Wholesome

Friday afternoon I rose from my desk to be hit with some pretty bad pain through my back, hip and whole right leg. Dr. Google suggested sciatica. I’m always cautious about my back after slipping a disk about 10 years ago, and so I took this a sign that I needed a quiet weekend after all of the exciting things I’ve been doing recently

Saturday’s weather was very supportive of doing nothing. It was grim, so aside from venturing out for some toiletries we needed, dropping off a bag of donations at the charity shop and getting some chips for dinner, I wasn’t really tempted to do anything else.

Sunday, I had a very lazy start to my day. I stayed in bed and finished ‘Goodbye to Berlin’. Set in Berlin in the lead up to the rise of fascism, I think there are so many comparisons to be made with current events in the UK. Last week’s election results would most definitely point to this.

This is a fab book, another like 1984 that had me questioning why we didn’t read these at school. These would have been far more useful than Thomas Hardy, if you ask me. Often I donate books to charity after reading them, but this one will be going into a pile of books that I’ll encourage little Miss to read when she’s older, along with 1984 of course. 

Pancake with banana, Greek yogurt and honey

After finishing my book, I made pancakes for breakfast. I always make pancakes on one day of the weekend. They are little Miss’ favourite breakfast.

Then I thought it wise to tackle the garden. Little Miss helped me as we pulled up weeds, replaced fallen down trellis, trimmed back honeysuckle and nipped to B&Q to buy a stash of flowers to fill our pots and her fairy garden with.

Weeds everywhere (before)

Somehow a pumpkin plant has sneaked in, and we’re going to try to grow little Miss a pumpkin to carve in our raised beds. Whilst the end result was so fulfilling, paracetamol was my friend afterwards as I tried to dull the pain I’d reignited with all of the garden activity. 

And looking so much better afterwards 

This evening I will be soaking away my pains in a bath, and getting ready for the week ahead. 

Films, Frocks and Fun

 As I mentioned in last week’s post, my week was already off to a good start. My friend was coming over for a visit from Leeds. I met him from the train, and after grabbing a coffee at Greensmith and Thackeray I gave him a whistlestop tour of some of the beautiful sights of Scarborough.

As a fellow fan of visiting churches, I took him through the old town to the beautiful Catholic Church, St. Peter’s. All the years I’ve lived here and this was the first time I’d been in. It was beautiful.

We also visited St. Mary’s, home to the grave of Anne Brontë and with one of the most beautiful views out across the bay. 

We pottered around some charity shops. I was thrilled to find Less by Patrick Grant in Oxfam, I’ve been after it for a while. I read a lot of it during my week off, and it’s very interesting, the history of industry certainly makes you realise how political everything we buy is. I’m not sure it will stop me buying altogether, but at least if Vinted and charity shops are my main sources then I can be confident that at least I’m saving things from the potential evils of landfill!

Tuesday morning little Miss had a play date with her friend and I had a good catchup with her friend’s Mum, who happens to be a very good friend of mine. We pondered going to the pictures in the afternoon, but instead, while waiting for a prescription for Mum we decided to peruse some charity shops. 

After bemoaning the poor pickings of charity shops during the previous week, declaring them dead to me, I couldn’t believe my luck. I found two gorgeous dresses, under a tenner for both! Not bad at all, and not least because the green one is still £62 on the Debenhams website! Charity shop faith restored! 

Still £62 on the Debenhams website

After a lazy Wednesday morning we decided to head to Malton for a potter, and to see the new Super Mario movie. It was hot! So hot that I didn’t even need to wear a coat, a rare occurrence in April! 

After a leisurely lunch in the Chapel house cafe, which, as the name would suggest is within a church, we perused the charity shops. I was lucky once again, getting a nice skirt for work and a Falmer Heritage boho top. I also managed to get a lovely skirt for little Miss (that I forgot to photograph). 

Thankfully we had booked a late afternoon viewing of the film, so we didn’t miss too much of the glorious sunshine. I fully expected to endure rather than enjoy the film but actually it was quite fun and cheerful so we had an all round good time.

I always love this little building by the cinema in Malton. I can just imagine Scrooge and Bob Cratchett at their little desks.

The rest of the week was mostly occupied with boring but necessary jobs. Clearing the lean to, a tip run and cleaning the car, as well as the far less boring task of collecting my Vinted purchases from the locker. A new book and an amazing whimsical skirt! 

Sunday we finished off the week with a trip to our favourite arcade, which has now added a rather enticing ice cream parlour.

Followed by a walk on the beach, a perfect end to the week before returning to the routine of school and work.

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. 

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.