ROCKING YOUR WORLD FRIDAY - 42ND OF 2024

 Forgive me for my tardiness, work has been a little fraught this week and so Friday disappeared into a day of working from home and before I know it I'm on Sunday already, but I've been doing this post a very very long time, so despite it being very late I'm still clocking what is 

So last Sunday we had a belated birthday tea for my little brother, his birthday is at the end of September, but we were away so arranged for a meet up at ours last Sunday.  Given the autumn feel to the day, we decided warm food of the almost bonfire night type would be sufficient.  We made a chilli which we had in the slow cooker.  Cooked jacket potatoes in the oven like my Mum used to make them (directly on the rack and just cooked, no oil, no foil, no salt, just a jacket spud).  We had hot dogs and hot dog rolls, grated cheese and fried onions and it was very much a 'help yourself' spread if I'm honest. 

We also had two plate stands of cakes, a layer of cinnamon cake, a layer of lemon drizzle cake and a layer of orange cake, all homemade of course.  This was the table before everyone descended. 

Once everyone had arrived we had a rowdy afternoon (we Yorkshire people do like to chat) filled with stories and chats, we reminisced about Mum and most of us ended up quite teary, almost turning into a group therapy session but not quite.  My little bro received belated gifts and cards where he hadn't received them previously and it was a wonderful afternoon.  Everyone went home with a doggy bag of either savoury or sweet as there was still ample left and then the house was quiet once more.  Time with family nothing finer!

After work at the beginning of the week we went to the local shopping centre starting to browse for potential Christmas gifts, which helped to start to formulate a few plans on that front to take the stress off. 

Thursday and despite the roads being busy with mid-week traffic, we decided to venture to York to have a wander on their ghost trail.  We had a hiccup with our SD card for the main camera which meant a dash into the centre of York to find a WH Smiths before we could really start the trail.  We also only really had a 3 hour window as didn't want to get snarled up in rush hour traffic and had theatre tickets and dining booked for the evening, we didn't manage the whole trail but a good proportion of it. 

But before the main trail we found the Paddington bench which has recently been installed to celebrate the new film that is coming out and hubby insisted I have a photo with him, unfortunately I didn't have my marmalade sandwich to hand. 

Then onto the trail, this one is the highwayman

the chimney sweep

the Roman soldier

The groom

The bride

and my absolute favourite, the knight

this shot is my favourite as you can see the detail but also see straight through him, some amazing artwork I'm sure you will agree. 

I also loved the detail on the bear. 

and the painter

We headed home, got showered and went out for tea at the local college, pre-theatre dining.  The food was beautiful and to say they have only been there since September they did fantastic!   

Then on to the theatre for 'The Good Life' which for anyone who remembers the sitcom is the story of a couple who bail on the rat race and become self sufficient, Tom and Barbara I aspire to your lifestyle.  The woman who played Barbara was definitely channelling her inner Felicity Kendal and the lady who played Margot was fantastic.  A fun evening was had by all.

I hope you've had a good week, I've been on mass blog catch up over the last day or so, apologies for my tardiness recently. 

Hugs

ROCKING YOUR WORLD FRIDAY - 41ST OF 2024

 Morning all I hope I find you all well time to clock the positives of the last (normally week but this time it will be clocking a few weeks). 

Well as you may have (or may not have) gathered we've had a decent length holiday, we went for 12 nights to Rhodes with my sister.  It is 7 years since our last foreign holiday so we were definitely ready for it and we had a lovely time.  

Beautiful hotel, great weather, good company.  We ate too much but then all inclusives are slightly dangerous for that.  I drank my body weight in coffee and water.  We had days out and days just soaking up some vitamin D and resting and reading.  It was quite literally everything that I needed. 

I've chosen a selection of photos 

First up me and my sister on the plane ready for our break 

and all three of us

This was the view from the sunbeds, the Aegean sea, with a lovely breeze to enjoy the late summer temperatures.

We enjoyed visits to Rhodes Old Town, which wasn't too far from us

A trip to Lindos which was stupidly hot on the day we went

The Acropolis at Lindos really doesn't provide much in the way of shade

A boat trip to Symi wandering the streets soaking up the sights. 

With it's pretty harbour and dainty painted houses

Whilst there was evening entertainment every night, we preferred a later meal time and just to relax either inside or out next to the pool before an early bedtime. 

This was one of the first nights

We also managed a few photos of all three of us, we got captured by photographers on the first night and used the same backdrop area for taking a photo of our evening attire. 

This was the last night when we both had a little more colour

This was the church at the Monastery at Symi that we visited, absolutely beautiful inside. 

Our morning view, with the hotel literally on the beach, this was a view I could quite happily brought home with me. 

I had no expectations of the holiday, me and hubby have been to Rhodes twice in the dim and distant past, so it was nice to return and see some of the original sights. 

Since arriving home early hours of last Saturday morning, we've worked our way through all the washing (and there was a fair amount).  I've returned to work and got to the bottom of the in box (not that all of it is sorted but I'm getting there). 

Been into work for an extra meeting, which was fine and reminisced over the lovely break we had. 

I must say that I'd happily jump back on a plane and head off again right now if I'm honest.  

I hope you've all had a good week.

Hugs

ROCKING YOUR WORLD FRIDAY - 40TH OF 2024

 Morning all time for 

I hope you've had a good week, I've been on annual leave and will actually be heading back today, so I've prepared this in advance to say that I will catch up with you all next week when I've had time to download photos. 

I hope you've had a good week. 

ROCKING YOUR WORLD FRIDAY - 39TH OF 2024

 Morning all, I hope I find you well, time to put down our positive moments as part of 

Quiet week overall, autumn has definitely arrived with the trees starting to change colour but then we are getting later into September so it is to be expected. 

I've really enjoyed reading, I got some lovely books from my birthday, a Meik Wiking book which I've just started and a stunning Mr Finch book which I genuinely didn't think I would ever get to see let alone own, so I've been enjoying reading in the early evenings. 

It is definitely feeling cooler at night and the sun is definitely lower in the sky. 

I hope you've had a good week, not a lot to touch base on at the moment, but that's not always a bad thing is it. 

ROCKING YOUR WORLD FRIDAY - 38TH OF 2024

 Morning all, best foot forward this week and trying to get my post done on time. 

First up last Friday as some of you may know was my birthday, so we had a weekend at Center Parcs booked.  It was always going to be bittersweet because it is the first we've been there without my Mum. Center Parcs was her happy place and somewhere she genuinely asked to visit before she passed away, so we all knew it was going to be difficult. 

We travelled down early Friday morning with said (now) 24 year old.  We had a lovely catch up and chat, he made me smile so much because he was giggling away in the back of the car, I'd forgotten how much laughter there is when we are all together. 

Birthday photo of the 3 of us

We weren't in Center Parcs long before my sister arrived and we put the world to rights, had a Starbucks and had a wander to find our lodge.  We got in around 4pm, had a snack and were waiting on the rest to join us.  We had the quiz booked for 7pm and it officially started at 7.30pm and they arrived at 7.28pm (I kid you not).  We had a fun night and the oldies (me, hubby and sister) came 6th and the youngsters came 22nd.  

Saturday was said 23 year olds - 24th birthday.  We had a game of badminton booked. 

Then headed back for breakfast and present opening and painting in the sunshine and soaking up the forest. 

We also had a game of bowling in the afternoon and wander around the shops as well as a good walk. 

We had a swim in the early evening and then hubby set to on a barbecue for everyone. 

We showered late and came back to raucous laughter and the youngsters game playing, which we joined in, it was genuinely an education but we laughed a huge amount and it was definitely good for the soul. 

Sunday and the youngsters were all leaving early as they all had work on Monday morning.  We had breakfast, the weather was a little inclement but we all managed a walk which was lovely.  We sat chatting and then later on we helped everyone get packed and ready and waved them off. 

The villa was very very quiet when they had left, but we had a lovely evening and the weather had dried up so we had a wander to the village square and my hubby treated me and my sister to a dessert for after our tea. 

Selfie of us two 

We arrived home on Monday, got the washing on and chilled for the rest of the day. 

The rest of the week has tripped along at a merry old pace, with work and everything and I find myself back on Friday already. 

ROCKING YOUR WORLD FRIDAY - 37TH OF 2024

Afternoon, I'm days late, apologies it genuinely escaped my brain

Well this is the post to count the silver linings and positive moments.  

First up hubby, he is always awesome but he has been busy sorting things out whilst I've been at work and the list of things to do has been extensive. 

As well as that, he had a fabulous day making bread which is always good, the smell in the house reminded me of home when I was little and this is the fruits of his labour. 

He also made a fantastic pork rice dish that he hasn't made in ages that we really enjoyed. 

I decided I wanted to sort some alterations out on clothes as well, so I had a day of sewing and ironing, not something I do very often but it was necessary if I'm honest and I was glad when they were done. 

We also had the gutters cleaned which were much needed and means I feel a bit happier going into the winter months knowing they are clear. 

Apart from that I've been enjoying reading recently, I think I've re-discovered reading this year and it has been an absolute joy if I'm honest. 

And that my lovely people is the week that was.  Apologies that it is late and apologies that it isn't the most amazing post, but sometimes you do just have those weeks don't you.  

ROCKING YOUR WORLD FRIDAY - 36TH OF 2024

 Morning all (I know I'm a day late but time for) 

Well last week we were at the end of August, the summer starting to have an autumnal feel in the early morning.  

We had decided to go to Chatsworth Country Fayre on the Saturday, so Friday was spent sourcing foodstuffs in readiness.  

Saturday we set off bright and early, unlike last year when we had a whole tribe of people, this year it was just me, hubby and my sister. 

We were there just gone 9am, the park already filling up and stood to have a bacon and sausage sandwich and a cuppa before we set out on our day.  The sun was already breaking through, we had a wander around the craft stalls and then headed to the main arena for the mounted games, horses basically racing up and down whilst their owners vault on and off them, great fun to watch if I'm honest and a great start to the day.  

At the end of the games rosettes are handed out this year they had Alan Titchmarsh there doing the honours. 

We then headed over to the food area to browse the stalls which were really busy and then back to see the birds of prey and the country dancers on the stage.  

Then we headed along the stalls for an hour or so before heading back to the car for lunch and a drink, it was very warm out so we definitely needed the refreshments. 

After lunch we enjoyed watching the crazy acrobatic aeroplane stunts

before carrying on wandering, this is always a sight for me at Chatsworth

As is this

We headed back to the car around 6pm, finished off the picnic with a scone from the Signature Scone man and a cup of tea and waited to see if there would be any hot air balloons, alas none were visible so heading up 7pm we set off, before realising we had no photos of us three, so quick selfie shot. 

Sunday was definitely a day of rest as we had done 17,000 steps on Saturday, hubby had done 20,000.  We chilled watched TV and did plenty of reading before the working week commenced again. 

I've had another busy week, very audit focused but not bad overall.  Wednesday hubby was doing a boat trip so we had a quick tea that evening. 

Thursday and my annual autumn deep clean took on a whole new level of sorting, genuinely spent all day making headway and almost stopped around 3pm, but decided to plough on and to be honest, the majority is done.  I can tell I'm keeping top side of things better because it didn't take as long as normal.  

Hubby's car also went in for its MOT and surprised us all by passing first time, which we were amazed at. 

And that is my lot for this week, I hope you've had a grand week as well. 

Hugs