Up the Pike

“Ok. What I am thinking of doing is you 😘😘😘driving us some place we walk for a little bit. Then check out some bear by English heritage stuff castles, ruins, abbeys, then off for a country pub lunch to warm up, then back on the road.  Was looking at north pennies it has few bits and bobs to see and do. Not looked for pub yet. But after we could drive to Lancaster castle as it’s on way to your house.”

I do love it when I get texts from Biglilbro, he has all the ideas and is so used to his nearest and dearest always saying yes.  As much as I’d love to go to the Lakes for a hike in the Christmas holidays all I need is to relax.  So I managed to reign him in slightly and told him about the walk up to Stoodley Pike, it can be quite tricky especially in the winter.  In the end I managed to get him to list what he was looking for in a ‘good walk’.

1st view

2nd story

3rd mileage

Well, 1, the views from the top and even on the way up are stunning, if a bit desolate.

2, I have no story other than my own, first time we walked it the entire path was frozen and slippy.

3. Mileage isn’t massive but the altitude/floors you walk is pretty impressive. 

We followed the hike with a stop over at the Top Brink.  The portions sizes were huge and the food was delicious, all in all I think we managed to tick all of his boxes.

It never goes to plan

GO had planned a festive trip to York in January, it’s a nice chance to do something Christmassy.  Since moving up to the Northern Shire we can’t recreate our second date, visiting London’s Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park which we liked to do when we lived dahn Sarf.  He had a week off to prepare and had booked in train tickets which were unbelievably cheap.  He was going to go up Friday morning and I would go to work and take an early evening train for £6.  It was all planned and then I puked, I puked a lot.   There was a lot of sickness in the school at one point a third of the class were off ill.  I spent the whole day in bed, GO set off as planned with the suitcases and I recuperated, finally I dragged myself out of bed and headed to the train station.  I felt very self conscious, I wasn’t well enough for school but well enough to take a trip to York.  The train was deserted, I held my breath as I passed Halifax, by the time I reached Leeds I started to relax and began to feel better.  GO met me at the station and walked me to the hotel, it was lovely. After a long hot bath, a bit of food and a good nights sleep I felt like a new person. 

Saturday started early, I had slept so much I woke quite early. We had a quick breakfast in town and made our way to the Viking museum/ride experience.  We sat in a barrel and were taken on a journey from Viking invasion to present day.

We visited the Treasurers house and listenend to the ghost stories before heading to Betty’s for afternoon/early evening tea.  It was so civilised we were sat by the grand piano where the pianist played Christmas carols as we enjoyed the tea and nibbles.

I did it!

On wednesday 5th December 2018 I completed the walk 1000 miles challenge, now to wait for my medal to arrive.

Dining with Distinction

We never go out for a Christmas meal just the two of us.  This year we decided to change that and we booked a table on the East Lancashire Railway and we had a blast. The food was nice and the waiter looked after us and made us feel very welcome.  The route is short Bury to Rawtenstall and back but they pause at each station for the next course of food to be delivered on board.  I made a fool of myself with my cracker prize of a little plastic moustache, but YOLO!  We were seated opposite two couples who were together, initially we smiled at one another and got on with our meals but shortly after the train departed it became clear that the couples were in fact deaf.  As they were deaf they obviously had no idea at what volume they were communicating with each other and let me tell you they were loud, not obnoxiously loud but loud enough to draw glances from the other patrons.   I don't know whether I am allowed to say this but it was quite amusing they were not harming anyone and it didn't bother G.O or myself but they did make us chuckle.  As we drew back into Bury station I started to get myself ready, I have been on these trains and the crush to get out is ridiculous, what I had forgotten was that this was a train full or adults and most were taking their time to depart.  As I stood up our neighbours made a loud noise in my direction and started nodding and winking and making obscene gestures.  I giggled, uncomfortably, grabbed my coat and fled.  I am now so old and fuddy duddy that this made me cringe.  Ah well I think I am finally at the age I was always supposed to be.

All in all a very good night out. 

It’s the most wonderful time of the year

Craftiness at its best

“They’re having a kind of Christmas fair at work. Do we want a stall?  You can make your flowers.” 

In October this sounded like a great idea, now with less than 24 hours I’m not sure it is.  I am up to my eyeballs in paper, ribbons and glue guns.  

Everything is starting to take shape, GO is baking butter and shortbread biscuits and we’ve started putting together our reindeer hot chocolate.

A bit of thought please

Don’t normally do the whole preachy thing on here (or anywhere really) but I’ve seen a few of these (Oh! We’re expecting.... Santa in six weeks) and they’re quite disappointing.  They completed disregard the pain of those who have/are suffering through infertility and miscarriages.  It’s just a bit of fun you say, unfollow if you don’t like it.  

Okay, I will 😊 

11th day of the 11th month

I wore no uniforms, no blue or army greens.

But I was in the Military, the ranks rarely seen.

I had no rank upon my shoulders, salutes I did not give. But the military world is the place where I once lived. I wasn’t in the chain of command, orders I did not get. But my dad is the one who did, and this I cannot forget. I was not the one who fired the weapon, who put my life on the line. But my job was just as tough. I'm the one that was left behind. My dad is a veteran, a brave and proud man. And the call to serve his country not all can understand. Behind the lines I’ve seen the things needed to keep this country free. My dad made the sacrifice... but so did the rest of our family.

I love the man I call Dad. Soldiering was all he had. But I stand among the silent ranks known as a Pad Brat.

Happy Birthday Papichen

I know you “don’t do” birthdays and doesn’t like a fuss.  Your favourite things are being surrounded by your family and lying on’t sofa. You are a great man and have taught me so much. When people say I’m just like you this makes me proud because you are fantastic.  

Happy Birthday Ginger One

Happy Birthday GO I’m looking forward to celebrating this day with you.  We have planned to go even further North to celebrate.

Jesmond Dene House Hotel

As a little treat for the Birthday Boy we had a break away at the Jesmond Dene House Hotel.  It’s a lovely hotel full of quirks and charm, only slightly reminiscent of Hill House (if you know, you know!)

On the Toon

During the summer we met up with a friend who was on her world tour of the UK visiting friends before she actually went on a world

tour, she arranged to come to us from Newcastle via the trains for on £12.  This obviously caught GO’s attention, little bargain hunter he is.  “I’ve never been to Newcastle.”  He said in a tone that implied I had not, some how, not let him live his life to its full potential as he had never been to Geordie land.  “Let’s go for your birthday.”  I suggested.    With that we are heading along the M62 on our way to a very swanky hotel in Jesmond Dene. After a delicious, although teeny tiny meal in the hotel restaurant we headed into town.  GO was relying on me for recommendations but as I had mentioned to him I usually just rocked up and followed the crowd, drink in hand.  So we did what all tourists do we asked the cab driver.  And so we began our evening on the toon by the quayside in a wine bar that I had visited long ago for a 21st birthday, it didn’t end well, sorry Beth (my roommate for the evening). This time was most civilised we sat outside and watched the world go by, it was chilly but they had outdoor heaters.  

We strolled along the quayside towards the Big Market following the cab drivers recommendations and headed for a tiny little old man pub.  It was full of locals who were not happy about outsiders we drank our drinks as quickly as possible and moved on.  Not too far this time, just across the road to a wine bar.  We found a couple of stools at bar and got chatting to the barman who made GO a special cocktail for his birthday, it was yummier than the Aperol Spritz I had ordered.  

We finished the evening by sharing a large doner kebab by the water before returning to the first bar to get a taxi back to the hotel.  In the morning GO wanted to and do some touristy things in Newcastle.  This is where I came unstuck, I’d never done anything touristy, has anyone ever been to Newcastle just to look around?  We found an art gallery which opened at three in the afternoon so we wandered aimlessly.  We did watch the Remembrance Sunday service and then did a spot of shopping.

We had a look at the Fenwick Christmas window display, it’s something you just have to do when in Toon.