July Round-Up. 💛

Well July has bound by! So hopefully now I can relax a bit , I’m one of those lucky people that get a whole month off work in the Summer. Here is my July in a nutshell.

Reading ~ an actual book! It happened, I picked up a book and persevered. Maybe my reading mojo has returned. ‘The Tsarina’s Daughter’ gripped me from the beginning. Its a tale of indulgence, trechory, lavish luxury, dastardly plots and deadly revenge. Who is friend and who is foe in the Russian Royal Family? The young Tsarevna Elizabeth Romanov has to keep her wits ( and her head! ) in order to survive and gain what is rightfully hers. A sweeping piece of historical fiction that I thoroughly enjoyed.

The Tsarina’s Daughter.

Watching ~ another Channing Tatum film. Yep , he seems to be everywhere at the moment. Not that I’m complaining! Also Sandra Bullock ( who looks amazing) and Brad Pitt ( still got it) star in The Lost City . Definitely taking inspiration from ‘ Romancing The Stone’ and ‘Indiana Jones’, except with Sandy B in a figure hugging purple sequinned number, this is an amusing and rip roaring watch. Buy in the popcorn!

Sandra in a sequin catsuit ~ The Lost City.

Sipping ~ a Candyfloss Cocktail 💓. Yep this was definitely my favourite tipple of the month, and you can read all about my experience at Cloud 23 Here! The Cocktail is called a Metropolis if you fancy trying it yourself.

Metropolis in the Metropolis.

Touristing ~ and generally wandering in the general direction of Hadrian’s Wall which is about 45 minutes drive from our caravan in Melmerby. The most iconic site on the wall is probably Sycamore Gap , where a lonely Sycamore Tree sits majestically in a dramatic dip. Not sure if there is a more photographed tree in the country! We spotted The Sill Visitor Centre and walked up from there. I recommend The Sill for a mooch around the lovely gift shop and a walk up and around their wildflower meadow roof.

We also discovered Talkin Tarn near Carlisle. I wondered if this body of water was man-made, but actually it is a natural glacial lake. It was a bit damp and drizzley on our visit, but still very popular with sailing boats, paddle boards and other watersports. There’s a footpath around the tarn and a small cafe, gift shop and gallery in the boat house. ⛵

Sycamore Gap.

Talkin Tarn.

Celebrating ~ lots in July! Of course there is the fact that England won the Euros ..at last! I am not a sporty person ,but it is brilliant that such an amazing win will inspire all the young girls out there who love to play football. That includes both my god daughters who are eleven and twelve, they play for their local teams in Clitheroe. My niece too had a wonderful moment in July, she played Matilda in her drama group play. And smashed it! Proud family moment. ❤️

Lionesses Bring It Home!

10 Years !

And I can’t go on without mentioning this little blogs 10th Birthday! Can’t quite believe that in July I had been blogging on WordPress for ten whole years. I have loved documenting the good things in my life, sharing places I’ve enjoyed visiting and of course reading all your lovely blogs. The blogging community are such a supportive and interesting bunch!

To celebrate my 10 Year Blogversary, I am hosting a little giveaway. To be in with a chance of winning the above box of Extra Long Matches ( they are certainly super size! )in a beautiful box adorned with swallows, just leave me a comment below. I will put all names in a hat/teacup and pick one out at random , when I write my next post.

Thanks for reading. 🙏

Sunday Sevens ~ July 3rd.

Hi I thought I would join in with Sunday Sevens this week ,as devised by Natalie at Threads And Bobbins. Here’s what I have got up to lately! 

We booked a break down in Cornwall at the lovely Spring Park in the Tamar Valley.I am beyond excited as it is somewhere I have wanted to stop  ,ever since I discovered the owner Kitty’s blog,a few years ago.She doesn’t blog anymore ~ I think she’s just to busy with the park,two dogs…. and a new baby. Spring Park is a collection of colourful Showman’s Wagons,all beautifully done up and decorated with vintage touches.We shall be staying in The Duke, which even has it’s own Hot Tub.Roll on August.:)

I had an Amazing Surprise this Week.I got a nice little windfall from claiming back a PPI refund!  If your a bit like me ,and really can’t be bothered with stuff like that,then I would advise you to give it a go anyway. It’s something you can do yourself over the phone,without going through a company. My bank ( Barclays) simply gave me a number to ring ,when we discovered I had been paying £6 a month for a ppi ,that I didn’t realise I had taken out. Six weeks later…….and I’m feeling quite flush.;) Silly story though,I went on a mini spending spree,got as far as buying the above new bag and sunglasses……and promptly lost my bank card! I had to cancel it and wait for a new one.Spending Spree temporarily over.What am I like!

This week has seen the Season Six Finale of That show. That tv show that literally makes my teeth chatter whenever I watch it. Game Of Thrones has gripped me from the very first episode.And now it looks like the next season could be the last! But if it is, its set up to be a humdinger.Is anyone out there a fan? I kid you not about my chattering teeth!!

 

Yesterday I went to the Races for the first time ever.I went with Wil and several of his old work colleagues,a trip they plan yearly. There were certainly elements to the day that I enjoyed.I enjoyed dressing up for a day out and seeing all the lovely ladies parading in beautiful dresses and hats. It was fun to sip cocktails and prosecco. It was even fun picking potential winners ( or losers in my case), but then there was the uncomfortable moment when one of the horses didn’t want to race. The poor thing was incredibly stressed as several of its trainers tried to push it blind folded into it’s starting block. Then some stupid moron shouted ‘shoot the thing’ because the horse refused to play by the rules. Luckilly in the end that particular horse and rider pulled out. But the situation did make me think, is this really such a good day out? What do you think about horse racing?

And finally I will leave you with two pictures from the Euros. I’m not really a football fan but I do enjoy a good tournament. And if I was actually a betting type,I would never have fancied my chances with either Wales or Iceland.Who knows ,one of these passionate nations may just reach the finals. Good luck with your match this evening Iceland. Can’t wait to hear that Haka like War Chant! 🙂