Puppies and Flowers

 No, I haven’t turned into Mariah Carey, demanding puppies and roses everywhere I go. I probably would if I could get away with it though. 

Thursday was my actual birthday and I’d booked the day off work. The sun was out and once I’d done the school run, I took my morning coffee along with Thelma, to South Cliff gardens to enjoy the view over the bay.

Coffee with a view

It’s a luxury I never get to indulge in, usually running home to log on and start work. I was grateful though that I was able to just take some time out and enjoy those views on my birthday.

The day before, a beautiful box of flowers arrived from the chap, which I added to the flowers I’d bought for myself for my birthday in what was a flower explosion. My idea of heaven, apart from in the summer when my allergies prevent such enjoyment.

The rest of Thursday was spent mostly drinking tea and eating copious amounts of cake whilst catching up with various people, until after school when I took little Miss to the fair to meet her school friend and go on some rides.

They have a great time at the fair, and I always love the lights and hubub of the fairground. Alas, they are growing quickly and I suspect that they won’t fit in the kiddies rides so easily next year. We ran into more friends while we were there and enjoyed an impromptu catch up by the tea cups, before grabbing hotdogs at the hotdog van and heading home. It had managed to be a relaxing and yet very busy birthday, and I had a great time.

As Saturday approached we were bracing ourselves for Storm Amy! We didn’t think we would get to do much, but actually by the time it got to Saturday afternoon it was just windy. We were able to take a drive over the Moors to Whitby.

What I wore to Whitby - head to toe black of course

It’s the first time we’d driven over that way since the wild fires in August and it was saddening to see the blackened devastation the fires had left behind. Autumn is usually a beautiful display of browns and purples on the moors, but there were just miles and miles of black charred land. Horrible!

A photo of the moors fire I took from Scarborough in August

Whitby itself was a good choice. We stopped off for tea and scones first, and Thelma even got a sausage in the cafe. Happy Thelma.

Then we spent some time perusing the streets. Bobbing in and out of book shops, herbal shops, Whitby jet jewellers and alternative clothing shops. I bought myself a new suncatcher for my living room window, and little Miss got another book to add to her collection. Many of the shops in Whitby are independent, which means it keeps its bustling and vibrant feel even though many high streets in other towns have died off.

Spot the suncatcher in my window

We finished the day at a regular haunt of ours, Abbey Wharf. Despite being busy, we managed to bag a table with a view over the harbour and Mum treated me to a meal of Fish and Chips, before we wandered back to the car park for the drive home. We’d really enjoyed a lovely day out.

Sunday, I headed off to York. The chap had picked up a new puppy on Friday and I was eager to meet the little scamp.

He’s a Cavalier King Charles spaniel and he’s beautiful, cute and full of mischief. I enjoyed my cuddles with him, he even went to sleep on me.

We popped out to grab some lunch at Prezzo and the chap gave me my birthday presents, including this fabulous Lego campervan that he built for me. The chap’s hobby is Lego, and he is excellent at it. I just need to find a safe spot from this away from the other Lego fanatic in my life. It’s my dream to own the real thing one day.

After more puppy hugs, it was time to head home and get ready for the week ahead.