I miss the sea when I’m in Leeds. Living on the coast, the air is fresh, the wind is a little too fresh, and you feel free. 

Being trapped in a landlocked city like Leeds or Manchester, I start to go a bit stir crazy. My closest saviour is the countryside. I love living in a city for the amenities and the liveliness, but I also like nowt better than hot chocolate in a countryside pub and a good old public footpath.

I had a rare Saturday off last week, and rather than blow it all on the same old £10 burger from some ‘industrial style’ restaurant where every man that serves you has a beard, tatts and an affinity for real ale, I decided to visit some of the countryside fairly close to where my boyfriend is from in Tameside. We visited Uppermill, a village in Saddeworth, Oldham.

It’s a beautiful village in a valley amongst the south penines, but just 11 miles from Manchester. We fancied a walk about, popping in a few little shops and a spot of breakfast (yes breakfast I actually got out of bed before 12 on a day off!) 



For breakfast we chose to dine at The Wagon Inn, located at the beginning of the high street, a gastropub with a lot of choice.

It wasn’t mega cheap, breakfast averaging at cost between £4-9, but for presentation and taste it was worth it.

I opted for a dark hot chocolate complete with marshmallows and cream, and to eat, eggs Benedict. It was the first time I’d tried eggs Benedict, and truth be told I thought it was always just something posh people ordered who couldn’t stomach a full English. Embarrassingly I did feel v sophisticated, tucking in at 11am on a Saturday morning, I’d have really felt the part had it not been for my doc martens and baby pink sparkly socks. 

Jack opted for a ‘mochaccino’, posh bugger, and pancakes with maple syrup and bacon. When it came out I did think they were taking the piss portion wise with just 3 pancakes at the £4-5 mark, although I had a try and they were incredibly fluffy yet filling.

After our delicious breakfast, we explored the little village some more. Of course I couldn’t resist going in a few charity shops- I’m doing a lil post later this week on my charity shop shopping tips!

Then we scooted off to Ashton to do what any sane person does on a glorious sunny Saturday afternoon, go to the Cinema.

We saw Bridget Jones’ Baby, which I know has received very mixed reviews. I didn’t find it as laugh out loud as the previous two, but it was incredibly exciting seeing bridget back on the big screen, and the ending is hugely satisfying and emotional. 

I feel like all I write about revolves around food.
Hopefully next week when I start back at uni again and attempt to restore order, routine and ambition back into my life
that I will suddenly be inspired to create more diverse content.

I have hundreds of ideas, but my photographer is fickle! So a lot of my content currently revolves around whether he can be arsed for me acting awkward infront of a camera for 10 mins.

I’ll see what I can do!

Thanks so much for reading,

Em x