Visiting time

Today we started with a visit to another one of Diane's relations, Jenny and John. They lived a short distance away from Jane. Had a coffee with them then it was on the road to head to Salam Toney for our lunch date.

The weather started off a bit murky but did improve. Travelled along the A14 and at times one of the lanes of the dual carriageway was bumper to bumper trucks!

Arrived at our destination just before one. The village where Sylvia lives is very cute. She took us out to lunch at a 16th century inn. We both had Guinea fowl, not something we would get at home, very tasty.

From Sylvia's we headed back down the A11 towards Dawn's place at Great Chesterfield. We had been given a key to get in as Dawn wasn't sure when she would be home. Arrived about 5.30, Diane proceeded to open the door only to be greeted by the alarm!! We had been told by Syliva that the alarm would not be in. So a frantic phone call to Dawn, as the alarm screamed in the background to get the code. 

We got ourselves settled, with Dawn arriving a short time later. Dawns partner Jim arrived for the evening. Had a pleasant even chatting and enjoying a nice glass of wine!

In a county far far away

If could see the road in front of us it wasn't raining if you couldn't then it was!

A detour to Sherwood Forest to spot Robin Hood or even Maid Marion or Diane was happy with Friar Tuck! Did appear this area was good pig country, although by the size of some of the dung hills it appeared rhinos may have been there instead of pigs. 

Continuing along we found ourselves back on the A1 and a few drops of rain. The momentary lapse with the sunshine was over and it was a grey day again. As we got closer to the Kettering area we found ourselves going from Nottinghamshire, to Lincolnshire and back all in the space of a couple of miles.

We arrived at Diane's cousin Janes place and after a cuppa and sandwich we set off for a trip around the pretty villages. A first stop at Wraxton to see the Montagu marbles in the church was fortunate as the flower ladies were just arriving and let us in. These marbles have just been cleaned at great expense but they are stunning and to find four in a little country church was amazing. Driving along we travelled around the outside of the duke of baculeach's residence, Boughton Park. Very nice house and great estate. Really pretty cottages and our next stop was Geddington, where we walked over to the Eleanor cross, watching a young man drive his little car across the ford which was very flooded. Still he did make it. Negotiating the school traffic we headed off again going via the place where Ben and Alyssa work and along some of the flash streets of Kettering. 

Home in time for Nigel to visit, a pleasant couple of hours passed with Ben and Alyssa arriving for dinner. Peter was home and a lovely dinner of shepherds pie and peas followed by blackberry and apple crumble with custard was enjoyed by all members of the family. 

Captains log. Stardate 5 January 2016

We spent the day in York. Started off with a nice breakfast in the hotel and then a short drive to the park and ride at Monks Cross. A whole £2.80 each later and free parking we were on our way into town. First stop the information centre and then across the road to York Minster. A short wait for our guide and we discovered that the Minster was built on a previous Norman cathedral and Roman barracks. 

We had decided that the absence of rain meant we should climb up the tower, so 275 steps later we were on the top of the Minster. It was very narrow but the girl at the ticket desk assured us that we would fit in the spiral staircase (25 inches wide). The views were excellent and on a fine sunny day the horizon would have been in sight. The Minster has a flat tower as the weight was too much when they were building it in the 13 and 14 centuries. After getting down we continued our tour with the chapter house, having a short conversation on either side of the room, going down the undercroft and being lucky enough to view the church Christmas banners hanging in the Quire. "Ask and you shall receive", Diane wanted a look so asked and the verger let us up close to them. 

Upon leaving we walked around part of the Walls by the Minster to the next gate, Monkgate Bar. The short days meant we made the decision not to walk the whole wall as we still wanted to wander the streets. Good rampage, The Shambles, & Shambles Market led us to the worst cream tea in England. We then wandered a few more places before heading back to the Viking Loom embroidery shop and York Museum. We were expecting a textile exhibition but had chosen the wrong museum so went in anyway. A very interesting 75 minutes later we had been into the philosophical society reading room (where Stephanie read us the book about the Queens knickers)learnt all about extinct species (including a Moa), Viking treasure and more Viking, Roman and Tudor facts- did you know Henry VIII waist was 52 inches when he died at 59 years.

A final stop at the info centre and we went to the oldest pub for an early dinner. Quite nice. Back on our bus and to Monks Cross we decided to go into the shopping centre and did a bit of retail therapy including dessert from Marks and Spencer (where you can buy your 5+ a day prepackaged).

A drenching

Up early to the sound of the alarm clock. A phone call from home for Diane before breakfast was a pleasant start to the day. A great breakfast downstairs at the Camberley with Cumberland sausage and lovely coffee. We packed the car and took off to the info centre. The rain was light so that was okay. The pump museum closed for the winter season so outside photos only and you could smell the sulphur from one of the springs. Harrogate has had a spa for nearly two centuries but the hot springs have been used for longer. We then tired to visit the Harrogate body lotion shop but they were closed for renovations so we wandered the remainder of the streets. Duttons for Buttons, an embroidery shop and a fabric shop later Diane had bought some goodies for home. Back to the Camberley and off we went to Whitby. 

The promised finer weather did not really eventuate and our trip across the top of the moors was rainy with blue sky at one stage. Arriving in Whitby to rain we parked the car and once again hit the info centre. What great souvenirs they had. We walked around the village and over the river to climb the 199 steps to St Mary's church. They had a display of Christmas trees put up by locals and organisations. Our favourite was the donkey trust one. Next stop at the top of the hill was the abbey and its ruins but they were closed–only open at weekends in January. Back down the steps and the heavens opened so refuge was sought in Whitby mall and a fabric shop later we continued on our way. Up the opposite hill to the captain cook monument for the obligatory selfie. Once done we took off back to the car while the heavens opened and we got drenched. The decision was made to have an early dinner at Trenchers. A regular size haddock meal as ordered and when arrived we felt that they had the wrong size on the plate. It was delicious and well worth the stop. Back on the road for the drive to York, it was dark and felt like 9pm but it was only 6pm. The weather did not improve but no flooded roads had to be bypassed. Google maps missed our hotel but a u turn later we were settled for the next couple of nights. 

Sunday Sunday !!

Up early and it was dark. We packed our bags, found Alfie in Diane's bed and got the car ready for the days adventures. Sunrise is after 8.40am so we were on the road about then with a wet trip in front of us. Fortunately the wind died down as we got off the border hills. Once onto the A1 we made reasonable time and decided to take Margaret and Ian's offer of a cup of coffee up. A reset of the google map (with synchronised talking) we arrived in the little village of Longhoughton, with a bit of u-turns we found a kindly gentleman who waved us into their driveway. Margaret offered shortbread and Christmas cake, which Stephanie repaid by fixing their iPad which had a malicious message.

On the road again and the weather was better. 

We had a photo opportunity stop at the Angel of the North with a few more attempts at the selfie. 

Next stop was at Scotch Corner, where we had our cuppa and biscuit in the car. This rest stop is the most famous in England as it is where the M1 divides for either Glasgow or Edinburgh. On the road again and weather being still wet we travelled further down the M1 to Knaresborough turnoff, arriving at the Camberley about 2.45pm. Unpacked and met the manager, who gave us simple directions into town, down the road three blocks. We looked at the interesting shops (window shopping only) and decided that Betty's for an early tea would be fine. Shown into the garden room it was lovely with waiters and waitresses dressed for Downtown Abbey era tea. Salmon gratin and steak pie later we purchased a Yorkshire curd tart and Eccles cake for our supper and departed for our beds. A decision to see if there was a movie theatre handy and we found ourselves in the Star Wars movies, ten minutes after the starting time but previews were still going and £12 each lighter in the wallet. A great movie with lots of action and interest we then walked home, got into our pyjamas, had coffee and cake and watched the new Sherlock Holmes movie on iPlayer. A very busy day. 

Quiet time on the borders

We have spent the past two days at Paitshill Farm. Enjoying some wonderful Scottish hospitality.

The weather hasn't been too wonderful, so have been more than happy to sit round the kitchen table chatting and enjoying the warmth of the Rayburn.

We did venture out for a walk on New Year's Day, enjoyed cracking the ice on top of the puddles and chatting to the neighbours along the way. 

We were greeted on the second day of the new year with wet, windy and misty weather. Dawn was at 8.40am and no sunrise to be seen. There were no plans for travelling or sightseeing but a phone call for visitors promised a surprise. Margaret and Ian travelled up from Northumberland to visit and were surprised by Diane at the door. Several hours of chat, catching up with news and watching the antics of Alfie (farm cat) and Teazel (Margarets dog). 

A late tea for the residents and the evening was spent in front of the TV reading, knitting, embroidering and sleeping. A cosy night sleeping in the new loft bedroom awaited.

To Scotland we go!

After yesterday's weather we were pleased to see a fine and clear morning.

Spent a little time exploring the village of Eyam, it is quite the 'historical town' being most famous for the village which cut itself off during the plague so not to infect the surrounding area.

As it was such a lovely day, decided to stop off at Lyme Park aka Pemberley. It was also a lot closer to where we were going than first realised. Got to see the house, but not the front view as the house and gardens were closed. But very happy to have visited it all the same.

Next stop was Gretna Green, by this time the rain had set in once more. There were 16 weddings today, at the black smith. 18 if we had got lucky!!!! Had a coffee in the car before setting off for the final destination of Cockburnspath.

The drive to Cockburnspath saw rain, flooding and even some snow. Today is the first day it had been cold down to 2deg at times.

Finally arrived at the farm abut 5.30pm, received a lovely welcome from Heather and Watt. They have moved since our last visit, just across the road from the main house to the cottage having sold the farm  a few weeks back. 

Although a struggle we did manage to see 'The Bells' (New Year) in with a wee Whiskey and shortbread.