As you can see, the sun continues to shine and the temperatures continue to make us Yorkshire dwellers feel like we are in high summer already. It's been absolutely glorious and seriously H☼T here today, I've loved it sooooooooooo much. After all the cold, wet misery of last week (when we had our central heating on, and our fire lit in the evenings), this week has been truly incredible, if a bit extreme.
But best of all, today I finally got to ride on a bus! YIppppppEEeEEE!!! I've been waiting to take a bus ride to Ilkely for weeks and weeks so that I could visit the gorgeous yarn shop there for essential rippling supplies. But it wasn't all about the wool (although boy, I am thrilled to have a fresh hillock of yarn balls in the Attic again), it was as much about the journey itself. You see, we often pass by the bus station in our town, and Little B is always fascinated by the rows of buses waiting for departure. I had promised him that very soon we would go on a bus ride, and I really wanted to keep my promise.
The bus ride was ace! The bus was a double decker affair, and we got to sit up on the top deck right at the very front. It was half an hour of continuous excited chatter from my Little Companion, oh my heart was fit to burst I tell you.
After a little gander around the shops, we walked down to the Riverside Park for a spot of play. The playground here is a good'n, even better on a week day when it isn't too crowded. We spent a lot of time on a wooden tractor pretending it was a bus. When it got too hot (and I really couldn't stand being the Ticket Inspector any more), I coaxed my little Bus Driver away from his beloved vehicle and we went in search of a picnic spot. We chose the above shady place under a cherry tree and settled down to rest and eat lunch.
We took our crocs off and wiggled our toes in the grass. The feeling of cool, damp grass on hot tired feet was utterly delicious.
My lunch was also delicious. I adore M&S salads, and this is one of my favourites. It's called "Lentil, Giant Couscous and Goats Cheese Salad with a Lemon and Basil Dressing". A real scrummy taste sensation which I would love to try and recreate at home....would need to locate Giant Couscous, I don't think I've ever come across this for sale in any shops? Anyone seen it/heard of it before? I love it. Mmmmmm.
After lunch, we toddled off to the little refreshment cabin in the park to buy ice cream. Oh boy, Little B's cup of joy did runneth over today. A bus ride and the playground and a picnic and an ice cream all in one day? Terrific! The latter was a messy affair, but all the better for it I'd say.
We took the bus home at 2pm and arrived back with 30mins to recuperate before heading back out into the heat again for the school run. The sun was still blazing down in the late afternoon, and the Little People sweetly requested that we go up to the park to eat our evening meal. It seemed like a good idea, especially as I had planned a salad for dinner which could easily be transported in a cool bag and eaten with fingers. Whilst in Ilkley I paid a visit to the famous Lishmans Butcher and purchased some of their medal winning sausages. I baked them in the oven when I got home (they were incredible), cooked up some buttery baby new potatoes and hard boiled some eggs. Then I packed up cherry tomatoes and cucumber, and a punnet of sweet English strawberries. Juice for the LP and a cold bottle of beer for J and I. It was a wonderfully simple but delicious meal.
The park really did look glorious in the late afternoon/early evening light.
Our picnic spot was right at the top of the hill at the place where the cut grass meets the undergrowth and the overhanging trees cast a dappled shade.
The undergrowth was looking so beautiful, a mix of dandelions, daisies, ferns, tall grasses and froths of lacy cow parsley.
I do have a real soft spot for cow parsley, it's incredibly pretty I think. I would love to scoop armfuls of it up to bring it home, but sadly it smells a bit yucky. Too yucky to tolerate in the confines of home.
Lots of dandelion clocks about too, which I love. Those seedheads are such a marvel of nature.
The trees in our neighbourhood are properly filled out now and I love that intense green of freshly unfurled leaf.
The colours, the light and the lush abundance of it all reminded me why May is my favourite month.
Everything is so beautiful and happy-feel-good when the sun shines and we can spend time enjoying the pleasures of Outdoor Living.
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Sounds like a fabulous time. I miss the days when my boys were this age and spending so much time outdoors doing the most simple things and having a blast. This has inspired me to make it happen again!!
Posted by: Outdoor Living | June 04, 2013 at 04:26 PM
Hello Lucy. Have enjoyed your blog for a while now, such beautiful bright coloured crochet work. You are so good to stick to one thing and work at it. Congratulations on getting in the "Simply Crochet" magazine. Well done.
My blog is noveltiesstitchesandbooks blogger but I have only just started and can't do pictures yet. Where is a child when you want one?
Bye for now. Pat.
Posted by: Patricia Klijn | June 30, 2012 at 05:11 PM
Where do you find the time, it amazes me how many wonderful things you produce... I have taken inspiration for so many projects from your wonderful site... Thank you.. Karen
Posted by: Karen | June 30, 2012 at 09:04 AM
I so enjoyed reading your post of your interview with Simply Crochet mag. Thanks once again for sharing all the tid-bits of your lifestyle, love for crochet, and all things in between. Loved all of the photos on your extended
interview allowing for a review of all of your projects bundled into one. I would sooo love for you to get a book project out as you mentioned. I would stand in line to buy it!
Posted by: Annie Bookser | June 23, 2012 at 07:48 PM
In the US, the "giant" couscous is call "Israeli" or "Pearl" couscous, and can be found at all markets in Southern California.
Posted by: Michelle | June 01, 2012 at 04:25 AM
Pearled couscous...also called Israeli couscous here in the US...just made a salad with it last night...16 oz. cc in 5 cups of boiling water...10 minutes. Done...add whatever you love plus dressing...
Posted by: Cheryl | May 29, 2012 at 04:27 PM
it's also called MAFTOUL, palestinian couscous
Posted by: Ennie | May 29, 2012 at 12:01 PM
Hi Lucy, the health food shop (where we knit and natter) was selling giant couscous a while ago. You have really captured how great Skipton is looking at the moment in this gorgeous weather. Nina
Posted by: Nina | May 28, 2012 at 05:47 PM
Nothing. beats eating outdoors,your picnic was healthier than mine, hubby and I sat and ate fish and chips Friday evening at dusk in the park, very romantic it was.
Posted by: Julie | May 27, 2012 at 02:54 PM
Giant couscous is available in the part of the supermarket that sells ingredients from other countries, in Australia it is sold as a basis for Jewish meals and so is in this section, perhaps you have a deli that might sell it near you if you can't find it in the other country food section (I don't know what you really call that section). The pictures of your local park are making me envious as in summer here it is too hot to spend much time outdoors even in the early evening. Or maybe I'm just a woose, as I don't like the heat, it's my english and dutch forebears coming through, ha, ha.
Posted by: Janice | May 27, 2012 at 05:56 AM
Lucy, here in the States the couscous you are referring to is called Israeli (Pearl) couscous. It resembles tiny round pasta. Great for salads and substitute for rice.
Posted by: Rose | May 26, 2012 at 09:13 PM
Hi Lucy! Love your blog which I came upon recently. All your crochet is wonderful. Just thought you might be interested to know that cow parsley looks wonderful with buttercups! We have a field near where I live in Dublin and at this time of year I always pick some of both as they look so good together!
Posted by: Wendy | May 26, 2012 at 07:12 PM
Hi Lucy,
As always your photos are so beautiful, as if you live in a fairy tale. You are always going in such beautiful and amaizing places. I put always one on my laptop as wallpaper and it gives me courage at work!!
Take care and continue to share these beautiful places.
Posted by: Nana9 and Mr Berry Pops | May 26, 2012 at 06:15 PM
What a great day you had! Who wouldn't have loved it? But where's the yarn? LOL! The picture of Little B with the ice cream cone is precious and his little feet in the grass. What I wouldn't give to relive those days when my children were little people.
Posted by: Sandra Licher | May 26, 2012 at 03:02 PM
What a wonderful day, lovely pictures too!
Posted by: Lianne | May 25, 2012 at 09:04 PM
I love your picture of the dandelion clock.
Niblet is also a big fan of the picnic, even if it's just in the back garden. If our park was as lovely as yours, I'd love to do the evening meal picnic!!
I'm also a lover of cow parsley, but more of it's skeletal form later in the year (I have many pictues of those umbelliforous beauties)
Posted by: Helen | May 25, 2012 at 08:23 PM
Funny you should mention outdoor living...I have just blogged about our plans to live in the garden all summer while we have the builders in! http://willowcottagegarden.wordpress.com/
I just hope the sun continues to shine for both of us!
Posted by: willowcottagegarden | May 25, 2012 at 08:16 PM
Being a recent newbie to your blog I am really enjoying your tales. You have such a way with words it makes your day come alive on the page. Thanks for sharing, x
Posted by: Alison aka cockney blonde | May 25, 2012 at 08:15 PM
Lucy I love your blog! I have two kids both girls who are growing up now (13 and 17) and believe me I miss those kind of days! Keep up the good work with your writing its a pleasure to read! :-)
Posted by: Tracy | May 25, 2012 at 06:47 PM
Lucy- have I told you lately how fabulous you are?! I just so look forward to reading your little snippets of everyday life. It is like visiting with a best friend. I love your blog so much that I just named you as one of my 'favorite five' on my own new baby blog-let. My ambition is for it to one day perhaps grow up to resemble yours- for you truly do inspire me with your honest and simple posts. much love and many prayers, Cara Louise
Posted by: Cara Louise | May 25, 2012 at 06:35 PM
Great time you had, love to visit your page makes me feel us if I was there, have a great weakend and keep sharing your country with us This August will be in your country to visit some good friend´s I have in Leed´s and Crewe .
Posted by: Ángeles | May 25, 2012 at 06:22 PM
I love your blogs. You are an incredible writer and you take me right to the park, or along the walk with the littlies. Thank you. And thank you for reminding me, again, to enjoy the natural things. Think I'll pack a picnic snack for me and the dog this afternoon. Have a great weekend. Leslie in So California
Posted by: Leslie W | May 25, 2012 at 06:21 PM
Every time you post pictures of the nature around your home, I am up for a treat. You are blessed to live in a beautiful country!. TFS.
Posted by: Shahrul Niza | May 25, 2012 at 06:04 PM
I just discovered giant cous cous - delicious!
The sun is blazing here too - my sun-dance skirt did trick! ;)
Posted by: Truly Myrtle | May 25, 2012 at 05:18 PM
Hello Lucy, I also love cow parsley - have you ever heard its other name - Queen Anne's Lace??!! Think it's much more fitting...
Posted by: Karen | May 25, 2012 at 05:17 PM