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.