stockist! & a place to visit

hello there!

I have good news, oh yes! I have a new stockist :)

my tin of goodies on a beautiful dresser in the gift shop

Thanks to a stall at Threshfield School Summer Fair, my wares were spotted by the lovely Amy of Kilnsey Park who then asked if I fancied stocking my Ditsy delights in their gift shop. "Oh yes, I would!", thought I, but hopefully I was outwardly more controlled and professional than I was feeling inwardly. I mean, what a compliment...being approached by a potential stockist not only shows that they like your products but, that they like them enough to share with their customers. A fair compliment indeed, in my book.

view of the shop towards the entrance

So, up I ventured with my bag full of goodies and a very patient boy (we had to go straight from school on Friday without giving George prior warning). Whilst I chatted with Amy, George was lucky enough to wander the grounds, feed the fish and fall in love with some ducklings (who very nearly adopted George & he them).

Even when a shop/gallery owner declares an interest in your designs, there is still that "will they/won't they?" apprehension when you finally meet. I'm happy to say that they did and thanks to Amy being thoroughly lovely and oh so calm, the visit was an entirely pleasant one.

the fresh food counter..fish pie, smoked salmon to name but two delights

It just so happens that when George was born, we actually lived in Kilnsey, in a cottage backing on to the park and the trout lakes...it is such a beautiful area with the magnificent Kilnsey Crag dominating the scenery. I had forgotten how lovely it is up there and especially at the park - there have been a lot of changes (all good!) since I last visited and it is now on our "to do during the Summer hols" list! (for me, mainly because the cakes looked scrumptious and the cappuccino that I had was, indeed, delicious...more sampling required, I feel!

fresh food, ice cream, homemade cakes, fresh coffee & a tummy rumblingly good restaurant menu

The park itself is a working trout farm as well as offering other activities for visitors, such as:
fly fishing; fun fishing; adventure playground; nature trails; gift shop; restaurant; red squirrel conservation programme; and the rare and beautiful Lady's Slipper Orchid.

my Ditsy Bird Designs rainbow trout brooch exclusive to Kilnsey Park

Whilst I was there, the park was preparing for a Herbs & Potions weekend as part of National Herbal Medicine Week...I only wish I'd known in advance as I would have loved walking through the grounds, looking for herbs, and then making up herbal vinegars and oils! Their next event is The Mad Professor's Bug Weekend (6th & 7th July) which sounds like great fun for bug fanatics, and then it's their 35th birthday weekend (10th & 11th August) celebrating 35 years for this family run business.

So, if you should find yourself in Upper Wharfedale, do pay them a visit and perhaps have a look in the shop for the tin of Ditsy Bird goodies.

Sarah
x

and relax

I have had a truly lovely day today, thanks to my mum and (part of) her birthday gift to me in March.

We both went to the Inside Spa at the Pendle Wavelengths leisure centre in Nelson, Lancashire for a Spa Experience.

After arriving, having a quick drink and signing the usual health and safety form, we grabbed our fluffy robes and towels and headed off to find the changing rooms. Swimming costumes on and it was spa time!

Two* blissful hours spent luxuriating in four different heat rooms:
• Aromatherapy With Essential Oils - quite warm and with a menthol vapour in the air, this started to increase our body temperatures and certainly cleared our airways! I confess I was a bit of a grumpy cow on arrival but, 10 minutes in here and I was relaxed and grump free. Result.
• Sanarium - slightly cooler than a standard sauna and with humidity..I loved this one and it warmed me to my bones.
• Salt Inhalation Steam Room - much hotter and more humid (obviously).
• Sauna - hotter still...I didn't actually make it into here as I'm not a big fan of 'super hot'...it doesn't go well with my colouring you know ;)

There were also Reflexology Footbaths - I so very nearly nodded off here! It's a good thing the bubbles are on a timer or I'd have been a-snoring ;) - Monsoon Showers (hot or cold), a Hydrotherapy Pool, an Ice Fountain and unlimited cold water to sup as we made our way round the spa.

*It's funny, when we first arrived, I couldn't see how we were going to fill the time but after an hour and a half we were so hot, relaxed and blissed-out that we headed for the showers.

The other side effect of the relaxing rooms was a raging hunger, despite having had breakfast before leaving home. Dry and dressed, we headed for our new favourite haunt, Cafe Cargo at Foulridge Wharfe for a bacon butty (Mum) and a Cajun chicken baguette (me) with a good kick to it, and a little more chatting. *happy sigh*

See...a truly, lovely day indeed!

In fact, so lovely that we have pledged to return soon...it's good for the soul don't you know and at mere £13 each, it would be rude not to.

I hope your Tuesday has treated you well.

x