Mandy

Gosh, I certainly don’t need to buy any more gift bags/wrapping paper.Just raked out my Xmas box. I save/reuse bags/tissue paper etc each year but didn’t realise I had so much stashed away! 😂 Making headway with gifts but with 20 people on my list, I have a way to go yet…. 🎁🧑‍🎄🎄

Sheffield folk events for the next 2 weeks: Samhain/ Halloween events, Remembrance Sunday events (it must be nearly time for carols).

Linen and Silk in the lyrics #textiles @tradsongtues.bsky.social Roud 340 Child 225 m.youtube.com/watch?v=DIuC...

On the theme of #textiles… A love song about a weaver and a factory girl. @tradsongtues.bsky.social Roud 17771. m.youtube.com/watch?v=XtlZ...

Had a small bar each of dark/milk chocolate and a bit of golden syrup that needed using up. Mini cornflake crispies made 😋 Not made any in ages 😁

She is on her way to me ♥️🧙‍♀️

One more gig to wrap up October coming up. Excited to be going back to the wonderful Cafe#9 in Sheffield on Thursday. Sold out Furrow Collective (Emily Portman, Alasdair Roberts, Lucy Farrell) gig. Meeting up with some Sheff folkie friends there too. Looking forward to it all 🥰

Thank heavens the wind has died down considerably. And very little traffic as it’s half term. Making my walk to work more pleasant 😁 Chilly but am well wrapped up. Monday has come around too quickly as it always does 😂

So happy we have just got tickets for Sheffield (York sold out). What could be more Christmassy than seasonal folky stuff, in a church,with Lady Maisery, Sid from Tarren and Sam Carter!? Will be magic! 🥰 Lucky to fit it in as have rather a lot of gig tickets for December as it is 😂😁

Just back from a rather lovely evening enjoying fiddle tunes performed beautifully by @samsweeney.bsky.social and Grace Smith over in York..🎻🎻 Lovely Full Moon tonight too. 🌝

Love this place - Sam and Grace on shortly 😁🎻🎻 #NCEMYork

Eek.. in my town ( nobody hurt thank goodness 🙏) I do need to go and post a couple of parcels really but may be safer to do that on my way to work tomorrow morning 😬

Looking forward to being in York this evening at one of our favourite venues, The beautiful NCEM. Seen Sam many times-with Leveret, The Remnant Kings, his trio and of course, Bellowhead. He always has a smiley face, a wave and kind words 😁 Will be good to see this new duo in a wonderful setting. 🎻🎻

My Sunday goal 😂 (well for most of it)

Flooded roads in parts but here and good to go! 😁🪕🪕

Was so glad of my “big coat” this afternoon- evil weather. Too windy for a brolly! Big mug of tea/scone enjoyed with a friend on my way home which was needed 😂 Pleased I prepared my teatime meal in advance to enjoy before heading out later. After I have warmed up and dried off a bit ha 😁

Going to see this in November when it is released. A girl’s day out being planned.. festive lunch and cinema 💕 m.youtube.com/watch?v=A7ly...

Lazy morning (bliss).Later I have my bodhran class followed by coffee/cake at a friend’s house.Tonight excited to be going to see Damien & Ron. Missed them on last tour. Had our tix since April. Happy that Sam Kelly ( we love Sam!) is part of the band tonight. A few folkie friends going too! 🪕🪕

Goodness. The weather has turned rather nasty here. Blowing a gale and bouncing down with rain. Glad I am hunkered down at home 😳

Nice catch up with my two recent traveling companions..weather ok for an alfresco hot choc.. always a smile/artistry from our lovely server Ruby. Work done for the week, food shop completed. Chill/rest time now until tomorrow lunchtime. Nice thought that is 😁

Pleased it is Friday. Work this morning then a coffee/catch up with a couple of friends later 😁 A fun, folky weekend coming up too 🎶🎸🎻🪕

Earlier this evening before heading to the Ropewalk, I stood outside for a few minutes. Clear skies. The Plough and Cassiopeia were shining brightly as was the gibbous Moon….Hundreds of very vocal Pink-footed Geese passed overhead in the darkness. Surreal indeed! 🤩

Just back after seeing this on stage at The Ropewalk.. what a talented actor Sam Blythe is. How he remembers everything and all the characters I will never know. Excellent one man show!

Ooooh 🤩 One of the best ever live bands and their album “ Turnstone” is one of my most played. Saw them in July 2025 and April this year - both times in Whitby. Shall be going to see them a third time during this tour 😁

What to do with half a tin of tuna, 2 eggs and a sweet potato that all need using up? Tuna frittata and sweet potato fries. Healthy, tasty, protein rich meal. Prepared/cooked in air fryer in less than 20 mins. Bloomin’ lovely 😋😀

Typically, thick cloud forecast tonight on the peak night for the Orionid meteor shower😔 Clear skies forecast after 1am - if I didn’t have to be up for work early, I would be setting my alarm to try see them. May have to miss the Orionids this year 😏💫💫☄️

We will get to see the Bayeux Tapestry in the UK one day - tried for the last wave of tickets (sold out) and today the tickets for Jan-Mar 2027 went on sale. No chance- sold out again! Next chance - tickets will go on sale in Jan for April onwards so fingers crossed we are third time lucky 🤞🏻

Aww lovely.. brilliant views of a pair of gorgeous Goldcrests ( Europe’s smallest bird alongside the rarer Firecrest) from out of the window at work 💛 Notoriously difficult to see/photograph as rather hyperactive - here are a few photos from my archives. Such an adorable little bird 🥰

A chilly 8c this morning. Heavy rain overnight which has thankfully abated. More forecast later so I am prepared. ☔️

A perfect task on a wild, wet and windy evening..sorting through my dried herbs/spices whilst listening to music. They keep well but once opened they do eventually lose their potency. I shall make a list of what needs replenishing. And the cupboard will get a clean too! 😁 🙌

Third and final contribution to today’s @tradsongtues.bsky.social This song has been covered by many including Fay Hield and Steeleye Span but sharing a more recent version here…. Roud 136/Child 19 #royalty m.youtube.com/watch?v=viv0...

Great evening as always with Bryony and Alice at the White Horse Folk Club last night. The floor singers/musicians were great too. Have a couple of earworms today so have sang my way to work this morning. 😂🎶

This song has variations/titles but all have a #royalty connection. Roud 32955 @tradsongtues.bsky.social m.youtube.com/watch?v=xUcX...

I particularly love Gigspanner Big Band’s version of Hind Horn but no video available so sharing another favourite version by Messrs. Spiers & Boden. Roud 28/Child 17 #royalty @tradsongtues.bsky.social m.youtube.com/watch?v=duHD...

Brilliant, fun night as always - lovely to catch up with you both again 💕 xx

Yuk. Not a fan of traipsing about on wet, cold, dark and windy mornings. Back to work for me today. Better get used to it as this is only the start of it and will get worse before it gets better. Best focus on the positives, have good happy things to look forward to, smile and just get on wi’ it 😂

Going to see this show. We all know the book/story I think although I only remember parts of it from my schooldays…The show has great reviews so will hopefully enjoy it. Something a bit different at least.. 😁 roperyhall.co.uk/2026/07/24/a...

Well that cooler air and brisk wind is blowing a few cobwebs away..nice walk being enjoyed to the haven/Humber bank. Had a bite to eat and done a bit more Christmas shopping..

Fab night at Nettleham Live with The Jaywalkers. Very different. Looking forward to being back there in 3 weeks time to see Bob Fox.