Haworth

Bronte Country

I recently visited Haworth in Yorkshire to celebrate my first anniversary with my boyfriend. Fair to say, it was amazing! It really did live up to my expectations. I'd wanted to go here for a long time, mainly to visit the Bronte Parsonage Museum, but also to walk along the moors and see what inspired the Brontes to write such brilliant works.

We arrived around 1.30pm, so we had an hour and a half to kill until we could check into our hotel. This gave us time to explore a little and make the most of our first day, considering it was beautiful weather. We strolled along cobbled streets, past cute cafes and arty shops, then bought an ice cream from a vintage-looking ice cream van and chilled on the park for a bit. The views were spectacular from everywhere we went, we spent a lot of time over the weekend just sitting in the park and chatting, it was really relaxing. Our hotel was basically the best room I've ever been in.

The bed was a king size four poster. I love four poster beds, and there was so much room! The duvet and cushions were so snuggly too, I could have slept there forever. One of the most impressive things though, was our view! Just look how beautiful that is. Definitely worth the price. In front of the window (hidden from view of course) was a massive double-ended copper bathtub, which quite frankly stole my heart. It stood on a raised platform and came up to just above my hip - huge! I could stretch out in it and everything! I know I'm short, but even my boyfriend fit in it, snug as a bug, and he's quite tall! I can't decide yet whether lounging on the sofa (comfiest sofa ever!), lazing in bed or soaking up the view in the bath was the most relaxing. It was all so perfect.

We visited the Bronte Parsonage Museum and it was brilliant. It was quite small, which really gave it the feel of it being a house once. I could imagine people moving around in there, living normally. It was a bit weird to think the Brontes lived and some died there. Freaky. Anyway, we were given a tour map which told us about each room, it was so informative! There was a kitchen, dining room (where Jane Eyre, Wuthering Heights and The Tenant of Wildfell Hall were written!) Mr Bronte's study, Mr Nicholls' study, the servant's room, Emily Bronte's room (formerly the children's study), Charlotte Bronte's room, Mr Bronte's room, Branwell's studio and a couple of added rooms that house exhibitions. All of the relics and artifacts were amazing, I wanted almost all of the dresses! Most of them were worn by Charlotte, as well as jewellery, gloves and shoes, they were all so delicate and pretty. I'd definitely go again, there was far too much to take in on just one visit!

The gift shop was awesome too, they sold quills! I wish I was rich enough to buy my own, I've always wanted to own a quill. They obviously had all the books and DVD's, which were cool, there were also comic book versions of the books! I never knew they existed. All in all, there was too much there for a pauper like me to buy haha.

On our last day there we went for a walk to Bronte falls, which must have been over 4 miles! I refuse to acknowledge any other opinion. I only sat down once before we got there though, so proud of myself. The views were absolutely stunning, I couldn't take enough photos! I should have just recorded it. 

These are pictures as we were walking to Bronte Falls. The one on the right is a dilapidated old building that's in danger of falling down. I still thought it made a pretty good picture though. There were also loads of sheep! I got quite a few pictures of them because I thought it was cute that they were just wandering around haha. One of them below the path I was walking on, having a bit of grass for dinner on a farm, looked up at me just as I was taking the photo, it was brilliant! That one's my favourite.

The one on the left is the top of Bronte Falls. I had to walk all the way up to the top of the falls to take this photo, and clamber across the water and slippery rocks, so be grateful! The one on the right is the right-hand side part of the river. Yes, I know, not much of a river this side, but the other side was pretty lively. Isn't it beautiful? Me and my boyfriend spent a while sitting on a huge rock smack bang in the middle of the top of the waterfall just chilling and taking in the view. It was really relaxing, I could get used to it! I didn't like almost falling over trying to get to said rock though.

So this one's been a bit of an essay, but it was so hard for me to fit all the best bits in! I haven't even described how lovely the tea was there, or the ice cream! It was 100 times better than ice cream back home. A lot bigger too! And it went all the way down to the bottom of the cone, which I've never experienced before. That ice cream man had skills.

If you enjoy the Brontes or walking or even just want a relaxing, quiet and peaceful weekend (or even day!) away from the hustle and bustle, I definitely would recommend Haworth. It was quiet there, not too quiet, but a nice quiet. There were about three buskers at all points in the day which gave a nice ambiance, even if they weren't very good. One of my very best memories was just sitting, enjoying the beautiful sunshine, the spectacular views, and the peace. Oh, and the company ;) Stacey's town of the year 2012!

Now time to save up for that cottage with the view of the moors...

Commitments.

I guess that's a misleading title... it's not about what you think!


I've been trying my hardest to get back in to fanfiction recently. I've started up a new story and I really do like it, it's much better formed than my previous ones I think. The worst part is, I hardly have time to write.

My main priority should be writing my own book, the one that might one day get me famous! But most of the time it's so difficult to just get out one paragraph let alone another chapter. This is where fanfiction comes in. A lot of blank spaces have already been filled out for you, such as the characters, places and plot ideas. You know who the good guys and the bad guys are and what they aim to do - in Harry Potter (my choice of fanfiction) they aim to kill Voldemort. A very good back up plot if mine slows down some!

When I write fanfiction, it gives me a breather from writer's block with my own story. Sometimes, it'll even give me inspiration to write my own again. However, it isn't all sunshine and rainbows. Although I have a responsibility to finish my own story, when you write fanfiction, especially good fanfiction, you have another responsibility. Your reviewers.

I'm lucky enough to have some loyal readers who review every chapter, they always have good words or helpful advice, which I adore. They make me feel really good about my writing, which not everyone has. The one-time reviewer is just as valued, as they make me feel that people who just stumble upon my story love it too and they want a reason to come back and read it.

With such a busy and tiring schedule as mine, there isn't a lot of free time to write up new chapters. On nights when I don't see my boyfriend, I'd rather laze in bed relaxing and watching a film after a tough day at work than slave away at the computer. Don't get me wrong, I love writing, but my head would rather not have the extra work.

Sometimes it can be a two weeks or more before I update my story, and some reviewers really want to read the next chapter. I don't want to put anyone off by being slack, I want to be a reliable writer. So here it is. When you write fanfiction; beware. You will begin to feel an overwhelming commitment to your reviewers. Everyone likes to feel special, and these lovely people make me feel that way. For someone who's passion is writing, to have multiple people tell you it's amazing and they want more, you feel the obligation to provide.

I know it might seem selfish in parts, I write to get positive feedback, but it's not just that. I write for people to enjoy. That's what a writer's goal is, isn't it? To entertain. I may just have to invest in a netbook so I can write wherever I go! That's when I'm not stuck on £2.60 an hour...

Another reason is, if these people love my fanfiction, maybe I can build up a loyal fanbase for when I get my own literature published ;) haha, a girl can dream!