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!

Barnsley Zine Fair February 2026

Saturday the 25th of February was the fifth Barnsley Zine Fair and I again had a table and could sell all my zines! Jason at the Civic has done so well with it and people are now coming from all over the place to table - this time we had people from Fife, Edinburgh, London, and Cambridge! So many people came to buy things, too - there was a steady stream all day which is great. Of the 60 stallholders, thirty of them had never tabled before so that's an amazing ratio! I am so thrilled that it's doing so well.

Lee and I got set up around 10am. I had done loads of copies of my zines in the weeks previous and we had spent a long time putting them together. I had also done copies again of Lee's zine Primark Punks (The Non Punk's Guide to Punk Music) which he made about ten years ago but which we haven't copied for a while. I had some new signs for my stall which I think really helped sales, so that's good. 

As I said there were people through all day. Someone said they had bought the previous two issues of my zine Tracks of My Years so they were pleased to buy the third one! It's always nice to hear that people have enjoyed my zines and want more. I saw some friends like Chris, Gears for Queers from Fife, and Chloe, who has been at each of the fairs too. She's one of Barnsley's young makers, who I LOVE and love to encourage them, so it was nice to see her. A few people asked me to trade, which I also LOVE - it's like a present because you never know what you'll get! I spent way too much money on zines myself, oops. 

When the fair finished Lee and I went to the Market Kitchen for tea. We both had fresh pizzas from Neros which were really good. Mine was olives and feta, dunno. Lee's was just margerita. Then we bought brownies and took them home. We relaxed all evening; I did read some of my new zines! 

I was wearing this new striped dress that I got off Vinted although it's from Shein originally. I got the same one in grey, but I love the peachy colour of this one. I love the fact that the stripes go in different ways, and I of course love the pockets! I think I'll be wearing this a lot this summer especially. It is a teensy bit shorter than I really like to wear with tights, so I will probably wear it with leggings. That's fine, at least then I'll be comfy! 

It was a lovely day, but tiring. 

My stall all set up before the fair started 

Pizza, I love fresh pizza and this was really good

My dress when we got home. Lee had bought a new chest of drawers which is what's in the boxes next to me

Here's everything I bought and traded, including a couple I had traded with my friend Cassian a few days earlier. It was a good haul!

Weekend with Sam

On the 25th of October Sam came to see our new house as she hadn't seen it yet. We had got the time planned with Jacqui, but she wasn't well so had to not come, which was a shame. But Sam and I had a good time anyway! 

First of all we met in Barnsley to see the Bruce Springsteen film Deliver Me from Nowhere. We had already decided to do this when my mum asked if I wanted to see the film so I said she should come with Sam and I. So we all met at the cinema at 11.15 and went in. 

I thought the film was pretty good. I would have liked to see more of the E Street Band but I tohught Jeremy Allen White was good and it sounded good. I'm glad we saw it in the cinema. Afterwards my mum went straight home because there was rugby on that she wanted to watch, otherwise she might have joined me and Sam. We went next door to The Botanist for a bottomless brunch. 

I haven't been there for bottomless brunch before and was impressed with it. The drinks were plentiful and there was a good choice of food. I went for a vegan burger which was nice. When our bottomless brunch time was done we had a drink or two more each, I can't remember. We were waiting for Lee to pick us up. 

When he did, we had to go back to the old house for something so Sam and I stayed outside in the car and by the time we had done I think I had totally sobered up. We popped into the Co op (which was weird but we used to go there all the time but not since we moved to Penistone, of course - we have new local shops!) and got some snacks and stuff and then headed back to the new house. We showed Sam round. She was the third person to stay on the new sofa bed because my mum and stepdad had stayed there just a couple of nights before and said it was comfortable. 

I was wearing tights and boots - it's tights and boots season, bitches! - and also a new dress that I got off Vinted. It's a Carolina Dress Room one and it was new with tags for about fifteen quid. I love the pattern of it and think I will wear it a lot over the winter with different tights and cardigans. My boots are a pair of Dr Marten Chelsea boots that I got off Vinted as a present a few years ago. The black wears off revealing the red underneath as you wear them. They're so comfy! 

Sam and Lee and I all got into comfy clothes pretty soon and sat on the sofa to watch films for the rest of the night. As it was close to Halloween we watched Return of the Living Dead and An American Werewolf in London. Sam and I shared some wine and this ridiculous strawberry cider she brought. 

On the Sunday morning we went to Holme Coffee House for brunch. Sam hadn't been before so it was nice. Lee and I love it - I've been so many times since we moved here! It's my go to place to take people! I had a Halloween hot chocolate which was overly sweet so I wouldn't bother getting it again. Then I had sausage, cheese, and avocado ciabatta, with fried eggs too. The food is always great. 

When we had eaten Sam headed down to the train station to go home and Lee and I went home for a bit before I went out again... 

In the cinema just as the film started. There were less than ten of us watching it

My vegan burger in The Botanist. I think we shared some halloumi fries too. I apparently didn't get any photos of my drinks but they were really nice

Boots and tights when we got home. These are footless tights actually which are my preferred type 

My new to me dress, it has pockets and I just love the pattern and colours!

This ridiculous drink Sam brought

Kiki was sitting on me looking oh so cute

My brunch, it was nice and just enough for me

And here's my very ridiculous hot chocolate

Lunch with Philippa

On the 2nd of July I went to Penistone to meet up with Philippa for lunch. I usually don't mind driving to Sheffield but asked if she minded coming closer to me. She didn't, so we decided to go to Holme Coffee House in Penistone. It's a gorgeous cafe, and it's always busy, but they don't take bookings. So I got to Penistone at about noon and went in to get a table. I ordered a coffee and read my book for a bit. I also took photos of these earrings that I got on Vinted!

Since I got my stacked lobe piercings in June, I have had to wear light earrings in my first holes so as not to pull on the new piercings. Plus I wanted some ice cream earrings, so I looked on vinted. I found this seller selling soooo many cute earrings, so I spent a tenner and got all of these! So cute, I have been making my way through them. 

Philippa arrived about 12.30 so we ordered food and drinks. I went for avocado on toast with mushrooms on feta, while Pippa went for mushrooms on toast with avocado (the garnishes were different!). I had a hot chocolate which was nice. We were chatting and chatting and the place was busy and then got quieter. For pudding they have a range of cakes but I went for a scone with jam and cream, which was lovely. We were STILL chatting but not really taking up space by this time because it had emptied out. But we decided to get one last drink - I had a latte I think. We finally said goodbye just before 4pm and I went home via the Co op. Lee was going out to a gig - not coming home after work - so I needed something for tea. 

It was a lovely day! 

The cutest earrings that I got, I've been enjoying the lollipop ones in particular

Massive hot chocolate

And my toast with all delicious stuff on it 

And finally my scone

Busy Busy Day!

On the 18th of June I had a very busy day. First of all I had a work meeting remotely, so I was up early for that. Then I went into Barnsley to meet up with Chloe and Lolly. I had asked them to come to Barnsley so that I didn't have to go as far since I had a busy day. I went into Coffee Boy and met Chloe. I had a strawberry milkshake which was lovely, and we waited for Lolly. When she arrived she got a drink and then we went into the market and into a few shops. Lolly wanted to buy cake from the Polish cake stall that used to be in the market, but it seems to have gone! That's a shame. We did both get some fresh cherries, though. 

We went upstairs into the Market Kitchen and found a table. We all decided to get Turkish food. My mezze platter was fine but I'm not sure why I didn't get halloumi like I did last time. In the bag was bread which was delicious. 

Lolly and I went across to Dolly's Desserts where I got a stuffed cookie. It was only okay, I don't think I would bother having one of those again. I love their brownies though! We went in a few other shops and then Chloe said goodbye to Lolly and I. She and I were going to Costco again!

Lee and I were about to go on holiday for our wedding anniversary and I had talked about ordering a cake for us, but Lee said he would honestly really like a Costco chocolate fudge cake so I asked Lolly if we could go again. We headed off to Sheffield and picked up some good bits. I got a white sheet cake as well as the chocolate cake. I also got two bottles of champagne to celebrate and some other bits. I dropped Lolly off at home with her purchases and headed home. 

Lee works in the office on Wednesdays so he wasn't there. I laid down in a darkened room for a bit - I haven't been well and have needed to rest a lot more than usual. I think doubling my dose of Prozac has meant that the heat has really got to me this year. I laid down for about an hour and then I set off for book club. The book was The Gift of Rain by Tan Twan Eng and I had really enjoyed it and the look into Malaysia before and during World War Two. 

When I got home I think Lee still wasn't back because he was doing something after work - can't remember what now - so I probably just went to bed. It was a good day, but tiring! I didn't get many photos actually, just of lunch haha. 

Turkish mezze with onion rings not halloumi, dunno why

My stuffed cookie. I also got two brownies that Lee and I had the next night

Afternoon Out at Elsecar

On the 8th of June I didn't plan on doing anything as I had had a busy week, but Lee was a bit down because he had been working really had, so he suggested that we went to Elsecar Heritage Centre. That was fine by me, so we got dressed and headed out. When we got there it was obvious that something was happening as it was really busy. But we managed to get a parking space easily and headed in. It was an outdoor market and it was really good! I'm glad we went. I picked up some wax melts, we bought pies to eat later, and we got some presents too. 

We went into the antiques centre and I saw a tanzanite and diamond ring and it was just my size and absolutely gorgeous, and just £39. I got 10% off it and was really pleased! 

Then it was lunchtime and I was hungry, so we looked at what food was available and decided to sit in the pub part and order food from an outdoor stall there. They didn't have tons of veggie choice but they had a falafel and spinach burger so I got that. It took a while to come but it was delicious when it did! It rained a bit so a bit of us got wet but we were under an umbrella. Lee got a chicken kebab and really enjoyed it, so it was worth it. 

We went round the rest of the centre and the rest of the market stalls but didn't pick up much else. Lee went into the record shop while I sat outside. We should have picked up coffee for the way home but forgot. 

We got home about 4pm and Lee took this photo of me in my handmade dress that I picked up at the clothes swap in May. I had been wearing it the previous day in Penistone, too, but didn't get a photo. It was comfortable all weekend! I had a long nap which I must have really needed, but I'm glad we had gone out after all. 

The ring that I bought, I love the colour of the stones

Here we are waiting for food

And my gorgeous dress when we got home!

Day Out in Penistone

On the 7th of June I had plans with Sam in Penistone. I had seen that there was a special screening of Cabaret which we love, so we had booked that ages ago. Then it turned out that The Salt Path was out at the same time and screening earlier in the day. Some of my book club were going, so I arranged to meet them for lunch first and then meet Sam at the cinema. 

About nine of us went to The Loft for lunch. I've been before but it was a really long time ago. I had cheese on toast with Henderson's Relish. It was very cheesy! I also had a huge latte. By the time we had finished there, it was close to 2pm so I hotfooted it down to the cinema to meet Sam. We went in and got our seats. 

We read the book for book club a couple of years ago (my review here) so a few of us were intrigued to see the film. I got quite a lot out of it having read the book - there were times when I knew what would happen and so on. It looked stunning, the scenery of the south west is gorgeous, and it was nice to see places I've been like in Minehead and Porlock Weir. Jason Isaacs and Gillian Anderson both looked great and I thought the wardrobe and make up were great. The sound was annoying at times because of the wind and they mumbled a lot. Gillian's accent left a lot to be desired, but over all I liked the film. But Sam hasn't read the book and she didn't get as much out of the film as me. But we were both glad to have seen it. 

We walked up to The Vault where Sam had booked us a table for food. I had focaccia with oil and vinegar, Brie bites with chilli dip, and fries with parmesan and truffle oil. I had a Hugo cocktail to start off with. Then I had an espresso martini with my pudding, which was a brownie with ice cream. When we had finished that we still had some time before Cabaret so we popped downstairs to the bar down there, which is sold as a speakeasy. I'm not really sure it has that vibe, but it is cute. I had a pornstar martini. 

We went back down to the cinema for 7.30. It was much less busy than The Salt Path, but still a good number. I love Cabaret but hadn't seen it in forever so there was loads of it I had forgotten. It was nice to see it on the big screen. It finished about 10pm and there wasn't a train for Sam until after 11pm so I didn't want to leave her in Penistone just yet, so we walked up to the Spreadeagle for a drink. I've never been in but it's nice inside. There was a boxing match on (with a lad that is from Barnsley apparently so clearly the locals were invested) so we ended up watching some of that. Lee picked me up about ten to eleven and we got home and went to bed!

What a lovely day - I'm not sure I've ever done two cinema screenings in one day before but it was fun to see both films. Penistone Paramount is a really cute little cinema, really old school style like the one we had in Wakefield when I was little. They have an intermission in the middle of the film which is cute too. 

Pride flags in full flight outside the cinema

Hugo cocktail, it was really nice

Focaccia and oil, I didn't get a photo of the rest of my food, oops!

My espresso martini and Sam's pornstar martini 

Dessert

This cute sign was in the loo

Cocktails downstairs in the speakeasy. They do a bottomless brunch so Sam and Jac and I will have to go down there one day

The intermission in Cabaret, so cute

And the poster up in the hallway. I don't know why it says Cabaret was the 50th anniversary screening when it wasn't - the film was released in 1972! But never mind eh

Lunch with Chloe and Laura

At the end of March I went to Barnsley to see Chloe and Laura. We meet up every few weeks or so and usually go to either Meadowhall or Sheffield because that's best for Laura, but I had asked if we could meet in Barnsley. It worked out really well for me because I had been unwell all week since getting back from Skegness, so it meant I didn't have to go far. 

Chloe came to my house and talked to my cats while I was still getting ready, and then I drove us both into town. We parked in the Glassworks and walked through to Coffee Boy to meet Laura. I had a caramel milkshake in there, which was pretty nice. Then we headed into some shops. Lee had told me there was a new plus size clothing shop in Barnsley and in fact there's two. One is where Yours used to be and it's like Yours only cheaper and nastier and just weird. In fact they were both weird. There were lots of things we all quite liked, but then they had weird seams or whatever. So none of us bought anything. 

We headed into the market where I wanted to buy a new walking stick. I left mine in Sarah's car which was incredibly stupid of me, and I don't have another. Laura said that anywhere selling bags and luggage would probably have sticks too, and she was right! I chose a pink and silver one which I really like. It was only £17 which was good! we all got some little bits, and then headed upstairs to Market Kitchen. 

The Thai place isn't there anymore which is very annoying although in its place is going to be a Japanese counter I think which is quite exciting, but it wasn't yet open. So I went for Turkish food, as did Laura. Chloe got a pizza. I got the vegetarian mezze platter which was delicious. It came with bread as well and it was really good but I think it was slightly overpriced. 

We had dessert; I had a brownie and some bubblegum ice cream from Dolly's. I didn't eat all the brownie so brought it home and ate it later. We sat for ages chatting before heading to TK Maxx because I needed... something, which I have now forgotten. Oh, a new water bottle to fit in my handbag! We said goodbye and I got Chloe and I back to my house. 

I was wearing one of my Scarlett and Jo skirts that I wear all the time, but with it I was wearing this confetti knitted top that I don't wear often. It came from Primark about ten years ago and it's super cosy and stretchy. I thought it was a cute outfit together. I will have to remember this jumper and wear it more! 

We forgot to get a photo of the three of us which was a fail, but we did have a nice time!

Halloumi, humus, cacik, baba ganoush, and not pictured is the bread 

Bubblegum ice cream which was very delicious

And my outfit, the jumper is so cute up close!

Afternoon out with My Cousins

As you have probably understood if you've read my blog for any amount of time, I don't have any siblings but I do have two cousins who are a lot younger than me but who are like my brothers; I love them so much and I'm so grateful to have them. The eldest one, Rob, has a wife, Beth, and a son, T, who is nearly two. They wanted to come up and meet our new cats as they didn't see them at Christmas, so we organised for them to come up in mid March. We decided we would meet in Barnsley for lunch and then come back to ours for a bit. This worked out well for me because I had booked an optician's appointment for earlier in the morning. So Lee and I set out early and I went into Specsavers. He went to park and then joined me. I chose two new pairs of glasses as I didn't feel I needed new sunglasses - I often wear my contact lenses on holiday and just ordinary sunglasses and I think the old ones will be fine for a bit longer. The good news is my eyes are getting better as I get older so my prescription is slightly less terrible than it was!

After we had done there we walked round the market for a bit and then we went to a piercers where I had my conches pierced. I wanted some different jewellery for two of my cartilage piercings in my left ear. I know I could have just bought them online but I wasn't sure I could get the CBRs out myself, so I went into the shop instead. I bought two horsehoe rings with spiky ends, and the woman changed them for me. A bargain! 

By this time it was just before twelve o'clock so we went into the Market Kitchen in the market hall. We knew it would be busy so we were both looking for a table and finally I got one. Rob and Beth were just parking so they wouldn't be long. And then they had surprise Peter with them! We weren't expecting that at all! So that was a joyful bonus! 

The good thing about Market Kitchen is that there are about ten different counters where you can get all different types of food, so we could all have something different. Beth went for pie and mash from one of the very typical cafes. Rob went for a thali from the Indian place, which looked amazing and which I'll have to get. Peter went for 'Spudz' which were roast potatoes that he got layered with lasagne and cheese and all kinds of stuff. Lee got a chicken burrito. I was displeased because the Thai counter has gone! Which I always get! I should have got curry but instead I went for a vegetable kebab from the Turkish place. It was fine. 

Then some of us went to Dolly's Desserts for pudding. Baby T was told to hold my hand as we walked over, which he did, very well. I ordered a creme egg brownie and ice cream. T then wanted to hold my hand AND Lee's all the way back to the table. He is such a cutie! 

After we had eaten we went to a couple of stalls in the market and then into a couple of shops. T insisted on trying on some pink Converse which were SO CUTE. We headed back to our house. The kittens were NOT impressed by the small child. Katniss isn't keen on new humans anyway, but she definitely didn't want to meet him. Kiki usually loves people but she was very skittish. Small children are very unpredictable aren't they. T went all over the house exploring and finding cat toys to play with. The rest of us played Mario Kart a bit, two at a time. It was nice to just sit and relax and play with T, actually. 

We had a bit of tea around 6pm. Just bread and some fillings and some crisps. T got into his pyjamas and had some milk so that he would fall asleep in the car. They left about 7pm I think. It had been so nice to see them all! 

I was wearing a Scarlett and Jo dress that I got off Vinted last year or the year before I think. I love the sort of faded pattern of the skirt. It was warm enough as the weather had turned a bit cold again. Plus it looks fancy while still being comfortable. 

I didn't get a picture of all of us which I'm annoyed about, but here's the pictures I did take:

Vegetable kebab with cacik and rice 

And my delicious brownie. The ice cream was a bit odd so I wouldn't get it again

Here's T trying on Converse in Sports Direct

T found the cat toy to play with

And we took some selfies too

T was thrilled that Lee would let him strum the guitars and the ukulele. He was very pleased with himself

And here's my lovely dress just before I got changed at 7!

Barnsley Zine Fair 2025

The 15th of February was Barnsley Zine Fest! I had a stall and Jason at The Civic did an absolutely brilliant job of organising it again. Lee and I rocked up to the space at about 9.30. Chloe was already there and our stalls were right next to each other so that was good. Lee had to go park a way away so I set up most of the stall by myself, but that was fine because when Lee did arrive, he had brought coffee. The fair started at 10 and it was fairly quiet for the first hour or so, so I wondered how busy it would actually get, but then it really picked up.

There were loads of people who had been there last February too, and at the Makers Fair in August, so it was nice to see some of the same people. And of course to meet new people! I bought a bunch of zines and traded some too which was lovely. I always love to trade zines because you just never know what you'll get. I bought a bunch of stickers, too. Lee went out and got sandwiches for lunch for us and he most likely went in the record shop too. Who only knows!

The fair finished at 4pm so we packed up and said goodbye to Chloe and some others, and headed to Market Kitchen for some tea. Lee was going out to play a gig but he had time to eat with me so we went there. I had Massaman curry which yes I had had the week before but I really like it and I don't care. I think Lee had pizza, but I can't be certain. Anyway. 

He took me home and then went out again so I just relaxed for the rest of the evening. I had been wearing my rainbow Topsy Curvy dress because it's perfect for a zine fair, and with it I wore the crop top jumper that I crocheted. I got a lot of compliments on it! I had a couple of nice conversations with other crafters about it, too. I was wearing new blue tights from Snag. I'm not sure about the colour of them. I think they're called Peacock and I thought they would be greener than they are. But I wore them and am still deciding whether I like them or not. Chloe did say she would happily take them off me if I decide I don't like them, so we can see! 

I sold quite a lot of zines which I'm happy about. The last photo is of what I bought. 

Getting my stall all set up

In full swing

Massaman curry, I had rice with it too 

Tights and boots. Like I said, I thought they would be greener than they are

Rainbow dress and jumper

And here's my haul!