What better way to chase away the post Christmas blues than have a friend to stay? A good pal arrived on Sunday and rather than curling up in front of the radiator we decided to head out into the Wintery weather and show her around town.

First stop the Harris Museum, she had read about the current exhibition ‘Embellished: The Art of Fabulous Fabrics’ and wanted to check it out, with zero temperatures snapping at our fingertips it was a great option. As we took the steps to the first floor my four year old was intrigued by the collages by  Tracey Eastham and Louise Bristow. Each collage combines familiar locations and icons reworked in various mediums and ways.

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My son was equally entranced by the statues in the fine art gallery before we walked onto the ‘Embellished’ exhibition. A four year old wasn’t too taken by the costumes displayed, although us adults loved looking at the stitches, sequins and embellished dresses. At the end of the exhibition my son was able to get stuck into making his own prints on paper.

The Harris is such a relaxing inspiring place, with friendly helpful staff who are keen to offer any assistance or a warm hello. It’s always a joy to spend an hour or two strolling around or gazing from the windows across the city centre. We watched the Big Wheel being dismantled, my four year old loved it!

From there we walked onto Avenham Park where it began snowing! We stopped off for tea and a scone before slip sliding off to the warmth of home.

We awoke this morning to snow covered rooftops and buses edging slowly down the Adelphi Street hill. What is it about snow which makes everything seem so hushed?

Undeterred by the cold weather we headed out and onto Lakeside Superbowl for a couple of games of bargain bowling. There is an offer on throughout January 2010, two games for £3 per person, phone first to check. A fab activity for cold weather days, even the little ones can enjoy it. My four year old looked like a mini Atlas as he carried his child weight bowl to the special ramp but he had the last laugh as he beat both us adults ten points clear!

Have to say I did win the second game, with the gutters up and using the child weight bowls naturally! We trudged our way home, throwing snowballs on the way.

Embellished: The Art of Fabulous Fabrics is at the Harris Museum until Winter 2010  www.harrismuseum.org.uk

Lakeside Superbowl, 50 Greenbank Street, Preston PR1 tel: 01772 555080  www.lakeside-superbowl.co.uk

top image: credit Simon Cordall

Embellished: The Art of Fabulous Fabrics image courtesy of Harris Museum