Looking for Charles and Sebastian...

Day of Farce no 2 :-))

Alan and gang were up and away early as they were heading to West Yorkshire to tour the set of Emmerdale.  

D and I decided to spend the day in York but had a lazier morning than planned and left slightly later than we'd intended.  

On the way we realised we were going to be having a rather late lunch in York, so decided to stop at the lovely little town of Malton (Yorkshire's food capital) on the way and have lunch there.

Unfortunately, although it's really beautiful, it was extremely busy as it's market day, and as it's an old town, the buildings and pavements are not particularly wheelchair friendly, so after spending a short time there, we decided to get back own the road to York, with the prospect now of an even later lunch in York.

A short way along the A64 we saw the sign for Castle Howard and York plan was ditched.

We arrived just after before 2pm and headed straight to the Courtyard Cafe.  The weather was so lovely we sat outside for lunch and both ordered the same thing - Asian Salad (Sesame and soy dressed rice noodles, shredded vegetables, edamame beans, cucumber, pickled ginger with fresh lime) with marinated salmon fillet (recording the contents here as want to create it when I get home as it was absolutely delicious!)  

Because it was quite a light lunch, we were very bad and had coffee and orange and almond cake for dessert.  Also delicious.  Unfortunately although the waiting staff were lovely, service was very slow, so we missed the last time slot to tour inside Castle Howard.  Instead we went to the shop (bought two lovely mugs, which was daft as we've just cleared out a full cupboard of mugs!) and some gifts for folks at home.  We then paid the money for the last hour of the day in the gardens.  The lady who took the money asked our postcode and it turns out she lived for a number of years in Perth so knows our neck of the woods well.  It's a small world :D

Of course an hour isn't nearly enough but we enjoyed the bits we managed to see.  The walled garden is spectacular and I had to be dragged away from the rose garden as the scent reminded me of my grandpa's roses, and I felt quite emotional.  Bought roses just don't have the scent!

Of course our first sight of the house took our breath away.  What a place!  I adored Brideshead Revisited when it was aired on TV in 1981 and our visit today has made me want to watch it again.  I wonder if I will love it as much second time around?

As we wandered in the walled garden we stumbled upon a photographer photographing a rather glamorous woman in a pink ballgown.  She was striking many dramatic poses. While I was surreptitiously watching them, R sent us a photo of Lola, clearly showing she is missing us dreadfully!  (photos from the day in extras) 

It was just gone 5pm when we left the garden.  If we are ever in this area again we will definitely return to Castle Howard, but early in the morning so we can get the most out of the day!

Back to the lodge for a light dinner of salad, fruit and cheeses.  Ally dropped Andrew off just after 10.30pm.  They have had a fantastic day.  Alan absolutely loved the tour of Emmerdale and apparently the tour guide was amazing with him and Andrew, always making sure they were at the front of the tour group and that no-one was standing in front of them blocking their view.

They had dinner in a restaurant in Leeds and returned full and happy.

Not sure what their plans are for tomorrow.  D and I are hoping to visit RSPB Bempton Cliffs Nature Reserve in the morning, then return to Whitby to visit the Abbey in the afternoon, but of course, that may change! 

Can't believe tomorrow is our last day!