On Thursday, my good friend Simon and I had a shopping trip to Leeds. I love Leeds for shopping; it has many shopping centres and arcades that host a wide variety of shops.
A metal horse sculpture in one of the many shopping centres and arcades.
We mainly browsed. I didn’t buy much. But on the way back to the car, down a nondescript alley we discovered Global Tribe.
Global Tribe’s staff were friendly. I bought some cards, a candle and the following book:
Yesterday (Friday) Steve and I went to South Lakes Safari Zoo. I shall do a blog post with plenty of photos later.
In January my mum, brother, brother’s fiancee, nephew and I watched Peter Pan’s Musical Adventure in Blackpool. I went to Leeds to spend time with Robert and Neha. Robert & Neha are two of my most dear friends and favourite humans. Here are some photos:
Blackpool TowerMum feeding the 2p machines and feeding her habit at the same time.Left to Right: Me, Robert & Neha.Monopoly!
Me.The entrance to the main ruin (2). From the bridge was a sheer drop of at least thirty feet.My batch of handmade Pumpkin Spiced Scented Candles.One of my Pumpkin Spiced Scented candles. They just need some witchy charms tying to each jar.
The most well preserved.Remains of Walkworth Castle (1).Tynemouth Priory and Castle remains (2).Simon (right) and me (left) in the stone coffins. I couldn’t believe that we both fitted perfectly.
When my mum was a little girl, she lived in London with her mum and dad (my grandma and granddad). Every Sunday, while her mum was making the Sunday dinner, her dad would take her to watch the changing of the Guard and then into St. James Park to feed the ducks.
In June I was fortunate to unexpectedly see A-Ha with my good friend Jayne. Endless things broke including my boiler, car, new laptop and washer dryer.
July saw Jayne and I visit Chester Zoo. Here are some photos:
Butterfly (2).A close up of the baby elephant.My new lover! He’s the strong, wooden, silent type.This gorgeous beauty came to say hello and flirted with me (by winking with her big eye and long eyelashes) when I said ‘Hello Gorgeous.’ to her as she passed by.
September was particularly busy. A good friend, her son, two of his friends and I got close to wild animals at Blackpool Zoo. Here are some photos:
This photo of a penguin is most probably the best photo I’ve ever taken. The penguin was swimming at great speed, although you wouldn’t have guested. I looked at this photo when I got home and it looks like it was taken by a professional. A total fluke.Another of the beautiful tiger. Blackpool Zoo have two tigers from what we saw. The tiger is more than slightly moist because of the rain.This is how close we got to a Lion. Able to look in its eye and see the intelligence, along with the hunter instinct. He appeared to be eyeing us up as a snack. Blackpool Zoo had two male Lions living in the enclosure together from what I saw. They seemed pretty well bonded and one went and groomed the other while we watched.Quickly becoming my favourite animal, the giraffes. What I love about giraffes is that every time I’ve politely called over to one (in different Zoos I might add), they come over. They look at me with their big black eyes and some times, if I’m really lucky, they let me take a photo before they walk off.
Still in September I was unexpectedly (and lucky enough to be offered) a spare ticket to see the spectacular Shania Twain.
In October I self-published a poem Sometimes High, Sometimes Low:
Click for Full Size Image.
My mum, Kelly, my mum’s friend, her daughter and myself saw Matilda.
In November I went to a wonderful wedding and I watched Fantastic Beats: The Crimes of Grindelwald.
In December I had a great Christmas, shared with loved ones.
Overall 2018 was a busy year filled with the unexpected. Hopefully 2019 will be less busy, but with many good times, shared with friends and family. I’d also like lots more creative output from myself.
Robert & Neha are two of the most gorgeous, kind and wonderful people that I know. I am so lucky to have them both in my life.
I arrived in Leeds on Friday night. We talked, catching up on the last few years, drank wine and had the most awesome handmade pizzas by Robert.
On the Saturday we had a mooch around town, visited the oldest pub in Leeds (well it would be rude not to!) and had a game of Monopoly.
Monopoly!
I was the first out of the game, Neha had Lady Luck on her side, but in the end Robert won. We watched some of the wedding video, some Netflix and ultimately chilled.
This is what life is all about, I thought to myself on more than one occasion throughout the weekend. Spending time with people you love and care about. Having the time to converse and connect. To share good times with one another.
We’ve promised each other to do this more often. So Robert & Neha, if you’re reading this, my turn to host next time. I doubt I’ll be able to top the superb job you did. But I look forward to giving it a try and having another fantastic time.
Last week was a tough week. I needed cheering up, so head to my local supermarket and bought Nina Conti’s live show – Dolly Mixtures, along with some popcorn and a multipack of Curly Wurly’s.
Superb Ventriloquist Nina Conti presents her live show Dolly Mixtures on DVD, filmed in Leeds. The hilarious comedy show is a laugh-a-second and cheered me up no end. It’s part scripted and part improv, with Nina making herself the butt of many of her own jokes.
Nina starts the show with her long-standing puppet Monkey. Monkey presents a lateral thinking puzzle: A crowd is covered in strange lumps of foam, on the floor empty suitcases, an old mans clothes and a paint brush. What happened?
Nina’s Daughter and Inner Child who sings ‘My Face Hurts When I Play Guitar.’
Killer the Camp Dog who tells his story of how he raided Claire’s Accessories during the riots.
Stefan the Builder who is a step-in puppet that requires some audience participation.
Granny the Clairvoyant who shows off her clairvoyance.
The Human Puppets with Talking Mouths, which leads to more audience participation.
Granddad John the Painter who leads to a bizarre but extremely funny show’s ending.
Throughout the show, there’s plenty of good natured audience participation with the themes being: good fun & humour.
Nina is fantastically funny and by the end of the show my sides hurt because I’d laughed so much. The show ends by showing the lateral thinking puzzle, that even God couldn’t solve! LOL.
I’ve watched Nina Conti’s live show – Dolly Mixtures several times since I bought it and never failed to lose myself in laughter. If I star rated DVDs, it would be five out of five star.
