Happy Guy Fawkes night!

We are currently in a place called Grinton which is about 1 mile from Reeth in North Yorkshire… we are here because it’s bonfire night and Reeth does a really good community display which we have been to before having stayed locally last year too…

Last year we were in a little caravan near Marrick Priory, but this year we are in a little cottage which is a lot more comfortable than I remember the caravan being! Last year was also very wet whereas the current weather, as I think it is in most of the UK at the moment, is dry but overcast… it’s not even that cold and just a bit “nothingy” – if that’s not a word it should be!

We travelled up to Grinton yesterday (04 November) with a lovely drive up the Dales following the Grassington Road from Skipton, through Cracoe & Kilnsey with it’s impressive Crag, Kettlewell, Starbotton, Buckden, Bishopdale, Newbiggin & West Burton… and, as we couldn’t check in until 4pm, decided to have a little stop and a stretch of our legs when we got to Aysgarth. We have stayed at the campsite in Aysgarth a few times so know the area a bit and decided to stop at the Aysgarth Falls Yorkshire Dales National Park visitor centre… there are a number of walks from the visitor centre there, and, in the part of the woods that go down to the river, they still had some of the Halloween decorations up (see photos below):

We got to Grinton an hour earlier than check in so headed for the nearby Dales Bike Centre Cafe & Cakery for a spot of lunch… yes, it calls itself a “cakery” because, as the website says, cake is their thing and baked daily by their own cake fairies (Brenda & Janice apparently!) 😆 – we have, of course, been to this cafe before and, as ever, there was a huge selection of cakes to choose from! Take a look at their website for more info: https://www.dalesbikecentre.co.uk/pages/cafe-and-cakery – it’s well worth a visit!

Today, 05 November, we have been for a 6.5 mile walk along the river Swale – a really lovely walk despite the grey and overcast weather with a bit of Geocaching along the way… here’s some pics:

After a late lunch back at the cottage, we had a few hours rest before walking the mile back to Reeth for the fireworks display…

Like last year, the fireworks were great and went on for about 35 minutes… as a taster of the display, here’s a vid of the first minute (if you have pets, maybe turn the volume down or off as it was a bit loud!?)…

And the 2-minute finale… hope these work for you!

Now we are back in the cottage… catching up with the Bake Off (can’t help myself! 🤣), and, although Pete finds it all fascinating, trying to ignore news of the Presidential Election in the USA – anyone else feel a bit anxious about the possible outcome of this? I’ve always thought this blog would be better off avoiding politics or religion but I really cannot imagine the world will be a safer place with Trump in charge of the big red button again for another 4 years… then again, I never imagined Labour would take some of the actions they have in the last few months if they won the UK election either, so what the heck do I know… 🥴😟! Maybe it really is time to head for the hills and hide away from the madness of this world! 😆

Oh, on a lighter note (well, grandma-ish note… which is allowed as I have been step-granny since my late 30s!)… this year, one of my New Year resolutions was to learn something new / a new skill. Despite having knitting in my blood as my Nan & Mum were both avid knitters, I am really bad at it (Louise, do you remember that masterpiece cardigan I knitted for Aedan when he was a nipper 😂😂😂?), so I thought I would try crochet… Diane Hickmott, you have a lot to answer for as I found your FB posts most inspiring! 😀

In January, I started my crocheting journey with a simple scarf which went ok… I then decided I would try something just as simple but on a larger scale… so started (back in February) on a nice, cosy blanket which I just finished – woohoo! Just in time for winter! It might not be completely perfect (or straight for that matter) but it is mine! I made it and I love, love, love it!

At least that’s one NY resolution kept! I am now moving on to Christmas decorations so watch out friends & family… wonky, crocheted decorations could be on their way to you! That is if they are easy & I can get them done before I go to Goa… perhaps it might be more realistic to say they might be on their way for Christmas 2025! 🤣

Night night everyone xx