It's Slawit

Up and had a decent breakfast in the Beefeater, and then faffed about getting ready. Then at noon we set off, stopping off at immense shopping centres in Warrington and St Helens, as Lorraine was in search of something which proved unobtainable. 

Then to Yorkshire, where people speak their minds, to Slaithwaite not far from Huddersfield. We drove on the M62, which went over windy hill, near Denshaw, apparently the highest point of any motorway in England. Some breathtaking countryside as we neared Slaithwaite, descending steeply down narrow roads of a valley from the high ground, with some amazing views. We parked up near our bed and breakfast, and carried all our stuff into a perfectly pleasant room. The owner Mike et us in and showed us to our room, and his wife, when we met her later was welcoming and friendly. 

Slaithwaite is one of those places pronounced very confusingly. Locals pronounce it Sla-wit, and our hostess at the BnB pronounced it Slath-wait (which Matt told us later was for our benefit).   

Dropped off our stuff, and walked along through the village centre, where a canal and a river run side by side. We found Hillside Harmonies, Matt's business. Big hugs with him, although he had customers in, two polite young lads in heavy metal teeshirts, another man selling some of his records to Matt, and other passing customers.  Matt, of course, handling everything with expertise and aplomb. I had a browse, sniggering childishly at one obscure classical CD called Great Australasian Organs V by an organist called Calvin Bowman. We met Phoebe, who is a very sweet chocolate and white dog who took a shine to Lorraine immediately.

After chatting a bit, we briefly made off back to our B&B, and arranged to meet in a pub called Hideaway which is a Craft House, selling nice beer. We met Matt, and Reuben who was in cheerful spirits and it was lovely to see him. Both telling us about life in Slaithwaite. Matt seems so happy here too, loving his job in a toyshop/cafe, and making time for his own music. 

Matt said they feel totally part of the community, loving the people and proud of the success he is making with the business. Matt said nobody cares they are together, and how living in Brighton, people begin to imagine that the world beyond it is all hostile. Not here.  

At one point Lorraine wanted a soda, and the woman at the bar told me to go next door, also owned by the same people. The Commercial pub next door was a different world, a proper pub crammed with people, and I was charged 40p for my soda water by a woman who looked at me pityingly.

Off then to have a curry, popping into a supermarket to buy a few beers, as the restaurant Paprika was a bring your own kind of place, which saved money. Decent food, very reasonably priced. Excellent company, and a very cheery night. Toddled back to the B&B and had a good night's sleep. 

Inside Hillside Harmonies, Matt crouching over some records on the right. The canal behind our B&B with mill windows reflecting the late afternoon light, and Reuben and Matt in Paprika.