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Published: August 5th 2007
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Kev and his Mom
There is a resemblance...... We made it into England a couple of days ago, after what wasn't too bad of a flight. Kevin got caught up on his movies all night, while I dozed off and on, all the way up to Leeds on the bus. I think my way was better but more on that later....
Arriving in Leeds at 7 PM, we were met by Kevin's sister, Marian, and her daughter, Ciara, and whisked off to another sister's for dinner and then early to bed. I had a good sleep for the night, but Kevin was awake, even after drugs, and hasn't been getting a full night since. We can't figure out what the answer is. Perhaps copious amounts of French wine will do the trick.
The first full day was spent first visiting with Kevin's mom, and then off tiki-touring. We went off to Harrogate, a Victorian Spa City, not too far north of here in Leeds, and walked around. We stopped of Afternoon Tea at Betty's which I guess is world-famous. At any rate, I had a FABULOUS pot of South African tea and a DIVINE raspberry tart. We walked around some more. Great architecture and shops. That
The Pit
We spent about 1.5 hours underground learning about the coal mines and the life of the coal-miners. All I can say is that I'm so glad that I ended up in IT or is it IT that's the PIT's......
night we met up with friends of Marian's and went for a legitimate curry dinner (in a Moslem restaurant) in Bradford, where all the riots took place a couple of years ago. We told anyone who asked that I was Canadian and I said "aboot" alot. Kevin got a chuckle when, in the restaurant, he ordered a ginger beer and was told they don't serve alcohol. An excellent meal, and REALLY cheap!!!! A friend of Marian's believes that Bin Ladin is alive and living in Bradford and swears that he has been in his taxi at least four times....
Yesterday (Thursday 26th), we gathered up Ann, the other sister whom we are staying with, Marian, Ciara, friend of Ciara, and Kevin's mother, and off we trotted to the National Coal-Mining Museum. This was very interesting for many of us, as Mavis (Kevin's mother) had been raised in a mining town and remembers the life, and of course it was good for the rest of us to discover roots. It was raining, which made it a bit difficult, but we took a tour of the the underground pits, and other parts of the grounds of the mine. I found it
Brideshead - Castle Howard
All I can remember about Brideshead revisited is Sebastian Flyte and his "teddy bear". Anyway, they have just done a remake starring Emma Thompson, so I'll wait for it to come out in general release. And as far as Castle Howard, "it's somewhere to sit". interesting and bought a book about the town that Mavis came from for Harrison as it is part of his heritage. We were all pretty tired, girls included, by the time we got home.
Today, we are off to Castle Howard, made famous by Brideshead Revisited. None of us have been so it will be a real treat.
July 29, 2007 - It's Sunday here so we are getting caught up and sending this out.
Castle Howard was a treat. Big. Looks just like the pictures. While wandering through the Castle (called a castle as it was built on the sight of the original castle) it was discovered that these are the descendants of the same Howards who orchestrated Ann Boleyn and her cousin, Katherine Howard, into marriage with Henry VIII and we all know how that ended. Actually, the house wasn't built until about 200 years later, it having been obtained by marriage. The family still lives there, in one wing. Beautiful grounds, peacocks running around. Sort of reminded Kevin and me of the tip in Russell.
We have been having good weather for the the rest of the trip. Yesterday, Marian took off bright
Overlooking Scarborough
Yes, Scarborough Fayre, was on, however there is absolutely nowhere to park in this Victorian seaside town, or not when we meandered in. And on the revisited theme, as we drove down the promenade all I could think of was "Blackpool Revisited", but on a much smaller scale. I looked longingly for the donkies, the knotted handkerchiefs and the deckchairs, but no donkies and early to Ireland, while Kevin and I gathered up Mavis and decided we were going off to Scarborough. Yes, the Fayre was on and no, we didn't go. Actually, we couldn't get close to anywhere to park, let alone go to the fayre. But we sang the song alot. I couldn't believe the number of people. But it is a summer tourist destination. It rather reminded me of Edinborough during the Festival with nowhere to find a room. We went off to the bluff to eat an ice cream, take pictures of the town and generally enjoy that part of it. Having left Scarborough, we decided to Tiki-Tour through the North Yorkshire Moors, which really are so stunning. Very rugged, very stark. We called in to see a friend's mother and spent a bit of time with her. She is 92 and a little fire cracker. We now know where her daughter gets it!
We were also able to see the model of the car we have in France and Italy and it looks comfortable, but luggage space is definitely confined to 4 bags! Good job the airlines have limited us.
Continuing to drive along, we stopped
Scarborough Fayre?
A little bit of sun and even at 14C the Brits flock to the seaside. Scarborough has made its name as a Victorian Spa town on the edge of the Yorkshire moors. The town was dominated by a castle that was started in the 12th century. The ruins can be explored today, however we will have to come back when parking permits... for dinner in a cute market town, Thirsk, and then home. It was a long day, and we were both glad to get into bed!
Today being Sunday, with Leeds closed, we are catching up on laundry. We aren't sure what we are doing tomorrow and Tuesday - can't think that far ahead. The favorite food I have been eating is Yorkshire Pudding with Onion Gravy - yes, you can order it in restaurants just like that - and any kind of crumble with copious amounts of custard sauce. The good news is that I am still able to fit into clothes so all the walking is helping. Kevin seems to be enjoying fish and chips!
We are getting snippets about what is happening at home, through both the NZ Herald and Russell Lights so we are not feeling totally out of touch.
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Wanda
non-member comment
FUN
It looks like and also sounds like you are having a wonderful time and I am sure it is nice for Kevin to see his family also. We leave on 7/30 for the Bahamas - Binimi Island for 6 days with Arnie's son and his family and his wife's parents should be a fun trip then to Alaska on 8/19 to see my son. Keep enjoying look forward to next blog