Green with envy!

Best viewed LARGE

Cawood, near Selby, is a village we have always liked, and I saw in Saturday's Yorkshire Post that they were having am "Open Gardens"day.
So off we went!

At first I was rather disappointed as there were only three gardens open, and the last time I went ( must be 10 years ago) there were at least 12 open from one end of the village to the other.
However the gardens we saw were well worth the visit, especially the last one, which made me very envious!

It turned out to be a lovely warm afternoon, and the sun decided to shine too, so we had a walk round the village, and along the river bank.
Visited the old Norman church ( in collage) which was open, so we were able to see inside too.
Passed the two petrol pumps ( see collage) Nice to see them preserved, even if not in use! (wonder what the price of petrol was in those days?!)
Down one little lane came across this pretty cottage with the most wonderful hollyhocks! ( see collage)

Also walked by the remains of Cawood castle. ( in collage)
The gate house and banqueting hall is all that is left of the 15th century fortified medieval palace belonging to the Archbishops of York. Dismantled in the aftermath of the English Civil War.
(It is here that they held "The Great Feast of Cawood". Will save this for another blip next time we visit!)

The other photos in the collage were taken in the gardens we visited.
I particularly like the one of the little girl who was looking at the fish in the stream. Lovely flowers in her hair!
The pot of yellow lilies was amazing! How they have got so many flowers in one pot I don't know.
Also liked the garden sculpture of the dragonfly. ( part made from an old bicycle!)

This last bit of information I have just found out:
The children's nursery rhyme " Humpty Dumpty" is believed to be about Cardinal Wolsey's "great fall" at Cawood when he was arrested by King Henry VIII's men.

Not a lot of people know that!