do you remember that feeling… the one where you have butterflies in your stomach… meeting someone new for the first time? someone you have ‘met’ through blogging and feel close to but you’ve never met in person?

we had a friend come to visit. one i have struck up a friendship with since a book swap we both participated in about 2 years ago. we’d never met before and i had quiet moments of anxiety, wondering if this person i only partly knew would be someone to call a friend in real life…

i needent have worried at all. she is beautiful, playful, adventurous…

she came bearing gifts of fabrics and coffee beans (i knew we’d be friends from this moment – hehe). she also brought with her my new polaroid camera (found on etsy).

we took her to mudchute farm for a picnic lunch

then, took her on a mystery train ride – a daytrip to paris on the eurostar, eating croissants and drinking champagne for breakfast on the way over. we visited the Père Lachaise Cemetery,

merci store,

and had a picnic supper of bread, cheese and wine under the eiffel tower

us girls went shopping at my favourite girls dress-up store (two floors of pretty things), where my alter-ego had a ton of fun and bought two dresses; then we met nic for a good british sunday roast lunch

we took a trip to kew gardens to see the bluebells in bloom (#2 in my 101 things in 1001 days list)

we laughed, we drank, we spent time in quiet companionship.

we had the *best* of times.

easter weekend this year had us heading north by fast train to york (2 hours by train, about 4 in a car), then driving out into the countryside of north yorkshire

we’d found a small stone shed on the internet that we fell in love with and were so happy to discover it was free that weekend.

every single detail had been considered in this inviting place. from fluffly cotton bathrobes and crisp cotton sheets to the beautiful breakfast basket of goodies and a bottle of local wine that greeted us on arrival. we felt right at home…

we drove through the north yorkshire moors again and again. each time taking a new road, stopping for photos and to admire the stone crosses and grand views…

fields with stone walls lay out below us like patchwork quilts in shades of green

we found the local deli and had wonderful coffee. the lady in the store so cheerful and welcoming – just perfect for this kind of place…

we climbed up roseberry topping, then had a pint of the local lager in the nearby town where nic’s father grew up

we dined at the star inn, harome – a michelin starred restaurant (#9 in my 101 things in 1001 days list),

we explored the coastline, driving to robin hood’s bay

eating fish & chips down at the harbour in whitby

and exploring the beautiful tiny fishing village of staithes. shrouded in haar, staithes seemed to possess a beautiful and quiet magic.

we rambled, relaxed and explored, returning home feeling rested and rejuvenated.
thinking of *you* and wondering what new places you might be exploring

arohanui
x

candid pic taken by my beautiful and talented pixie-elf-faerymagical-friend caroline