Cottage Holiday 2008

Two whole weeks off work were spent in North Yorkshire and the Pennines.

The Old Telephone Exchange was our lovely base for the first week in a little village called Bishop Monkton about 10 minutes from Ripon.




The neighbours on three sides were sheep, we named our favourite ones Dolly and Molly.



And what about this? We walked passed twice before noticing it!




Bishop Monkton - two pubs, one shop and a very large privet hen.

On the first Saturday we spent a fun afternoon at Ripon races but didn't back a winner.

On Tuesday we drove to Harrogate (about 30 minutes). Had lunch in the bandstand at the beautiful park. The flower displays in Harrogate are truly stunning.




Apart from being famous for the wells it is also the place where Agatha Christie was found after her self imposed disappearance. She was staying at the White Swan Hotel and there is a plaque in the foyer. If you ever visit go in and have a peek - very intriguing.


And then I found myself in button heaven!

You get some very strange looks you know when you take pictures of buttons!

And, of course, you cannot go to Yorkshire without visiting York and the Minster.

And then it was time for cottage number 2 (our very favourite) Greenends, near Alston in the Pennines.

This time the neighbours are a little more exotic!




















This is certainly, for us anyway, more of a chill week. Although there are little towns nearby and about 30 minutes takes you to Carlisle and about an hour to Newcastle we don't venture too far. The stamps and watercolours come out and a book or two. Bliss.


Ah well, back to work tomorrow. Off now for a bath and an early night