November

Some of my cosy November memories: spa weekend with champagne and chocolates, lights in the sky, glittery berry drink and my first Glossybox! My favourite products were the Stila shimmery eyeliner and Dermalogica face treats. Oh and not forgetting a bit of Barbie styling with my gorgeous niece!

Weekend wander

I spent a lovely pampering night in Woolacombe. A sunny walk on the beach, dinner at the Woolacombe Bay Hotel (Prosecco risotto, mmm...), a beautiful sunset, hot chocolate in the library at the Bay Hotel (I completed two whole books and had still had time for a browse through my guide to Paris), a very lovely sleep all finished off with breakfast in the Red Barn overlooking the beach. Just what was needed to refresh my soul...

Day 15 and 16

Back to Edinburgh to enjoy the fringe festival... I really, really love Edinburgh...
And what are the chances of running into old friends staying with family living on the out of town street where we parked? Beautiful synchronicity made for a fantastic night of fun and exploring the twinkly lights of Edinburgh festival at night. Loved the Spiegeltent. We watched Mitch Benn and Ben Howard then set of on a night time drive back towards the South West...

Day 14

Our day trip to the falkirk wheel...
A very wet day accompanied our watery adventure perfectly along with a yummy pasta lunch...

Day 12 and 13

A lovely friendly evening at the Barrels in Berwick upon Tweed. Cosy atmosphere, dancing, giggles and new friends. Then back across the border to while away the hours on  cafe sofas and in seaside arcades.

Day 11

Arrived in Edinburgh ready for our gig at The Village in Leith, lovely twinkly lights, antique chairs and gorgeous art and mirrors in the room, I am very excited!



Day 10

I have often looked at pictures of the Northumberland coast and wanted to visit. It really is as beautiful as I hoped and we were blessed with a bright sunny day today to see Holy Island at its best.

Day 9

Exploring Alnwick today. I absolutely loved Barter Books which is in an old station and filled with comfy chairs, second hand books and lovely quotes.

Day (7 and) 8

We will forget about yesterday when the van broke down (a common feature of our holidays!) Today I had a lovely day getting lost in Newcastle. One of my favourite blogs is that of Pink Bow so I used her city guide to shape my day. I shopped, visited the library and two art galleries and walked until I finally kicked my heels off at the Baltic. Bliss.

Day 6

One of the loveliest things about travelling is serendipity, when you meet people who change the course of your adventure with their wonderful suggestions. Following a night playing music in Whitby someone suggested a festival in Staithes. What a stunning place it is, with unchanged cobbbled streets and a working harbour as well as some lovely people. We loved listening to the locals in the Tea Room and watching the waves at nightime following an evening in the Cod and Lobster.

Day 5

Woke up close to Whitby Abbey so spent the morning exploring and re-enacting various scenes from Dracula! When I was younger I was a model for the illustrations of Lucy in a version of the story and Whitby has been on my must visit list ever since. Next was Robin Hoods Bay for a pasta and wine lunch. We stayed the night there in a seafarer's room at the White Owl.

Day 4

Sunshine and ice cream on the road to Whitby...

Day 3

Having spent a morning at the Turkish baths we are now in the beautiful village of Ripley where we treated ourselves to yummy cheeses and deli treats for a picnic... My personal favourite was the cheese that tasted like fudge!