Bernard Manning, I tell thee...

Weirder sightings this week in the town. Driving off to Yorkshire on Saturday for a christening, we passed (and I apologise for the lack of photo here) a man dressed up as a woman. Not that strange, I hear you cry, knowing the "sorts" I've spotted recently.
However, this man was a dead ringer for Bernard Manning, bless him, and he had a ruddy face and more stubble than a burning field. And  he was dressed in a leopard print mini skirt and heels. At 10.30am on a Saturday... this place gets more nuts by the day.
And we were pretty sure he wasn't off to a stag do. He was a tad too mature. The husband and I were speechless. Maybe the sea air does something to people here...
Anyway, we had a hellish five hour journey to Yorkshire. The Princess had a washing-up bowl wedged beside her "just in case" (she wasn't, thankfully) and the Prince...the dear sweet Prince (I say with gritted teeth) decided to cry and whinge for the duration. Until we were two minutes away from our destination and he fell asleep.
But we had a good time up there. The husband was godfather to his brother's children and I fell in love with the baby niece I hadn't met yet and it was good to catch up with everyone.

The Princess and her cousin (born 8 weeks apart and they are very close)

 My sister-in-law and I both have the same first and middle name which meant that when we married brothers, we also ended up with the same surname. It is very confusing and I've never met anyone with exactly the same name as me.

Me and my sister-in-law (sporting identical names) and her beautiful peach

Can anyone tell I am a wee bit broody?
Look at me going "she's ALL mine!"

I bought a lovely soft cardigan from a charity shop which I wore today. It cost me £2 and is a kind of waterfall shape which I am never sure about but I love the soft, muted lilac tone and the fact it goes with everything.

And then after putting it on this afternoon, the sun came out.

I picked the Princess up from school and we hit the beach. It was gorgeous, it feels a long time since I felt the sun on my face. I worship the sun, in fact I swear one day I will look like the old woman from There's Something About Mary. The one with the brown leathery boobs.

She went and chose the most expensive cake...

The £2 cardie. Loves it, so I do

Skippy and happy due to the sunshine!

Me and old gorgeous chops (who WILL NOT pose)

Fun in the seaside park

 Onto other things, my giant granny square is.... a giant hankie now. In six months time, I predict it will be a giant napkin. These things take me time!

Let's face it, I'll be a bloody granny by the time I get round to finishing it...

And then last night I finally finished Me Before You by Jojo Moyes.  I can't say anything other than.....go and read it. Now. The best book I've read in a long time.

This is my "Don't get emotional" face

I feel quite bereft now it's finished, but seeing that I am hosting the Book Club on Thursday night and haven't actually read the chosen book, I may be slightly busy tomorrow night, page skimming!

 Oh and the weekend before last, my bestest, oldest friend (we've been friends for 32 years) came to stay for the weekend with her hubby and baby. It is a good arrangement as the hubby and hers get on like a house on fire so we're all happy. The weather was pants but we had a right laugh.  And all the kids behaved which of course makes things sooooo much easier.

She's the main reason I miss "home" (other than my family living there) and I wish I could see more of her and her beautiful little girl.

Ooh, and  I shall be getting a little more regular freelance work, following on from last week's brief which is wonderful. It means I can afford to go and treat myself to the odd thing now and again guilt free! And that will mean more charity shop scouring! Yippee!

Watch this space...