Alphabet Dating - O Date!

For O Date we went Outdoors! We had a few hours before Kirsty's Doctor appointment so we used the time to go to Sale Water Park. We walked around, took some photos and had snacks - orange Lucozade, orange Fanta, Pickled Onion Monster Munch and Dairy Milk with Oreos. Whilst we were there we sat on a bench and read a chapter of Harry Potter. Then in the evening we also went to see Finding Dory which is a film set in the Ocean! We are going to go back to the water park with a picnic when the weather is better.

Why Autumn Is My Favourite Season

Summer used to be my favourite season when I was at school, purely for the Summer holidays. Summer in the UK is over the months of June, July and August and the school Summer holidays are 6 weeks of July and August. This obviously meant 6 weeks of free time, sleeping in, going on mini breaks and sleepovers on weeknights. However, I have always hated the sun. I hate feeling too hot and not being able to do anything about it. I would never wear a dress, I didn't even own dresses between the ages of 12 and 18. I did own a lot of jackets and jumpers though so I was always warm in Winter.
I think the reason Autumn wasn't my favourite when I was younger was because it was the time when school started again and you have to get back into a routine. After a 6 week break there is homework every night and 7am starts 5 days a week. I wouldn't look forward to it and I wouldn't enjoy it.

I'm 24 now, I haven't been in education for a while and Autumn has been my favourite for the past few years. It's a welcome break from the heat of Summer but it's not too cold outside. I find Winter can leave you with a cold nose and chapped lips and you start to want to stay indoors, but Autumn is nicer.
I love going for walks in the afternoon while it's still light but also being outside in the early evening as the sun is setting.

I love the different colours the leaves change and that it completely changes the way parks look. I find oranges, reds and browns scattered on the ground a lot nicer to look at than just green grass.

I love being able to wear lots of layers, I find it hard to choose which clothes to wear because I have so many, so in Autumn I can wear a few at once! I also love being able to wear scarves and gloves.

There are three main events that I love in Autumn. The first is Halloween of course. Dressing up and watching a horror film with a takeaway is one of my favourite things to do.

The second is Bonfire Night, possibly my favourite night of the whole year. I get to wear all of my layers and watch fireworks and light sparklers.

The third is Christmas shopping. All of the shops start stocking festive products and I start writing my Christmas list and buying things for other people. The Manchester Christmas markets are one of my favourite Christmas traditions.

There is also, of course, my fiancees birthday in November! I love being able to spend the day with her and watch her open presents.

Spring is a close second favourite, because it includes Easter and my birthday and the weather is similar to Autumn, but there is a lot more green!

What's your favourite season? What do you most look forward to in Autumn?

The Big Lunch

The Big Lunch happens on a Sunday every year, several of my local parks invited the community to come and have a picnic in the park and they set up music and children's games.
However, people do also have street parties or have some friends over.

I went with my mum and Kirsty to our local park, or as I used to call it, 'Duck Park'. 
The sun was out so it was a really nice, warm day. We took our picnic blanket and an umbrella to block out some of the sun, I get burnt very easily.
There was a local steel band playing throughout the day, a hut selling snacks and drinks, and free ice cream tickets for children.
We had fun watching all of the dogs and listening to the music and I went for a walk around the park afterwards and saw baby geese.
These are some of the photos from the day.

Did you go to any events near you for The Big Lunch?

What are your picnic essentials?

30 Day Book Photo Challenge - April 03

This was designed by Books & Cupcakes.

3. Spring Time
—Spring Time: New beginnings, a book set in the spring, a book you (re)read during the spring. 

The Secret Garden - Frances Hodgson Burnett

When Mary Lennox is sent to Misselthwaite Manor to live with her uncle everybody says she is the most disagreeable-looking child ever seen. It is true, too. Mary is pale, spoilt and quite contrary. But she is also horribly lonely. Then one day she hears about a garden in the grounds of the Manor that has been kept locked and hidden for years.
And when a friendly robin helps Mary find the key, she discovers the most magical place anyone could imagine...

I'm not sure if this book is set in the Spring but there is a lot of emphasis on exploring the gardens; flowers, green grass, blossom trees etc.
I really like this book, it's one of my favourite classics. It has such an exciting storyline which really swallows me up every time I re-read it.
I got a new copy for my birthday a few years ago which has a cover designed by Lauren Child, my favourite illustrator.