Petticoats and Penguins

 Last week brought glorious sunshine. Even the North Yorkshire Coast gave the impression that summer was on the way, paving the way for a fun filled week. 

On Thursday I was in London. It was a work trip, and as much as I do enjoy an odd trip to the London office, I do find it exhausting. Early in my career I used to spend a lot of time in London, but I never found it as draining as I do now. I did also live a few 100 miles closer to it, which is probably a factor.

Anyway, it was lovely to be in the office and catch up with so many of my London colleagues. I’d been saved a desk with a view out over the City skyline and at lunchtime a few of us went for a wander. Someone who obviously knows their way around led the expedition and within 10 minutes we were standing in the middle of the crowds on Petticoat Lane market. I’ve never been here before and was awestruck. There were Indian and African fabric shops and lots of street food stalls selling cuisine from every corner of the globe. We all split up to get our respective cuisines. I had Jerk Chicken and rice and at £7 for a large portion, it was no more expensive than I pay for similar in York. We all perched together on a wall in the sun to eat our lunches and mine, was delicious.

It was a long day. I wasn’t home until after 10 having left before 8am, and I’d enjoyed both the event I’d travelled down to attend, and catching up with people who I don’t always get to see. 

A parrot at the zoo

Saturday morning started off grey, and we thought our plans to go to the zoo at nearby Sewerby Hall were going to be scuppered by the weather. Thankfully, the sun managed to break through the clouds in the afternoon so we stuck to our original plan.

Puppucino in the cafe

After a snack in the cafe, we went to the zoo. It’s a small zoo with exotic birds, goats and other farm type animals and little Misses favourite, Penguins.

We were just in time for feeding at the Humbolt penguin enclosure and little Miss was over joyed. She asked lots of questions. We took lots of photos (I’m yet to download the ones from her camera), and she decided she’d really like a pet penguin.

After the zoo we took Thelma for a walk around the wonderfully picturesque gardens, alive with squirrels and birds. As the sunset, it was time to make our way home. 

Yes, I have used a filter 

Sunday I was off to York to meet the chap. He met me from the train, and first stop was some lunch. Then, I had a bit of a spending spree at Hotel Chocolat. In my defence, it wasn’t all for me, in fact most of it was Easter eggs for other people, including little Miss and the chap! Any visit to hotel Chocolat is always a good excuse to treat myself to some champagne truffles though.

Afterwards, we walked through York to the cinema. The chap had bought us tickets for Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man. We’re both big Peaky Blinders fans, so we were very excited.

The Everyman is probably one of our favourite cinemas, and the chap treated me to one of their delicious ice cream sundaes and a glass of red wine, to enjoy with the film.

Blurry photos in the cinema 

We really enjoyed the film. No spoilers, but there were definite differences between the style of the series and the film, but there kind of had to be because of the time period and the events. We enjoyed it, and I’m so glad I got to see it on the big screen.

The Everyman Cinema 

Soon enough I was heading back home on the train, ready to start another working week after a very busy few days. Fear not though, the customary grey skies we’re so familiar with have returned. Let’s hope it’s just a blip! 

Mumlife

If you live in the UK, then this weekend (Sunday) was Mother’s Day. I started my Saturday morning with a long overdue return to the gym, before the pleasant weather enticed us into an afternoon on the seafront. 

We started off with lunch at the Cats Pyjamas, before thing the Victorian tram down to the beach. We walked Thelma along, enjoying the heat (yes heat) of the sunshine. It was busy as so many people had obviously took advantage of a glimpse of fair weather to have a day by the seaside. 

Whilst we didn’t do all the tourist in our own town things, we did go for ice cream, and have a beer in a seafront pub while enjoying some live music. All in all a good afternoon!

Then I got home to find a parcel waiting for me! My new Fairfax and Favor boots! I’ve wanted these since 2020 when I first bought a Fairfax and Favor bag with the money I saved from one month of commuting, during lockdown. The boots are as gorgeous as I hoped, although I need to wear them every day to break the tough suede in.

 

Sunday was Mother’s Day. I generally count my blessings most days, but I do recognise at this time of year how truly blessed I am to be able to celebrate Mother’s Day with my own Mum, and my wonderful daughter! 

We had a lazy start, and I was over the moon to get cards, biscuits and flowers. 

I had a table booked at the Grand Villa Heights for our meal. It used to be the Raven Hall hotel, and whilst lovely it was fairly tired. The new owners have made it into a wedding venue and rather beautiful hotel and restaurant.

The Grounds at Grand Villa Heights

I’ve always loved the view from here, out to Robin Hood’s Bay, but they’ve really made the most of it with massive full height windows. It’s just stunning.

We were seated next to a bright sunny window in the restaurant, and mum and I given glasses of Prosecco. Whilst we were there, the restaurant started to fill up with people. Not just Mother’s Day celebrants, but hotel guests and people just out for an afternoon wander too.

The restaurant before it got busy

Me and Mum both had roast dinners, which were absolutely delicious. Generous portions too. Little miss had a cheese burger and fries, and was very happy. 

We followed up with sticky toffee pudding before retiring to one of the lounge areas overlooking the cliffs for coffee.

The sun setting as we left

 

It was a beautiful experience and we will definitely be returning to Grand Villa Heights at some future point. By the time we rolled out, full of food and good feeling, the weather was turning cold and blustery. It was time to head home for a relaxing evening of crochet and films. All in all it had been a wonderful weekend. 

Back to Life

 Despite the bursts of sunshine still being somewhat sporadic, it is definitely improving my energy levels when it does arrive. Although I have been paying more attention to my diet of late and trying to eat more protein and less sugar, which is probably helping too.

Anyway, it was an astoundingly busy week. At work I chair our Women in Technology International Women’s Day committee, and with it being the run up to International Women’s Day (which was yesterday if you didn’t know) we had a busy week of events planned. Talks with ladies on the leadership team, tea cake and inspirational discussions with a female business leader. It was all good stuff, and I’m pleased to say very well received. After having been in the office on Wednesday for one of the events, I met up with the chap and we went for dinner.

We visited a spot we’ve not been to before, the Corner Grill House. It’s in a lovely location, on a cobbled road near the river. The interior is lovely and we had a warm welcome. We had starters, then I had chicken supreme and the chap had beef bourginon. 

The food was ok. I enjoyed it and for a midweek dinner it was fine, but probably not somewhere I’d go for a special meal. 

The weekend rolled around, and me and the chap were off to a 40th party in Leeds. Time for the top I finished making last week to get its first outing, and it’s a good job I took this flatlay because I totally failed to get an outfit photo! 

The party was at a golf club, and it was a great chance for us to catch up with friends that we hadn’t seen in a long time. There was lots of conversation.

Bacon butties (or sausage or fishfinger) and wedges on the buffet, beautiful cake and dancing too. It’s was a fabulous party! 

I was the geek taking photos with my instant camera, I’m not sorry. I love these little retro prints! 

We’d had a fun filled evening for sure. The next day was mostly a quiet one, apart from little Miss feeling quite unwell, having picked up another germ at school. Hopefully just a small one that she’ll be over soon enough. 

Sumptuous Sleeves

 I’ve not written in a while. Life has felt busy, but mostly with work and not feeling well and the fact that I read too much news and it’s depressing. You may recall, however, a few weeks back I was cutting out some fabric.

After a long hiatus, I am slowly getting back into some of my old beloved crafts, dressmaking being one of them. Anyway, this weekend I finally finished what I was making.

A truly fabulous top! I mean look at those sleeves, and that silver velvet. 

I had to take 4 inches of length off the sleeves because they were massive, and too long and I felt like Batman! Adjusted though, they are perfect. I’ll make the adjustments to the pattern before I make another version (and I definitely will be making more versions of this beauty).

The pattern was by Chikafrik on Etsy and the velvet was deadstock from Minerva fabrics. I absolutely cannot wait to wear this out and I have just the event coming up this weekend!

Be my Valentine

Last week was largely a monotonous routine of trudging through grey rain and fog to get anything done. I’ve personally found it quite depressing, son Tuesday evening I thought to settle into a nice bath and read my kindle. The bath was just perfect but alas, the kindle had other ideas. It chose that moment to die. In itself that’s not so bad, it was cheap second hand, and old, but I was a third of the way through ‘The Secret History’ so, I’m waiting for a paperback replacement to arrive that I ordered from Vinted. I’m not sure whether I’ll bother to replace my e-reader or not, books are so cheap to get. 

Wednesday lunchtime I went to get my nails done. Ordinarily I know exactly what I want, but the grey weather had me in a funk! My lovely nail tech suggested some Valentine nails, and I’m so glad she did because they are so pretty. I love them. 

Friday evening me, little Miss and grandma decided to celebrate the weekend and end of school term by going out to nearby Wilson’s for dinner. It seems to be our regular haunt.

Inside Wilsons

It was a bit disappointing that there was no music on this time, but a nice glass of beer to wash down a hearty lamb stew made up for it and, well, Wilson’s always has a nice vibe to it anyway. 

By the time we were leaving it was snowing, and I was pretty sure the weekend would follow suit. Saturday surprised us all though with blue skies and moderate temperatures. It was soul lifting just to know Spring is on the way! 

Saturday evening the chap and I were heading out on our Valentines date. I’d booked a table at a local restaurant called Haus of S&M. I’d never been before, I’m not even sure how it got on my radar, but I’m glad it did. 

After a quick drink at Craft bar, we wandered to Haus for our 8pm table, where we were greeted by two fabulous drag queen concierges. I forgot to take a photo of them, but they were great, and set the tone for what we were about to walk through the curtain into. 

Valentines date outfit - boots - Monsoon, Coat - River Island, skirt and red top - next - velvet jacket - Monsoon, Bag - Irregular Choice

It’s a delightfully kitsch space, Tretchikoff prints, Chinese happy cats, a disco ball and a random mannequin are just some of the wild and wonderful things you’ll see in there. 70s funk soul plays in the background, the lighting is low and honestly, I was in my happy place. 

They serve an Asian fusion menu. We enjoyed cocktails and I had a rather delicious Chicken Makhani while the chap devoured a loaded (and it was loaded) Naan. 

It was a great place to spend our Valentines date, and I for one definitely want a return visit! It’s a vibe. 

We ended our evening with a few drinks around town having had the best time.