Sarah was my sisters cheerleading coach so it was lovely when she contacted me to be her wedding photographer, I knew it would be a fun day, and it was just that! The weather was perfect for Sarah and Phil as they got married at the Clifton Arms Hotel in Lytham St Annes. This meant we could get some lovely photos by the sea and of course by the infamous Lytham windmill.
Last month Graeme and I had a little pre-valentines weekend away to Stratford-upon-Avon. It was a lovely two night trip giving us one full day in Stratford and half a day exploring the Cotwolds before heading home. We stayed at Ettington Chase Hotel, a gorgeous Victorian manor in the little village of Ettington. Ettington village was quiet with a couple of pubs and a convenience store, perfect for us as it was only a short drive (about 15 minutes) to Stratford-upon-Avon.
On the Saturday we spent a full day exploring Stratford-upon-Avon. I carried my camera round Shakespeare’s birthplace, Anne Hathaway’s House and the city centre as we browsed the various shops and enjoyed some of the cafes. As much as I enjoyed the day, I was way too cold to even pull my camera out of my bag as we walked around and so I didn’t take any photos that first day (bad, i know!).
The second and final day of our trip the weather was perfect; sunny with a mild winter chill. I managed to get a few snaps as we enjoyed a romantic driving tour of the Cotswolds.
We began our drive at Chipping Campden, a cute little market town at the North of the Cotswold Hills, well-known for its unusual and attractive High Street. The high street is noted to be “the most beautiful village street in England” and I must say, it was rather lovely! From there we made our way over to Broadway Tower, then followed the Cotswolds Romantic Roads Guide down to Broadway and on to Stanton. We lusted after the beautiful limestone cottages in Stanton before continuing our way to Stanway, stopping for a quick photo outside Stanway House’s impressive gate house. By mid-afternoon we had worked up quite an appetite (even after the ginormous buffet breakfast at the hotel that morning!). We stopped for Sunday lunch at The Halfway House in the hamlet of Kineton before circling back and heading North.
Before heading home we stopped for one last cream tea at Wayside Farmshop and Tearoom in Evesham. The tea room was cute with its mis-match of china plates and colourful teapots. It was there that we decided we would have to come back for a longer stay in the Cotwolds in the future, it is just too beautiful to visit for one day!
I’m not usually much of a walker but on Sunday I took part in the Peeler’s Challenge Hike organised by the Bury District Scouts in co-ordination with The Long Distance Walkers Assosiation (LDWA). A 15 mile walk visiting Elton Reservoir, Affetside and Peel Tower, and returning via Irwell Valley, Summerseat and Burrs Country Park. I was well up for it (mainly as I was feeling guilty having not been to the gym in over a week). It was also another chance to wear my walking boots that haven’t yet got their moneys worth.
We began the walk at the Bury District Scout HQ in high spirits as it wasn’t raining! After setting off at 9:30am, Graeme and I were at the back of the group for the most part, following them along the Elton reservoir and up towards Affetside. We almost lost the group when I came across a rope swing attached to a tree and had to have a go.
From there I battled through a lot of mud, a runny nose and rubbing boot to make it to checkpoint 2 where there were cookies!
It began to snow as we made our way over to checkpoint 3 at Higher House Farm (this was the beginning of my undoing). We were the last to make it to the checkpoint but managed to catch up to some of the others completing the challenge. Checkpoint 3 had cake! After that we were able to navigate our way up to Peel Tower by following the fresh tracks in the snow!
By the time we reached the 4th checkpoint at Peel Tower I had had enough of the snow. I couldn’t feel my hands or keep my eyes open due the wind! We retired when we saw the next Marshall at the 10 mile point. He kindly drove us back to HQ to recuperate. The hall was full of people looking accomplished after their days walk and we were able to have some hot food to warm us up
I felt like such a failure as I sat eating my corned beef hash and red cabbage even as they handed me my certificate. But I’m well up for trying again next year (if Graeme will let me join him again) Hopefully the weather will be better!
Well done to those that did complete the Peeler’s challenge especially those who braved the longer route (22 miles) in such snowy conditions!
We filmed a few parts of our walk just for fun, you can check out our ramblings below:
I just love Rivington, and I was so happy when Emma and Jon chose to have their engagement session there. It was a cold, muddy, windy day and Emma immediately regretted her choice of footwear, but despite the freezing conditions it was a lovely shoot and I can’t wait for their wedding later this year!
I’ve lived in Bolton all my life but had surprisingly never been to little village of Barrow Bridge. It was a lovely, quiet location for taking these engagement shots of Phil and Stacey last month.
Tag taken from milkbubbletea
I couldn’t pick just one! The Holiday is one of my faves, Elf, The Grinch and and Love actually are definitely up there too!
We usually get new Pyjamas on Christmas Eve but most presents we open on Christmas morning over ‘first breakfast’.
Going to my Nans every Christmas morning for ‘second breakfast’, Drinking Shloer with my cousins and pretending it was wine, Waking up and finding Father Christmas had left his sack of presents at the end of my bed.
I love all the foods at the Christmas market! This year I had some macaroons which were nice. I also sampled the hog roast with stuffing and cranberry sauce, a baileys hot chocolate and some cherry beer, yum.
My first Nikon camera. I got it in my first year of college and it saw me through both college and university as I completed my Photography degree. Even though I have upgraded since, it is the perfect blogging camera.
Christmas candles
I always spend Christmas eve with my family, we either go to the cinema or for a meal. This year we’re staying in, getting takeaway and watching Christmas films in our Pajamas.
For a long time it was an angel that Heather made at primary school out of a toilet roll tube, glitter and some tissue paper but we retired her for a glittery red star.
Without sounding spoilt I would say I always got what I asked for for Christmas (if I was good :p) though I didn’t want for much and was a very easy child to please! There’s a home video somewhere from one Christmas morning where I unwrapped a set of felt tips and almost cried with excitement.
Making : phone calls
Cooking : nothing
Drinking : a christmas tea from my advent calendar
Reading: emails
Wanting: today’s episode of Serial to go online
Looking: forward to the Christmas markets this weekend
Watching: my youtube subscriptions
Deciding: what to wear for the day
Wishing: Heather wasn’t at work today
Enjoying: that its only 10am and I’ve got lots done today
Waiting: for our ‘Mexican fiesta’ tonight
Liking: brushed cotton christmas bedding
Wondering: If i should go to the gym
Loving: my new Micheal Kors coat
Hoping: a package arrives today
Needing: to go food shopping
Smelling: makeup remover
Wearing: a fair isle onesie
Noticing: Heather’s christmas stocking has fallen down
Knowing: its 14 days until Christmas!
Thinking: I should start wrapping presents
Feeling: excited
Bookmarking: lifestyle blogs, still
Buying: i want to buy a chromecast
Format by: Meet Me At Mikes
TAKING STOCK:
Making : lots of lists
Cooking : well toasting…croissants
Drinking : tea
Reading: my feedly updates
Wanting: some motivation
Looking: for inspiration
Watching: the news
Deciding: what to do today
Wishing: I could go on holiday
Enjoying: a morning off
Waiting: for Graeme to come back from Birmingham
Liking: Noodle asleep on my lap
Wondering: If i should go to the gym
Loving: my new milk and cookies candle
Hoping: for a productive day
Needing: to get dressed
Smelling: breakfast
Wearing: PJs (nike joggers and a tshirt)
Noticing: the crappy weather
Knowing: very little
Thinking: about secret santa
Feeling: excited
Bookmarking: lifestyle blogs
Buying: doing some online window shopping