And some you win

Even the amazing cherry Madeira cake my friend baked for our weekend was smiling

I had a brilliant weekend. A good friend came to stay which proved to be the very antidote I needed to chase away much of the residual negativity following recent events. I love entertaining and having guests means a really good clear out, a proper tidy up, a deep clean and a fresh start.

Pop! This could be my new favourite beverage

I had prepared a simple dinner and we chatted, well, like old friends. Suddenly it was 11pm.

Saturday’s activities started with a jaunt up breezy Pule Hill and a good look at Simon Armitage’s Snow, carefully carved into the stones halfway down.

It’s such an enigmatic setting for a poetry reading. On the way down we had an encounter with this remarkable looking insect:

Then on to the open day at Dark Woods coffee near Slaithwaite where we refuelled in the busy mill.

It was getting hot so back we went to HQ to rest and refresh before an early dinner at Norman’s.

My first taste of their small plates last summer was unforgettable and I had been keen to find an excuse to return.

It was almost full at 5pm. We ordered from a mouthwatering menu. I don’t drink alcohol and I wanted something refreshing but not overly sweet. Our waiter suggested a Botivo spritz.

It complemented the plump juicy Gordal olives perfectly:

Plate upon plate of appetising delicacies arrived at our table. Look:

Beetroot with a tumble of harmonious accompaniments

Nduja scotch egg – we concluded that it didn’t need the mayo

Kombu ice cream, strawberries and Nori cracker alongside beef fat fudge (sounds weird, tastes divine) with an espresso chaser

Replete from our feast, we walked steadily up to West Nab. The barn owl swooped enigmatically nearby.

Sitting on the magnificent stones at the summit watching the sun set as perfectly as a scotch egg yolk was a great way to celebrate the summer solstice.

My friend is an excellent photographer – look how long my legs are

Most visits chez Rare Bit involve a good few hours at Yorkshire Sculpture Park. A haven of creativity immersed in nature, it never fails to deliver on so many levels.

We started in the Chapel where a cascade of thick Rapunzel-like braided tendrils streamed out of the window above.

Inside the cool chapel, the scene was slightly more menacing:

Then on to the Weston, bypassing Damien Hirst’s humongous statues, where there was an intriguing exhibition called Rise featuring rope.

We spent a lot of time in the park looking at the outdoor sculptures. We didn’t see everything but we did see the latest work by Damien Hirst. Regardless of whether you love or hate his works, they definitely incite discussion.

Finally we went to the Underground Gallery to view Hold This Earth, a new exhibition by indigenous North American artists.

It was way too much for me to take in so I’ll be returning to have a proper look. Meanwhile: