Slow Start

 Happy New Year. The pace since Christmas has been pleasantly slow. I don’t make resolutions, they’re too easy to break, but one of my intentions for 2026 is to slow down and enjoy the little moments a bit more. I’ve certainly made a strong start.

New Year’s Eve we popped into town during the day, just for a wander around and a breath of fresh air. It was chilly, but thankfully dry, so a warm dress and boots was the order of the day. Something else I’m intending to do on 2026 is rediscover the joy of my wardrobe by trying to wear more of it rather than relying on the same few outfits.

Little miss took my outfit shot

In town we had tea at one of our usual haunts before wandering. Earlier in the week I’d dropped two large bags of donations at a charity shop, and I think it brought me good charity shop karma because I found two tops and a fab pair of silver kitten heels.

We don’t go out on New Years Eve. So we watched films and I sipped sloe gin with tonic until we saw the New Year in. New Year’s Day I put up the door pelmet in my bedroom, that I had finished crocheting over the holidays.

Watching movies

I had been making these granny squares without an idea of what to do with them, then I saw some pelmet ideas on Pinterest and decided to make one to top my door curtain. I’m so pleased with how it turned out.

It’s been quite a crafty break for me, I’ve been planning, painting with watercolours, baking and doing cross stitch too. 

Trying a spot of watercolour 

Baked a cake 

Yesterday the snow arrived, and it really did arrive here on the coast. We made a snow man, and Thelma was so excited on her dog walk although she seems to be less impressed that there’s snow in the garden. It’s the second snow we’ve had in a few months, I think we’re in for a harsh winter.

Today is my last day before returning to work, and I’m going to enjoy a slow and restful Sunday to prepare myself. 

Walking the Dogs

Christmas was a lovely, relaxed affair, but there comes a point during the Christmas festivities where I really just need to get out of the house. I don’t just mean the daily walk around the block with Thelma, or wandering around shops but a proper blow the cobwebs away and feel the wind on my skin walk out in nature. 

So, Monday, the chap and I decided to venture to Robin Hoods Bay to walk the pups along the beach. We arrived around mid-morning and the weather was grey and murky. It wasn’t enough to put us off though, we were well wrapped up and after grabbing a coffee at the top of the village we started down the hill.

Many of the little gift shops were closed, but we wandered along the alleyways and admired the brightly coloured doors. Robin Hood’s Bay, just like Staithes, is one of those unspoilt fishing villages that I absolutely adore. At one time I dreamed of retiring to one of them (albeit I’ve got a lot of years before retirement) but given that so many of the quaint little cottages are now holiday homes I wonder how the sense of community is bearing up.

Bruno in his Christmas jumper

Nonetheless, both are within easy reach for days out. We reached the bay, and although the tide was starting to retreat, it was still battering the causeway and it would be some time before we could set foot on the beach. We decided to get some lunch in the Bay hotel, as luck would have it we managed to get the last table in the downstairs bar.

We enjoyed a pint and a burger and chips each, enjoying the bustle and olde world feel of the bar while looking out towards the bay to see when we would be able to emerge.

 

Soon enough we were scrambling across rock pools carrying dogs with us (Bruno is still so small and Thelma is afraid of water). I was thanking the heavens that I’d put my rugged hiking boots on, I needed them, but before too long we were on sand and the dogs were having a whale of a time.

The beach was busy, mostly with dog walkers. Lots of pups came over to greet our two, and I didn’t really have much sympathy with the person I over heard complaining that the beach wasn’t dog free given that for most of the summer, certainly in Scarborough, much of the beach is a no go zone with dogs. 

We walked past Boggle Hole, but then we could see our four legged friends were getting tired. We’d been walking for almost an hour, so we turned back to the village. It was starting to rain, so we took shelter in a cafe over hot latte’s, and finally finished up in a dog friendly pub, the Laurels, sipping alcohol free beers. 

By the time we were back at the top of the hill, all four of us were exhausted but happy. Sometimes there’s nothing quite like a long wild walk to wake the senses.

Christmas Party

 Back in November I took it in my head that it would be great to find a Christmas meal and disco night that little Miss could join too. Let me tell you, it wasn’t easy. Many of the places I contacted said no to children, even though they are family type venues. It would have been easy enough to find a children’s disco, but it seems that families celebrating together isn’t commonplace.

Eventually, I found a small local country hotel that would allow her. The Christmas party was on Saturday evening, and given it was mostly small groups of older families and altogether a small crowd, it was perfect to bring a child. 

Of course, the sparkly sequin dress I wore at Goodlife had to make an appearance, because it’s the perfect Christmas party dress. We ate delicious three course meals and then me and little Miss danced the night away to everything from Bowie to Beyoncé.

It was fab, we were both tired by the end of it, but it was so refreshing to find somewhere to party with little Miss! 

I won’t write again before Christmas so I wish you all a relaxing and indulgent Christmas.

Pure Relaxation at Saltmoore Spa

 The days seem to be passing by in a whirlwind at the moment as we career towards Christmas. Last minute efforts to get my work projects across the line, social engagements and of course, preparing for Christmas itself. Last weekend though it felt like time stood still when me and the chap spent a couple of days at Saltmoore Spa, at Sandsend.

The last time I visited it was for afternoon tea, and it was before the massive refurbishment the hotel has undergone. It was Raithwaite hall and was far more traditional. Post refurb, it’s all very serene and unhurried. I was so happy to finally be getting here. We were shown to our room, a snug room. The name had fooled me that this would be a small space but the room with its beautiful king size bed, underfloor heating and luxury toiletries in the en suite was perfectly proportioned.

The chap had arranged for flowers and prosecco in the room on arrival as a lovely surprise. We sipped prosecco while we got ready to head down to the spa. The spa was reasonably busy, seems a lot of couples had the same idea of escaping the chaos for a weekend and this is definitely the place to do it. There was no concept of the fog and wind outside, or even what the time was. It was just time to relax and unwind. 

We swam, and of course spent lots of time in the sauna. I do love a sauna, ever since I first went in one about 6 years ago when I went to a spa for my friend’s birthday. Ever since it’s been my favourite part of the spa experience. 

The one at Saltmoore has Himalayan salt bricks inlaid in the wall and felt like such a meditative environment. I don’t do the ice water plunge after, usually relying on my shady excuse of not being able to handle the sudden temperature changes due to my underactive thyroid, but the truth is I’d be too coward anyway. The chap did the plunge though, sitting in the cold bath for around two minutes. 

We retreated to our pre booked loungers and the chap went off in search of cocktails. He chose a Daquairi for me. I’ve never had one before but it was quite delicious. We lazed around, getting up every now and again for a swim or the jacuzzi. Before we knew it, the time had arrived to leave the spa and get ready for dinner.

Saltmoore has a couple of eating places but, for the evening it’s the serene and atmospheric Brasserie restaurant. The unspoken dress code was relaxed glamour and I was glad I’d packed my heels. Why wouldn’t I though? I rarely miss an opportunity to don a pretty shoe! Before long the restaurant was as full as the spa had been.

We took a couple of pictures on our phones but you will have to take my word for it when I say the roast beef and all the trimmings was phenomenal, because we stopped short of photographing our dinners, this time. The meat melted in our mouths, the portions were huge and the selection of sides and accompaniments was endless. I couldn’t finish mine, although in part that was because I was leaving space for apple crumble and custard. 

It was relaxed, no rushing, just enjoying the whole experience. Afterwards we retreated to the lounge bar where a roaring wood burning stove and fabulous selection of traditional games welcomed us in. We ordered coffees and found a quiet nook and a deck of cards, and I taught the chap how to play Crazy 8’s. It’s an easy game that me and little miss have been learning and it was a perfect way to while away a cosy and relaxed evening. 

After a brilliant night’s sleep I woke up feeling like I was in a White Company catalogue. Despite being a self proclaimed maximalist I have to admit, there is a certain serenity to this sort of neutral colour scheme. Especially when done with such attention to the luxury details.

Breakfast was in the Brasserie again, although this time we were seated in the light, bright orangerie part. My smoked salmon and poached eggs on crumpet was divine, and the options for breakfast were vast. The chap had a full English, but there were pastries, cereals and fruits. It was a lovely way to start the day. Once again, nothing rushed or hurried. 

Once we were all packed and ready to go, we took a very short drive to the seafront and enjoyed a bracing walk along it. Sandsend is beautiful, and we were blessed with a lovely dry day. It was the perfect end to our relaxing break. Now just to plan our return visit!