Viv, Northumberlandia and a hot chocolate

What a pleasure and a privilege it was to meet Viv Blake from Viv in France this week.  When a blogger suggests a meet up I’m initially delighted, then I get to worrying.  They will see the “real me” behind the Restlessjo personna.  What if I’m a disappointment or we don’t “gel”?  I was very much in awe of Viv’s literary ability, but knew that she had a sense of humour.  Isn’t that always an enormous help?

I needn’t have worried.  Viv was charming.  My husband, Michael, drove us up to Stannington to meet at a local farm shop.  Viv and her daughter, Sally, were just arriving as we drove in.  Smiles and waves- “are you Jo?”  Introductions all round, then into the coffee shop for a little fortification.  We needed it!  If you’ve seen my post on Northumberlandia you’ll know just what I mean.

The day was biting cold but that didn’t deter us.  We were on a mission to see this astounding landform sculpture, with which Sally and her husband had been closely involved. Michael, as a garden and landscape designer, was interested too.  Me, I just gaped and admired!

The climb to the summit was quite steep and I was a little worried that Viv wouldn’t make it, but there was no way she was being left behind!  We battled the elements and, as ever, I snapped away.  The photos and the full story are on my Welcome to Northumberlandia post.  I simply wanted to use my Six word Saturday to pay tribute to a lovely lady and a lovely day.

The hot chocolate?  That was hard earned but very welcome.  Viv sat warming her hands on the cup, while I tucked into a very delicious apple and gooseberry crumble with custard.  Well, you have to put the calories back somehow, don’t you?

Happy Six word Saturday everybody!  As usual, you can join in by visiting Cate at Show My Face.  Click on the header or the links for more details.