A quick catch up ......... (or not so quick as it turns out!)

Happy Wednesday!

What a gorgeous few days we're having here on the island ....... and the forecast is looking good towards the weekend too!

As it's such a lovely day we've decided to get out in the motorhome (again!), and make the most of the sunshine. We've been parked in a great little spot, not far from the beach, up in the north of the island in a place called Smeale.

Hubby's been working from the van (isn't the interent wonderful!), we had a nice walk along the beach after lunch, and we've decided to stay the night. 

It's so quiet and peaceful here, the locals look friendly enough ........

and apart from the odd dog walker or two, we've had the place to ourselves all day.  It's given me the perfect opportunity to catch up with you all.

It's been a while since I've posted regularly on here, and there's a few reasons for that.

1 ..... I haven't been doing much in the craft room ..... well nothing productive anyway!

2 ..... the CAS Mix Up challenge is taking a break ....... so no DT stuff to do there

3 ..... it was my birthday a couple of weeks ago, and the celebrations just seem to be going on and on for that!

and 4 ...... we've been off island in the motorhome.

So, as you can see it's been a little busy around here. 

My rather large birthday, that I wasn't really looking forward to if truth were known, was actually lots of fun  ........ turning 60 isn't that bad after all!

Celebrations started early with a whole day planned by Lauren.  Lunch out at the Little Fish ...... yum!

The food was amazing as always, and there were gifts and flowers waiting for me at the restaurant bless her! (Sorry forgot to take photos)

We spent the afternoon shopping in all of my favourite shops, and finished the day off at Brightlife for a massage and an evening in the Spa ........... just heaven!

Chris's partner Myra joined us up there too which was a lovely surprise  ...... and oooh! look ...... we had bubbly!

It really was a lovely day 💓

My actual birthday was just as much fun ........ family and friends round during the day (more bubbles!) a lovely meal out in the evening ....... mmmmm Lobster, my favourite!

A birthday chocolate fondant ......... I don't usually do dessert!

And ........  more bubbly from the staff at the restaurant

There was even dancing going on ........ once I got back home! 

60 ........ no problem!!

Then it was off to the UK.
We had to take the motorhome over for its service and habitation checks so we thought we might as well make a trip of it and do a bit of exploring, and try a couple of campsites.

We had a pleasant trip across on the ferry, not bumpy at all.  And after a quick overnight stop to see family and friends, our next destination was Knaresborough in North Yorkshire.

What a lovely place.  We only stayed the one night on a Caravan & Motorhome Club campsite which was lovely.  We'll definitely be going back there.  

In fact, the whole of North Yorkshire looks very inviting so we're already planning another trip there.

The campsite was just a short walk from the town and as it was such a lovely day, off we went.

We had a stroll around the town, with a cheeky coffee and cake stop off, then walked back along the river before heading back to the campsite.

It was a lovely walk but, I'll bet it's stunning along there when all the leaves are on the trees ...... we will definitley go back at some point!

The next couple of nights were spent in Nottingham at the motorhome dealers for the service ..... the night before and the night after!  Not much to report there ...... the service was fine.  Remi was all good, and they fixed all the little annoying things that had cropped up over the months. 

We did have a day out though whilst Remi was in the workshop.  We hired a car and spent the day at the Denby Pottery.  Well, we were so close it would have been rude not to go.   And who doesn't need new crockery every now and then!

Our next little stop was a place called Monach Lakeside Park in Lincolnshire ..... a certified location for the Caravan & Motorhome Club.

  

Why here? ......well, it wasn't very far from a favourite farm shop/butchers we found on one of our Norfolk trips.  Again, we were so close, we just had to visit.

We only one night spent here but, it was a great little stop over.   Very peaceful, very clean and tidy, and the facilities were brilliant.  We were the only van there so, apart from the guys fishing around the lakes, we had the place to oursleves ....... bit like today really.   It's definitely been marked as a future stopover.

From there we headed back up to Lancashire for one more night seeing family and then it was back to the Isle of Man.

Well done if you're still with me, it's been a long post.  I think I'm all caught up now though.  

I am trying to get back into the craft room, so hopefully I'll have more to share with you soon.

  

It's time for a cold beer now I think ....  Cheers!

Thanks for popping by ...... enjoy the rest of your day, and the sunshine if it's nice where you are.

Cheerio until next time ......