What to do in York for a day

The Ordinary Lovely: York in a day

On Saturday, small handbag over my shoulder as opposed to a massive bag across my body and two children around my ankles, as is my norm, I headed off on the 8:59 train from Chester to York with my mother. A day of shopping, gossiping, nibbling and sipping ahead of us. Bliss, right? I can still count on two hands the number of full days that I've had away from my boys since my eldest was born nearly five years ago. Opportunities have been there but, to be honest, I don't really enjoy being away from them for too long a time. A couple of hours here and there to put my feet up, read a magazine or two, and eat slice of chocolate fudge cake as large as my head is my preferred way to recharge my batteries and enjoy a little peace and quiet. But having looked after two erratically-sleeping boys and a post-op husband for a week, a whole day of ambling at my own pace was much needed.

The day started cloudy but after a quick pit stop for a glass of wine at the York Food and Drink Festival (the food looked and smelled divine but we were saving ourselves for a special treat later in the afternoon), we emerged from the smokey, packed tent to beautiful, blue skies and bright sunshine. As it had been years since either of us had visited York, we decided to mingle with the tourists and brave both The Shambles (a ridiculously charming medieval street, once home to many butchers' shop and now packed with cute little stores and bars) and York Minster.

There are so many fantastic shops in York with gorgeously colourful window displays to tempt you in, but your eyes can't help but be drawn upwards to the medieval architecture. It's both beautiful but ever so slightly spooky at the same time, with the many signs dotted around to tempt you on a ghost walk of the city. Not for me!

Here are a few photos from our day ...

The Ordinary Lovely: York in a day
The Ordinary Lovely: York in a day
That bag contains my Christmas present!! It's a little too early to be excited, I know. But it's a new handbag!! And it's orange!!

That bag contains my Christmas present!! It's a little too early to be excited, I know. But it's a new handbag!! And it's orange!!

The Ordinary Lovely: York in a day
The Ordinary Lovely: York in a day
Who the heck is Alice? I feel like I need to research Mad Alice and why she had a lane named after her.

Who the heck is Alice? I feel like I need to research Mad Alice and why she had a lane named after her.

The Ordinary Lovely: York in a day
The Ordinary Lovely: York in a day
Possibly one of my favourite photographs. There's something quite Mary Poppins-esque about the York skyline. Step in time!

Possibly one of my favourite photographs. There's something quite Mary Poppins-esque about the York skyline. Step in time!

The Ordinary Lovely: York in a day
The Ordinary Lovely: York in a day
Beautiful York Minster.

Beautiful York Minster.

And the special treat that I mentioned earlier? More on that to come later this week!

 

Rachel - The Ordinary Lovely

I really need to do something with the ugly garage to make it as pretty as its surroundings. Added to the always increasing to do list!
AD | Remember a few weeks back when I mentioned that @weareknitters had sent me one of their beginners kits so I could knit my very own blanket? Well, I’m over half way and have definitely been hit by the knitting bug. It’s basically meant sitting with a slowly increasing in size woolly blanket on my lap for nights on end click, click, clicking away and despite sweltering under the wool, I’ve bloody loved it. Here’s a sneak peek at my progress. Isn’t it lush?! 😊
Smiling faces but inwardly seething. We’re at Chester races and our chosen horses are not romping home to victory. Still time, though, still time.
My latest craft project. Floral banners dedicated to one of the Kings of Britpop. I went to uni in the 90s so I have Oasis lyrics flowing through my veins. Pretty much everyone my age does. And I also have a bit of a soft spot for the chintz that seemed to adorn all the homes around that period, too. So, I started thinking about how funny it would be if, contrary to his bad boy image, Liam Gallagher’s living room was actually a homage to all things floral. I couldn’t quite get the contrast right on the photographs for the text to stand out but if you pop over to my blog, The Ordinary Lovely, you’ll be able to see them better on there. Maybe, you’re going to be the one that saves me.
AD | Remember the @studio.co.uk rug in my garden post earlier in the week? Well, this is its real home ... in my eight year old’s bedroom. I love it, he loves it, we all love it. It’s super soft and really packs a punch in terms of brightening up his room. What do you think? #StudioStylers
Beach days are brilliant whatever the weather. Thanks for coming with us @anoptimisticadventure. And now the sun’s come out, it’s home to get the bbq on 👍🏻
AD | I’ve been wanting to set up a cute picnic area in the corner of my garden for ages, but ... rain, more rain, and then a bit more rain, and then a whole lot more rain. Yesterday, I succeeded and just in time for my husband’s birthday BBQ (on a Monday night, yes I know, we’re crackers). I love my new wooden bench from @studio.co.uk It’s a classic. And so well made. The eco-friendly bamboo picnic set is also a winner - no more plastic or smashable plates in the garden. I stole the teal rug from my eight year old’s newly revamped bedroom. He wants it back but it’s perfect for the garden. What do you think? Been on any picnics yet this summer? #StudioStylers
I forgot to tell you. Last week, I went to the RHS Tatton Flower Show for the first time. It wasn’t quite what I was expecting. More amazing garden centre than show but we still had a fabulous day out. Swipe through the photos and take a look at the floral arch and tablescape. It was stunning. Now I’m off to hug the freezer and eat all the ice creams. How warm?!