It feels like this week has been the calm before the storm as we get ready for the
Christmas celebrations. We have pottered around the cottage getting lots of small jobs done in preparation for a family christmas in the Dales.
However, all it took was a small window of sunny weather to entice us out for a night away in the van. With only a few weeks until we head to the Alps we got out the fondue set to get into the Alpine skiing frame of mind. I forgot how much we love the cheesy goodness and how simple it is to make!
I am also really excited as I am meeting up with one of my best friends from school, who I haven't seen for over 30 years, tonight. So much to catch up on!
A night away in the campervan
With the weather forecast looking reasonable on Monday, we decided we would head out for a last night away in the van before the festivities of Christmas set in. I made some Christmas bunting and we decorated the van to make it even more cosy, we even got round to replacing the fairy lights which we broke last year – I forgot how much they brighten up the van in winter. We headed to the northern Dales with a view of staying at the Tan Hill Inn which is Britain’s highest pub.
Sadly we were thwarted, usually you can pay £10 to stay over and have a few beers or a meal, but they were having some work done so had closed the carpark for a few days! We stayed for a beer, their Tan Hill IPA was fab, then headed off in search of a few waterfalls which the Swaledale valley is renowned for. With all the rain we have had recently, the falls were in full flow and quite stunning. With a change of plans we stayed at the Station Inn at the Ribblehead viaduct, one of old favourite places to stay.
A few crafty finishing touches to the cottage
This was the week I finally got motivated to do a few of the finishing touches to the cottage. I got the sewing machine out again to make the cushion covers that match the curtains, there was just enough of the highland cow voyage material to make a cushion that matches the lampshade (very twee!)
We also got round to framing and hanging some fab artwork we had found in a local charity shop of two of our favourite places – Malham and Huisinis Bay on the Isle of Harris.
Stepping out over the border
After living in the Dales for a year we thought it was time to be brave a step over the border into Lancashire for a hike! We can see Pendle hill from the cottage and met up with some friends who were staying at a holiday park near there. We set off from the really pretty village of Pendleton and did a low level hike up to the ski club. As soon as we get chance we will definitely be back to get to the summit of Pendle hill and explore the area more.
Family time
Our niece Isobel has just finished her first term at Lancaster Uni and we offered to pick her up for the Christmas holidays. It was strange being back on a university campus, it feels like such a long time since our 2 were away, and it’s a life time ago since we left Uni! Oh to be young again. We stayed at mums for a night and had a really nice family meal with luke and Charlotte. We love that we have the time to just potter and catch up with people, we definitely have more quality time with family now we are retired.
Celebrating 33 years together
Richard reminded me that it is 33 years since we first got together this week, dressed as Vikings and very definitely worse for wear! We were on a student night out doing the infamous Otley Run in Leeds. I mean, how could I have resisted such a fine viking warrior!
Christmas party in the village
We had such a lovely evening last night at the village Christmas party, it is one of the first evening events we have been around for since we moved here. It was nice to meet some more of the locals and get to know more people. The food was delicious and the atmosphere was fun, we look forward to more of these events - starting on New Years day with a ‘sparkles and bubbles’ afternoon around a campfire!
This week has seen a couple of YouTube milestones, somehow we have had a video with over 20,000 views on it and we went over more than a quarter of a million views in total since we launched the channel 16 months ago!
Hopefully I will be organised enough to get a blog out next weekend. We are so excited to have everyone staying in the village for Christmas. The first time we have been together as a family with boths mums and my sisters family for the holidays. I am just hoping that the wet and windy weather we seem to have had for months gives us a break so we can get out for a few walks.
Have a great week
Jackie and Richard
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