Exploring the Cow & Calf Rock, Ilkley

A few weekends ago Dixon, Eva and me made the trip to Ilkley! Its only 20minutes away but I've only been once before! This time we decided to make the short hike up to the Cow & Calf rocks. I read some walking directions before we set off which listed it as "easy", when we got there I realised the directions I had chosen started from the top of the climb. Ooops. The walk was tiiierrring, it was super steep! It was warm and I was dying haha, but I was proud of myself for making it to the top.

The climb was totally worth it, the view was incredible! It made me a little sad that I have lived so close by and never been before. We climbed right on top of the calf rock and it was covered in carvings people had made of their names, years they visited, hearts and where they were from. I found some from 1902! It was super interesting reading them all, I wish I had taken more photos of them.

We explored the moors a little bit too. Little ponds and some seriously beautiful trees. I got a couple of pinecones for my collection. I want to go back and have a serious explore next time. There are more cool rocks further in that I would really love to visit. Next time I'll probably tie by hair back... can you tell how windy it was?! My hair was basically one huge dread by the time we got down.

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Filey & Scarborough on Film.

I wasn't going to post this for a while (because my last post was photos too!!) but its SO dark here all the time now so I don't have chance to take and photos for new posts. Sucks working 9-5 in winter.

I love using expired film, the unpredictable photos you get are the reason I love to shoot with film. The problem with expired film is the ISO lowers the longer a film is expired, basically meaning your photos will be duller... which is a bit of a problem in England in October when I shot these. I generally get my film from eBay; I have no idea of its life before it gets into my hands so it may be lower than it would during its natural deterioration. This film was a ISO 200, and expired in 2006 so they're kind of dull. BUT I still really love how they came out.

I took these whilst on our log cabin trip. It was a really dull the two days we made the trip to the coast from the cabin, which kind of sucked. I regret not taking more photos, like I always do. I love boats and all the equipment that comes with them, and how the outside of sea-front shops look, but I hardly took any photos of them. I definitely need to go back; maybe when its a little brighter.

Camera: Olympus XA2 // Film: ISO 200, expired 2006.

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Dale Farm, Hunmanby.

Last week we packed up and headed out, three trains later we arrived in a tiny village called Hunmanby, North Yorkshire and to our little log-cabin for the next few days. The cabin was perfect. The log-burner totally made it. I have never wanted anything in my life as much as I want a log-burner right now. This post is kind of picture heavy, so click through!

Beacons.

Last weekend Dixon and me packed up and headed for the hills of Skipton, and Beacons festival. I've been to a couple of festivals before, but I've never actually camped at one! I was unbelievable excited to camp. Even if we were expected to get the tail end of Hurricane Bertha at some point during the weekend and I didn't really know how to pack for that. As far as festivals go, it was pretty chilled out for us! Being able to get a coffee on the morning from my favourite espresso bar, lunch from my favourite Indian street Kitchen and a beer from my favourite local brewery was unbelievable. Pretty much every band I wanted to see was on the Sunday, which kind of sucked because that was the day we needed to leave and the day the storm came... It got extremely wet and my wellies were definitely not water-tight. Thankfully, most of the stages were under-roof! Hopefully we'll be going back next year and the weather will be a little better. I can't wait to explore the hills around the festival site and spend more time in Skipton (that place is beautiful!).

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Far Away Friends.

Last weekend was the best weekend. I went to a butterfly house, explored an amazing park with a view of the sea, went on the best worst night out ever, cooked a huge pot of chilli (with a lot of help) for 6 people, ate chips at the beach, strolled down a pier, played car games and best of all, hung out with some amazing friends and the got to spend time with an awesome baby too. I stayed with my friends Amy & Anthony, and their new baby, Rory, over in Lancaster. Kate came up from Wales, and Steff, Charys and me drove over (thanks Steff!). It was so good hanging out together in one huge, beautiful house. I seriously miss having everyone in Leeds. Especially now Rory is around. Oh man, he is the best. We will definitely have to do this again soon.

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Williamson House Butterfly House.

A rained off trip to the beach turned into a trip to a butterfly house. I loved the butterfly house, all those beautiful colourful insects flying around, but it definitely made me skittish. I am not a huge fan of moths. And, moths and butterflies are pretty similar. So, Williamson House Butterfly House, its an Edwardian glass building and pretty impressive, although small. They had a pretty good selection of butterflies and moths, a little house for the pupa too (which was amazing), a few quails handing around and water running around the outskirts with terrapin and koi swimming around. I tried to remember as many names of the butterflies as possible.... but didn't do too well. 

The Owl Butterfly; see the owl eye on its wing!? 

The Atlas Moth, this photo doesn't portray how MASSIVE it is, super beautiful but ever so giantly creepy.

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