Day Trip in York

On the 6th of June I went to York to meet my friend Lucinda. She lives in Edinburgh now but wanted to see our new house so we found a weekend for her to come down and we decided to meet in York. Lucinda wanted to see Operation Mincemeat at the theatre there so we booked tickets ages ago. We decided to meet at 11 so I set off after a shower. I got there in good time and parked in a disabled space outside Cliffords Tower which had no time limit on it so it was ideal. I sat there as Lucinda arrived by train and then walked round because she wanted to put her bag in my car. 

We walked through Coppergate and up the Shambles. We of course ignored the Harry Potter shops (no transphobia for us, thanks!) and then went into the Shrine of St Margaret Clitherow. It's one of my favourite places in York and I love her story, but last time I was in York it was locked so I couldn't have a look! So I was glad to visit her briefly. Her mummified hand is in the convent on Blossom Street and I believe you can see it, although you have to make an appointment. Maybe one day I'll do that.

The queue for York Ghost Merchants was already soooo long so I was glad we weren't going there! We went into the Portal Bookshop which is the queer bookshop in York. I bought one book, one by Alex Gino that I hadn't yet read, so I was very reserved. We went upstairs and had a hot drink in the cafe, which was lovely but a bit cold. 

Lucinda had found that there was a ghost craft fair on at St Sampsons so we had a wander in there. There were tons of stalls and a lot of ghosts of different types. It was a really cut fair! I bought a couple of birthday presents for Sam and some handmade fudge. I'm glad Cinders found this because it was really cute!

She wanted to go in the Gay Shop so we headed to Parliament St. I was a bit tired by this time so sat outside the shop. I could have gone and joined Lucinda but then I would probably have spent more money so it wasn't terrible that I didn't. I think she bought some badges but I'm not sure what. 

By this time it was lunchtime so we had dithered a bit on where to go but eventually settled on Oscar's. It is one of my favourite places in York and has been for nearly twenty five years! It has moved since I first knew about it, but it's still great. I had nachos with veggie chilli and it was great! 

We weren't sure what to do after lunch but then I suggested we go to the York Chocolate Story. I've been past it a zillion times but have never been in. Jacqui has and she said it was cool, so we thought we would go. It is a tiny bit expensive for what you get but I guess that is the York premium, so it's fine. There are tours every half an hour and we had just missed one so we sat for a bit to wait for the next. There's a cool shop which we looked round but didn't buy anything before the tour. 

The tour is really cool and accessible and I think they did so well at making it so. There's a lift up and in each room of the tour there's a bench or other seating, so I sat down quite a bit. There's stuff about the history of chocolate itself and the history of chocolate in York - Frys, Terrys, Rowntrees, etc. I knew some of the info already just because I lived there for three years but it didn't detract from the tour. For instance, I used to live near the Nestle factory - it always smelt of chunky kitkats - and I know that the swimming pool near there was built specifically to give the workers somewhere to exercise. 

In each room there is something to try, and as Lucinda is lactose intolerant the tour guide provided something different for her each time. So that was good! At the end you can decorate a lollipop and I was really impressed her. The tour guide asked if I wanted a seat, and I did, so she moved a chair over to the lollipop area for me. There were two girls in hijabs on our tour so she asked them if they needed halal toppings for their lollipops, which they did. And of course there were lactose free things for Lucinda - her lollipop was dark chocolate whereas mine was white. 

At the very end there's a demo of someone making chocolates and he made caramels and we could try some that he had made earlier. There were some left over from the previous tour - and only seven of us - so there was loads left over and the man encouraged us to take some. So I did! I also bought some goodies in the shop to share with Lee.

We sat in the square outside for a while watching a street performer there, and then we weren't sure what to do. It was about 5pm and the theatre didn't open until 7pm so we decided to go to Caffe Nero. Lucinda wanted something else to eat - her lunch wasn't very big, unlike mine - but I just had a coffee. We sat there until about 7pm and then walked over to the theatre. 

The musical was great! I knew what the general story was but not too closely, so I was happy to learn. It was done so well and was really clever. I would definitely see it again. 

When it was done we walked back to the car and came home. I gave Lucinda a quick tour of the house before bed! 

The shrine of St Margaret Clitherow on the Shambles

Hot chocolate in Portal

Outside This Shop Is So Gay, I love it. I spent quite a bit in there the last time I was in York!

Nachos for lunch!

With our lollipops after the Chocolate Story tour

Rainbow umbrellas on Coppergate, as we were on the way into Caffe Nero

And at the theatre before the show started

Singin' In the Rain Manchester

On the tenth of January I headed across to Manchester to see Singin' in the Rain with Jac, Sam, and Jodie. We had booked the tickets absolutely forever ago and it was the first event I had planned in 2026. I love the film of Singin' in the Rain but have never seen the stage show so I was looking forward to it. 

I set off about 11am I think. The sun was out but there was still a lot of snow on the hills. The roads were fine, though, so it was a pretty drive across Woodhead Pass. I got to Manchester about twelve, as planned, and eventually found the car park I wanted and parked. I walked through to Pho where I had arranged to meet the others, who were already there. 

I had summer rolls with peanut sauce and tofu curry, as I always do. And it was good! We walked through to the Royal Exchange Theatre which I've been to once before, it's cute as a theatre. We were on Row B which was in the "splash zone". I was right on the edge, too. 

The show was absolutely brilliant. Really faithful to the film and the actors were all really good. I really did get splashed during Singin' in the Rain which happened just before the interval. During the interval the staff had to come and dry the stage, it took a while! We had ice creams in the interval. 

The second half was just as good and we all enjoyed it. It was dark and cold by the time it had finished - it was the matinee showing - but I got back in good time back over the moors. 

I stopped on the way before Woodhead Pass to take this gorgeous photo of the snow and the sky

Summer rolls

And tofu curry

The stage before the show started

And with my flyer

Here we all are! 

And the staff mopping water off the stage in the interval!

Six in Leeds

On the 12th of July I went to Leeds to see Six with my mum, Sam, Jodie, and Mel. We have had the tickets since last August or something ridiculous like that. I have obviously seen it before but my mum hadn't, and wanted to. We had originally booked to go with Jac, but then she wasn't able to make it, so Jodie asked her friend Mel instead. I had met her once before but not for long, so it was nice to see her again.

Lee and I went to my mum's first and we had some lunch with her and my stepdad, and then she drove us to Leeds. We parked close to the theatre and walked up the Grand arcade. It was when the weather was stupidly hot so we were already sticky and sweaty, but never mind. Sam and Jodie were in the Cosy Club having some lunch, so my mum and I walked down there. I've never been in before but I quite liked it. My mum and I had a drink as we had eaten. Mel arrived and had a drink too. Then, just before 4pm, we headed to the theatre. It was stupid hot in there, old buildings suffer in the heat!

They had two showings of Six that day, as it's only short, and we had booked to see the earlier one. The place was absolutely rammed and as my mother said, mostly with women. And young women, too! The show was really good, as it always is. The Anne Boleyn appeared to be from Huddersfield or somewhere close which made her accent absolutely hilarious. I enjoyed it, and when it finished, my mum said 'Absolutely fabulous!'. So that was good, I was glad. She would see it again!

We had finished a bit earlier than we thought so we were early to Zan Asian where we had booked to eat. It didn't matter because it wans't very busy, so we got a table upstairs. It was SO hot in there and the air conditioner was like snowing? And not working great. Never mind! I ordered a blue cocktail - love me some blue shit - and we ordered food. I had Penang style grilled tofu which came with veg and peanuts on, and was yummy. The whole restaurant is Malaysian and I would like to go back and try more dishes. I wasn't sure what to get for mains but ended up going for Rojak Mee, which was tofu in a peanut sauce with noodles. It was nice but the noodles were a bit soggy for my liking. Still, it was good to try

After we had eaten we all just said goodbye and my mum drove us back to hers. Lee came to pick me up a bit later and then it was home time! 

This was a peach and pineapple something cocktail, it was pretty good

And this was a special, can't remember what, but also good

In the theatre before the show started. We were on Row N I think, and had a really good view

At the end, when you're encouraged to stand up and take photos

And another

A picture of the post outside

My blue cocktail

Tofu starter

And tofu main... fortunately I like tofu!

The Rocky Horror Show in Manchester

On the 19th of May my aunt Caroline and I headed over to Manchester to see the Rocky Horror Show. We were going to see Bruce Springsteen the day after with my mum and her friend Dawn, so my aunt was already up in Yorkshire. So when I saw that Jason Donovan was playing Frank I asked my mum and Caroline if they wanted to go. My mum didn't, but Caroline said she would. So that was good! Jason Donovan was the first Frank n Furter I ever saw, way back in like 1999 when I was fresh faced and fifteen and my mum took me, so I really wanted to see him again. 

Caroline arrived at my mum's on Sunday so I invited her to craft club with me on Monday morning. She does paper crafts so she brought some stamps and inks to play with. There weren't many of us there, oddly. But it was nice for her to join me. We got back home and had some lunch, then ran some errands before getting changed into our glad rags for Rocky! Caroline had a pretty good Magenta costume but I just wore my peach polka dot dress and some make up. 

We set off just after 3pm because I am always paranoid about traffic going to Manchester. It was actually fine, but we did have to go round a couple of times to get into the car park that we wanted. We parked about twenty to five. I had booked a table at Bundobust which is just next to the theatre, and because I love it. Caroline was happy to go. But we had some time, so we walked up to Central Library to have a look round. There was an exhibition on about HIV and Aids activism in Manchester which was pretty cool. In the sound booths there was a thing about the accents of Manchester and surrounding areas, which was also cool, so I listened to some of that. 

We then walked back to Bundobust. It's all vegetarian Indian street food which is always exciting for me. But I think they have reduced the menu quite a lot which is a bit annoying. But I went for chaat, as usual, but then okra fries, and paneer kadai, which was paneer in a rich sauce and which came with a paratha. It was delicious! Caroline got the pickled cucumber salad, paneer tikka, and gobi manchurian (which I've had before and don't like, but she did). I had a cucumber and lime mocktail which was lovely too. 

By the time we had finished it was past 6pm so we went to the loo and then walked to the theatre. Caroline was asked to film her arriving for some kind of social media thing, which was very cool! We got our seats and then the show started!

I think I've seen it about ten times in my whole life, but I can't remember exactly. I didn't think Riffraff was as good as the one who has played him for years (who was called Kristian), but Brad and Janet were both very good. Jason Donovan as Frank was good, but maybe a bit lacking in energy. But maybe that's just his age now?! His shoes broke too which was very funny and he had to bounce about a bit before he could go offstage and get some other ones. He also corpsed a couple of times, but it adds to the fun and camp. The stand out person though was the narrator, played by Jackie Clune. She was brilliant. 

Caroline and I were back at my house by 11pm which wasn't too bad at all! She then went back to my mum's and I went to bed. I am glad we bothered to go because I did enjoy it, and it was nice to spend the day with my aunt. 

Part of the exhibit in the library

My mocktail

My delicious food, I didn't get a picture of Caroline's 

Outside the theatre as we walked up to it

I took this of Caroline after she had been filmed

And then the security guard took this of both of us

I was wearing these peachy pink fishnet tights and my rainbow Converse

And here's my make up

And the curtain before the show started

Hamilton in Bradford

On the 26th of February my friend Michelle and I had tickets to see Hamilton in Bradford. We had been talking about seeing it together for ages, but hadn't got round to booking it. Then at the beginning of February we finally did, and decided to go to the matinee showing because that just fitted in better with our lives. I picked Michelle up at about 11.30 and we set off to Bradford. I hate driving into Bradford but the trains were a nightmare, so I just sucked it up. I managed to get us to the car park that I wanted to, which was the main thing. 

We walked out of the car park towards the Alhambra, considering a few options for lunch, and decided to go to Nando's. Michelle loves it and I find it's fine for me, so it was a good choice. I had a mushroom and halloumi wrap. We headed over to the theatre and took plenty of photos of the Hamilton signs, because we're just like that. I bought myself a t shirt because I had Christmas money left and I wear the one I bought last year a lot! We had nearly the back seats in the dress circle, so it was quite steep, but it was a great view. 

It was so good! I think I liked it more this time and took more in than I had before. I really like it, I'm glad we saw it again. It finished at about 5pm and we walked back towards the car park. I had spotted a donut van on the way out so when I saw it was still open I stopped. We shared four donuts with chocolate sauce and whipped ice cream, sitting on a bench inside the shopping centre. They were delicious! Then I just took Michelle home before going home myself. I was wearing my Hamilton Schuyler sisters t shirt from last year, and a checked skirt that my mum made for me ages ago. I also had my Hamilton necklace and pin badge on! I went total fangirl. 

It was lovely to spend so much time with Michelle. It's something we haven't done in a really long time! We chatted about a bunch of things and we both really liked the show. Hopefully we will get to go to the theatre again at some point!

Inside the theatre

Michelle's photo of me <3

Then a staff member took this photo of us both, which was nice of them

I actually love all this stuff they use inside and outside the theatres

Michelle took this of the two of us in Centenary Square in Bradford, it's very cute!

 

Look how excited I was about my donuts

And here's my outfit when I got home

Lunch and the Theatre in March

On the 13th of March I went into Sheffield to get a welded bracelet and to meet my friend Philippa for lunch, and then in the evening I went to Huddersfield to go to the theatre with my friend Sam. So here's what I did...

I left home at about 10.00 and drove to Sheffield and parked at Arundel Gate as it was the closest to where I was going even though I know it's expensive. I had an appointment at 11am at The Owl and the Pussycat piercing shop on Norfolk Row to have a permanent bracelet done. I saw this a few months ago when someone I know online got one. Basically they weld a loop shut on a bracelet so that it can't be removed. I mean of course you could break the chain and honestly I could probably pull mine loose if I tried hard enough, but obviously I won't. But I loved the idea of a permanent bracelet. I have several ear piercings that I have never taken out, and my nose piercing. But I wasn't sure if I could stand wearing a bracelet for ages, so I found a string bracelet I had been given and started wearing that all the time in January. I found it didn't bother me and didn't impact me using a mouse, so I thought getting a silver one would be fine. I googled and found that this shop in Sheffield does them, so I made the appointment. 

I had time to go get a coffee first, so I went into Marmadukes to order a takeaway one. While I was waiting I took a picture of my new Harris tweed bag. I really like the patterns and I saw a bunch of them when I was in Edinburgh but I couldn't justify the expense. So I looked on Vinted and found this one for £25 including postage. And when it arrived it was brand new! It still had the tags on! I swapped over immediately and I absolutely love it. It's comfortable for me to carry, too. 

I got the bracelet done in no time at all and then walked on to Fargate to go into some shops. I love the bracelet so far, no complaints from me! I went into Lush and talked to the assistant about haircare, and bought some new shampoo and conditioner. She gave me some samples too which was nice of her! I then went through to Orchard Square to go to Waterstones because I had another gift voucher from my birthday left. I ended up with four books on Buy One Get One Half Price, and they all look ace, I can't wait to read them all. I also bought a Big Issue off the seller near there. 

Then I went to Mama and Leonie's just round from the Crucible to meet Philippa. I haven't been before but she suggested it and it was close to where I was so that was good. She was already there so we ordered soon and the food came quickly. I had a vegetable calzone and then a pancake with ice cream and chocolate sauce. They were both nice! Philippa and I then went next door for a drink and then said goodbye at about 3.30pm. I was home not much later so I did some cross stitching for a bit before heading back out at 6.15 ish to go to Huddersfield.

Sam had asked me ages ago if I wanted to go to the theatre and I had agreed and paid for the ticket and everything, but then I had totally forgotten what we were going to see! I couldn't have told you if my life depended on it! I decided to just not worry and turn up. I struggled to park but made it into the theatre in time to go to the loo before we took our seats. And then a member of my book club was two rows behind us so she came to speak to me! How weird.

The play was about women in the Miners' Strike in 1984 and 1985. There were three sisters and two of them were married to miners, and the youngest's boyfriend was a police cadet. It had songs in it too, and it was really good. It was funny and poignant. We both liked it. Then I looked at Sam's programme at the end and realised that the middle sister was played by someone I know on Facebook - she's a friend of a friend but I hadn't recognised her at all! But she was brilliant. 

I got home about 10.30 and sat in bed eating bread and butter and hard boiled eggs, which was delicious! Oh the last photo is a photo of me and my mum and dad in about 1987 I think. This photo stood on top of a cabinet in my grandma's living room for as long as I remember, and I inherited it from her house. The frame was broken so Lee and I bought a cheap one from Dunelm and I put it in. I love the photo so much - aren't I so cute?! And now it's up on our bedroom wall.

This is the cross stitch I'm working on at the moment, isn't it lovely? It's quite simple, too

New tweed bag! I love the colours. Now I want a purse to match... 

My welded bracelet! 

And the underside

These are the books I bought in Waterstones

Veggie calzone

And my delicious dessert. Philippa and I always get dessert and it's always so nice

Here's the stage at the theatre

And this cutest photo of me and my parents

Hamilton with Friends in Manchester

On Friday the 16th of February I went to Manchester to see Hamilton with Sam, Jacqui, and Jodie! I had seen it was coming to Manchester and wanted to go, so they said they would buy me the ticket for my fortieth birthday and pay for us to stay over too. I was excited to see Hamilton and my friend Michelle told me to listen to the music first so I had been doing that for a few weeks beforehand and I think it did really help. I was familiar with some of the songs and I liked some of them already!

So, I took Lucinda to Wakefield to get on the train back to Edinburgh after our gigs, and then I went home where I had a blissful couple of hours by myself to just relax for a little bit. Then Lee took me to our village train station and I got the train to Huddersfield, where I met up with Sam and Jodie. We got the train across to Manchester Piccadilly and then met up with Jac. THEN we walked just down to the aparthotel where we were staying. By this time it was about 4pm so we just chilled out for a bit. Then we got ready for the evening and left the apartment at about 5.30. We had booked to go to Bundobust for tea (my choice, and somewhere I love!) and we thought it was about a fifteen minute walk away. But we went the wrong way and ended up walking for about 35 minutes! We went really round the houses. But thankfully we got to Bundobust at about 6.05 and got our seats.

We ordered a bunch of food and decided to share it all. It was so delicious - we had the chaat which I usually get but it was nice to taste the dhal and some other stuff too. I also had a lemony lemonade which was nice.

About 7pm we walked just next door to the Palace theatre. Jac and I got merch - I got a shot glass, a pin, and a t shirt! I love them all so much. I really enjoyed the show, too. It is really engrossing and every single person was so good. I really liked the backing dancers because they were so good and they moved all the set stuff around really well. I would definitely see it again in a couple of years or so. 

We went back to the apartment (via a much shorter route this time) and then hung out for a bit in our pyjamas before going to bed. I was awake for a bit in the night so I read for a bit then went back to sleep before getting up at 9.20. We left the apartment at about 10am and walked to The Pen and Pencil for brunch. I had a hot chocolate which was delicious, and avocado on sourdough with feta, poached eggs, and sun blushed tomatoes. Sam also gave me one of her vegan sausages and some of her halloumi, which I was only too happy to eat! It was all delicious.

We then said goodbye to Jacqui and me, Sam and Jodie went back to Piccadilly station. Unfortunately there was a rail replacement coach but fortunately it wasn't too full so we got a seat each and barely spoke to each other haha. I was reading and listening to some music and soon we were back in Huddersfield where Lee picked me up. I got home and went to bed for a couple of hours because it had been a hell of a week! Lots of fun, of course, but exhausting for me and my chronic illnesses!

Sam's photo of the wall as you go into Bundobust

Jac and me - you can see I was wearing my galaxy print dress, and Jac looked lovely in this new tartan print dress

Jodie and Sam - Sam's dress was amazing too!

Here's all four of us

Alllll the food, so good!

Outside the theatre

A poster just outside

And one inside too. I liked Eliza Schuyler a lot

Finally we were in the room where it happens!

This was the set just before it started

All of us in the theatre - the woman next to me does not look too happy!

We had ice cream and drinks in the interval which were nice

My hot chocolate for brunch

And my brunch! It didn't look huge but there was a lot of feta!

I took this of all four of us, it was quite hard to get us all in though

Here's all the merch I got. Sam gave us all the tiny badges - mine says "young, scrappy and hungry"

In the evening I opened a bottle of prosecco that I had got for my birthday and enjoyed some of it!