Weekend in Barrow-on-Furness

At the beginning of August I headed up to Barrow-in-Furness for the weekend. Charlie, who used to live in Leeds and used to come to clothes swaps and stuff, moved up there quite a few years ago, so I haven't seen her since then although we're still friends on social media etc. For the past year and a bit I think she has been battling breast cancer and she has been declared No Active Disease, so she was throwing a party to celebrate! I wanted to go anyway but of course because my mum has battled breast cancer again this year I really wanted to go and donate some money. Then it turned out that Lolly, Gary, and Franklin would be on holiday nearby so they were going to go too, so it was ideal. I booked a single hotel room in Barrow for myself. 

I have a friend, Rachael, who lives in Carlisle, so I asked if she wanted to meet me on the Saturday, and she agreed and booked her train tickets. Lolly and I arranged to have brunch on the Sunday before I set off home, and it was all set. 

Then Kiki needed to go to the vet on Friday morning, as an emergency, because she seemed to have a bit of a water infection. She is fine, and had some painkillers. But it meant I was a bit later setting off than I wanted to. I ran into a bit of traffic too, which was annoying. I stopped for some lunch at some place or other, and managed to avoid a traffic jam. When I got to Barrow I couldn't find my hotel to start off with, so it was nearly 4pm by the time I actually checked in. I was tired by then!

My room didn't have a window in it - the window was in the bathroom so I could have it open and let some air in, but I did also shut the bathroom door at night so it made it nice and dark for when I was sleeping. It was fine, I really didn't need a fancier hotel room, but it did look a lot like my room in university halls. I laid down for a bit and watched crap TV which was fine, and read my book. 

I'm guessing it was about 6.30 when I set out again. I wanted to find like a Zizzi or something, a chain restaurant where I could sit and read my book and have some food without being bothered. However, Barrow appears to not have anything like this AT ALL. There was a KFC and a McDonalds but I didn't want either of those; I wanted to sit in for a bit. I drove around and around and was considering just going into Tesco for snacks or a sandwich, but then I saw on my map that there was a Starbucks. The directions took me round the houses and I ended up back at the bloody Tesco. I swear to god, I was just cursed. BUT Starbucks was near Asda and I eventually found it. I had a veggie sausage sandwich and a coffee, and got a coffee to take away too. 

I went back to the hotel and watched more rubbish telly and did some of my cross stitch. A family had arrived and were in two or three rooms and they kept knocking on each other's doors, so that was annoying, especially when they kept doing it after midnight. I put my earplugs in and went to sleep, but they woke me up before 8am which I was not thrilled about!

I went down and had some breakfast, which was not that inspired but it was fine, so whatever, and then I relaxed in my room for a bit. Rachael had been told her trains were cancelled, but she managed to get on different ones and I picked her up at the station at about 11.30. We decided to go to Piel Island. We were hoping to get on a boat to see some seals, so we joined the queue on the jetty. But the seal trip was full so we waited for the other boat which goes to Piel Island only. It was a tiny boat but a pretty fun trip. it was only a few minutes though! The island is tiny, it has a pub, a ruined castle, and about four houses on it. 

We went into the pub and both got cheesy chips and sat inside to eat them. We sat for a bit in the sunshine and then queued to get the boat back. By this point it was coming up to 3pm so we decided to go to Stollers, this furniture shop, for cake. I had had it recommended to me and had been past it the night before (it's near Starbucks). I had a strawberry trifle and a coffee. We left just after 4pm and I took Rachael back to the train station to go home. It was nice to spend such a long time with her though! 

I popped into Tesco to get some sushi and snacks for later, as I knew there wasn't food at the party and wasn't sure how hungry I would be. I got back to my hotel room and laid in the bed to have a nap, but couldn't sleep. I rested instead, though, which was good. About 6.15 I started to get ready for the party. I wore the same dress that I had worn to Prashad the previous week and I had taken lots of glitter to wear as make up to celebrate! I found some contact lenses in my bag so put them in, and went to town with glitter and gems. As you can see, I had caught the sun during the day! 

I left the hotel about 7pm and walked round to the party venue. It was close enough for me to walk. I was one of the first people there so got to talk to Charlie which was lovely. Lolly and Gary turned up not too long after me. The bar had created two special cocktails to raise money - a Pink Colada and a Cherry Sour. Lolly and I both had a Pink Colada to start off with. We bought raffle tickets and then a piece of Polish strawberry cake each, all of which was to raise money too. Gary bought a copy off the quiz so we filled that in. 

Around 9pm Charlie drew the raffle and one of my tickets was drawn, so I got to choose a prize. I went for a bottle of Mumm champagne because I bloody love champagne! I'll save it for a special occasion. Lolly and Gary left about 9.30. I talked to Charlie and a woman called Lou who also used to come to clothes swaps, so it was nice to see her. I got back to the hotel about 10.45 which was perfect for me. I had had quite a few of the Cherry Sours, they were lovely! I again didn't sleep amazingly due to loud people (maybe the same loud people, although I don't think they were) and woke up about 8am again.

I decided to make my life easier for the next day by having a shower as I had time, and then I packed up my stuff and left the hotel just after 10am. I then drove to Industry Kitchen where I was having brunch with Lolly and Gary and Franklin. It's only small and it was busy, so I had to wait, but then I got a booth table so sat down. The others arrived about 11am and we ordered food. I went for shrooms on toast which were delicious, with pesto and hummus and other stuff on. Lolly gave me one of her hash browns, too. Then I had millionaire's shortbread too which was yummy. 

I set off home about midday and got home in really good time, I was home before 3pm and laid down for a nap! This is the longest post on earth but no matter, here's all the photos:

My hotel room, definitely halls vibes

I also had alcohol and snacks on hand, too 

Oh yeah I drove out to Biggar Island when I was driving to try to find food, and took some photos of the sea

And the Lake District hills in the distance 

Here's Saturday when we were standing on the jetty waiting for boat. The water was so clear and I would have loved a paddle

The jetty, looking towards Piel Island

Rachael and I on the boat

Looking back as we were on the way

And looking forward. It was a tiny boat!

The wind had whipped up my hair so I tied it up while on the island to keep it out of the way, I was not impressed

Queueing at the top of the jetty to go back

Standing on the jetty waiting, I'm so glad the weather was nice because it made it much nicer for us

On the way back

Rachael 

Strawberry trifle which was only okay, but not to worry

Here I am all make up and glitter, ready for the party

The roof of the party venue had all these really cute umbrellas

Polish strawberry cake

A cherry sour cocktail, they were fizzy and delicious

Lolly and I 

And here we are with the party girl herself, Charlie. She was looking really good!

Champagne that I won!

And here's Charlie singing the Pokemon theme song as karaoke, haha

Finally, here's my brunch of mushrooms on toast

And the millionaires slice afterwards!

Films of the Month - July

Again a rubbish month for films! I only managed seven in thirty-one days! But here's what I did see:

I've been meaning to watch I'm Not There since it came out in literally 2007. I can remember reading all about Cate Blanchett, mostly, playing Bob Dylan, and I was intrigued, but I just hadn't got round to it. But I'm making my way through all of Heath Ledger's films and this is obviously one of them, so I finally got round to it and I liked it a lot

Lee and I watched Reservoir Dogs together. I have seen it before but not for ages. I always like it, it's a classic for a reason

A WEEK later Lee and I watched Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure, it was a Friday so we watched it over tea. I love it, it's always funny

I've never seen The Damned Utd but I was reminded of it while reading about something - can't remember what now - so watched it. Michael Sheen and Timothy Spall were good, and I generally liked it

I also read somewhere about this biopic of Morrissey and I'm not sure how it had passed me by before. I like The Smiths but obviously don't like Morrissey's racist beliefs, but I was interested to see this anyway. I liked it, it's a good story. I could have used more Johnny Marr though

Next in my run of Heath Ledger films I watched Candy, which I've never seen before and hadn't even heard of. I liked it, but it was hard to watch at times. It's about heroin addicts so like what do you expect. I probably wouldn't watch it again though

And finally Lee and I watched Back to the Future again because I felt like it was a while since we had seen it!

Lunch Out at Prashad

On the 27th of July Lee and I went across to Prashad in Drighlington for lunch with Chloe, Ian, Lolly, Gary, and Franklin. I had suggested it ages ago because I know Chloe and Ian like it, and I wanted Lolly to experience the joy too. Then Chloe added it to her '50 things to do before she's 50' list, with all of us, so we made plans. We had actually cancelled it once before - not a problem - but I'm glad we got there!

Lee's sciatica has been really bad recently meaning he can't drive for very long, so I drove the two of us over there. We were there first so we sat for a little bit in the foyer. Chloe and Ian arrived not long after us. As Ian uses a wheelchair he had booked the first table as you go in, which isn't up any steps, so is ideal for us. So we sat down and ordered drinks. I had a mocktail as I was driving, I think it was a strawberry nojito and it was lovely. Chloe and Lolly had a mocktail each too. We all shared poppadums and pickle trays, which were nice and included a rhubarb chutney - we were in the rhubarb triangle after all!

For starter I went for sev puri, which was cold and tangy and delicious. I gave Ian a piece too to try and he liked it. For main I had a masala dosa with paneer. I know I can't eat the whole lot so I cut it in half to bring home for the next day. I had a gujwari naan with it too which had coconut, nuts, and sweet stuff in it. It was nice but by the next day it had gone quite hard so it wasn't as nice when left over. 

We had some coffees afterwards instead of puddings. We sat and chatted and it was just lovely! We said goodbye and Franklin took this photo of all the adults outside which I just love! I drove Lee and I home. I was wearing Converse slip on trainers in a gorgeous peach colour. I got them off Vinted (of course) but I haven't worn them a lot yet as they need wearing in a bit. 

Then I was wearing this gorgeous dress! I also got it off Vinted. It's a Simply Be one but I think I paid about £8 all in and I LOVE it. I am going to wear it loads! It's summery and cute and the pattern is gorgeous. I like the length of it too. 

Oh Chloe asked me to do my patented 'around the table selfies' where everyone ends up in two photos, so I did. They are lovely photos! 

Franklin and I. I put some eye make up on but didn't want to wear any lipstick. Oh yes and I found this pastel necklace that I got at a zine fair I think and it matches the dress perfectly

Franklin and Gary

Gary and Lolly

Laura and Chloe

Chloe and Ian in landscape for some reason

Ian and Lee

And finally Lee and me

Sev puri, it was so good and pretty big for a starter, which is another reason I didn't eat all my main course and brought it home for the next day instead

Masala dosa 

Here we all are in the car park

My gorgeous dress

And finally, my shoes!

Family Trip - Day 3

The Sunday of our weekend trip started pretty much the same as the Saturday as I had booked swimming for us at 9.40 the same as Saturday. This time there was me, Lee, Peter, Neil, Rob, Beth, and T. It was again really lovely and I'm glad we went! 

When we got back I again had a shower and then it was time for lunch again so we did that in our caravan. I don't fully know what we did, just hung about and chilled out I think! I think someone took T to the playground where he enjoyed jumping in puddles. I think I did some cross stitch. Dunno! Oh we did play a game for a bit

Anyway about 2.30 we all headed to the entertainment area because Caroline, Neil, Rob and Peter were doing the inflatable assault course on the lake. I was almost tempted to give it a go but I think I would have struggled to get on to the inflatables! So I didn't. But they all got kitted up in wetsuits and life jackets and got on! They had a fabulous time and it was fun to watch them. Beth and T turned up after his nap. My mum and stepdad were taking photos of my aunt, uncle, and cousins. Lee had been asleep too so he came with Beth. T put himself into a locker and he was extremely pleased with himself about it. 

There was a little train that ran round the lake for free, so Beth, T and I went on it. He was so thrilled to see it when it arrived, and he was so good when we were on it, holding on really tightly. He was narrating all the things he could see, including the alpacas, whose field we went past. We stopped at the far side and then the heavens absolutely opened and it threw it down! Beth and I both got absolutely soaked! It was not ideal!

When we got back to the lake they were all getting out of the lake so they all headed back, and my mum, Norman and I went to the bar near the lake. Lee was already there. We all had an ice cream. Peter arrived, but he didn't want an ice cream. Beth went back to the rabbits but they weren't available for cuddling, boo. 

We went back for tea eventually. My mum had made a ton of pasta and did three different dishes with cold pasta. The vegetarian one was pesto and mozarella so I helped her prepare that in her caravan. Back in our van Lee did the garlic bread in the air fryer (there was an air fryer!) and we chucked basically everything else on the table in the hopes of eating it before we went home. 

I made more cocktails but didn't get pictures this time. But they were strawberry daiquiris and they were delicious! Rob also brought orange wine which is turns out is really nice. After tea we went out to play on the field at the bottom of where we were. Rob has this game called Molkky which everyone likes to play, and my mum had brought the boules, so most of us headed out. I played boules with my mum and Peter. We had quite a time keeping T off the balls! 

Peter didn't have the Monday off so he left at around 8pm. It sucked but at least he had been able to leave late. Lee and Neil carried on playing and I got my camping chair and sat on the grass watching them. The weather had come out really sunny and beautiful and I was happy to sit in the sun for a bit, not worrying about anything. We headed back in eventually and played games before finally calling it a night. I took a photo of the stars just before bedtime. 

Joneses ready to hit the water! It did look like a lot of fun

Caroline gave me her ruby rings and Rob gave me his wedding ring, so they didn't lose them in the water, so I put them all on my middle finger to keep them safe

While they were on the inflatables

T being very pleased when he fitted himself into a locker

And here he is as the train arrived at this station for us to get on

Beth and I on the train

T holding on really tightly and enjoying the train

The alpacas from the previous day

I did get a video of the rain but not a picture but believe me when I say it was bad. I was really damp when in the bar but I enjoyed my ice cream - coffee and chocolate

This little wildflower area was outside the bar and it was really cute, I liked it

T gave me a daisy, too cute

On the field playing after tea

Which yes was made harder by T stealing the balls, haha. I cuddled him for a bit and he was very taken with my rainbow heart earrings

We got a picture of all of us before Peter set off home

Watching Rob, Neil and Lee playing Molkky. It's a type of skittle game but you also have to do maths. I've never played it but I've watched it

Here I am in a lovely selfie with the most gorgeous sun on me. I had got changed when I got back to the van because I was so wet from the rain!

And here's the sky last thing