Walking ....and Fabric.

It was one of those mornings that just calls to be enjoyed!! So - a very quick something inside us, and off we walked into it.

A very short distance inside the West Gate saw us do an abrupt right hand turn into the herb garden. A chilly morning - frost here and there, but the sun was beaming down.

We strolled across the little bridge into the orchard.
The morning light was simply stunning. I know what drove the impressionists to paint Plein Air!

Just us, a rabbit or two, and a few dozen pheasants. Picked up a pocket full of "Forty Shilling" - sweet, small to medium sized, pink and green eating apples.

With them to sustain us, we rambled the three mile circuit around one side of the abbey, along beside the River Skell ...skirting the Crescent Lake (where a pair of white swan, and a single grey heron, were feeding), and along the upper side of the water gardens.

It was about then, that I realized ...we had come far enough!!!
But - being way too early for the tea rooms, I'm afraid it was - "can't have a sit down, just keep going" time!
So - we did!!

And in no time at all ...or so it seemed,  (or is that one of those confusing numerical expressions again!) ...we were letting ourselves out the gate and heading back into Abbey Cottage.

But, may I say - thank goodness for several "Forty Shilling" !!! Delicious ....!

Later we got in the car and wound our way through the little country lanes, finally ending up in Harrogate. (Yes, as planned).

Had another visit to see Sandra at Fine Fabrics. And yes ...did another little bit for the English economy generally, and for Sandra's in particular.

A class was going on downstairs, so down I went to meet Gill (in charge) and all the ladies. We had a great time swapping ideas. There were some fascinating things going on down there. I think Arthur thought I might stay there all day!


But, needless to say - I didn't.

 Found ourselves at Harlow Carr, and  Betty's. Sat in the coffee shop and got ourselves around a sandwich and a coffee,

 ......and took away something 'to nibble' for afternoon tea!!

Packed beautifully  in a little box, it was found to taste even better than it looked!!

And here we are, dinner is done and everything's washed up (thanks Arthur xx) ...and I'm  blogging.

I'd forgotten how much I LOVE holidays!!