Simon's Seat 

Half Term

It is half term this week. Today Rowan and I walked up Simon's Seat in the Yorkshire Dales. It is a good climb up through beautiful countryside. We saw Sand Martins nesting on the river banks http://www.rspb.org.uk/birds/guide/s/sandmartin/index.asp and Curlew on the moors http://www.rspb.org.uk/birds/guide/c/curlew/index.asp . The top is a rocky outcrop that Rowan scampered up, 485 metres high. A lovely day for a walk.

This evening we are off for another bash at "Finding A Voice" about moving to York, with JZ.

The Good, the Bad and the Courgettes

A beautiful day up here in Yorkshire. We set off early to get to Harlow Carr RHS garden. I had made a quiz for Rowan, which kept us all amused. Had a nice snack at Bettys. Then I cycled back on backroads via Knaresborough [impossibly picturesque] and met Danielle and Rowan at Danielle's gym where they were going swimming whilst I watched Preston v West Ham in the play off final from Cardiff. They lost. The bad.

We all got back home together [me on the bike, the girls in the car] then Rowan and I planted out some tomatoes, courgettes, and some radishes for her own garden.

A good long day

Knaresborough 

The Garden Railway 

Town Hall

Whilst Rowan was off to Heather and Johns for an evening of fun, we went to Leeds Town Hall http://www.leedscivictrust.org.uk/townhall.htm [a magnificent Victorian building] to see Opera North do Bartok's Bluebeard's Castle http://www.operanorth.co.uk/WhatsOn.aspx . It was great and ... free! on account of the slight noise coming through from a free rock gig in millennium Square behind the town hall... we will get a refund.

Top five operas? In no order, Tosca, Peter Grimes, Symanowski's King Roger, Tristan und Isolde and Bluebeards Ghost.

The photo is of the garden railway which is back in full flight.

Dr Seuss in York 

Goosebury Fool

Rowan's friend Ella from Quaker meeting came round to play. They pestered me to blow up the paddling pool, Granny has given Rowan. It took me a long long time, but it is done, and already providing much fun even without any water in it.

Picked the first lot of gooseberries today, and made some Goosebury Fool [I am sure it is spelt another way but there you go] which is delicious. Rowan is off to stay the night at John and Heathers down the road, and we are off to Leeds.

The picture is of one of Danielles 40th birthday present orchids. Looks a lot like a Dr Seuss Whoom Bush to me.

Redwood Tree 

Redwood Tree

We have various types of tree in the garden, mostly alongside the beck. Here is the first. It is a deciduous Redwood tree of some type, around which we have put a tree-seat.

Mother left today in John's fancy sports car!

Hob Moor in May 

Bukowski plus

Finished reading Ham on Rye by Charles Bukowski http://www.canongate.net/News/DoyleOnBukowski. Derwood leant it me when I was in California. It is really good, with some profound insights into things - Love is pretty much essential.

Met up with Chris [he who was not in Rome] in Manchester yesterday. Had a great three hour brunch in a greasy spoon in Chorleton with an 80's soul soundtrack. Meanwhile Danielle was being bee-inspected by a pleasant and very helpful government inspector who arrived in a Reliant Robin http://www.3wheelers.com/robin.html We now have a new hive starting up on the roof.

Ashamed to say I switched the football off at half time...

The photo is of Hob Moor at this time of year. Buttercups and Hawthorne blossom - sublime.

Rowan's Tree 

Harlow Carr

Took mother to the Royal Horticultural Society garden at Harlow Carr near Harrogate yesterday. http://www.rhs.org.uk/WhatsOn/gardens/harlowcarr/index.asp It is a great place, that comes complete with its own Bettys cafe, so mother was happy. In the evening I went to a folding bike demo at Cycle Heaven bike shop in York. There was someone from Brompton and Airnimal http://www.airnimal.com/ showing off their bikes. Luckily I had vowed not to spend any money, so I returned home unscathed.

The photo is of Rowan in her favourite climbing tree in the garden - the cooking apple tree.

Palmour Photographic 

Palmour Photographic

Have launched my new venture today. Palmour Photographic offers portraits and prints from my back catalogue of classics. You will be receiving an e-mail about it. In the meantime if you click on the picture of the flyer you will be able to read it.

The Track To Tackley 

Tackley Station

When I was at my mother's in Kirtlington last week I went for a walk. She has lived there for over 25 years and I have walked down the old track to the canal countless times. I walked on past the canal and across the river on beautiful paths, then up towards the railway line. I saw a sign for a track that I had, strangely, never noticed before - "Bridleway to Tackley Station". I walked down this lonely track, not a soul did I pass, and emerged directly onto the platform of Tackley Station. I had walked from mother's house to the station totally on footpaths, just crossing the road in Kirtlington at the start of the walk. And trains run from Tackley to York with just one chnage at Banbury. It seemed magical. Why had I never noticed this before? Will it be there next time I visit? Anyway Rowan and I will try the train and walk option out next time we visit Granny.

Yorkshire Lavender 

Bees and Lavender

Danielle was helping out at the York Bee Auction. She cycled over on the Brompton http://www.bromptonbicycle.co.uk/ , Mother [who is staying with us for the week] Rowan and I went over to meet her at the Yorkshire Farm Museum http://www.murtonpark.co.uk/html/yorkshire_museum_of_farming.html where the auction was being held. This is a rather down at heel museum which could be a lot better. Rowan had fun playing on the tractors.

Then we went for lunch at Yorkshire Lavender http://lavenderworld.websiteturbine.co.uk/Templates/YL_Default.asp?modeID=&DoLogin= It is a really beautiful place on the Howardian Hills overlooking the Vale of York, you can see Sheriff Hutton castle http://www.ecastles.co.uk/hutton.html and York Minster.

You What?

One of the benefits of being a bit deaf is the novel way of hearing things. Often this song lyrics, but I heard two news items that struck me as odd recently.

One was a long report on Osama Bin Laden and how he had got hold of a saxophone... My mind boggled until I realised that it was referring to his acquiring a "satphone" which is short for satellite phone.

The other was yesterday hearing that Ian Paisley and the DUP had ruled out car-sharing with Sinn Feinn... it was power-sharing.

So now I can conjure up images of a man in a cave with a sax, and two grumpy politicians squeezed into one car.

This article http://www.guardian.co.uk/g2/story/0,,1486131,00.html gives a good line on the anti-social behaviours debate.

Silver Surfer

I spent the morning setting up mother's BT Broadband connection. It all worked - in the end. It is actually quite satisfying working through it all, but it is never straightforward, there is always something that needs sorting out. All done, and have shown mother how to access BBC radio player so she can listen to Thought for the Day again, and again and again...

I have also attempted to set up the pc so I can access it remotely from York. I think this is bound to be a BIWISI concept [Believe it when i see it] but who knows? It would be mean more chance of sorting problems from York and less need for International Rescue

Rape Field 

Lazy Ash

The tree over the trampoline is a large Ash, that grows on the bank of the beck. We call it the lazy Ash, it is still not in leaf, usually take till the end of May, and then it is the first tree to loose its leaves in the autumn.

The photo is of a field of oil seed rape near York. Danielle was considering putting one of her hives in a rape field [with the farmers consent] but will probably leave it this year.

Herb Spiral 

Breadcrumbs

We took Rowan and her friend Paige into York for the launch of Breadcrumbs http://www.endpapers.co.uk/publicationsBook.asp?pub_id_PK=15 a childrens book about York. There was a storyteller taking us round the city, reading bits out as we went. It was fun. The girls liked it, but were keen to spend their pocket money in Borders [only shop open] on crucial things like a clockwork fish for the bath [£1.50] for Rowan and a pencil sharpener that is also a fan for Paige. I have got the photo posting sorted out, so here is one of the Herb Spiral

The Den 

The Bee Screen 

Herb Spiral

Having trouble posting photo's at the moment, so you will have to imagine the Den and the Herb Spiral. The Spiral featured in our very first blog post in October of last year. It is just coming back to life, and doing pretty well in supplying us with herbs. The Den got the seal of approval from Rhianna [Rowan's friend next door] yesterday. The bee screen is coming along as well, hopefully it will stop the bees paying us quite so much attention on these long hot sunny May days [OK so the sun came out for three hours yesterday]. Had our first barbecue yesterday as well. Have a very inquisitive male Chaffinch http://www.rspb.org.uk/birds/guide/c/chaffinch/index.asp trying to get into the house [usually through closed windows] he must like the music.

The Den

The Den is coming along with Rowan helping me build it. The overall plan has been to have no overall plan. So walls change day by day, but it is looking pretty good so far.

Rowan has spent the afternoon playing with Rhianna in the garden. Preston won 2-0 in the first leg of the play-off semi-final, barbecue tonight...

Watch out thistles 

Thistles

Busy Day. Rowan and I went on a Friends of Hob Moor thistle-chopping session this morning, with specially made thistle choppers. Good fun ... for 45 minutes or so. Danielle was sorting out her bees whilst we did that - honey is promised for June...

Then Rowan and Danielle went off to a mothers and daughters brunch in town - more mothers than daughters I think - any excuse for a brunch.

Next was foundation day at Rowan's school, which was good fun, we went on the tandem. Bouncy castles, stalls, dance performances, all the usual. Now we are at home looking forward to part two of the BBC history of soul programme - http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/souldeep/

Flying Scotsman at York Station 

Sorrel

Saw a Great Spotted Woodpecker on the peanuts outside the kitchen window this morning http://www.rspb.org.uk/birds/guide/g/greatspottedwoodpecker/index.asp they are quite rare visitors to our garden, so I was glad that Rowan was around to see it.

Made some Sorrel mouse last night. This is a good way of using the ample Sorrel http://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/s/sorcom64.html we have in the garden. The recipe involved cream, sorrel, eggs and butter - really tasty.

The photo is of the Flying Scotsman at York last summer. It is running each day to Scarborough this year, so we hope to take a trip one day

Committed

Yesterday evening I went to the Tuke Housing Association http://www.housingcorp.gov.uk/resources/register/rsldata/l0502.htm committee meeting. I have been on the committee for 6 years now [five meetings a year]. I can't say it is the most exciting thing in my life, and my contribution is not as great as other members of the committee, but they seem to value what I offer to the meetings. So I'll carry on for now.

Danielle's thoughts on cash

Cashing in - Cash living:
May 2005:
- Went on a spending spree for not really necessary objects in
London, then decided to experience what it might be like to live on
cash rather than credit. Credit includes debit cards, credit cards and
overdraft. Cheques are only used for postal bill payments.
- So process was, go on line to check balance, after direct
debits, standing orders, previous profligate spending, bill payments
(credit cards), savings etc were deducted.
- Then draw out remainder in cash and live on it, including work
expenses, until the next pay cheque/ expenses claim at the end of the
month.
- Take credit cards out of purse and leave at home.
Week One:
1 May: Had £40 in purse already. Went to the Turkish baths at
Harrogate and then forgot and used debit card (still in purse as back
up) to book baths and massages for Jenny and me. Oh dear.
Insight: Transition is hard from credit to cash - how much is actually
in transition is unclear and it makes me jittery and keen to check
balances every day. Previous purchases (like Avon order from Brydi -
supporting young enterprise, you know) or commitments (going out to
lunch with friends planned for later in month) are like nasty little
surprises and make claims on cash allowance.
Insight: Awareness of unexploited assets and stored wealth: vouchers
and tickets for use on the train; legs (walking); Oyster card for
London travel (touch in and out); bicycle; expense claims (I don't
really pay for taxis etc used for work to get somewhere quickly); work
credit card and travel vouchers; nail varnish, bath oils and make-up
for quick make me feel better pampering; previously purchased cards
and presents for friends and relations (used 1 May, 4 May and 7 May);
when you travel first class (using voucher) you get free tea, coffee,
water, fruit and biscuits; gym membership (better use it!).
5 May: Edinburgh: Still using the last of the £40. Took a taxi to
meeting to get there on time (£5). Walked back to station afterwards
but that cost me £25 because of passing dangerous boutique mentioned
below.
Insight: I am a shallow person who buys stuff as a form of
entertainment - I had always thought I was pretty modest in my
consumption as I hardly ever "go shopping" as a planned activity nor
do I have any (or hardly any) credit card debt or use my overdraft.
However, I do have a habit of purchasing bits from time to time that I
hardly notice as it is unconscious because my plastic friend gives me
loads of capacity. I am also impulsive - if I see something I want for
myself or my family or friends, I buy it. This is not usually
unreasonable - no Chanel or whatever suits for me - but it is still
impulsive. So, I have cards and birthday presents purchased on
previous trips stored around the house.
Insight: I do not ever have any accurate idea of how much money I have
in my bank account. This means I need to check often.
Insight: I go out for meals quite a lot but not with family (from whom
I could scrounge).
Saint!: Things I haven't bought in May that I might have if I had had
a credit card:
- Gorgeous top for Victor's wedding
- Fab dress seen in boutique in Edinburgh (have to wait until
next month)
- Some nice shoes somewhere or another (there are always nice
shoes)
- Boden 10% savings before 12 May extortion (I do not need those
clothes, I do not need those clothes)
Sinner!: Things I have cheated on in May:
- Beekeeping auction: borrowed £100 from Si to get stuff - got
to pay him back in June
- Debit card to buy fab purse in boutique in Edinburgh (did well
on the dress above though..)
- Debit card to top up for 'pay as you go' phone (May 3) by £15
- Debit card to buy lunch #2 for Rhianna and Rowan after
swimming (£8 - they were "starving!")

Ostia Antica 

Den

Down at the bottom of the garden, beyond honey corner [where the bees live] there is a secret corner. That is where I am building a play house for Rowan. I say building, it's more an organic growth of bits of old wood that I have lying around. I hope it is going to be good. We are all excited about it. Booked seats on an RSPB boat trip to Flamborough Head and Bempton Cliffs next month. http://www.yorkshire-tour.co.uk/yt/flamborough.htm

The photo is another one from Rome.

Rome Airport Station 

Muddy Trampolining

Rowan had her friend Douglas to play after school. The usual trampoline bouncing fest involving lots of screaming and muddy clothes [it's been raining here quite a lot]. I am in the process of erecting a screen to keep the bees from flying low across their garden en-route to the moor, that is the plan anyway.

The photo is from our trip to Rome.

Victor and Tracey 

Good Trip

The wedding was great, very happy occasion. The tone was set by the vicar inviting us all to have champagne in the church whilst we waited for the wedding photos to be taken outside - very civilized. Rowan had her first sip of champagne and, perhaps inevitably, liked it.

It was great to see David and Cathy and Jessie, had a good chat last night when we got there and croissants and mango for breakfast this morning.

Danielle and Rowan are now at the gym, I went for a drink with Paul whilst watching Ipswich fail to make the premiership...

Lough Cullin - County Mayo 

Wedding

Off to London today for Victor's wedding to Tracey in Wanstead. The church is just near Wanstead Flats which is a lot nicer than it sounds http://www.wrengroup.fsnet.co.uk/WANSTEAD_FLATS/Wanstead_Flats_Text.htm

We will be staying at David and Cathy and Jessie [bit younger than Rowan] in Crouch End.
This photo is from County Mayo in Ireland, where we went last summer.

Spurn Point

Despite voting Lib Dem I could not but help want Labour to do well last night! Stayed up till Bethnal Green then fell asleep. I hope the war message has got through.Danielle and I had our traditional bottle of desert wine to help us through it.

Rowan started a new swimming group yesterday evening. It is at the pool which is just across Hob Moor from us, and it went pretty well.

The photo is of Spurn Point, beyond Hull [a daunting prospect]. It is a suitably bleak, atmospheric spit of land.

If you click on "Link" below it will take you to a website about Spurn Point. All links from the blog will in future be accessed by clicking on Link.

Spurn Point 

Simon's Seat 

Election

For the first time in my life I will not be voting for Labour in the general election. York is a constituency where there is no chance of the Tories getting in, so my vote for the Lib Dem candidate can only help to send a message to Labour - that the war in Iraq was wrong and a disastrous mistake - with no danger of a Tory success. It felt odd putting the tick in a different box but also strangely empowering. I am now looking forward to watching the election result. My dream scenario would be Labour in power but needing Lib Dem support... we will see.

The photo is of a moor in the Dales, Simon's Seat, which Danielle went up last year for obvoius reasons.

The Gorse on Hob Moor 

Birth

My sister's son Tom and Katherine his partner have had a baby boy today. Tom is only 24, so the generations are getting twisted about a bit [I was 40 when we had Rowan]. Great news. Rowan is pleased that there will be a child younger than her on this side of the family [she already as Natalia, who is 2, on the other side of the family in the US.

The photo is of the gorse on Hob Moor which looks great, this time of year. Don't know who that is standing in the way...

Primroses - North York Moors 

Garden News

Danielle is in London till late today with a meeting of her trustees. Rowan and I had a great post-school lie in the sun on the trampoline doing her reading book. We saw our first orangetip butterfly of the year . Every night this week has seen a strange sight of a man in the garden armed with a bottle of beer, a pair of scissors and a torch. It is me. The torch is to look for the slugs, the beer is to trap them with, the scissors are ..... [work it out]Rowan is my willing apprentice and slowly we are getting rid of the infestation [kale, cauliflower and peas are the main victims]. Planted out the courgettes today, which means frost is almost inevitable...

North York Moors