The moles have gone, we got the mole man in, he thought there may be up to 4 different moles around but he only caught 2. No sign of any new activity so hopefully that’s it, at least for a while. Apparently they work in 4 hour cycles, 4 hours sleep then 4 hours either hunting-finding the worms that drop down into their burrows, or working-extending their territory by digging more burrows. They also have worm pantries. They will bite the heads off the worms they find then store them in their worm pantries for leaner times. All very fascinating.
The Burneston Belles lunchtime treat was at The New Inn at Thrintoft. A lovely place tucked away down a quiet lane. We got a very friendly welcome and service throughout. A beautiful dining room with white linen tablecloths and napkins. A good choice of 8 dishes to choose from on the set menu and very reasonable prices. We all chose either the steak and mushroom pie at £6.95 or slow cooked shank of lamb at £8.95. It was a very good portion and so tasty. Accompanied by fresh veg and potatoes, followed by some of us with the best ever sticky toffee pudding. Website www.newinn-pub.co.uk
Ian and I took some time out and visited the Himalayan gardens and Sculpture park just outside Masham at Grewelthorpe. The first plantings were started in 1998 and it is evolving all the time with plants such as rhododendrums, azalias, magnolias, pieris, acers and camellias to name a few. Some of the paths are quite steep or with steep steps but there are plenty of benches to sit and take in the views and the sculptures really added interest to the day. There are also lakes with the clearest water. It is a spring garden only open between 22nd April and 12th June so I was pleased we managed to see it. On the way out we called at the café for tea and scrummy home-made scones.
I had my first bike ride of the year. We were out about an hour and 15minutes. Not as hard work as I thought it would be, so let’s hope for good weather every Tuesday evening so we can keep it up.
Hats and fascinators were at the ready for the ladies day at Ripon races. Around 40 of us met at the Green Dragon for Pimms before spending the day eating, drinking and counting the winnings, well we did win a little bit. We all had a wonderful day out as usual.
The Dales has been a brilliant series on a Monday evening, we will miss it now it has finished. It highlighted some wonderful places to visit and introduced us to some very special people. The Muker Show this year is on the 7th September. Worth a visit if only to spot Amanda and Clive and all their children who are real stars of the programme, and to see if she can win this years scone baking competition.
A few events to look forward to in July are North Yorkshire Moors Railway Vintage weekend, Newby Hall Historic vehicle rally, Great Yorkshire show Harrogate, Masham Steam Engine rally, and Bellerby scarecrow and open gardens.
Farriers cottage has had a freshen up in the bedrooms with a coat of paint and new carpets. We still have a few gaps in July and August so if you haven’t yet planned your hols and are looking for somewhere clean and comfortable and a great base to explore then give me a call.
Caroline
