Wandering Curiosities • Page 3 of 8 • A Yorkshire Based Lifestyle Blog

December 14, 2017

The Hepworth Cafe Wakefield

How often do you get to go to an art gallery and eat amazing food? I’m gonna let you into a little secret The Hepworth Cafe. I was invited to the Press Launch and since then I’ve already been back twice.

The Hepworth is the Art Fund Museum of the year 2017. Thats kinda a big deal in the art world. Never mind a big deal for Wakefield. Add the collaboration between House of KoKo (which I love and frequent before work for a coffee) and Masterchef finalist Chris Hale you have a combination that is bloody amazing.

The Hepworth is a funny looking building designed by David Chipperfield Architects and overlooks the River Calder. It houses not only the The Hepworth Cafe but also some great artwork. I’d recommend going down for a couple of hours, spend a little time becoming cultured and stop off for a bite to eat and a coffee. I can often drag Kevin with me on the promise of a breakfast and a good coffee. He’s not really that into art.

Fresh seasonal food is on the menu and there is an amazing selection for vegans as well as non-vegans (carnivores?). The menu also features what I guess I call Kevin friendly food. Pie, bacon sandwiches, and even beer. So basically everyone will be happy to eat here.

Another surprise in The Hepworth Cafe is the wonderful Geo Fleur has a plant shop. And we all know that crazy plant lady is my middle name recently. All the plants in the cafe are for sale so if you spot the perfect cacti or fern you can snap it up and take it home with you. This is very dangerous because well along with wanting to try everything on the menu I also want to take all the plants home.

December 11, 2017

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas Mulled Wine edition

I write this as the first snow of the season is falling. It seems kind of poetic. I love winter, crisp days and fresh snow. Sadly I think the whole of England is covered in a blanket of thick snow expect this little corner of West Yorkshire. But it’s actually beginning to feel a little Christmassy.

Today I have put the Christmas Tree up and drank some home made mulled Rose wine. Which is most definitely the way to go. Ate a donut for breakfast and another one as a snack later. Christmas is the bestest. This one was an egg nog donut from Temple Coffee and Donuts and I think it may have been the best donut ever. Or it was the 3 mugs of mulled wine I drank while decorating the tree.

This year the tree is a little later up than normal. I’m a 1st December kinda gal. This year it fell into the depth of the 10th December. Moving house and fighting the battle of endless boxes, the last thing I wanted to do was unbox the Christmas tree and decorations. However my first free Sunday in a while and the promise of snow I finally felt a little festive. Time to make Rose Mulled wine and eat another donut.

Rose Mulled Wine

Open a bottle of cheap Rose Wine and add to a pan

Add 4 tablespoons of brown sugar to the pan and stir

Next add around 300ml of water and stir again

Chuck in 2 Schwartz Mulled Wine Sachets and stir again (these are absolutely genius)

Warm through for 10 mins but don’t boil as you’ll burn off all the alcohol

Take out the sachets

Now the final step add a glug of Creme De Cassis around 4 tablespoons

Pour into your favourite Christmas mug and enjoy.

December 8, 2017

Lates: An Adult Only Museum Evening – Bradford

An adult only museum experience, yes please.

I like museums but what I kinda hate is that often they’re full of small children interrupting my viewing experience. Sorry. I said it.

This is where Lates comes in to play. They’re an 18+ evening at a museum. That way you only have to contend with adults. Who are on the whole a lot less excitable then small children and you don’t trip over them quiet as much.

The Science and Media Museum in Bradford runs 4 Lates evenings a year and I went to one with Kevin. We went for a kinda date night. And because we are slightly space obsessed.

What we really went to see was the Soyuz descent module that Tim Peak returned to earth in after spending 7 months on the international space station. And it did not disappoint, look at this rusty, scorched lump of metal that safely carried 3 Astronauts back to Earth.

There’s something magical about space that captivates me. Maybe it’s the exploration? Maybe the longing for a past time when Man went to the moon? There were lots of activities held on the evening, one of these was to watch the Apollo 11 Moon landing on TVs of the era. A group of 12 of us sat huddled around a tiny TV waiting for the Apollo capsule to set down and for Neil Armstrong to step out on to the moon’s surface while uttering them famous words; “That’s one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind.” It gave me goosebumps and then the room erupted into applause.

May favourite moment may have been reliving 1969, Kevin’s was 100% situated in the 21st century. His choice of event for the evening was the Virtual Reality Experience. You popped on a headset and it immersed you into the world of Tim Peake and his descent from the international space station to earth. This was the only paid experience of the evening, but at £5 it wasn’t expensive at all. Kevin enjoyed it but said it wasn’t quiet as good as some of the VR things he has tried before at theme parks like Disney and Universal. VR tends to make me a little motion sick, so I saved my £5 for the gift shop!

We had a really good night at Lates and I think if they’re held on a subject that I’m interested in, then a trip back to the Science and Media Museum in Bradford will be worth it. There was a couple of events that I didn’t try, making rockets was one. Even though this was an 18+ event this activity felt a little juvenile. I was really looking forward to the stargazing with the Hubble Telescope but the company pulled out at the last minute.

Location

The National Science and Media Museum
Bradford BD1 1NQ

December 1, 2017

Christmas Crafting With Viking

I can officially get my Christmas on. It’s the 1st December and let’s get the mulled wine out and say cheers. And this is exactly what I did at the Viking Arty Party Christmas event.

Now my love for Christmas begins on the 25th November and not normally a moment before that. But when I was invited Arty Party, a Christmas craft afternoon held on an unseasonably warm October Day. I made an exception. I put on my Star Wars Christmas T-shirt and got into the Christmas spirit.

Tucked away in Lambert’s Yard was a Christmas wonderland, festive music, mulled wine and of course a tree stacked high with presents. I was ready to get my craft on.

Christmas Craft Afternoon with Viking – Block Printing

First up was block printing with Tea and Crafting, the last time I did block printing was maybe in art college 10 years ago. This time I went for a simple festive design. A Christmas tree design made from a triangle printed twice, something that could be easily replicated and made into a cute pattern. Who knew playing with paint could be so much fun? I’ll be storing all my Christmas cards in this file.

Christmas Craft Afternoon with Viking – Advent Calendar

Our next craft session was making an advent calendar; out of the most gorgeous glittery paper that a girl has ever seen. I mean it was bloody lovely. You know that glittery paper that your teacher at school wouldn’t let you have? Yeah that one. The good paper. The plan was to make 24 crackers and stuff them with little surprises to make a super cute advent calendar. I have slightly adapted this and made just enough for everyone for Christmas day, including crap cracker jokes.

Christmas Craft Afternoon with Viking – Calligraphy

Now this is the only picture I took, why because calligraphy is chuffing difficult. It took all my concentration to be able to write my own name never mind think about taking photos. Joyce from Artsynibs however did a wonderful job of teaching us, she made it look so easy and fluid. This is the craft that I have since tried again at home. I’m still no master but I am getting better.

Now then, a big thank you goes to Viking for inviting me to the #vikingartyparty. I had such a good afternoon getting my Christmas craft on.

Is there any Christmas crafts that you want to try this festive season?

November 23, 2017

Lets Talk About Surgical Scars

Scars …

Im not really talking about the emotional ones that we may carry, but instead I’m talking about the physical ones. In particular surgical scars. I saw Paige talking about surgical scars on her Instagram stories and how she was finally feeling confident with her body and her scars. I thought I’d join in the discussion, chat about my scars and how I feel about them.

*Pictures of my main scar included right at the end, not too gruesome but they show the progression from 2 weeks to 6 months. (I wont be offended if you click away now)*

If you’ve been around these parts long enough you will know that earlier this year I had surgery and not a little one at that. I had a Left Lobe Liver Resection.

I now have 3 scars on my abdomen, one just under either side of my ribs around 2cm long and the other is slightly larger and goes from inside my belly button down and is around 2-3 inch long.

These scars are part of me.

They tell a story.

One of strength.

When you google liver resection it brings up all sorts of scary facts, figures and images. The majority of these throw the word cancer in there, you know just for shits and giggles.

I didn’t have cancer, I had a Focal Nodule Hyperplayisa – FNH for short. A benign tumour on the left lobe of my liver.

I was lucky, my liver resection surgery went very well and they managed to complete it keyhole or Laparoscopically for those that want the technical term. Before I went into surgery though I was warned that I they may have to convert to open surgery which would have left me with a 8-10 inch scar.

Now not knowing what you’ll wake up with is a scary prospect but one that I was prepared for, it was always 50/50 to which set of scars I’d be left with.

You never know how you are going to feel about your scars until they’re there. Just looking at you back in the mirror. The scars will never quiet look like normal skin. They will change over time. They may start off raised and pink, fading to a paler colour. They may heal leaving bumps and ridges in your skin. Or they may heal beautifully smooth and in a few years may almost disappear.

They are as unique as you are.

I’m lucky as I never really had any issues with my scars, from the day I saw them I was happy. I am not sure if it’s because I was expecting the worst but they’re ok.

I am ok.

The scars don’t leave me hiding behind a full swim suit, I’ll happily put on a bikini, I am body confident when it comes to the scarring.

*It is also very difficult to take a picture of your own belly button upside down

This scar ranges from almost 6 month old on the left to around 2 weeks fresh on the right. The swelling and bruising went down pretty quickly and it has become flatter and smoother as time has gone by. I’ll more than likely do another update in a few more months to show how things are healing.

What I am trying to say here is that you shouldn’t hid behind your scars, or let them control you. Embrace them. They are you.

November 20, 2017

Happy New Home: An Update

We’ve only gone and bloody done it. Last week we finally got the keys to our new house. It’s been a long 12 months. From falling in love with a house on paper, to watching it been built, almost losing out to another buyer. A few more twists and turns including a 3 month stay with family. We are finally in.

I’m planning on doing a little series all about buying a house, in particular a new build, as this is our 2nd one so we know all the pit falls. Maybe some decorating/interior posts and all sorts of other bits.

For now, I’m back. Normal service shall be resumed as its been a little quiet around these parts. In the mean time come follow along on Instagram

November 6, 2017

3 Things To Improve Your Weird Mood

Is it because the clocks went back last week and it now gets dark by 5pm? Or awas it the full moon last weekend? I’m not sure. Maybe its a touch of SAD but there is a strange feeling that seems to be in the air. That slump between Halloween and Christmas. The one where you go to work in the dark and come home in the dark. Them damp grey days. Ok, winter can kinda put you in a weird ass mood, one where you are dreaming of summer.

So lets take a look at 3 things you can do to improve your mood

1. Get outdoors. Leave the screens behind, turn off your laptop, phone or tablet and shut down the eternal glow face. (Glow face – what I call the I’m looking at my phone and I should be doing something else and my face is lit by the device) Fresh air does wonders for the soul, it allows you to take a break and realise that there is a world outside that 15inch screen. Wrap up warm and go for a walk. Which links up nicely to number 2.

2. Exercise. Blah, I know. I know. On a cold November day that last thing you want to do it hit the gym or pool. But I promise you will feel better for it. We all know that endorphins are the bodies happy/feel good chemicals and guess what 10-30mins of intense exercise will start to release these bad boys and gals. So get your power walk on if you cant face the gym, you may start to feel better soon.

3. Have a sofa day. I do think that sometimes it is just as important as number 1 – getting outdoors. A day on the sofa, wrapped up is an excellent cure for a grouchy mood. Maybe you’re not in the mood to speak to another human? May you just need a nap? You can’t go wrong with watching your favourite film or tv series and just having some time to you. I find a fluffy blanket, a film I’ve watched a thousand times is sometimes all I need.

October 31, 2017

Pumpkin Picking at Farmer Copley’s

I’m a big wuss, I don’t like scary films. I’ve hidden behind the sofa at sleep overs and made friends watch a Disney movie with me after watching a scary film as a teen. Even now at the grand old age of 27, more than 1 episode of stranger things on evening creeps me out.

I’ve turned down press events to Halloween Mazes, bailed out on going to scare days at theme parks and cancelled on friends who invite me to horror film showings. I promise I’d be crying in a corner and not sleeping for a week.

But I also love Halloween. The kitschy Americanised version of Halloween. Not the creepy, scary kind.

$pumpkin patch field farmer copley pontefract$

With this in mind when Jennie and Gina wanted to go Pumpkin picking at Farmer Copley’s, how could I turn down that opportunity?

I picked up the 2 lovely ladies at the train station and we made our way in my trust beetle to the farm.

This wasn’t my first pumpkin picking rodeo. But hell it was the busiest.

$2 girls pumpkin picking with a green wheelbarrow at farmer copley in pontefract$

Farmer Copley’s was heaving. We weren’t particularly late in the day either, around 11pm on a Sunday. Putting our £5 deposit down on a wheelbarrow and off we trundled into the field.

We spent a couple of hours looking for the perfect pumpkins, the right colour, shape and size. Popping the into our trusty wheel barrow and moving on to the next field with the ‘fancy pumpkins’.

$fancy pumpkins orange and green at farmer copleys in pontefract$

Filling our barrow was really satisfying. We choose a couple of pumpkins each and then went hunting for a few more perfect pumpkin specimens. Unfortunately while we were out pumpkin picking, some cretin stole our wheel barrow and our pumpkins.

I mean honestly, we were shocked and surprised that someone would do that. Even though we were disappointed we decided not to buy any pumpkins as the ones we wanted were stolen. We had a great day that also ended up with a pub lunch at the Kings Arms, on the Heath in Wakefield.

After all we took cute photos and had a good time on an unseasonably warm October day. Thank you ladies that allowed me to go on a non-scary halloween / autumn adventure.

Location

Farmer Copley’s
Ravensknowle Farm
Pontefract Road
Pontefract
West Yorkshire
WF7 5AF

October 22, 2017

A Night At The Opera And Why I Won’t Be Going Again

Hi, I’m Michelle and I’m 27 and I didn’t enjoy the Opera.

I promise I am not an uncultured swine. But until this week I had never been to the Opera. And in all honesty I don’t think I’ll go again.

I went to see Pagliacci. Part of Opera North ‘The Little Greats’ series. Opera North calls these short operas with huge emotions, and there are 6 mini operas.

Ok, so I took my Mum as she had also never been to the opera and well Kevin didn’t want to go.

As the Grand Theatre has a bar, we went for a quick drink first and people watched as bar started to fill up. There was a very varied age group there, and no one thankfully in tuxedos and ball gowns (because you know that’s what the opera is in my head).

We made our way to our seats and got settled, we felt a buzz in the air and was initially excited as the orchestra started to play.

One of the actors (are they actors? Or do you call them singers? Performers maybe? I’m not sure) introduced Pagliacci in English and for a moment I forgot that the rest of the show would not be in English.

Honestly, it went a little bit down hill around 15 minutes in when I lent over to ask Mum if she knew what was going on. Spoiler alert … She didn’t. When I looked round, everyone looked like they knew what was going on, maybe they didn’t and they were blagging it?

Since Pagliacci was performed in Italian with English subtitles, for goodness sake don’t forget your glasses or you’ll be screwed. To the sides of the stage there were large tv screens that had the lyrics on. This was obviously needed, so you had a better idea of the story unfolding.

I’ve never been very good with subtitled films. (oh crap maybe I am an actual uncultured swine?) But I spend too much time reading the words and trying to match them to the foreign word, I end up missing half of what’s going on.

This is kind of what happened throughout Paglicca. I wanted to know what was happening, so spent my time reading the lyrics on screen and that meant I was missing what was on stage.

Now it wasn’t the Opera its self that I didn’t like, the acting and singing were amazing. It was short, topping out at just over an hour and definitely full of emotion, I was not bored. I was just confused.

The only way I can describe it is, when you go and see a musical and there is that 5 minuets that you lose the plot and you’ve no idea what’s going on. But then in another few minutes it all comes back and you get it again? Well that didn’t happen. For 60 out of the 75 minutes I didn’t know what was happening really. It just came together in the last few moments and I more or less got it.

It comes down to, would I go again? Probably not. I’m a little ashamed to say that we didn’t stay for the 2nd performance of the evening. We called it a night and went home and cut our losses.

Dear Opera, you were an experience but sadly not one I think I’ll be repeating again anytime soon.

October 9, 2017

Brunch at Farmer Copley’s Pontefract

When going for brunch on a Sunday it’s a bit important that the food is comforting, because let’s be honest you may be feeling a little delicate? A pot of tea and carbs are normal on the hit list. If not a proper full english.

Last week I wasn’t feeling delicate, if anything I just woke up starving after a busy Saturday. Getting up and dressed, I didn’t want to cook so leaving Kevin in bed, I drove to Farmer Copley’s in Pontefract for Brunch.

I am a massive fan of brunch. Pancakes in particular. American pancakes. I can whip up what I call ‘normal’ British pancakes in no time at all. But thick fluffy American style pancakes always allude me.

Of course ordered pancakes on this occasion with banana and maple syrup on the side. The pancakes also happen to be gluten free. So I have no idea how they make they so fluffy and yummy and gluten free. Mine would be a lump of lead if I made them.

A pot of tea for 1, it always feel indulgent but I do enjoy a proper brew. I also got a bottle of cherry and plum pop which was the best. I don’t know why I didn’t take more pictures of it because it was out of this world.

This wasn’t my first rodeo at Farmer Copley’s by any stretch of the imagination. I’ve been going for years. I’ve watched the little farm and cafe shop grow and grow. So much so that there is now a huge new cafe that located in an old barn. It is Moo by Day and the Beast by Night. The quality of the food never falters and I couldn’t say a bad word about the service. Even when they’ve been super busy, service has been quick, staff are helpful and resolve any minor issues.

What I will say though, is that on a weekend it can get busy. It has also kind of lost a little bit of the small farm shop vibe that I loved. It’s not corporate or doesn’t feel like a chain, but with the recent expansion it’s lost a little bit of that quaint family feel.

Now when can I go back for brunch?!