~More of the Summer Hols~

As promised a few more photos of mine and Laura's weekend away further up the Yorkshire Coast at Robin Hood's Bay. I found this B and B last year when we had a walk round RHB, it looked just my cup of tea and if I'm going to pay to stay anywhere I like it to exceed what I've got at home if you know what I mean, otherwise what's the point? So we stayed at Lynnfield B and B which is a beautifully renovated Victorian house at the top of the steep hill on the main street.  It was built in 1897 for the aptly named Captain Storm and it remained in the family until 2010 when the current owners bought it and renovated it - doing a fantastic job.

 We stayed in a twin room on the ground floor.  Look how lovely it was with crocheted throws and beautiful art deco lights...

 The view into the back yard...

 An original built-in cupboard housing some of a huge collection of Hornsea and mid 20th century pottery.  The breakfast room was also a showcase for more stunning pottery - have a look on their website for more pics.

 The matching art deco light fitting.  I would like to take this home!

 A pristine shower room with lovely toiletries...

 

Breakfast was delicious with lots of choice and local produce.

 

We didn't have the best weather - it was incredibly humid and grey at times with sun and showers thrown in...but we got out and about and visited Runswick Bay further up the coast which was very pretty and sort of like a Yorkshire Cornwall :)

I'd never been to Sandsend before either, which is 2 miles north of Whitby.  We loved it here with it's cafes on the beach, surf school, galleries and gift shops and fantastic beach.  I particularly liked Wild Hart gift and vintage gallery which also has a branch in York.  I fancy Sandsend as a few days away next Summer.

 

 

I like a beach with sand and pebbles as you know...

 

...and it was a fantastic place to find sea glass which passed an hour or two!

 

 

 

I hope you enjoyed that little trip to the Yorkshire coast again!



~Crochet ta-da and Summer Holidays Part 1~

I have to say I am really enjoying the summer hols - I know I am lucky to work term-time but I do only get paid for 39 out of 52 weeks so that's the trade-off isn't it?
I have completed a few crochet garlands - this one is the rainbow one I did in lovely cotton yarns (leftovers and bargain buys) for my cousin's daughter in Australia...

 Jack and I spent a few days in Filey last week and we had gorgeous weather apart from a crazy thunder, lightning and rain storm one day which you could see roll in from Flamborough Head across the sea.  Cue hundreds of people running to take shelter in the amusement arcade :)   I feel lucky as my friend's family has a bungalow there, so we get to go there quite often for just the cost of food and petrol. I really recommend Filey as it's a traditional seaside town and is absolutely pristine with plenty to do both locally and within a short drive.


 

Filey beach near the Coble Landing last Tuesday

 

I've made tomato chutney and blackberry cheese from the first blackberries in the hedgerows in my village.  The basic method I blogged about before is here. I love making fruit cheeses as you can eat them on toast or with cheese and cold meats. As they are sieved, they are a great way of using fruit with loads of pips or stones.

 

Also, when you go to the coast don't forget the neglected courgettes will swell to epic proportions...this one will be ratatouille-d later today for the freezer.

 

Back soon with some more seaside photos from further up the Yorkshire coast.

 

~End of July catch-up~

This last couple of weeks have whizzed past settling into the summer hols. I shall be speedy and succinct with a few photos thrown in...
Jack and I visited a PYO farm (Spuds and Berries near Selby see here)  The strawberries are nearly over but I wanted a few for some jam - PYO used to be the economic way to do this but I have to say the price of fruit per kilo was very expensive.  Picking fruit was part of my childhood; living in a Yorkshire village surrounded by PYO strawberry and raspberry fields. I think Jack enjoyed it (not exciting when you are 12) but I enjoyed showing him anyway so maybe it offset the cost a bit!

 

Nice set up with the strawbs on table tops for accessible picking, and rows of raspberries (a few ready) and blackberries (loads ready). The Farm Shop is nice too though we only bought some Yorkshire Rapeseed Oil

 

 

I'm making Chutney, Jam and Pickles as and when I can - the cheapest tomatoes I have found for chutney have been from Aldi.  I save my own tomatoes for eating as they're too tasty to put in chutney.  Looking forward to getting more donated glut fruit and veg from family and friends too.

 

 

 



I have finished my Polka Dot top, from the free Prima pattern I blogged about before.  This one fits much better - I made it a bit longer, adjusted the back darts and added a bit to the side seam.

 The invisible zip for the back cost more than the flipping fabric but never mind. A top for less than a fiver isn't too bad.

Much neater this time around!

I have been crocheting these flowers to make garlands as Christmas presents and also for my cousin's daughter who is visiting from Australia.  Fab way to use up odds and ends of yarn.  The pattern I based them on was from My Rose Valley blog (which is my current favourite blog to sit and read I just love it) and it can be found here

I'm also having a rationalising of cupboards/wardrobes and selling stuff on ebay to make some pennies. Holidays also give me the opportunity to visit different charity shops and have a rummage.  Latest find is this Early's of Witney white cellular single blanket, which was £2 and is like new

No expensive holidays here; just a couple of days away this weekend, and odd days here and there at Filey and Hornsea, with maybe some cheap camping in the Yorkshire Dales thrown in.   I've lots of odd jobs and decorating to do as well as crafty stuff, so I won't be bored -  though I'm sure my life might not be exciting to others it's what needs doing and I can't afford to pay anyone to do it!
See you soon x