Saltburn and the Mandalorian

 Saltburn-on-Sea is somewhere I've heard good things about for years, but never quite managed to get to. Located further North, past Whitby and over the Moors, it's just one of those places we've often said we'd go to and then didn't get there. 

Given the nice weather at the end of my week of adventure, we thought we'd make the visit. It was a pleasant drive, scenic over the top of the Moors but once we got there parking was a nightmare. Eventually, we managed to get parked up near the town, and were excited to ride the funicular railway down to the seafront. 

Alas, it was out of service, so we took the steps instead. The seafront was pleasant with a Victorian pier that we took a lovely walk out to the middle of the sea on. It was windy, but gave a nice vantage point, and so many of our British piers have vanished into the ocean it's nice just to find one. 

Whilst there were plenty of chippy's we could have grabbed lunch from, we opted for a posh seafront restaurant, The Seaview. With a large balcony overlooking the sea, it was a prime position albeit you definitely paid a premium for the setting. 

We were on the dog friendly terrace and enjoyed our Coley and potatoes, which I totally forgot to photograph. On that note, most of the photographs from today's blog post have actually been taken by Little Miss. She's really getting a passion for photography, I might have to start charging up her own camera more often so mine doesn't keep getting nabbed. 

To be honest, the rest of Saltburn-on-Sea wasn’t exactly what I’d hoped for. There were the usual ice cream shops, chippies and beach huts. There was a traditional pub, and an interesting derelict Mortuary at the base of the hill, but not really much else. 

We headed back to the car. Even though it wasn't what we expected, I always think it's good to explore new places. You don't know if you don't go. On the way home, we stopped off at one of my favourite places, Saltmoore. It's the spa that me and the chap spent a relaxing break at back in December. It was wonderful to see it in the nice weather and we just spent a lot of time on the terrace enjoying the beautiful gardens and peaceful surroundings. Mum decided that she loves it too, it's hard not to. 

Sunday, I went down to York and after a cuppa and an iced bun at the chap's house, while getting bounced all over by beautiful Bruno, we set off to the shops to pick up a few craft supplies (we don't have HobbyCraft in Scarborough), and then had some lunch at pizza hut. Then it was time to head off to the cinema to see the Mandalorian and Grogu. 

It's a Star Wars spin off, so something we were both keen to see. It was very different to Star Wars, but still in keeping and was a lovely way to end what had been an extremely busy and fun filled week of adventure. 

By the time Monday rolled around and it was time to go back to work I was glad to be back to routine, until the next adventure at least. 

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.

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!