uk roadtrip part 4: a visit to glasgow

After three delightful nights in Leeds it was time to say goodbye to Rafi (so hard every time) and drive north.


We had a lovely drive from Leeds to Glasgow. When we stopped to stretch our legs, this was the view. This country is ridiculous.


Stopped in Glasgow for some art! This is outside GoMA, the Gallery of Modern Art.


The Duke of Wellington with a traffic cone, of course. Apparently the authorities kept removing the cone for many years, but it always came back, and they had to accept defeat. :)


Looked at art!


Then we drove on to our destination for today, the lovely home of the lovely Katy and Nick.


Katy made delicious risotto for dinner ...


... and then Liam, Katy and me went for an evening walk.



<3


This hot chocolate assortment is up to my standards indeed!




Liam taught Katy a better way of tying her laces, something he has a passion for and would like to teach the whole world (I already did it the right way when we met, woop woop :)).


And then we hung out (and hugged Blåval) until late.


Also. It always warms my heart to see something displayed that I've brought into my friends home. This is a print we brought as a hosting gift a couple of years ago, and now it has a place on their kitchen wall.


And this is the Christmas card that I designed last year. It makes me so happy to see it here, in a foreign country, like a little piece of me that's still here when I'm not.

Rachel Zegler & Andrew Burnap | A Hand Meets a Hand

uk roadtrip part 3: a daytrip to bolton abbey

On our second full day in Leeds, Rafi took us on a daytrip to Bolton Abbey, where we'd never been before. It was a lovely day out with perfect weather to walk in, beautiful surroundings and the best company.




Rafi and I wanted to walk on the stepping stones, Liam opted for the bridge ("because falling in is absolutely the kind of thing that I would do" as he said).



Various balancing exercises needed to be performed!







Small bags of crisps were included in our packed lunches, this is the UK after all <3


We walked along the river Wharfe.




The Strid is a very cool (and dangerous) part of the River Wharfe, where it narrows significantly. There are lovely waterfalls but also really dangerous undercurrents in this part.




One happy walker!


Three happy walkers!


<3


We walked past (or rather, under) this bridge which I can't figure out the name of ...


... and then to Barden Bridge ...


... where we crossed and turned back on the other side of the river.



Yep, this really was a lovely place for a walk!



Had a peak into the priory and ruins on the way back to the car park.


Some duke or something lives here apparently.


And the yarn fairies live here <3

Keren Ann | Lay Your Head Down

uk roadtrip part 2: leeds

Look, it's Rafi! Also known in this blog and between Liam and me as the babest of babes. Because he is.


We left Brownhills on Saturday afternoon and drove to Leeds ...


... where we had for tacos for dinner. Yum!



Then we walked down the street to the pub ...


... and spent the rest of the evening talking about life, the universe and everything in the beer garden outside. It was such a lovely June evening, bright and warm and with delightful company.



And also, a good stout, and this is how I feel about that. :)


The morning after we took a tour of the local charity shops in Horsforth where Rafi lives. So many on just one high street! The charity shop culture in the UK is so different from Sweden. And much better.



These gents both came out with a few friends. I bought a pretty outrageous dress, I'll show you another time. :)


Then we walked down the street ...


... to take a stroll in the park.


My favourite British boys <3


In the afternoon we went into Leeds to do an escape room, something all three of us love, so we always try and do one together when we visit. This time we were joined by Raphael's girlfriend Hannah and her friend Rey. We made a good team, I think!


After that we went to the local board game came, Chance and Counters (best name of a board game café I've ever seen!) for dinner and a game. This is such a lovely cosy place.


We chose to try a new to us game, Cryptid. So fun!




And I may or may not have influenced most of the gang to get milkshakes for dessert. :)



And then we went back to Horsforth in the rain and fell asleep pretty quickly after a long, lovely day.

Monophonics | It's Only Us