The beauty of the North (of England...)

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Thought I might write a quick entry on how we are settling into Yorkshire life for all our pals in London. We've been in our flat in Harrogate for 3 weeks now and still enjoying the novelty of driving to work, leaving the office before 6.30 at night (sometimes leaving time starts with a '5'!) and being amoungst hills, greenery, dogs and breathing fresh air.

Harrogate is lovely and much bigger than we both thought. Our flat is not is the swankiest area but is 2 minutes walk from the high street and station. There are loads of restaurants, so far our favourites being a lovely Italian called Sasso and a wine bar called Bowyers which does a steak and wine special on a Thursday night. We have yet to find a fantastic pub, though the Old Bell (no cheap jokes, please) is our current favouite. We have also found a nice bar which generally plays good music for a pre-dinner drink. Although there are no complaints, it's clear there is not a choice of good places to go to suit your mood, unlike London, or even Upper Street in Islington, where you almost had too many options. We've discovered swimming pools and good gyms and, one day, we might even go.

It's all must less hassle in Yorkshire; people are friendly and generally happy to help unlike my beloved London where good customer service in places like garages, some shops and supermarkets consists of a grunt and fleeting eye contact.

We are both a wee bit tired which in some part can be blamed on the weekly train journeys - they zonk you out! Hopefully we are building up our stamina for the 10-12 hour bus journeys we'll take in South America and South-East Asia. Chris's driving is, erm, coming along, and she is happy to report that today's journey to work passed almost without incident.

Anyway, once my computer accepts my camera I will post a few photies of the flat and the town. Here's a link to our 'holiday cottage' website:


Am off for a walk into Wetherby to peruse Wetherby Weir which is fast flowing after all the rain - stay tuned for Weir updates! This is the life...

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