travel – Page 2

Converted to camping.

It’s no secret that I used to hate the outdoors, and that the thought of camping would have made me laugh with scorn. Things have, however, changed since I’ve been with Jonny.

Prior to our getting together my camping experience was limited to annual long weekends in a sweaty 2 man tent at Leeds festival, and a couple of weekends away with the Guides as a child. I’d never been on a camping holiday (nor had I any desire to do so.)

I like my home comforts. I like a comfy bed. I like a toilet that I don’t have to trek in the cold to.

It turns out though that I am willing to live without these luxuries for a break away. We have an air bed so it’s not quite as awful as sleeping on the floor, and my ridiculously thick mummy sleeping bag stops me from getting cold. (I swear I’m part reptile; once I’m cold it takes me a LONG time to warm back up!) This trip we even had a little heater and a light inside our tent which made it infinitely more habitable. There are few things worse than getting dressed in a freezing cold tent!

We spent the Easter long weekend camping in Haltwhistle with some friends, then stayed an extra night to do some sightseeing on our own. The break was lovely and, dare I say it, not actually that bad to be camping! The shower block was lovely (and a welcome relief after we left our house with our shower refusing to deliver any hot water!) and I managed to deal with the walk to the loos since I knew it wasn’t forever!

I do like our little tipi, and am looking forward to a camping trip to Devon and Cornwall this summer. Especially knowing it’ll definitely be warmer than April in Northumberland! I’ll make sure to take pictures of our actual tent for you to see next time too.

Do you camp? Or do you prefer four walls?

National Trust Day Out #1

Last August we got ourselves a National Trust membership. Whilst at the time this felt seriously middle aged we’ve had some really lovely days out as a result of it! The National Trust ticks the things that we both love; history for me and outdoors for Jonny.

Our most recent trip out courtesy of our membership was to Acorn Bank and Sizergh Castle in search of daffodils. Here are a few shots from our day. My favourite part of Acorn Bank was definitely the variety of fairy doors and houses they had scattered in amongst the trees.

Sizergh Castle won for being daffodil-tastic though.

We’re currently planning a summer camping trip to Devon and Cornwall (where we’ll try to squeeze in some National Trust based days out!)

Which National Trust properties are near you that we should visit?

Day Out at Skipton Castle

Despite having lived in either Yorkshire or Lancashire most of my life I’d never visited Skipton Castle, which pretty much sits between the two counties.

This Christmas holiday (this is a VERY delayed blog post!) Jonny’s parents took us there for a lovely afternoon out.

It was bitterly cold but the incredible building more than made up for that. I hadn’t realised just how intact the castle still was. You could almost wander in and set up home there now. Albeit a very cold home.

We wandered around following the guide, marvelling at the 400 year old Yew tree, and investigating the 12th Century chapel remains.

I would definitely recommend Skipton Castle for a day out if you’ve never been before! I’m already contemplating taking Jonny back there once the weather is warmer, to take some photos of the fortress against a summer sky!

York Day Trip With The Mothership

A couple of week’s ago was my half term break (one of the definite perks of being a teacher!) Jonny was working so I spent a couple of nights back in Yorkshire visiting my parents and their mad spaniel, Purdey.

During my little visit the mothership and I went on our first excursion wedding dress shopping to York. I love York, it’s a city that will forever be special to me, not least because I lived there for 18 months whilst I did my teacher training.

The whole dress trying on and parading around the shop experience was surreal. Lovely but surreal. There was one dress I really loved but we’ve left it for now in case we see another one in future. To be honest, I’d more than happily head back for that one!

We spent the rest of the day pottering around the shops, having tea and cake in Betty’s and a lovely lunch of tapas before heading back to play with Britain’s biggest lapdog.

The older I get the more grateful I am that I have such a good relationship with my mum. Our days out are always fun, and something I thoroughly enjoy! Especially when they end up with us playing dress up in her 70s-tastic wedding dress!