, but unfortunately it was shut!

I didn't get a picture of my lunch but here's my cake

Rachael and me and Lee as we said goodbye near the car park

Rabbits back at the lodge! So sweet

They were obviously quite used to people

Simply Be dress

And here I am in the hot tub in the rain

My rag rug which is now finished and which is now looking good in the living room

And finally the book I started

Week in the Lake District Days 1 & 2

On the 4th of October Lee and I went on a week's holiday to the Lake District! For Christmas last year he bought me a voucher to Lodore Falls Spa near Keswick, where we went in 2023 when we were on holiday there, so we had to go back! We decided to make it into a week's holiday and booked a lodge on White Cross Bay near Windermere which had it own hot tub. Lee booked it all and I just agreed, haha.

First thing on the Sunday morning I had my flu jab. It was at my doctors' surgery and it was extremely well organised. There was a small queue and you were directed into a room and it took longer for one nurse to take my name than for the other to get the jab done. I was in and out in less than three minutes I think.

We set off not too long after that and drove to Kendal. We went to Asda there and picked up supplies for the week which included things I had forgotten like socks, deodorant, and body spray. I wasn't quite in the right headspace for packing the night before and it showed!

We went up to the holiday park. It was a Parkdean one which you know I rate, and it had a pool on site which we would have had to buy passes for but it would have been fine, but we decided to do that later. We got into the lodge. It was a bit dated but cute and comfy inside. There was a double bedroom, a twin bedroom, a bathroom, another toilet, and a living/dining/kitchen space. The sofas were recliner ones which was nice; I ended up using that a lot and getting comfy.

We unpacked and we considered going in the hot tub but it was raining quite heavily so we decided we would leave it. We watched some films and I was doing some rag rugging. I've actually finished the rug now! It's lovely. I'll post photos when we update the rest of the living room. We just relaxed for the evening and had some picky bits for tea. 

On Monday morning we slept in a bit which was much needed for both of us, and then about twelve o'clock we set off to Bassenthwaite Lake Station. It's up near Keswick so it took about 45 minutes. I considered going there last time we were up that way, but we didn't get round to it. But I had had it recommended, so I had booked for the afternoon tea. They have a restaurant on a train that lives at the station (it doesn't move, but it's on the tracks) and the afternoon tea is in the final dining car. I had prebooked it and had requested the vegetarian menu because the main one had things Lee doesn't eat either. Now I am actually eating fish at the moment as my iron is low and the nurse recommended eating fish, so you may see that on my blog coming up. I mainly eat vegetarian though, so we had that menu. 

It was honestly one of the best afternoon teas we've ever had! We were shown to our table and offered tea or coffee, which was unlimited, and orange juice or apple juice, which is also unlimited. That's unusual and it was very good as I had much to drink! The food was very innovate and delicious. There was a butternut squash veloute in a tiny cup, some sandwiches, a quiche, a halloumi burger, and vegan haggis in a Yorkshire pudding. Then there was a scone, a cheesecake, a cupcake, and a piece of malted tea bread with local butter. 

I couldn't eat it all so brought some little bits back to the lodge with me! After we had eaten, which took quite a while as we were talking and taking it slowly, we walked along the tracks and found some ducks to feed with some seed that we had bought. There was a small boy with his dad so I let him feed the ducks too of course. We bought a couple of things in the shop which will be a recurring sentence in these holiday blogs, we picked bits up everywhere. 

We headed back to the lodge in fog; you couldn't see the surrounding mountains! We got back about 4pm and got into the hot tub! It was on the decking and it was REALLY hot. Lee couldn't stay in it for ages so he sat on the edge. I loved it though so I was in there about an hour. It really helped my joints!

When I finally got out I had a nice warm shower and got into my pyjamas. We just had sandwiches for tea and watched some more films. It was a good, chilled day. 

The view from just outside our lodge, proving we could see Lake Windermere

The engine of the train in the station

Looking down the platform towards the end of the train

Here we are at our table. There was a whole vintage vibe to the train, which was very cute. Murder on the Orient Express was playing on some tablets dotted around, too

The menu, which I'm posting to show you all the fanciness!

The food when it arrived, there was two of everything over the two trays

And a different view

The veloute was delicious and a really nice touch

Looking in the rest of the car. There were other tables occupied at different times but we happened to be alone at this point. The staff were really attentive and lovely

Lee conveying his feelings on tea bread, although he did try everything which is good for him. He didn't like the halloumi burger but he did try it

Clouds over the hills as we drove home

I was wearing this Simply Be dress that I got off Vinted, and a cardigan which is the same. The dress is so comfortable and I wear it often

The hot tub, it was so lovely! Definitely a nice luxury touch to the lodge

The Last Week of September

I had a busy week the last week of September, and just before I went away on the 4th of October. On the 27th of September I went to a craft swap in Sheffield with my friend Roslyn. It was really well organised and only cost £3 to get in and I got LOADS of stuff. There was a lot of card making stuff and a lot of other stuff and I came home with two carrier bags bursting. After we had been to the swap we went to one of the St Luke's Hospice shops and I found a new with tags pleather jacket in my size! It was EIGHT QUID! So I snapped it up immediately. 

We went to a cafe where I got some lunch and we had a drink each and then waited for Lee. He had been at band practice so came to pick me up. 

On the 29th, Ros and I met up for tea after we had both been to work. We went to Pho; I was there early so I just sat and read my book for a bit. Lee had dropped me off as he was playing a gig in Sheffield, so that was useful. I had Vietnamese pancake to start with which I've never had before as they only serve it in the evenings. It was different but very delicious! Then I had spicy tofu curry as usual. By the time we had finished Lee had finished his gig so he came back to pick me up. 

On Wednesday I decided to go to Holme Coffee House to work. It's my favourite place in Penistone and since they moved they have a big upstairs area and I knew I wouldn't be taking up space if I went to work there. The staff are all lovely so I had a great welcome. I had a hot chocolate, then I went for a mushroom Reuben sandwich which was delicious, and then a chocolate orange brownie. I stayed there quite a while and got some very boring work done. I will do that maybe once a month as I think it's worth it for the money I spent doing that. 

On Thursday we went to my mother's house for tea. She and my stepdad had been in Scotland doing the North Coast route; they drove 1700 miles in about fifteen days! So we hadn't seen them for a while so she invited us over. She made vegetarian chilli which was so good, and a stick toffee pudding! We stayed quite late as I was drinking wine with her.

On Friday I went to Meadowhall to meet up with Sarah for lunch. We met at Boots and did a bit of shopping to start off - I got some stuff in Yankee Candle and we both bought earrings in Lovisa (Louisa? You know the shop I mean). I was also thrilled because Snow Fairy was back in Lush so I bought some Snow Fairy Milkshake shower gel. 

We went up to Accessorize where Sarah decided to get a piercing done so while she was doing that I went to Pizza Express to wait for her. She turned up not long afterwards. We shared dough balls and then I had a mushroom pizza and she had a pepperoni pizza I think. Then we went to Hotel Chocolat for a nice drink each. 

I would really like to have rested when I got home but no, I had a work meeting and some things to catch up on before I went away! Wow writing all this down is making me feel tired! I had such a busy week. 

I was reading this. My friend Katie recommended it and I really liked it

My Vietnamese pancake which was delicious

And my curry, as usual

My new biker jacket! I'm happy I happened upon it! 

My mushroom Reuben which was yummy

And chocolate orange brownie which was so good too

Mushroom pizza, I could eat that again right now

Here we both are in Hotel Chocolat

I probably had a mint hot chocolate

While Sarah had a milkshake

And finally here's all the incredibly sensible and necessary things that I bought

Twilight Spa in Wakefield

For Lee's birthday in August I bought him a spa evening in Wakefield off Wowcher. It had to be used in like six weeks or something so we went in the second to last week of September. It was at Waterton Hall in Wakefield which is close to where I grew up. We actually looked at it for a wedding venue way back when, but decided against it. But I know that Georgina has been to a spa day there and said it was good, so I thought Lee would enjoy it. 

We arrived about 6pm and were able to go in straight away. The spa is in the old hall, which is across a really cute little bridge where you would definitely have wedding photos if you got married there. It's down a few steps but the changing rooms were pretty good. The evening included a glass of prosecco each and as Lee doesn't drink alcohol I got both of those. To begin with we had an hour in a hot tub outside which looked out on to the lake, it was beautiful. We had a soft drink each too. The outdoor hot tub was REALLY hot and bubbly, it was gorgeous. There were about four other couples in other hot tubs too. It was a nice evening and it was very pleasant!

After the hour was up we went inside to the pool and gym area. We swam for a bit, up and down. The pool got really deep which was really good. There was a sauna and steam room and a jacuzzi inside too. We didn't go inside the first two but we did go in the jacuzzi a couple of times. I also sat and read my book for a bit. 

It's a nice spa and we had a good time, but it does look a bit dated and it isn't the fanciest I've seen. I'm not sure I would go again but we did really enjoy ourselves. It was a good birthday present for Lee!

Look at the beautiful vista we had from our outdoor hot tub. We had the one that was furthest out so it had the most beautiful view

I think that was because we had the first choice, so that was good

The outdoor hot tub, it had a bench on the other side of it where the waitress put our drinks

Here I am enjoying my prosecco. Both glasses of it

Here we both are

And here's the pool inside the spa

Weekend in the Middle of September

In the middle of September I had a really busy weekend so I'm putting all these into one post. 

On the Friday I headed to Manchester to go to Slattery's to meet my friend Helen. I set off early but there was a bit of traffic on Woodhead Pass, but I was there just before my appointment time which was good. As I was queuing in the restaurant Helen turned up behind me which was good! We got a table and started chatting. I went for a mushroom toastie which was fine, it tasted fine, but I would go back to my usual rarebit before getting this again. You can also get that with mushrooms on, so I would just do that!

For dessert I got strawberries and marshmallows with the dipping pots, which I also love but can never eat all of, so I brought some of it home. I also brought home one of their little cakes and a piece of torte for Lee. It took me a while to get home because of traffic so I had a lie down when I got home as driving to Manchester really takes it out of me. 

On Saturday I went to Glossop to meet my friend Amy. That meant I had to go on Woodhead Pass again, which had less traffic than on Friday, thankfully. I was in Glossop early so I went to Marks and Spencer. I had a voucher to spend from some work I'd done so I bought wine and chocolate, basically. I shared the chocolate with Lee, of course, and I am gaining a good stock of wine these days! We have our old fridge freezer in the garage and it is just filled with wine... 

Amy was running a bit late so I went to The Globe where we had decided to meet. It is a pub that does only vegan food; I last went with Lee and our friends Paul and Lianne. It's junk type food and it's CHEAP. I was the first person in there so I got a drink and read my book. I was reading The Night She Disappeared by Lisa Jewell. I love her thriller books and like to read them fairly often. 

Amy arrived and we started chatting IMMEDIATELY. Amy is one of my oldest friends! We met at sixth form college way back in 2000 and have been friends ever since. She's one of my FAVOURITES ever. She's vegan so she was spoilt for choice! I am usually vegetarian but my iron is low so the nurse suggested I eat tuna and salmon for a while, so I've been doing that. But I still love having delicious vegan food to choose from.

We shared starters of corn ribs and a vegan hotdog. For main I had the Kentucky burger which was a vake meat burger with a bourbon sauce and vegan cheese. It was pretty good, but I forgot to take a photo. Then I had chocolate fudge cake and dark chocolate ice cream. We sat there for literally hours just chatting. It was about 5pm by the time I left Glossop! 

On the Sunday I had a slow start to the day which was much needed, and then I headed to Doncaster. When I was trawling all the theatre websites to spend my voucher, I saw this advertised. It's called New Dawn Fades and it's about the band Joy Division. I love them and I know quite a lot of their story, but I thought it would be cute to see, and the ticket was only £15. As I was heading to Doncaster I asked my cousin K if she wanted to meet up for tea first. She suggested the pub that is just next to the theatre, so we met there at about 6pm I think. They didn't have a massive vegetarian selection but they had a vegan roast dinner so I had that. It was fine, nothing exciting.

We wanted dessert but the selection was rubbish so we actually went across to the theatre where the cafe bar was still open. I had a coffee and a piece of caramel shortbread. My cousin said goodbye and I went to take my seat in the theatre.

It was really busy! Nearly full actually. I wasn't expecting that! The play was written by the buy who plays Tony Wilson and he is basically telling you the story of Joy Division and Ian Curtis in particular. It's very funny and the guys playing Tony, Ian Curtis, and Bernard Sumner were very good. The music sounded good and it was well done. I got back home so late though and I was absolutely knackered! 

Slattery's milk chocolate hot chocolate. I always get this and it's SO good

My dessert, which was also so good as usual. I ate the leftovers a couple of days later

Helen and I outside Slattery's, aren't we cute. I had had my hair redone - I had a peekaboo haircut with the underneath bleached and dyed purple, but the purple didn't really show up. I was a bit disappointed with it really but never mind, not the end of the world. It's mid October now and I think I'll dye the bleached bits pink and see if that looks any better!

Starters in The Globe that Amy and I shared

Chocolate fudge cake and ice cream

The book I was reading

And the play in Doncaster just before it started. I drove home listening to and singing along with Joy Division!