York

York, at any time of the year, is a busy place.  Last weekend was no exception.

Hubby and I stayed in a local hotel and as we were up bright and early we managed to get all the touristy places done with no crowds.

We stayed opposite Clifford's Tower which dates back to 1068AD.
It is now part of English Heritage and is set to undergo some upgrading.

Just around the corner from the hotel and up the road a little is York Minster.  The current Cathedral is 800 years old.

We managed to see it and hear the bells all before the tourists arrived.

A few minutes later we were at The Shambles.  A lovely little lane that takes it's name from the street where the butcher's used to sell their wares.

It was also the inspiration for J K Rowling's Diagon Alley in Harry Potter and there a few 'Magic' shops to look around.

Although the Shambles is the most famous street in York other streets are also worth a look. 

There are a lot of 'gates' in the street names (Petergate, Coppergate, Walmgate, Stonegate etc) and this dates back to Viking times.  It derives from the Viking word 'gata' meaning street.

After our lovely, quiet tour around town we headed off to Bills for breakfast.  It's a homely place and apparently very popular as it was busy even at 9am on a Sunday.  We had a leisurely breakfast

followed by a walk along the river whilst waiting for the family to arrive.

It was a great weekend and we're looking forward to going back in June.  Hopefully the sun will shine next time.

Lambing

Last weekend hubby and I headed to York to see our Grandson (and his mum & Dad).

We had been invited to K's Mum and Dad's farm for lambing.  There were already 154 new lambs when we arrived and unfortunately no new birth's whilst we were there.

Some of the sheep had had triplets so one baby had be given to another sheep.  Some had had four babies and some are kept as 'Pet Lambs' if another sheep won't take them.  They are in a pen by themselves and fed by K's dad until they are old enough to join the flock outside.

I got to hold them. 

They are so soft and warm and just want to nibble you all the time.

K's dad texted her later and said that two more lambs had dropped about ten minutes after we left.

Never mind there is always next year.

Jersey Boys

Last week I took the train up to Glasgow to meet up with friends.  We were off to see Jersey Boys at the King's Theatre.

It did not disappoint.

The signing was awesome and the whole cast were amazing.

We all had such a good time we're thinking of making it a yearly tradition.  We're now busy finding out what's on next April in either Glasgow or Edinburgh.

Back Soon

I'm off on my travels for a few days.  

See you soon.

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

I first read this book about 7 or 8 years ago on the recommendation of mum.  I liked it so much I've read it several times since (including, spookily enough, just now).

When I was a the cinema recently I saw that it has been made into a movie and will be released on 20 April.

I have a feeling I may have to go by myself as hubby won't want to see it!!

January 1946: London is emerging from the shadow of the Second World War, and writer Juliet Ashton is looking for her next book subject. Who could imagine that she would find it in a letter from a man she’s never met, a native of the island of Guernsey, who has come across her name written inside a book by Charles Lamb…. 

As Juliet and her new correspondent exchange letters, Juliet is drawn into the world of this man and his friends—and what a wonderfully eccentric world it is. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society—born as a spur-of-the-moment alibi when its members were discovered breaking curfew by the Germans occupying their island—boasts a charming, funny, deeply human cast of characters, from pig farmers to phrenologists, literature lovers all. 

Juliet begins a remarkable correspondence with the society’s members, learning about their island, their taste in books, and the impact the recent German occupation has had on their lives. Captivated by their stories, she sets sail for Guernsey, and what she finds will change her forever. 

The Local Area Pt 3

This weekend's walk was another local one.  Just 2 miles away to be exact.  We parked up on the prom and walked 6 miles along the coastal path past Leasowe Light House.

The weather this week was decidedly warmer and less windy than last week.

Leasowe Light House

Built in 1763 and fully functioning until 1908, it is one of the Leading Lights that guided shipping safely into Liverpool. As well as a place of work it was also a family home.