24th August

Mercer Art gallery today to see an in house exhibition that included some striking modern pieces as well as an Atkinson Grimshaw and a John Piper. Ian Mitchell's 'East Coast Lines' formed the selling display, depicting the coast from Flamborough to St Abbs in his striking stylised linear style. The art shop over the road also had some lovely pieces, especially small oils by Mark Emmerson. To top it all the flowers were in full bloom in nearby Valley Gardens.

 Tuesday 22nd August

Tennants Auction House at Leyburn hosted an excellent display about the history of families in Swaledale and while there we enjoyed looking at displays of items coming up for sale in their autumn auctions.

A walk along The Shawl on the other side of town blew away any cobwebs.

 Sunday 20th August.

The main borders at Harlow Carr are stunning. People are spread out over the lawns enjoying the Sunday concert. Maggys Little Big Band were playing jazz today.

 August 8th

Norton Conyers isn't far away but we have never been before. The gardens are extensive, well set out and very productive. Again there were many gardeners at work while we were there.

 August 6th

It was just pure luck that we were at Harlow Carr when the Orchid Show was being held. They were beautiful, strange and definitely exotic.

 August 1st -3rd

We enjoyed a few days in Filey. We timed our walk to the Brig perfectly, seeing lots of life in the rock pools and enjoying lunch there. A wet day was spent at Scarborough Fair Collection and Transport Museum which was very extensive and great fun. We had an excellent view of Filey ball race which we didn't win. The seas were dramatic in the rain. The beach is completely covered at high tide. I have just seen that about 200 meters of cliff just down the coast at Hunmanby Gap has collapsed.

 July 27th

The gardens at Brodsworth Hall were absolutely stunning and immaculate. There were gardeners working in most areas.

We had the Dell to ourselves for a while.

 July 24th

At Golden Acre Park we walked across Breary Marsh and through the woods to Paul's pond. The area looked well cared for.

 July 17th

Canal Gardens were full of colour. We also enjoyed the Chelsea Gardens and the art gallery plus afternoon tea in Roundhay Park.

 July 13th

The gardens at Newby Hall were stunning.

 July 2nd

The first of the summer concerts at Harlow Carr.

 July 1st

A brass band competition involved bands in marching along the High Street to the riverside bandstand. There they played three competition pieces. We hope that this will become an annual event.

 16th June

We arrived at Lake Nakuru National Park to enjoy sunrise and the dawn chorus and left at sunset. We saw a leopard in a tree eating breakfast and three lions resting in long grass a short drive away. Later we saw two lions in a tree which is unusual behaviour but has been seen before in this park. There were many giraffes and young ones too. Lots of zebra and buffalo plus impala and gazelle. The birds were spectacular, though not as many flamingoes as before. A baboon interrupted our picnic.

 June 11th 

Sunday lunch at Elsamere, the home of George & Joy Adamson. It is named after Elsa the lioness that they cared for. The grounds are by the shore of Lake Naivasha and full of wildlife.

 16th June

Naivasha National Park in the Rift Valley is a mix of modern thermal power plants and safari park. A morning safari, picnic lunch, soak in the hot springs then late afternoon safari was wonderful.

 14th April

The gardens at Peckham Rye park.

 13th March

Snow arrived.

 12th Jan 2023

A sunny start to the year. Looking across to Purdy's Wood.

 11th November 2022

The Bible Tapestry was on display in Ripon Cathedral. We timed our visit well as local schools were rehearsing for their Christmas concert which added to the vibrant atmosphere.

The beach at Benllech where had a late October holiday.

Cemaes, just up the coast where we enjoyed exploring and learning about the St Patrick's bell project. The bell here can be seen in the right foreground. It is constructed so that the tide rings it.

We called in for a sunset stroll around this tiny bay.

The short path from Malcolm's bungalow to the beach.

Plas Newydd was well worth a visit on 23rd October, our wedding anniversary.

Fantastic sunsets at Benllech and a long beach.

Beaumaris was an interesting place. Very busy.