Rain, rain............

Are you absolutely fed up of this rainy weather?  I know I am.  So I decided after work, and a quick trip to the hairdressers that I would drag hubby for a quick walk before we ate.

 Fortunately it seems to have stopped - I don't know how long for though.

 We had a quick walk around the neighbouring village of Wentworth

 It always takes me ages to walk around here as there is plenty to photograph

 I'm glad we made the effort - we both felt much better for a brisk stroll.

I don't think I have ever seen things looking so green!!

Hathersage Lido

So hubby picked us up, and as no one had to be at work, we headed over to somewhere that has been on my list for a while - Hathersage Lido.  I love Hathersage and with a Lottery win, I would move like a shot.  The open air pool is the icing on the cake.  It is spotlessly clean and really well kept.  As it was still technically out of season, we were allowed to stay as long as we liked, so we stayed all day - I really didn't want to leave.  The day was exceptionally hot and it was just a perfect day for it - and not too busy either.

 In fact I loved it so much that hubby and I drove across on Wednesday night for the evening swim session - which was incredibly refreshing.

 The drive across the Strines and Ladybower dam was stunning and added to our lovely evening.

 We approached Hathersage from a stunning back road - It's hard to imagine that you are literally 5 minutes away from Sheffield here.

 We had to stop to admire the sunset which was stunning.

When the hot weather comes back, we will go back again.

Girls

On Sunday, my sister and I had a very special overnight stay planned.  We were up very early to catch the train from Sheffield to Manchester - infact we were up too early so we had breakfast in front of Sheffield station - it was the most beautiful morning.

 Once in Manchester, we dumped our cases and hit the town.  The weather was more like Barcelona!!  Such a treat.

 The city was heaving with folk as the Manchester 10K was being run.

 We did some wandering about looking at the fabulous architecture

 And wandered around the newly regenerated Northern Quarter until we landed in the old Fish Market where we decided to have lunch.

 I wish the weather was always like this!

 We had much hilarity in an old French photo booth recreating a scene from our youth - I would have been about 13 or 14 years old in the old photo - my sis is 5 years younger than me.

 Then we washed and scrubbed up for our date and the reason for our trip - with Mr Manilow.

 He didn't disappoint - he never does.  We have lost count of the number of times we have seen him now.  We are proper bonafide Fanilows!!

 We sang and danced and waved glowsticks - he made our hearts sing.

 And then it was back to our hotel.  I have to say that room service breakfast on a Monday morning is something I could get very used to!!

Hubby had volunteered to pick us up the next morning and take us somewhere very special.  Whilst waiting in front of the hotel, we discovered Katy Perry and her entourage had also been staying there too - as well as X Factor Lucy Spraggan (who we noticed as her driver was a dead ringer for Paul Hollywood).  We loved our night away - it's always great to to keep in touch with your inner girl.

Freddie Gilroy - an ordinary man

Something new in Scarborough since we last visited was the statue of Freddie Gilroy.  You might never have heard of him - I know I hadn't.  He was just an ordinary man.  But when you read his story, you realise that he wasn't.  You can read his story HERE.  Like thousands of boys and men, he went to fight for his country and came back a changed person.

 I love this statue.  It is so thought provoking and visually stunning.

 We so often see statues of leaders and generals etc, but very rarely is the ordinary man commemorated.

 I stuck hubby at the side of it to give you an indication of the scale!!