For the first time since becoming a mum of two, I managed to sweet talk my parents into having the children overnight.
The official reason? It was my husband’s birthday. The real reason? I have barely been out for the best part of two years, never mind the luxury of a lie in the following day.
As any parent will know, it’s not just the prospect of getting (and paying for!) a babysitter; but it’s that nagging sensation in the back of your mind; you just know it really isn’t worth having that extra drink as you will be made to pay for it ten-fold in the morning. There is nothing like being woken up by a toddler bouncing on your head, to make you vow “never again…”
So, the excitement that I felt as Friday approached was more than I will admit to you all (yes, I am that sad I’m afraid!) After dropping the kids off I began the almost forgotten ritual of preparing for a night out.
I had planned on soaking in the tub for a good hour, but if I’m honest with myself I was bored after 10 minutes. The house felt eerily quiet. I had a quick word with myself to man-up and enjoy the peace but I can’t be the only one who despite looking forward to a bit of me-time actually spends the entire time with an odd sensation similar to having forgotten my handbag!
A glass of cava later I was feeling ready, we met up with friends and headed out into town. Now please remember I’ve been away for over a decade, but blimey, Harrogate has changed! We enjoyed a fantastic meal at Deano’s Graze & Grill then hit the town.
Now when I was last a regular out in Harrogate, the scene was very different. I’m just a tad young for the Josephine’s & Jack and Danny’s era; I just caught the tail end. My youth was misspent between “The Tube” and “Jimmy’s”. John Street was a new phenomenon and round the corner “Beaky’s” was the favored drinking hole of the underage.
Around that time I was working in bars myself and knew all the important people; bar staff and door staff. I rarely had to either buy a drink or pay an entry fee. Happy days!
These days I know no one. I don’t know where to go or what to drink! Thankfully Monty’s is the same as ever; other than the crowd being younger… (Ok, it’s just that I’m older) and we finished off a fantastic evening in there.
Unfortunately the morning after wasn’t to go as planned. A quick courtesy call to my mum in the morning unveiled a full night of horrors. My youngest had developed chicken pox. A huge thank you to my mum for coping where most others wouldn’t, but of course for the rest of the day I had to look after my poorly baby with a monster hangover. Of course I promised myself “never again…!”
(First published Harrogate Advertiser 23/3/12)
