Thursday 10th December
The Roman Baths are far more extensive than we expected and we spent two hours looking around the site.

 

You get an exceptionally good view of the abbey from the walkway around the baths.



Part of the temple that was here has been excavated and is well displayed with light projections showing the missing parts.

We could feel the heat from the steaming water as it flowed through this Roman drain.

We were able to walk all the way around the hot pool itself which originally had a roof over the top.

After enjoying afternoon tea in the Pump Rooms we revisited the baths to see them lit up by flaming torches.



Monday 7th December
Bath Abbey is surrounded by Christmas Market stalls but is still a very impressive sight as it towers over them.

Not far away is Pulteney Bridge and the weir just downstream catching today's sunshine.



Sunday 6th December
This is the view of Bath from our rented house. We are only 15 mins walk from the centre of the city.

The Royal Crescent was one of the first places that we explored this afternoon.



Tuesday 24th November
We spent the afternoon at The Yorkshire Sculpture Park and walked down to the lake to see the Poppies Wave which is made from 5,800 ceramic poppies. There were part of the 882,000 at the Tower of London installation created by the artist Paul Cummins and the designer Tom Piper.
www.ysp.co.uk



Saturday 10th October
We saw several cars parked by the side of the road near Spofforth so slowed down and were fortunate to see the Boston to Menwith Hill section of the last flight by a Vulcan bomber. It was very low and the sky was clear.

 

We were heading to Harlow Carr Gardens for the Wood and Food Fest where we enjoyed a cookery demonstration by Lionel Strub and advice about growing and propagating herbs.

The Kitchen gardens were looking good and there were lots of visitors.

The colours in the long borders were superb.

This tree is still green and the colour is provided by an enormous creeper.

The Streamside Garden was also lovely.



Wednesday 7th October
About a hundred metres of the footpath at Golden Acre Park was flooded even though water appeared to be pouring down the spillway at the far end of the lake faster than it was coming in from the stream at this end. We have only had one day of heavy rain.

The dahlias are well away from the water and were a welcome splash of colour.

The beds of chrysanthemums were also impressive. This is one of the best times of the year to visit these gardens.



Tuesday 29th September
This afternoon we enjoyed a lovely journey over the Yorkshire Wolds to Bridlington, where we watched the tide rolling in over the long beach.

The harbour was full of interest as we happened to be there as the boats were coming in on the high tide.



Wednesday 23rd September
Stunning Autumn colours are beginning to appear at Harlow Carr.



Sunday 20th September
This afternoon we visited Lymm for a walk along the canal tow path. It was surprisingly busy with many canal boats moored up.



Saturday 19th September
Dunham Massey is only fifteen minutes from where we are this weekend so we spent the afternoon here. There are lovely walks around the gardens and the deer park.



Thursday 17th September
Fine weather tempted us up into the Dales and our first stop was Malham Cove.

These walkers are following the edge of the dry valley above the cove.

We crossed the end of this valley on our walk to the tarn.

Malham Tarn, facing the study centre that was visited by Charles Kingsley when it was a private house. Malham Cove was the inspiration for his book 'The Water Babies'.

We drove across the tops and down into the Ribble Valley with these magnificent views lit up by the evening sunshine.



Wednesday 16th September
On our second visit to Ripley Castle, we walked around the lake and enjoyed the lovely weather.



Sunday 6th September
Ripon Cathedral is again hosting The Great North Art Show. We enjoyed the varied styles of work on display.
http://greatnorthartshow.co.uk/

While we were looking at the art work, the cathedral choir was rehearsing and it created a stirring atmosphere throughout the whole building.



Thursday 27th August
Although it is nearby, this is the first time that we have visited Ripley Castle. The view across the lake from the castle is lovely, with many birds and deer at the waters edge.
www.ripleycastle.co.uk

The walled garden was a lovely sun trap with impressive mixed borders.

The Palm House was built in the early nineteenth century and it is also the entrance to the long hothouse.

At one end of the kitchen garden this colourful wildflower area has been created.