Junior Prom

It was Rowan's Junior Prom last weekend. No idea what that means but it looks like a posh disco to me. She enjoyed it a lot.

Breakfast at the Sidings

Here is Danielle at the sidings at breakfast. That is the main line a few metres to her right.

Ouse

From the Sidings we walked at Beningborough by the River Ouse on a perfect still sunny morning. Spring is still a way away, very few leaves emerging but it can't be long now. We saw Goosanders on the river [the new Mallard round here].

The Sidings

Danielle had got a Groupon voucher for my birthday [long ago] for a stay at The Sidings, a hotel consisting of old railway coaches just outside York on the East Coast Main Line. We have been to the restaurant a number of times over the years. It is a strange place, built with love and passion and attention to detail by a railway enthusiast, it is now owned and run by people who know nothing of all the railway memorabilia that is strewn around the place. The new owners do, however, look after it. Anyway we had a nice-ish meal and a fun stay.

Morning Light

It is great to be waking up in daylight again. The sun filters through the trees to send a 60 shadow on the wall from the etched glass, and to silhouette Danielle's small collection of jewelry on the chest of drawers.

The Millennium Bridge

The Millennium Bridge was opened in York just after we moved here. It is for cycling and walking and forms a crucial part of many people's routes around the city: hard to imagine life before it was built. I meet Danielle here, in the middle of the bridge when we walk back from her work together, a very peaceful place.

Mother and I

Ro took this photo of Mother and I at the home in Framlingham last week.

Mornington Crescent!

Rowan got the plane back this morning. I must admit it does not get any easier to see her go; we have had a really lovely time for the past two weeks. The key thing is that she loves it over there and it was definitely the right thing to do.
When we were in London we paid a pilgrimage to Mornington Crescent [spoof radio 4 panel game].

More Wolds

Rowan in the Wolds with Milo. I hope this shot gives you an idea of the steep dry valleys.

Rowan in the news

Wolds

Rowan Milo and I got a walk in the beloved Wolds last week. As beautiful and deserted as ever.

More London

Rowan enjoyed her day in London I think.

Nearly 90

My mother has now moved permanently into the residential home near Ro & Pete in Suffolk. Her Alzheimers has made it the best solution. We all went down to see her at the weekend, with a mini-celebration ahead of her 90th birthday which is in a couple of weeks.

All Change

When I moved to London in 1980 I used to love exploring on foot and bike. The Regents Canal and Victoria Park in Hackney were interesting but just a little derelict, isolated and dodgy. It has all changed, the canals are now officially greenways with good surfaces, signage and lots of people. This cafe at Victoria Park is a lovely place to have a coffee.

Trad

Rowan has missed traditional English food whilst she has been away. So we put that right in London with an Indian meal and fish and chips.

London Walk

It is great having Rowan home for the spring break. Tuesday she and I went down to London and walked 20 miles or so from the Dome > Greenwich > Isle of Dogs > Canary Wharf  > Limehouse > Regents Canal > Vicky Park > Islington > Camden Lock > Diwana in Drummond Street > British Library > Kings Cross > train home. A really great day.

The photo shows the Dome on the right and Canary Wharf on the Isle of Dogs in the centre.

York Open Studios 2015

Not long to go now. Get planning that visit.

State Championships

Here is a picture of Rowan medalling at the Pennsylvania State Indoor Athletic Championships in the high jump.

West Yorkshire Moors #3

The third of our walks on the West Yorkshire Moors was this weekend. January had brought us snow in Oakworth, February brought us fog in Halifax, and March brought us rain in Riponden. It was a great route again up through the moss clad stone paths and bridges of the valley to the bleak moors, but it was wet and, by the end, cold. Quite a culture shock for Rowan. By my reckoning April should be blazing hot sun; time will tell.

Skinny Living

The three us of went to our first York House Concert, [gigs held in someones house] with Gwen Pam & Andy. It was a young Wakefield band called Skinny Living https://www.facebook.com/SkinnyLivingmusic who were just fantastic. Two acoustic guitars, a singer and a drummer hitting a box, making a great sound. Really fine.

Saw these crocus on the Knavesmire last week