We have a daughter and son-in-law and their two boys who live in Harrogate, we’ve been trying to visit all year and finally September was an OK month. We took the caravan to a site 4 miles from York so we would be close enough to Harrogate and for us to be there but not in the way. Young busy families need space if you visit them for long periods. Whilst we have stayed with them for 3 or four days at their place, there’s an old saying fish and friends go off after three days! The weather was quite good in so far as we didn’t get a down pour but it was the first period of grey and dank days you wish would go away, this was that sort of period!
However the first few days are spent with the family, the reason for going to Yorkshire, our second visit, and as you can see they know how to relax after work or school! Every accountant needs to chill out at the end of the week why not play paper airplanes, doesn’t cost much, is the first thought, sorry Steve!
On the 4th of September we had a day to ourselves and visited Beningborough Hall Yorkshire, beautiful grounds and a livable sort of house not grand by normal National Trust standards certainly a place worth visiting and we will go back on our next trip.
Nat Trust Beningborough Hall 
Entrance to the kitchen garden 
The rear of the house 
An early example of a flying staircase built. Beautiful
Helmsley
On the 6th of September we headed to a place my wife knew, Helmsley, wonderful small town in the middle of the beautiful country side, right up my street. As you will see from the pictures if you’ve not been. Lots of traditional pubs Lovely Church a real treat.
On the way back we had to stop off at Ampleforth College, a magnificent building and worth half a day of anyone’s time. Again the journey back was through lush Yorkshire country side, this has to be the least talked about area of outstanding beauty.
Country views on route 
Helmsely square t 
Between the fourth and the weekend we spent several of our days with daughter Alexandra whist the children were at school, visiting garden centres, as well as other local places of interest for lunch. We would then help with collecting one of them (different schools at this stage) which was a lovely time. We would usually scoot off before Steve came home so that he had some quality family time without our interference. Saturday came and we had already planned a family day at the Jorvic Centre as a surprise for the boys Joseph and Oliver, it would be unfair to not include Steve because he is always enthusiastic with any leisure activity. The Jorvic exhibition is located in the Coppergate shopping centre. A fully reconstructed Viking village complete with the sights and smells, and an adjoining museum. The history of York is fascinating and the exhibition is well worth a visit for young and old
Coppergate Shopping Centre 
Nanny D and the boys 
patisserie-valerie.co.uk well it just had to be after a morings history lesson
During one of the days out with Alex, she had wanted to take us to Ripon and the Cathedral, I’ve often heard of Ripon but not thought a great deal about it. Well again we were in for a surprise. The Cathedral in particular was a real treat and so welcoming to visitors. As you’ll see a lot of the cathedral but again the tour guides are very obliging all volunteers and extremely enthusiastic and well trained on the history
Kirkgate Street 
The first view of the Cathedral 
Delia and Alexandra 
Fabulous roof 
Magnificent stained glass window 
Small Chapel in cellar 
Yorkshire Bank 
The Square which will be busy on Market Day
Finally Steve was enthusiastic we should visit Sutton Bank but weather and time with the family didn’t allow us all to go together. So we fitted it in on a free day, so to speak. Steve had told us about the Gliding club and some walking. The weather was very good and the nearer we seemed to get to Sutton Bank the better the weather! The location is on the Edge of the North Yorkshire Moor, take a look, you can just make out the gliding club from below and beside the Escarpment in the picture I’ve highlighted it in.
There she is the main lady 
Just see the flying club 
In conclusion
What do I think of Yorkshire? At the risk of filling it with hoards of people, I should be so selfish! It’s a great place to visit, beautiful scenery, wide open spaces with lovely friendly inhabitants and a feeling of home. Will we go again, well of course our children and their family are there so January is in the diary, but if they were not there, you bet, like a shot! With so much to do!
Malcolm & Delia 