SIGNS OF SPRING.

Earlier this week we went for a very short walk armed with mittens and my camera. I feel like I'm slowly getting back into using it and the few flowers fighting the cold wind were the perfect thing to capture. I'm grateful for the reminder that the sun is still there and we'll hopefully be seeing a little bit more of it soon!

NEW YEAR'S DAY.

Rewind a few weeks to a chilly walk around the woods to welcome in the New Year.

MY LEEDS/ YORKSHIRE SCULPTURE PARK.

This one is a bit of a stretch as technically, it isn't in Leeds but I'm going with it.

Towards the end of May, I headed to Yorkshire Sculpture Park with a few friends to celebrate a birthday and get some fresh air in the countryside. I've visited a few times before but not for a couple of years and it was really great to be there again. It's free to visit (just a car park fee) and there is so much to see that we didn't fit a lot of it in. I'm hoping to head back soon with a picnic when the sun is properly shining to explore a little bit further!

There are some permanent exhibitions that rotate around the grounds and galleries as well as temporary ones including the beautiful glass pieces featured below. Although it isn't a sculpture, the 19th century conservatory turned greenhouse tucked away on the estate was my favourite feature of this visit. It's quite small and the flowers were only just starting to bloom but it was so peaceful and pretty, such a nice space.

 THE INCREDIBLE IRON TREE THAT STANDS OUTSIDE THE CHAPEL IN THE GROUNDS.

 VENETIAN GLASS EXHIBITION BY LAURA DE SANTILLANA & ALESSANDRO DIAZ DE SANTILLANA. 

TWO FORMS HENRY MOORE SCULPTURE IN BRONZE.

 IT'S ENORMOUS! 

 WILDFLOWERS AND SO MANY GOSLINGS.

 DO NOT CLIMB ON THE SCULPTURES.

 BLOOMING.

 THE CAMELLIA HOUSE.

 FERNS.

THIS ROOF!

HARRY POTTER AT KIRKSTALL ABBEY.

Here's a post for your weekend..

Almost a year ago I went to my first outdoor cinema screening, blogged about here, and last month I headed to my second! This time it was the final Harry Potter film which for some unknown reason I realised I hadn't seen since it came out. Shocking. I have unashamedly been a big fan of Harry Potter for most of my life so I knew that this would be a lot of fun, especially with my youngest siblings to accompany me.

 JUST YOUR AVERAGE PHOTO OF CALEB AND A HOUSE ELF.

 POTIONS CLASS.

SET IN THE BEAUTIFUL, AND APPROPRIATE, KIRKSTALL ABBEY.

DUELLING VOLDEMORT.

 FIRE BREATHERS!

ALL SET TO GO!

I had the best time!

Not pictured - the owl flying extremely low over the crowds which unnerved a lot, hot chocolates and blankets (it was pretty freezing) and the camping chairs we unnecessarily brought and then stored under our seats. Ooops.

Have a lovely weekend.

xx

LEEDS FEAST.

May was a good month for food! The Leeds Indie Food Festival finished with a pretty epic feast held at the Tetley, filled with all sorts of food trucks, stalls and a ferris wheel. Unfortunately I didn't manage to make it to any of the events throughout the two weeks leading up to the feast so I was extra keen to make it to this. I'm usually quite restrained at these sorts of things but this time I didn't hold back and it was delicious. I had dumplings from Dorshi, pork from Norse, dessert from Noisette Bakery and coffee from Laynes.

It was so tasty and there was so much choice I ended up going back again the next day to try so of the options I missed out on! Very much looking forward to next year. Yum.

xx

MY LEEDS/ OAKWELL HALL.

I have been wanting to get outside into the fresh air for way too long but the persistent cold and intermittent rain we have been having as not been my friend. This week however, I got my wish and made it out to Oakwell Hall which is actually only about 20mins drive and I can't believe I hadn't been before! Accompanied by two dogs, a baby and my lovely friend Anne-Marie we braved a walk through the woods and despite questionable looking skies we were not rained on and even experienced some sunshine. 

Spring is most definitely on the way.

Hope you have a wonderful Easter weekend!

x

COME ON LEAVES, I'M WAITING FOR YOU...

PART OF WHAT USED TO BE A RAILWAY BUT NOW CARRIES WATER.

SUNSHINE, BLOSSOM AND GREEN LEAVES!!

OAKWELL HALL.

BUDS.

STARTING NOVEMBER IN STYLE.

This month kicked off with a trip to Oxford to visit my sister Asha along with another sister, Mia. The few days we were together for were really great and filled with long train journeys, exploring the city, country walks, keeping warm under blankets, a lot (but not too many) cookies and getting into the Christmas spirit! 

I am so grateful that this month has been and will be filled with family. Here are some photos of our time together.

THE PRETTIEST THATCHED COTTAGE.

AUTUMN, YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL.

I LOVED THIS LITTLE POCKET OF COUNTRYSIDE.

EXPLORING THE COLLEGES.

AFTERNOON LIGHT.

MAKING CHRISTMAS DECORATION (WITH THE HELP OF YOUTUBE).

BONFIRE NIGHT! (UNFORTUNATELY WITHOUT THE BONFIRE...BUT THE FIREWORKS WERE WORTH IT).

TASTY HOT CHOCOLATES, TIMED PERFECTLY TO WATCH 'THE HOLIDAY'.

HAVING A REST.

WE FOUND SOME FRIENDS! THEY WERE MORE INTERESTED IN THEIR FOOD THAN US.