Monday (28 September) Ferry crossing was lovely and smooth, and an easy drive back to our friend’s home. Straight into bed…well it was after 10pm!
Tuesday, Relatively early start and good journey back to Pocklington. Visits to parents, and no need to cook as Nic’s mum fed us! Nic then headed off to Pop choir, as already missed three sessions and getting withdrawal symptoms.
Wednesday, Finish unpacking and laundry duties, not laborious as we had taken full advantage of washing machines at the Airbnb’s whilst we were away.
Thursday, Off on mini travels, separately this time.
Nic off to catch the early bus to York (added bonus of being able to chat to niece at the bus stop on her way to work ). Then a train to Manchester to meet Uni friends for girly weekend catch up. All transport went smoothly, so Nic met a friend at the Station in Manchester, bit of shopping for dinner, then off to our friend’s house for cups of tea and catching up…then wine obvs!
Rog also on Public transport off to Scarborough via Beverley to do a coastal walk up to Whitby along the Cleveland way.
Rog also got to see a performance of a new Alan Ayckbourn play, at the Stephen Joseph Theatre in Scarborough, The Trial of Romeo Oscar, plus a Q &A with the man himself. Checked into the Premier Inn for a comfy night before the walk.
Friday, Rog embarked on his walk after a visit to Scarborough Castle. Along the coast for 16 ish miles, before arriving at the Boggle hole Youth hostel for the night. Worth visiting just for the name.
A meal was an available so gladly taken, and an early night.
Nic and one of her friends decided that a cinema trip was in order. The choice was Wartime drama Pressure, or Practical Magic. You can guess which we chose!
Afterwards a lovely lunch at Evelyn’s. By which time one of our friends had finished work and we were able to explore the Beermuda triangle! Which are several breweries in the Piccadilly area of Manchester. So great to have the option of lots beers to try, and in third of a pint glasses to limit the damage done too quickly !
After a shared Pizza to keep our strength up, we made it back to our friends house to await the arrival of one more uni pal. So clearly more wine and chat was had! Can’t remember the last time, I managed to stay up past midnight !!
Saturday, Girls off to a craft market first, in the beautiful Victoria Baths. No longer full of water, but loads of high quality craft stalls. Christmas shopping commenced, plus coffee and homemade sweet treats!
Then we headed to the RHS Bridgewater garden. Unbeknownst to us, a new part of the garden had been opened the week previous. The Chinese Scholars garden.
This area was quite busy, as expected, but there was plenty more to explore, plus some lunch, although disappointment when the cafe had run out of cake in the afternoon!
Never mind, it left more room for lovely drinks and food that evening at a smashing local small plates and wine venue. An easy walk too, always a bonus. Maybe a cheeky cocktail too afterwards!
Rog meanwhile was completing his walk to Whitby, and, not to be outdone found the Brewery tucked away behind Whitby Abbey.
Then a couple of bus rides totalling just over 4 hours journey time, with some magnificent scenery. And a bargain price!
Sunday, Nic set off into Manchester to meet up with youngest nephew. Just started as a student at Manchester, so the offer of a Sunday lunch was gratefully accepted. Another good Google choice made of The Badger, it was as advertised a country pub in the centre of Manchester, with a great roast dinner.
Lovely to hear that student life has not changed too much in the last 38 years! At least from the social life point of view!
Nic then headed for the train, back in Pock by 6pm thanks to the timely arrival of the connecting bus.
Rog had a well deserved day chilling after the exertions of the two previous days.
Monday (5 October) Monday to Wednesday this week were filled with excitement such as dentists, hair cuts and catching up with family.
Thursday, Saw us heading into York, on a lovely sunny day, again by bus.
We started with a coffee and cake at The Merchant Adventurers hall. We then realised that Nic had free entry for us both using some Volunteer passes gained from volunteering at the local Gardens. Neither of us remembered having visited before, and it was a fascinating place, steeped in history.
Next it was time to take advantage of York Restaurant week. Booking a deal on a lovely lunch at 22yards Wine bar, overlooking the Minster.
Plus a drink or two beforehand in a couple of the quirkier pubs in York we had never tried.
Friday, Flu jabs!
Lunch at the café in Burnby Hall Gardens, plus alerting the staff to a hedgehog in difficulty at the far end of the Gardens. A hedgehog rescue volunteer came to collect them, so fingers crossed they will have been nursed back to health.
Then a video call catch up with a friend.
Saturday, We had been lucky to spot available tickets for Peter Kay at the Hull Arena a few months ago. Today was the day.
Again the local East Rider bus was our transport into Hull.
A matinee performance meant we could get a great tapas lunch, see the show, enjoy a post show beverage while waiting for the bus back to Pock, and be back in time for Nic to catch up with Strictly on iPlayer (for anyone not from the UK reading this Strictly Come Dancing is an Institution… google it !).
Sunday, Chilled Sunday, Roast chicken dinner, delivered as meals on Wheels to Nic’s parents as Dad was feeling a bit under the weather today.
Monday 12 October – Sunday 25 October
This two weeks was filled with catching up with friends and family, plus the odd appointment here and there, both for us and parents. Nic was eligible for a Covid jab this year so off she went for that.
We met Nic’s brother and wife in a pub just outside Lincoln on the Saturday 24th. Another slightly random Google pick, which paid off with a delicious lunch, although the journeys were characterised by the wind and rain of the first storms of the season. Everyone made it home safely!
