Unhealthy Eating

We managed to collect about one and a half pounds of bilberries at Brimham Rocks on Sunday. Eleanor wanted to bake some muffins with some of them, so I used about a pound to turn in to jam.

They're such a lovely colour when they're boiling in the pan.

Eleanor made a batch of scones so that we had something to spread the bilberry jam on. Delicious.

I shouldn't be eating bilberry jam on scones but my healthy eating regime, which I started at the start of the year, has gone right out the window since the start of the school holidays when we went to Cornwall. I ate lots of things which I shouldn't have done and I just don't seem to be able to get back on track. I'm not stressing about it, I'm sure once normality sets in again when the schools go back next week, I'll get back in the swing.

Beside The Seaside

Mick has been watching the weather forecast for the last few days and decided that today was the day if we wanted to take a trip to the seaside. I'm glad I listened to him because we headed off to Whitby and it was a glorious day. What a difference from yesterday, we were all in t shirts.

I've never seen Whitby so busy. I expected it would have been busy yesterday because of the bank holiday, but never expected so many people to be visiting today.

I love all the little shops in Whitby. They sell such a variety of goodies that I could spend a whole day just looking in them all. One of my favourites is Bobbins wool, crafts and antique shop. It's housed in an old church hall and there's so many treasures to discover in there.

I didn't buy anything in Bobbins this time, but did buy something in Whitby Galleries. We've recently decorated our staircase and thought that this picture of Whitby's 199 steps would be just the thing to adorn the landing at the top of the stairs. I thought it quite apt.

After a walk around the other side of the harbour, we decided to head off to pastures new.

We discovered Sandsend, to the North of Whitby, last year.

It's great for dog walking, a great expanse of sand, and the sea is close by, which Archie approves of.

Archie loves a little paddle but isn't so keen on big waves and makes a sharp exit when he sees one coming.

A stone skimming competiton was held, I think Daniel won.

We all did a bit of beachcombing.

Even Archie likes beachcombing.

I added plenty of sea glass to my collection today.

Oh I do like to be beside the seaside, beside the sea.

A Playground For All Ages

Yesterday, we had a trip to Nidderdale in the Yorkshire Dales to explore Brimham Rocks.

As this information board explains, the rocks here were formed from Millstone Grit millions of years ago.

The site is now run by the National Trust and is a favourite for families. Children and adults alike enjoy climbing the rocks, which range from quite easy to extremely challenging.

There's some very funny shaped rocks too.

Some rocks look as though they've been placed on top of others, but this is the way that they were formed.

It's a large area, and there's a circular walk which will take you right the way round the rocks, but you can also stray off the pathway and make up your own route.

The scenery is quite spectacular too, with views over Nidderdale.

The area is known for bilberries, small very dark blue berries which, as it happens, are ripe at the moment. We couldn't go home without foraging for some, there were plenty to be had.

The downside of bilberry picking is the stains it leaves on hands.

Daniel and Eleanor went off for another climb before we headed home. My stomach would be churning if I'd got as high as they did, I don't have a head for heights.

All in all, a great day out, which I would certainly recommend if you're in the area, especially if you have children, young or old, they love it.

Finished At Last

My finished item for July is the blanket which I started over a year ago. I got it completed just before my holiday, as the warmer weather came along, so it hasn't been in use yet.

I'm really pleased with it for a first attempt. There's things I would do differently next time, but overall I'm satisfied.

It's quite a large blanket. 10 squares by 14 and measuring about 55 inch by 77 inch. It will keep us toasty and warm in winter.

I used Stylecraft Special DK and it feels really soft. It will be easier to wash being made from an acrylic yarn. I chose the colours randomly, popping my hand in to the bag and using whichever colour I chose, I think it worked out pretty well that way.

I'm not too sure about the border. I did one round of double crochet, two rounds of treble crochet, then another round of double crochet. I don't know whether my tension is wrong or what, but it ruffles around the edge. I don't mind though, it doesn't really matter.

Eleanor's already asking if she can have it, so I may just have to crochet another one. I might be a bit quicker next time.

Up Up And Away

How would you fancy a flight in a balloon?

This was flying over our house on Saturday evening, it was really low at first.

It took a while to notice that there was a second balloon flying alongside, it had already gone over the rooftops.

We could see the burners being fired to make the balloons fly higher.

It wasn't long before they both drifted off way up high in the sky. Just look how blue the sky is, we haven't had many days like that this summer.

I'm not a lover of flying so there's no way I would go up in a balloon. I'll keep my feet firmly on the ground thank you.

Baa Baa Black Sheep

It was forecast to be the hottest day of the year yesterday, and after a doubtful start where it clouded over and a few spots of rain were felt, it did eventually come good. Daniel was playing cricket and Eleanor wanted to spend a lazy day at home, so Mick and I decided to head off to Temple Newsam, a nearby Tudor-Jacobean house with lovely grounds which I've blogged about many times before. It's quite a novelty when Mick and I have time alone as for the past seventeen years, we've usually had at least one child in tow. Now it's a dog.

The farm animals were all out enjoying the sunshine. These sheep didn't give us a second glance, they must be used to lots of visitors by now.

The view towards the lake. I love how the grounds are planted with so many trees.

As we approach the lake we usually put Archie on his lead as he loves water and will jump in. We decided to chance it this time.

Archie's found a puddle.

I did say he likes water. Even muddy puddles have lots of attraction.

Fortunately, he hadn't got too dirty, but just to make sure, he goes in the little stream to wash off.

Happy dog with a dirty face after rolling around in unmentionables.

Cheeky chops. He looks like he's having a good time.

Time to go home so we walk back towards the house. There's lots of bare patches on the grass at the moment as Party In The Park was held there three weeks ago.

Bye bye Nanny goat and little kid.

We had a lovely day.

Holiday Reading

I managed to get through a few books on holiday, mainly books from The No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency series by Alexander McCall Smith. I completed the third, fourth and fifth books which are Morality for Beautiful Girls, The Kalahari Typing School for Men and The Full Cupboard of Life.

I also read Meredith by John Kercher. This book was written by Meredith Kercher's father after she was tragically murdered in Perugia, Italy in 2007. He felt that so much had been written in the media about the accused that Meredith had been overlooked, so this book is Meredith's story.

I finished reading Over Hill and Dale by Gervase Phinn, the second book in his Dales series, and I'm now reading the third book in the series, Head Over Heels in the Dales. I'm enjoying these books immensely, they're written with so much humour, and I do enjoy reading about the Yorkshire Dales.

I'm on the lookout for the fourth book in the Dales series now, Up and Down in the Dales.

Unlimited Ice Cream

It was Mick's birthday yesterday. He was working all day so when he came home we were ready and waiting to take him straight out for a meal.

We went to a Crown Carvery pub. Mick's favourite food is traditional Sunday lunch, so the pub we went to is ideal as it does carveries for just £3.99. It's no frills, but for that price I really don't mind. There's three different meats to choose from, I had turkey and beef, mashed potatoes, roast potatoes, five different vegetables, stuffing and Yorkshire puddings. You can go back for seconds and third helpings too, which Daniel took advantage of. Well, he is a growing lad.

I had printed out some vouchers which entitled us to free unlimited ice cream too. How good is that?

I think Mick enjoyed his birthday tea, as did the rest of us.

Another One

My last post was about the Sunshine Award, and rather like buses, once one came along it wasn't long before another one did.

Whilst I was on holiday, Sft from Sft's Travel, Mortgage Freedom, 101 And Life Goals awarded me the One Lovely Blog Award. Not long after, I was awarded it for a second time by Mum from Mum's Simply Living Blog. Thanks go to you both, I very much appreciate you thinking of me and I'm honoured that you think my blog worthy.

This award comes with a few rules.

1) Thank the person who nominated you.
Thanks again, Sft and Mum.

2) List seven things about yourself.

3) Pass on the award to fifteen blogs.

I've listed many things about myself in the past, but here's another seven.

1. I was born on my nana's birthday.

2. I honeymooned in St. Lucia thinking it would be the trip of a lifetime, but returned for a holiday two years later.

3. I love watching documentaries about true crime.

4. I hated sport at school but still managed to make the netball, rounders and swimming teams.

5. I always wanted five children but chemotherapy halted my plans.

6. I learnt to walk on the beach at Bridlington.

7. I was treated to an all expenses trip to Montreaux in Switzerland for being a top performer in the company I worked for.

I'm supposed to pass this award on to fifteen blogs but I'm going to break the rules here and pass it on to just three.

Anne from Marmalade and Catmint
Scarlet from Tales from Beyond The Nook
Ruth from Dian's Timpanalley

I hope that you will accept the award, though I understand if you'd rather not. I just wanted to let you know that I enjoy reading your blogs.