Socialising, sight-seeing, and lots of scran

I had a busy week again last week - with food playing a major part. I ate out so much that I think I've probably gained two stone in weight. I guess I'll be having salads all this week then!

Saturday - Hubby and I tucked into a Chinese takeaway after our monthly stint at the Grainger Market Art & Craft Fair. The fair was much busier this month. Hurrah!

Sunday - Hubby and I took my Mam out for Sunday lunch for her birthday and then we had a nice walk (and an icecream!) round the Saltwell Park spring flower show.

Monday - Met my big sis and Mam for a quick meal in Newcastle during my lunch break.

Tuesday - Not much to report: boring sarnie at work and homemade tea.

Wednesday - Morning at work and then a lovely drive down to Whitby for a last minute break with hubby (see photos). Checked into our stylish B&B, and then had gorgeous chips for a late lunch whilst people-watching. Had a good walk around the shops on the west side, and a very windy walk along the pier (VERY stormy sea). Eventually found somewhere to eat on the night after wandering around the streets for an hour (places either shut completely or with 'no food today' signs. Bizarre.) Another Chinese meal - restaurant this time.

Thursday - Huge breakfast in B&B - yummy fruit and yoghurt, and then a Full English! Walked it off with a trip up the 199 steps to Whitby Abbey. Had a good look round the church and abbey but it was blowing a gale and icy cold so not as nice as it could have been. Wandered around the pretty streets and shops on the east side, and then a tasty lunch and milkshake at cafe overlooking the harbour. Visited the very interesting Whitby Museum (loved the fossils and miniature ships) and art gallery in the newly-renovated Pannet Park. Posh fish and chips in stylish restaurant for tea.

Friday - another B&B big breakfast before checking out. Had a couple of hours in Whitby again as the weather was so good and we wanted to see some of the sunshine before it disappeared again. The tide was out so we had a good potter about the beach and the jetties before heading home. Gorgeous pub meal on night with pregnant friend. I haven't seen her for a few weeks so it was good to catch up. She looked really well and I got to feel the baby kick a couple of times! Very special.

Saturday - Lovely pub meal with Mam, youngest niece and 3-year-old great niece. The sun was shining again so we walked there and back (with a stop to stroke the horses) so at least some of the calories were burned off!

And so that was my week. LOTS of yummy food - but also quite a bit of walking too (so I can still fit into my skinny jeans!) I had a lovely week of socialising and sight-seeing and chilling - I hope you had a nice week too.

First Prize in the Gateshead Summer Flower Show

I got a First Prize for my crochet bag!
Woo hoo! There were quite a few entries in the 'Other handicrafts not mentioned above' class so I'm really chuffed. I just entered it to get a free entry ticket for the show, so I'm thrilled to get some recognition too.




Unfortunately my mam and sister didn't win anything in their class (Cross stitch work framed), but there are tonnes of entries in that section and it tends to be the unique items rather than the pictures from kits that the judges favour (there's still a HUGE amount of time and effort put into them though).

I took a load of photos today; here's some from the Amateur Classes marquee - the general public show off their stuff! It doesn't matter what you're good at - whether it be working with yarn, fabric, wood or metal; growing fruit, veg or flowers; baking or preserving; photography or painting - there's a class that you can enter.

Gorgeous items of handicraft, and tasty bakes.










Exquisite single flowers, and beautiful arrangements.



Huge specimens, and colourful varieties of vegetables.







More tasty and attractive baked goods, jams and honey. Mmmmmm...










And the kids had a few classes of their own to enter too. This fantastic garden is by Megan from Winlaton.

There were some gorgeous arrangements in the Floral Art marquee too. Some pieces told a story, others were traditional and colourful, some were structural and unusual - all of them looked fantastic!














We had a great day today. The weather was a bit wet and windy to start with but it did improve after lunch. At least we could dash into one of the marquees when the heavens opened; the poor stall holders outside couldn't. I hope the sun shines on them for the final day of the show tomorrow!

If you want to see more of the show, please come back tomorrow and I'll show you the work of the 'professionals' this time - plant displays from the nurseries, societies and colleges; and stalls in the Craft Marquee that I liked.